Welcome to Feature Friday: Gabriela and Family! Gabriela is the daughter of Victoria and Juan and she has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. They currently live in Texas! They are a faith-filled, girl family (3 daughters), they love to dance, swim, and cook together as a family. Also, the family really enjoy movie nights together and trying new things all together.

Gabriela is a spunky Kindergartener with a vivacious personality. She is a strong self advocate for her diabetes and overall health. They strongly believe in the importance of her knowing as much as she can about her diagnosis and being aware of carbs/insulin dosages and how to take care of herself.

Diagnosis Story

Gabriela has been a type 1 diabetic for 11 months.

I started noticing symptoms over the span of about a month such as increased thirst, weight loss, fatigue, and when the bed wetting started, I had an inclination that it was type 1. As an occupational therapist, I have some medical knowledge so thankfully, I was able to piece the symptoms together. We went to see the pediatrician who confirmed my suspicion, and then went to meet our endocrinologist. It was the hardest day of my life, but I was thankful that we caught it before she ended up in DKA.

Initial Thoughts

Fear was the biggest emotion. I was scared of missing a sign of a low or not dosing correctly. I was also thankful that God has equipped us (my husband and me) with the right tools to take care of Gabriela and the strength to push through day by day.

Explanation of Diabetes

We told Gabriela that sugar is what gives all of our body parts energy and for some reason, her “sugar controllers” stopped working. We made sure that she knew this wasn’t anyone’s fault. Also, we told her that the sugar controllers are what make the insulin and so without them, we needed to inject it into her body. We told her that without it, she could get very sick. In addition, we wanted to try our best to keep her as healthy as possible and avoid that. So we needed her help to do so by always telling us how she feels and when she’s hungry. We explained to her that diabetes is something that she will always have to live with. However, if she tries hard to learn everything she can about it, so that she can take good care of herself, then she will be strong and healthy, despite diabetes.

Favorite Diabetic Device

Dexcom has been a lifesaver!

 Share what the word thrive means to you!

To me, “thrive” means to live your best life that God gifted you. So, if that means you were given a disability, or a mental health issue, or in Gaby’s case -diabetes, living your life to the fullest capacity and doing so while maintaining your attitude of gratitude.

 What helps you as the caregiver and your child thrive with diabetes?

Our faith is what keeps us moving forward. I know who holds my tomorrow and Gaby’s so I know that I will be equipped with the tools and strength that I need to take care of her.

 What do you wish someone told you earlier as a caregiver for someone with diabetes?

Don’t be so hard on yourself!! Perfection is an illusion and there is no perfect diabetic! lol

Words of Encouragement

I would tell them that no matter how hard it seems, they will get through it and survive it. Diabetes is a daily roller coaster ride and though hard, never impossible.

Final Thoughts

Come follow Gaby! @gabychasingunicorns and say hi!

Victoria

PS! If you liked this story, please check out the family from last Friday and read the post about my new T1D book for children! Hope you are as excited as me!

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This week in feature Friday with Nik and River! We are learning about River who is a 3 year living with Type 1 Diabetes, from his mother Nik’s perspective. River and Nik are both warriors and despite the guilt, tough days, and exhausting nights. Diabetes isn’t easy but Nik is learning how to help her child and be his best advocate! I am proud of her and I hope you enjoy hearing from this family as I did.

Diabetes and Autism

River was diagnosed a couple of weeks after his 2^nd Birthday, in moderate DKA, looking back he probably had symptoms for a couple months (which we had no idea about). He was also diagnosed with Autism around his 3^rd birthday. Which can make managing his diabetes more difficult as there is also food sensory issues, as well as a lack of communication and understanding. He now sees an Occupational Therapist and a Speech & Eating Therapist every week.

Diagnosis Story

All summer, River had been drinking a lot of bottles, all he wanted was bottles. He therefore had lots of wet nappies and wet outside most nappies. We tried different brands, we tried everything and he still wet through his nappies. He started loosing weight. I thought initially something might be wrong with his kidneys or something else due to lack of food and increased milk intake. One day, he had a strawberry milk and vomited it up. We thought was odd but had no idea what was really happening.

Also, he started looking sick (we see that now looking back in photos) and was sleeping more and always looked tired. I had two older boys and thought, they never were like this, something doesn’t seem right. So I googled his symptoms one night around 8pm. I typed in one big sentence into search bar “lots of drinking, lots of weeing, vomiting, tired, loosing weight” and the first and only thing that came up was Type 1 Diabetes.

I told my husband, I think River has type 1 diabetes, he basically said no he doesn’t, get off google, if you are worried take him up to ER then. River was peacefully asleep and I didn’t want to wake him when maybe I was just being paranoid. The next morning when River woke, he basically couldn’t get his head off the floor. I was like this is not normal, even when my other boys had been sick with all different illnesses, they never looked like this.

Being a Child’s Advocate 

So I took him up to the Prince Charles childrens ER which is about 10 mins from home. The room was empty and I straight up said to the triage nurse, I want him tested for type 1 diabetes. She looked at him and said “no his mouth is not dry so its not that.” I said , he has a drink constantly in his mouth so of course his mouth isn’t dry which she replied “he would still have a dry mouth.” Anyway as the room was empty, they took us in fairly quickly, did a finger prick and ketones check, walked out the room and the rest is a blur but lots people coming in and out room.

I am fairly sure they said blood was around maybe 38 and ketones around 6 (again it was a blur and my sleep deprived mind has blocked out as much as it can of that traumatic day) and then I remember drs standing around looking sad and said that I was right, he has type 1 diabetes and he is in mild-moderate DKA. He needed to be transferred by ambulance to the ICU at Queensland Children’s Hospital. I like being right, but I never wanted to be right about this.

DKA

The next hour putting 2 drips in one in each arm was the most traumatic thing ever for him (and I). It was very difficult and took over an hour to get them in and 6-8 people to hold him down that entire 1hr. He was so exhausted and his DKA was worsening as they couldn’t administer any fluids or insulin yet. We then spent 2 days in ICU and then I think maybe 4 days in the ward learning the very basics and getting put on a insulin pump. It was pure hell. No sleep, haven’t had that much sleep since either and still have so much to learn.

Note: There was no type 1 in the family, I have an auto-immune disease (hypothyroidism), he did have an infection a few months before diagnosis and also when I started seeing the signs (which I had no idea back then, only know now looking back).

Initial Thoughts

I was upset that I didn’t pick up on the signs sooner or know what the signs even were. Looking back I’m not sure I knew one single thing about type 1 diabetes. It’s sad that it took a google search and insisting at ER for them to check him based on my google search. Another day and he may not have survived. I still carry around a lot of guilt about not knowing the signs sooner and what suffering he went through.

What helps you as the caregiver and your child thrive with diabetes?

Surrounding ourselves with people that are kind, understanding and supportive.

What you wish you knew earlier…

To do your own research and learn as much as you can and to be your childs advocate. Stand up for them, learn as much as you can for them.

Words of Encouragement

This is more so advice, to try find yourself another type 1 parent that you can speak to for support. I have made some great type 1 mum friends who I know I can message (and they can message me) any day or night to ask anything. We can vent about anything, share the wins, share the bad days and the stresses. Having someone that just gets it and a safe supportive environment for each other.

Final Thoughts

Always have a box of ketones strips around! Also, always do ketones test if vomiting, even if its related to gastro or alcohol. Never presume ketones are fine, always check.

Nik and River (Instagram)

Check out last weeks feature HERE!

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This week our interview comes from Sina Maleki in Iran who has had Type 1 Diabetes since the age of 12. He is a very enthusiastic computer programmer who shares his passion in an employment-oriented online service. He is the co-founder of a startup company in Iran called KARJOO+. This helps those who have graduated find proper jobs and helps companies choose the best person to fit there need. It also organizes candidates for hiring and recruitment purposes. Sina also considers himself a very persistent person and is passionate about working out. Even before he was diagnosed with diabetes, he enjoyed practicing Taekwondo and running. Please enjoy his story, while gaining insight into what life is like, living as a diabetic in Iran.

Diagnosis story

I’ve got type 1 diabetes when I was 12 years old. First of all, I realize whatever I eat, my hunger will not go away, on the other hand, I lost a lot of weight. Eventually, severe lethargy caused my parents to take me to the doctor and after some tests they told me that I have diabetes ( strange memories ).

Initial Thoughts

One of our neighbors was nurse, she talk to doctor and gave me an insulin shot before going to hospital, because my blood sugar was 330 at that time. Spending 2 weeks in a children’s hospital made me so confused.

The first 6 months, my parents just looked for a solution for me to “not take insulin.” But as we all know there is just one solution and that is called “insulin”

Diabetic Tip

I think an important thing, specially for kids is talking with psychologist (person who has diabetes and also their parents). Because checking blood sugar, taking insulin and all diabetes lifestyles need guidance and preparation. Also, the belief that you can still be strong and not to be embarrassed to check your blood sugar or take insulin in front anyone. I was afraid of exposing that I was a diabetic until I was 20, and I think therapist can decrease these kind of fear and lack of mistrust.

What does thrive mean to you?

For me thrive means spring. Diabetes is like winter and we could adapt our life with that but the good news is that diabetes can help us to a healthy life and this lifestyle is like spring after winter.

What helps you thrive with diabetes?

Banafsheh Bella is my mother’s cousin. She is so lovely, kind and so beautiful! She is nurse in Sweden and has been a therapist for me. I remember she brought me some insulin pens from Sweden. As you know, we have insulin pens have no been here for 10 years in Iran. It is hard to find them in Iran because of US sanctions and lack of management in Iran. I was very fragile and insecure in those days when I was maybe 14 years old, the beautiful girl told me that one day she was talking to a boy in the club and in the middle of their conversation, the boy could easily give himself an insulin shot without embarrassment. She said that his confident affected her so much because he had no problem with his diabetes at all. She wanted me to be like that boy!

What do you wish someone told you earlier about diabetes?

I wish I had been introduced to diabetes classes much earlier and as I mentioned before, talking with therapist.

What is it like being a diabetic in Iran?

After Trump came to power in US, sanctions against Iranian have doubled and one of the effects that continues is insulin deficiency. Also, lack of management from government has caused this problem. There is no technology devices like “The FreeStyle Libre”, “Dexcom”, “Insulin Pumps” … again because of sanctions. As a citizen, I must say these sanctions only bother ordinary people like medical patients and diabetics.

Thank you for reading! ♡

Sina Maleki (follow him on IG)

If you liked this, check out another Type 1 Diabetic who has adopted a healthy lifestyle!

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Today I want to talk to you about some important information you must know about how to dispose of diabetic sharps! Needles and other diabetic sharps are a huge part of having diabetes but there are many options for disposing them properly. It also varies, depending on where you live and it’s good to refresh yourself once in awhile! Every community has different regulations and guidelines so if you have moved or are planning to move, make sure you check to see your options.

Some options may include but are not limited to: FDA mail-back programs, hazardous waste collection sites, special waste pick-up services or local collection sites. In addition, you can check with your family doctor or endocrinologist to see where they would recommend you to dispose of your sharps. I have even heard of people taking their sharps to their doctor’s office.

Here is a website that can help you find the options for safe disposal in your specific area:

State Search

Did you know?

-Do not fill a sharps container to the top, it should only be 3/4’s full

-Always store your container out of reach from children or animals living in the home

-Sharps include lancets, CGM trash, infusion sets, CGM applicators, needles, and syringes

-There are many options for disposal but trash and recycle are not one of them

-You do not have to buy a fancy diabetic sharps container off of a website, use an empty coffee tin or laundry detergent gallon instead, they work just as well

-You can break apart CGM applicators to reduce the waste in your sharps container (this was a tip someone shared with me on IG!)

If you have any unanswered questions regarding diabetic sharps, please leave them in the comments below! How do you dispose of your diabetic sharps? Also, if you liked this post check out the previous post on positive diabetic affirmations.

Stephanie

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Are you feeding yourself negative thoughts or positive thoughts? Our self-talk is so important for creating the life we want, the healthy body we desire, and it can even shift our mindset which can change our perception of the world. That’s why they are powerful. During my 21 years of diabetes I have tried to stay away from the negativity. There is so much negativity, stigma, and misinformation when it comes to diabetes. Also, many people don’t realize how many types of diabetes there are! The diabetics I know are actually healthier than my non-diabetic friends and acquaintances.

I experienced the “diabetic negativity, misinformation, and stigma” first-hand during my pregnancies. Even though I was drinking green smoothies for breakfast, taking walks, and drinking a gallon of water… I was a high-risk pregnancy simply because I was a diabetic. It really bothered me that I was doing everything right but I was automatically put into a category because of this disease. I understand why diabetes is considered high-risk but it was disheartening and upsetting to be recommended to nutritionists. I felt like the word “diabetes” made me sound unhealthy and that something terrible would happen in my pregnancy.

Instead of feeding this negativity, I learned about positive affirmations and years later they still stick with me. I AM healthy and I AM thriving. If you are struggling with your diabetes, why not give positive words a try. We create our life with our thoughts, so do you want to be healthy and thrive with me? If so, let’s go!

Here are six quick positive affirmations for diabetics you can repeat to yourself if you have diabetes. You are in control of your body, your blood sugars will continue to get better, you are strong, healthy, and happy, you accept diabetes, you only compare yourself to yourself, your mistakes allow you to grow!

Create some affirmations for yourself starting with I AM ______________. If you feel comfortable, share one below. If you love this concept of affirmations, click here to view some more uplifting ones!

Also, please join in our community and share your story with the world.

Love to you all,

Stephanie

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Fiber is great for diabetics because the total fiber content in food doesn’t require insulin and can even reduce the number of carbs in the foods we eat. Say what?!

We can subtract the grams of fiber from the total carbohydrate count before giving ourselves insulin. This is because fiber cannot be digested like other carbohydrates. I won’t get too scientific but our bodies can’t break down fiber and it goes straight to the digestive track. There are two type of fiber that  I highlighted in the Venn diagram for you: soluble and insoluble fiber. There are TONS of benefits for all people to include fiber into their diets and it is no secret that most people don’t consume enough.

I have been (mostly except fish) plant-based for about a year now and I eat way more fiber than I ever have from nuts, seeds, fruits, plant proteins, vegetables, and legumes. I feel wonderful eating more fiber and can give myself less insulin, which is great. If you are a plant-based diabetic have you noticed anything similar?

If you are diabetic and experiencing blood sugar spikes after meal time, you could try to slowly incorporate more fiber into your diet to avoid those dreaded post-meal spikes.

Thanks for reading!

Stephanie

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Yes, of course it can! Diabetes can place extra stress and increased amounts of inflammation in our bodies. Whatever is happening on our inside, will eventually show on the outside / our exterior appearance. Maintaining good blood sugar control is important for healthy hair but “good control” can be interpreted differently for everyone. Avoiding high blood sugars is really important because when our blood glucose levels are high, our blood vessels can become damaged. Hair needs healthy blood vessels in order to receive nutrients, therefore, this is just another reason to keep those sugars in check!

Our hair is also greatly affected by hormones, stress, our diets, water intake, the ingredients in products placed on the hair, and how we care for and treat our locks. Here are some great hair care tips I’ve come across over and over and these are some I’ve been trying lately (well doing the best I can at trying them). Hope they work for you!

Hair tips:

1. Minimize heat on your hair! If you must use heat- use a heat protectant.
2. Eat a well balanced diet, your hair needs nutrients ladies!
3. Always aim for good blood sugar control (easier said than done amiright?)
4. Use natural products in your hair (ingredients you can read).
5. Find a good hair oil, use 1 x per day for shiny and healthy ends
6. Try deep conditioning treatments (moisture) and rice water rinses (protein).
7. Stay away from hair color if you can, you don’t need it!
8. Only use a wide tooth comb when hair is wet!
9. Embrace your natural hair texture- curly, wavy, straight… love it!
10. Sleep on a silk pillow case or use a silk hair / head wrap for bedtime.
11. Take hair vitamins and/or use a collagen supplement for growth.
12. Learn protective hairstyles if you are in a transitional phase.
13. Drink water, yes it helps your skin and hair too. That’s a win!
14. Wash your hair less frequently, natural oils are great for growth.
15. Add a workout to your day to help with stress and bringing oxygen to the scalp.

Love to you all!

Stephanie

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That person isn’t the only one diagnosed- it is a family affair. Unfortunately, everyone shares in the burden of having diabetes. This could be felt through financial strain, pure exhaustion from being up all night caring for a T1D child or loved one, alarms for the highs and lows, coping and learning acceptance, the entire learning curve with CGMs and pumps, the mental challenges this disease brings you, and the work 24/7 work it entails. We could go on and on, am I right? Family and Type 1 Diabetes goes hand-in-hand.

Families are affected in various ways and I know that T1D affects my young children in many ways. They have seen me countless times calling insurance companies and diabetic supply companies, changing my infusion sets, giving myself injections via needles, sitting on the kitchen floor eating snacks, my post low moodiness, chugging water to bring my sugar down, and the list goes on and on. At the end of the day, I hope that I am a good example of a strong woman because this isn’t easy!

I hope they see that although I get frustrated and annoyed with diabetes and my body- I don’t give up. In fact, it makes me work that much harder. Diabetes affects my family but it also gives us a gift. It shows us how precious life is everyday. I know that I want and need to be there for my kids, so my health must be a priority everyday. Hopefully, they see it and they learn as I have from this disease.

How does diabetes affect you and your family?

Thank you for reading! If you like the blog and would like to share your story please visit this post for more information. Also, I found some resources and programs on “Beyond Type 1” about families and Type 1 Diabetes, if you need more information on this topic.

Thank you,

Stephanie

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What are ketones?

Ketones are a chemical produced in our bodies during the breakdown of  fat. The presence of ketones in our body is harmful to us as diabetics! Our bodies get rid of ketones in our urine, however, large amounts of ketones can build up in the bloodstream and cause problems.

What can happen if we have large amounts of ketones in our blood?

If we have large amounts of ketones in our blood, we could develop Diabetic Ketoacidosis or DKA. You can test your urine at home using ketone strips if you suspect you are “spilling ketones” but you should also seek medical help. DKA is an emergency and requires professional assistance. 

When should I be testing for ketones?

It is recommended to check for ketones if your blood sugar is elevated (300 <) and not coming down normally. Look for signs of DKA, such as, brain fog, feeling nauseous, feeling very tired, and other high blood sugar symptoms.

What should I do if I am spilling small or trace amounts of ketones?

First, breathe. Then try your best to get your sugars back in range (sometimes easier said than done, right?) with insulin. Also, make sure you are drinking A LOT of water to flush the ketones out! Exercise isn’t the best thing to do when your sugar is high but light movement is good and helpful for the insulin to circulate around your body. Think a light walk or dancing around your house.

What should I do if I am spilling moderate to large amounts of ketones?

Breathe again, stress only makes things worse! Contact a healthcare professional immediately and/or visit an urgent care hospital. Sometimes high blood sugars are out of our control and could be caused by an illness or an underlying infection. It is imperative to seek help at this point.

Final thoughts!

Ketones can happen to any diabetic at any time. It is important to share and refresh our minds about simple things like DKA and ketones, especially if we have had diabetes for a long time or if we are new in the diabetic world. Remember, you are greater and stronger than your highs! 

If you would like to learn more about Thriving Diabetic, click here!

Thank you,

Stephanie

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