Diabetic Friends Action Network (DFAN) Online Diabetes Newsletter - October 1995 (Delphi Custom Forum 255) This document (c) Copyright 1995, all rights reserved. Redistribution of this document is hereby freely granted so long as the document is redistributed in its entirety (here interpreted as all text which was not automatically generated by software as part of the distribution process); in particular, with attributions and this copyright notice. ____________________________________ Eating is something we have to do several times a day, every day of our lives. A child or adult with diabetes isn't exempted from this practice. Diabetics have to eat just like every other person and that can bring along many different obstacles. Things such as timing, portions, calories and the amount of fat eaten have to be gauged with every meal. Eating meals at a proper time is important to a diabetic. If the person is taking medication to help control their diabetes then meals have to be eaten relative to when the medication is taken. If the meals aren't eaten on time the insulin and/or oral medications might not work as efficiently as it's supposed to. The portions and amount of calories a person with diabetes eats is also important. Eating the correct portions is important in knowing exactly what you are eating. If a half cup of applesauce is 50 calories you have to be sure you eat a half cup. You can't just make a "guesstimate" and hope you measured correctly. If you eat too much then your blood glucose levels may go up. It will also be counterproductive if you're trying to lose weight. The amount of food you eat each day is taken into account when your doctor calculates how much insulin or oral medications you should be taking. So if you're supposed to be eating 1600 calories a day and you're really eating 2000 or more calories a day you're not doing the best you can do for your diabetes management plan. The amount of fat eaten in the diet is also crucial. Sometimes it's thought that diabetics only have to worry about the amount of sugar they eat, but that's not the case. People with diabetes also have to worry about the amount of fat in their diet. Fat makes people gain weight but it can also lead to high blood glucose levels for a person with diabetes. It's not uncommon for a person to see their blood glucose levels go up after eating a meal that has a high fat content. Trying to keep all the above-mentioned things in your mind can be like juggling balls at times. Sometimes you might "drop the ball" but when that happens just try to get back on your mealplan again. You may want to buy yourself a special notebook to use as a journal to keep track of everything you're eating. Or you may want your spouse or family to help you prepare your meals. Just make sure you're keeping track of everything so if something goes wrong you can recognize it and correct it as quickly as possible. We're looking for articles for the November edition of our newsletter so if you have a story to tell, and diabetes is involved send it in! Thanks. ___________________ARTICLE____________________ Dealing with Reactions By Clare Pattison When I was a girl, my mother started teaching me to cook with making hot chocolate. As I was carefully stirring the milk on the stove, she told me what to watch for and that I would know when it was ready. It was supposed to rise in the saucepan. Well, I didn't know if I would be able to tell when it had risen up enough so I kept my eyes glued to the milk as I stirred. I was a nervous wreck worrying that I would miss it. As anyone who has ever heated milk on a stove knows, boiling milk isn't something anyone can miss. Sure enough, there it was frothing and bubbling and rising out of the pan so fast that it came right over the top and all over the stove before I could even lift it off. The next time I made hot chocolate, I knew what to watch for, and was able to catch the milk just BEFORE it boiled over. And, I never worried about it again. Then I became a mother, and the diabetes education team started teaching me to deal with insulin reactions in my child. They told me all the causes and symptoms to watch for, and said that I would know when it happened. Well, I didn't know if I would be able to tell. I slept with one ear open. I tested her day and night in case I missed it. I never left her with anyone else. I treated her like an unexploded bomb. Just like so many years ago waiting for the milk to boil, I was a nervous wreck. Then one day, it happened. It only took a few minutes to realize what was going on, and I did just exactly what I had been taught. "So that's a reaction." We all lived through it quite well, and from then on, we were so much more relaxed. We knew what it looked like. We knew what to watch for, and usually were able to catch it just BEFORE it happened. I can't say I never worried again, but I sure was able to relax knowing that it wasn't a catastrophe, and that we could handle it. (Being Human) I cooked our 2 year old son a scrambled egg and toast for his breakfast one morning. Because it was so hot, I put it into the freezer for a few minutes while I got the other kids off to the school bus. Then I had breakfast. When we were all done, he was really fussy and whiny, but I sent him off to play. At lunch time, his test was very low and that was when I discovered his breakfast frozen solid in the freezer. I felt awful, but he forgave me by eating a really good lunch. (Diet Management) We have been dealing with diabetes for almost a year now and I have completely shied away from having company over for meals. But it was our son's birthday and we always have a big barbecue. Making big meals for lots of people used to be something I loved doing. I didn't let people bring salads because I really enjoyed doing it myself. This time, when people offered, I accepted. Our guests brought potato salad, fruit salad, pickles and buns. I bought frozen hamburger patties. Then, as I was making the rest of the meal, I began to enjoy myself. I tried a new noodle salad and called a friend for her pea salad recipe. . I had fun. It took me a long time to clue in to why I was having such a very hard time shopping and cooking - two things I always enjoyed before. I had to bake squares for a function and I was creaming the sugar and butter together. It actually turned my stomach. It was like handling poison. I felt utter revulsion and I couldn't continue. My husband had to do it for me. (He was worried I was pregnant!) I know a lot of parents of diabetic children really work hard at adjusting recipes and trying new things. I can't. Food is no longer just for nourishment and pleasure. Food for us in now a cautious ally, or a dangerous enemy - and there's a very fine line between the two. It is difficult to take pleasure in drawing my son's insulin, it is also difficult to take pleasure in preparing and measuring his food. But a few days after the squares incident, I tried again and made the birthday cake with four different colors of "icing"!! Yes, I can so do it. Anyway, our son had a wonderful birthday surrounded by people who love him and lots of good food. These are from "Parents Talk - Living with a Child with Diabetes" It is available from me. I have lots more. Let me know when you need some more or what kind you're looking for. If you'd like to get in contact with Clare Pattison you can reach her at this e-mail address: pattda@sasknet.sk.ca You can also reach her through snail mail at: Box 513 Delisle, Saskatchewan Canada S0L 0P0 (306) 493-2656 ________________ARTICLE______________ In last month's issue we asked if anyone noticed that their blood seemed thicker when their blood glucose level was high. Here are some of the responses we received. "I agree with this 100%. I noticed 4 years ago that when I had a hard time getting a drop for testing that the BG was high. When I had no problem getting a drop, the BG was normal. And when I happened to get that gusher when pricking my finger my BG was low. I just thought that it was an accident, but after a few years of the same thing happening there seems to be some validity to the statement." "Yes I also have noticed it. Not so much the thickening, as how thin it is when my levels are lower." "I too have noticed that the blood on the test strip appears thin when the reading is low, and thick when it's higher. I never mentioned it to anyone because I thought it was too trivial, or that I was mistaken." "Absolutely YES! My husband has frequently commented that he can tell if his BG reading will be high or low based on the viscosity of his blood. I've checked it out too. It is true. His blood very certainly appears thinner when his readings are normal or below; appears thicker when his readings are higher." "Yes! I've noticed the same thing. When my blood glucose levels are less than 150, my blood does appear "thinner" and even "lighter" in color." "I have also observed thick vs. thin blood droplets. My conclusions have been different, however. I believe that on occasion my blood sample does not "wet" the test strip." ______________ARTICLE__________________ The 10th Anniversary of the Bustin' Diabetes Rodeo By Mark Rider On November 11th, the Bustin' Diabetes Rodeo will celebrate its 10th Anniversary. This is the largest fund raiser benefiting the American Diabetes Association in Ft. Worth / Tarrant County (Texas, for you foreigners!) To date, the Rodeo has raised over $500,00 to support public, patient and professional education programs, and has funded several diabetes research programs in the North Texas Area. Although there are many diabetics working on this project, most of us are significant others. We are giving our time and resources to help not just those we love, but everyone who shares their disease and all it entails. What is a Bustin' Diabetes Rodeo? It is a Saturday night event that brings top riders to the Cowtown Coliseum to compete for prizes. There are professional Rodeo Clowns, bulls, roping, riding...all the usual things you would find at a rodeo. But there is a difference to this Rodeo that makes a difference to a LOT of people. All of the money raised is used to help the ADA Texas Chapter, in whatever way they see fit. How does the Bustin' Diabetes Rodeo get set up each year? It begins a few days after the Rodeo is over, actually. After some much needed rest, the volunteers have a meeting to go over the results of the Rodeo, and start to plan for the next one. The thank you letters to Sponsors are written, as are letters of appreciation to everyone who donated their time, money, and auction items. Planning the rodeo each year keeps the volunteers busy, which is why work on the next rodeo starts as soon as the current rodeo is completed. There are a lot of things to do to get ready, because the Rodeo is not the only thing going on that day. There is a BBQ Cook-Off featuring the top Cook-Off champs from around the area, a silent auction, a live auction, and a dance with a live band! The food is served before the Rodeo, and the auctions and dance follow. The volunteers get together on Friday night to set up the old cow barn and decorate it; the items donated for the auctions are set out; the smokers are fired off and the briskets begin to cook; and a LOT of coffee is kept brewing, because for some of us there will be no sleep until Sunday afternoon. On Saturday, the extra volunteers show up around noon to put the finishing touches on the decorations, tap the kegs, start popping the popcorn, etc. At 5:30pm the food is served from a double-sided buffet line, and people are running everywhere to get more food, clean up the tables, carry trays for those who cannot, and generally take care of the detail work. After the Rodeo starts, most of these people will still be here, packing things up and getting the barn ready for the auction and dance. Some of us get to see the rodeo, or at least some of it, but that is not our main goal. After the Rodeo is over, the barn fills again, and the auctioneer starts calling for bids on items ranging from autographed Texas Rangers memorabilia, to trips to exotic places. And after the final bid is taken, the band starts up. Its two-step all night long, and after the last guest leaves, the volunteers finally get a chance to finish the clean up. The tables and chairs are folded up, the trash is swept off the floor, and by noon Sunday the barn looks like it does most of the year...quiet and empty. But for a lot of people, standing amid the silence, we can still hear the laughter and music that signifies a few more dollars to help fight a disease. It is worth every hectic, sleepless minute, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. There is a home page on the World Wide Web for the Rodeo at: http://www.geopages.com/athens/1215/rodeo.html I will keep it as up to date as I can, and hope you will visit. If you do not find the information you are looking for there, please feel free to drop me an e-mail either from the page, or at theoden@ix.netcom.com. I will be glad to answer any questions you have about how the Rodeo is doing, and maybe you will be able to help start something similar in YOUR area! ________________ARTICLE__________________ CASE SCENARIO: MEAL PLANNING AWAY FROM HOME "Ah, this is a great wrestling match! Now all I need is something to eat". "Peanuts! Peanuts! Two for a dollar!" "Peanuts? Yeah, that sounds good. Gimmee two bags!" The scent of the peanuts was only rivaled by the taste of them. The 40 ounce soda tasted good too. "Gosh, this soda would be enough for all my kids", a laughter filled the air. After three matches it was time for another snack. "Hmmm...a chili dog sounds good, but then again I don't want to overeat. Gotta take my shot in a little while. Ok...I'll just have some nachos with cheese. Seven nacho chips and a little cheese over them can't hurt much. Oh yeah...I'll get a diet soda this time too." The ride home in the car wasn't too bad. Half a bag of peanuts was eaten, no problem. Dinner was going to be in an hour and those peanuts wouldn't spoil anyone's appetite. Is this how you eat when you go out? If it is, there's some room for improvement. It might not SEEM like much. After all, peanuts are small and you only eat a little bit of them, right? But peanuts just happen to contain oil. Yep, peanuts are a food loaded with fat. So if you're trying to lose weight you'd want to stay away from them. You should stay away from them even if you're not trying to lose weight. All diabetics should try to stay away from foods that have a high content of fat. Then there's the chili dog. It should be "healthy". Think about it again. Frankfurters can sometimes contain 70% FAT. So every time you take a bit of that hot dog you're adding more fat to your body. Ah..the nacho chips. That doesn't seem like much. Except for the fact that they're fried, in oil. More fat for your body. And cheese? The cheese that covers the nachos is also a food that has an extremely high fat content. The next time you think something is "just a little thing" or that it "won't hurt your mealplan", get out your calorie/fat counter and look it up. I know, you don't want to live your life counting calories, but if you want your diabetes management plan to work it's a MUST. You have to watch the fat in your diet just as much as you watch the amount of sugar you eat. When you're eating out you can't expect to get the same foods you'd prepare for yourself at home but you do need to PLAN. Not planning your meals on the road is no excuse for grabbing whatever is closest to you when lunchtime or dinnertime arrives. You may even have to make your lunch at home and take it with you. The last time you took lunch from home may have been when you were in elementary school but it's important for you to always know what you're eating. Keeping track of what you're eating takes some time out of your day but the payoff is a good diabetes management plan. Then you'll have the best health possible. ________________ARTICLE__________________ FROM PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK Bed sheets and needles. That's all Iona could see from her place in the world. She had been in the intensive care unit of the hospital for three days and now she was in the "regular" part of the hospital. The room was shared with another woman. Iona didn't know the other woman's name because she kept to herself. "Two more days," Iona thought to herself, "then I can get back to work. I'm losing money!". Iona was a receptionist at an advertising agency. Her employer was very accommodating all three times Iona had gone in the hospital to get her diabetes under control in the last year. "My paycheck is going to be so small that I'll have to work overtime just to pay the rent this month. Iona wasn't a workaholic but she made sure that she was efficient, prompt, and a model worker even if it interfered with her diabetes management plan. If she had to work overtime she wouldn't eat dinner at the right time of day. That meant she couldn't take the insulin shot she was supposed to take before dinner. But that was fine with her. She had to work. Iona also didn't get as much exercise as she should have. She didn't have time for it. "Iona," called the doctor. "We finished all the tests and your blood sugars have been stable for the last day and a half. We still want to do an Hemoglobin A1c test to see how your control has really been for the last few weeks. When we get those results I'll be back." "Oh boy," Iona said. Iona knew that her diabetes control hadn't been too good over the last few weeks. It hadn't been good over the last few months. Whenever she went to her regular doctor she'd just falsify her blood glucose test results and since the doctor never did a Hemoglobin A1c test on her the doctor believed her phony test results. According to the test results Iona gave her regular doctor her blood sugars were between 100-120 all the time but in reality they weren't. Iona knew the doctor who was treating her now had those records and she began to get nervous. "I know what he's going to say," Iona thought as she bit her lip and gave a deep sigh. She was trying to think of something to tell the doctor. Maybe she could say she's been under a lot of stress and that she couldn't really eat the right foods because someone else bought the food in her home. Or maybe she could say she didn't really know how to make a mealplan. Then again, she might say that her meter must be broken. That's it. Her meter isn't calibrated correctly and it's giving false readings. When the doctor came back to her room Iona was ready to give her "meter explanation", but the doctor had already figured out what was going on. "Iona," he said, "I think we have a problem here. Your home testing results just don't match the tests we've done while you've been here in the hospital". Before Iona could utter one word the doctor spoke again. "I think you might benefit from a new diabetes education program we're starting in the hospital." All the excuses Iona had thought of were gone from her mind. Here was someone that wasn't judging her or trying to make her feel bad for not following her diabetes management plan. Iona decided to join the diabetes education program at the hospital. She knew a lot of things had to change in her life if her diabetes was ever going to be in control, but she knew that this was a beginning. ____________________WRITING CONTEST!___________________ We are pleased to announce the First Annual DFAN Writing Contest! This is your chance to let us hear about your diabetes related story! It can be about anything that has happened in your life that is related to diabetes, whether you're the person with diabetes, you're related to a family member with diabetes, or you're the friend of someone with diabetes. The story can be about diabetes, including: diagnosis mealplanning coping stress-relief cooking meals how you relate to your doctor how you cope with a diabetes complication how you dealt with a unique problem related to your diabetes how you stay motivated how you deal with the diabetic in your life how you deal with your family members how you deal with diabetes at work how diabetes affects your relationships ANYTHING as long as diabetes is involved. We have two categories: children and adult. Children can submit stories of ANY length to this contest. If the child tells you two sentences it can be a submission if that's what they have to say. So send it in. There's no one "right way" to write these stories, so an extremely short story is just as good as a longer one. Send your stories in. You can enter more than one time. Don't underestimate yourself. Your story might be a winner! Entries will NOT be judged on grammar and spelling (so don't worry about that). First prize in the children's category will be: 1 Power Ranger Collection (figures and one other Power Ranger Toy) 1 Barbie Collection Set (dolls and one other Barbie Toy) There will be one boy winner and one girl winner First prize in the adult category will be: $25 donation made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or the American Diabetes Foundation. $15 donation made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or the American Diabetes Foundation $10 donation made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or the American Diabetes Foundation You can submit entries to the contest from October 1, 1995 to December 1, 1995. Prizes will be awarded by January 5, 1995. Entrants will be notified by January 7, 1995. (All submissions become the property of DFAN. Please do not submit copyrighted work. All submissions may be used in future newsletters.) _________________BACK ISSUES_________________ There are seven other issues of the DFAN Online Newsletter available. If you'd like to receive any of them just send us an e-mail to: Internet: BELVE@DELPHI.COM Prodigy : XJMV62A AOL : BELVE Delphi : BELVE and we can send it to your e-mail box. Or stop by our forum on Delphi (Custom Forum 255). Here are the other issues that are now available for upload. Fall Edition: DFAN Online * Official Flower Seeds * Article - The First Day/Diagnosis * Article - A Mother's Dilemma * DFAN Hottub/Biographies February Edition: Article - Good Old Days/Part 2 * Article - Coping As An SO (Significant Other) * Article - The Joy Of A Transplant * Member To Member Advice * Article - Sorbitol/Is The Harm Worth The Benefit March Edition (Special Children's Edition): Interview With Ten Year Old Diabetic Child * Article - D* At School/Time Of Diagnosis * Article - Getting Ready For School Beyond Notebooks & Erasers * Wordsearch Puzzle May Edition: (Special Significant Other Edition): Looking At The Glass Half Empty Or Half Full * S.O.B's (Significant Other Brothers) * Poem - "The Lesson Needed To Be Learned" * SO Appreciation * Getting Involved * Meal Planning - The Key To Success * Diabetes Mystery Story June Edition: Article - Diabetes In Teens * Article - My Life After Diabetes * Article - Who I Am * Article - All It Takes Is A Little Time * Poll Results - Driver's License Suspension * Article - Traveling With Diabetes * Diabetic Study Announcement * Finish The Story - Tara's New Beginning July Edition: Article - Cerebral Palsy & Diabetes/The Nexus And The Nudge * Article - Life As An Ex-Diabetic (From a Triple Transplant Recipient) * Article - What Supplies Should You Buy * Article - Getting Involved September Edition: (Special Stress Issue): Article - Discipline * We Want Your Opinion * Article - Diabetic Without Health Insurance * Article - A Life With Stress * Article - Dealing With Stress (This newsletter is e-mailed to everyone who visits our online forum and to everyone who requests it. If you would like to be removed from this mailing list of if you'd like to receive any back issue please send an e-mail to BELVE@DELPHI.COM)