(No, I’m not talking about the bike I hardly use.  I’m talking about the female cycle.  Read no further if this subject makes you uncomfortable.)

I find relief when I begin each and every period.  Well, okay, after nearly twenty years of menstruating, I haven’t gotten entirely used to the process.  But lately, I’ve been noticing a disturbing trend in the relationship between my cycle and diabetes control.  

From the moment I start my period until I begin PMS symptoms three weeks later (give or take a day or two), I have a good handle on blood sugar readings as long as I exercise and take my metformin.  Diet doesn’t seem to matter too much - I can get away with sushi or pizza with blood sugars within post-prandial range.  

That last week of every cycle gets me and gets me good.  Despite good intentions, I end up binging on carbs and end paying for it with high blood sugars and high emotions (despite the metformin and the exercise).  

I’ve noticed it for over a year, but it’s about time I start paying attention.  At the sight of that first fasting blood sugar out of range, I need to stay in control and stick to lower-carb options.   I can’t continue to feel out of control one week out of every month.  I just can’t.  Because otherwise, the idea of a home hysterectomy kit is sounding mighty tempting to me and those around me…

 

 

Sleepy Neppie.  I plan to be like this often this weekend.  How about you?

What a gorgeous morning to do my second run/walk in preparation for running a 5k.  I haven’t decided on one (or two or three) yet, just that I’ll be ready within about six weeks or so.  Saturday morning, I went for 32 minutes and ran 7 minutes of it; today, I did another 32 minutes and ran 10 minutes of it.

I didn’t even know it was “National Run a Mile Day” today.

Just an example of what I listened to on our new iPod:

Elvis Presley - Kentucky Rain

AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long

Sister Hazel - All for You

 

 

1. Maybe I don’t have the heart for 600-page books full of deep thoughts like I did when I was younger. While Crime and Punishment was a good read, I’m not going to be actively seeking out similar books. I want to finish the books I read in a timely manner…not take over two months to complete.

2. Signing up for a fitness challenge like the WOMAN challenge, developed by the US Dept of Health and Human Services, is the perfect way to get me moving again. From May 11 to July 5, I will be keeping exercise logs online to motivate myself and help the ChronicBabe team succeed in a virtual cross-country tour

3. When looking high and low for a specific item that could possibly be found just about anywhere in one’s house, many drawers, cabinets, and closets end up being cleaned and organized.  We did not find the cloth measuring tape we needed in order to send off Greg’s tuxedo measurements for his brother’s wedding.  What we did find were 80’s-era diabetes supplies in his bathroom closet and a series of eyeglasses dating back to 1991 in my bathroom cabinet.

4. The perfect off-label use for lancets? Retrieving deep splinters from one’s fingers. You can take my word for it.

It’s this feeling.  This feeling of being all alone, without anyone who has been on my exact path before me.

Type 2, diagnosed before age thirty.  Struggling to balance work and life and everything that happens in between.   I should be okay, with the type 1 husband to show me the way and all, you know.

I know very few people who feel the way I do.  I can count on one hand those who do, actually.

I’m trying not to overeat, trying not to live up to the stereotype of type 2, but I often fail.

I’m trying to exercise, trying to excel where other type 2’s hit a wall, but I often fail.

This is a struggle I wish I could win.  I wish I could pull ahead of the crowd.

But I am not.  And I keep on struggling. 

Under the bed is a very happy place, except when a camera flashes at them.

Jay Cutler, quarterback of the Denver Broncos football team, has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

“Recently diagnosed”, he turned 25 on Monday.

Greg expressed his sense of humor (or in all seriousness, you decide) by wondering if Cutler has a published e-mail address because he could give him some tips.  Oh, and he wondered if the QB will have access to endless test strips as a high-paid football player ;).

 

It was up to Greg. And besides, his mother insisted.

So, despite the shock of losing his cousin earlier this week, we went ahead with our early anniversary dinner at the Flagstaff House overlooking the city of Boulder last night. We wined and dined and toasted his cousin J.

Photos can be found at our sixth anniversary photo set on Flickr.

Why yes, Neppie and Athena must be staring at the garden gnome!

One of Greg’s cousins on his mother’s side died suddenly today.  A month shy of 35.  A week short of his third wedding anniversary.  Needless to say, we’re rather numb right now.