Reflection #3

Thinking Positive

After all the messed up blood glucose levels, being sick and going through a very difficult rough patch I really feel like I have started to turn that corner and think positive. You can only go through so much before you just go no more.

It can be incredibly hard for me to think positive when I am having a tough time with Low glucose levels at the moment but I also get past it and I refuse to let it ruin my day. I try to see the positive side of things, as I have gotten older and more mature I have learned to let go of a lot of crap and drama I just don't want or need the drama.

For me positive thinking, it gives me something to focus on. There are times I will say to myself before I start work "I will have a good day" and I will do my best to try and have a good day.

Thinking positive it gives me something to think about literally and I have some great things coming up like the Delta Goodrem Concert, Em Rusciano Try Hard Show and Christmas yes i said it Christmas. I love Christmas it is my favourite time of year. Back to positive thinking, I think it is important to keep busy or have a few things to do or go to so you're not alone and thinking negative thoughts.


I experience a fair bit of frustration but I don't let it get to me too much, for example I don't sleep well and as a result I never wake up energised or wake up feeling refreshed. It is not a good feeling going to work and feeling exhausted before midday. As I said I don't let this get to me too much but it can be hard to control my emotions and moods when I am really tired. It goes to show for me that positive thinking can change the way you think and affect your life.  

I gotta say reflecting on everything that has happened I can safely say I have been through a lot this year and guess what? I am still standing although at times I feel so beaten by my Diabetes I still get up in the morning and I get on with my day. It is possible to have good days when you have a medical condition. I always try to look on the bright side of life even on my dark days.

I hope you enjoy this post, Reflection posts will be an ongoing thing and you can expect to see them monthly maybe quarterly.  

Until next time

Jenna

Thursday Post

Hello

I am still currently working on the post for tonight and to be honest I am just not happy with the post right at this moment so Reflection #3 will be up tomorrow evening.

I feel have the right idea for the post I just need to translate my ideas onto the page and I don't ever want to put a post up on my blog if my heart is not in it. Everything will be back to normal from tomorrow evening.

My sincerest apologies

Jenna

Quick update

Hello

I wanted to let you know that I have updated the My Pamper Routine post, it now has the third photograph and the links to the shops that I mentioned. 

I am now planning blog posts for this week, for Thursday there will be a Reflection #3 post and Sunday's post will be on my favourite lifestyle books. Keep an eye for those posts, I am really enjoying pre planning the blog posts. I have been thinking about doing information posts regarding Type One Diabetes so things like High and Low Blood Glucose Levels, Being on an insulin pump the list could go on. 

So the information posts maybe short or they maybe long, it will depend on the topic that I am writing about.

I hope you all have a great week and I will catch you on Thursday with a new blog post,

Until next time 

Jenna

My Pamper Routine

After a long day or even a weekend

I like to set some time a side and pamper myself, I think it is so important to have a routine where you pamper yourself or just have some alone time to do your own thing. I am going to share with you what my pamper routine consists of and I will provide details on where I got my products and the cost.

There are times where I like to take a bath and I add five scoops of  The Body Shop Spa of the World Egyptian Milk and Honey Bath to the water with the little wooden scoop provided. This product has a heavenly scent and leaves my skin feeling so smooth, while I am in the bath I will have my iPod playing in the background and I will kick back and relax for at least half an hour. Once I am out of the bath I feel calm, relaxed and my skin feels really good.

Spa of the World Egyptian Milk & Honey Bath $29.95 from The Body Shop

When I get the chance I like to give myself a foot bath, use a foot scrub and a really nice foot cream. I personally use The Body Shop Peppermint Smoothing Pumice Foot Scrub $17.95 and L'occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream 150ml $42.00. I will leave the links to the websites at the end of the article. For my pedicure I use OPI Infinite Shine three step system, Step 1 is the Base Coat, Step 2 is the Colour and Step 3 is the Top Coat. The shade of the colour is You Can Count On It. I feel good after giving myself a pedicure it's the ultimate girly thing to do. Just a side note, as much as I love manicures I can't really have painted finger nails at work so I enjoy doing manicures when I have time off.

The Body Shop Peppermint Smoothing Foot Scrub & L'occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream

OPI Infinite Shine Three Step System $22.95 each I believe from Myer

I really enjoy my quiet time so I like to use my quiet time to read a book or my kindle, I might use the time to write in my journal which I haven't done in a while to be honest. After a while I feel better, I feel calmer. I read all sorts of books, I am currently reading The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer and I gotta say I am really enjoying the book so far. Amy is extremely honest and funny throughout the book.

I have now included a photograph of The Body Shop Peppermint Smoothing Pumice Foot Scrub and the L'occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream and here are the links for The Body Shop and L'occitane.

www.thebodyshop.com.au
www.au.loccitane.com

While this post is directed at the Ladies I do encourage the Guys to have some quiet time too. I hope you all enjoy this post.

Until next time

Jenna

Bad Low Glucose Level Episode

Tuesday afternoon was not a good afternoon

We all know that low blood sugars suck to put it bluntly so I wanted to share my slightly scary story that happened on Tuesday as the title suggest.

It all started when I had to go and pick up a parcel at the post office, after this I went back to the car to drop the parcel off and head to the supermarket. I walked out of the supermarket and decided to take my blood glucose level and it was 3.3 I immediately put my insulin pump on suspend and headed for the bakery to get a drink and cupcake.

Now you would think having a 600ml Coca-Cola and a cupcake that wasn't that great would bring me up, ten minutes later I check my level and I am only 3.4 and then I got to 3.9 so I thought okay I am slowly going up. Next thing I know I have dropped to 2.6 I thought what the hell, I had bought a six pack of 200ml Pepsi and I decided to have one of them to help bring me up and it did for a brief moment.

After one 200ml Pepsi I took my level and I was 3.6 I thought okay surely I am coming back up but no six minutes later I was 3.4 so I had another Pepsi and this was my third Pepsi, at this point in time I was starting to get upset. I honestly thought I was going to need an Ambulance I could not get my level above 5.0 and I was no where my car plus I was on my own.

This scary episode started at 4:24pm and ended at 5:02pm, at 5:02pm I was 9.2  I was thanking the lord with a blood glucose level of 9.2, I was thankful at that point my Dad had found me and went to get my car so we could get home. During this half an hour episode I was in constant contact with my Mum, mum got our neighbour to bring my Dad down to where I was because my blood glucose levels were not coming up at all.

I honestly believe that there is no way I could have driven myself home I felt so wrecked having all that sugar but I could not do anything about it. It was scary for me because I am thinking I am consuming all this sugar why isn't it kicking in? It is not a good feeling when you are low and you have a drink that is filled with sugar and after ten minutes it sends you lower.

I have learned that I need to have sugar sticks in my handbag so I am not having drink throughout the low glucose level episode. I did not think I would be out of the house for long so I didn't have any hypo treatment on me, I am glad though that I was close to a bakery and a supermarket so I could grab something with sugar in it and treat my hypo.

As a person with Type One Diabetes I know that I can not control everything but I find frustrating sometimes when an episode like this for example happens and it can't really be explained. Tell me if you can relate to that fact I am sure I am not a lone.

I hope you enjoy my post and feel free to leave me a comment, check out the Facebook Page Type One Diabetes & Life as I do post updates there and I will be putting an update on there about the goals I set in the Best Laid Plans Post. 

I hope you all have a lovely evening,

Until next time

Jenna

Pre Planning

Hello Everyone 

I hope you're having a great week, I am pre planning my blog posts for this week and wanted to let you know the post for Thursday and the post for Sunday will be.

So for Thursday the blog post will be on my really bad low glucose level episode and for Sunday the blog post will be for the ladies as it is a post on Pampering. Keep an eye out for those posts this week I will do my best to make them exciting for you.

I would like to say don't forget about the Facebook Page that the blog has as I will posts updates there and you will gain a little bit more of insight into my life.

I hope you are all having a lovely evening and I will catch you on Thursday with a new blog post.

Until then

Jenna

Starting Fresh

It's Time to Start Fresh

After having such a rough time over the last month I feel it is time to start fresh. This is day two of feeling angry and just wanting to cry so saying all of this it is definitely time to start fresh. Now is a good time for me to have a positive outlook on my life even during dark times and focusing on me a little bit, I am constantly on the go and never really stop just to breathe or do something I enjoy.

Motivation is something that I lack when it comes to doing things, I could have a million things to do and not want to lift a finger. However I am changing my attitude and being more proactive about getting things done and I know I have discussed this in the past but I really do need to get motivated and it is all a part of starting fresh.

Starting fresh I want to take up a hobby that I have always enjoyed and I remembered that I wanted to take up Photography, it is a hobby that I have a always enjoyed but I want to take it up a notch and get a proper camera if that makes sense. I do have a digital camera but I feel I need something different for what I want to do. It is so easy to take a photograph with my phone but I want to take photographs with a camera I feel it is more personal that way.

Doing up my bedroom is definitely apart of my fresh start, although my bedroom won't be painted until December at present I feel I can make my bedroom my little sanctuary, a place where I can find peace and relax. I am excited to go an buy the paint, new wardrobe and bed linen, it is time to make my bedroom more grown up.

I think it is safe to say that I have some great things to look forward to and my fresh start is looking bright and exciting. I can't believe how quick this year has gone saying this I can make the rest of this year my fresh start and carry it through to the new year. I feel starting up my Photography will take time but I also know it will happen just like doing my bedroom that will definitely take time but it will look a million dollars once it is all done.

Sometimes for me personally to get out of my dark place I need to start fresh, I have been in a dark place for a while now and it is time to get out of the dark and find the light. A fresh start is just the thing I need right now to lift my spirits and give me something to focus on. I have a lot of things coming up and I am excited about everything that is coming up. From now till December I intend to be happy and positive about everything that comes my way.

I will be posting updates on the blog and Facebook Page so you can follow my progress with my fresh start.

I hope you are all having a happy Sunday,

Until next time

Jenna

Rough Patch

I've Hit a Rough Patch

You would think I would be over this rough patch that I have been going through but I feel like I am stuck at the moment.

I have been so sick this year and needless to say I am over being sick, I have been sick with Sinus, Viral Infections, Chickenpox and Sinus again this week. Naturally not being well affects my blood glucose levels like you would not believe, I am up, down and all around if that makes sense.

It becomes so frustrating when I have fluctuating blood glucose levels and my options are limited in regards to what I can do to fix things. For example when I have a high blood sugar level like I did this morning 22.4mmol to be exact, I had to do a correction bolus and I did I gave for one exchange and had no food. The correction bolus brought me down beautifully after one hour and fifteen minutes I was 8.9mmol. 

I can't really do a temporary basal rate and increase my basal for a high blood glucose level because it just does not work on me and that is a little frustrating. If I do a temporary basal for a low blood sugar level, I lower my basal rate to accommodate what my level is and the temporary rate works a treat and I have no problem.

I don't feel like giving up, I can not give up period. No matter how frustrated or tired I get I need to keep moving forward despite my blood glucose levels. I feel as I get older managing my Diabetes will not be easy, sure I will have good days but I know that I will have bad days too.

I hope and pray that everything will get better in time for me and I hope that I can stay on a good path with my Diabetes because I don't mind saying it is hard trying to stay on this good path. I need to focus on getting and feeling better within myself, I need to start exercising again and more importantly I need to feel good about myself.

I feel there is ways to get out of my rough patch and it is all about those three needs. If I can't achieve those needs then I have a serious problem on my hands. I think starting tomorrow I will focus on all three needs, need one plus need two equals need three if that makes sense to you.

I have done this post a day early as I am not sure if I would have got this post up tomorrow so please enjoy.

Until next time

Jenna

Best Laid Plans

Today has gone extremely quickly

I don't know about you but I had big plans for today, I was going to get a tonne of stuff done. "How did you go?" I hear you ask, well I got nowhere fast.

Do you ever just have one of those days where you know you have things to do and you just don't end up completing the tasks you needed to do? I had one of those days today and now I feel rushed to actually complete something before bedtime.

I have to admit that I do lack motivation sometimes, my life gets so hectic that when it comes time for me to do something I just don't want to lift a finger. So naturally I feel a little bad when I make plans to get things done and those things don't get done. I thought to myself this afternoon I need to start having a To-Do List, I need to write everything done and check it off as I go long.

I feel a To-Do List is a really good place to start for me to gain some motivation, I have a lot of things coming up and I need to get organised. I can't keep putting these things off otherwise nothing will get done.

I am going to set myself three goals and feel free to follow the goals if you are in need of the same goals.

1. Utilise my time wisely, if I have no plans I need to see what needs to be done and get something done.
2. Use a To-Do List, having a visual in front of me will I hope give me the motivation to get tasks completed.
3. Be organised, I am normally a very organised person in general but when it comes to tidying I am hopeless. So I intend to be more organised when it comes to tidying and cleaning.

I am prepared to stick with these goals for as long I need to and I will provide an update on the Facebook Page.

I hope you all have a great week and I will catch you on Thursday with a new Diabetes blog post.

Until next time

Jenna

Diabetes and Life Posts

Hello Everyone

It has occurred to me that I have been doing Diabetes posts on a Thursday and Life posts on a Sunday. Normally this is the other way around so I am proposing a change to the schedule that I set a couple of months ago.

I wil now do Diabetes posts on the Thursday and Life posts on the Sunday. I feel this will work out better and as I have said in previous blog post if there is anything you would like me to discuss tell me and I will do a blog post on the topic.

I hope you all have a great weekend and I will have a new Life post up on Sunday.

Until next time

Jenna

Specialist Appointment

Love it or hate it

Specialist appointments are important when it comes to your Diabetes, some appointments will be a walk in the park other times you may feel like you just don't want to see your Diabetes Specialist.

I had my Specialist appointment this afternoon and I have to say I am really pleased with how it went, My Specialist made one change to my basal setting in the morning and that was it. I admit the last few days my blood glucose levels have been through the roof and I am talking about levels of over 20.0mmol. However besides the high levels my Specialist was pretty happy with blood glucose levels and I have my next appointment in two months because I couldn't get a three month appointment.

I think having my next appointment in two months is great in a way because I see my Specialist before Christmas and hopefully I can see the Dietitian so I can sort out my food for Christmas time. Every Christmas I go nuts with the food but at the same time it is that time of year. I want to try and be a bit more healthy at Christmas time.

Having such a positive outcome from my appointment it has given me the incentive to do better and I feel good about myself. I feel positive about my Diabetes and now that I am over the Chickenpox I can get back to exercising again, going for a walk or a jog after I get home from work and with the weather getting warmer, daylight savings is coming up there is no reason why I can't go out and exercise.

One thing that helps me with my Specialist appointment is that I write everything done, my record book gives my Specialist and Educator an insight into what has been happening over the last few weeks or even months. I also write down what I have been eating and any activity that I have done on a particular day. I also try to record my Fitbit sleep record.

I am very grateful for my Specialist, Diabetes Educator, Dietitian and Podiatrist because without them I don't think I would be where I am right now. My Diabetes Team I feel gives me the confidence to have good control of my Diabetes and the confidence to make decisions about my Diabetes. I would be very lost without my Diabetes team and I believe all of you could relate to that fact.

Until next time

Jenna

My Diabetes Burnout

My Experience With Diabetes Burnout

For me it all started over two years ago, I was having a really tough time with my diabetes. It did not matter what I did I just couldn't get my diabetes right or anything right. I started to feel moody, the slightest thing could or would set me off. I would be in a bad mood when I never wanted to be in a bad mood and I certainly never meant any negativity to anyone during that period.

During this tough time my boyfriend dumped me over the phone, it was devastating at the time but I got through it. I no longer speak to my ex boyfriend because he is bad news to be honest and I will never name the person because that would just look bad on my part and I don't want that.

One day I had an appointment with my Diabetes Educator and I just fell apart, I was crying my eyes out. Everything had come to a head, it was suggested to me that maybe I should see a Psychologist. I talked to my Mum about it and I think we decided that maybe it was a good idea to see a Psychologist so I booked in with my GP and had a Mental Health Assessment done.

I was diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression in December 2014 at that point in time I was referred to a Psychologist and I have been seeing my Psychologist for over two years now and it has been the best thing for me. I look forward to my appointments, talking about my problems and what is bothering me. Creating strategies for me to work with my anxiety and depression.

I am the first person to admit that I have bad days and I also have down days but through it all I make sure that I have good days. It is very important me to have a good day because I don't want to be down all the time so I make sure that I have a good day and I tell myself that I will have a good day today.

I cope with Diabetes Burnout by doing things that make me happy and keep me and relaxed. Things I like to do include;

• Listening to my iPod, I can literally forget about all my problems just by listening to my favourite songs.
• Reading a book, depending on the book I find it calming just sitting on my bed and reading a good book
• Manicure/Pedicure, There is nothing better than a fresh manicure/pedicure to help you feel good about yourself. Whether you pay to get your nails done or you do it yourself I think it is just helps you feel good.

If you or someone you love is experiencing Diabetes Burnout I highly encourage you to speak to your Doctor and know there is help out there.

If you have experienced Diabetes Burnout or something similar leave me a comment down below or you can contact me through the Type One Diabetes & Life Facebook Page.

Until next time

Jenna

Thoughts

Hello There

I had a plan for tonight's post but then I thought I will save that plan for next weekend, Tonight I wanted to discuss some thoughts that I have about my blog and I would really like some feedback. Please leave nice comments, negative comments will not be tolerated.

Some thoughts I have for my blog include;

1. Doing fact sheets that relate to Type One Diabetes e.g Hypos, Ketones and Type One Diabetes of course.
2. For the "Life Post" I want to start including products that I use such as makeup, bath and body products, diabetes accessories.
3. Book reviews, I am the first to admit that it takes me ages to read a book but when I finish a book I would like to share my thoughts on it and perhaps you may want to read the book when you see my thoughts on it.
4. Topics you would like to talk about, I am more than happy to talk about anything related to Type One Diabetes or just anything in general but I can only do that if you communicate with me. Please feel free to leave me a comment on the blog post or head over to the Facebook Page and leave me a message.

These are just some thoughts I have for my blog, you may notice some small changes over the next month or so. I did change up the background just for something different and I hope to possibly add some photographs to the blog.

On another note I have my appointment with my Diabetes Specialist this week and I don't mind saying I feel good about it. My blood glucose levels have not been perfect but I have controlled my levels to the best of my ability. I am planning on doing a blog post about going to Specialist Appointments and the things you should have on you for those appointments.

I do realise this is a short blog post tonight however I wanted to share my thoughts and possibly get some feedback from you. As I said please leave nice comments and I am happy to take on constructive criticism just please no negative comments I want my blog to be a happy and safe place.

I will leave it here tonight, there maybe a surprise post before Thursday.

Until next time

Jenna

Reflection #2

It's Been A Rough Week

First I would like to apologise for not having a post up last night, I was slack to put it bluntly. Now I am back and focused, I have had a rough week and it all started last week when I got the Chickenpox.

I don't mind saying I was scared, having Type One Diabetes my first thoughts was my stomach can not be covered in blisters, how will I get my insulin if my stomach is covered in blisters? Now I do realise that when you have chickenpox you will get blisters just about anywhere and everywhere. Having said all of this I feel lucky because my head, chest and back copped the full brunt of the chickenpox, I did get a couple of spots on my arms and legs but that was it.

I honestly feel that I have amazing willpower because I hardly scratched, I do admit I had one rough night where I was extremely itchy but I got through it. I am actually kind of glad I got the chickenpox now so that I shouldn't get it later on in life.

I have to give major credit to my Mum, through out this whole period she has been my rock. My Mum has helped me greatly, running baths for me and applying the solosite gel to my body, bringing me breakfast in bed. My Mum is the best I could ever ask for, she is not just my Mum she is my best friend. I need to make sure my Mum is spoilt rotten when her Birthday comes up.

Today was my first day back at work, I find it a little funny going back to work on a Friday but it's good in a way because I now have the weekend to recharge the batteries and prepare for the week ahead. I expect next week to be full on as I haven't worked a full week in nearly two weeks, however I will get it through it like I always do. I try to be an optimistic person, it can be exhausting though.

I can only hope after recovering from chickenpox that I am at the end of all sickness for this year. I have been very sick this Winter and I am over it, my goal for the remainder of 2016 is to be healthy and I am not just talking being physically healthy but also eating healthy. It is time for me to gain control of my life again, sure I get by just fine but I do feel like I could pull my head in a little when it comes to being healthy.

I honestly feel like things can only get better for me, I have been through so much in the last couple of months and I hope I am at the end of it.

Tell me about your week, how have you been? Leave me a comment down below, I hope you all have a great weekend and check out the Facebook Page Type One Diabetes & Life.

Until next time

Jenna