Upcoming Posts for this Week #5

I have ideas for this week

I can not believe how quick this year has gone and it gets worse as you get older, I am already thinking about what posts to do for Christmas week.

Lets focus on the posts for this week, For Thursday the post will be on How to Survive the Work Christmas Party, I find every year my blood glucose levels go through the roof after the Christmas Party so I need a game plan for this year. 

The Post for Sunday will be Housekeeping, I will be doing a post on the schedule for posts during Christmas week. I am not concerned about New Years Eve, the Sunday post for NYE will go up as normal.

Keep an eye out for these posts, I hope everyone is having a great week so far.

Until next time

Jenna

The Book I am Currently Reading & Sensor News

Hello

Today is a two for one post, I thought it is silly to do a short post so I am incorporating some good news. I don't plan on making this a habit I just thought it would best to incorporate two topics into the one post instead of just doing a really short post.

So I will start with the book I am currently reading and it is The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer. This book is funny and entertaining, I am only two chapters in I admit and I hope to try and finish this book soon. In this book Amy shares her stories about her childhood, adulthood, career and just about everything in between.

 If you are a fan of Amy Schumer I recommend you look into her book, I am sorry this post is short tonight I am useless when it comes to reading a book so I am setting myself a goal to finish this book by January. 

Now for my Sensor news, I am so happy to be starting on the Dexcom G5 system very soon, Dexcom announced a offer on Monday 23rd November that for the Transmitter and a box of four Sensors for $810. I do intend on purchasing the receiver but it is nice to know that I don't need it right away.

My hypo awareness is not great anymore so the Dexcom G5 will be a good fit for me I am hoping. 

This is not a great post tonight and it is short but I had to get something up tonight, my posts will be better through the week I promise.

Until next time

Jenna

My Health Goals

I Need to Make Some Changes

Lately I have been noticing that my clothes are feeling tight, my tops fit me fine but my shorts, skirts and pants are feeling tight on me. I have been so sick this year it made it impossible for me to exercise. 

Now that I am at the end of all my sickness, I have started to exercise again but I will admit it has been difficult to go for a walk of late because of the extremely hot days we have been having. Saying all of this I feel the need to set my self some health goals to help me be healthier and stay on track with my eating habits and exercise routine.

Health Goals

1. Lose Weight, I have been told that I should lose two-three Kilograms and I intend to lose the weight it will benefit my health in the long run.
2. Exercise Everyday, it is harder in hot weather to go for my walk however there is no reason why I can't go for a walk in the evening when it is cooler.
3. Avoid Low Blood Glucose Levels, Low levels can happen anytime anywhere and you eat just about everything in sight. If I can avoid low levels I won't consume so much junk food and sugar.
4. Focus on My Health, I need to remain focused when it comes to my health and I feel I am doing well so far.

In regards to Health Goal number four I am already focused on being healthier and I feel in control with my Diabetes. My Hba1c was done yesterday at my Specialist appointment and it is down to 7.1% I am so happy with this result, last year my result was 8.5% so I am on the right track.

It ultimately feels good to set these goals and know that when I complete these goals I will feel better within myself. I feel at my age and the problems I have it is highly important to look after myself more than what I do. I am ecstatic that I will be starting on the Dexcom G5 very soon and I know this will help me control my Diabetes a lot better and my Hba1c should come down even more.

I will document my progress on the blog and possibly on the Facebook Page and the Instagram account, It would be silly to set these goals and not document the process so I will do a blog post in a couple of weeks documenting my progress.

I hope you enjoy this post and don't forget about the Facebook Page Type One Diabetes & Life and Instagram t1djenna11.

Have a great weekend everyone,

Until next time

Jenna

Upcoming Posts for this Week #4

A New Week

Which means new blog posts and a slight change for Thursday, I have my Endocrinologist Appointment on Thursday afternoon and I don't think I will have a post ready for you so the post for Thursday will go up on Friday instead.

The post I have planned for Friday will be on My Health Goals, I have talked about healthy snacks in previous posts but I feel I need to set some goals for example and this is personal, I want/need to lose at least two-three kilograms. So my goal is to lose a little bit of weight and try to keep it off. I do have other health goals but I will save them for the post.

The post for Sunday will be on the book The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer, now I admit I have not finished reading this book but a few posts ago I think I was going to do a post on this book but I was not ready to do it. This post maybe a short one, it maybe a short review on what I have read so far.

I hope you all have a great week and keep an eye out for the upcoming posts,

Until next time

Jenna

How to Handle a Rough Day

I've been in a mood

I felt like nothing could lift my mood, I try my best to put on a brave face but sometimes it is really hard to be brave and happy all the time. I have Type One Diabetes, Hashimoto's Disease with my Thyroid plus Anxiety and Depression. I deal with quite a lot every single day.

I have bad days where it's all too much and I just don't want to deal with anything but I can't take that attitude. I take a deep breath, put a smile on my face even though I don't feel like smiling and I get on with my day. I make sure I am happy and positive around my clients and try to be in a positive frame of mind through out the day.

We all deal with so much and I wanted to do this post so I can tell you what I am going through and try to offer some tips to help everyone not just me. So saying all of this here are some activities that I like to do when I am having a rough day;

• Remember to breath, Take a moment and just take a breath it might help when everything is just becoming too much.
• Exercise, I love to get out and get my walk in. When I'm in a mood I find going for a walk and listening to my favourite songs helps me feel better.
• Talk, I talk to my Mum all the time, she has the power to lift my mood and help me feel better again. I encourage you to talk to someone whether it be your Parents or your Best Friend just talk to them they're there to help you.
• Do an activity that you enjoy, you might like to cook, play a game, watch a movie. Whatever you like to do go do it, I'm sure that when you do an activity you enjoy you probably feel better after wards.

We deal with so much every day and sometimes get into a funk, I was certainly in a funk this week but now I do feel better. I do things that make me happy for example yesterday I had my Facial and Eyebrow Wax, done some shopping and I bought myself some great new clothes and a pair of heels. I like having a Facial I find it very relaxing and it's not often I buy myself clothes or a pair of heels so I felt good and I wasn't feeling down or in a bad mood.

If you're having a rough time right now please know that you are not alone and please remember to talk to someone whether it be Family or a Doctor there is always someone willing to help. Don't forget to do an activity that you enjoy, you know you will feel better for it.

I hope everyone has a great week,

Until next time

Jenna 

The Dexcom G5 Mobile

Here's Hoping

I was emailing my Specialist in regards to the Freestyle Libre when it was suggested to me that I look at the Dexcom G5 Mobile Sensor. I did not give this Sensor a second thought to be honest with you but now I have looked at it and done my research I am ready to try this Sensor out. Here are some quick facts about the Dexcom that I am looking at;

With the Dexcom G5 Mobile you can connect the Sensor to your iPhone and the Receiver via Bluetooth. The Sensor is made up of three components; 

1. The Sensor
2. The Transmitter 
3. The Receiver or iPhone

The Sensor sits just underneath the skin and takes your blood glucose levels and the transmitter collects the information and sends it all to the receiver. It all seems really simple and judging from the videos I have seen on Instagram the insertion of the Sensor seems okay, I don't feel intimidated by the insertion which is a very good thing.

Two good things I consider is the Sensor lasts seven days and you can share your data with family and/or your Diabetes Team. You can share the data with up to five people through the app, the app will alert your chosen five people when you blood glucose level is low or if blood glucose level is high.

I have spoken with a representative from Animas about this Sensor and I am really excited to save my money and get started on this amazing Sensor. This Sensor has some great benefits and with the problems I have I would really benefit from this Sensor.

I know I could talk more about this but I am coming up short tonight, I wanted to give you some facts about this Sensor and my thoughts on it and i am sure I have covered all of that. I did go to www.dexcom.com/en-AU for my research.

I realise this is a short post tonight but it was important to me to get this post up, I did not want to let anyone down. 

Please note that all my words in this post are my own and if you are looking into going on a Sensor always consult your Endocrinologist to ensure it is the right thing for you.

I hope you are all having a great week,

Until next time

Jenna

Upcoming Posts for this Week #3

I've Done it Again

I should've had this post up last night, I intend on creating a schedule so this weekly post goes live on Tuesday and every Tuesday.

The post for tomorrow will be on My Thoughts on the Dexcom G5, I have done my research and I am certain I will be on this Sensor next year. I just need to save the money for it. The post for Sunday will be on How to Handle a Rough Day, I have had a bit of a rough day today, felt a bit down and just not in the best mood, however I do feel better after going for a walk and listening to my favourite songs.

There will be a upcoming post regarding the schedule of my posts, I feel Thursdays and Sundays work really well. The Upcoming Posts for this Week # will be on Tuesdays, I am also starting to think about the schedule for Christmas. Keep an eye out for a post on The Current & Upcoming Schedule.

I hope everyone is having a great week so far and I will have a new post for you tomorrow.

Until then

Jenna

World Diabetes Day, Monday 14th November 2016

Today is World Diabetes Day

I can't help but think about my journey, I am amazed that after Eleven years I have next to no damage to my health and I would not be the person I am today without the support from my Family and my team of Doctors.

I was diagnosed on Monday 30th May 2005, it was exactly three weeks after my Fifteenth Birthday. I was very sick and I had the typical symptoms for Type One Diabetes;

• I lost a lot of weight 
• I was drinking a lot e.g water, soft drink
• Constantly running to the toilet
• Leg cramps every single night I was in bed
• Constant Thrush
• Constant Cold

I had these symptoms for Twelve months and it went unnoticed. The morning of May 30th I could not move, My Mum came in and said "Are you going to school?" I said I can't move so my Mum got me an appointment with a Doctor and we were on our way to the Doctor. I got in with the Doctor and Mum went through everything, expressed her frustration because I was so sick all the time and yet there was no answer as to why.

Next thing I know my finger got pricked, my BGL was 18.6 I think. I then done a urine sample and it showed that I had ketones. It was suspected that I had Type One Diabetes, the Doctor wrote up a quick letter for the Hospital and told my Mum and I to go to John Hunter Hospital they will be on standby. My Dad got us to the Hospital in record time and I do remember I didn't have to long in the emergency department before I was seen to, assessed and admitted.

Doctors were shocked that I had managed to go on for as long as I did, I mean I done my 4km School Cross Country Run a month or two before I was diagnosed. My BGL had gone up to 24.6 but that is because I had a lemonade before I hit the hospital. (All I wanted was a Lemonade and was not told no) my weight was around 48.7kg, I was borderline anorexic.

I spent the next week in Hospital learning everything about Type One Diabetes, my Mum stayed with me the entire time. I was doing injections on my own by day 3, I had a lot of down moments when I was in Hospital and when I got home. It was not an easy adjustment period, it is really hard especially when you are a Teenager still going through Puberty.

Then about Six months later I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease, it is a Thyroid Condition and then to top that off my Specialist realised I had a protein leak in my Kidneys. Now I was told you will either get a Thyroid Problem or a Kidney Problem within Six months of your diagnosis and lucky me I got both problems. Thankfully I don't have a protein leak in my Kidney now.

I could go on about my Eleven years of being a Type One Diabetic but I won't because we would be here all night. I created this blog to share my experiences with you and offer some guidance to certain topics that I feel are relevant to us.

I am happy that I could share my story with you tonight and I am happy to share my stories because I feel someone at there would relate to it. Don't ever be scared to share your stories about Type One Diabetes and don't feel ashamed because you have nothing to be ashamed of. Type One Diabetes is a part of us, we can't change that so we accept it and keep moving.

I really hope you enjoy this post and have a great week,

Until next time

Jenna

Additional Sunday Post & Instagram

An Oversight On My Part

I noticed on Instagram at the beginning of the month that it is Diabetes Month and that the 14th of November which is tomorrow is International Diabetes day. I never realised that the whole month of November is dedicated to Diabetes.

So all of this being said I will be doing a post tomorrow for International Diabetes Day, I want to share my story and even though I did share a little in my very first post for my blog I think it is important to share your story and I am incredibly proud of myself for having good control of my Diabetes, starting this blog and not giving up.

I know I say this a fair bit but I do hope my blog will grow and gain some followers, I have branched out a little in regards to Social Media. There is the Facebook Page and I would love to do a Instagram account for my blog but I never got enough views from the post I did about setting up the Instagram account so I just left it.

I have started an Instagram account for my blog and the user name is t1djenna11 Type One Diabetes & Life. Please go and check it out, there will be lots of posts of Diabetes things and a few lifestyle posts thrown in there too. I hope everyone has had a great weekend and I will have a post up tomorrow to coincide for International Diabetes Day.

Until next time

Jenna

My Makeup Bag

I Love Makeup

When I get to wear makeup I instantly feel good about myself, I feel like a new person. This year I decided I wanted to try out Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and I knew that her makeup is not cheap but the prices never put me off. Plus I had not heard a bad thing about Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.

This is my makeup bag, I got this from Monpurse when I went to Sydney with Mum for our girls trip. The cosmetic purse costs me $90 and the letters are free.

Monpurse Cosmetic Purse

My Bobbi Brown collection includes; 

• Skin Foundation Stick
• BB Cream SPF 30+
• Eye Opening Mascara
• Everything Mascara
• Art Stick in Rose Brown and Dusty Pink
• Corrector
• Creamy Concealer Kit
• Perfectly Defined Long Wear Brow Pencil in Blonde
• Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink

Naturally I want to add my collection because this makeup is amazing and stays on my face all day. I really can not say a bad thing about this makeup it truly is amazing and yes it is expensive it is worth every penny in my opinion.

Art Sticks in Rose Brown & Dusty Pink

I would have a photo here of all the products but I can't get the photo up and onto this post, I will try my best to update this post at a later time I do apologise.

Makeup has the power to help you look and feel good, I believe that all Women are beautiful and Makeup just enhances what we already have. Just remember we are all beautiful with or without Makeup.

I am really sorry for leaving this post with a photo short, I will try my best to get this post updated within the next day I am hoping.

I hope you have enjoyed this post, tell me what Makeup do you like to use? Leave me a comment down below and also check the Facebook Page Type One Diabetes & Life. A second post will be going up this evening so please keep an eye for it.

Until next time

Jenna

The Freestyle Libre

It Looks So Simple

I have seen the Freestyle Libre a lot on Instagram and I don't why but I decided to look into it and I was really surprised with what I discovered.

The first thing I noticed was the Sensor and the Reader is only $95 each, this is pretty good compared to the price of other Sensors. The Freestyle Libre appears compact plus the Sensor looks small from the photographs I have seen. The Sensor also lasts fourteen days according to Freestyle.

Please note that you do need to be Eighteen and over to use the Freestyle Libre and Pregnant Women can not use the Freestyle Libre. I believe this system is designed for use in adults who have Type One Diabetes and I am not sure why Pregnant Women can not use the Freestyle Libre that night be a question for your specialist.

From what I have read on the website you do not need to calibrate the Sensor as it happens when it is manufactured. There is a one hour warm up, after the one hour is up you are free to scan the Sensor and it will give you a reading. You will see your blood glucose levels on a graph and the graph is an eight hour period from what I understand.

I guess a benefit for some people would be the fact you don't need a blood glucose metre, you can just use the Sensor and Reader. However you will need a metre if your blood glucose levels are dropping quickly.

I honestly feel this may be a good Sensor for me however I don't think this Sensor alerts you when you're blood glucose level is low. I could be wrong but that is the feeling I get.

Due to my hypo awareness not being great I feel I need a Sensor that will alert me when I am my blood glucose level is low or high. However the Freestyle Libre still could be a good Sensor for me but I still need my blood glucose metre as it is synchronised with my insulin pump.

I have a lot to think about when it comes to Sensors for me but I know I will find the Sensor that is right for me.

Until next time

Jenna

Please note  Everything in this post is in my own words and the information I have looked at is from www.freesylelibre.com.au. If you are considering any kind technology relating to your Type One Diabetes always consult your Endocrinologist or Doctor. 

Upcoming Posts for This Week #2

It's been a few days

I would normally have this post up on a Tuesday evening but last night was hot and it was too late to have my laptop on. I have to admit I have been having some good blood glucose levels over the last week, I am determined to stay on a good path.

Anyway let's get to the posts for this week, for tomorrow the post will be on My thoughts on the Freestyle Libre. I am considering getting the sensor and reader as I want to have tighter control and my hypo awareness is not great anymore.

The post on Sunday will be on My Makeup Bag, it probably sounds a bit silly however I did do a post on my skincare items and to me this falls under the Lifestyle umbrella. I love to wear makeup when I can and it helps me feel good about myself.

Keep an eye out for the upcoming posts, I hope everyone is having a great week.

Until tomorrow

Jenna 

A Few Things I do To Relax

It's Important To Relax

I find that I am constantly busy and I am always on the go, if I am not working I am usually attending a medical appointment or attending a social outing with Family. When I do get to stop and have a moment to myself I like to just kick back and relax.

I do think it is important to take a time out to relax, it is never a good idea to burn the candle at both ends so why not sit down for ten minutes and read a book or have a cup of tea/coffee. As long as you get those ten minutes to yourself you might just feel a little bit better. 

I would like to share a few things that I do to relax and feel better afterwards;

• Have a cup of decaf tea. When I get home from work, for me there is nothing better than coming home after a long day, taking my shoes off and having a cup of tea. During this time I just sit and enjoy my tea, I don't think about anything I just enjoy the moment.
• Getting a Facial. I get a Facial done once a month, it takes roughly an hour for the beautician to work her magic and I feel completely calm and relaxed. Getting a Facial is not cheap and it is a small bite out of my pay cheque but it helps my skin look and feel good. More importantly I feel good after having my Facial.
• Watch a DVD. I love to watch DVDs it could be a movie, documentary or a TV series. It is nice to be able to curl up on my bed or in bed and watch a DVD, I don't think about anything I just relax and enjoy what I am watching.
• Read a book or a magazine. I love to read when I get the chance and when I do it is nice to focus on something else. When I read a magazine I am thinking of the fabulous things that I can buy or when I read a book I am focusing on the story line and not my everyday problems.

I am sure there is plenty of other things that we can all do to relax but the points I mentioned are things I like to do to relax. When you have Type One Diabetes there is no break, no holiday and you can't quit. So if there is something you can do to relax, chill out and feel good/better about yourself then go do it, our medical condition should never stop us from doing activities that we enjoy and help us to relax.

I hope you enjoy this post and find it useful, we need to look ourselves and if that means taking a ten minute break for some alone time then we need to have that alone time. Feel free to leave a comment, let me know what you like to do relax. Don't forget about the Facebook page Type One Diabetes & Life.

Until next time

Jenna

Change of Plans for Today

Change of plans 

For today, I was going to do a post on a book that I have been reading but I have realised it is a bit silly to do this post as I haven't read the book in quite a few weeks. I started reading the book and I haven't picked up since. The book I am reading is by Amy Schumer The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo.

I do plan on doing this post but at a later date, as I said it is silly to do this post when I haven't read the book in a while. It is really hard for me to get through a book because I do have a busy schedule and therefore it is impossible for me to find time to do most things.

I am planning another post for today so keep an eye for it, the post should be up in the next two hours.

Until then

Jenna

My Entire Diabetes Kit

In the beginning of my blog

 I done a post on my Diabetes kit and now six months later my tools have changed a little bit in the last six months. So I thought I would share the new tools in my kit including my new blood glucose metre and my record book.

The first thing that is new in my kit is Rock Tape, I love rock tape I think it is great, it is gentle on my skin and comes in a variety of colours/patterns. I use rock tape to put on top of cannula and a piece of tape for the loop. Side note I use Medtronic Sure-T 8ml Cannulas. I think the rock tape is a great way to get some excitement into any Diabetics routine.

The second thing would have to be my new metre, the Contour next link for the Veo, Paradigm Insulin Pump. I had a code that I used to get the metre for free. I think this metre is fantastic and the fact it has a backlight is awesome for when I have to test in the middle of the night. Where the strip goes also lights up which is a big plus in my book.

I have taken two photographs to give you an insight into my entire kit and it includes everything including my insulin.

As you can see from my record book my numbers have been pretty good today, I am happy that my numbers appear to be coming into line minus the hypos of course.

This is today's readings

This is my kit, I forgot to include the needle cutter my mistake

I am sorry for not having more photographs but I thought doing one photograph of my kit would be just enough and I had to include my record book.

As you can see I have my 

• Blood Glucose Metre
• Insulin Pump
• Cannula & Reservoir
• Alcohol Wipe & Skin Prep
• Clear Tape for used cannula
• Insulin Cartridge
• I forgot to include my needle cutter

I hope you enjoy this post, I have kept it simple for today as this is just an update to my Diabetes kit. I think it is important to share these things as you might see something in my kit and want to try it out for yourself.

Have a great weekend everyone,

Until next time

Jenna

Work in Progress

There is a delay tonight

Hello everyone, I have to apologise as My Entire Diabetes Kit post won't be up tonight. I am currently working on it and will be taking photographs tomorrow for the post. I did not plan a head like I normally do and I had a staff meeting tonight and for those reasons I am truly sorry.

I don't ever want to put a rushed or incomplete post, that is not fair on you guys who follow my blog or read my posts. I promise to have the tonight's post up tomorrow afternoon my time so around Three PM.

Until tomorrow

Jenna