"Information and motivation are the keys to success for all people with diabetes. DiabetesSisters is fulfilling both of these needs with a focus on the unique needs of women with diabetes. Clinical experience has shown me that women experience diabetes differently from men, so having a resource like DiabetesSisters is essential."--John Buse, MD, PhD; Chief, Endocrinology Division, Department of Medicine, UNC-CH School of Medicine; Former President, Medicine and Science Division, American Diabetes Association
Saturday, 21 November 2009 21:34 |
Written by Laura Ely
| Newsletter
November 2009
DiabetesSisters November Newsletter
Happy Diabetes Awareness Month!
I will try to keep my bit in the newsletter short and sweet this month as I REALLY want you all to just skip what I have to say and continue reading below! There are so many new and exciting things to share with you all this month! First, as most of you know November is Diabetes Awareness Month with November 14th being World Diabetes Day! The DiabetesSisters in North Carolina are invited to join us at McCormick and Schmicks in Raleigh for a fabulous lunch to celebrate this day! Secondly, the Weekend for Women committee had its first meeting in October to begin organizing this fantastic event!
There’s just one thing that I would like to share from my own life that happened this past month – I had my first experience of what it is like to be pregnant with diabetes. Let me first clarify, I am not pregnant and my experience lasted only one week rather than 9 months. I say that I had my “pregnancy experience” because recently I had a cortisone (steroid) injection in my foot. Steroids are notorious for raising our blood sugar levels causing our insulin needs to go through the roof, much like a woman with diabetes in her third trimester. I knew of the effects of the cortisone injection and I anticipated the increase in insulin levels. I also anticipated the pain that the injection would create (as one fellow DiabetesSister described it to me as pain that was worse than labor!) – oh it was painful for sure!
My insulin needs creeped higher and higher. I went from taking about 25 units of insulin per day to 60! While creating new basal rate profiles in my pump my eyes bogged out when I went from 0.7 units per hour to 1.9 units per hour! It scared me to increase my insulin by that amount even though I had consulted with diabetes professionals as well as fellow DiabetesSisters. I was able to avoid drastically high blood sugars because I was informed and had the support of friends who had gone through this before. Many of us face changes on a regular basis – sometimes they can be frightening. During those times I encourage you all to turn to your DiabetesSisters for support!
Until next month!
Laura Ely
Communications Coordinator
2009-2013 Theme: Understand diabetes and take control!
For most of us reading this newsletter, the month of November holds a special place in our hearts. Having a month dedicated to diabetes was first introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization in response to the alarming rise in diabetes around the world. November 14th was soon selected as “World Diabetes Day” and then made an official United Nations World Health Day in 2007. Each year the IDF has selected a theme for the upcoming year or years for the organization to focus on. This year we are happy to celebrate with them as they announce their 2009-2013 theme: Understand diabetes and take control. To us here at DiabetesSisters, we couldn’t agree more with the selected theme. As you read more about their theme below think about how you can apply it to yourself, a woman living with diabetes? How does their mission intertwine with that of DiabetesSisters; to improve the health and quality of life of women living with or at risk of developing diabetes, and to advocate on their behalf. As we approach World Diabetes Day and the new upcoming theme consider the global impact of this goal – to understand diabetes, to prevent diabetes, and finally to take control of diabetes!
Diabetes Education and Prevention is the World Diabetes Day theme for the period 2009-2013. The campaign calls on all those responsible for diabetes care to understand diabetes and take control. For people with diabetes, this is a message about empowerment through education. For governments, it is a call to implement effective strategies and policies for the prevention and management of diabetes to safeguard the health of their citizens with and at risk of diabetes. For healthcare professionals, it is a call to improve knowledge so that evidence-based recommendations are put into practice. For the general public, it is a call to understand the serious impact of diabetes and know, where possible, how to avoid or delay diabetes and its complications. The key messages of the campaign are:
Know how to respond to diabetes and who to turn to
Know how to manage diabetes and take control
The DiabetesSisters Sister Spotlight!
Meet Rachael Garlinghouse...
A diagnosis is always devastating, always life-altering, and never planned. But it happens, every day, to many individuals. People get cancer, have heart attacks, and, of course, learn of diabetes----an epidemic in today’s world.
I spent the first year and a half of my journey with diabetes as someone who was sick without a diagnosis. I sought the assistance of five medical professionals, each of them baffled by my symptoms of extreme weight loss, fatigue, chronic thirst, and recurrent sinus infections. Finally in March of 2006, I was diagnosed in a local emergency room while suffering the effects of diabetic ketoacidosis. My a1c was 17.9 and my blood sugar was 700.
Five days later, I was released from the hospital and sent home with pamphlets, lab reports, coupons, and medical supplies. I was, as any newly diagnosed person would be, emotionally crushed, physically drained, and mentally under- prepared. However, I was above all relieved to have the answer to my year and half long question---what’s wrong with me?
My diagnosis was the start of a new season in my life which led me to become a healthier, stronger, more positive me.
I won’t sugarcoat the fact that diabetes is a difficult disease. There’s no cure. There are no easy answers. And there’s no one-size-fits-all-magical plan. But what does exist is a network of support systems and endless opportunities to make differences in the lives of others.
As a type A personality, I did what I knew how to do. I organized my hospital paperwork into labeled folders, I scheduled medical appointments with an optometrist, a podiatrist, and an endocrinologist, and I scoured the internet for the latest diabetes information. I tried new foods, experimented with different types of insulin, and purchased a medical identification bracelet. I wasn’t going to just fall down into a puddle of self-pity (though I did and still do have my moments…). I had to do something to keep from losing my mind and my dignity.
As the days, weeks, and months flew by, I began to regain my confidence and spunk. I reinvented myself through baby steps. I started a diabetes blog---a place where I could vent, explore, and advise. I joined several online diabetes communities, including DiabetesSisters, a place that empowers women like myself. My freelance writing career began to take off and I started a special blog on diabetes and adoption for DiabetesSisters, and I also wrote articles for Diabetes Health and Diabetes Forecast. Most recently, I have been invited to speak at two diabetes conferences. But for me, the education process is ongoing. I continue to educate myself on exercise, diet, diabetes treatments, and relaxation in hopes of not only helping myself, but others as well.
Diabetes is nowhere close to a walk in the park. I struggle every single day with my disease. It’s always with me, always challenging me, always surprising me. Some days I hate it. I wish I could wad it up and chuck it out the window---gone forever. But most days I am overwhelmed with the joy that comes from being a new woman. Without my disease I wouldn’t have chosen adoption---and my family is my greatest joy. Without my disease I wouldn’t have the freelance writing career I have now. I wouldn’t have my faith in God, which has been tested and proven to be unshakeable even through the darkest of days. Without my disease I wouldn’t have so many wonderful friends or the drive to make sure I’m living as healthfully as possible. Most of all, without diabetes I wouldn’t have the conviction that we each are appointed a divine purpose in life that often begins in hardship but continues and grows into seasons of beauty, truth, awareness, and hope.
2010 DiabetesSisters Weekendfor Women hosted by DiabetesSisters and TCOYD
Read here each month to find out the recent happenings with Weekend for Women
Last month we announced the 2010 Weekend for Women Conference hosted by DiabetesSisters and TCOYD (www.tcoyd.org). The Conference will take place in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, May 22nd (immediately following the TCOYD Conference) and end on Sunday, May 23rd. Needless to say, the DiabetesSisters Weekend for Women Planning Committee has been extremely busy at work with important preparations for this life-changing event! We'd like to take this time to give recognition and thanks to this amazing group of women for dedicating their time and energy to improve the health and quality of life of women with diabetes. If you have the pleasure of meeting one of these fantastic women at the conference, be sure to tell her THANK YOU! Our first Planning Committee meeting took place on Sunday, October 11, 2009. Next month, we will have many updates for you regarding registration, sessions, and agenda! Stay tuned...
2010 Weekend for Women Planning Committee:
Loretta Alford
Brandy Barnes, MSW
Susan Chappell-Witt, CDE
Laura Ely
Markee Flint
Camille Izlar, CDE
Wendy Smith
Jennifer Stallings, CDE
Susan Totten, CDE
Marci Williams
Ronda Williams
To find out additional information about the Weekend for Women location, registration and cost click here!
News Briefs, Updates & Events!
DiabetesSisters First Quarterly Gathering
Come join us for a very motivational & educational experience!
The 2010 Weekend for Women Conference hosted by DiabetesSisters and TCOYD will take place on May 22-23 in Raleigh, NC. We're now looking people to help us plan this exciting event. Email info@diabetessisters.org and stay tuned for more details to come!
DiabetesSisters became a federally recognized 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization on January 21st, 2009. All donations are now tax deductible.
