Most People Won't Care

But some may. Just had my Dr. appointment yesterday and my A1C was 6.2!!!!! For those who don't know that is an incredibly good A1C to have as a diabetic. It's the lowest it's been in my 15 year stint with the disease! Lower A1C = reduced risk of long term complications from diabetes, minor things like blindness, extremity amputation, kidney/liver/heart failure and death. Another "for instance" a healthy non-diabetic has an A1C of 4-6, that means I'm almost non-diabetic!!! lol

My Summer of Learning

As the temperature drops here in NE Ohio, the leaves begin to change color and days grow shorter. I've been reflecting on my whirlwind of a summer. I was trying to find the uniting thread that ties together my life. If any of you know what my life is like you would think I was crazy for even trying that but I did and it worked. This was my summer of learning.

My life has tested me, my family, my friends as well as my co-workers. Here is a list of 20 things I've learned.

1. Cancer sucks
2. Diabetes can suck
3. My brother is stronger and more resilient than cancer
4. My family is stronger and more resilient than cancer
5. I should not have ever stopped cycling
6. I still can run, fast sometimes too!
7. Insulin pumps kick major ass and I should have started on one a long time ago
8. I am extremely passionate about fighting cancer and diabetes
9. My family is growing closer not farther apart
10. Ziplining is fun!
11. Less soda = healthier me
12. Less little debbies = even healthier me
13. You can change everything about your life except the weather if you desire to do so
14. I have some of the best coworkers anyone could ask for
15. Never give up on anyone or anything you believe in
16. Never be afraid to love someone
17. The human spirit can move mountains
18. I'm not a diabetic, I'm a person living with diabetes
19. I have priorities, I need to keep them straight
20. Life is short, if you love someone always, always let them know

That's all for now, I have some crazy ideas brewing in my head for next year! Check back as I reveal them!!!

My World/Weekend

Life has been anything but boring these days. Plenty going on, some good, some not so good. My brother unfortunately had to go back to the hospital. My sister wrote an excellent (long) blog about the situation as it unfolded Wednesday. You can read it here at: http://mupialpha.blogspot.com/ the good news is, I saw him twice this weekends and his spirit is good. He's just pretty much hanging out at the hospital. They want to keep an eye on his leg and give him IV antibiotics. His leg, while still being fully wrapped, looked smaller like the swelling was going down. He was also practicing laying flat which can be quite painful after his earlier procedure. He was having pain in his lower back that was probably due to him sleeping in a recliner instead of flat on his back. So the short period of pain should pay off in the long run as he works to get back to "normal" life.

This weekend was incredible!!! I spent the entire weekend with Molly and we had a great time!

Friday we went to visit my brother at the Cleveland Clinic.

Saturday I ran the 4th leg (5K) which was uphill. I was still really happy with my time 27:27, I hadn't had a consistent training schedule but was still able to get out a few times a week. Molly dropped me off at the start and then found her way around the race course to the finish to cheer me on and pick me up, she's the best!!! :) After that I needed a hot shower and a nap. I think I earned it! lol Later in the evening I went back out to visit my brother while Molly ran home to Y-town to grab a few things she forgot.

Sunday Molly and I went on a zip line tour through the Hocking Hills Canopy! Check out the web site: http://www.hockinghillscanopytours.com/ Everyone there was incredibly nice! We rode 11 zip lines (some as long as 575ft. with speeds 30+ mph :)), crossed 3 suspension bridges and repelled down a 30 ft. high platform! I did my best to scare Molly whenever possibly but she was on to me. I would recommend this trip to anyone, well worth the drive down there!!! Here are some pics:

Molly and I in front of suspension bridge 2

Molly coming in for a landing

Me, coming in for a landing

4 Days Late! Darn it!!!

A diabetic friend named Molly (check out her blog: http://curemoll.com/ ) recently celebrated her 15th diabetic anniversary on September 8th. That got me thinking about when my anniversary is so I looked it up at my parents house yesterday and discovered I was 4 days late! Darn it! 09/14/1993 I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. However, I did have an incredible weekend with my girlfriend Molly, not the same Molly as noted above, we went for a hike out at Brandywine Falls. So I guess maybe my subconscious knew the day.

The only thing that's been going on longer than my diabetes at this point is my sisters school career. lol Good luck on you paper Kim! :)

But that's a long time without any complications and few incidences from the diabetes. I'll show my collection of meters in a later blog but I still have my original onetouch meter that do the old 30 second count down and all. They have changed drastically and all the changes have been made for two reasons: 1. To improve the accuracy and convenience of controlling diabetes, 2. to improve the quality of life for all diabetics. Can't beat that!

Well, I guess, happy belated anniversary to myself! I hope everyone out there in blog world is doing great!!!

P.S. My brother is home from the hospital and doing well. Recovery is a process but he is moving right along!!! :)

Update

Hi everyone, I wanted to give a quick update on my brother: HE'S COMING HOME THIS WEEKEND!!! He has progressed far enough, quick enough that he does not have to go to in-patient rehab. He gets to sleep in his own bed and play XBOX live (very important lol). Also, if he is feeling up to it, a week and a half shouldn't put him too far behind in his online classes he was taking at the college. He was hoping this semester wouldn't be a wash. Thanks to everyone for sending you positive thoughts, positive energy and prayers my brothers way!!! :)

GO BUCKS!!!

GO BROWNS!!! Only bitches wave little yellow towels!

GO KEVIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Updates!

Update on my brother:

I went to see Kevin Saturday and Sunday at the Cleveland Clinic. He is getting better by the minute! He sat up for 10 min. in a chair on Sat. and for 45 min. on Sun.! Which is quite the feat if you saw all the shit they have in wrapped up in and on him and hanging off of him. I'm not sure if I could get around with all that shit on myself. His spirits are as good as they can be for being stuck in a hospital in bed for 23.25 hours a day. I'll get a picture of him once he gets home to give and update. His scar is pretty bad ass too! Maybe he'll let me post that as well! I asked, he didn't get to keep the bone. I thought he could get it bronzed of something.

As far as surgery, Kevin had the upper half of his femur removed and a titanium rod now takes the place of his femur, he's part bullet proof!!! They had to insert a metal fitting into his hip to receive the top of the rod. Some muscle and other tissue was removed from Kev's leg around the area where the mass was but most of the major muscles were able to be saved. That's where the painful part is, it's one thing to replace the hip but to restructure and attach all of the muscles leads to a lot of soreness and bruising. He won't be able to run or jump anymore but he can still power walk and swim. He loves to swim!

That's all for now but I'll keep everyone posted on his recovery! Thank you all for your thoughts and well wishes!

Today is the day!

Kevin's surgery is today! Wish him luck!!!!

A pic of him and I at the Air Show this past weekend!!!