Monday, May 26, 2008

Beautiful Weekend!

Yeah, I finally got out on my bike quite a bit this weekend! Both Sunday and Monday were great with my blood sugar as well. On Saturday I hit up the family party back at my parents place. I helped my family out by cutting the grass and doing some other odds and ends to get things in order for my brother to get started on his treatment next week. He's losing way too much weight but in good spirits, check out his blog at: mycancerexperience.blogspot.com he is going to do his best to keep a journal going of all the experiences he will be going through. Right on little bro!!!

So the riding was great on Sunday. I went 30 miles and got some great sun burn/tan lines. It felt good to get out and pour on the miles. My starting BS was 60 and some carbs, rode and ate carbs while out and finished at 70. I can't complain, I think it worked out pretty well.

I also got a new Camelback after not taking my meter with me on Sunday. I decided that I need to figure out a way to get everything around with me. I used to have an original camel back in the mid 90's back when they first came out. They have sure come a long way. Here is a picture of the one I picked up. 70 oz. of water and space for my stupid blackberry (I don't use but need it in case of emergency), my meter and some extras like an insulin pump soon!





My ride today took me down through the Valley where I ran into a nice little Memorial Day parade. I stopped to watch, i couldn't pass it up. They are honoring the people who defend the very freedom I was celebrating by riding my bike where I want when I want as long as I want. It's a good thing I had my patriotic socks on! Today was a 25 mile day. My BS was 87 starting off where I had a small snack and continued to snack through the ride and came home to a BS of 70 again. What a great day. See my socks below.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

More Craziness!

Well, it's official, well..., for the most part. The preliminary exam on my brother revealed Ewing's Sarcoma which is a form of soft tissue cancer. The whole family is coming together for a meeting on Thursday to discuss everything. In my work world we would call it a "workstart" meeting to begin a project. Our project now, eliminate cancer. For some reason I think this will be the biggest project I will work on in my lifetime. But they picked a tough opponent this time. My family has it's ups and downs just like every other family but we are all extremely motivated at the things we do. My sister and I already have support plans we are conjuring up, we will hit this hard and be done with it. The grim reaper of cancer is going to wish he had picked someone with a smaller heart and a brother and sister that wasn't as cool as Kim and I are! :) Hang in there Kevin and we are with you on your journey to become a cancer survivor!

Love,
Your Big Brother

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Great day for riding!

Yes, I finally got out on the bike! It was great, a little chilly though. I rode from my apartment on the paved hike/bike trail all the way to Brandywine Rd. and back. A 17.5 mile round tip at 15mph average. Max speed reached on the trip was 30mph and the ride took 1h 10m 13s. The best part was there was a stiff headwind all the way out and then a wicked tail wind on the way back. I think it was Kyla pushing me along, after all, the ride was for her today!

Starting BS 57
treated with 45 grams of carbs
Ride
Ending BS 85

Right on the money!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Stressed!

OK, trying to maintain composure and control. I have my A1C checked tomorrow but it's amazing how stress can throw it all out of whack! Here's the scoop: my little brother was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic yesterday with a mysterious 103 degree temp that he's had for 2 days. My Dad had a funny reaction on a kidney test recently. My sister is getting married next year in Jamaica and I just found out how much it will cost to get down there for it. My softball team lost last night and on top of all that I just want to get out and ride but it has rained pretty much since Saturday and is supposed to rain until Friday. :(

I think the solution is going to be to ride anyway tonight. Rain or shine I'm going so if your with me give a call....(chirp, chirp) and we'll go!

My BS at 3am was 47 and after a small snack this morning it was 233. Yikes! I have to get myself under control, I don't care if the rest of my life is crazy my diabetes can not be. T-minus 4 months until I get my insulin pump!!!

Hopefully I can report back tomorrow on how the ride went, keep you fingers crossed! :)

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Boo for the weather!

First off, let me say farewell to a fellow diabetic who passed away today. Kyla Maldonado reminded all of us today how precious and fragile life is. She was 29 years old when she passed. She was survived by two terribly cute kids. I was going to dedicate my ride to today to her but I think the man upstairs wanted to give me a better, sunny day to ride and dedicate. So my next ride is all yours Kyla, RIP.

Well, I spent a lot of time today staring up at the sky waiting for the rain to end so I could ride. Nothing doin! Mother nature was not having it today. So I did go to the bike store to research my next purchase, a Trek Madone 4.5!!! My tongue hit the floor, it was so beautiful. Then I drove through rain and hail to the bank and grocery store. As I was leaving the store my BS went low. How ironic the very food to keep me alive was all around me and I have a low! I live right around the corner <3 minutes away. So I ran home and checked and I was 43! Yikes! However, it was time for lunch anyway so I went at it.

I've tried to keep myself busy today doing some other things around the house. Now I'm getting ready to do a 30 minute workout in the living room. Oh well, hopefully the week will be better and I can get out and ride.

I hope the weather was better in MI for my friend Nancy to get out and put in a few miles! lol

Saturday, May 17, 2008

I've been tagged!!!

My new diabetic friend Nancy tagged me so I need to give 10 random facts and then tag 6 more people. Similar to Nancy I don't know 6 people that blog, but I do know a few. :)

The Rules:
Once you’ve been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird, random, facts, habits or goals about yourself. At the end, choose 6 people to be tagged, list their names & why you tagged them. Don’t forget to leave them a comment saying “You’re it!” & to go read your blog. You cannot tag the person that tagged you, so since you’re not allowed to tag me back; let me know when you are done so I can go read YOUR weird/random/odd facts, habits and goals.

Alright, time to get started....

1. I've loved cycling all of my life. I built my MTB from the frame up, ordering the best parts from around the country.

2. Only decision I've ever regretted, selling that MTB for $250 in college which was probably spent on alcohol.

3. I absolutely hate onions. I will not eat them in, on or around anything.

4. If I could get paid to ride my bike, I would call my boss and quit right now on Saturday night.

5. I wish I was on the insulin pump, can't wait to start in September.

6. I love camping but haven't gone in 10 years. That may be the only vacation I can afford this summer.

7. I love cars, I know a lot about them and am just drawn to them for some reason. I can identify any car, most of the time by only seeing the fraction of the vehicle or the grill.

8. I like trying new beers but usually go for Captain and Diet Coke when I'm out.

9. My hero is Lance Armstrong, I have a huge poster of him above my fireplace. He is an inspiration to me.

10. I have 5 pairs of brown casual shoes. Not sure how that happened but I wear all of them, well, not at once but you get the picture.

Hmm...I'll send this to:

Kim because she's been blogging forever

Ken White bc he is the only other blogger I know

John, well, you can blog on myspace

Matt, same as John

I'll figure out a few more, later!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Mysteries of Life with Diabetes

So, last night I was woken up by a low at about 2am. I spent the evening working on my bicycle and cleaning my apartment. Nothing incredibly taxing. I checked my BS before bed and it was 186 so I took 1 unit of Humalog and went to bed. When I checked my BS at 2am it was 67. why the hell does the bottom drop out all the time in the middle of the night. I think I burn more calories in two hours of sleeping more than any other two hours of the day. I can't wait to get my pump 108 days, roughly, but who's counting right?!?!?!

However, the mystery above is small compared to the mystery in the photo below. How does this happen?