DKA is a Killer for Diabetics

Take care of yourselves...well ourselves!!!

Casey Johnson did not have to die. She did need some support and some professional help which it sounds like she was on her way to try to get. She died of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

DKA is basically when your body does not have enough insulin to function properly. For example, not taking your insulin injections if you are Type 1, like in Casey's case. Without insulin your body can not break down food and store it for energy. So once your body runs out of it's energy stores it looks for the next thing to break down to keep it going, fat. Once all of the fat is gone it moves on to the next thing it can find, muscle. By now you are in pain and should now that something is not right. Even at this state there are things that can be done to help reverse the affects and get you as close to "normal" as you can get. However, if left untreated, the body starts breaking down all muscles like your heart and other organs your body needs to stay alive. Once you've reached this point there is very little that can be down to stop a diabetic from dying. It can be done but your quality of life will never be the same once you reach this point.

So, lessons learned here??? Take care of yourself, take your insulin and check your dang blood sugars.

Diabetic Olympian

I'm pulling for you Kris and from now on I will have an extra PowerBar Gel at every sporting event I go to just in case I run across another diabetic in need! Congrats only your Olympic appearance!

Diabetic skier motivated by more than self, teammates and country

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/olympics/2010/writers/david_epstein/02/23/freeman.diabetes/index.html#ixzz0gTYXFEOZ
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Two Big Wins!!!

The first is against diabetes and the second is for cycling!!!

Big Win #1 Diabetes:
Last week I had my bi-annual doctor appointment. I usually get lab work drawn before the visit and we discuss the results after the visit. This time there was a SNAFU with my scheduling and I wasn't able to get lab work until the day of the appointment. So, I came prepared and printed out all of the tracking graphics and charts that my insulin pump stores and processes through CareLink. Done with the boring background now to the good news!

When I called the doctor yesterday to get the results of my A1c I was told that it was 6.2 for the second time in a row, that mean I've been at 6.2 for over a year!!!! :)

Side note: Per www.WebMD.com

Importance of the Hemoglobin A1c Test

I know you are going to ask what those complications are. Again, per www.WebMD.com

So my 6.2% minimizes to the extreme my chances of complications! :)

Big Win #2 Cycling:
A few weeks back I entered a contest at Sidi Shoes for those of you who don't know, Sidi is one of the top brands of cycling shoes in the cycling world. The top three world champions last season were all in Sidi shoes!

They had a contest to submit a story about Sidi shoes. It was pretty open ended, you could write about why you like them, write a poem, submit a picture or whatever. I wrote an essay about why shoes are important to diabetics and how I look for only the best and have found that in my Sidi shoes.

Low and behold I made it to the top 50 essays winning my choice of Sidi shoes!!!

Here was my essay:

Sidi, Cycling, Diabetes and Life!

As a Type 1 diabetic I’ve always done my best to live a “normal” life, as normal as life can be on multiple daily injections of insulin. Part of maintaining my health is through regular exercise, the equation is simple, cycling = exercise, exercise = better controlled diabetes, better controlled diabetes = longer life and better quality of life. My love of cycling was born out of my own drive to maintain my own body and blood sugar control.

Diabetics are highly susceptible to foot injuries which can lead to bigger problems and amputations this is due to circulation issues that accompany diabetes. How do you fight this? Check your blood sugars, exercise regularly and watch your diet. Check! Another layer of protection I always follow is, don’t skimp on footwear! When I look for something to put on my feet I looked for the best. Not only do I have diabetes but I also have really flat feet. Two strikes out of the gate?!?!?

I’ve tried many types of shoes and the bike shop I go to tried to get me in 3 or 4 different brands of shoes that were all good but not great. Then I saw it, a red box with the Sidi logo on. I couldn’t believe it these were the Holy Grail of shoes growing up, I never thought I would see myself in these shoes! I found my size and they felt amazing! My feet felt like I just slipped them into two little clouds and the sun shined in on my feet while angels sang.

(Record scrrratch)

Snap out of it son, buy them and hit the darn trails! I did. I love my Sidis, there durable, light and let my feet breath! I put 1,000 miles on them last season and they are ready for 2,000 more miles, as soon as the 15 inches of snow melt! I love to ride period!

Ride to live, live to ride!

and the shoe I am choosing is the Dragon 2 Carbon SRS how awesome are those!

Great motivation as well to get out and ride and be the best diabetic racer I can be!!!

Stay Tuned!!!

When I get a minute I will update you on my A1c results from last week as well as my big win in a Sidi cycling shoe contest!!! :)

Two big wins!!!

Lent

Yes, I am Catholic and participate in giving things up to better myself for Lent. Even if I don't go to Church.

My list of things I'm doing to better myself:

1. Giving up all carbonated beverages. Pop or Soda for the rest of the world, energy drinks, carbonated water. Gone.

2. Giving up alcohol. I'm already half way there since I don't really drink anymore.

3. Exercise at least 4 times a week. Not only does this help me feel better but has made my diabetes control second to none!

Doctor Appointment

Had my bi-annual Endocrinologist appointment today! I got the usual clean bill of health while my Dr. eagerly asked what I had in the works for this summer. I told her about the 100 mile race and some of the other plans, she was pretty excited. She said if she had more diabetics like me her life would be much less stressful! lol!

One side note, my Doctor's office was moved at the Cleveland Clinic leaving me feeling like a Freshman on the first day of school. I had no idea where anything was and had to ask three people for directions.

Spinning and Sweat

Another great Spinning class last night! They really now how to kick my ass! I think my heart rate stayed between 178 and 187 the whole time, with a max of 190, it feels great to push it during class. You know what I'm talking about, sweat in your eyes, muscles are on fire to the point where you could get of your bike and just empty your stomach, but instead you push and push harder. That's where I was last night! A brief warm up and hour work out helped me incinerate 1245 calories!

I can't wait until the weather clears to mix up the rides more! Spin one day a week, hit up the group hammer fest with the guys of CAMBA at the West Branch trails and then knock out a group ride with the Akron Bike Club on Thursday. Then use the weekends for extra long solo excursions, t-minus 3.5 months until the Mohican MTB 100 feel free to join me!

I want to keep a higher variety of workouts this season, I feel much better when I do, stronger as well working the different terrain and scenarios. Back to the grind!