The blood glucose logs, thoughts, and experiences of a type 1 diabetic husband, father, dad of a type 1, speaker, author, & endurance mountain bike competitor.
Showing posts with label advocacy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advocacy. Show all posts
November 14, 2013
February 8, 2013
John Parkinson, the Clinical Content Coordinator, at DiabetesCare.net, published the second half the conversation we had a couple of week back.
As a reminder, part one can be found at: http://www.diabetescare.net/content_upclose_detail.asp?id=446785.
The second half focuses on The Blue Heel Society, our Luminary efforts, and my thoughts about the value of social media & a cure.
If you have a minute check the article out:
Thanks so much John for taking the time to chat, and for this oppurtunity!!
As a reminder, part one can be found at: http://www.diabetescare.net/content_upclose_detail.asp?id=446785.
The second half focuses on The Blue Heel Society, our Luminary efforts, and my thoughts about the value of social media & a cure.
If you have a minute check the article out:
Thanks so much John for taking the time to chat, and for this oppurtunity!!
November 10, 2012
November 6, 2012
One of the most challenging things I have ever done..... FACT.
Thank you so much Dr. Adler for letting me contribute with the other amazing authors in this book.
November 5, 2012
I have been fortunate to have been given the opportunity to speak to 1000s of people over the past few years about training, racing, and living with Diabetes.
To tell you the truth, I always walk away learning more and taking more from those in attendance than I ever come close to giving.
It truly is a blessing.
One of the questions I get asked asked almost everywhere I go is " Did Diabetes make you who your are, or were you already you and you just so happened to get Diabetes".
Damn hard question to answer.
The truthful answer is just a simple "Yes."
The sheer blunt force impact of the diagnosis of Diabetes will shift your way of thinking. Your entire mindset. Your way of life.
There is just no way around that.
The new patient, with this new, as of now, life long companion, is faced with an altered reality. A world of carb counting, sliding scales, insulin therapy, endless finger sticks, hypers, BG readings, 504s, ketones, countless doctor appointments, hypos, and, primarily and overwhelmingly an abyss of unknowns and fear.
It's a simply overpowering litany of details of the utmost importance to keep us, or a loved one, alive and healthy.
The disease, over the course of my life, has made me want to prove - primarily to myself - that I can do anything. The sheer unabridged fear of in some way having a limitation forced on me due to diabetes makes me try extraordinarily hard to not be.
I have picked the biggest races & most ludicrously trying events on the entire planet to test myself with.
The more I hear "It cannot be done" or "No one with T1 Diabetes has ever attempted that before" the greater the fuel to go do it.
It's all completely driven by unbridled fear. Just fear.
I'm more afraid of finding a Diabetes forced limitation than I am of being of being injured.
Or worse.
After dealing with all the aspects of Type 1 for 35 years, and completing the vast majority of goals I set for myself, I believe, at the absolute core of my being, I can, indeed, do anything.
Each and everyone of us with diabetes can.
We. Can. Do. Anything.
Believe it.
So yes, in some very major ways, Diabetes has indeed forged who I am.
On the other hand, the disease simply forces the hidden inner strengths and talents in all of us touched by it to rise to the surface.
All people who have been affected by Diabetes, whether themselves or a loved one or child, find their soul does indeed contain a ferocious warrior, wizard, mathematician, writer, engineer, teacher, field General, and medical professional.
We ALL find our complete compliment of full armor plating.
Our unbound courage.
Our unyielding resilience.
Our razor sharp scimitar.
Our endurance athlete.
Our never ending compassion and understanding.
All of those amazing characteristics were shackled in our souls, mostly sitting idol the entire time.
We are just lucky enough to have found them & let them loose.
Yup. Lucky.
Not that we have to deal with Diabetes each and everyday, but we have found those specific traits that enable us to just that.
And these properties spill over into the non-diabetes related parts of our lives.
So, on the flip side no. I was indeed this same person all along.
Hence, I will always just continue to answer that complex question with a smile, and a simple "Yes."
Keep Choppin.
- Posted using BlogPress
To tell you the truth, I always walk away learning more and taking more from those in attendance than I ever come close to giving.
It truly is a blessing.
One of the questions I get asked asked almost everywhere I go is " Did Diabetes make you who your are, or were you already you and you just so happened to get Diabetes".
Damn hard question to answer.
The truthful answer is just a simple "Yes."
The sheer blunt force impact of the diagnosis of Diabetes will shift your way of thinking. Your entire mindset. Your way of life.
There is just no way around that.
The new patient, with this new, as of now, life long companion, is faced with an altered reality. A world of carb counting, sliding scales, insulin therapy, endless finger sticks, hypers, BG readings, 504s, ketones, countless doctor appointments, hypos, and, primarily and overwhelmingly an abyss of unknowns and fear.
It's a simply overpowering litany of details of the utmost importance to keep us, or a loved one, alive and healthy.
The disease, over the course of my life, has made me want to prove - primarily to myself - that I can do anything. The sheer unabridged fear of in some way having a limitation forced on me due to diabetes makes me try extraordinarily hard to not be.
I have picked the biggest races & most ludicrously trying events on the entire planet to test myself with.
The more I hear "It cannot be done" or "No one with T1 Diabetes has ever attempted that before" the greater the fuel to go do it.
It's all completely driven by unbridled fear. Just fear.
I'm more afraid of finding a Diabetes forced limitation than I am of being of being injured.
Or worse.
After dealing with all the aspects of Type 1 for 35 years, and completing the vast majority of goals I set for myself, I believe, at the absolute core of my being, I can, indeed, do anything.
Each and everyone of us with diabetes can.
We. Can. Do. Anything.
Believe it.
So yes, in some very major ways, Diabetes has indeed forged who I am.
On the other hand, the disease simply forces the hidden inner strengths and talents in all of us touched by it to rise to the surface.
All people who have been affected by Diabetes, whether themselves or a loved one or child, find their soul does indeed contain a ferocious warrior, wizard, mathematician, writer, engineer, teacher, field General, and medical professional.
We ALL find our complete compliment of full armor plating.
Our unbound courage.
Our unyielding resilience.
Our razor sharp scimitar.
Our endurance athlete.
Our never ending compassion and understanding.
All of those amazing characteristics were shackled in our souls, mostly sitting idol the entire time.
We are just lucky enough to have found them & let them loose.
Yup. Lucky.
Not that we have to deal with Diabetes each and everyday, but we have found those specific traits that enable us to just that.
And these properties spill over into the non-diabetes related parts of our lives.
So, on the flip side no. I was indeed this same person all along.
Hence, I will always just continue to answer that complex question with a smile, and a simple "Yes."
Keep Choppin.
- Posted using BlogPress
I was doing some tabulations about my history with Type 1 tonight as Facebook posts for Diabetes Month. After posting about my having diabetes for more than 13,100 days I got a few great questions that needed answers. I thought I should put them here....
61500: The number of units of inulin ranging from Beef & Pork R, to Lantus, to Novolog I have injected into my body over those years.
Sometimes too much.
Other times not enough.
Hoping & working towards not needing a 1/2 million more.
10400: Approximate number of times (give or take a 1000 or two) that I have tested my BG using one technology or another.
2555: Number of days I have been on pump therapy. Also, the number of days I have celebrated no longer needing to take shots to deliver insulin.
2: High School track coaches I had that also had Type 1.
1: The number of times a guy told me "I can smell someone who has diabetes. You don't have it".
0: The number of times I felt like these disease would beat me.
Unfortunately, also the exact number of cures for Diabetes.
Still here.
Still choppin'.
;)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
61500: The number of units of inulin ranging from Beef & Pork R, to Lantus, to Novolog I have injected into my body over those years.
Sometimes too much.
Other times not enough.
Hoping & working towards not needing a 1/2 million more.
10400: Approximate number of times (give or take a 1000 or two) that I have tested my BG using one technology or another.
2555: Number of days I have been on pump therapy. Also, the number of days I have celebrated no longer needing to take shots to deliver insulin.
2: High School track coaches I had that also had Type 1.
1: The number of times a guy told me "I can smell someone who has diabetes. You don't have it".
0: The number of times I felt like these disease would beat me.
Unfortunately, also the exact number of cures for Diabetes.
Still here.
Still choppin'.
;)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
October 21, 2012
Guest post - "Greatness because of Diabetes"
Emma & Mini-Type1Rider
Type1Rider.org is pleased to present a Guest post from one of our favorite Dmom's, Author, Advocate, and Creator (with her Daughter Emma) of 'Diabetic Barbie'...Amy Ermel. We also would like to express our most profound gratitude for the masterpiece in creating BY HAND, the Type1Rider Outfit pictured above. If you would like to inquire on how to get the accessories available for Girls & Boys (Including the Outfit in the picture), you can contact Amy HERE
First of all, I would like to say that I am honored to be writing a guest post for Type1Rider.org, thank you very much for the opportunity!
My daughter, Emma is 8 years old and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 4 years ago. Since that day, I have learned so many things to say the least. I think I would like to dedicate this post to one in particular though...greatness.
When the doctor walked in the room and gave us the official diagnosis, I never would have thought that anything great or positive could have come of it. I thought that we were destined for a life of battles with food, needles, blood sugars, and insulin. I thought that it would consume us and take over every single aspect of our lives. I thought that there could never possibly be anything that would shine some light on our now darkened spirits. Boy was I wrong!
A mere 5 months after Emma was diagnosed, she approached me and asked if we could set up a lemonade stand out front of our house to raise money for "the people looking for a cure." She looked up at me with such innocent and determined eyes, that there was no way I could say no.
Seeing as how it was November, we convinced her to switch it to hot chocolate..contacted JDRF, made a few phone calls....and managed to raise $1200 in 3 hours time on November 14th (World Diabetes Day). As I sit here now thinking of that night, I can remember her face....her little 4 year old face...standing there with such hope in her eyes. She was on marshmallow duty naturally...what other job would a 4 year old want, right? She stood there for 3 hours filling cup after cup with marshmallows, chatting with hundreds of people about her diabetes, telling them that she was helping to find a cure. To say I was proud, would be the understatement of the century. That night was one of the first moments that I saw her "greatness". I saw the incredible amount of potential and drive and determination that lies within a person living with diabetes.
One day last year, Emma came home from school and told me that her friends had been talking about how there was going to be a bald version of a Barbie doll made to support kids dealing with cancer and other diseases involving hair loss. She once again looked up at me with those same innocent and determined eyes and asked me so matter of factly why there wasn't a doll out in the stores that had diabetes. I decided to make a toy insulin pump and blood sugar meter for her to play with on one of her own dolls. I thought there is no way that I could ever take on a toy manufacturer and help her make this dream a reality. I thought that it would just be left at that...a toy for only her to play with.
Well, Emma decided that she wanted other kids to be able to play with them too. She wanted other kids to have something that made them feel special. She wanted to keep going with this idea...and really, with that greatness and that drive that lies inside her....who was I to say no? So, we created a Facebook page to gain support for our campaign to make this a reality available in stores...and we have nearly 6,000 supporters.
I think back to that day of diagnosis and I want to wipe away the tears of that old me and force myself to look at my daughter through clear focused eyes. I want her to see that greatness...that drive...the flickering light that is the embers of hope that burns from her gaze. I see it now. I see it and I know that no matter what this life throws our way and no matter how many times diabetes tries to bring us to our knees.....we will make it. We will do better than just make it...we will leap over every hurdle with style and we will make things happen. We will make change happen all because of her greatness.
To purchase a "virtual cup of hot chocolate" to help Emma support JDRF, please click on the following link: http://www.canadahelps.org/GivingPages/GivingPage.aspx?gpID=21134
To support Emma in her dream of a Diabetic Barbie, or other doll[s], please click on the following link and click "like" on her Facebook page and share with others to spread the word! : http://www.facebook.com/DiabeticBarbie
October 5, 2012
The final part of my series about the 2012 Tour Divide is now up and available on the OmniPod Suite D blog site.
It has been an honor to be able to share these thoughts about my Tour Divide race with all of the members of the DOC. Thank you for supporting me and for taking the time to read about this adventure.
It has been an honor to be able to share these thoughts about my Tour Divide race with all of the members of the DOC. Thank you for supporting me and for taking the time to read about this adventure.
Anything, really is, indeed, possible. It truly is.
I look forward to blogging for Insulet over the next months, and sharing my experiences with all!
Keep Choppin' everyone.
Just.
Keep.
Choppin.
Friday's installment of my 2012 Tour Divide thoughts and experiences is now published on the OmniPod Suite D blog. Endurance bicycle racing is eerily similar to living with diabetes....
Thanks everyone!!
Keep Choppin'!!!!
October 4, 2012
Installment number 4 in my week long 6 part series about the 2700+ mile 2012 Tour Divide mountain bike race has been published to the OmniPod Suite D blog.
Included in this segment is how I would normally sleep while participating in this race. A little inside look at my home away from home. :)
Thank you for the interest and excitement surrounding this, and I hope you enjoy today's first entry!
Included in this segment is how I would normally sleep while participating in this race. A little inside look at my home away from home. :)
Thank you for the interest and excitement surrounding this, and I hope you enjoy today's first entry!
October 3, 2012
Today the 3rd entry in the 6 part week long series detailing my 2012 Tour Divide race attempt was published on the Suite D Blog by OmniPod.
Things get a little more series today, with a range of emotions from total euphoria to the encountering of a serious problem.
Again, my heartfelt gratitude and thanks for all the requests about this subject.
Things get a little more series today, with a range of emotions from total euphoria to the encountering of a serious problem.
Again, my heartfelt gratitude and thanks for all the requests about this subject.
Tony Cervati’s Tour Divide Journey Part Three: Standing Up to Old Ghosts…and on Rotted Logs
(BTW - just a humorous aside... the video included in this segment was filmed by my 7 year old son. Didn't George Lucas start about that age too? LOL!!)
October 2, 2012
Part 2 of my 2012 Tour Divide race was published to OmniPod's brand new Suite D blog this afternoon.
Thank you SO VERY MUCH for the continued interest in this story.
Thank you SO VERY MUCH for the continued interest in this story.
October 1, 2012
Time has passed quickly since my 2012 Tour Divide attempt ended back in July. During that time period I was honored to be asked to write for Insulet Corporation the makers of the OmniPod on their very newly launched Suite D blog.
Myself and the team from Insulet figured the best way to kick this relationship off was to chronicle my Tour Divide adventures this year on their new platform.
I couldn't be more thrilled!!
Although it took a bit longer for me to complete the entries than I first thought i tmight, Part 1 of a week long series of posts (6 in all) is out today. The other 5 parts will be published, one or two a day, for the rest of the week.
Thank you for ALL the support and encouragement you have provided to me while I prepared for, and raced in, this history making event.
August 26, 2012
If you are in central North Carolina and are interested in insulin pump therapy, come out this Tuesday night, August 28th, for Insulin Pump Information Night. All of the pump manufacturers will be there, including Steve McGuinn the representative from OmniPod.
I will be hanging out at the the OmniPod booth talking about how I use their product and the advantages of tubeless pump therapy as a whole.
The information about the event, including the pump information class curriculum is below.
Hope to see you there!!
Opportunity to see all insulin pumps!
Tuesday of August 28th
6:00-8:00 pm
LOCATION:
American Institute of Healthcare and Fitness
8300 Health Park Raleigh, NC
Meeting Room
(Take Six Forks Rd. to Forum Dr., left on Health Park, follow signs to Conference Center)
Curriculum Overview:
1. Challenges of Diabetes
2. Insulin regimens
3. What is a Pump
4. Benefits of a Pump
Improved glycemic control
5. Definitions
6. How does a pump work
7. Smart Pump Features
8. Infusion Sets
9. Candidate
10. Who makes a good pumper
11. Challenges
12. Moving forward
I will be hanging out at the the OmniPod booth talking about how I use their product and the advantages of tubeless pump therapy as a whole.
The information about the event, including the pump information class curriculum is below.
Hope to see you there!!
Insulin Pump Information Night
Class is instructed by a Certified Diabetes Educator and is free!Opportunity to see all insulin pumps!
Tuesday of August 28th
6:00-8:00 pm
LOCATION:
American Institute of Healthcare and Fitness
8300 Health Park Raleigh, NC
Meeting Room
(Take Six Forks Rd. to Forum Dr., left on Health Park, follow signs to Conference Center)
Curriculum Overview:
1. Challenges of Diabetes
- BG Monitoring
- Multiple injections
- Meals
- Erratic schedules
- Carbohydrate
- Counting
- Costs
- Physical activity
- Sickness
2. Insulin regimens
- Conventional Multiple Daily Injections
- Insulin Pump therapy
3. What is a Pump
4. Benefits of a Pump
Improved glycemic control
- Precise delivery
- Decreased glucose fluctuations
- Decreased hypoglycemia
- Address hormonal issues and dawn phenomenon.
- Eliminate multiple injections
- Eliminate strict eating
- Sleep in
- Exercise
5. Definitions
- Basal
- Bolus
- Example of typical day
6. How does a pump work
- Battery
- Cartridge/Reservoir
- Programming
7. Smart Pump Features
- Calculates dose for carbs eaten and BG correction
- Extended bolus features
- Insulin on board/Active Insulin
- Reminders and alarms
8. Infusion Sets
- Straight
- Angled
- Change every 2-3 days
9. Candidate
- Insulin requiring Type 1 or Type 2
- A1C above 7
- BG fluctuation
- Hypoglycemia
- Pregnancy
- Need for precise dosing
10. Who makes a good pumper
- BG checks 4 times daily
- Carb counting
- Able to troubleshoot
- Support system
- Realistic expectation
11. Challenges
- Insurance
- Increase BG checks
- Learning period
- DKA
- Site/Skin issues
12. Moving forward
- Visit the booths
- Visit the websites
- Talk to your insurance company
- Talk to your doctor about which pump
- Continue seeking educational opportunities
- TIPS Meetings
July 3, 2012
Was told to get some blood work for my blood draw A1C test (6.4 w/ finger prick test btw), and to complete my entry into a clinic trial I volunteered for.
Yes. I do believe I filled all this up.
A big thanks to all at the UNC Diabetes Care center with setting these pre- this up.
Unfortunately one of the many, many faces of diabetes....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Yes. I do believe I filled all this up.
A big thanks to all at the UNC Diabetes Care center with setting these pre- this up.
Unfortunately one of the many, many faces of diabetes....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
June 27, 2012
Type 1 Diabetes meets it match on Tour Divide
SUMMARY:
Tony Cervati takes another year of preparation and leaves Banff, AB CA on July 8th for his second attempt at finishing the 2750 mile event.
Tony Cervati a.k.a. Type1Rider, is a man with Type 1 diabetes and will be leaving everything behind again to bike the longest, most dangerous, unsanctioned mountain bike trail on the planet, the Tour Divide. This year, he will be also be making stops along the route, to visit with various Hospitals and Diabetes Care Centers.
During the past two years we've seen two different people with diabetes share a dream and a goal, and smash the misconception of barriers erected by Type 1 Diabetes.
In 2011 Tony Cervati became the first person with Type 1 diabetes to attempt the Tour Divide, the longest mountain bike race in the world. Although he didn't reach the finish, Tony's efforts and preparation paved the way for Athletes with diabetes to re-examine what type of endurance events are indeed possible.
This year Jarral Ryder, another individual faced with Type 1 diabetes, followed that lead and became the first person with the condition to complete the Tour Divide race. Congratulations to Jarral for an outstanding race, and an amazing effort, your accomplishment will forever change the scope of diabetes related athletics!
Tour Divide is a 2,745-mile bicycle race down the spine of the Continental Divide, full of peril, ups and downs, and calm flat and smooth patches all mixed together. A large percentage of riders who start the race each year never complete it, due to injury, bike damage, or simple exhaustion.
About Type1Rider:
Tony Cervati is Type1Rider and the father of two boys, and has battled type 1 diabetes for more than 35 years. He is an active member of the Diabetes Online Community (DOC), and is known for his blogs about being an endurance mountain bike racer. Tony uses social media and Twitter to post his blood glucose readings, and lives openly about his day to day management with type 1 diabetes. You can follow Tony on Twitter @type1rider or read his blogs at www.type1rider.org.
About Tour Divide:
The Tour Divide challenge is simple: Race the rooftop of North America by mountain bike; travel self-supported along all 2,745 miles of Adventure Cycling Association's Great Divide Mountain Bike Route; keep moving and be moved; exist well outside one's comfort zone in tackling a cross-continent bikepacking odyssey; finish as fast as possible without cracking.
For more information:
Type1Rider.org Blogsite:
http://www.type1rider.org
Type1Rider on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TonyCervatiIsType1Rider
https://www.facebook.com/TheType1RiderOrganization
Type1Rider on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/type1rider
Email: Tony@Type1Rider.org
Phone: (323)743-3781
- Posted using BlogPress using my iPad from somewhere in the universe
SUMMARY:
Tony Cervati takes another year of preparation and leaves Banff, AB CA on July 8th for his second attempt at finishing the 2750 mile event.
Tony Cervati a.k.a. Type1Rider, is a man with Type 1 diabetes and will be leaving everything behind again to bike the longest, most dangerous, unsanctioned mountain bike trail on the planet, the Tour Divide. This year, he will be also be making stops along the route, to visit with various Hospitals and Diabetes Care Centers.
During the past two years we've seen two different people with diabetes share a dream and a goal, and smash the misconception of barriers erected by Type 1 Diabetes.
In 2011 Tony Cervati became the first person with Type 1 diabetes to attempt the Tour Divide, the longest mountain bike race in the world. Although he didn't reach the finish, Tony's efforts and preparation paved the way for Athletes with diabetes to re-examine what type of endurance events are indeed possible.
This year Jarral Ryder, another individual faced with Type 1 diabetes, followed that lead and became the first person with the condition to complete the Tour Divide race. Congratulations to Jarral for an outstanding race, and an amazing effort, your accomplishment will forever change the scope of diabetes related athletics!
Tour Divide is a 2,745-mile bicycle race down the spine of the Continental Divide, full of peril, ups and downs, and calm flat and smooth patches all mixed together. A large percentage of riders who start the race each year never complete it, due to injury, bike damage, or simple exhaustion.
About Type1Rider:
Tony Cervati is Type1Rider and the father of two boys, and has battled type 1 diabetes for more than 35 years. He is an active member of the Diabetes Online Community (DOC), and is known for his blogs about being an endurance mountain bike racer. Tony uses social media and Twitter to post his blood glucose readings, and lives openly about his day to day management with type 1 diabetes. You can follow Tony on Twitter @type1rider or read his blogs at www.type1rider.org.
About Tour Divide:
The Tour Divide challenge is simple: Race the rooftop of North America by mountain bike; travel self-supported along all 2,745 miles of Adventure Cycling Association's Great Divide Mountain Bike Route; keep moving and be moved; exist well outside one's comfort zone in tackling a cross-continent bikepacking odyssey; finish as fast as possible without cracking.
For more information:
Type1Rider.org Blogsite:
http://www.type1rider.org
Type1Rider on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TonyCervatiIsType1Rider
https://www.facebook.com/TheType1RiderOrganization
Type1Rider on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/type1rider
Email: Tony@Type1Rider.org
Phone: (323)743-3781
- Posted using BlogPress using my iPad from somewhere in the universe
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