Yes, we did.

VOTE...because I can't.

Unfortunately I'm too young to vote, but that doesn't mean that this election doesn't mean something to me. I've gotten into far too many debates with friends and family not to be aware that is BIG! As Americans I don't think that we always appreciate our right to vote, so go out and make sure your opinion counts. If this election has done anything it has brought more voters out than ever before and that's a great thing no matter the outcome. I'll leave you with this:

It's been too long.

Just checking in. 

I celebrated my pump-aversary a bit early by sending my pump in for a replacement. In just under a year I managed to bump, bang, and scratch the poor thing more times than I can count. I was also dealing with my second cracked cartridge cap, so a call to Smiths Medical was already on the to-do list. When we explained that there were also a multitude of cracks on the pump they told us they would ship out an extra cartridge cap, a new (refurbished) pump, and a prepaid shipper for my existing pump within 24 hours. It would be an understatement to say that my mom and I were completely impressed with the quick and painless customer service. So now I've got a new pump. Name suggestions are welcome or maybe I'll just go with Orin II.

I'm still dealing with this. So far I've been re-diagnosed and started a new medication. I'm still coming to terms with it all and I can't quite put it into words yet, but I do think things are headed in a positive direction. Thank you so much for the kind words from my last post, as always they meant a lot to me. 

 

Just so you know.

I turned down the writing job. I was ready to take it, but then I let the idea marinate a little more and it just wasn't the right fit. Getting paid to write something that I would probably write here for free would have been awesome, but I just could not commit to everything they were asking for.

You've probably noticed my lack of posting and commenting recently. I want you to know that I am still reading anything that comes through Diabetes Daily and even a few that don't. I also think about writing here often, but I haven't had the energy to do so. I'm currently dealing with some mental health issues (I'll fill you in when I feel a little more comfortable) that have been consuming every facet of my life. Until things get back into a more normal pattern I probably won't be posting much, but I am here and available via email if you need me. I just thought I should let you know what was going on because you have been supportive in the past and I don't want to leave you all in the dark. So that's that. 

I need your input.

I have been contacted by Health Central's Diabeteens to write a blog for their site. I responded to the email asking for more details, and I am seriously considering accepting the opportunity. The biggest problem is I don't know what I would do with this blog. I would probably maintain this site with more personal diabetes and general life related things. Which would allow the Diabeteens blog to be more about general issues that arise as a teen with Type 1 Diabetes kind of thing. Really I'm concerned that I won't be able to provide enough content for both. I love this blog and the community support that I have here, but this website is a wonderful opportunity. Also I'm not really sure if I'm cut out for the whole writing on a real live people actually see this kind of website. I don't know! So D-OCers, I trust that you will provide some sort of incredible wisdom on this topic.


For more about Health Central check out this article.

Weekend Recap.

First, thank you for all the happy birthday wishes!

I had a wonderful time celebrating with my friends Friday evening. When my friend, Kelly, suggested celebrating a few weeks ago, I wasn't really up for it. But somewhere between the waitress who told me that seventeen is a great year and passing my birthday ice cream around the table, my mindset changed. It's no longer the fact that these things might be occurring for the last time. It's enjoying the moments and hoping that the memories will last forever. For once I feel as though things are just getting started instead of coming to a close. I can see my options now and I'm ready to start working towards a more positive future. I can only hope that the waitress was right and that seventeen will be a very good year.

(From my birthday dinner, I'm second from the right.)


Saturday, I celebrated with my best friend (again) for her big birthday dinner. I was able to see a lot of old friends, an added bonus to an already great evening.

Sunday came and passed with no mention of my anniversary. I thought about the fact that twelve years had passed for about three seconds then went on with my day. I just really prefer to silently acknowledge it and move on.

Today is my mom's birthday. Happy birthday, Mom! I know you're reading this, don't worry I won't share your age with the entire internet. I love you!

Double Dose

Growing up seems to be this weeks theme...


Today is my seventeenth birthday.

Sunday is my twelfth D-anniversary.

I was five years old when I was diagnosed with Diabetes. At that age words like forever don’t exactly factor into the equation. It was more about that day or that week, and the future was a cloudy picture that didn’t mean much. When I was younger I never thought about the fact that I would get to my seventeenth birthday with Diabetes in tow. It’s not as though I thought I wouldn’t have Diabetes by seventeen, it’s just that the idea never really crossed my mind. But in the past few years as that cloudy future seemed to be inching closer, Diabetes became a part of that bigger picture too. I started to ponder what Diabetes would mean in my relationships, a career, and just everyday life. All of this is a part of growing up. My future isn’t set in stone, but now I can clearly see that Diabetes will play a role. Birthdays and anniversaries are life’s mile markers, and it’s bittersweet that two of mine fall so close to each other. With each birthday I am a step further into my future and whatever that may bring, but a part of me also pauses to remember that each birthday in the future will involve this disease. Tonight I will celebrate with friends laughing, smiling, enjoying. Sunday will come as a reminder of my trying years with diabetes and as a little spark of hope that maybe, just maybe one day my birthday won’t be a reminder of my Diabetes.

P.S. As I finished writing this, the Jonas Brothers', "A Little Bit Longer" started playing on my iTunes...

P.P.S. For the record that is the only Jonas Brothers song I have on iTunes.