The Healthcare Experience - Thursday 5/19

Topic:

Most people who live with a chronic illness end up with a lot of experience when it comes to dealing with healthcare. How would you improve or change your healthcare experience? What would you like to see happening during medical visits with your healthcare team? How about when dealing with your health insurance companies? What's your Healthcare Wish List or Biggest Frustration? Today is the day to share it all!

I have never been happier with the healthcare team I have created for myself. I have had the same family doctor for just over 10 years and he is by far the best doctor I have ever had. He cares about his patient's, he is knowledgably and doesn't just give out anything. He always reassures to me fight a cold on my own and eat a health diet- he has honestly seen me at my worst and best. He was the doctor that diagnosed with diabetes just over 8 years ago and has kept a close eye on me ever since.

It took me 7 years to figure our what works for me and how to live a happy health life with diabetes and now hashimoto's disease. Since being diagnosed in 2008 I have changed endocrinologist 4 times, and I can honestly say I have never been more happy. I think is the most important part and everyone should take the time to find doctors whom they are comfortable with. I currently see my endocrinologist every 3 weeks and as much of pain it is to take off so much time for appointment when I see him I always leave with a smile. I have seen some bad endo's over my years- for example the doctor I seen when I moved a year a half ago (who works at the same clinic) was horrible!! I had explained to her my situation was not ideal (my A1c at the time was 9.9) and what my goals were (to get my A1c below 7 and possibly start a family) her respond was if you get pregnant I would suggest an abortion???? REALLY??? so needless to say I felt like a horrible person, that someone I am confiding in to help me get my shit together just puts me down. Luckily at the clinic I go to you also see a RD (Registered Dietitian) and CDE (Certified Diabetes Educator). Laura is the RD, CDE and she is AWESOME!! She has also seen me at my worst and best from crying to laughing and has truly never made me feel uncomfortable at any appointment I have had with her regardless of what was going on. When I told her my experience with Dr. Evil, she was able to switch me over to my current doctor who is phenomenally.  He congratulates me every time I see him on how well I am doing and my accomplishments over the year.  If it were not for them I really don't think I would have such a positive attitude regarding pregnancy and diabetes.

Which leads me to my current OB- because I live in a small town we have limited choices, there are no high risk OB's in my area so when I was referred by my endo to my OB I thought prefer she must have seen a few of his patients before. I was wrong about that- but she seem to be very knowledge and has a very positive approach, however the nurse practitioner at her office I awful so I vowed to just book any appointment with the actual doctor and the receptionist was more then will to make sure that happen for me since technically I do have a high risk pregnancy even thought everything has been going fantastically!

I also recently changed my eye doctor and my dentist because I moved and I am completely satisfied with both choices. I had decided to start seeing a chiropractor regularly to help with back pain from a car accident a few years back and no longer suffer from head aches or back pain. It has also been very beneficially during pregnancy as I ma 30 weeks and have been sleeping great at night and really haven't had much pain to complain about other then rib pain which is caused from an expanding uterus and sitting for the majority of the day so I decided to start going for a 30 minute walk on my lunch and seems to help most days. 

Overall I am very happy with my health care team and because I live in Ontario, OHIP covers all my appointments minus the chiropractor, however between my work benefits and my husbands I am covered for mostly all my visits.

Language and Diabetes - Wednesday 5/18

Topic:
There is an old saying that states “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. I'm willing to bet we've all disagreed with this at some point, and especially when it comes to diabetes. Many advocate for the importance of using non-stigmatizing, inclusive and non-judgmental language when speaking about or to people with diabetes. For some, they don't care, others care passionately. Where do you stand when it comes to “person with diabetes” versus “diabetic”, or “checking” blood sugar versus “testing”, or any of the tons of other examples? Let's explore the power of words, but please remember to keep things respectful.

I am a day late on posting- I had a busy day yesterday waiting on the arrival of my first niece! Who made her way into the world at 2:10am this morning! So I am also exhausted today A- because I had maybe 3 hours of sleep and B- because I am on 3 hours of sleep and pregnant.

Todays topic is a bit tricky for me- I have blogged about feeling hurt by the stigma that comes along with be diabetic, I am not sure if its the words that affect me but more the tone in which they are said.
I am sure most comments are made with the right intent but at the same time sometimes we should think twice before speaking. For example because I am diabetic I have been told by many that I will have larger baby. Fair enough that yes research shows that's the case- but tight control helps prevent that- which I am working my ass of to do with the help of my amazing health care team. So when we first announced we were expecting, the comments started- Your so much bigger then I was when I was at your stage.... Omg! are you sure your not having twins?.... wow your getting so big?- what did people expect me to say- this was mostly happening at work and it got to the point where even my boss was making comments which started to make me feel very uncomfortable. It could have had something to do with pregnancy hormone's but it upset me to the point where I said something. I felt much better I did- because now the have stopped minus one or two people who clearly just need to be ignored. 

I know not so much diabetes related but for me I found it very hurtful because here I am dealing with diabetes and pregnancy and trying to prevent a large baby and all I was hearing was how big I am! I am over it now because up till this point I have been measuring perfectly on track and I am very happy with my accomplishments and that's what matters most- a happy healthy baby regardless of size.

The Other Half of Diabetes - Tuesday 5/17

Topic:
We think a lot about the physical component of diabetes, but the mental component is just as significant. How does diabetes affect you or your loved one mentally or emotionally? How have you learned to deal with the mental aspect of the condition? Any tips, positive phrases, mantras, or ideas to share on getting out of a diabetes funk? (If you are a caregiver to a person with diabetes, write about yourself or your loved one or both!)



I haven't really shared my story about how diabetes affects me mentally- put my husband and parents can probably tell you a few stories that we would laugh about now but in those moments they were hard. For me being diagnosed when I turned 19 was bitter sweet. Sweet because I was old enough to understand that something was wrong and I would be able to manage it on my own. However- bitter because things would never be the same and living for 19 years doing whatever I wanted and eating whatever I wanted would need to change. I feel like I was in denial the first few years, I was also dealing with some depressed because my whole world was flipped upside down. It took me 7 years to face the facts and take control.

Last year I was also diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease-  which is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid, I am sure many of us living with Type 1 diabetes are a wear of the condition as you have probably will probably get you thyroid function tested as well at some point. I believe my underactive thyroid has played a big toll on my mental wellbeing in combination with living with diabetes.

I had all the symptoms in the book before actually being diagnosed and put on the right does of thyroid medication and had always blamed my diabetes. Even with good control I figured this way just my normal! Boy was I wrong! It was a combination of events I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease and found out I was pregnant all in the same week- it was a bit of an adjustment.. As soon as we were able to figure out the right does of medication I honestly felt like a new person! It was also around the beginning of my second trimester so I also got some energy back afters a few months of pregnancy exhaustion.

My best advice would be to take your time. So many of us rush everything in life. It took me 7 years to figure our what works for me and how to live a happy health life with diabetes and now hashimoto's disease. Its not something you can make sense of over night, and our friends and family members may never truly understand the battle you face everyday- but that doesn't mean we are fighting this battle on our own. since being diagnosed in 2008 I have kept the same family doctor who is heaven sent- and feels like part of my family! However I have changed endocrinologist 4 times, and I can honestly say I have never been more comfortable with the health care team I have created for myself, which I think is the most important part and everyone should take the time to find doctors whom they are comfortable with. (Which I will talk more about on Thursday)

Message Monday - Monday 5/16

Topic:
Lets kick off the week by talking about why we are here, in the diabetes blog space. What is the most important diabetes awareness message to you? Why is that message important for you, and what are you trying to accomplish by sharing it on your blog? (Thank you, Heather Gabel, for this topic suggestion.)



I don't blog often but when I do I feel like its a huge stress relief. I started my blog just over a year ago, I wasn't sure at first if I wanted to share it with my family and friends or stay anonymous. I am not one to draw attention to myself- but did decide to share to take down the wall I was hiding behind, and I am so happy I did!

The most important diabetes awareness message to me is that we are not alone! Belonging to the blog community has really made me feel so much more comfortable with myself and living with diabetes. Its a great feeling to know we are fighting together.


Since starting my blog I made the switch from injections to a pump and also worked my ass off to get my A1C below 7. I also had a secret agenda and that was to become pregnant and have a health pregnancy and baby. I achieved my goals last year and still continue to achieve them this year maintaining an A1C below 6, and I am overwhelmed with joy that we are going to have a baby girl in July!

Telus Walk to cure Diabetes

So I have totally been slacking this year, on my blog and promoting the Telus Walk to cure Diabetes!

I guess I have been occupied with being pregnant and getting ready for our little ones arrival.
This year will be my 5th year participating and I will be 33 weeks pregnant, also only 5 weeks away from baby Iannuzzi's arrival as they plan to induce me at 38 weeks. Figures crossed all goes well!


http://jdrfca.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=portal.home&participantID=298154

Gender Reveal

Looks like we will be welcoming a little girl in July!

Yay!!! Finally

This morning after 5 long months I am over the moon to see 2 pink lines!
I think I have been staring at it for almost 15mins.

We got married September last year and I knew that meant babies soon, so I worked my ass off this year to get my A1c below 7, so in July when my results were 7.1 my husband and I decided we would start to try knowing that I had just switched to the pump back in June, my A1c would for sure be below 7 in no time.

Every month since July I got my hopes up and every month mother nature still arrived sometime a day or two late and it was externally frustrating. I have had tons of people asking if we were trying, even asking if I  am permeate...  like what did they expect me to say YES we are and No it hasn't happen, or YES I am even thought I obviously wouldn't be ready to share the news...

PUBLIC NOTICE- you have no idea how someone might struggle with something like this, if they have not shared this information with you then maybe they are not comfortable... it is not okay to ask!

I guess I am just a little nervous, yes I have diabetes but I believe I have this all under control- still doesn't mean I am not scared shitless to miscarry or harm my baby, with high and low blood sugars! and on top of it all this thyroid thing that my endo seems to think will manage it self- take god I am seeing him next week because I have freaked myself out goggling untreated thyroid conditions during pregnancy- as if diabetes and pregnancy wasn't enough to deal with!


Anyways rant over, and fingers crossed the next 9 months go smoothly.

Written Nov 20th at 3weeks 6days

Fears

So its been only 1 week since I took an at home pregnancy test, that showed those 2 pink lines that would change our lives. I am scared! We haven't told anyone yet and I feel so emotional (not something I normal am).

My symptoms so far are only mid craping and sore boobs. Why am I not throwing up and exhausted?
this make me nervous, not that I want to feel that way, but I think it would help me feel more pregnant and that my little poppy seed is on track.

I think any women who finds she is pregnant has fears, but as a type 1 diabetic I feel like my fears are X100! I feel like everyone I know right now is  announcing their pregnancies which is such a beautiful thing, I pray I will be able to do so in a few months. I worry! Did that drink I had on my husbands birthday affect my baby before I knew I was pregnant, or that day I forgot my blood glucose meter at home last week?? :(  or the fact that my CGM was not working properly Monday and Tuesday of this week? Is my A1c still 6.3% because according to my CGM my average sugar is 8!!! ugh... or how about this cold I have had for a week and 1/2 and the fact that I took Advil and Buckley's before knowing I really wish I had all the answers to my questions.

Its going to be a long 9 months!

Written Nov 27th at 4weeks 6days

Exciting News!

I am so happy to finally share our secret!  Baby Iannuzzi arriving July 2016! It has been very hard not to blog all my feeling over the past 3 months but we are over the moon excited for this next step in our lives.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

So the last few visits with my endocrinologist have been amazing, my A1c has never been better.

However back in October he had mentioned my thyroid looks larger than normal. Seriously! He could tell by just looking at me something was wrong. He had mentioned including a TSH test on my lab req. Sure enough it was high at 7.4.

He suggested I do some more blood work to test a few other thyroid functions but that I would have to wait at least 6 weeks, because the thyroid sometimes corrects itself and that he didn't want to start me on another medication if it wasn't needed.

So what did I do next... Google anything and everything thyroid. I freaked myself out.
Every symptom listed I had- I am always cold, I have been feeling extremely tired, I have gained almost 30 pounds over the past couple of months, and my skin has been itchy and dry. Why I hadn't I told anyone how I had been feeling? because I really thought all these things were diabetes related. I knew when I decided to switch to an insulin pump I would gain a few pounds but not 30... I also thought the time of year had something to do with dry itchy skin since the heat is now on in my house. As for feeling tired all the damn time, I have been telling my doctors this for years!! So has my thyroid been a problem this whole time and no one ever though to check it out for me?

So when I had my appointment yesterday and my results were 9.0, I was really worried because I had gone an extra 6 weeks without treatment. First he congratulated me on my A1c of 6.3% as he always does then told me I have an underactive thyroid and had the perception ready. I started taking Synthroid this morning, and will have to do more blood work in 4 weeks. I have read that finding the right does of Synthroid can be difficult and take some time, but I really hope to see a better number in 4 weeks.

On the bright side of it all I already get blood work done so often, and see my endocrinologist regularly that it really wont be that much extra work.  I am feeling much more positive today then I have been feeling over that past 6 weeks. I really hope that I will finally have more energy!

Patiently Waiting..... For blood work results... Please be below 7

I have an appointment Thursday morning with my Endo and RN so went for blood work this morning and was amazed that the lab I go to now gives you an option to view your results online within 24 hours!!


Now I patiently wait for my results according to my CGM and meter it probably wont be the results I am hoping for. which is frustrating because I always feel that mother natures monthly gift always messes me up. Please be below 7, pretty pretty please!


I don't know if this makes my day easier or harder? Because I will probably check the website 101 times today knowing it takes 24 hours to update, just in case my results get uploaded sooner!

CGM on track

 

When my CGM and meter are the exact same there is not better feeling of being in control of my diabetes! Especially when your blood sugar is a number in target!

 

It hasn't happen often for me but truly makes me feel appreciative for how far technology has come to create such amazing devices to keep me alive and healthy. 

Naked!

When I had switched to pump... I loved every 3rd day, because that meant I would be able to take a bath NAKED! (Funny the little things you start to appreciate in life being diabetic!) In between site changes I was free, well free for about 30 mins.

So when I started using a CGM a few weeks ago, (I have become obsessed with watching my sugar levels rise and fall) those days were over. Don't get me wrong the benefits of wearing the CGM are amazing, and I don't think I will ever go a few days without one, but I sure missed my free 30 mins!

So last week on day 3 there was not much insulin left in the bottle, and when I filled my reservoir I noticed I  maybe had enough insulin for 2 and 1/2 days, when I remembered Medtroinc had sent me a sample of the Sure-T infusion set (which is recommend for 2 day use) PERFECT!!!

But it wasn't until last night when I realized OMG! I get to take a bath tonight CGM and infusion site FREE!! I get to take a bath NAKED!! I guess the 2 day Sure-T infusion set was exactly what I needed to get on track, which also lend me to realize if I change my infusion set every 3 days and my CGM every 6 days that means 2 infusion sets per CGM!!

So now every 6th day means a long hot bath NAKED! I am as excited as a pig in shit! Seriously, I love 2 things in life naps and baths!

A1c below 7

I feel like I am on cloud 9 this morning! I went for an A1c test yesterday and got the results this morning and WOW does hard work pay off!

Results- 6.8%, something I have been trying to do for the past 9 months and I am very proud I have achieved my goal! I set a new years resolution to take charge of my diabetes and not let it control my life. I hope to maintain this goal my whole life. I achieved an A1c below 7% because of the support system I have created for myself. I faced my fear of wearing an insulin pump and also added a CGM into the mix which was something I wish I had known about so much sooner.

Woohoo!!

My CGM



 

 

Two weeks ago I started blogging again, and I am so happy I did. I shared that I had made the switch to the pump, I really don't know why I didn't make the switch sooner. Last week I took the next step and added a CGM into my world. It hasn't even been a week but I am so happy to share my results after the past few days Saturday August 15th was a picture perfect day and I am overjoyed that this little sensor can provide this information. Sure it will take a little more time to get use to, and I am not going to lie its a little uncomfortable to wear an other device on my stomach, and I will probably never were a bikini again! But if it helps maintaining an A1C below 7 and living a healthier longer life I will take it!

CGM stands for continuous glucose monitoring switch is way to measure glucose levels during the day and night. An electrode called a glucose sensor is inserted under the skin and measures your glucose levels in your tissue fluid. The results are sent directly to my pump, which is awesome!

Here's what's posted on the Medtronic website on how to calibrate-

"Calibration is important for sensor performance. Calibrating 3-4 times per day can optimize sensor performance.

 

To calibrate, you must use a fingerstick blood sample to test your blood glucose (BG) on your meter and then enter that value into your pump. The pump will accept BG meter readings between 40 mg/dL to 400 mg/dL. And the minimum number of calibrations required is once every 12 hours (after the first day), but calibrating three to four times a day can optimize sensor accuracy.

When calibrating your sensors, remember to:

• Wash your hands before taking a fingerstick test.
• Enter the BG (blood glucose) readings into the pump/monitor right away.
• Don’t use old meter BG readings or previous sensor readings as a calibration.
• Wait at least 15 minutes between calibration entries. "

However I was also told that you should have no active insulin! Which I thought would make it difficult to calibrate the sensor 2- 4 times daily, but I have be able to calibrate most days so far 3 times a day which is awesome.

Here are my results