Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder typically diagnosed in children, teens and young adults, but it can develop at any age. Learn about the signs and symptoms of this condition and get expert guidance on blood sugar monitoring, medication, meal planning and more.

“It Turned Everything Upside Down”

May 8, 2008

For those of you who’ve followed my blog throughout the past eight months, if you’ve read with any regularity you have no doubt encountered my discussions about the Family Centered Experience (FCE) program at the University of Michigan Medical School. My most recent FCE blog entries are April 3 ("A Year of Helping Medical Students") and April 10 ("Breaking Bad News"), but I also wrote about this great program back in December ("Before They Are Doctors").

So, do you want more? I hope so, because you’re going to get more.

A Letter to My Durable Medical Equipment Provider

May 1, 2008

Note: The names have been changed to protect the innocent corporate and insurance interests in this piece. Also, as of this writing, Eric has yet to find out if his situation has been resolved. Read More “A Letter to My Durable Medical Equipment Provider”

What We’re Reading: Type 1 Bloggers Roundtable

April 24, 2008

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) has begun hosting “roundtable discussions” that feature prominent bloggers with Type 1 diabetes. Read More “What We’re Reading: Type 1 Bloggers Roundtable”

Fifty-One On, One Off (Kinda)

April 17, 2008

Diabetes Self-Management. Sure, it’s the name of the Web site and the magazine, but, more importantly, it’s what we do. We, us—those of you reading, those of you with diabetes, those of you living with and helping care for people with diabetes. Read More “Fifty-One On, One Off (Kinda)”

Exploring the Gluten-Free World

April 15, 2008

When I began writing this blog entry last Friday, the mouth-watering smell of hot, fudgy brownies baking in the oven was wafting throughout the house.

Gluten-free hot, fudgy brownies.

Kidney Fund Contest Opens to Young Artists

April 11, 2008

The American Kidney Fund is looking for artwork made by kids and teens who have kidney disease to include in its 2009 calendar. In addition to having their art published, 13 winners of this national contest will receive an all-expenses-paid weekend trip to Washington, DC, for themselves and a parent or guardian. Read More “Kidney Fund Contest Opens to Young Artists”

What We’re Reading: Raise Your Voice!

April 10, 2008

Next Monday, April 14, will be Raise Your Voice Day, a day dedicated to increasing awareness about Type 1 diabetes through blogging, volunteering, fundraising, and other efforts. Read More “What We’re Reading: Raise Your Voice!”

Caffeine: Friend or Foe? (Part 2)

April 7, 2008

How many of you are nursing a cup of coffee or tea or guzzling a can of diet cola as you read this? (I admit, I just polished off a glass of Diet Coke myself!) This week, we’ll take a closer look at how caffeine may affect diabetes. Read More “Caffeine: Friend or Foe? (Part 2)”

There’s More Than One Way to Answer a Prayer

April 1, 2008

There’s a joke—or, perhaps, more of a story—that tells of a person who believed with all his heart that a higher being would rescue him from impending disaster.

The man, as the story goes, sat on his front porch as a flood warning was issued. His neighbor, who was evacuating, offered to give him a ride.

"No," the man said. "I have faith. The Being will save me from the flood."

P2P Diabetes

March 27, 2008

A little over a week ago, I received an e-mail from my endocrinologist. It was a short missive in which he told me that he’d recently seen, as a patient, a man in his 30’s who’d just been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. What my endocrinologist wanted to know—and what he assured me was completely my decision (and he emphasized that there was no pressure to do so)—was if I wanted to talk to this gentleman about Type 1, since just one year earlier I, too, had been diagnosed.

It took me no time at all to reply that Yes, indeed, I would be happy to help this guy out.