Monthly Archives: March 2018

Diabetes By The Numbers: Grainne Flynn

March 29, 2018 – 10:11 am

Diabetes By The Numbers is BACK!

Thanks to everyone who waited patiently while I worked to retool the podcast. It took a while, but I am happy to be sharing another interesting conversation with you.

Today I’m speaking with Grainne Flynn, who is a passionate writer and diabetes advocate living in the Republic of Ireland. I’ve been reading her blog, Blood Sugar Trampoline, for some time, and I got to meet her in person last October at the joint Diabetes Sisters/Diabetes UnConference get-together in Alexandria, Virginia.

Did you ever strike up a conversation with someone and instantly feel comfortable? That’s how you’ll feel hearing Grainne. We talk about Blood Sugar Trampoline, the amazing Thriveabetes conference just completed… and she even shares her three must-visit places on the Emerald Isle. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

And thank you so much for listening. Again.

DBTN

Reference Material – Click below for more information on this topic

Grainne Flynn writes about her life with diabetes at her personal blog, Blood Sugar Trampoline:
BloodSugarTrampoline.com.

Grainne is a co-founder of the diabetes empowerment organization Thriveabetes, which works to foster education and connections in the Republic of Ireland, and hosts a yearly conference:
Thriveabetes.ie

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes By The Numbers | Tagged , , | Comments (2)

Advocacy: You’re invited.

March 27, 2018 – 10:11 am

When it comes to diabetes and advocacy, it’s interesting to note that the one thing we might all have in common (other than a messed up pancreas) is that we’re all different.

Some people are dedicated to connecting others, either because it’s what they want to do, or because they see a need and want to do something about it. To that end, Cherise Shockley’s @WOCDiabetes Twitter account serves both purposes. It connects women of color living with diabetes so they have a place to share common stories, connect with one another, and feel like they’re not alone.

Some advocacy organizations want to focus on research, while others want to focus on policy and education. They all serve a purpose. But they’re definitely not all the same.

There are non-profits like Tidepool, which provides a platform for people to upload their device data and other important information, and then share that with their health care team, and also share it anonymously for research. That’s a lot for one organization.

There are #OpenAPS groups all over the country, helping people put together their own closed loop insulin delivery, even before any industry-developed options are even approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. And non-profits like Bigfoot are using their talents to develop solutions that could make our lives even better. Where would we be without the inspired leadership these groups provide?

There are individuals who participate in clinical trials, sometimes multiple clinical trials, who often thanklessly help advance research into treatments, drugs, and devices designed to make our lives better. You’d be hard pressed to find a more noble endeavor.

And there are still thousands of us out there blogging, podcasting, and using other social media to tell our stories and the stories of others living with and affected by diabetes. The result of all this output of storytelling is increased access to information, viewpoints directly from the patient, and connecting others who are living the same kind of existence.

Where am I going with this? I want you to know that there are many different types of advocates and advocacy happening in the diabetes world today. And certainly, you can be a part of it.

On a personal level, I’ve always participated in things that I feel meet one (or more) of three criteria:
1) It’s interesting to me
2) I’m good at it
3) I am actually allowed to participate

That criteria has kept me from participating in the JDRF Ride for a Cure events (not good at fundraising), and some clinical trials (didn’t meet the criteria, so not allowed to participate). But it does mean that I’ve been able to attend and report on FDA public workshops (interesting to me), and serve as a part-time moderator of the Wednesday night DSMA Twitter chats (I’m good at it and allowed to participate).

Wherever you are in your diabetes journey, know that there are many opportunities for you to step forward and learn, connect, and volunteer. If you have even a sliver of time and a passion for doing something that could help you as much as it helps others, there is a place for you.

All of us will benefit from your participation. And I will be forever grateful for your selfless dedication.

By StephenS | Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , | Comments (1)

This is my diabetes.

March 23, 2018 – 10:11 am


This is The Great Spousal Unit, walking our dog at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, home of the Star Spangled Banner, probably one of the greatest public picnic spots in the entire country.

We go there at least a couple of times every year. Usually in the morning, when we grab a couple of portable chairs, two large cups of coffee, a little breakfast, the Sunday newspaper, and the pooch. We take the entire morning, leisurely going through the paper, discussing the latest and how it makes us feel, and taking Boomer for a walk or two. We don’t usually return until early afternoon, choosing to take the long way home via city neighborhoods we haven’t been through for a while, to see how they’re doing too.

As I’ve gotten older, and my diabetes has gotten older, these brief moments in time become more and more precious, and essential. Work, internal and external relationships, diabetes and diabetes advocacy all play a part in ramping up the focus on every minute of every day. But those last two things… diabetes and diabetes advocacy…

If you’ve never lived with diabetes… imagine having more time for quiet mornings with those closest to you. Imagine having the time to turn your interests and passion into a hobby rather than a mission.

This is my diabetes.

This is Boomer the Dog, and Max the Cat. As you can see, they get along pretty well.

Neither Boomer nor Max are certified alert pets or therapy pets. The service and friendship they provide fall short of and expand far beyond those definitions. Max does have a knack for knowing when my blood sugar is low, or at least a knack for getting me to focus on treating a low. Boomer provides that rock solid dependability that helps you to know that no matter what, he’s on your side and he’s not going anywhere. When you’re excited about an achievement, or you’re sobbing due to some insult swallowed or dream dashed, he’s always there, tail wagging, ready to pick you up.

If you’ve never lived with diabetes… imagine your dog or cat as just a buddy, not a family member. Then imagine having the gift of a beloved pet who will celebrate triumphs over diabetes and commiserate over losses due to diabetes with you. No questions asked, no conditions. Imagine how incredibly special that can be.

This is my diabetes.

Photo courtesy of Rhonda B


These are some of my friends who live with diabetes.

Having a friend is spectacular. Having friends who understand you is like Christmas. Having friends who understand you, don’t judge you, and want to hang out with you now and then is like having Christmas every day of the year.

These people know you. They know what you go through. Sometimes, they’re rule breakers like you. They can help you navigate problems with devices, or give you insight into a new drug you haven’t tried. They’ll also help take your mind off the fact that you have a chronic condition you won’t ever be able to shake off. They are worth their weight in gold.

If you’ve never lived with diabetes… imagine feeling alone in your disease, feeling like you’re the only one who understands or ever will understand what you’re going through. Imagine the despair that can bring on after a couple of decades. Then imagine suddenly being accepted by new friends, just for having a busted pancreas, just because they too have known the despair. Imagine the gratitude you’ll feel and the renewed sense of purpose it gives you, every time you interact with them.

This is my diabetes.

Hey listen, maybe your life is a lot like this. Maybe you have a dog or a cat too. Maybe they bring joy to your life. Maybe you’re doing okay, and if you are, I am truly happy for you. We all deserve happiness.

I don’t know where my life is going from here. I only know that because of the people, the pets, and the experiences in my life, my outlook isn’t as bleak as it once was, and my diabetes is all the better for it. In fact, things are pretty damn great right now. We all deserve happiness.

This is my diabetes.

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes | Tagged , , | Comments (2)

This is my diabetes.

March 21, 2018 – 10:11 am


This is my insulin pump. It is my lifeline of sorts, in that it allows a steady rate of insulin to be infused into my body throughout the day. Also, it lets me add extra insulin to cover the carbohydrates I eat, and to correct any high blood sugar numbers that might happen from time to time.

If you’ve never lived with diabetes… imagine this external device as part of your life 24 hours a day, seven days a week, forever. The only time it comes off is when you swim or take a shower. It can also add a level of concern about what might happen in the future, should something break, or should insurance stop covering some or all aspects of this therapy.

It will also be the subject of additional scrutiny from TSA agents when you go through security screening at the airport. As I’ve found out firsthand, that’s including when you go through the TSA Pre-Check line.

This is my diabetes.

Here’s a Dexcom Clarity report. It gives me valuable information on glucose trending for the past seven days. Among other things, it helps me to know if I need to consider changes to the basal rates on my insulin pump.

If you’ve never lived with diabetes… imagine an extra level of concern about what might happen in the future, should the report not be as well as expected. Imagine living with concern over just the anticipation of a report or a simple lab test. Concern about the future is something I try to put in a box, safely stored away until the time when I might have to address it.

Frankly, I don’t know if I could handle it if I started to worry about potential complications all the time.

This is my diabetes.

I have a quarterly appointment with my endocrinologist next month. I have a meeting with my primary physician a month after that. I’ve already been to the ophthalmologist this year. And I have to schedule time with a podiatrist and my dermatologist too.

Meanwhile, there are prescriptions to fill. I have a couple of everyday medications that are refilled every 90 days. Add in the insulin I need, which I need to have refilled every 90 days too. Then there are strips for my glucose meter, sensors for my CGM, infusion sets and reservoirs for my insulin pump.

My out of pocket expense for all of this, the amount that insurance does not cover, has passed $3,500 per year.

If you’ve never lived with diabetes… imagine spending the price of a European or a Caribbean vacation every year just to stay healthy. Think about not finishing college, just so you can afford your medication and supplies.

And that’s not counting the cost of the time it takes for all of those things mentioned above.

This is my diabetes.

If we handle all of this well (and who can do that all the time?), we’re considered obsessive about our disease, making it a bigger part of life than it should be. If we don’t handle it well, we’re considered “non-compliant”, or worse. And that’s without any outside influences like stress at home or in our careers.

In addition to a constantly vacationing pancreas, we go through these internal struggles too, all the time, every day.

This is my diabetes.

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes | Tagged , , , , | Comments (1)

This is my diabetes.

March 19, 2018 – 10:11 am



This is the most recent infusion set I used to pump insulin into my body. You know, the thing I need to do 24 hours a day, every day, or else I die.

When you inject insulin, either by syringe or by insulin pump, you run the risk of drawing some blood out at the same time. It’s just part of the landscape. You learn to live with the possibility of blood coming out while you’re trying to get insulin into your body.

If you’ve never lived with diabetes… imagine pulling an infusion set from your body and small (and sometimes, large) amounts of blood comes from the site. Imagine having to pull a set early because you can see that blood is on the outer portion of the adhesive used to hold the cannula (the small plastic tube that winds up inside your body, through which insulin is pumped) in place.

Then imagine the idea that this will happen many times if you’re lucky enough to live many years with this condition.

This is my diabetes.


This is the site on my leg where that infusion set was placed. I took this photo within five minutes after pulling the set. My leg will look like this for a couple of days, at least. I need to be careful not to use that site again for as long as I can, because the scarring that has gone on under the skin could keep me from being able to pump insulin through that spot for some time. If I overuse that site, repeated scarring could make it impossible to pump insulin through there permanently.

If you’ve never lived with diabetes… imagine looking at a site like that after three days (or less). Imagine knowing you’ll have another site just like it to look at in three more days (or less). Do the math and imagine how many of these wounds you’d willingly give yourself over the years just to keep from dying.


This is my Dexcom sensor site after two weeks. The sensor sits under the skin and measures glucose in the interstitial fluid between your skin and your blood vessels.

After about a week or so, the adhesive around the sensor starts to pull away from the skin. To continue to hold the sensor in place, I add something called KT tape. It’s the tape you see beach volleyball players wear. It’s flexible and stays in place and is fairly water resistant.

Using the tape allows me to get an extra week or two worth of wear from a sensor. Sensors are expensive, and they’re just one of the many things we’re required to purchase if we want to manage our diabetes as well as possible.

If you’ve never lived with diabetes… imagine getting out the tape every couple of weeks and carefully cutting a hole (hopefully better than the one above) and even more carefully placing the tape over the sensor, placing it so it will hold the sensor and surrounding adhesive in place for a little while longer, so you can afford to purchase something else you really need.

This is my diabetes.

The crazy thing about all of this is that I’m one of the lucky ones living with this disease. I actually have access to an insulin pump and supplies, a continuous glucose monitor, and other tools of diabetes management.

But I’ll never outlive the scars. I’ll never get a chance to rest. There will always be one more thing that needs attention. Every day of my life. It is never ending.

This is my diabetes.

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes | Tagged , , , | Comments (2)
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