Category Archives: Like these links

Brain Dumps.

July 27, 2015 – 2:24 pm

I’m back after spending a few days in Charlottesville, Virginia with The Great Spousal Unit. It was a nice trip with great weather, and other than my surgery, it was the first extra time off I’ve had since March. Ahhhh… I feel rested. Here are a few random brain dumps to begin the week:
 
 
– Looking for more artificial pancreas news? TuDiabetes will be hosting a discussion with three members of the new Type Zero Techologies team on Thursday, July 30th at 1:00 pacific time (US). That’s 4:00 in the afternoon on the east coast, and 9:00 p.m. in London. Learn about the InControl, InControl Advice, and InControl Cloud solutions that the folks in Virginia have been working on. #WeAreNotWaiting, and #TheyHaveBeenWorking. Find out more about what they’ve been working on, Thursday afternoon. CLICK HERE for more information.

– Registration for the Diabetes UnConference is happening right now! 2016 will include two new and important things: 1) There will be a western UnConference (again in Las Vegas), and an east coast UnConference in Atlantic City; and 2) Each UnConference will include sessions specifically for the spouses, significant others, etc. who live with us as we live our lives with diabetes. So, you have date and location options, and you can bring your Type Awesome too. This is a big deal, and I really hope you can be there either in Las Vegas next March, or Atlantic City next September. Make your plans now. And CLICK HERE to register. What are you waiting for?

– It’s amazing how your BGs go crazy when you travel. That’s because nearly everything you’re eating is some measure between general processed food and high carb crap, or both. I felt like I was throwing insulin at my numbers all day Saturday, even though one of my meals was no carb, and an evening snack was no carb too. I still woke up on Sunday morning at 149 mg/dL. Love the travel, hate the BG effect.

– On the other hand: Would anyone like a squash from my garden? Or maybe two? Or three? I am currently overwhelmed with squash. This situation caused Maureen to make the dreaded “squash casserole” when we returned from Charlottesville. I’m not a fan, though I love to grill it along with other summer vegetables. But right now, I’m feeling like I’d like to go a few weeks without even seeing another squash. A good problem to have, I guess.

– Finally, for those who might be wondering: I’m now about a month and a half beyond knee surgery, and I can tell you that my progress has been slow. I feel like it’s improving every day, but in teeny, tiny increments each day. So while I’m seeing noticeable improvement week to week, I’m not really able to tell the differences on a day to day basis. Still, progress is progress, and I did well walking around the University of Virginia campus last weekend. Can’t wait until I can get back on my bike.
 
 
Have a great Monday. Heard anything new recently? Let me know!
 
 
 

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Like these links: Diabetes UnConference, Diabetes Blog Week, and DSMA!

May 6, 2015 – 9:13 am

I have a few important things to let you know about today… especially if you haven’t seen anything about them yet. If you have, think of this as a list of friendly reminders.
 
 
First… Early Bird registration is now open for the next Diabetes UnConference in Las Vegas, March 10-13, 2016. The Diabetes UnConference brings together adults living with diabetes, who discuss the various psychosocial issues that PWDs deal with on a regular basis. My experience at this year’s UnConference was, in a word, special. I’d love it if it could be the same for you.

Also, as I mentioned here earlier, next year’s UnConference schedule will include sessions for T3s… Type Awesomes… those who love and support us and deal with a lot of issues too. There will be opportunities for both People With Diabetes and People Without Diabetes to interact, but there will also be a separate space and special sessions so People Without Diabetes can experience the UnConference too, sharing among their tribe, peer-to-peer (still adults only).

And, in case you haven’t heard yet, there will be an East Coast version of the Diabetes UnConference next year too! It will happen sometime in the fall, but I’m not sure I can give you any specifics yet (mostly, because I don’t know them). But if Las Vegas isn’t your thing, or it’s just too expensive to get there, look out for news on this second Diabetes UnConference soon.

To register for Vegas, or to keep up on the latest on everything UnConference, CLICK HERE.
 
 
Second… We are on the cusp of another exciting Diabetes Blog Week! #DBlogWeek is teed up and ready to go, beginning next Monday, May 11 and continuing through Sunday, May 17.

Karen Graffeo of Bittersweet Diabetes fame started Diabetes Blog Week five years ago (five!) as a way to get diabetes bloggers to participate in something that would bring them together, by sharing blog posts on a different subject for seven straight days. It’s a great way to find new blogs, and if you’re thinking of starting one yourself, it’s an awesome way to start. The more the merrier.

Seven days, seven posts (don’t worry—no one is going to hunt you down if you miss one). To get all of the information on Diabetes Blog Week, CLICK HERE.

Karen… why does this week always come up just when I’m experiencing a bit of writer’s block? Coincidence? Hmmm……
 
 
Third: I will be moderating the often imitated, never duplicated DSMA Twitter Chat beginning tonight at 9:00 EDT(US). You are welcome to join the talk, encouragement, support, and laughter that the fastest hour of the week is known for. Our topic this week:

Diabetes is NOT for the weak.

To join the conversation (or just lurk), follow the @DiabetesSocMed Twitter handle or the #DSMA hashtag. Join us!
 
 
Finally… I saw this on the train on my way into work this morning:
PowerToPreventDiabetes
Maryland’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has done an awful lot in my state to bring diabetes (and pre-diabetes) awareness to the masses. They have a pretty extensive website that has a “Take the Quiz” feature, and helps residents find resources to help them if they need it.
 
 
There you have it. Some important, engaging, and fun happenings in the diabetes world. Enjoy your Wednesday!
 
 
 

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Friday Reminders.

March 6, 2015 – 11:18 am

A couple of quick Friday updates before I go back and park myself in front of the nearest space heater:

The FDA Office of Minority Health Will Host a Webinar About Commenting to a Docket. Want to learn more about adding your voice to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration docket concerning your health (HELLO, Advocacy)? Efforts from the Diabetes Online Community to add the voice of the patient to FDA considerations has been extremely helpful and is absolutely necessary. Find out how to do it, and why it’s important for you to add your voice, during a webinar hosted by the FDA’s Office of Minority Health on March 25 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern time.

For more information, and to register for the webinar, CLICK HERE
 
 
#DBlogCheck Day is back this Tuesday! Spearheaded by Christopher Snider of A Consequence of Hypoglycemia and the Just Talking Podcast, D-Blog Check-in Day is a day when we spend time commenting on every blog, Twitter feed, Instagram member, and so on that we see, even if we just say “check”. As Chris says, it’s not about page views; it’s about saying I’m here and I support you. It’s about continuing to build community.

CLICK HERE to find out more, and don’t forget to link your posts there on Tuesday.

Be sure to check in, leave a comment, and boost the spirit of someone bravely telling their story.
 
 
Finally… If you live in the USA, don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour this weekend. That also means please remember to update the time on your diabetes devices. I know I’m getting older, because this “Spring Forward” event seems to happen earlier every year.

If only Spring would come along with the change…
 
 
 

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Like these December Links.

December 17, 2014 – 10:52 am

Lots and lots of interesting things to read about in the diabetes blogosphere this week… So let’s get to it:
 
 
Christopher Snider, who writes at A Consequence of Hypoglycemia, has started a new gig at Symplur. In his words,
“This means I get to look at all kinds of data collected by Symplur’s extensive tools and figure out ways to bring the patient communities into these data-based conversations.”

His first post about it features a very interesting look at the World Diabetes Day Twitter chat hosted by Diabetes Community Advocacy Foundation. Lots to digest, but if you’re an analytical nut like me, it’s kinda cool.
 
 
“All things are temporary.”
If you need something inspirational one week before Christmas, here it is.
Take this with you all through the next year.
 
 
This made me laugh… and then cry.
 
 
Diabetes Mine has announced a new partnership with Healthline. Healthline, among other things, is famous for its list of “Influential [insert condition here] Bloggers of The Year”. The partnership goes live in January, and in addition to lots of collaboration, it promises to bring a new look to the website.
 
 
Finally… I am in love with this blog I just found.
I’ll leave it to you to click over and discover what I’m talking about.
 
 
I hope your December days are full of fun and magic. Don’t forget to join me for the #DSMA Twitter chat tonight at 9:00 eastern time here in the USA. Follow @DiabetesSocMed and the #DSMA hashtag to join the conversation. In the meantime…

Happy Reading!
 
 
 

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Like These Links.

December 2, 2014 – 2:31 pm

A few quick hits for you today, since my life has become crazy in the last few days:

– First, the reason why things are so crazy: I developed a major tooth problem over the weekend, which necessitated my first trip to a dentist in about ten years. More on that later. But a root canal is in my very near future, and because of that, my pump decision has been put on hold until 2015. I think my new gravatar is going to be me crossing my fingers, hoping my Medtronic Revel™ pump holds out. If it doesn’t, I’m back on MDI until I can save some money.
 
 
– Speaking of insulin pumps: I have two things to tell you about. First, as many of you know, Asante, makers of the Snap pump, will let you try out their pump for up to 30 days. They’ll even throw in a voucher to cover the Humalog cartridges that go with it. And if you decide to try the Snap pump this month, mention Diabetes Hands Foundation, and Asante will make a donation to DHF. Win-Win! To find out more, go to http://snappump.com/landing/dhf

Something else made its way to my inbox… During the month of December, Tandem, makers of the t:slim pump, are offering up to $400.00(US) toward the out-of-pocket cost of the t:slim as part of a pump exchange program. I’m a little short on details, but if you contact your local t:slim rep or call 877-801-6901, I’m sure they can fill you in.
 
 
– Your response to the open docket on Food and Drug Administration Activities for Patient Participation in Medical Product Discussions (Docket number FDA-2014-N-1698) has been tremendous. People have blogged and reblogged and shared via Facebook and Twitter and other avenues, and that has caused a noticeable spike in comments added to the docket. Last I checked there were 106 comments submitted so far. Thanks Strip Safely, Diabetes Mine Diabetes Hands Foundation and Diabetes Advocates, Christel Aprigliano, Bennet Dunlap, The Type 2 Experience, and everyone who has shared this far and wide.

If you haven’t left your comment yet, you still have until December 4th. That’s two days from this publication.

It takes a village, and this village rocks.
 
 
So… what’s new in your world?
 
 
 

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