For my second diaversery, two years since I was diagnosed with T1D, I have been reflecting on when I was first diagnosed with the life changing disease. I made this post as a reflection, and I hope that you use it to become educated on DKA, reflect on your own condition, or even to hear ..read more

You may know the symptoms for DKA, but have you every wondered why these symptoms occur? Below I have listed all of the symptoms, and then simple explanations for why they happen during hyperglycemia. My post about the diabetes ketoacidosis symptoms can be found here. Constantly tired- because of the lack of glucose in the bloodstream, you have little energy. Fast, deep breathing- when you have little glucose, your body breaks down fats for energy. During this process acids are released, which are then exhaled, causing the need to breath more regularly. Flushed face- the increase blood flow c ..read more

There are some comments that are encouraging to Type One Diabetics, while there are others that are meant to be nice but aren’t. Diets are all that diabetes is about, and it is important to understand that and to not judge people with T1D about food choices. Going to appointments, asking questions, and doing research about diabetes is a great way to learn more about the condition to support your loved one with Type One Diabetes. You may want to tell someone about your relative or friend who has T1D. Before, think about why you want to tell them. To inform that that you know what it is like to ..read more

Want some fun activities that have Type One Diabetes incorporated? Then this crossword, word search, and logic puzzle are for you. I included common T1D terms and concepts into these games. Enjoy! Diabetes Word SearchDownload Logic Puzzle Page 1Download Logic Puzzle Page 2Download Logic Puzzle AnswersDownload T1D CrosswordDownload Crossword AnswersDownload Just click on the download button to get the activity, and from there you can print it out, etc. The images are just an idea of the game, not the full thing or a way to download it ..read more

Your A1C is an important part of managing your health and Type One Diabetes. Also known as hemoglobin A1C, HbA1C, glycated hemoglobin, or glycohemoglobin, the A1C test measures your average blood sugar as a percentage over a three month period. As well as helping to diagnose people with T1D, your A1C can also aid you in improving your management. A1C is a finger prick that after analyzed, determines your average blood glucose level over a three month period. Most doctors will have Type One Diabetic patients come every 3-6 months, and an A1C test is usually one of the things that they do at th ..read more

This gripping story about a girl and her dog fighting for survival will have you captivated until the very end. Not only does she have to find a way home, but also before she runs out of insulin. Her story is exciting, and her Type One Diabetes plays an important role in the development of the overall plot. Molly, her diabetic alert dog helps her along the way, saving her life many times. Backcountry is about Emily, a teen with Type One Diabetes not wanting T1D to stop her. After going into DKA and spending several days at the hospital, she wants to be back to normal. Emily struggles with the ..read more

Snail Mail is a program for Type One Diabetic children to get to know others with the condition through email and letters. Kids get the opportunity to learn more about how others manage the disease, but also gain new friendships. My prior post on Snail Mail addresses what it is, why it can be beneficial, and how to get involved in Snail Mail. But what to write in the letters, especially when you are required to write every three weeks? To start, get to know your pen pal. Ask about favorite things and diabetes diagnosis. Getting started/ Introductions Ask about T1D diagnosis Where they live A ..read more

Like the previous two posts with Type One Diabetes memes, I hope that you find this post funny and entertaining. Enjoy the memes! Type One Diabetes seems to be out to get you, and enjoys it, so this meme pretty much sums up the condition. Come on, who actually changes their lancet as often as you are supposed to? So relatable! It can be very stressful waiting for your A1C and what the doctor is going to say about it. Why does something so good have to be so mean to our blood sugars? This cat is the best way to show the supposed hatred that T1D has for diabetics. Low blood sugars at nigh ..read more

A Sweetwater Mystery is the third book in the Sugar Squad Chronicles trilogy. Unlike the other books in the series which mainly dive into one character’s life, in this story, all of the main characters are involved. The plot exhibits Type One Diabetes in many ways, and is a large component of the plot. Diabetes camps are demonstrated throughout the series and have a large impact on the characters- for the better. I would recommend this series to others that either have T1D, or would like to learn more about the condition in a unique way. This fast-paced book is full of character development an ..read more

Here are some picture from my trip to Australia. Traveling can be challenging with Type One Diabetes, but with good management the condition doesn’t have to get in the way. Internationally, there are several other things to consider. You will need to adapt to time zones and keep on items on hand. Packing extra supplies is recommended, and paying close attention to your blood sugars can prevent abnormal highs and lows. I will also share some other resources from my blog that have helpful lists and tips for many different aspects of traveling with T1D. Packing extra supplies is always recommende ..read more