Howdy from Hotlanta (yes it is living up to its name)
A1C: 5.0! That is my personal best, and I am thrilled to death with it. How was it done? Slight adjustments, pushing the envelope, exercise, insulin, FreeStyle Navigator, Dex4 Glucose. I have had close to two years now of using the Navigator, and have learned how to use it to get better. I am not content with a blood sugar of 130 if it is there for more than 20 minutes. If I see 130, and then 131, then 132 I know I am trending up, and will give a slight correction with fast acting insulin. I would rather hover at 70, than at 130. Then again, if I saw 77, then 76, then 72 all in a 10 minute span I would pop some Dex4 tabs to try and bring it up. I use the tools that I have, and I may just be a little OCD about it. I am curious to know how many times a day I actually press the button that shows my blood sugar.
My guess would be about 125. Some days maybe more, some maybe less, but to get a blood sugar, and a trend 100+ times a day gives me a big edge in always being 1 step ahead of the curve. If I have insulin going in before I have a chance to get high, then I don't get high blood sugars. If sugar is going in before I have a chance to get low, then no hypos. I will say that the running has helped, eating well has helped. My schedule is never the same 2 days in a row. It is on a plane, in a car, on the phone, on the computer, so seeing the trend is invaluable to me.
Right now my 28 day average is 100, with 91% in target, 4 above, and 5 below. So I can still get better. I have had some hard times before. I spent Christmas when I was 9 years old in the hospital because of the flu, which turned into ketones. In 8th grade I went in a movie theatre with my mom to see Twister, and woke up in the hospital, but it is those life lessons that drive me to have the best control I can possibly have. When it comes down to it, this is The ONE thing in life I own 100%, the ONE thing I know I can control. My reward is getting to talk about, getting to try and help people.
So this past week I got a few special experiences. First was Camp Kudzu, which rocked. It is great to have a few days where I can talk to kids, talk to people with diabetes, dance, play, and get dirty. I had one young lady come up to me and make my week. She was 18 years old, and about to be a freshman in college, and is now a CIT at camp. She said, I just want you to know you inspired me to take control. She heard my talk 3 years ago at camp, and after that began to check 5-6 more times per day, exercise a bit more, and that her last 3 A1C's have all been 5.9. Awesome, eh? So I got to have a lot of these conversations, and then cap it off with a talk to the teenagers Tuesday night. Then it was the most painful part of the week in leaving camp. It really killed me that I had to leave. Next up was AADE, which I also love. I got to see 10 others on Team Type 1, and Team Type 2 (Nathan, Joe, Kyle, Laura, Saul, John, Jeff, Adam, Tom,) and connect with friends who are Educators, doctors, industry, and a lot of others with diabetes (TJ!!) It is really cool to see so many people who have a passion for making a difference. It was awesome to reconnect with so many who say they use us as an example to all their patients.
Now how about the running: Injured. This has been frustrating, as I was just starting to really feel good out there. Running finally felt natural, and I was getting stronger, getting faster, and enjoying it. I strained something, which I hope to get fixed tomorrow, but it has now been 7 days with no running. By the end of the week it got frustrating, so I decided yesterday to ride. I got 2 days of riding in, and have never felt so awkward on a bike... Recap on this, which I just have to laugh about: Ride lots, get injured, start to run, which is very awkward. Then get injured on run, get out and ride, which now feels very awkward. I feel like a ping pong... I hope to be back on my feet speeding away here soon.
I am still on track for NY Marathon Nov 1. I will do a half marathon in Munich to warm up for it on Oct 11. I have never been to Germany. This is part work, part vacation, and I can't wait. Last year was solo for most of it. This time I hope to hook up with friends while over there. I guess I have rambled on long enough, and would not like to ask a favor if you made it this far.
If you have gotten any help from this blog, any take aways that have helped you manage your diabetes better, or live a better life, then I ask to please pay it forward. Use your skills, and your knowledge to help somebody else do it better. It may be as simple as forwarding this on, as bold as talking to a local support group. Let's be the domino's that change the big D!
One last time, and then I will quit bragging: My A1C was 5.0. What is yours, and where do you want it to be? The past is the past, but the future you control.
Off to Santa Barbara Tuesday for some athlete days, and R+R.
Thanks for reading, and for all your support.
Have a great day.
Phil
Team Clothing is going fast: Get it while it's hot at TeamType1.org
follow me on twitter: @philsoutherland
Ciao!
9 comments:
Great blog... love hearing all the great details. Definitely weird with the running and riding setbacks, hope that straightens out. 5.0 is amazing... my last one was 6.0 and the doctor wants me lower yet. Riding everyday now and have lost 8 pounds!
keep your stories coming!
Jamie
you dog !! 5.0 and still looking for better control what an example for all of us!!!
keep it up dude and get the strain taken care of so you can run on
john at tt2
5.0 is amazing! My first a1c was 5.4, but that came with many many lows brought on by NPH.
You are really inspiring me to work harder on keeping my numbers down. My average is currently at 142 but I know I still have far too many in the 200s simply because I should have bolused earlier or estimated how much I ate better. I get really mad at myself when I realize I'm much higher than I should be but haven't checked in a while. I check 8x lately, but should probably go back up to 12x. Here's to a 2-week average under 120 two weeks from now! That's my new goal.
If only I had a CGMS... I need to look into that again.
Phil, thanks for attending the AADE meeting last week, along with the other guys from Team Type 1 and 2. It was a pleasure to meet and speak with you.
love your enthusiasm and V E R Y positive outlook is more then precious.
.......and where do you want it to be? The past is the past, but the future you control.
Thank you
Congrats on your A1c! WOW! I hope I get that soon as well (without lows...)
Phil, I think that anyone who reads your blog and has diabetes is inspired by the great accomplishment you are doing. For me, you are a reference. My goal A1c is now 5.0 and no lows (currently 5.8 but I am getting a new one here shortly from the research I am participating in).
Our last meeting together was very inspiring (a side from the party), and I keep on going, riding hard every days because of that.
Don't stop doing what you do. I won't stopping what I do. I try to pay it forward by following some people in my area that need help but also in Diabetes research.
My next goal is to perhaps become a mentor, example, story of success for JDRF or any other local Diabetes organization that believe I might be worth as an example.
So again, thanks and have fun in Deutchland....careful, the girls are direct.
Phil,
Thanks for the blog and everything you do!
My most recent A1C was 5.8 which was better than my goal of 6.0. I am now shooting for 5.5 by next spring (not using insulin, I'm a Type 2). It has taken me two years to get this far, starting with an A1C of over 8! I am also almost 50lbs lighter and working at getting the last ten off!
You and the teams help me stay motivated and on my bike! I am paying it forward as I can. I did the Tour de Cure this year and now wear my Red Rider jersey at all local events with pride and as a conversation starter. I have made with local diabetes educators and hope to be doing a couple presentations to public groups in the near future.
Thank you!
Great stuff phil, would really like to hear more news even if just once a month. Long time since you've blogged. Useful to be able to read and re read your past blogs - often provides a little bit of inspiration when much needed.
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