Long awaited update on the diabetes game

Howdy from the air! (btwn Las Vegas and Atl)

So it has been about 2 years since I last wrote, and for that I apologize. Lots has been going on for TT1 and myself. From Winning the KOM jersey in Ireland, to Tour of Missouri, and wins at the Tour of Utah. All this coupled in with great meetings with our sponsors about the future. Then there was losing my insulin, trying to keep control with NO exercise, and the 22 different places I have stayed in September….

Losing the insulin was a bit of a problem. It had been about 34 hours straight of travel, and somehow or another, my fast acting insulin disappeared, and I had no back up (idiot!) but it happens. So we are in the team car (for 5hrs,) and I had just committed to not eating, but the metabolism shut down caused me to go from 71 to 220, event though I was injecting insulin like crazy. At the end of the race, the Race Doctor walked me to the pharmacy, I picked up a 5pack of insulin pens, and 20 minutes later the FreeStyle Navigator said I was back in business.

I did get to take a day to myself in Dublin. Went to see my favorite spot: The Guinness St. James Brewery. Who knew that Arthur Guinness signed a 9000 year lease on the property. Needless to say, The Stout is hear to stay. It was cool, as when I told the bartender I was hear for the Tour of Ireland, and we won the KOM, my 1 free pint turned into 3 free ones. This was about the 4^th week now that I was walking around with every step being agony. I had seen a good handful of docs, all of who didn’t really think I could have broken my Fibula. But getting back from Ireland, and in one place for 3 days, I was able to get the confirmation… So then a space boot to keep it stabilized and help with repair. It was around this time, that I re-committed to “tight control.”

When I was running 5-6 days a week, control was a breeze. The only pain was when sometimes I was too sensitive to my insulin, and had to eat a lot more. No exercise, big adjustments. I had to change my diet, eat less carbs, and just be really watchful of what I put into my body. My 28 day avg on Navigator had gotten up to 118, which is not within “my goal.” Now if that is your goal, and you get there, that is awesome! My goals would often be viewed as too aggressive, but I have the best tools in the business, so can work towards them, and do it safely. At the beginning of the summer, when my buddies Kevin and KR beat me in the A1C competition, I got pissed. (please note: neither Kevin or KR have diabetes) Still, I beat them last year, and wanted it again. Mine was 5.9 in June, and getting beat spurred me to set a new goal, and a new focus. I had never had an A1C less than 5, so committed to doing it! Running made it easy to get on track, but the fracture set me back. Then it became a lifestyle adjustment to do it. 2 months later, at the ADA I had an A1C of 5.0. I was PUMPED, but still not to goal. This is right when the fracture happened, so I just went into super diet mode. Focused, and ate wisely, and then 2 weeks ago at the Diabetes Research Institute, I got 17 vials of blood drawn for a study about diabetes and exercise long term. 5 days later the results are back: A1C: 4.8! How bout dem apples. If I had set my goal at 6.5, and got there, it would have been the same level of satisfaction. So what are your goals? What can you do differently to achieve them?

I would say first and foremost is exercise. It is SOOOO much easier when doing some sort of activity. I think the last month proves that it can be done no matter the lifestyle. Right now my A1C is better than I would have ever thought 2 years ago. I kid you not, I didn’t think sub 5 was possible, until I did this June. Then it was working to make the impossible possible. I do use a FreeStyle Navigator, and I probably press the button to check my BS 100 times per day. I am always looking for the trend, and trying to be ahead of the trend with my fast acting insulin and my Dex4. A blood sugar of 120 is no longer satisfactory, and I am ALWAYS thinking about where my blood sugar is going. This may or may not be healthy. I would say odds are, that it is not. Too much stress, to much pressure to be on all the time.

Now it is time to focus on the rest of health. I fly to Vienna on Monday for EASD, where I get to meet with Global Leaders in Diabetes. I have plans to change the world, and I need the help of some people there to achieve it.

Life goal: Everyone in the world has insulin and test strips

Sporting Goals: 2011 Giro d’Itallia, and 2012 Tour de France

Diabetes Goals: Lower standard deviation

After Vienna, I get a 2 week vacation traveling around Europe by myself and reading a lot of books. I plan to eat well, sleep well, and come back strong. Lots going on with our current partners, future partners, and operations for the Team. Between TT1, TT2, we now have 80 people in the organization, and it will be run out of Atlanta.

I believe I have gone on too long now, but like to leave with this: Whatever diabetes goal you want to set, do it with the help of your doctor, and your friend. I would highly recommend some goal around the A1C: It is the goal, that gives you a reason to check, to correct, to skip desert, or to make time for exercise. Set that goal, and take the steps to get there. Have fun in the process tooJ

Thanks so much for reading, and for all of your support for Team Type 1 and Team Type 2!!!

Have a great day.

Phil

P.S. Team Clothing still available on www.teamtype1.org

Thanks for the support!!!