My New Diabetic Charm Bracelet

Do you like my new diabetic charm bracelet? 

I use to where a medical ID bracelet, religiously, but it broke a couple years ago and I stopped wearing it after that. 

My mother-in-law, who also lives with diabetes, found this charm bracelet on facebook. She order one for both of us. They are really cute and non-expensive. 

You can find them at www.inspiredsilver.com for just 10 dollars. They sale lots of cute jewelry not related to diabetes as well. 

My Current Goals

While I was pregnant with my daughter my diabetes management was right on point. My a1c had never been better. I was on top of my blood sugars and was able to keep them in a very tight range. Staying on top of my diabetes was about the only thing on my mind though - it was draining.

After the birth of my daughter it became a dramatically different story. Since having my little Layla I have not been able to stay in a good range and she will be 3 this year. My doctor who is sadly retiring, has repeatedly told me I need to just get pregnant again so I will be forced to control my diabetes. He doesn't mean this literally, obviously getting pregnant with high blood sugars is never a good idea.

It has been a struggle to put diabetes first though, before taking care of her. For a long time it felt like I had forgotten how to take care of myself all together. I was only 19 when I had my daughter and it was a huge adjustment becoming a mother. I would not change it for the world but it was not easy but I know it's not easy at any age.

I know that I can't take care of her at all if I'm not here though. Tackling this issue is a number one priority in my life now and will continue to be. I'm finally getting back to a place where I feel I can actually do this. I may have been going through a little denial phase after having my little girl.

I just didn't want to think about the testing, bolusing, infusion set, alarms, and trips to the pharmacy. I was just over all of it. I didn't want to be a diabetic, I didn't want to have to constantly think about it. I couldn't and I was done. Like I said, I was in complete denial about how serious this is. Maybe I just needed to rebel against it for a little while.

I recently had a doctors appointment that scared me straight. My a1c was at an all time high and my doctor decided to put me on a daily Asprin to help avoid a future heart attack. HEART ATTACK! I'm only 22, and I was 21 at the time. This broke my heart, I felt this wasn't fair. I would ask myself the question I'm sure many of us has ask, why me?

What is really not fair though would be me putting my daughter in a situation where she could lose her Mom. So now I think to myself...I can do this! I can do better, I've done it before! Plus, I'll do anything you.

Well here I am, trying my hardest to get my control back. My last appointment went better my a1c had come down but still not a place I would like to stay at.

My next appointment is in December and my goal is be under 6.5, I can live with that.

I also plan to lose about 35 pounds. I got married when my daughter was one years old to her very amazing father. I lost weight when getting ready for the wedding, after I guess I just let myself go. I've gained about 30 pounds since getting married and I definitely feel the extra weight has contributed to my spikes in sugar. This is the heaviest I have ever been, beside when I pregnant.

So these are my current goals for a better healthier life style. I'm not using the word 'diet' at all, because I'm not on a diet, I'm simply trying to eat healthier and clean.

Let's Start with an Introduction

My name is Jamie, I've decided to start a blog so I can share my story with others. I've lived with type 1 diabetes since I was 16 and I still don't have it all figured out. It is definitely a roll coaster trying to keep up with all the ups and downs of this disease. Not only do diabetics constantly have to keep up, we have to try to stay one step ahead. It's a never ending battle.

If you live with someone with diabetes or have diabetes yourself you know what I mean when I talk about the 'constant' of diabetes. There is never a decision in my life that diabetes does not have a part in deciding the outcome. 

Living with diabetes is not all bad though. Sometimes it can be lonely, but I've discovered there is a large community out there of people that struggle with the same things I do everyday. A couple years ago I discovered tudiabetes, and it made me feel like I was apart of something so much bigger. 

Regardless of the struggles I have with diabetes, I have an amazing life full of love and laughter. I'm a mother of a beautiful 2 year old girl named Layla. This little bundle of joy is my whole world! I'm married to my high school sweet heart who is by my side no matter what. Not only do I have a family that I'm very passionate about taking care of... I'm also a full time student and work part-time with children who have special needs. 

My plan for this blog is to just put it all out on the table. I know I need to take better care of myself and I know others feels the same way I do. I'm hoping this blog will force me to hold myself accountable and really step up to the plate. 

These two are why I want to push myself to be the best person I can possibly be. Staying on top of my diabetes is one of the biggest thing I can do to be at my best for them. They are also what makes my life with diabetes so amazingly sweet.