The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy…🎶

Sometimes I try to avoid being mainstream as much as possible. It’s not that I’m anti-social, per se. I’m more of what I call “socially independent”. Be that as it may, my wife and I don’t have cable. We don’t subscribe to the news or social media and we tend to be somewhat disconnected from mainstream issues that surround us. My wife is pretty good at keeping me in the loop by following certain discussion groups. Otherwise, I learn everything as I go along through pure research. This usually involves subjects related to this blog: Diabetes, Buddhism, Martial Arts and Health & Fitness.

Despite everything I’ve just explained, it’s time for me to jump on the proverbial band-wagon and talk about the latest pandemic that seems to be on everyone’s mind and involves absolutely every aspect of current society. I’m talking about the Coronavirus Disease 2019, better known as COVID-19.

So what the hell is this nasty bug? According to a page on Diabetes.ca, “Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory infection that causes patients to develop mild to severe symptoms including a cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19.” Because it so closely resembles generic symptoms that a person can get with the common cold, some people who have been infected may not even recognize that they’ve been exposed until they’ve exposed a bunch of other people through their work, schools and public places.

Why is this so important? Well, I don’t think I need to bring up the ridiculous issues surrounding the selling out of toilet paper or hand sanitizer from practically every available outlet in Canada and the U.S. Most people of common sense are of the opinion that you should be able to find plenty of alternatives to wipe your backside, so why aren’t more people focusing on food and medications in order to get through their quarantines? We went grocery shopping this morning and I noted that the shelves in the paper aisles were essentially empty. But I digress…

According to the Government of Canada Website (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html), there 324 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada as of 9 a.m. this morning with another 17 probable cases that have yet to be confirmed. It’s not an “out there” problem; it’s very much real and present in Canada.

For folks with Type-1 Diabetes, COVID-19 poses a particular threat. According to that same post by Diabetes.ca, “Since Diabetes is a chronic disease, questions and concerns about the impact of COVID-19 is understandable. People living with Diabetes, especially those with poor glycemic control have an increased risk for infections. It is for that reason that vaccinations are recommended when available.” (https://www.diabetes.ca/media-room/news/novel-coronavirus-(covid-19)-and-diabetes–what-you-should-know)

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19, but this is why it’s SO important for people with Diabetes to eat well, exercise and check their blood sugars often throughout the day. The better control you maintain on your condition, the better the chance that you’ll keep your system strong. I may sound like a broken record with how many times I’ve repeated this holy trifecta, but it seriously eliminates and/or reduces so many issues and complications associated with Diabetes. And COVID-19 is no exception. No, it doesn’t mean you won’t get infected if exposed, it may simply help to prevent it.

You can check the CDC website, Government of Canada website and Diabetes.ca, but the general guidelines for prevention of the infection are pretty standardized:

  • Wash your hands often, with hot water and soap. This should be done before and after eating, after any visit to the washroom and if you’ve shaken hands or had contact with members of the general public;
  • Don’t travel abroad. Let me say that again: DON’T TRAVEL ABROAD!!! This whole mess might have been better contained had people listened from the beginning and didn’t travel internationally. Preventing the spread of the virus is quite a bit more important than making your yearly trip to fuckin’ Cancun or travelling to another country to film a movie. It’s simply not worth the risk;
  • Sneeze or cough into your elbow (which people should have been doing prior to this anyway) and try to avoid touching your face any more than necessary;
  • Be prepared. Make certain you have an adequate supply of insulin and medications to get you through a 14-day quarantine if necessary, and enough food and supplies for the household in general. This doesn’t mean buying out the toilet paper aisle or panic-shopping, but buying a little extra in order to be prepared is not a bad thing (whether there’s a pandemic or not).

Since being sick affects someone with Diabetes, be sure to contact your medical practitioner if you become ill and symptoms become aggravated or worse over the course of a week. If you believe you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, the Government of Canada website has guidelines to follow and you should phone your doctor BEFORE going into any offices in order to obtain pertinent instructions.

Far be it from me to make light of the situation, but hopefully people will shake off the panic in the short days to come. So far, COVID-19 has not been shown to be lethal to strong, healthy individuals. We just need to nip this thing in the bud. Considering that since the turn of the century, we’ve had to deal with SARS, H1N1, outbreaks of ebola and cholera as well as the resurgence of polio (thanks to anti-vaxxers), this too shall pass!

As long as the proper preventative steps are taken and protocols are followed, this WILL pass in time. And then everyone can get back to buying their bathroom tissue at a normal rate, twelve rolls at a time. ☯

Summer Bod, Bring It On!

One of the biggest struggles for folks with Type-1 Diabetes is weight loss. People who don’t have Diabetes have qa rough go of it as it is, but when you throw Diabetes in the mix, it becomes all the more difficult.

One of the reasons behind this is insulin therapy. Believe it or not, constant insulin injections may lead to weight gain. According to an article posted by MedicalNewsToday.com, “Eating more calories than the body needs will lead to excess glucose levels. If the cells do not remove glucose from the blood, the body will store it in the tissues as fat. When a person takes insulin as a therapy for Diabetes, their body may absorb too much glucose from food, resulting in weight gain.” (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325328#link-between-insulin-and-weight)

Realistically speaking, there are a number of things that can be done to help trim you down for the coming summer months. First and foremost, we need to agree that weight loss requires a combination of exercise AND diet. If all you do is binge on every fad diet that floats by, you may see some immediate results but it likely won’t stick. If you work out consistently but eat like a living trash can, you’ll still start chugging out.

Before you blow the dust off of your cut-off jean shorts, try doing some of the following:

  1. Exercise 3 to 5 Times A Week: This one should be pretty obvious, since I mentioned it earlier. But physical activity is important, whether you have Diabetes or not. A workout doesn’t have to be an all-encompassing activity that takes hours. Even 20 or 30 minutes of activity that leads to an increased heart rate will be beneficial;
  2. Quit Snacking: Most people have a compulsion to snack. When you’re sitting at home, watching a show or a movie, we generally tend to want something to munch on. Although one can find some healthier alternatives to snack on (granted, you won’t catch me eating celery sticks while watching Avengers: Endgame), limiting or eliminating snacks is even more ideal. Salty or high-sodium snacks may cause you to retain water and/or gain weight;
  3. Drink Plenty of Fluids: Many times, we eat out of habit and not necessarily out of hunger. Dehydration can be another problem, as it can cause a person to feel the same sensation as hunger. Stay away from sodas and sugared juices and stick to water and herbal tea; and
  4. Embrace Your Technology: I use a water drinking app (My Water), a fitness app (Runkeeper) and a workout designer app (Seconds Pro). These things can be helpful in helping to keep you on track. Runkeeper has GPS tracking that allows you to measure your time, distance and average speed, all while tapping into your music playlist. Seconds Pro allows you to design your own circuit, HIIT, Tabada and interval workouts. You can program it to use the music on your phone and set whatever times and periods are required. All three of these are free of charge, with the option of upgrading to pro versions that have additional features (I’ve upgraded My Water and Seconds Pro).

Keep in mind that eating well and also meal planning are much easier than it probably sounds. Frozen vegetables have proven to be just as healthy and beneficial as fresh ones, and can be way easier as they won’t spoil. Black coffee is also a big plus, since it contains zero calories and can give you the caffeine boost required for that workout.

No matter what route you take or what methods you use, the biggest thing is to give it time. If you expect to see results within a week or two, you’ll be greatly disappointed. In fact, IF you see results in as shirt a time as a week, you should probably consult a medical practitioner. Every individual person is different and what works for one person may not work for you. ☯

Two Of The Same Can Still Be Different

Karate has a rich and fantastic history, and has branched out into many different styles and genres. Karate is a specific type of martial art and not a style in and of itself. The word karate (or two words, if I’m being specific) is Japanese for “empty hand”, meaning that a practitioner is said to be studying karate do, and the practitioner is known as a karateka.

One important detail to discern is that there are two main branches of karate: Japanese and Okinawan. And although they are similar, there are some important discrepancies between the two. Here are some of the more important differences:

  1. We’re More Traditional: Okinawan karate uses karate as a way of life as opposed to a being interpreted as a sport. All the original systems of karate came out of Okinawa, and when they hit mainland Japan, the Japanese took these styles and began altering altering a number of things including the forms and techniques. Although highly effective, one of the things that Japanese karate changed was striking for points. And yes, Okinawans also compete in modern times, but it isn’t always so;
  2. We Use Weapons: Okinawa was a pretty brutal place way back in the day, and the use of weapons by the criminal element was pretty prominent. This meant that martial artists had to incorporate weapons into their training as well. After all, it’s hard to defend against a weapon unless you have one as well. For this reason, most practitioners of Okinawan karate also studied Okinawan Kobudo, which a style of weapons training. Although the use of weapons has diminished significantly over the decades, Japanese karate doesn’t use weapons at all;
  3. We Have More Natural Movements: Okinawans practice karate in ways that accentuate the natural movements of the body. Our stances are high and natural, our blocks use our opponent’s energy and we prefer to execute techniques at close range rather than from a distance. Japanese karate does very much the opposite, by focusing on low stances and approaching combat from farther distances from their opponents;
  4. We Don’t Yell Constantly: Although I will admit that there are kiai in Okinawan karate (a kiai is a single-syllable yell to focus energy during an attack), we practically never use them. Most Japanese karate styles use a form of kiai known as “osu”, which drives absolutely bat-shit crazy. Styles like Kyokushinkai use the term “osu” constantly and for everything. Osu did NOT originate in Okinawa and is widely misused in modern karate, especially in the western hemisphere; and
  5. We Focus On Our Students: Okinawan karate is particular, because the Sensei will spend one-on-one time with his or her students. Japanese karate, by contrast, teaches to large masses of students at once. This is why some Okinawan techniques are significantly more involved than their Japanese counterparts; because they are individually taught to the student, as opposed to a large group of students at once.

One last detail I’ll provide is that karate refers specifically to Japanese or Okinawan empty-hand styles of martial arts. If someone is teaching a Chinese or Korean style of martial arts, it rightfully shouldn’t be referred to as karate.

I’m not saying that Japanese karate isn’t as effective or as good as Okinawan karate, they’re just different. It’s like how a revolver and a pistol are both handguns, but their features, pros and cons are quite different from one another. Know the background and history of the art you’re looking to study, and make sure you choose the style that’s right for you. ☯

Presenting, The Medtronic 670G

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I received an important package via FedEx on Monday: my Medtronic 670G insulin pump kit. For any non-Diabetics who may not be in the know, an insulin pump is a prescribed, electronic device that holds insulin and delivers it automatically based on your requirements and how many carbohydrates you consume.

There are a number of different brands, models and types, depending on what you’re looking for. Some are pretty straightforward and simply delivers the insulin based on simple calculation. Others have an additional feature called CGM, or Continuous Glucose Monitoring. This allows the user to have their pump track their blood sugar trends on a minute-to-minute basis and the pump makes adjustments accordingly.

My package of supplies, like opening gifts at Christmas!

There are many benefits to this new pump system. The included CGM system checks interstitial blood sugars every five minutes and makes adjustments accordingly. According to new math, that’s 288 time a day! Even with the FreeStyle Libre, I still can’t test that frequently. This allows for better overall control and time in range. The pump has the ability to automatically deliver insulin if your blood sugars are starting to rise, and can halt the delivery of insulin should they begin to drop.

The pump is said to be waterproof up to 12 feet of depth, although the manufacturers still recommend removing it before swimming. The pump uses fast-acting insulin (in my case, Humalog) and eliminates the need for long-acting insulin, acting much more like the pancreas would.

My old MiniMed on the left compared to my new 670G on the right.

Although it’s hard to tell from the photo, the new pump is all shiny and it feels like opening up a new smart phone. There’s a backlit LED screen and a belt clip that attaches directly to the pump as opposed to simply clipping onto the body of the pump.

I have a lot of “homework” to do before I can begin reaping the benefits of this device. There are a number of manuals to read through, some online videos and learning to complete and then I have two sessions with a certified pump trainer before going on automatic mode and letting the pump take control. However, considering this pump has been out for a number of years in the U.S., it’s well known for helping you to maintain an increased amount of time “in range”. I’m looking forward to taking full advantage of this system in the weeks to come. ☯

The Goals You Forget You Have, 💯

I was pleased to wake up this morning and discover that I seem to have accumulated 100 followers! I’m not sure exactly when this happened, although I’m guessing it happened with the last person who started following… This is me digressing, first thing in the morning before I’ve had sufficient caffeine!

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year already, and I started this blog as a way to share the information and knowledge I’ve gathered after dealing with Type-1 Diabetes for over 37 years and studying the martial arts for what will be 32 years, this year! I used to admin a Facebook page that had the same kind of vibe as my blog, but I lost it when I chose to step away from social media in late 2018.

I love writing! Blogging has given me a forum in which to do so, and I intend on continuing for as long as my fingers and mind will allow me. I’ll keep writing what’s cool to me; and hopefully, somewhere along the way, it will also be cool to you! Keep reading, my friends! ☯

Give It Some Style, And Call It Yours…

If there’s something I’ve seen a lot of in the martial arts, it’s prejudice. Does that surprise you? It shouldn’t. Even in the most classic kung fu movies, you can see one style pitted against another, one clan fighting another or comparisons of one style against another. Prejudice has run rampant throughout the martial arts, as every style tends to believe it has the perfect way, all the while dismissing or belittling other styles in favour of its own.

I gotta be honest, that shit drives me nuts! Yes, the martial arts are thousands of years old. And some styles have a pure lineage that can be traced quite a ways back, as opposed to some others. But every style is descendent of another, almost without exception.

The biggest issue I see is when someone comes out with their own “style” and touts it as something they’ve created from scratch. This is always a bit suspicious and can possibly be a “McDojo”, depending on who and how the style was developed. But let’s examine the concept of developing one’s own style, shall we?

My own style, Uechi Ryu, was founded by Kanbun Uechi and renamed in his honour after this death. The exact history can be easily looked up, but the jist is that he fled to mainland China and studied a style of kung fu for a long period of time before returning to Okinawa and having it develop and evolve into a style of karate do.

My point is, every style comes from SOMEWHERE. So why would you be opposed to it, when someone says that they’ve created their own? There are some pretty famous people that are socially well-known, who have created their own styles of martial arts. I’ve gathered my favourites here:

  1. Jeet Kune Do: It stands to reason that this one would be on the list, and not least of all first… This is a style of Kung Fu that was founded in 1967 by none other than Bruce Lee. Lee had spent his childhood studying Wing Chung and eventually came to feel that there were too many restrictions and classical mess, and founded Jeet Kune Do as a “formless” style, which was considered more of a philosophy for practicing the martial arts. The point is, he used the influence of kung fu to develop his own style and it’s still practiced by many to this day;
  2. Dux Ryu: This is a style of ninjutsu founded by Frank Dux, an American marine who studied several different styles of martial arts. Some people may know him from the movie representation of his victory in a secret full-contact martial arts tournament called the “Kumite”. This movie was a little hit called “Bloodsport”, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. The movie was released in 1988, and Dux had several martial arts schools in the U.S. Although some of his claims have been disputed, argumented and disproven since the release of this movie, he’s still known as a professional martial artist who founded his own style of martial arts. And the movie is totally awesome! Jus’ sayin’…; and
  3. Chun KuK Do: The last style on this list is a style created by Chuck Norris. Now, I have to be honest, I’ve never been a huge fan of his work (ducks under the desk to avoid being punched, as Chuck Norris is EVERYWHERE). But there’s no denying that the man has studied martial arts… A LOT! In fact, he’s studied Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Jujitsu and Judo. Chun Kuk Do has many aspects of a traditional martial art, including forms and techniques adopted mostly by Korean styles as this is what Norris primarily studied. Chun Kuk Do was founded by Norris in 1990, making it one of the newest styles of martial arts.

There are students currently studying all three of these celebrity-developed martial arts styles, even to this day. And here’s a newsflash: karate is only 150 to 200 years old! In fact, Kyokushinkai is a style of Japanese karate founded in 1964, making it only 56 years old! My point is that it’s an effective style of karate and has made its mark on the world, nonetheless.

I’m not saying that every schmo who studies a martial arts for a few years can suddenly open their own doors and introduce their own “style”. But the ones who have, deserve to have that style explored and examined before being dismissed out of spite. The martial arts is a constantly evolving creature that will always continue, so long as there are serious practitioners who will indulge the way. 200 years from now, Chun Kuk Do may be as widely regarded as karate. ☯

A Day In The Life…

Children are a blessing. Wait, maybe I should replace “are” with “can be”… Because they can also be property-destroying little minions sent by the devil to destroy all your prize possessions, provide a constant source of headaches and teach you why you aren’t the alpha male… But I digress…

My son Nathan came to us after some difficulty and proved to be a miracle for my wife and I, in an otherwise happy life. By the time he was born in 2014, I was firmly convinced that my Type-1 Diabetes had taken its toll (it had been 32 years at that point) and that I would be quite incapable of having children. Imagine our surprise and joy to be proven wrong!

Born in the early hours of the morning after a gruelling night of labour, we gave birth to our wonderful little man, my squishy, my booger, my child of a dozen nicknames and the spitting image of all I’ve done wrong in my childhood, Nathan!

Nathan’s first week, still in hospital, watching the iPad for the first time!

Nathan and I have enjoyed a rather love/hate relationship for the past five years. He’s started kindergarten and is extremely bright and intelligent in some respects, while acting like an absolute goon in others. He puts on his own personal brand of theatre, every morning and every day. This is a common example of how a day in the life of Nathan goes…

I wake just shortly after 6:00 a.m. Both my sons are still asleep, so I take advantage to enjoy a hot shower without Nathan asking a million questions. After my shower, I dress and get upstairs so that I can start working on Nathan’s lunch for school…

NATHAN (7:04): Walks into the kitchen, still in pyjamas, hair all askew. This is a rare occurrence, as it usually takes a wicked amount effort to get him out of bed.

ME: What are you doing, booger?

N: Stares vacantly into space…

ME: Can you go get dressed?

N: Blinks at me a few times and walks away…

N (7:15): Can I have Banana bread for breakfast? (not yet dressed)

ME: If I give you banana bread, can you get dressed and sit quiet until school time?

N: Nods vigorously…

I cut him a small piece of banana bread and he sits at the table and eats contently. I run my usual routine of taking out the recycling, starting the car and bringing both our backpacks out to the vehicle. Then I come back into the house and find Nathan with an empty plate, watching cartoons on Netflix.

ME (7:35): Go brush your teeth, pal…

N: Why?

ME: Because you’ve eaten and you don’t want to go to school with smelly breath.

N: Oh… (walks into the washroom to brush, but does way more singing than brushing)

ME (7:45): Alright, booger! Let’s get our stuff on…

N: I have to go potty first… (runs to the downstairs bathroom)

I notice he’s taking a while, so I go downstairs to see what he’s doing. Rather than pull the front of his pants down like a normal guy would, he’s got everything dropped down to his ankles and is swaying back and forth while singing to himself. he sees me and starts asking me something, causing his urine stream to hit the toilet seat, toilet cover and splash on the floor…

ME: Pal!!! Keep your eyes on what you’re doing!

N: (looks down) Oh, sorry Daddy!

ME (7:55): Okay, let’s go. We need to get to the bus stop.

We load into the vehicle and drive to the intersection where his bus will pick him up shortly.

N: Daddy, can we go to McDonald’s?

ME: No, pal…

N: Why?

ME: Because you have to go to school.

N: Oh. Daddy?

ME: Yeah, buddy?

N: I need my sunglasses…

ME: We’re already at the bus stop!

N: We have many minutes. You can go fast and we can get my glasses from home.

I sigh audibly, and recognize that a parent has to pick his battles and pull away towards our home. I run inside and grab his sunglasses, affording a quick smile for Nathan’s mother, then rush back to the vehicle and hand Nathan his sunglasses. I rush us back to the bus stop with several minutes to spare and settle back into my seat.

N: Now that I have my sunglasses, can we go to McDonald’s?

ME: No, pal…

N: Why?

ME: Because you STILL haven’t gone to school yet.

N: But we can go McDonald’s AFTER school.

ME: No, pal…

N: Why?

ME: Because we’ll have things to do at home when you’re done school…

N: What things?

ME: Just things…

N: Like going to McDonald’s?

Just when I think I’m about to lose my sanity, I see the school bus round the corner and step out of the vehicle, ushering Nathan along the sidewalk to where it will stop. He clambers up the steps that are still too large for his little kindergarten legs, turns and holds his arms out for a hug. I give him a squeeze, which instantly reminds me why I love my son so much. He’s now in the hands of the world and I have the day to myself.

Look at that devilish grin…

I run my usual errands for a Monday morning, which include going to work, making multiple stops and getting home. My wife and I were able to sneak a brief nap in, until the doorbell woke us (I got my new Medtronic 670G today, BTW. But that’s a post for another day!)

At about 3:30 in the afternoon, I leave the house to grab the items we’ll need for supper and make my way to the bus stop to meet with Nathan. I pull up to the curb and read for a while until Nathan’s bus arrives. It pulls up to the curb at about 4:15 in the afternoon and Nathan steps off, proudly wearing his sunglasses.

N: Hi, Daddy!

ME: Hey booger! Did you have a good day at school?

N: Yeah, but I hurt my back today at school.

ME: How did that happen?

N: I fell down some stairs and hurt myself. I think to make me feel better, we should go to McDonald’s.

ME: No, pal…

N: Why?

ME: Because we need to go home for supper?

N: Can we have pizza for supper?

ME: No, buddy…

N: Why?

ME: Because it’s not a pizza day. We’re going to make supper at home.

N: But I don’t like supper, I just like pizza. Hey, can we go to McDonald’s?

It’s a wonder that I don’t bang my head against the steering wheel all the way home. I find out that he didn’t eat his lunch for fear of missing out on recess, so I tell him that this will be supper. I make beef burgers for my wife and I and as Nathan wolfs down the remainder of his supper, he decides our burgers look good and wants one as well. This is what happens when you don’t eat all day, I guess. You become ravenous.

In case you didn’t keep score, in the hour and half that I had spent with Nathan to this point, I was asked “WHY?” six times and also asked to go to McDonald’s six times. And that’s keeping it light. He definitely keeps life interesting, and Anticipate that his infant brother will create just as many comical situations. Children definitely keep you on your toes! ☯

You’re Not An Exhaust Pipe, Quit Venting!

There is suffering in the world. More than we often choose to acknowledge or discuss, but some of this suffering comes at a personal cost and in our personal lives. Because of this, we are usually want to complain. After all, most people feel it’s easier to complain or “vent” then it is to spread positivity.

Depending on what school of thought you adhere to, venting can be beneficial. It allows you to get things “off your chest”, which in turn is meant to make you feel better. Normally, this can be a good practice as long as it doesn’t become your modus operandi. If you make complaining your normal habit, it can also have a number of detrimental effects on you and the people you’re complaining to.

First and foremost, long term complaining can lead to quite a few physiological problems. Increased stress, increased cortisol levels, lack of sleep and weight gain can all be long-term effects of constant complaining. Not to mention that if you’re a constant source of negative, verbal diarrhea, you’ll start to notice your friends, acquaintances and family start to avoid you or make excuses not to be in touch with you. Couple that with the psychological effects of constant negativity, and you’ve got yourself some real problems.

I was reading an article posted by Inc.com that covers the topic of complaining too much. I was entertained by what Dr. Jeffrey Lohr, a psychologist who studied venting, mentioned in the article, “People don’t break wind in elevators more than they have to. Venting anger is… similar to emotional farting in an closed area. It sounds like a good idea, but it’s dead wrong.” Funny and entertaining, but he makes a good point.

The article goes on to explain that our brains are wired in such a way that the more we express negative thoughts, the easier it becomes to do so. More than that, it becomes habit. Further to that, it has the same effect on people who are around you while you vent. Here’s the article: https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/complaining-rewires-your-brain-for-negativity-science-says.html

I’m still of the firm belief that the occasional venting is important. Sometimes, you just need to get things off your chest. The important thing to remember is that the recipient of your venting should understand what’s happening and why. And even if they’re a trusted family, spouse or friend, it shouldn’t be a constant thing. Otherwise, you could find yourself becoming the subject of THEIR venting as opposed to the recipient of yours. ☯

Fido Needs His Insulin

Anyone who has done even a minute amount of research into the history of Diabetes is aware that insulin was first discovered in 1921. What some, if not most people are not aware, is that it was first used on a dog called Marjorie in that same year. Marjorie had been diagnosed with Diabetes and had her pancreas removed. It was found that she could survive by receiving daily insulin injections. This discovery led to it being administered to the first human recipient in January of 1922. The rest is history.

Not Marjorie. Just a happy pooch!

There are many animals that can contract Diabetes. For the most part, the reason behind their getting it is similar if not identical to how humans get it. These animals include, but are not limited to dogs, cats, apes, pigs, horses, the occasional cow and some rodents.

For the more “popular” household pets, such as dogs or cats, a diagnoses of Diabetes can mean many of the same effects and complications as a human who has Diabetes. Organ and vision problems, obesity and circulatory issues are prominent in pets with Diabetes. For this reason, it’s important to maintain a good exercise regiment for your pets and feed them a veterinary-approved food that will help control their weight and blood glucose levels.

Administering insulin to your pet can be difficult and even intimidating. But once you’ve gained the knack for it, your pet will certainly be appreciative (Unless it’s a cat! They’ll make your life a living hell for the audacity of giving them an injection) Your pet’s vet should be prescribing the insulin that will best suit your pet and provide instruction on its proper administration. That being said, there are tons of instructional videos online that will show you how.

The interesting challenge when dealing with Diabetes in pets, is that they are mostly unable to explain what symptoms they may be feeling or what may be ailing them. This is why it’s important to learn and recognize some of the physical signs that things may not be going well for your pet and how to deal with them.

For most households, their pet is part of the family. So while the treatment of Diabetes and the administering of insulin in pets may seem daunting, one needs to consider that you would do no less for one of your children. Educate yourself, obtain the necessary medications and learn how to provide for your pet. Even though they may not be able to express it verbally, you can believe that they’ll be grateful. 🐶

Get Your Head Out Of The Clouds

Travelling can be a real pain in the ass for anybody, whether it’s domestic or abroad. Especially if you’re flying. But any level of travel becomes even more involved when you have Diabetes. Considering the amount of equipment that the average Type-1 Diabetic requires on a day-to-day basis, the preparation required for any trip can be quite involved. When you add in the supplies required for an insulin pump, it can also be quite an ordeal.

Since I’ve recently “indulged” in some cross-country travel, I thought I would take the opportunity to touch on some of the more important aspects of travel preparation for someone with Diabetes.

First, let’s discuss travel by its very nature. Travel is abnormal. At least it is for the modern person. Our ancestors were thought to be nomadic and usually never settled in one place for extended periods of time. But as humans evolved and we developed societies and technologies, we became more sedentary and started establishing permanent homes. This means that we usually find comfort in staying in one place and having daily routines. These routines become important for someone with Diabetes. In fact, routine tends to make the control of Diabetes far easier. When we stray from our usual routine, it tends to rain hell on the Diabetic system.

One of the first things I noticed from my flights home yesterday, was my unusually high blood sugar level. Despite my best efforts to correct and bolus accordingly, my blood sugars stayed in the teens until a while past 10 p.m. when I finally worked it down to 8.6 mmol/L, the highest being 19.4 mmol/L earlier in the day. There are a number of reasons behind these high levels; not least of which being stress, from travel and some bad news.

According to an article posted online by BeyondType1.org, “There have been studies that suggest that higher altitudes can cause insulin resistance due to carbohydrates not being metabolized as effectively. This can be another cause of high blood sugar and it can also lead to ketones/ketoacidosis in extreme cases.” The article goes on to say, “Blood glucose meters, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and pumps have been known to not work as effectively in high altitudes.” This could certainly be one of the outlying reasons for my extreme highs. The jury’s still out…(https://beyondtype1.org/altitude-type-1-diabetes/)

An important thing to remember is to calculate your approximate insulin needs prior to your departure and pack two extra sets of everything BEYOND what your requirements will be for the entirety of your travel. For example, my trip to New Brunswick last September saw me run short of supplies for my pump. I ended up having to buy a bottle of Lantus and some syringes in order to maintain myself until I landed back in Saskatchewan. Damned inconvenient!

The next step is to ensure that everything is properly labeled and clearly legible, identifying it as Diabetic prescription medication. Airlines are a bit sticky on the transportation of needles and sharps, so you need to ensure that you’ve dotted your “i’s” and crossed your “t’s”. Wearing your MedicAlert bracelet is also a smart move. I’m told it’s a smart move to wear it at ALL times, but I absolutely hate mine and never wear it unless I travel.

Another issue would be the airport security x-ray machines. Now, opinions about the validity of what I’ll say next has been discussed and debated for years now. But some sources, including some of the manufacturers, seem to indicate that exposing insulin to x-rays can cause damage and even affect its potency. For the most part, airline security SHOULD be reasonably accommodating in allowing for a manual inspection of your person upon request. This should include any bottles of insulin and your insulin pump. That being said, you may encounter some staff who are resistant and will claim it’s unnecessary. Don’t be afraid to ask for a security supervisor to plead your case.

That being said, there’s been no evidence that the same x-rays will affect your insulin pump. Granted, your pump is filled with insulin, so… yeah. At the end of the day, planning ahead and being familiar with your airline’s policies and requirements will go a long way. If you’re like me, you show up two hours prior to your flight’s time of boarding. this provides the extra time required to ensure a manual inspection of your insulin and medical devices and still allow you to make your gate in time to be boarded on your flight.

Test your blood frequently and adjust your insulin accordingly. Although it may seem unusual to bolus so much, the unusual circumstance may require it. Ensure you don’t skip meals. That much is often my mistake. Speaking with your doctor or medical practitioner prior to your travel may be an option as well. As much as having Diabetes may be a major pain, travel can be just as painful if you aren’t prepared. ☯