Scott Johnson posted on August 11, 2010, his summary of the teleconference call as that will be quarterly for those of us that had attended the Roche 2010 Social Media Summit. Excellent post Scott.
The one point Scott made that I think needs repeating here is that social media does include more than just blogging. I agree that some of what is said may be over the terminology or semantics of a word. I do think that instead of using terms like “blog roll” or “blogs”, we should consider the term “diabetes social media roll” or DSMR to include all of the social media, even possibly “diabetes social media community” (DSMC).
While I am only involved in the blogging aspect of social media, I must remind my readers that we had several present at the Roche summit that were from other aspects of the diabetes social media community.
Charlie Cherry is involved with production of podcasts of topics on diabetes and interviews of people with diabetes and leaders in the diabetes community. Included was Kelly Close, who writes at diaTribe, an on-line diabetes news publication, Manny Hernandez who owns several diabetes on-line services, including TuDiabetes. David Edelman, who is not a person with diabetes, but owns a forum on Diabetes Daily and includes feature blog writers in a blog area of which Scott is one of the featured writers. Also in attendance was Kitty Castellini from Diabetes Living Today, who with her partner broadcast an on-line radio broadcast.
There were others that are not necessarily bloggers per se, but we cannot say that Roche has excluded those who do not blog. While the majority were from the blogging community, many of the bloggers also participate in Twitter and Facebook.
Yes, I am sure there are other areas of the social media that I haven't mentioned, but least I am confident that Roche has included a good variety of social media in their summit.
I generally do not participate in surveys, but for the Roche survey I did do my part. I am also disappointed that only about 60% of us did reply. This was an excellent opportunity to have our say in the development of future summits. The other 40% should sit up and take notice that their lack of input does them and the rest of the diabetes social media community a disservice.
I may not be as concerned about how the participants are selected to attend; however, Roche in their survey did give those participating an opportunity to nominate potential participants for future summits. I did nominate several people from outside the USA for consideration. I like the idea of having an international flavor for our summit and we can learn about what is happening in other countries. Who knows, the cure for diabetes may well originate outside the USA.
Several of the comments to Scott's blog were well placed about the need for type 1 advocacy and the help they need. As a type 2, I will not cry foul, as the need is definitely there and must be met. I would say that with more children now developing type 2 and the same for young adults, both sides need any assistance that can be offered by the on-line community and any diabetes supply manufacturers, diabetes drug manufacturers, and others willing to put forth the effort that Roche is now doing.
So I will recommend that you take time to read Scott's post. He has some excellent thoughts in areas that I did not cover.
August 14, 2010
August 12, 2010
Dangerous Myths – Myths Part 2
Are there really dangerous diabetes myths? For those that believe them, yes. Many people believe some of the strangest things when it comes to diabetes.
Do injections hurt? I have been asked this many times. While I have never liked needles, I have been known to flinch when having blood drawn, and it seems like I will never get the needle in when injecting my own insulin. I have had few actually painful injections, but occasionally I will hit a nerve, but not that often.
Even when having blood drawn, most nurses have actually been very good at not causing pain, while others can never hit a vein and cause me much pain. Some even go thru the vein and wonder why there is no blood until they withdraw the needle.
Most of us do have to get over the fear and realize that our lives, and good health, demand that we use insulin and inject ourselves several times a day. This to me is a small problem and I have been able to overcome it.
Some of the more dangerous fairy tales about insulin really get to me and makes me wonder why we have some of the medical professionals we do. Too many doctors use insulin as a threat to get diabetes patients to get serious about controlling their blood glucose with oral medications. Often the side effects of some oral medications are far more dangerous than insulin.
Then our unenlightened medical professionals tell us that we have failed and that is the reason we need to take insulin. Failed - - - I don't think so! Most people that feel this way have been programed that way by our medical pros. These patients need to reevaluate the instructions and guidance they have received. Many have been told to eat far too many carbohydrates for control of their diabetes and for some people their bodies are unable to handle this level of carbohydrates. Also many patients have not been told to exercise.
Even more problematic are the medical professionals that feel we should not have meters to have readings of our blood glucose levels. They worry that seeing the high levels of blood glucose for the carbohydrates they have told us to eat will only discourage or cause depression in these patients. If you have any of these types of medical pros, I strongly suggest finding another doctor.
Everyone has different needs based on their body and body chemistry and until the medical pros wake up and realize this, it is a small miracle that so many type 2 people with diabetes are as healthy as they are. If it was not for the patients becoming proactive in their own care, many would soon end up with the more serious problems of the accompanying diabetes complications. Some doctors do realize that one treatment does not fit all, but we as patients also need to learn this and make our doctors aware of this. We need to learn how to stand up for what we need.
What is disturbing to me has been stated to me by other people with type 2 diabetes. The statement is that only type 1 people can see an endocrinologist. While it is understandable that people with type 1 diabetes want to see an endocrinologist, many type 2 patients also see them, and not just those type 2 patients on insulin.
A lot of the problems arise from the fact that in many areas of this country, local endocrinologists do not exist as they are not drawn to sparsely populated areas and therefore some people can have hundreds of miles commute round-trip to see one. In heavily populated areas it is easy to find them. The problem is finding one that is a good fit for you or has any openings for new patients.
Another misconception is some people with type 2 diabetes do not think they have a serious disease and therefore do not need to worry about changing their lifestyle or eating habits. No this is not denial, they truly feel this way and their doctors have done nothing to explain the seriousness of diabetes. Why is this so? Often these people are in good physical condition and have taken care of themselves, or in other words, they are not over weight.
It is only when the complications set in that they get the wake-up call that they have something serious. Even then some do not heed the call and wonder why they are called upon to have this complication or these complications – remember their body mass index (BMI) is ideal so it should not be happening to them. I even had one of these people actually tell me this when they found out I did not have any retinopathy or kidney problems, in other words, because I am overweight and they are not. Life can be so unfair.
Do injections hurt? I have been asked this many times. While I have never liked needles, I have been known to flinch when having blood drawn, and it seems like I will never get the needle in when injecting my own insulin. I have had few actually painful injections, but occasionally I will hit a nerve, but not that often.
Even when having blood drawn, most nurses have actually been very good at not causing pain, while others can never hit a vein and cause me much pain. Some even go thru the vein and wonder why there is no blood until they withdraw the needle.
Most of us do have to get over the fear and realize that our lives, and good health, demand that we use insulin and inject ourselves several times a day. This to me is a small problem and I have been able to overcome it.
Some of the more dangerous fairy tales about insulin really get to me and makes me wonder why we have some of the medical professionals we do. Too many doctors use insulin as a threat to get diabetes patients to get serious about controlling their blood glucose with oral medications. Often the side effects of some oral medications are far more dangerous than insulin.
Then our unenlightened medical professionals tell us that we have failed and that is the reason we need to take insulin. Failed - - - I don't think so! Most people that feel this way have been programed that way by our medical pros. These patients need to reevaluate the instructions and guidance they have received. Many have been told to eat far too many carbohydrates for control of their diabetes and for some people their bodies are unable to handle this level of carbohydrates. Also many patients have not been told to exercise.
Even more problematic are the medical professionals that feel we should not have meters to have readings of our blood glucose levels. They worry that seeing the high levels of blood glucose for the carbohydrates they have told us to eat will only discourage or cause depression in these patients. If you have any of these types of medical pros, I strongly suggest finding another doctor.
Everyone has different needs based on their body and body chemistry and until the medical pros wake up and realize this, it is a small miracle that so many type 2 people with diabetes are as healthy as they are. If it was not for the patients becoming proactive in their own care, many would soon end up with the more serious problems of the accompanying diabetes complications. Some doctors do realize that one treatment does not fit all, but we as patients also need to learn this and make our doctors aware of this. We need to learn how to stand up for what we need.
What is disturbing to me has been stated to me by other people with type 2 diabetes. The statement is that only type 1 people can see an endocrinologist. While it is understandable that people with type 1 diabetes want to see an endocrinologist, many type 2 patients also see them, and not just those type 2 patients on insulin.
A lot of the problems arise from the fact that in many areas of this country, local endocrinologists do not exist as they are not drawn to sparsely populated areas and therefore some people can have hundreds of miles commute round-trip to see one. In heavily populated areas it is easy to find them. The problem is finding one that is a good fit for you or has any openings for new patients.
Another misconception is some people with type 2 diabetes do not think they have a serious disease and therefore do not need to worry about changing their lifestyle or eating habits. No this is not denial, they truly feel this way and their doctors have done nothing to explain the seriousness of diabetes. Why is this so? Often these people are in good physical condition and have taken care of themselves, or in other words, they are not over weight.
It is only when the complications set in that they get the wake-up call that they have something serious. Even then some do not heed the call and wonder why they are called upon to have this complication or these complications – remember their body mass index (BMI) is ideal so it should not be happening to them. I even had one of these people actually tell me this when they found out I did not have any retinopathy or kidney problems, in other words, because I am overweight and they are not. Life can be so unfair.
August 8, 2010
Methods of food preparation
In my blog about avoiding bland food, I mentioned different methods of food preparation. Now I will try to explain the advantages of the many methods of preparing tasty meals.
Before purchasing any equipment that you might want, check the local library to read cookbooks or books for each type of cooking. This will let you know whether you want to try any appliance. Most of the equipment is available on line or in stores in your area. The telephone will save much running from store to store by asking what cooking utensils they carry and what the prices are. I highly recommend carefully reading the instructions with each appliance. I do not use the pressure cooker regularly, but the slow cooker and steamer get regular use.
Use of a pressure cooker is much easier today and meals prepared in them are much tastier. Cooking with pressure cookers, slow cookers, and steamers for me has been an education and an enjoyable experience. I have had to learn how to place the food in each appliance for best cooking.
I do enjoy the pressure cooker for some cuts of meat and chicken as the herbs and spices can provide some great tastes and fill the house with a pleasant aroma. I like this for many vegetables as the cooking time is short and they come out with the taste of the herbs and spices infused in them.
Some vegetables are best in the steamer especially broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, and some others. Some people will disagree, but this is my preference. I enjoy many fish meals from the steamer as well. I also like some fish prepared by the poaching method. How you cook is up to you and your taste preferences.
For some cuts of beef and pork, and occasionally chicken, the slow cooker works great and when you add celery, onions, and some other vegetables with herbs and spices, yummy. Sometimes when left to marinate in the refrigerator overnight, the next day also adds flavor that sometimes is not there the first time. You do need the space in the refrigerator and this can be a drawback if you are lazy like me to transfer to another container. I love to use some cling wrap and put the lid back on top and let sit until the next meal.
I am still experimenting with the wok, but in general I have to relearn everything as I don't like the oily taste and broth seems to boil away too quickly. Once in a while, I do have a success or two.
I thought when I purchased my new stove, I could go back to pan frying some foods by using broth or other liquids, but I need to relearn there also. By using the marinading methods below, this has helped keep the meats from drying out and becoming too bland.
I do use the stock pots more and especially the electric ones as this allows for browning meats and then cutting them in smaller sizes and slowly cooking them in herbs and spices. This works especially well for chicken and turkey and lean meats. Then I can add a measured quantity of fat or broth (low sodium when possible) and have several good meals. Or I use my own broth when we have it available and that is mostly no sodium, which I really like.
I have a difficult time getting the barbeque sauce to thicken properly that I make myself, but I am not fond of many of these dishes so I don't go to the effort. I will use the broiler in the oven on occasion, but here I do not do this in the summer to keep down the heat and cause the air-conditioner to work overtime. The wintertime is my time for baked dishes and broiled foods. Yes, some of these can be somewhat bland, but I make some sauces to put over them which helps.
I am doing less cooking now that my wife has taken over most of the cooking, but we still do a lot of it the same. For me it was learning to properly use the cooking utensils and appliances to know what each is capable of and how the herbs and spices mix with and in the foods that makes for tasty meals. After my first wife passed, it took me about a year of experimentation to really appreciate cooking, but I was and am able to learn. This is where the pleasure of using herbs and spices (maybe not always correctly) has kept me away from the highly processed foods and away from the bland foods that I hear so many people with diabetes complain about.
Thanks to my daughter, I learned about marinading meats and really like the Food Saver marinade container which vacuum seals and assists in drawing the marinade into the meats. This means instead of doing it for eight hours or overnight, I can forget and still do a very adequate job in one half to two hours depending on the meat and/or cut of meat.
If you are a person that likes to grill, marinading meats does keep them from being quite so dry. I have a thing about fighting insects so this is not something I enjoy doing outside as I don't need that added protein. If you enjoy this, then go for it.
Before purchasing any equipment that you might want, check the local library to read cookbooks or books for each type of cooking. This will let you know whether you want to try any appliance. Most of the equipment is available on line or in stores in your area. The telephone will save much running from store to store by asking what cooking utensils they carry and what the prices are. I highly recommend carefully reading the instructions with each appliance. I do not use the pressure cooker regularly, but the slow cooker and steamer get regular use.
Use of a pressure cooker is much easier today and meals prepared in them are much tastier. Cooking with pressure cookers, slow cookers, and steamers for me has been an education and an enjoyable experience. I have had to learn how to place the food in each appliance for best cooking.
I do enjoy the pressure cooker for some cuts of meat and chicken as the herbs and spices can provide some great tastes and fill the house with a pleasant aroma. I like this for many vegetables as the cooking time is short and they come out with the taste of the herbs and spices infused in them.
Some vegetables are best in the steamer especially broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, and some others. Some people will disagree, but this is my preference. I enjoy many fish meals from the steamer as well. I also like some fish prepared by the poaching method. How you cook is up to you and your taste preferences.
For some cuts of beef and pork, and occasionally chicken, the slow cooker works great and when you add celery, onions, and some other vegetables with herbs and spices, yummy. Sometimes when left to marinate in the refrigerator overnight, the next day also adds flavor that sometimes is not there the first time. You do need the space in the refrigerator and this can be a drawback if you are lazy like me to transfer to another container. I love to use some cling wrap and put the lid back on top and let sit until the next meal.
I am still experimenting with the wok, but in general I have to relearn everything as I don't like the oily taste and broth seems to boil away too quickly. Once in a while, I do have a success or two.
I thought when I purchased my new stove, I could go back to pan frying some foods by using broth or other liquids, but I need to relearn there also. By using the marinading methods below, this has helped keep the meats from drying out and becoming too bland.
I do use the stock pots more and especially the electric ones as this allows for browning meats and then cutting them in smaller sizes and slowly cooking them in herbs and spices. This works especially well for chicken and turkey and lean meats. Then I can add a measured quantity of fat or broth (low sodium when possible) and have several good meals. Or I use my own broth when we have it available and that is mostly no sodium, which I really like.
I have a difficult time getting the barbeque sauce to thicken properly that I make myself, but I am not fond of many of these dishes so I don't go to the effort. I will use the broiler in the oven on occasion, but here I do not do this in the summer to keep down the heat and cause the air-conditioner to work overtime. The wintertime is my time for baked dishes and broiled foods. Yes, some of these can be somewhat bland, but I make some sauces to put over them which helps.
I am doing less cooking now that my wife has taken over most of the cooking, but we still do a lot of it the same. For me it was learning to properly use the cooking utensils and appliances to know what each is capable of and how the herbs and spices mix with and in the foods that makes for tasty meals. After my first wife passed, it took me about a year of experimentation to really appreciate cooking, but I was and am able to learn. This is where the pleasure of using herbs and spices (maybe not always correctly) has kept me away from the highly processed foods and away from the bland foods that I hear so many people with diabetes complain about.
Thanks to my daughter, I learned about marinading meats and really like the Food Saver marinade container which vacuum seals and assists in drawing the marinade into the meats. This means instead of doing it for eight hours or overnight, I can forget and still do a very adequate job in one half to two hours depending on the meat and/or cut of meat.
If you are a person that likes to grill, marinading meats does keep them from being quite so dry. I have a thing about fighting insects so this is not something I enjoy doing outside as I don't need that added protein. If you enjoy this, then go for it.
August 4, 2010
Myths about diabetes – Myths Part 1
Myths about diabetes are a dime a dozen. Everyone wants us to believe this and to believe that about diabetes. When it gets down to realities, there are some basics facts that everyone needs to know, but to me the myths have been created to sell books and articles and make people believe there are some rules that guide us.
Myth as a noun is defined as a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature.
Misconceptions would seem more appropriate than myths, but a long word isn't always the best.
The only rule that I am aware of as a person with type 2 diabetes is “what works for me, may not work for you” There are many ways to say this, but I will not get into all the variations. There are people that insist that their way is the only way and for a few people in the near proximity of them on the bell curve, this will work.
Many people have forgotten the principles of the bell curve. Take approximately seven million people and spread them out on the curve. On the left side, start with those who have diabetes, but are able to get by with just minor changes in nutrition and no exercise. Then move a little to the right and you have to add exercise for a larger number of people, but this group still can manage tight control without oral medications.
Now go to the far right of the curve. Here you will find people near the end of life, on dialysis and unable to exercise, or blind and needing daily assistance. Not a pretty way to see life, but this is life. While many believe that type 2 diabetes is progressive, this is partly true, but does not necessarily need to be the way of life. People die every day and may have never reached the right side of the bell curve. This is because of other causes that also can affect our daily lives and result in death. And like any curve, it can be skewed to one side or the other depending on the circumstances of the people being analyzed.
Now I take you to carbohydrates which is according to this article is myth number three, and the one that raised my ire. Some people eat very few carbohydrates or no carbohydrates, and live very well. Yet most medical personnel claim that the carbohydrates are foremost in keeping us living well, and our brains properly fueled. These medical professionals also do not understand it when people with diabetes have severe blood glucose problems with too many carbohydrates for them.
And then there are the low carb people that have to preach their religion and then wonder why some of us don't and won't listen to them. This is because some of us are able to consume different level of carbohydrates. For people eating carbohydrates the population also varies like the bell curve. Yes, there are a few people that are maintaining excellent control that are eating high amounts of carbohydrates. They have reduced their weight and their insulin resistance and with exercise are able to do this. And there are also those that must eat low carb.
Everyone needs a good place to start, and this book does debunk the need for some people to go on radical diets (which fail) and encourages many (although in a round about way) to stop their panic mode and start finding out what works for them.
More on some of the more dangerous myths later.
Myth as a noun is defined as a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature.
Misconceptions would seem more appropriate than myths, but a long word isn't always the best.
The only rule that I am aware of as a person with type 2 diabetes is “what works for me, may not work for you” There are many ways to say this, but I will not get into all the variations. There are people that insist that their way is the only way and for a few people in the near proximity of them on the bell curve, this will work.
Now go to the far right of the curve. Here you will find people near the end of life, on dialysis and unable to exercise, or blind and needing daily assistance. Not a pretty way to see life, but this is life. While many believe that type 2 diabetes is progressive, this is partly true, but does not necessarily need to be the way of life. People die every day and may have never reached the right side of the bell curve. This is because of other causes that also can affect our daily lives and result in death. And like any curve, it can be skewed to one side or the other depending on the circumstances of the people being analyzed.
Now I take you to carbohydrates which is according to this article is myth number three, and the one that raised my ire. Some people eat very few carbohydrates or no carbohydrates, and live very well. Yet most medical personnel claim that the carbohydrates are foremost in keeping us living well, and our brains properly fueled. These medical professionals also do not understand it when people with diabetes have severe blood glucose problems with too many carbohydrates for them.
And then there are the low carb people that have to preach their religion and then wonder why some of us don't and won't listen to them. This is because some of us are able to consume different level of carbohydrates. For people eating carbohydrates the population also varies like the bell curve. Yes, there are a few people that are maintaining excellent control that are eating high amounts of carbohydrates. They have reduced their weight and their insulin resistance and with exercise are able to do this. And there are also those that must eat low carb.
The one difference that does not follow the bell curve happens in those people who do not maintain even moderate control of their diabetes, and what I would say is little to no control of their blood glucose levels. Their progress into the world of complications is a “J” shape starting out at no complications on the left and then rapidly increasing on the right. This alone is the reason for those of us with type 2 diabetes to maintain tight control of our diabetes.
Yes, I do have a book by the American Diabetes Association titled Myths of a “Diabetic Diet” and the book basically lists 16 myths. I admit it was rather convincing when I was new to diabetes. As I have gained experience, I keep the book around to remind myself about the fallacy of the “myth” doctrine. If I want to get my blood pressure up, I just read some of the book, and up it goes. Not a good thing to do, but that is what I believe today. There is one good feature to the book and I covered it here and I agree that it should be read for that reason alone - it is a well written guide for preventing excesses in eating changes.
Everyone needs a good place to start, and this book does debunk the need for some people to go on radical diets (which fail) and encourages many (although in a round about way) to stop their panic mode and start finding out what works for them.
More on some of the more dangerous myths later.
August 1, 2010
Five important lab tests – maybe six or more
I am not even sure where I got the following information, but I know that I should have blogged about this before. I know that the following five tests are very important for people with diabetes. The tests are: HbA1c, blood pressure, cholesterol tests (lipid panel), micro-albumin test for kidney damage, and annual eye exam.
These five simple tests are currently the best and only indicators of each person’s own individual diabetes health risks. They also provide you with a kind of “report card” for you to see that your efforts have made a difference. Just don't ignore these test because they show trends, areas for concern, and/or if everything is doing well.
I think after my post on the July 6, 2010 that the annual screening with a blood test be done to check for liver problems/disease. The problem is that the sensitivity of blood tests needs some study while the ultrasound is not that great for identifying fatty liver disease. A liver biopsy is not a feasible screening method. Even though there is some concern as to the reliability of liver testing, I will state that it needs to be considered as an important sixth lab test especially for many of the chronic diseases.
There are other tests that will need to be determined on a case by case basis. One of the tests is the one for B12, which should be done for anyone that has been on Metformin for several years. Vitamin D levels need to be checked as a person gets older or does not spend very much time in the sun. Some of the other autoimmune diseases that often accompany diabetes may require tests.
One last important note – make sure that your doctor or in some cases, the lab, provides you with a copy of the lab results. This will assist you in tracking your health.
These five simple tests are currently the best and only indicators of each person’s own individual diabetes health risks. They also provide you with a kind of “report card” for you to see that your efforts have made a difference. Just don't ignore these test because they show trends, areas for concern, and/or if everything is doing well.
I think after my post on the July 6, 2010 that the annual screening with a blood test be done to check for liver problems/disease. The problem is that the sensitivity of blood tests needs some study while the ultrasound is not that great for identifying fatty liver disease. A liver biopsy is not a feasible screening method. Even though there is some concern as to the reliability of liver testing, I will state that it needs to be considered as an important sixth lab test especially for many of the chronic diseases.
There are other tests that will need to be determined on a case by case basis. One of the tests is the one for B12, which should be done for anyone that has been on Metformin for several years. Vitamin D levels need to be checked as a person gets older or does not spend very much time in the sun. Some of the other autoimmune diseases that often accompany diabetes may require tests.
One last important note – make sure that your doctor or in some cases, the lab, provides you with a copy of the lab results. This will assist you in tracking your health.
July 29, 2010
Type 2 people in the blogosphere
I am presently working on a list (this much has been posted) for type 2 people with diabetes that are blogging about diabetes. If you are ambitious and have other blogs even if they are not about diabetes, they will be included. Please know that there are other people blogging that are not on the list, either because I have not been able to contact them, or I have not found them.
Since I want this to be a current list, anyone that has not blogged for longer than 18 months is not included. If you restart and want to be included, please let me know and I will add you to the list.
I have many that are very active and I have not been able to contact a some of them, so if you are among these, please comment below or email me at the email on my profile page, and I will add you to the list. Emails will not be given out when requested. I would appreciate at least a first name if possible, but I will respect those that ask not to have it listed. Please know that I will want to contact them for permission to publish any information about them.
My request is that you must be a type 2 person with diabetes and be actively blogging about diabetes.
Now that I have said that, I find that there are several other type 2 bloggers that write occasionally about diabetes and more often on many other topics. So I am adding a second list of these bloggers.
If you don't see one of your favorites on either list, please contact me at the email in my profile. Supply all the information you may have access to. URL, contact address, and name of site would be appreciated, but not always available. If you have contact with them, please pass on my site so that they can contact me.
The same will apply to the type 2 chefs that you may follow. There are some excellent type 2 chefs and I will be working on a list for them over the next few weeks as well.
Thank you,
Since I want this to be a current list, anyone that has not blogged for longer than 18 months is not included. If you restart and want to be included, please let me know and I will add you to the list.
I have many that are very active and I have not been able to contact a some of them, so if you are among these, please comment below or email me at the email on my profile page, and I will add you to the list. Emails will not be given out when requested. I would appreciate at least a first name if possible, but I will respect those that ask not to have it listed. Please know that I will want to contact them for permission to publish any information about them.
My request is that you must be a type 2 person with diabetes and be actively blogging about diabetes.
Now that I have said that, I find that there are several other type 2 bloggers that write occasionally about diabetes and more often on many other topics. So I am adding a second list of these bloggers.
If you don't see one of your favorites on either list, please contact me at the email in my profile. Supply all the information you may have access to. URL, contact address, and name of site would be appreciated, but not always available. If you have contact with them, please pass on my site so that they can contact me.
The same will apply to the type 2 chefs that you may follow. There are some excellent type 2 chefs and I will be working on a list for them over the next few weeks as well.
Thank you,
July 22, 2010
Keep the dialog going
Scott Johnson is really getting serious. Check out his blog here. If you have comments, put them there or on mine. We need to know your thoughts, and hopefully in a positive way.
I agree with Scott, I do not want the perception of the Roche Social Media Summit as being nothing more than marketing or as one person said to me a public relations ploy. This does not appear to be the intention at this time. Are we right in being skeptical and being cautious? This appears to be a healthy attitude and I would not want to have it otherwise.
I also want to look at it another way, if Roche wants to bring the diabetes on line community (DOC) together with some of the leading diabetes groups and organizations for a face to face, this could be a giant leap forward in communications and exposure for both sides.
Looking on the positive side, we need all the help we can get to make these organizations recognize that we are writing about diabetes and looking for answers, places that the DOC can draw on for ideas and resources. We also need to communicate from our side the concerns and problems faced by the DOC and those of us living with diabetes. And this means those are lucky enough to attend and those not in attendance.
Could Roche interact more with us throughout the year? Definitely, and I think they are contemplating doing just that. Scott asks some very good questions at the end of his blog so I will quote them here:
- I am not exactly clear on what "Social Media" means. Is it possible that there is more to "Social Media" than blogging - which is where I come from? Who else needs to come to these things? Are we too heavy on bloggers, and not heavy enough on other "Social Media" channels? What are those other channels?
- I know nothing about how people get picked to be invited. I wish there was a little more transparency here. I think I have paid my dues in the Diabetes Online Community (and hope to continue doing so), but should that mean I'm automatically invited to stuff like this?
Please folks, let me know how you feel about this stuff. I need your input to help me know if I'm doing the right things or not. Unquote
I do know how I was invited – I was recommended by a prior year attendee. Have I paid my dues? Definitely not to the extent that Scott has. However, I do see an opportunity to assist others and help communicate their needs to people like Roche. I also see an obligation to Scott and others of the DOC to aid in make diabetes and the DOC a better place for all of us.
Even though I do not participate on Twitter and Facebook, I would consider them part of the “Social Media”
So both of us do want your thoughts, questions and opinions. Please!
I agree with Scott, I do not want the perception of the Roche Social Media Summit as being nothing more than marketing or as one person said to me a public relations ploy. This does not appear to be the intention at this time. Are we right in being skeptical and being cautious? This appears to be a healthy attitude and I would not want to have it otherwise.
I also want to look at it another way, if Roche wants to bring the diabetes on line community (DOC) together with some of the leading diabetes groups and organizations for a face to face, this could be a giant leap forward in communications and exposure for both sides.
Looking on the positive side, we need all the help we can get to make these organizations recognize that we are writing about diabetes and looking for answers, places that the DOC can draw on for ideas and resources. We also need to communicate from our side the concerns and problems faced by the DOC and those of us living with diabetes. And this means those are lucky enough to attend and those not in attendance.
Could Roche interact more with us throughout the year? Definitely, and I think they are contemplating doing just that. Scott asks some very good questions at the end of his blog so I will quote them here:
- I am not exactly clear on what "Social Media" means. Is it possible that there is more to "Social Media" than blogging - which is where I come from? Who else needs to come to these things? Are we too heavy on bloggers, and not heavy enough on other "Social Media" channels? What are those other channels?
- I know nothing about how people get picked to be invited. I wish there was a little more transparency here. I think I have paid my dues in the Diabetes Online Community (and hope to continue doing so), but should that mean I'm automatically invited to stuff like this?
Please folks, let me know how you feel about this stuff. I need your input to help me know if I'm doing the right things or not. Unquote
I do know how I was invited – I was recommended by a prior year attendee. Have I paid my dues? Definitely not to the extent that Scott has. However, I do see an opportunity to assist others and help communicate their needs to people like Roche. I also see an obligation to Scott and others of the DOC to aid in make diabetes and the DOC a better place for all of us.
Even though I do not participate on Twitter and Facebook, I would consider them part of the “Social Media”
So both of us do want your thoughts, questions and opinions. Please!
July 19, 2010
Hospitalization concerns for persons with diabetes
This is a complex problem. Each state can have rules of conduct for the hospitals and even each hospital can have rules more stringent than the state's rules.
Many hospitals are very friendly for people with diabetes; however, unless you have time to talk to the administrator, and even then, never take anything for granted. I mean this, never take anything at face value. Check, recheck, and then check again. This will make sure the hospital knows that you are concerned and will need to be treated with respect. Some hospitals are also very unfriendly to people with diabetes.
I will emphasize this repeatedly because of the importance. A limited medical power of attorney is more important today with all the privacy rules and regulations in place. People that you want to be able to act on your behalf are often not able to because the hospital does not know them and without a limited medical power of attorney, it is useless to think that they will, even if it is your spouse. So if you are a person with diabetes, carefully consider the value of a limited medical power of attorney for your spouse and/or if you are single, a person or other family member you can implicitly trust.
In any hospital setting, make sure that if you are on an insulin pump that once the procedure is completed and you are recovering that you are allowed to regain control and use of it. But be prepared for those that will not allow you to have or use it.
A check list for hospital care:
1. Entering the hospital with prior knowledge and under doctor ordered request.
This can be very important for people with diabetes and your doctor will have to clear this and even then sometimes your medications will still be taken away upon entry or at a shift change. So double check that it is made part of your records if possible before admission. If in emergency, then make sure your doctor is somehow notified.
Also make sure before hand (if possible) of the meals you will receive and be prepared to ask for exact carb count and still be prepared to not eat some foods that will send your blood glucose into the stratosphere. Many hospitals have not learned about high fructose corn syrup and low carb or may not even have a dietitian on staff that knows anything about diabetes. Do not rely on many hospitals having a knowledgeable CDE (certified diabetes educator) on staff.
If you are admitted to the hospital through the emergency room, then everything can go haywire and you may not even have your medications or diabetes supplies with you. This is why you should also keep a list of current medications in your wallet or purse. If possible and allowable, have someone bring your medications to you as soon as you can notify them, but they must know that they are not to surrender them. Better for them to return them to your home than lose them to the hospital. Your medications while in the hospital will cost quadruple or often more per pill than if you have them available to you from your supply. I repeat that some hospitals will not allow you to use your own medications or even medicate yourself.
Also as soon as you are able, let your doctor know so that he/she will be able to smooth the way for you to use your own medications. Depending on the hospital rules and some nurses, you may be forced to hide your medications as they will take them from you, not give you a receipt, and in some instances actually dispose of them.
I'm not saying this to take anything away from how well the nurses do their job, but they can be very busy and sometimes they forget to do things that are important, so keep this in mind.
The following are some links to add to what I have written and first one covers some tips that are also important.
Limited medical power of attorney – disclosure statement. While this example is for the state of Texas, some of the principals apply to any medical power of attorney. Any medical power of attorney should be well spelled out and the necessary limits carefully spelled out. Just be careful of the attorneys that want to draw up a durable medical power of attorney.
While there are forms online that are state specific, I am not sure that some of the limited medical power of attorneys can be made to fit. One limit that should be spelled out is that when you are able to resume charge of your care, that the limited power of attorney is mute and not in force again until you again become unable to manage your health.
Many hospitals are very friendly for people with diabetes; however, unless you have time to talk to the administrator, and even then, never take anything for granted. I mean this, never take anything at face value. Check, recheck, and then check again. This will make sure the hospital knows that you are concerned and will need to be treated with respect. Some hospitals are also very unfriendly to people with diabetes.
I will emphasize this repeatedly because of the importance. A limited medical power of attorney is more important today with all the privacy rules and regulations in place. People that you want to be able to act on your behalf are often not able to because the hospital does not know them and without a limited medical power of attorney, it is useless to think that they will, even if it is your spouse. So if you are a person with diabetes, carefully consider the value of a limited medical power of attorney for your spouse and/or if you are single, a person or other family member you can implicitly trust.
In any hospital setting, make sure that if you are on an insulin pump that once the procedure is completed and you are recovering that you are allowed to regain control and use of it. But be prepared for those that will not allow you to have or use it.
A check list for hospital care:
1. Entering the hospital with prior knowledge and under doctor ordered request.
- First discuss the situation with your doctor so that together you can plan the course of action you can have control over. Parts of the plan may be out of your control. Your doctor can often make things go smoothly and you should give them a current list of medications.
- For what can be in your control, make sure the doctor can make the staff aware that you are a person with diabetes and request you be allowed to take your medications and do the testing.
- Depending on circumstances, try to be in charge of your own diabetes in the hospital as much as you are able.
- Again attempt to avoid having hospital nurses be the ones to check your numbers and decide how much insulin or medications you should take.
- When you enter the hospital, make sure you can take your supplies in a pouch or other secure container. Also take a notebook to keep all the details written down so that you are able to discuss these things with your doctor.
- If you are unable to do your own testing, secure permission to have a relative preform this.
- In this situation, you may have to rely on the hospital staff.
- Be prepared to communicate (if you are able) to the doctor on duty and/or ask for someone in administration to contact your doctor. Or if you have a travel partner, have them do this if you are unable.
- Do you have anyone that has a limited medical power of attorney that needs to be contacted. This is why you need this information in your wallet or purse.
- This is also when a medical alert tag is important.
- This can be very confusing, because it can be an emergency or you are having a hypoglycemic episode and are arrested and taken to the hospital, and this can depend on many factors.
- You can only hope that you get the right treatment and this should is one reason to wear a medic-alert bracelet or necklace.
- Again, do you have a person with a limited medical power of attorney that needs to be contacted?
- Often this will be in an emergency situation and you may not have any control over your treatment.
- As soon as you are able, make sure you doctor is notified.
- The limited medical power of attorney thing again.
This can be very important for people with diabetes and your doctor will have to clear this and even then sometimes your medications will still be taken away upon entry or at a shift change. So double check that it is made part of your records if possible before admission. If in emergency, then make sure your doctor is somehow notified.
Also make sure before hand (if possible) of the meals you will receive and be prepared to ask for exact carb count and still be prepared to not eat some foods that will send your blood glucose into the stratosphere. Many hospitals have not learned about high fructose corn syrup and low carb or may not even have a dietitian on staff that knows anything about diabetes. Do not rely on many hospitals having a knowledgeable CDE (certified diabetes educator) on staff.
If you are admitted to the hospital through the emergency room, then everything can go haywire and you may not even have your medications or diabetes supplies with you. This is why you should also keep a list of current medications in your wallet or purse. If possible and allowable, have someone bring your medications to you as soon as you can notify them, but they must know that they are not to surrender them. Better for them to return them to your home than lose them to the hospital. Your medications while in the hospital will cost quadruple or often more per pill than if you have them available to you from your supply. I repeat that some hospitals will not allow you to use your own medications or even medicate yourself.
Also as soon as you are able, let your doctor know so that he/she will be able to smooth the way for you to use your own medications. Depending on the hospital rules and some nurses, you may be forced to hide your medications as they will take them from you, not give you a receipt, and in some instances actually dispose of them.
I'm not saying this to take anything away from how well the nurses do their job, but they can be very busy and sometimes they forget to do things that are important, so keep this in mind.
The following are some links to add to what I have written and first one covers some tips that are also important.
Limited medical power of attorney – disclosure statement. While this example is for the state of Texas, some of the principals apply to any medical power of attorney. Any medical power of attorney should be well spelled out and the necessary limits carefully spelled out. Just be careful of the attorneys that want to draw up a durable medical power of attorney.
While there are forms online that are state specific, I am not sure that some of the limited medical power of attorneys can be made to fit. One limit that should be spelled out is that when you are able to resume charge of your care, that the limited power of attorney is mute and not in force again until you again become unable to manage your health.
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