You’ve got to have faith

I took a call from a friend (L) I have not seen in over four years whom I however, speak to several times a year. We went through the obligatory pleasantry of “how have you been”, etc.

While on the phone with L my pump vibrates reminding me to check my blood sugar level, it has already been two hours since my last bolus. I naturally held the phone between my ear and should, pulled out my monitor and without missing a beat, pricked my finger. A squeeze and a little bright red dot settle on the side of my finger. I touch the tip of the strip that I had inserted into my meter, which is now begging for a drink, on the red dot and watch as the dot disappears. I licked the remaining evidence off my finger, within five short second the meter beeps at me; I glanced at the number 5.1mmol (92) and smiled.

“What was that beeping?” L asked? “My blood glucose meter” I responding and went back to talking about my recent NYC trip. Adjoa! L interrupted “Do you still have diabetes?” “Waiting for the cure,” I replied.

My Friend proceeded in telling me that there is already a cure, his mane is Jesus and that I need to find a good bible believing church to become a member of.
He goes on -------->

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” he mumbled adding “the bible says by his strips you are healed” “diabetes, like any illness is just a spirit that needs to be cast out”

“With a little faith, even one as small as a mustard seed, you will be healed”

That was when I told my friend I needed to go.

I really did not have a comeback nor do I know how to respond to something like this.

One World One Hope – Unite for diabetes

I try to work hard on my health knowing that I am lucky. I am also very thankful for the advancements in medical and technology that aid me stay alive and healthy with type 1 diabetes.

Insulin is not a cure, however insulin keeps us alive and healthy. Without insulin, diabetes is a death sentence.

Diabetes is a pain to manage, its like a cruel joke that does not end, a forced marriage that did not take what you want or need into consideration, and a spouse who takes “till death do us part” very seriously. However I am still very lucky, because available to me are all these wonderful tools that enable me to cope.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) knows that not all of us are as lucky, and that diabetes kills more people than it is necessary. A United Nations Resolution on Diabetes has been drafted, when passed will be the first time ever for a non-communicable disease. This will also mandate Governments around the world to establish national policies on the treatment, prevention and care of diabetes within the sustainable development of each Government’s healthcare system.


Go sign and write a message of support for this resolution unite for diabetes

For many people and in many parts of the world a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is still a death sentence today.

O! I really want to get back to ...............

I stopped by my favourite café Caffe Artigiano for a personal Mocha treat, the science of bolusing for said Mocha was perfected during my four-day pump training. I stepped up to the cash register paid, moved to the designated wait area and communicated my bolus to my beloved pump “Pumcy”


Barista guy recognised my personal mug and draw a heart into my Mocha, we exchanged good mornings, have a great day and hope to see you again tomorrow. I took a sip placed the lid of the mug securely on and made my way back to my car.


Ø Mug placed in the cup holder
Ø Wallet returned to it rightful place in my bag
Ø Seatbelt fastened
Ø Hands free earpiece comfortable positioned
Ø Ignition turned on
Ø Turn signal engaged

I had a quite and pleasant drive into work while outlining all I have to accomplish today and came up with the perfect strategy on just how to get it all done. Got to my desk and got right into my work, a friend on the east coast sends me a usual morning email and I quickly reply getting back on schedule. My phone rings, I notice I am a little angry at the unwelcome interruption. On the other end was my friend ----

Friend “Adjoa! Are you OK?”
Me “Yes, just a little busy, can we talk later”
Friend “Sure, but are you sure you’re alright?
Me (angry) “Yes, we will talk later, bye”

I got back to work, angrier than ever, now I am not going to get everything accomplished. “Pumcy” vibrates, reminding me to check my blood sugar, a reminder that I have not done much in the last 1hr30mins. What follows is like second nature now, I licked my finger and my meter said 3.1 (55).

My brain says - needs sugar fast, I grab four glucose tabs and start chewing. I reached for my mug and it is still full, I wash the glucose tabs down with my Mocha. As I slowly get back to live and to reality.

After the rain the sun... it’s a beaut here!

I hate the gym with a passion, I try my hardest not to go to the gym, so naturally I have been bummed out by how unusually stormy it has been in Vancouver lately. Last night I come up with the brilliant ideal of running up and down our 12 stories apartment building stairs for a workout.

First of all I do not like “climbing” of any kind I would rather walk an extra mile to get to point “A” than climb a little hill to get there. Secondly I do not think I get the same workout on a treadmill as I do outdoor.

Delusional? Whatever, I live in my own special world anyway.

My stairs workout, while good did not meet the goal I set for myself, my sister ended up laughing so hard at my initial goal as she asked – You just said “up and down 10times” just for my sake right? This was after the fifth set when I was huffing and puffing with complains of my legs shaking.

This afternoon, the clouds parted a bit, the sun is fighting to shine and my spirit is lifted, I am in love with my city again. I cannot wait to get off work, and then I remembered I am set to meet these two Internet buds at an event this afternoon an indoor event :-)

Sorry guys, I know I am being selfish since you both have to be at this event and I don’t but I would rather go out running.

My mental health and my diabetes really need me to run outdoors the way God intended me to run. Besides just take a look at how beautiful the neighbourhood is when it is not raining who can resist.

Hope you understand since “they” are calling for storms again.

Brothers and Sisters and Diabetes

Currently my favourite TV show is Brothers and Sisters, it airs on ABC Sundays at 9pm.

The show is about a multi-generation family that work to balance their personal life and work life. Sounds familiar?

If you have never seen the show the first episode started off with an “idyllic family”, having a party during which the father has a heart attack and dies. The heart attack was witness by his granddaughter.

After the father’s death the family was force to face new realities, discovering that their idyllic family was just a façade under which laid secrets that will either tear the family apart or bring them closer together. There are many levels and many interesting stories woven into the show. One storyline I find myself captivated by is about the granddaughter.

The stress of witnessing her granddad’s heart attack and subsequently his death brought on her type 1 diabetes. The writers so far, do a great job in just weaving the diabetes storyline into the show just as we diabetics weave diabetes into our life.

Last night’s episode had a scene where the little girls mom administers her night time insulin and the girl says something about when she gets well. With a heavy heart her mother tells her she will always have diabetes. The scene brought tear to my eyes knowing that my own mother must have felt this way and still feels this way.

I was a little disappointed that there was no promise of a cure. But I could see how the mother did not want to make a promise that was not within her control.