No More Veganism

This has been a very eventful week regarding my health.

HYPOTHYROIDISM
The tempest began with a visit to my favorite endocrinologist who told me my thyroid has more or less failed and therefore prescribed a daily dose of thyroid hormone to take orally every morning. We guessed on the dosage, she said she could start me super low (.25) but was pretty sure I'd eventually need more (.5 or .75). I told her she might as well give me the bigger dose already (bigger relatively, some people take up to 3mg I think) and so I've started on .5mg of Levothyroxine every morning. As she suspected taking this pill had pretty visible affects in my energy and mood. I found myself able to survive a whole day of rehearsals and shows without the usual moodiness, at least for the first day or two. By the third day, however, I found myself feeling a bit dodgy again. I'd find myself getting lightheaded whenever I stood up too fast, my muscles felt achy just from climbing stairs, I felt weak and then late at night I started feeling very nauseous, which is a sign of...

ADDISON'S DISEASE
My endocrinologist warned me that taking the thyroid pill, though necessary, may speed up the progression of the Addison's disease which has been present in each of the blood tests I've done over the last several months. Up until now, however, my adrenal function has remained fairly normal considering the insane amount of antibodies present in my blood. But inexplicable nausea (especially considering my blood sugar was fine) was a big red flag for me. She said if I experienced any such symptoms to immediately take an oral hydrocortisone pill. I did, and almost immediately my nausea went away and my energy returned in force (along with an abundantly good mood I left somewhere in last September).

 (did you know that when you have both Hashimoto Thyroiditis and Addison's disease it's called Schmidt syndrome?)

What does this have to do with veganism???

Well, to quote wikipedia:

"To form cortisol, the adrenal gland requires cholesterol."  

Cholesterol comes from animal products. My adrenal gland isn't dead, it's just not working very well, and I'm not helping it by starving it to death.

"You need to start eating meat again."
"Okay."

So my 40 or so days of veganism has come to an end. I've had fish thrice, yogurt twice, and a half a chicken since the appointment (the chicken made me a bit ill). I won't forget what I learned though... although I may save it for another post.

The past few days:

April 10, 2012 - First day of Thyroid pills
9:30 -> 142 Way to f***ing high! Took 2P and 2N w/cereal 140c, chips 10c, banana 27c. Took thyroid pill at 1:00. At 3:00 had Larabar 26c.
4:34 -> 108 Had apple then went on 2 mile run (knee hurt) then took 4P w/ CHIPOTLE burrito bowl 110c.
6:54 -> 112 This is good! It means the Prandin is still doing something despite my C-Peptite being at an all time low of .48 during my most recent blood test. At 8:30 had grapefruit 25c and peanuts 5c.
10:55 -> 66 Took 1P and 2N w/greens 18c, squash 30c, salad 30c, yams 90c and Juice 24c.
3:42 -> 186 Poor planning of my meal, I drank the juice because I felt low because the yams hadn't finished cooking yet. Took 5L.

April 11, 2012
11:06 -> 100 Better. Took 2P and 1N w/cereal 140c, pb toast 19c.
4:52 -> 63 Took 4P w/ Black Eyed Peas and kale 180c, then apple 18c, kiwi 10c, pumpkin seeds and peanuts 8c. At 9:30 had apple 18c.
12:25 -> 63 Took 3N w/salad 30c, squash 40c, yams 60c, carrots 30c, potato 40c and just about exploded from a stupid amount of starchy foods.
4:00 -> 140 Took 5L.

April 12, 2012 - First day of Hydrocortizone
10:37 -> 95 Took 2P and 1N w/cereal 140c, apple 18c. At 2:30 had Larabar 331c and grapefruit 24c.
5:17 -> 70 Took 3P w/brussels sprouts 18c, rice 40c, fish, apple 18c, peanuts and pumpkin seeds 10c, apple 18c and kiwi 20c.
12:15 -> 89 Feel weak and nauseous, took a hydrocortizone and 2N w/dumplings 100c, b sprouts 25c and salad 20c.
5:45 -> 102 (don't judge me) Took 5L w/carrot 8c.

April 13, 2012
12:35 -> 98 Good, consistent. One more # like this and I'll go up to 6L at night. Took 2P w/cereal 130c, then apple 18c then kiwi 10c.
4:55 -> 72 Took 1P w/PUR-BIRD 1/2 chicken 5c and roasted cauliflower 15c, pb and banana 58c and two homemade gluten free bacon bourbon chocolate chip cookies 37c.
12:25 -> 89 Took 1P and 1N w/ indian veg 20c, quinoa 60c and kale 6c.
2:25 -> 114 Pretty dang good, had a carrot 8c and took 5L.

Day 115

The Honeymoon is Over?

When I was first diagnosed in December of 2011, I was warned that I would, for the next few weeks or months (or even a year) experience what is commonly called the "honeymoon period." This is a time before T cells have destroyed all insulin producing pancreatic tissue and so your sugar highs and lows, spikes and drops have a buffer zone produced by your failing organ. I was warned, I was. And yet when I experienced some early success with some dietary alterations and regular exercise regimens I allowed my budding hope to harvest within me, dreaming of some diabetic fairytale where I use positivity and vegetables to send this life long auto-immune disease into remission. I was even off the insulin for a little over a week!

But the time bomb that was my flailing pancreas kept ticking towards an inevitable downfall. And though there is still some trace of function in my pancreas I've been increasing insulin dosage almost daily for the past week.

So here are a lot of numbers since I went MIA. Pay careful attention to the meds/insulin I take and watch as they increase:

March 30, 2012
12:00 -> 98 Still too high for the morning. Took 2P w/ cereal 120c, orange 15c, 1/2 banana 12c, peanuts 4c.
4:52 -> 111 Took 3P w/ pb and 1/2 banana 43c, pea soup 100c, pepper 8c, grapefruit 24c, apple 25c, pumpkin seeds 7c.
11:56 -> 71 Took 2P w/ salad 40c and took 1 unit of Novolog w/ 2 yams 55c, tortilla chips 20c, brussels sprouts and fennel 45c.
2:42 -> 127 Took 4 units Lantus w/ 2 cookies 19c.

March 31, 2012
11:09 -> 86 Good, 80s! Took 2P w/cereal 120c, apple 35c. At 3:30 had 2 oranges 32c and pumpkin seeds 6c.
5:27 -> 64 Low Took 3P w/ Whole Foods: sprouts 4c, cauliflower 5c, beans 100c, potatoes 30c, mango 30c, rice 25c, seaweed 5c = 200c + cookes 26c, fake coffee 4c, grapefruit 25c, more pumpkin seeds 6c.
12:04 -> 59 Tortilla chips 10c then 2P w/salad 45c and yams 70c.
2:38 -> 157 That's exactly where I want to be. Took 4 units Lantus.


April 1, 2012
10:37 -> 84 Great! Took 2P w/cereal 120c, 4 mile run, apple 35c, pb toast 16c, cake 40c, orange 15c.
6:50 -> 80 Took 2P w/SOU-EN ramen 55c and cornbread 50c and 1/2 SUN IN BLOOM cookie sandwich 40c, chips and hummus 10c, strawberries 27c, fries 5c, 2 shots of Fernet Branca.
2:31 -> 58 Larabar 31c, 1 Prandin w/salad 50c.
4:06 -> 83 Took 4 units Lantus w/ pb banana 50c.

April 2, 2012
10:53 -> 113 High, the alcohol processes slowly, and the 4am sandwich was too much. Took 2 P w/cereal 120c, apple 40c, Larabar 27c.
8:43 -> 70 Took 2P w/16 oysters, 3 oz salmon, potatoes 100c, spinach 14c, salad 7c, tomatoes 8c, asparagus 4c, 1 glass of wine.
1:04 -> 150 Took 4 units of Lantus.

April 3, 2012
10:33 -> 96 Higher than I'd like. Took 2P w/cereal 120c.
2:19 -> 164 No good! Took 2P AND injected 2 units of Novolog w/quinoa 60c, chickpeas 35c, grapefruit 25c, squash and cabbage 50c, sweet potatoes 40c, seaweed 5c, cookie 9c.
4:35 -> 41 Woops, overdid the meds. Had 2 bananas 60c, cookies 20c, pumpkin seeds 5c, bread w/hummus 18c and orange 17c.
10:54 -> 111 Took 2P w/salad 45c, greens 5c, 2 kiwis 20c, apple 20c.
2:37 -> 167 Took 4 units of Lantus.

April 4, 2012
10:39 -> 111 Too high for fasting level. Took 2P and 1N w/cereal 120c, grapefruit 24c, apple 18c, pb bread 22c, kiwi 10c.
4:41 -> 105 Not bad. Took 3P w/salad 40c and soup 40c, apple 20c, pb banana 58c.
7:41 -> 113 A tad low for Pre-Joey. Had grape leaves 47c. At intermission had kiwi 10c and pumpkin seeds 5c.
11:52 -> 132 Overdid it earlier I guess. Took 1P and 2N w/(rice 105c, beans 67c, chorizo 13c, salsa 10c, avocado 15c, fake cheese 2c, kale 5c) x 2/3 =140c + salad 25c, chips 15c, more kale 10c.
2:36 -> 96 Had grapefruit 24c with 4L.

April 5, 2012
11:04 -> 65 A little low. Took 2P and 1N w/cereal 125c, apple 18c, apple 18c, kiwi 10c, grapefruit 24c, pumpkin seeds 4c, Larabar 31c.
5:00 -> 95 Apple 25c, 6.2 mile run (46 minutes) Gu 25c.
6:49 -> 94 Nice! Took 2P w/yams 50c, cabbage and squash 60c, pb and j 38c, 2 kiwis 20c, pumpkin seeds 5c. At intermission had a grapefruit 25c.
1:00 -> 83 Took 1P and 2N w/spring roll 20c, Momma made casserole 200c.
3:26 -> 187 Took 4L

April 6, 2012
11:44 -> 61 One more low day and I'm going to decrease the Lantus. Took 2P w/cereal 110c, apple 25c, Larabar 27c.
5:24 -> 95 Took 3P w/SOUEN rice 45c and pesto veg 30C, dessert 45c, apple 38c, p seeds/hummus/peanuts 12c. At intermission pb and j 38c.
11:58 -> 93 Took 1P and 2N w/salad 52c, casserol 150c.
2:30 -> 85 Had 2 kiwis 20c, soy ice cream 20c and 4L.

April 7, 2012
10:51 -> 88 Good! Took 3P w/cereal 125c, apple 30c, grapefruit 24c, pumpkin seeds 4c.
4:52 -> 91 Took 2P w/rice 70c, beans 25c, fake cheese 2c, salad 40c, apple 18c, potatoes 60c, salad 10c, horoset 45c.
7:46 -> 140 Good Pre-Joey number. At intermission had pb and j 38c.
11:52 -> 136 Had 1P and 1N w/ brussel sprouts 18c, lentil soup 38c, pepper 6c, fennel 14c.
2:44 -> 106 Took 4 units with Lantus w/ mango piece 10c.

April 8, 2012
12:05 -> 108 Too high again. Took 2P and 1N w/cereal 130c, grapefruit 25c, gluten free muffin 35c, apple 35c.
6:51 -> 66 Not bad, took 3P w/ MAOZ falafel salad 225c, chips and macaroon 20c.
12:02 -> 136 Took 2P and 1N w/salad 30c, apple 40c, 2 kiwis 20c, green beans 8c = 98c.
2:38 -> 156 Woah, why so high? That's a big number after 2P and 1N. Took 4L.

April 9, 2012
10:56 -> 101 Too dang high! Tonight I take 5L. Took 2P and 2N w/cereal 140c, 2 apples 36c, Larabar 31c.
5:59 -> 55 Cookie 9c, coconut juice 16c, collard greens 18c. Then took 1P and 3N w/kurobata squash 45c, roast carrots 70c, potatoes 50c, Black Eyed Peas 45c.
8:42 -> 52 Corrected with a cookie 9c, black eyed peas 20c and an apple 18c.
11:29 -> 195 Over-corrected much? Ugh! Took 2P and 2N w/brussel sprouts 18c, BEPs w/kale 80c, 2 pieces of toast 60c.
2:07 -> 117 I'm appreciative of this good number. I'll have a kiwi 10c and then take 5 units Lantus. I should be fine with that since I haven't been active all day.

So over the time I'm showing you I've gone from 5 units of insulin per day to 11 units per day, and my Prandin dosage has stayed about the same. I've had 2 highs and 7 lows. When the diabetes progresses I always jump to errors I might have made first. Is it that I've become lax with the veganism? Is it that I don't workout daily but instead to huge cardio workouts once or twice a week? Am I getting lazy with my carb counting? Or...

...is the Honeymoon coming to an end?

Tomorrow I see Dr. Thys. I have some questions for her.

Day 111

100 Days of Diabetes!

In honor of my 100th day with diabetes I wanted to share the story of another man to whom the number 100 is quite important:

100 Things

Here's a short description of who he is and what he's doing taken from his website:

"Everyone has at least one thing they have to do before they die. Some even have a list. But how many goals and dreams on this list are actually achieved?

In 2009, at the ripe-old age of 27, Sebastian realized that like most people, he has not achieved anything on his long-forgotten list.?? The death of a close friend combined with a naturally abstract view on life sparks a moment of clarity. In the midst of overseas trip, Sebastian decides to put pen to paper and re-create a list of 100 Things. His goal, to tick off everything. It’s the start of a crazy, no holds barred adventure that sees Sebastian travel to the ends of the earth on a quest to prove that anything is possible, including true fulfillment.

Along the way, Sebastian strives to raise $100,000 for Camp Quality (Item # 4), a great organization creating happiness for children and families affected by cancer."

I am truly inspired by this man's commitment to really living fully. And he asks a great question: What's your 100 list consist of?

Dailies:

12:28 -> 107 Took 2 Prandin and 1 unit of Novolog (because my number was over 100) w/cereal 120c, pb and banana 47c, apple 20c, apple 25c. Ran 6.5 miles!!
5:52 -> 58 Low because of the run. Took 3 P w/pea soup 100c, salad 30c, grapefruit 24c, orange 18c, apple 18c, 2 cookies 35c, Larabar 31c.
11:42 -> 70 Had Larabar 31c, potato wedge 9c.
4:19 -> 99 Took 3 units Lantus and had apple 25c.

Day 100

Blue Zones

If you ever catch me talking about what started me down my exploration of wellness then you've probably heard about the Blue Zones. I started working out around the age of 15 when I discovered crew. But it wasn't until five years later when I learned about the other aspects of wellness. You see, the recipe for living forever isn't just eating right and exercise. It's more comprehensive than that, it encompasses your entire lifestyle and includes things you may not expect. But don't take my word from it. These lessons were learned from centenarians around the world.

The idea of "Blue Zones" started when National Geographic writer Dan Buetner decided to write an article about a region of Sardinia with unnaturally high occurrences of longevity. After going there he was overwhelmed by just how true this claim was. Not only were people living longer, but they were living healthier. Many of the people he witnessed showed the mental and physical capacity of people 20 years their junior. After the article was published more and more of these "Blue Zones" (areas he circled on a map with a blue pen... the name stuck) started popping up. One in Okinawa, Japan; one in Ikaria, Greece; Another in Costa Rica; One surprisingly in Loma Linda, California.

I followed his progress and was equally awestruck. It changed the way i thought about health and wellness, and made me reexamine my life goals.

Since then I've wandered away from the study, found other books, discovered new philosophies, listened to people, experts, friends, etc. Then Diabetes and the rest hit me and I've been a bit lost in the midst of it all. But over dinner the other night the topic came up and I was happy to share what I remembered of this study. I wanted a visual example and went online to show the videos of their progress in Greece and found...

... there were now videos documenting some of their research in Japan and Costa Rica too!! I'll give you one guess how I spent the next hour. Just seeing the vitality in those centenarians thrills me to no end. I hope that others are as affected as I am by this fascinating exploration of lifestyle.

Dailies:

10:43 -> 78 Took 2 Prandin w/cereal 120c, apple 15c, pumpkin seeds 4c, cookie 18c.
1:54 -> 210 Too high... may be time to get back on Novolog. The Prandin just isn't working fast enough to avoid these highs. Had an orange 14c at 3:20.
4:53 -> 67 Well, at least it works. Took 3 P w/black eyed peas 115c, salad 30c, apple 23c, orange 14c, grapefruit 25c. At 9:30 had cookie 18c. At 11:30 had a glass of white wine.
12:56 -> 73 Had 1 Prandin with brussel sprouts 20c, chips w/salsa 20c, apple sauce 10c, and yellow pepper 7c.
3:03 -> 108 Took 3 units of Lantus with a piece of toast w/pb 15c.

Tomorrow I get more blood work done. If the C Peptide is lower I'll go back to insulin. If the Thyroid hormone is lower I'll start taking supplemental hormones. Either way knowledge is the path to balance.

Day 99

Running and Smiling

Anybody who's read Born to Run may remember an interesting study done which demonstrated a link between the speed and cardiovascular capacity of a runner and his/her emotional state. In other words you can run faster and longer when you're happy. Surprised? I probably was a bit myself the first time I came across this info. But you shouldn't be. In fact, nothing makes better sense. Time flies (and so do you!) when you're having fun. Everything becomes better when you're in a positive state of mind. Happy children learn more in school. Happy people live longer. Happy athletes perform better.

So I woke up today and knew that part of the slump I had been in for a few days was caused in part by lack of physical activity. Here I am at the physical peak of my life and just sitting around for several consecutive days. What a waste. And even though lethargy is addictive, so is exercise. All it takes is that first plunge.

I donned a wool undershirt and some shorts, pulled a beanie over my ears and set out to loop the park. A short and rapid stride seemed to come naturally so I unleashed my legs and started off at a pretty quick pace. As I began to tire about two miles in I realized my mind was going through this endless cycle of dread. Dreading the pain of running, the hill coming up, a potential sugar high or low, the stiffness of cold hands, etc. How lame!!

Then I forced myself to smile. And just that simple act, a forced smile caused my gaze to rise from the ground in front of me to the nature around me. Instead of the cold on my hands I felt the warmth on my face. Instead of feeling the pain in my joints I felt the pleasure in my muscles. And as quickly as it took for those facial muscles to contract, life became good again.

Dailies:

12:01 -> 86 Love it! 80s! Took 2 Prandin w/cereal 120c. Went for a 4.5 mile run.
3:34 -> 93 Kinda sorta hoped to be lower, but the number's actually good. Took 3 Prandin w/black beans 67c, tortillas 33c, quinoa 60c, salsa 14c, kale 3c, seaweed 15c, apple sauce 15c. Later had a cookie 18c (good lord it was good!), apple 30c, another cookie (did I mention how good they were?). At 10:20 i felt LOW so had a Larabar 31c.
11:54 -> 103 Took 2 Prandin w/dinner: Mache salad 20c, chick pea/beet/carrot salad 45c, grapefruit 25c, 1 cup lentil soup 25c.
2:18 -> 199 A bit high, but I only just finished eating the grapefruit. I'll take 3 units of Lantus tonight because I ran today and have a busy day tomorrow and don't want to risk lows.

As a side note: I never felt any depression today. Thanks exercise!

Day 98

Blaisé Day

Today was a day spent in the wake of wonderful plans gone awry. I woke up to a phone call of cancelled plans, then again to the alarm I forgot to turn off, then again to a phone call confirming a doctors appointment. By the time I finally got out of bed I didn't feel rested at all, but couldn't stand wasting any more time under covers.

My day progressed with some small victories in the way of productivity. I visited a new place in Brooklyn, got a small amount of exercise, and had dinner with friends.

I'm in a bit of a slump right now. Part of it may be the thyroid problem, part of it... who knows. But there are definitely actions I can take to get out. For starters I need to start working out again, it always makes me feel better and makes both my insulin sensitivity and my sensitivity to the pill Prandin increase which means more food. Second I need to free my mind from those burdens I can including things like taxes, scheduling blood work, going to a dentist, researching apartments for May, etc. Finally, my general mood would probably improve if I started taking a little bit of bolus insulin more regularly (or at least started checking and measuring my spikes two hours after eating) because I'm spending a greater and greater part of the day slightly hungry.

I'll work towards all three of those tomorrow.

Dailies:

10:31 -> 94 Really quite a good number, although with three units the night before I had hoped for 80s. Took 2 Prandin with cereal 120c, then went to Greenwood cemetery and walked around. Around 1:00 I had a protein bar 27c.
2:15 -> 111 Not bad. Took 2 Prandin with salad 10c, eggplant 15c, hummus 25c, fries 60c, dips and tomatoes 20c at MIRIAM restaurant.
4:21 -> 80 Took 1 Prandin with carrots 21c, zucchini 14c and brussels sprouts 20c.
9:37 -> 102 Took 2 Prandin with black eyed peas w/kale 75c, beet/carrot/chick pea salad 30c, 18 crackers with avocado and sardines (yes, I broke the veganism) 60c. At 1:40 had a cookie 10c.
2:43 -> 156 This number upsets me a bit, although it's probably just a result of the 10c cookie. I only had about 2000 calories of carbs and probably no more than 2500 calories total. No wonder I'm hungry. Took 4 units of Lantus tonight, and had an apple 15c. I don't expect any nighttime lows.

Much of my evening was spent discussing the various merits of different nutritional techniques, indigenous diets, etc. Over the past three weeks I've often professed in person to being a "non-anal" vegan. There have occasionally been a bit of egg or some milk in prepared foods I've enjoyed. I've never had animal products on their own though until tonight. I had a very small amount (3 oz at most) of sardines. My veganism (or near-veganism) is for health not moral reasons and 3 oz of small cold-water fish will in no way undo the positive affects of my past 3 week diet. Regardless, tomorrow I'm back on the wagon.

Day 97

Hypothyroidism

The newest condition I've added to my collection. They came as part of a package deal. Get one, the other three are complimentary. Even though I haven't been officially diagnosed, my endocrinologist insinuated that there was little doubt when last we spoke on the phone. My TH levels were low, my thyroid was underproducing. The only thing keeping me from an official diagnosis is another set of blood tests and a $400 in person evaluation.

I have no doubt of my condition however, I've been feeling the symptoms daily for over a week. The symptoms in some ways are worse than the symptoms I experienced with diabetes... in some ways.

For over a week now my mood has been much like the weather in Hawaii. The morning starts perfectly, another day in paradise. The sun is bright, the water warm, people are outside, life is good. Then sometime around lunch usually, sometime a bit earlier, sometime a bit later, the clouds roll in consuming the whole archipelago in torrential rainfall, the sun disappears almost completely, and even though it only lasts an hour or less, and even though you know that the sun will return again, for that period in the darkness, you wonder how you've made it this far and how in hell you can possibly make it through to the other side of the storm.

And I know it's chemical. I can almost feel that it's chemical. I have no reasons to be in daily anguish. Frustrated from time to time, sure, maybe even bored, occasionally fatigued, angry at situations or peeved by circumstances, but weak and ill and despairing to the point of wanting to cry?? Nothing in my life adds up to those emotions, and yet they return almost daily, triggered by the most inconsequential of things.

I feel like a small business owner under the repressive finger of a mob run protection racket, harassed and assaulted daily, and spending the rest of the time living in fear of the next visit, haunted by the memory of the last. My will-power and body awareness serve like a broken shield and rusted armor against the attack. I'm reminded of what I long thought was the MacMillan crest, a man with broken sword fighting off his enemies (turns out the sword was only broken on our crest).

I've chosen to write from a place of happiness to be as fair as possible to my experience. Anything I write during my afflicted hour would sound more like a Sylvia Plath poem than an original of mine. But this shouldn't last. Later this week I'll have my second blood test and a week later I'll see the doctor for the inevitable results and will likely start medication that night or the following morning.

And a glorious side affect of the medication is increased energy! (or one of the symptoms it alleviates is lethargy) Which means that once I start taking thyroid hormones orally I'll also start running several times per week.

Dailies:

12:01 -> 105 Took 2 Prandin with cereal 120c (coconut yogurt is higher in carbs than soy), apple 35c, fake coffee 5c, peanuts and pumpkin seeds 6c. At 4:30 Larabar 27c. At 6:30 another 24c.
8:07 -> 71 Took 3 Prandin at 8:40 with dinner of brussel sprouts 20c, portabello mushroom 4c, celeriac 30c, cabbage 35c, quinoa 60c, yam 50c.
12:23 -> 245 Dang it! Waiting so long to eat made me super hungry although a mere 190 carbs shouldn't really be a problem for 3 pills. I decided to take 1 unit of Novolog so that i could finish the yam 50c and have a small salad 30c without going any higher. I also took 3 units of Lantus in anticipation of a weird day tomorrow. If I'm lower than 140 when next I check I'll have another mini snack. Feels good to be full, thank you bolus insulin.
2:21 -> 218 Well... still high, but going down a little. If this keeps up I may have to relearn my carb: insulin ratio. I guess I'll go to bed sans snack and trust that 3 units of Lantus will put me in the sweet spot come tomorrow early. Why early? Oh yeah... 'cause this playah is rollin' to the Hamptons tomorrow! Hollah!!! Although this idiot will rely solely on Prandin and fasting to keep my blood sugar in a good range until Tuesday night.


Day 96

Refrigerating Insulin

I ran ever so slightly high all day today. I never once dipped below 100. That, plus a fasting sugar level of >120 for the second day in a row has encouraged me to take some insulin. I'm going to take 2 units of Lantus.

Now taking 2 units of Lantus and checking for air bubbles with 2 units as directed would mean that of 250ml of insulin I'd only end up using about a fifth, and at the going rate of insulin these days that's a mighty big waste of money. So I went to the web, and did a little digging, and based on what I found I'm going to take the following course of action.

For starters I won't check for air bubbles with 2 units. I'll check with one unit at a time until an actual bead of insulin pushes through the needle. Second, I'm going to keep the insulin in the refrigerator and only take it out for long enough to inject, after which I'll return it to the frige. If at any point the insulin becomes cloudy, lumpy or changes colors I will dispose of it immediately. However, if the insulin stays clear and colorless I will continue to use it until it is empty. I'll keep you posted on the results.

Dailies:

11:12 -> 122 That's two days in a row of waking up a little high. Took 2 prandin with cereal 110c. Then over the next few hours, apple 50c, and pumpkin seeds 5c, mandarin orange 9c and bell pepper 8c.
5:04 -> 110 Took 2 Prandin with chili 80c, chips 18c, salad 30c, hummus 15c, grapefruit 25c, pb & banana 55c.
8:14 -> 145 That's a good number to start Joey. had an apple 15c and pumpkin seeds 5c at intermission.
12:50 -> 104 Took 2 Prandin with brussels sprouts 18c, okra 18c, butternut squash 60c, seaweed 6c, nutritional yeast 4c.
3:30 -> 187 Going to bed on this number, glad I decided to take 2 units of Lantus. Let's hope I sleep restfully through the night and wake up between 80-100.

Day 94

Goal: Becoming a Diabetic Leader

I want to make this operation bigger. I've been looking on Craigslist, JDSU websites, meetup.com and I can't really find the type of thing I'm looking for. I know there are bad diabetics out there. I hear about them all the time. And this pains me more than a cold injection into muscle tissue... or at least it pains me equally.

I want to find a way to get in contact with them and convince/teach them how to be better. My diabetic nurse sort of does this, but she has the restrictions of having to say certain things for legal reasons (such as change your insulin after 28 days). Certain individuals have maintained rigid glucose control since the dawn of insulin in the 1920s. Why then are people still showing up to the hospital with A1Cs in the teens, months or years after their original diagnosis?



Dailies:

9:40 -> 121 Don't get used to this time of day, I was just meeting a friend for b-fast which I ate at 11:00. Took 2 Prandin with vegan/gluten free lasagne. Not bad, but it was certainly over priced for what you got. About 80c and an apple 15c.
2:06 -> 119 Took 1 Prandin with a glorious Cameo apple 30c and my leftover swiss chard with squash 60c.
6:22 -> 71 Took 2 Prandin with lentil soup with rice 110c, grapefruit 25c, pb and banana bagel 50c, apple 30c, salad 20c, bread with hummus 20c.
9:54 -> 89 I only checked because I assumed I'd be high after 255 carbs, but this is a great number. Had a cookie 17c.
1:05 -> 65 Dang, and they tell me I'm not producing insulin. Had a salad (rocket, cucumber, tomato, avocado, onion, balsamic, soy chorizo) 45c.


Got some Vitamin D the old fashioned way today, and have a lobster red patch the size of a bear paw on my left arm.

Day 93

A Wake Up Call

Literally, five minutes before my alarm was scheduled to go off I received a phone call from my Diabetic Nurse, Linda. Her motherly voice showed no signs of resentment after I absentmindedly stood her up last week. We had scheduled an appointment two months in advance, and life caught up with me. No hard feelings though.

She wanted to check in, and since she hadn't received the news of my most recent blood work I was able to witness her organic reactions. We hadn't talked in so long that it was the first she had heard about me giving up daily insulin injections. I explained the reasons surrounding my decision, the middle of the night crashes and she supported my decision. But then I gave her the news of my new C-Peptide levels* and she, like Dr. Thys, encouraged me to be prudent in watching my sugar levels, and if they started creeping up to start back on daily injections of Lantus but at very low doses (2 units probably).

I was sure she would be thrilled to find out my A1C was 6.1%, but was mistaken. She saw this number as evidence that i was experiencing too many lows (I was) and would rather see me at about 6.5% she said. Towards the end of the conversation she cracked a joke at how obsessive I was about my control and we both had a good laugh. At least she's starting to get to know me!

I didn't tell her about my cholesterol which I mistakenly quoted as having dropped from 170-136 in my last post. It actually dropped to 126. My triglycerides were 51. Those are some healthy arteries.

When I hung up I went to check my sugar levels fully expecting to be as high or higher than the day before. After all my C Peptide is back at .53 which is super low. Surely Prandin alone can't encourage enough insulin production for somebody with my appetite... or can it?

Dailies:

11:40 -> 83 Woah! Back in the money! Took 2 Prandin with c ereal 110c, apple 15c, orange 20c, pumpkin seeds 6c. At 3:30 had bread with hummus 18c, and a clementine 9c.
4:50 -> 95 Great! Took 2 Prandin with dinner of Black Eyed Peas with kale 105c, grapefruit 25c, orange 20c, bagel with peanut butter and banana 54c, grapefruit 25c, blueberries 19c.
11:36 -> 76 Took 2 Prandin with black bean pasta 64c, indian eggplant 26c, chard and squash 15c.
1:55 -> 98 Dang! That's a day of freakin' great numbers and I never felt hungry either. Had 30c more of the squash swiss chard mix to give me a little boost for the night.

With numbers like these I don't think I'll be back on the insulin soon. But my C Peptide is low. So how is this possible? Wanna hear my theory? Sure you do.

I am (very wishfully) thinking that perhaps due to my high level of activity and my very healthy and fiberful diet maybe I just don't need as much insulin as other people. There is a range after all, from about .8 to about 3.2. If you're >3.2 then that's pre-diabetic for Type 2 meaning that you produce tons of insulin but don't use it efficiently. Isn't it possible then that somebody who's low is actually just very efficient? I mean, I didn't test above 100 once today. And I ate almost 600 carbs today with only 3mg total of Prandin. What would more insulin do to me?

Anyway, I go in for more tests in a week. But in the meantime I'm very pleased with my most recent blood work numbers.

Day 92

Blood Work: Part 4

I got my blood results today. This is the fourth time I've had blood work done. The first time was with my initial visit to the doctor. The second time only a few weeks later. The third was six weeks after that, and the fourth (most recent) was last week, three months from my initial diagnosis. There's no point in building suspense, I have to take the numbers and the results as a quarterly check in, to see how I'm doing. As always seems to be the case there was some good news and some bad news. The good news was good, the bad news... well, you'll see. (I'm recording these from memory, when I get a copy of the blood work I'll copy edit to make sure all numbers are accurate.)

GOOD NEWS:
Hemoglobin A1C: 6.1% This is amazing news. If I can maintain this number for life it is unlikely that I'll ever experience diabetic complications. Other than a freak high or low, complications are the biggest fear/concern (or should be) of all diabetics. A 6.1% A1C means that my average blood sugar level is about a 126.

Total Cholesterol: 126 Also amazing news. Cholesterol levels are a great indicator of heart and artery health. Even a level of 150, though well below the acceptable level as stated by the American Heart Association of 210, has been shown to increase your chance of heart disease. When I first got tested I was a 170, which is a good number for an American, but a bad number for a diabetic who is determined to live a long healthy life. A 126 on the other hand is amazing! I have to attribute this to my new dietary choices.

BAD NEWS:
C-Peptide: .53 This number will continue to fluctuate, a symptom of type 1.5 diabetes, and one of the biggest challenges I'll face in the next few months/years. The number indicates how much insulin my own body is producing. As this number increases so does my natural insulin production making my blood sugar more stable. As this number goes down (.5 is low) I'll be prone to higher and higher blood sugar levels. In response to this number my doctor put the responsibility of treatment in my hands. In her own words she reminded me that I knew how the Lantus and Novolog and Prandin worked, and to search for a balance with any combination I felt appropriate.

TH: Low. I forget the actual number, but this represents the hormone produced by the Thyroid. Mine is hardly producing at all. I am now the proud new recipient of hypothyroidism (more on that later). She's going to give me two weeks and then have me repeat this blood test. If the results stay the same or get worse I'll have yet another pill...to take daily...for the rest of my life.

So the good news is after a mere 3 months, the things that are in my power to control have been controlled. I've virtually disease proofed myself against a host of complications, and proved to myself that I'm smart enough, willful enough and strong enough to do that.

The bad news is that for the unforeseen future I'm shooting at a moving target when it comes to blood sugar regulation. I'll have to be flexible and alert. And the next few weeks may be rough. Hypothyroidism can cause sluggishness, fatigue, depression, etc. I fear a weekend trip to the Hamptons is only a temporary fix.

Dailies:

11:30 -> 138 That's the highest fasting level I've had since February 4th, not a great sign. Took 2 Prandin with cereal 110c. Walked several miles.
2:44 -> 123 That's better, I guess I'm still producing some insulin. Took 3 Prandin with black eyed peas 100c, apple 30c, clementine 9c, grapefruit 26c, lentils 20c. At 6:00 had bagel with pb & banana 55c
6:50 -> 117 Woah! Awesome, that right after having a bagel too! Had a piece of bread with hummus 20c. Performing as Joey. At 8:30 I had a cupcake 12c, pumpkin seeds 6c, and bread with jam 16c. At 12:00 I had a shot of tequila and a Larabar 26c.
1:54 -> 105 Great! Took 2 Prandin with salad 30c and brussel sprouts with cabbage 30c. If I'm above 150 before bed I'll take 2 units of Lantus with a little snack.
3:21 -> 104 Wow! Looks like the Prandin is still working today. I'll have an orange 20c and some blueberries 16c and go to bed.

Day 91

Black Eyed Peas (and bike ride!)

And there are many reasons why.

In anticipation of getting an early morning phone call to go shopping at the Park Slope Food Coop (best produce in the city) I went to bed early the previous night. I explored my neighborhood before 11:00 (when I usually wake up) and found the energy tangible. I also stopped to get a few more vegan flavor enhancers: miso, kombu, dried mushrooms (soon I'll add nutritional yeast to my arsenal as well!).

I got several errands done before noon, before settling down to watch a film. When 2:00 rolled around and I realized that I had been stood up by my workout partner I decided the day was too good to waste indoors and so I took my gorgeous 20 year old Trek 1000 "Sea Way" out for a spin. I started by coasting down the hill, then took a right when I hit a red. This eventually lead me to a bridge, which I crossed, and then was spit out at the hudson river, so I turned north and started pedaling stopping once to pee and drink some water but otherwise just chugging along in t-shirt and shorts with the full force of an abnormally radiant March sun carrying me along. Couples were making out on the green, old men were fishing, children were wobbling along on their scooters and everybody was happy and grateful to be outside in 70 degree weather for the first time all year. Even the cherry blossoms had begun to bloom, explosions of pink as if from a fairy that just vanished. I felt as if I was running from sun and chasing speed. It felt good to go fast, to sweat, my thighs simmering with every rotation. When I hit the 190s I called a friend who lived in the area and then stopped at his apartment. I'm converted.

He pays less for an old three bedroom apartment that was gutted and renovated to be a huge 2 bedroom apartment then I did in queens for a medium two bedroom apt. He has a corner apartment with seven windows on the fifth floor overlooking the cloisters. It's amazing! And I caught him in a 30 minute window of when he was home in the afternoon, before heading off to his birthday dinner, and then I was off again. This time homeward bound.

The ride home seemed much faster despite riding against the wind, with quickly tiring legs and into the sun (I need some sunglasses). I got home right as the sun set, a 35 mile ride in total. If I get more comfortable with that type of mileage I can start going to some pretty exciting places.

Back at home, the black eyed peas I had been soaking all day were ready to be cooked.

Black Eyed Peas

1 onion chopped
4 stalks celery chopped
2 jalepenos chopped
1 bell pepper chopped
7 cloves garlic smashed
3-4 cups soaked and strrained black eyed peas
2 cups kale leaves

Cumin, Paprika, Chili Powder, Coriander, Cinnamon, Apple Cider Vinegar, Salt to taste.

 Brown the onions, celery, jalepenos, bell pepper and garlic and then added the BEPs with water enough to cover them. Next add the cumin, paprika, chili powder, coriander, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar and salt. An hour later I added kale leafs and served. It was divine. For a hungry man I couldn't have asked for a better meal.

I served it along an arugula salad with olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, onions, sprouts and sunflower seeds, and a seaweed (kombu) salad with sesame, rice vinegar and sesame oil.

Dailies:

10:48 -> 129 A tad high for the morning. Took 3 Prandin with cereal 110, grapefruit 25c, apple 15c, yellow pepper 7c, 2 kiwis 20c.
2:17 -> 138 Had indian food with spinach 60c then went for 35 mile bike ride during which ate an apple 15c and apple sauce 30c.
6:40 -> 79 Had 2 clementines 18c, then took 3 Prandin with salad 40c, seaweed 10c, black eyed peas w/kale 100c, then orange 18c and fake coffee 4c and raw bok choy 3c.
1:42 -> 145 Still a bit hungry, I probably should have eaten more right after dinner while the Prandin was still in my body. But supposedly it has a half life of an hour, so now would be too late to eat anything substantial despite being hungry.

Tomorrow I'll have to stuff myself a bit to make sure to make up for the calories burned on the ride.

Day 90

Happy Diabetic St. Patrick's day

                                                      (now THAT'S not on a vegan diet!)

Top of the Morning to ya!!

Tis the day of all things green, in honor of the holiday I started my morning with a cup of black tea and Jameson's, some blood pudding, beans and toast, sausage, bacon, eggs, and a bowl of oatmeal cooked in Guiness. And then I woke back up to the reality of my situation. 

As each holiday passes, and granted this isn't very high on the list of major US holidays, my new lifestyle will be put to the test.  Christmas will not be about figgy pudding, Valentine's day will have to be chocolate free, and today my corned beef with cabbage will have to be just corn... with cabbage.  I'll have to relearn the 4th of July without bbq, birthdays without cake, and halloween with only tricks (and maybe some roast pumpkin!)... ok, enough moping. I actually had a great day. And food wasn't problematic at all, in fact, it's very easy, on a vegan diet, to eat green foods.  So my dinner was very festive.


Dailies:

11:14 -> 120 Took 3 Prandin with cereal 110c then pb and banana 50c, apple 15c, kiwi 10c, grapefruit 25c.
4:56 -> 92 Took 2 Prandin with lentil soup 140c, pepper 7c, cupcake 14c, apple 15c, another apple 15c, berries 5c, grapefruit 22c and pumpkin seeds 10c.
11:30 -> 83 Awesome! took 2 Prandin with dinner: salad 30c, brussel sprouts 25c, cabbage 15c and a GREEN'S beer.
3:41 -> 86 This is good! Finished earlier cabbage and had an apple 15c and celery 8c to cover for any potential dips caused by the beer.

Day 88

Fraud Alert for People with Diabetes

I received this email today from a Diabetes organization. Copied in its entirety is a message to Diabetics warning them of criminal acts of fraud targeting diabetics.  I'm sure I don't have to tell you how upset this makes me. News like this leaves me wishing for a prehistoric justice system.  Here's the warning:

"Criminals who plot to defraud the Government and steal money from the American people have a new target: people with diabetes.
Although the precise method may vary, the scheme generally involves someone pretending to be from the Government, a diabetes association, or even Medicare, calling you. The caller offers "free" diabetic supplies, such as glucose meters, diabetic test strips, or lancets. The caller may also offer other supplies such as heating pads, lift seats, foot orthotics, or joint braces, in exchange for the beneficiaries' Medicare or financial information, or confirmation of this type of personal information. Additionally, you may receive items in the mail that you did not order.

The call is a scam.

If you receive such a call, OIG recommends the following actions:

1. Protect Your Medicare and Other Personal Information

Do not provide your Medicare number or other personal information. Be suspicious of anyone who offers free items or services and then asks for your Medicare or financial information. These calls are not coming from Medicare, diabetes associations, or other similar organizations. While the caller says the items are "free," the items are still billed to Medicare. Once your Medicare information is in the hands of a dishonest person or supplier, you are susceptible to further scams. Alert others about this scheme, and remind them not to provide strangers Medicare numbers or other personal information.

2. Report the Call to Law Enforcement

Report the call to the OIG Hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or online at www.OIG.HHS.gov/fraud/hotline. As part of your report, provide the name of the company that called you, the company's telephone number and address, and a summary of your conversation with the caller.

3. Check Your Medicare Summary Notice and Medicare Bills

Check your Medicare Summary Notice and other medical information to see if you were charged for items you did not order or did not receive. Also, check for items that were billed multiple times, such as glucose meters, diabetes test strips and lancets, and other supplies. Report any irregular activity to your health care provider and the OIG Hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or online at www.OIG.HHS.gov/fraud/hotline.

4. Do Not Accept Items That You Did Not Order

You are under no obligation to accept items that you did not order. Instead, you should refuse the delivery and/or return to the sender. Keep a record of the sender's name and the date you returned the item(s) to help OIG catch any future illegal billing.

The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) fights fraud in Government programs. As part of this effort, the OIG relies upon alert citizens to help them catch those who steal from American taxpayers."

 

Dailies:

11:11 -> 87 Took 3 Prandin with cereal 110c, then apple 25c, kiwi 10c, 1/2 grapefruit 13c, apple 25c, 2 cookies 25c and a pb&j 30c at 4:00. Boy it feels good to eat after yesterday's workout!
5:05 -> 92 Took 2 Prandin with TJs salad 53c, cabbage stew 15c and then took a third Prandin with lentil soup 140c and a grapefruit 22c.
8:33 -> 175 Still pretty hungry, but not going to eat with a number this high.
11:28 -> 87 Took 2 Prandin with dinner: salad 25c, brussel sprouts with kale and jalepenos 20c, bell pepper 7c, pumpkin seeds 15c.
3:18 -> 104 Cookie 9c, kiwi 10c.

This was the greatest number of Prandin I've taken in a single day: 8 and yet the numbers didn't seem that much better or worse than usual. Perhaps I got the dosage right finally, or perhaps it's something else. I have a hypothesis brewing.

Day 87

Kettlebells

                                              (this is the reason I've been in pain the past 4 days)

The other day was a good friend's birthday. This particular friend and I happen to be training for the eventual completion of a race in the future. We had long gone without training together and had pursued physical health on our own. He's primarily a gym rat, while I prefer jogs and stair running. Reuniting after several weeks prompted us to schedule a joint workout, one that involved both cardio and strength work. Featured prominently were kettlebells, or as wikipedia describes them:


"The kettlebell or girya (Russian: ги́ря) is a cast-iron weight (resembling a cannonball with a handle) used to perform ballistic exercises that combine cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training.[1] Russian kettlebells are traditionally measured in weight by pood, which (rounded to metric units) is defined as 16 kilograms (35 lb).[2][3]


Unlike traditional dumbbells, the kettlebell's center of mass is extended beyond the hand, similar to Indian clubs or ishi sashi. This facilitates ballistic and swinging movements.[4] By their nature, typical kettlebell exercises build strength and endurance, particularly in the lower back, legs, and shoulders, and increase grip strength"

We chose 15 different exercises: kettle swings, squat presses, standing back row, push-up rows, side squats, tricep dips... to name a few, and executed one after the other for 45 seconds with 15 second rest to prepare for the next exercise. We did the entire sequence twice, and then a third time modified to only 30 seconds of exercise and only the 8 hardest exercises. My body will be sore for days!

Dailies:

10:44 -> 108 Took 2 Prandin with cereal 110c and apple 25c. Worked out with Ian and Lori and kettlebells. It was epically hard.
1:58 -> 156 Took 2 Prandin with lunch at ANGELICA restaurant and ordered the Dragon Bowl approximately 140c. At 5:00 had 2 kiwis 20c.
6:07 -> 138 Took 1 Prandin with lentil soup with rice 100c (over 2 hours), peanuts 8c. At 9:30 had a grapefruit 23c.
12:52 -> 87 Took 2 Prandin with salad 25c, strawberries 30c, bell pepper 7c, carrots 28c w/pb 6c.
3:20 -> 172 That's still within 2 hours of eating. Not too bad, but a little high.

It's going to hurt to sit tomorrow.

Day 86

What I'm Reading

I was scourging the internet for ideas tonight. Should I write about the positive affects of Vitamin D and open with a story of how glorious and sunny a day it was and how I played frisbee for 2 hours on my dinner break? Should I write about the overdone theme of going back to a simpler, less industrial, less modern time and use my recent viewing of 180 degrees south? I could just do an expose of my experience at Quest diagnostics getting blood drawn by a heavily tattooed probably 300+ pound black woman who claimed she could "smell" the diabetes on me *shudder*.

One topic invariably led to the next and an hour later, filled to capacity with new knowledge, I've decided to show you what I've been reading rather than summarize it.

Vitamin D: This stuff is important, give you a full head of hair, strong bones and possibly a whole host of other benefits.

Vegan Journalist: Tries out veganism as a stunt and likes it too much to go back.

Vegan in Andalucia: I feel like she cheated. You can't go to Andalucia to write about being vegan and spend all your time in grocery stores and your kitchen. I'm probably going to contact magazines in the future an pitch a similar idea but in more exotic locations.

Mike Tyson: Says Veganism has taken away some of the crazy.

Bill Clinton: Another recent vegan convert.

Vegan Recipes: I found the information on this site very compelling. Plus it's the closest I've gotten to food porn since turning vegan.

Vegan Bodybuilding: I'm sorry, I think after 26 years I may have finally found my calling.


Dailies:

10:59 -> 110 Took 3 Prandin with cereal 110c, pb banana 50c, apple 20c.
1:44 -> 127 Too low to start Joey, especially considering I took more medication than usual. Had a grapefruit 24c, larabar 26c during the first act, hummus and snap peas 5 c and an apple 20c during intermission.
4:53 -> 72 Took 2 Prandin with dinner: lentil soup with rice 125c, salad 35c, grapefruit 22c, apple sauce 10c, fake coffee with protein powder 10c (and not very tasty).
11:55 -> 74 Took 2 Prandin with cabbage stew 100c (cabbage, fennel, fava beans, portobello mushrooms, jalepenos, kale, sunflower seeds, sauce). Felt high an hour later but then it seemed like I started dropping. Maybe it takes longer for the medication to work at night. Either way, it looks like 7 pills per day is a more accurate dose.
2:27 -> 129 Yihaaa! I do love myself a reasonable post-meal late-night number! I'm actually going to go and finish the stew because odds are the food is digested but the pill is still working its slow magic.

Gratitudes:
1. Triple Threat Brownies.
2. Mix Tapes (or cds).
3. Roasted Dandelion Tea.
4. Beautiful, beautiful women!

Day 85

Recipe: Red Cabbage

Hey guys,

I was experimenting in the kitchen a bit and ended up totally falling in love with the outcome. I'll probably end up making this at least every other week if not more often, it's just that dang good.

Red Cabbage recipe

20oz of Butternut squash cut into 1-2 inch cubes
1/2 a head of cabbage, sliced thinly, as if making sauerkraut
16 oz of water
heaping tablespoon of miso
heaping tablespoon of tahini
heaping tablespoon of minced garlic
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
sunflower seeds to taste

So the preparation is super simple. I started with a 3-inch deep saute pan on high medium high heat and filled it with the water. As the water started boiling I threw in the butternut squash on the bottom. I let that cook for a few minutes and then added all of the cabbage and put a lid on the pot. After about 5 minutes on medium high heat the cabbage should have reduced in size to about half. At this point you want to add the miso, tahini, garlic and vinegar, stir them all in thoroughly and reduce the heat to a simmer. This would be a good time to add water if you want the outcome to be thinner and closer to a soup, or thicker to be served as a side dish. Add the sunflower seeds, I sprinkle them pretty liberally, remove from heat and serve.
This should probably serve a bunch of people, but I've eaten an entire pot myself before. There are roughly 100 carbohydrates in this dish.

This dish is so good, I am literally sad right now typing out this blog and knowing that I've already finished all of the leftovers from the last time I made it.

And now to bed with fingers crossed that my body is working as well as possible tomorrow when I get blood work done.

Dailies x 2:

March 12, 2012
12:31 -> 113 Took 2 Prandin with cereal 110c, ran about 3 miles with 5 hill sprints, 3 of which were "Cardiac Hill."Had a grapefruit 25c and 2 kiwis 20c. At about 6:00 had an apple 20c.
7:10 -> 73 Had maybe 170c worth of Whole Foods hot bar food. At midnight had a Larabar 26c.
1:04 -> 95 Took 2 Prandin with rice 46c, beans 35c, cabbage stew 15c, salad 20c.
3:28 -> 162 Hmm... A bit high for my liking. Is this a sign that I'm creeping back up? Should I go back on the insulin?

March 13, 2012
12:20 -> 125 Not good. This is the highest fasting number I've had in awhile. Maybe it's time to go back on basal insulin. Took 2 Prandin with cereal 110c (substituted chia seeds for yogurt), rowed 2x5000m at about 2:00.00 (slow) then had apple 20c.
3:46 -> 93 Took 2 Prandin w/ salad 30c, rice 63c, lentil soup 90c = 189c. At 8:30 (intermission) had a grapefruit 25c, peanuts and snap peas 8c.
11:11 -> 55 Nice to see the Prandin still works. Could be time of day or the affects of the workout that brought me low despite a lot of carbs. Had a kiwi 10c then took 2 Prandin with 2 yams 110c, fennel 15c and carrots 10c = 145c
1:19 -> 265 Woah, what the heck? I even reckon I overestimated the yams, and a 210 point jump? And I'm still a bit hungry. I'm going to need to start taking a larger dose at night I think. I'll chug some vinegar water and see if I can't salvage a decent number for my blood work tomorrow.

Those numbers won't do. The keen reader will see that my calorie intake was a bit on the low side and yet my evening number was super high. No, that won't do. Tomorrow I'll try taking 3 Prandin with my afternoon meal, eating more, and then eating less with 2 Prandin in the evening.

Days 83 & 84

The Cure

No, my disease isn't gone. The Cure I'm referring to is a thrift shop in New York's East Village. But what sets this thrift shop apart from other thrift shops is that the proceeds benefit Type 1 Diabetes research. Here's a blurb taken from their website.

"Cure Thrift Shop's Founder, Liz Wolff, was diagnosed with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes when she was 11 years old. As a fourth generation garage sale and thrift shop scouring, dumpster diving woman, she has combined her passion for arts and antiques with her personal mission: to dedicate her life to finding a cure for diabetes."

Pretty cool, eh? And what's better still is that diabetics get 15% off Monday-Wednesday. So tomorrow, between cooking vegan food, doing yoga or rowing you'll be able to find me at The Cure!

Dailies:

12:09 -> 89 Took 2 Prandin with cereal 110c, bagel w/pb and banana 57c, fake coffee 4c.
4:21 -> 143 But I swear I feel lower. Oh well, had some peanuts 5c.
5:46 -> 109 Took a Prandin with a yam 55c then larabar 26c. At 8:00 took another Prandin with a Columbian Sandwich in a piece of corn flatbread. I estimated it to be about 75c.
10:44 -> 177 Took 2 Prandin with brussel sprouts 20c, salad 30c, cabbage stew 33c, rice 46c, chickpeas 19c, fake coffee 7c.
2:56 -> 177 Going to bed.

I was a bit high all day, but I was very inactive. Tomorrow I'll move my body a bit more and hopefully bring the average of those numbers back down a little.

Day 82

Rollercoaster

Today was lame.

My blood glucose level can be so temperamental. My first 2 Prandin took care of 180 carbs and then some. My second 2 Prandin knocked out 260 carbs easily and left me low. But the final 2 Prandin couldn't work their way through 196 carbs without giving me a major spike. Hence, lame.

Dailies:

11:20 -> 108 Took 2 Prandin with cereal 110c then an amazing farmer's market cameo apple 25c, snap peas with peanuts 5c. At intermission a small pb&j 18c and a fuji apple 22c.
4:54 -> 88 Took 2 Prandin with dinner: cabbage and squash 50c, lentils 35c, quinoa 60c, salad 15c and hummus 15c, also second cameo apple 28c. Before the show at 8:00 I had a cookie 10c.
10:13 -> 47 I was feeling low during act 2 so I checked my blood glucose before going on stage for the epic marathon that is the final few scenes of WarHorse as Joey. My blood sugar was 47. I had a Gu packet 25c and barely remember the next 20 minutes. At 11:20 I was beginning to feel low again and so I had a Larabar 26c.
12:02 -> 60 Had an Amy's frozen Gluten Free Vegan pizza 102c (I was tired from a long day of shows and lows, so I realize this isn't the healthiest option) and to avoid any further lows also had some curried chickpeas 54c with what I originally thought was 40c worth of quinoa. Turns out it was 60c. So I overshot by 20c.
3:04 -> 242 Looks like I paid for those extra twenty carbs. Without them I'd probably be in shooting range of 180 which would have been happier. Oh well, I don't mind a bit of hyper after so much hypo.

I really do think that without that mistake of counting the carbs I would have been in a pretty good range so there aren't any real lessons to be learned here. I am going to make a note of the fact that my afternoon Prandin seemed so much more effective than my morning and evening doses. I'll see if that's consistent and adjust accordingly.

Why do I have a feeling despite the ups and downs I'll wake up tomorrow between 80-120?

Gratitudes:
1. Daylight savings means more sun starting tomorrow.
2. I didn't pass out during "Joey's Night."
3. The most delicious apples I've had in a long, long time.

Day 81

Becoming Vegan

If you read my blog diligently and have a savant like brain for picking up on details and patterns then this may come as no surprise to you. Last week I decided to cut meat and dairy out from my diet. I read some compelling literature on the subject after which I decided I owed it to myself to give it a try and see how it affected my body.

I waited a week to announce this new dietary plan publicly because I wanted to give my body a chance to adapt and I also wanted to see for myself if it was something I could do. Both of those stories now have an ending. Just a few days after cutting out meat and dairy from my diet I had enough daily lows to cut out insulin injections completely. I've posted thrice on the subject but it still boggles my mind. I am NOT taking any insulin and haven't for four days now. As for the question of my ability to be vegan I've found it easier than I thought.

If you are the type of person who becomes anxious or worried at this news can I ask you to focus your energies on researching the subject before expressing your concerns to me. I am a person who has done quite a bit of research over the years on nutrition, who takes care of himself, who knows how to cook, and who REALLY likes food. I am no bird-like girl turning vegan to lose weight. I'm becoming vegan so that my body becomes ultimately efficient, so that I reach my maximum physical potential. I want to get bigger and stronger, but I want to do that while eating loads of beans and legumes, leafy greens, vegetables, fruit and hearty whole grains and all metabolized by my own insulin! If you think I'm at risk of being nutrient deficient in one capacity or another check out the short hand of what I eat (included at the bottom of every post) and see if it's missing. If it is, feel free to inquire and I'll do my best to explain how/where I get this or that nutrient. And if it turns out that I AM deficient, I'll happily make adjustments to correct it.

Dailies:

11:40 -> 113 Took 2 Prandin with Cereal 110c, 2 apples 30c, 2 oranges 17c, a larabar 24c and a bit of chocolate 5c.
5:32 -> 70 Took 2 Prandin with dinner from the Whole Foods hot bar: mung beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, kale, spinach, seaweed salad, cabbage salad, wild rice, okra, approximately 110c, apple 25c, snap peas and pb 6c, cookie 10c, toast 10c, hummus 5c.
9:21 -> 103 I checked here because I really guessed the carbs of my dinner and didn't want to find myself low while on stage. 103's alright, but since the pills work slowly I played it safe and had another Larabar (my go to for raising my glucose) 31c.
11:26 -> 61 Good thing I had the Larabar. Took 2 Prandin with black beans 67c, quinoa 40c, chorizo 13c, kale 4c, apples 30c, orange 9c, shot of fernet branca.
2:56 -> 111 I'm tempted to go to bed, but really I'd feel safer if this number were a little higher. Had some AMAZING cabbage and squash 15c, I'll post the recipe later, and apple sauce 10c.

Gratitudes:
1. Free tickets to the Moma.
2. Gluten free and vegan foods that still feel "naughty".
3. Fellowship with a friend on their B-day.

Day 80