The Misadventures of Lil’ Johnny…..Here is my most recent video….Its pretty funny,   feel free to blast it around the net if you like it…..

I will be sending out 1 a week for the next 3 weeks, so stay tuned for more misadventures of Lil’ Johnny…

I hope you like it…...............Bob

I posted this today on my new site at www.joyofdiabetes.ning.com    It kinda sums up how D’ life and it’s rhythm just get better with practice.

As I played drums last night , I noticed how I have improved at carrying some simple rhythms consistently during the songs. I used to struggle a lot more to carry the basic rhythms but now am doing much better having had a lot more practice and time spent playing with the other folks. I have improved as I have had others around me who have helped me and encouraged me to keep going and keep playing. The support of the group has been a very positive experience for me. If I had just been playing drums by myself, I don’t think I would have kept going or gotten much better.
I think it is very similar to the support forums that I have found and am trying to create here. More folks having fun and being encouraging improves us all…..We are all in this together and can have a positive impact on each other….so it has been with me…Now if I can just master the flippin fills…..LOL Bob

Passionate…...expressing passion or strong feeling. Capable or characterized by passion or intense feeling. Vehement…..

A word that I think has always described my approach to my diabetes. It is also how I feel about trying to motivate existing diabetics who are not taking care of themselves or are in denial .
This last week, I had 2 stories from 2 different peole of how someone’s loved one was not taking care of themselves, and the terrible impact that lack of action was causing in their lives. Not just the Diabetic, but espescially the loved one. It was once again, incredibly sad and troubling to me.
Why oh Why, oh Why, don’t people “get it”. It just is what it is, You got the D!....now is the time to take charge and deal with it. The good news is that when you do, life improves for you and your loved ones, and so does your health. If not…....well, we all kinda know how that works out.    

Diabetes….......oh the Joy!......

Keep going,..................................Peace, Bob

 A week or so ago, I was at the marina where my 17 year old son works and I was getting fuel for my boat. I was tied up and my son said that he would be right back as he had to help someone launch a boat.

As is stood in my boat, I was looking at him in the other boat as it was backed down the ramp. RRRRRrummmmm, it wouldn’t start…rrrruuummmmmm it started and then died…rrrrrruuuuummmmmmm it started and then died again. I truly didnt expect what happened next!

RuuuummmmmmBOOOOMMMMM!  The engine exploded in the boat as a fireball erupted and the outboard engine cover flew 40 feet into the air. My son was still on the burning boat and had to run toward the fire in order to exit the boat. He ran and jumped onto the dock and off of the water. The boat continue to burn as I ran toward it with my fire extinguisher. I threw it to the other guy who was helping launch it as I ran back to the fuel depot and got a larger extinguisher. We quickly put out the flames and extinguished the fire.

Wow…..I almost witnessed my son get seriously injured or die right in front of me. I realized at that moment that I always think how I know my life could end at any time, but I never realized how our kids are under the same risk. An ordinary event turned horriffic in just under 10 seconds.  I have a different appreciation now of how I talk, think, and act with my children. Does it really matter that they have perfect grades…that their rooms are perfectly clean…that they didn’t clean up after themselves perfectly in the garage…that they didn’t take out the garbage.

It truly doesn’t…...I have learned to be a bit more forgiving.

Life is short…....go hug and kiss your loved ones!

Keep going…...............................Peace,    Bob

I think that I shall never see

a sight as beautiful as a 93

...on my glucose meter     after lunch today…....

It’s always a battle        to keep the ball in play….

For as I fight this chronic disease        my glucose levels oft’ do as they please…..

But Aha,,,,I’m the winner…today I have won -I look toward tomorrow for more Diabetes fun…

Keep going…......Love obviously! Those who are dear to you -should know it…...

Peace,   Bob

Here is one that I always liked that helps show the power of our minds….It is true of our diabetes management also….your mind and your thoughts have a huge impact on your diabetes control.

“Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.”

 Keep going…..............Peace,    Bob

Well, living in Florida brings with it the joy of hurricanes. So far Fay has not been much but we are getting some sustained winds of 35-40 miles per hour and a lot of rain. I always wonder, do you batton down the hatches and stay put, or do you get out. It became clear back in 2005 as my family of 6 at the time was huddled in the pantry for about 4 hours worried about the horrific winds that were reeking havoc on my yard and home. when we went into the woods, you could see where an area of live oaks were spun out in a circle about 200-300 feet across….an obvious tornado…hence the freight train sound we heard.

That turned out to be a tropical storm of less than the designated hurricane strength(72 mph) but I can only tell you, that if a class 1 is for sure gonna hit us, me and my family will be gone…

I always worry about what do you take, how do you manage your diabetes, and when will you be able to get back. Preperation always helps make the transition during the storm a whole lot easier. Evacuation with the D….doesn’t sound like too much fun.

Best wishes and Keep going…..Peace,   Bob

I met another Type 1 diabetic last evening who was on MDI and was leery of using the pump. His thoughts were that he already knew what he was doing and thought he was doing good enough…..however after less than 20 years as a diabetic he did mention that his feet would sometimes tingle….ruh roh….He also mentioned how he really doesn’t test but 1x a day or so.

I always try to push people to manage themselves much more tightly so as to stave off damage from long term highs…

He was interested in the CGMS but when he heard it was 235.00 a month, he said he couldn’t afford it. I thought to myself, wow…..guess what your true costs are gonna be as you go another few years with less than stellar control…the cost of diabetes is not just dollars, but also in life and limb.

Please, Please, Please…..do whatever it takes to gain control, and if you have to, work a second job to pay for your supplies,  find assistance somehow, somewhere, but don’t short yourself the absolute best care possible….This is your LIFE!!!!!!!! You won’t be handed another body if this one fails!!!!! Your loved ones deserve your best efforts possible…    Keep Going…

PEACE…..........

Wishing you more…..Bob