Thursday, September 30, 2010

Tallygear Tummietote GIVEAWAY: Tummietote Tuesday GIVEAWAY

Tallygear Tummietote GIVEAWAY: Tummietote Tuesday GIVEAWAY: " TALLYGEAR ' the lightweight soft-sided personal storage belt'    Tally with the pink camo tummietote belt.    ......"

Monday, September 20, 2010

d was here again today....

i told my mother in law to take a hike almost three years ago because she didn't play fair...have only seen her in the distance since....d was here again ...i told him to get lost.....doesn't he listen?.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Unwanted Visitor.....

TALLIA
We wait all week for sunday because mostly everyone in our familly is self employed...but sundays are the day when the pace isn't so frenetic......we get things done on sunday that we cant do the rest of the week......simple things like laundry, showering, eating....only kidding we normally try to do these things more than once a week...maybe twice...at least the showering.....

I start with a run to the grocery store to get basics for the week......on my way to the store i go by my sister Donnas  to see if she needed anything at the store...noone home...i call her .......she is sitting in the grocery store parking lot of where i am going .... she is in the parking lot because tallia, my neice , is eating, she has to eat her blood sugar is low....."D" has intruded on their day.....ok fine....we can deal with "D"... an unwanted bother but we wave him away like an errant fly......he disappears for a while....we park and run into the store.....but before we run in we take necessary supplies.....keys debit, card and test kit.....i tuck the test kit into my shoulder tote so i dont put it down anywhere......i see donna stop in her tracks and turn to me and say  "do you have the test kit?" ....i immediately tap my pouch and reassure her that it is attached to my body, have no fear i wont put it down.....she visibly relaxes....first of all ...in case we need it for tallia to test....second....the damn thing is so expensive..we could not afford to lose it......health insurance would probable not cover it!!!! ...so once again, we have an unwanted visitor .."D"....please just give us a few hours off....even a few minutes......leave us alone for a little while.....

We are going to check out,... we seperate bags as we are in seperate cars, i am looking for the test kit...., where is the test kit?, always on your mind, i tuck it into her "BIG BAG O' LIFE" we leave in any vehicle Tallia is traveling in  .......i tell her i will follow her home because i want to see the new sewing machine she bought. (She has been challenged lately with the influx of orders from tallygear so she and her husband matthew decided to make the decision to invest in a new machine.....so off i was to see this new gizmo)

The sun is still out...the weather is beautiful, its nice and warm ....we inspect the new machine, donna sews a belt for me , giving me step by step commentary on the new and improved  machine.....it is so cool...and it will make her job easier of sewing, you can see she is happy.

We are sitting and talking about all this great stuff and tal asks if she can have a snack......sometimes you bolus , sometimes you test, this was a time to test.......330!......WTF!....tallie puts in for a correction and she looks up at us all and says " I have no insulin!".....WTF!...."D" cant you just leave us alone?
apparently her pump must have beeped low insulin, and she did not hear it...why isnt there a stop gap measure built in to the pump that it beeps until you acknowledge that your insulin is low or empty?!#$%^&&%%...i cant believe she or we did not hear it...(.i think the pump companies should consider putting in an alarm that can be only shut off manually.)

Right then and there, the day stops, and goes in a different direction, there is a quiet united effort to take care of "D".....we dont even like "D", why the hell do we have to keep taking care of him?....

We take care of "D" because it affects our beloved "T".....

9:00 p.m. ...hours later and "D" is still here......still battling a high of 277....."D" is like a spoiled child always wanting all the attention.....



   

Monday, September 13, 2010

Our Diabetic Life: The Angst-iness of Back to School

Our Diabetic Life: The Angst-iness of Back to School: "It is the beginning of the school year and the posts about diabetes at school are everywhere. In Blog Land, on Twitter, on Facebook… The..."

Houston We Have a Problem!: New LOVE!

Houston We Have a Problem!: New LOVE!: "Thank you to my super hot D MOM, Reyna over at Beta Buddies for introducing me to my new love! She 1st introduced me to my new favorite pr..."

Sunday, September 12, 2010

autoimmune island nice comments on tallygear

Listen up people....if you want an insulin pump pack/pouch for your child to use when they are really active you need to look into TALLYGEAR (Tummietote Belts) for your son or daughter. The Sugar Princess really loves wearing hers and it doesn't move around and bounce around like other pump pouches. Here are some photos of The Sugar Princess wearing her tummietote...




Front View - You wouldn't even know that she is wearing a pump under her shirt.

(Her favorite color is yellow)





Back View!



The Sugar Princess loves to wear them swimming too because they stay in place and do not move around...the tubing from her pump stays in place too! (Note...she has an Animas Ping Insulin Pump which is waterproof)



My little water bug displaying her tummietote belt and showing off her "Pink" Ping!

She looks so tired, but I think it's because she wore her goggles all day! She loves to swim!



I can't say enough good things and I'm looking forward to new designs. I highly recommend them, but if you are unable to buy one right now you are in LUCK! Head on over to CANDY HEARTS right now and enter to win your child or yourself your own Tummietote. You don't have to have type 1 diabetes to love these belts!

BETA BUDDIES: The Portuguese Princess Ponders the Pancreatic-Pen...

BETA BUDDIES: The Portuguese Princess Ponders the Pancreatic-Pen...: "NaBloPoMo: Day 12 Apparently, I am not above picking on inanimate objects...or organs. As much as I love all of my organs and my family's or..."

Saturday, September 11, 2010

more comments from sugabetic.com....

Last night, I went to my Zumba class and wore my Tummitote belt. I must say that I was worried at first about if it would stay in place and hold up to all the twists, turns, jumping and jiggling that goes on in Zumba.

Well, I’m here to tell you, that belt stayed in place the entire time and I barely noticed it! It was NOTHING like wearing a fanny pack or anything of the sort. And no one else had to see it. I had it strapped above my pants, but under my shirt (I don’t like the tight workout shirts, so I wear regular T-shirts).

So, my decision is made. I will be getting more of these Tummitote belts. They are AWESOME for work or play to hold your D-gear!!!



*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

sugabetic.com has high praise for tallygear

When my birthday came, Big E wanted to get me something that I either needed or something for my iPhone. At first, I thought about a Speck case, but then I remembered something…

The Tallygear Tummitote!!!

I found out about this belt by searching "pump holder". I was looking for something to hold my pump and CGM while I'm in Zumba class at the gym.

Being type 1 diabetic for almost 22 years and my recent determination for optimum control has now made me unaware of my lows, especially during workouts, and I have to have my CGM on at all times. Zumba isn't easy on clipped-on items, so I would be in the middle of a routine and the CGM or pump would go flying off. I eventually left the CGM on the floor with my stuff across the room from me leaving it out of range most of the time, and I would have to stop periodically to reclip the pump. It was becoming a hassle, not to mention I didn’t like the people looking at me and staring when they saw something come flying off that *gasp!* was attached!!! I mean, it’s one thing to drop a cell phone out of your pocket because people’s response would just be something like, “Who the heck keeps their cell phone clipped to them during exercise class???”, but to have a pump come unclipped? It’s more like, “WTF is that swinging from her??”

Big E ordered my belt and it arrived today. I took a picture (see above) as soon as I could because I was SO super excited! Yes, I know it doesn’t match my shirt, but who cares, right? I ended up wearing it the whole day. It really made trips to the bathroom easier because you don’t have to worry about snagging or pulling the tubing when you drop your pants to pee. Granted, men don’t have this issue, but us girls do. And, another great thing about it is that you free up your pants pockets! YEY!!

So, if you’re looking for a stylish way to carry your pump during your workouts or just day to day, I would look into getting a Tummitote. I’m going to order a couple more when I can – one in black and one in a more neutral color.

Tomorrow will be the ultimate test… ZUUMBAAAAAA!!!! I’ll write again and let you guys know how it goes.

A special “Thank you” to Donna Annese for making this for her daughter and turning this into a business for everyone to get one too!!! You can find them at www.tallygear.com and you can follow her on Twitter.

Sugabetic
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awesome. I laughed out loud at "WTF is swinging from her??" It always scares me when Camden's drops. I always expect it to come out, or hurt or something. He gets so annoyed at my gasps...


His first week at a new school he was in PE doing some sort of obstacle course and his pump fell off, tangled around his leg and tripped him. The kid next to him goes, "You have diabetes? So does my sister."

I keep buying different pump-holders hoping he'll wear them and like them with nothing passing his approval process yet. Maybe this one?

September 7, 2010
Emily B

YAY!!!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Tummietote....and Zumba too for that matter :) I'm giving one away on my blog right now - you should enter :) Contest ends 9/9 at midnight!

September 7, 2010
Wendy

I am Tallygears BIGGEST FAN. My son Joe (7) has had type 1 since he was 3 years old. I have searched high and low for a pump pack that doesn't jiggle when Joe runs...and it has the added bonus of the clear plastic window that you can order for a CGM or to just see your pump or whatever. I hope you like it!

September 7, 2010
Reyna

I picked up a Tummitote at an ADA Expo last spring. It's great for when I go out running because it can hold my meter, lancet, strips, low stuff like small icing tubes and my pump! I just wish I had bought a fun pattern - I picked plain beige thinking it would blend in and be less noticeable. Which is true, but a bright one that matches my running cloths would be so fun. I just might have to pick up another one. :D

September 8, 2010
Karen



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Justice's Misbehaving Pancreas: Tummis, Pumps,and BIG smiles!

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funny one

If you could say one thing to your pancreas, what would it be: "Get a job!!"

Smallest of Seeds: Thankfulness for People and Parphernalia

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Saturday, September 4, 2010

tummietote under my scrubs

I recently had clinicals for a nursing assistant class I was taking. I needed to have a place for my car key and cell phone because we cold not take anything into the facility with us. I could not believe the comfort.After an eight hour shift of bending, lifting and moving residents...I never knew it was there...I will post a pic of me with scrubs on this post tomorrow. I am going to call it my "scrubs belt"....

Friday, August 20, 2010

tallygear belt came in handy at the train depot......

beautiful summer day visiting the train depot in palmer mass.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Tallygear Tote on www.etsy.com

Check out the new hipster tote on  http://www.etsy.com/  made by Tallygear designer..... great for test kit and supplies, cell phone and snacks.....handy and comfy.....hipster/shoulder handbag, small item tote, cell purse Description


- Small super stretchy tote, made of spandex material, deceptively roomy, can carry lots and lots of small items close at hand. approximate size 6" x 7" with 32" drawstring cord with toggle for adjustable strap length, either wear on you hip or adjust length of cord to wear hidden under your jacket or closer to your body. the tote opening has a 2" overlap to hold all your items securely.

- You'll find you don't want to leave the house without it. --- Wear to work, on walks or out for the quick shopping trip, to carry cellphone and debit/credit card.

COLORS:

1-PINK

2-KELLY GREEN

3-CORAL

4-YELLOW

5-SKY BLUE

6-FUSCHIA

7-ORANGE

8-BLACK

9-WHITE

10-ROYAL BLUE

11-RED

12-TURQOISE

13-pink & black plaid

14-yellow/orange/red daisies

15-sky blue with colorful hearts

16-hot pink with black peace signs

17- green camo

18-red with yellow and orange flames

19-skulls and dragons

Email me and I can send image of color/designyour interested in.
ALL TOTES COME WITH A WHITE DRAWSTRING WITH TOGGLE.

Please specify color in note section when ordering.

Camp Auntie Deb started last week.....

What a week!... I thought working at the afterschool program I do during the school year with 10-15 kids a day for 3 hours was tough......I am telling you taking care of a child with juvenile diabetes for full days is tiring...I dont know how mt neice, Tallia, Deals with this disease 24 hours a day.....never mind her mother who is her pit crew 24/7/365......I think I lost some weight this week....I have to better prepare myself for next week.....
This is my plan.....
have all juice and snacks available at my fingertips....my husband works at home...so we have a small refrigerator in our shop and another one next door at my mothers house.....i will go to the local fruit stand at the beginning of the week and have all green veggies cut and washed for that day.....all in seperate ziploc baggies...ready to go.....along with ranch dressing for dipping....:).... my other neice Kat is also going to be spending time here this summer, she is non-diabetic, but lets see if we can get her to eat as healthy as her counterpart cousin this summer....maybe we will all learn a healthy thing or two this summer from Tally.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Activity and Type 1 diabetes....!

I did not realize how quickly, literally, a person with type 1 diabetes numbers drop. My neice has been with me at work several days a week for the last several months. My elementary school students play hard. After about a half hour of hard play...She always "feels funny"....keep juice and snacks on hand ...don't get caught unawares.....its not worth the panic and an extreme low.

Live good,
deb

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

misplaced or lost test kit....

today my neice Tallia, was with me at my job, i teach an afterschool program with about 15 k-2 graders. so as you can imagine, things get pretty busy. She has the wireless tester that can communicate numbers and readings directly to her pump or to a software program to track her numbers. That is an expensive piece of equipment. We thought we lost or misplaced it.....I had forgotten I tucked it into an unused pocket on her backpack when there was a flurry of activity with all the little kids......we found it after a little sleuthing...but I decided right then and there that it would be wise to put our name and tekephone number inside in case we did actually lose it.So whoever found it could let us know..... That may be a good idea for everyone to think about.....or am I way behind on this one? I suppose you all thought of that one a long time ago?&^$##......:)

Monday, May 31, 2010

On this Memorial Day lets think of how fortunate we are......

Please take a moment to think of the men and women serving in our military. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, and realize how lucky we are to have such brave and courageous people willing to protect this country.
I was lucky enough to spend the day with several members of my family because of the sacrifices that they are making.
Thank you.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

medical tattoos.........

Prescription Tattoos: Coming to a Pharmacy Near You


It might be time for a trip to the tattoo parlor. Medical tattoos could soon monitor key vitals, including glucose levels. By Eric Bland

Fri May 7, 2010 09:09 AM ET

Doctors could soon prescribe tattoos for patients.

Tattoos would monitor glucose levels and protect pacemakers.

The first trials in mice of medical tattoos are promising.

A glucose sensing tattoo would appear different in color to a hand-held device if glucose levels are out of whack.

Getting inked could save your life.

Scientists from Microsoft and The Draper Laboratory are developing medical tattoos that would stop hackers from messing with pacemakers and drastically reduce the number of needle sticks needed to monitor glucose levels.

Medical tattoos could also be adapted to monitor any number of other medically important molecules.

"We can follow the same trends as a finger stick glucometer," said Heather Clark, a scientist at the Draper Laboratory near Boston and a co-author of a recent article in the journal Analytical Chemistry that describes her team's glucose monitoring tattoo.

Clark's medical tattoo isn't a true tattoo. A typical tattoo involves repeatedly sticking a patient with a solid needle that penetrates deep into the skin to permanently stain the tissue with dark colors. Clark's prototype medical tattoo, on the other hand, would use a single stick from a hollow needle to stain the first few layers of skin yellowish orange for about a week.

The yellow-orange dye contains tiny nanosensors, little balls about 100 nanometers across. Glucose is drawn into the heart of the sensors, where it changes the color of a tiny pigment molecule. As the amount of glucose rises, the color of the tattoo would become lighter. As glucose levels fall, the tattoo would get darker.

To the human eye, the change in color would be almost unnoticeable. To a special handheld camera, however, the difference is enormous.

In their article, Clark and her colleagues successfully tracked glucose levels in mice as they rose and fell with their camera. To ensure their readings were accurate, they also measured the amount of glucose in the blood at the same time. The blood glucose levels matched the glucose levels in the skin, which was measured by Clark's tattoo.

Tracking a rising or falling glucose level through the skin is an accomplishment, but without detailed readings the use will be limited for diabetics. Thankfully Clark and her team have also developed nanosensors that give exact measurements of glucose levels in the body, which they plan to test next year.

Within several years, Clark's glucose monitoring tattoo could be on the market, and patients wouldn't have to travel to the wrong side to town either for treatment either.
Clark envisions patients picking up an EpiPen-like device from their local pharmacists and self-administering the tattoo once a week. To read the tattoo, patients would need a cell-phone sized reader, or possible just a cell phone, said Clark. All a diabetic would need to do is pull out their cell phone and take a picture of the tattoo.

"The technology here is very innovative, and in principle it's very promising," said Rexford Ahima, a diabetes research at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ahima notes that human trials would still be necessary before patients are injected with nanosensor tattoos for diabetes, but that eventually the technique could be used for other diseases.

"This may encourage patients, especially type 2 diabetics who often don't check their glucose levels as much as they should, to check their levels more often," and with less pain, said Ahima.

Clark's team at Draper isn't the only group looking to use tattoos for medical purposes. Microsoft Research is also developing tattoos for medical use. In this case, Microsoft is looking into protecting patients with implanted biomedical devices.

"Prior work has shown that some implantable medical devices use wireless protocols that are vulnerable to attacks," said Stuart Schechter of Microsoft Research, who recently wrote a paper detailing how tattoos could stop hackers from altering pacemakers and other implanted devices. Unlike Clark's yellowish orange tattoo, Schechter's tattoo would be invisible to the human eye; only ultraviolet light could detect it.

Schechter's tattoo would contain what's called an access key, essentially a password to access the settings of the biomedical device. Without the access key, no one could hack into the device.

In normal clinical settings, a patient could simply tell a physician what the key is. But in an emergency situation with an unconscious patient, unable to release the access key, an invisible tattoo could provide valuable information to doctors and nurses.

The tattoo might be invisible but a scar is not. Implanting biomedical devices almost always leaves a scar under a person's clothes. In an emergency situation, the clothes would be removed, exposing the scar, and letting emergency personnel that a device could be inside the patient. UV light would expose the alpha numerical password of the patients choice.

Invisible or not, patient's won't be getting inked any time soon. It will take years before medical tattoos are approved for humans, and even more time to develop the infrastructure for clinical use.

But if the tattoos are successful, they could open up new ways to protect and treat patients.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

tallygear new view window

tallygear has new view window ideal for viewing CGM trends and readings withour removing from the pouch.....also great for entering numbers on your pump witjout removing it from the pouch...very handy, take a look below..

good news....................

Complication rate decreasing in people with type 1 diabetes


Thirty years of data from international trials show that the rate of serious complications amongst people with type 1 diabetes is lower that was has been reported historically.

Researchers from the JDRF-funded Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and the Epidemiology of Diabetes Intervention and Complications Trial (EDIC) have analysed the incidence of long-term type 1 diabetes complications amongst trial participants and found that the rate of type 1 diabetes complications has changed dramatically, particularly for people who intensively manage their condition.

Researchers announced that the incidence of type 1 diabetes complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy and cardiovascular disease were significantly lower in the group that used intensive therapy to manage their type 1 diabetes.

In the case of the DCCT trial participants, intensive therapy was defined as use of insulin pump or three or more insulin injections, blood sugar monitoring at least four times per day and monthly visits to their diabetes healthcare team.

The researchers believe that with more people using intensive therapy, the rate of complications amongst people with type 1 diabetes should continue to decline to less than 50% of the levels seen at the start of these trials.
Treatment innovations such as insulin pumps and insulin analogues, increased understanding of type 1 diabetes management, and improved treatment of co-occurring symptoms such as high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol have also contributed to this change.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

just found there were doctors who specialize in diabetes only...

di·a·be·tol·o·gist   /ËŒdaɪəbɪˈtÉ’lÉ™dʒɪst/ Show Spelled[dahy-uh-bi-tol-uh-jist] Show IPA


–noun

a physician, usually an internist or endocrinologist, who specializes in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Origin:

1960–65; diabet(es) + -o- + -logy

Sunday, April 25, 2010

update on funds raised by team tally...5% met

$135.00 raised towards goall of $3,000.00.,

kids off school for the entire week.....

I had my neice this week  monday thru friday for a minimum of 8 hours per day.....my neice tallia is a T1D.

I think that is the most time I have had her that many days in a row since she was diagnosed more than 2 years ago.

 I am in awe of my sister and brother-in-law with how hard they must have to work to keep Tallia healthy. I did not have site changes or refilling insulin pump or all the other "stuff" that goes along with her care along with  the worry and constant checking and monitoring ....it is exhausting.

 Any parent caring for a child with a disease, illness,or handicap is a unbelievable caring and strong person. I salute you.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

New England Classic

New England Classic 150 & 550

Team Tally

Welcome to our Tour de Cure team page!

We are determined to reach our team goal one rider at a time.

Why Ride?

On behalf of the millions of Americans with diabetes and their families and friends, we are counting on you to help our team make a difference! The funds we raise will support the American Diabetes Association's important research, information and advocacy efforts and its mission: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

Join our Team!

If you choose to ride with us, you'll get to take part in a fun, exciting, healthy event for the whole family. You can even invite friends and family to join. Every rider counts, and everyone is welcome to join our team!

Support our Team!

Support our team by making a donation, riding or volunteering. We can't do it alone!

So let's get in gear and ride to Stop Diabetes!


Team Tally - Join Team Raised

Lynne Demond $35.00

Denotes a Team Captain

Team Tally

Goal:

$3,000.00

Achieved:

$35.00

http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/EasternNewEnglandArea?team_id=469808&pg=team&fr_id=6930&et=_YD0IxTATNNi0AvaOxATHQ..&s_tafId=306107

i have been tapped to sponsor a rider in the tour de cure...cant think of a better way to spend my money....

Dear Friend,
I have decided to join thousands of fellow riders from across the country in this year's Tour de Cure to raise money to help stop diabetes and further the mission of the American Diabetes Association: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all those affected by diabetes.

I am asking for your help. By making a donation on my behalf, you will be helping the American Diabetes Association change the future of diabetes by providing community-based education programs, protect the rights of people with diabetes and fund critical research for a cure.

As you may know, diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Nearly 24 million Americans are living with diabetes. If current trends continue, one out of three children will face a future with diabetes. This is a startling statistic and your donation will help to change this.

I know my participation in this year's Tour de Cure can and will make a difference. Please help me reach my goal of <$600.00> by supporting me with a donation. You can follow the link below to my personal Web page to make a secure, 100% tax deductible donation. (If you do not want to donate online, please make your check payable to the American Diabetes Association and mail your contribution to me at Lynne Demond, 9 Grove Road, Natick Mass 01760.)
Together we will help stop diabetes.

Warm Regards,

Lynne

We met some Medtronic wonderful Representatives...

left to right- Donna Annese (designer of Tummietote by Tallygear, Tody Webster (rep for Medtronic) Bill Woods (publisher of 1happydiabetic), Doreen Merriam ( rep for Medtronic), Matthew Annese (CFO Tallygear), Tallia Annese ( model and inspiration of Tallygear)


1 happy diabetic


We had the pleasure of meeting Bill Woods from his well-known videos of 1 Happy Diabetic, we have been in contact with him for several months and was finally able to meet up with him at the Connecticut Expo Center in Hartford Ct. that was sponsored by the American Diabetes Association. He is just as happy in person and we thoroughly enjoyed talking to him....I was so excited that i asked him for his autograph!....we shared ideas , stories and some great information. We can't wait to see him at another event.

hartford expo diabetes trade show...we had a blast!!!!!l

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

March 26, 2010 ...info just released...lets hope for spontaniety in the cells!

Some Pancreas Cells Have Potential to Spontaneously Change into Insulin-Producing Cells

We tend to regard the mature cells in our bodies as having reached their final destinations - if they become specialists, like heart or brain cells, they remain that way. But more and more, research is showing this is not always the case. And fortunately for people with type 1 diabetes, today's online issue of the journal Nature reports on similar transformational prospects for cells in the pancreas.

JDRF-funded researchers led by Dr. Pedro Herrera at the University of Geneva in Switzerland have shown that what are called "alpha cells" in the pancreas - specialized cells that do not produce insulin - can spontaneously convert into insulin-producing beta cells. And while these changes took place under very specific experimental conditions in mice, the study advances the prospect of regenerating beta cells as a cure for type 1 diabetes. It points to the unexpected "plasticity," or potential, of pancreas cells to adapt and produce insulin when they must - in this case, when the beta cells that normally produce insulin in those mice were entirely killed off. Ultimately, scientists may be able to harness this conversion potential to regenerate beta cells in people with diabetes.

For the experiments, the researchers used mice in which nearly all of the beta cells are rapidly destroyed. They made two important discoveries - first, that beta cells will spontaneously regenerate after near-total beta cell destruction, and second, that most of these regenerated beta cells come from alpha cells that reprogrammed, or converted, into beta cells. Alpha cells normally reside alongside beta cells in the pancreas and secrete a hormone called glucagon, which works to oppose insulin in regulating levels of sugar in the blood. Alpha cells are not attacked by the autoimmune processes that destroy beta cells and cause type 1 diabetes.



In the experiments, the insulin-producing beta cells were slowly and spontaneously restored, eventually eliminating the mice's need for insulin replacement.



According to Andrew Rakeman, JDRF Program Manager in Beta Cell Therapies, the big breakthrough in Dr. Herrera's work is showing that alpha-to beta-cell reprogramming can be a natural, spontaneous process.



"If we can understand the signals that are triggering this conversion, it will open a whole new potential strategy for regenerating beta cells in people with type 1 diabetes," he said. "It appears now that the body can restore beta cell function either through reprogramming alpha cells to become beta cells or, as has previously been shown by other researchers, by increasing the growth of existing beta cells. This new path may be particularly useful in people who have had diabetes for a long time and have no, or very few, remaining beta cells."



Dr. Herrera's team genetically engineered the mice to be susceptible to a toxin that would destroy only their beta cells. When the mice were exposed to the toxin, the beta cells were rapidly and efficiently destroyed - greater than 99% just 15 days after treatment. To then track the source of newly regenerated beta cells, the researchers used another genetic manipulation to label mature alpha cells (and their descendents) with a fluorescent protein. This "genetic lineage tracing" approach allowed the scientists to track the fate of the alpha cells and their progeny. The presence of fluorescently labeled beta cells in the mice that recovered insulin production was conclusive evidence that alpha cells had reprogrammed into beta cells.



The Geneva researchers pointed out that the critical factor in sparking the alpha-to beta-cell reprogramming was removing nearly all the original insulin-producing cells in the mice. In mice whose loss of beta cells was more modest, the researchers found no evidence of regeneration, and less alpha cell reprogramming. "The amount of beta-cell destruction appears to determine whether regeneration occurs. It influences the degree of cell plasticity and regenerative resources of the pancreas," they explained.



Also noteworthy is that Dr. Herrera's results are the first to show that beta cell reprogramming can occur spontaneously, without genetic manipulation. Previous efforts to reprogram non-beta cells into beta cells relied on altering genes - processes that can not be easily translated into therapies for people.



Key Point: Diabetes researchers have shown that some cells in the pancreas that don't normally produce insulin hold the potential to convert into cells that do. The finding underscores the potential of regeneration as a pathway to achieve normal blood sugar in people with type 1 diabetes.

JUST RELEASED ON APRIL 8, 2010.....we are on the edge...

Researchers Use Nanoparticle "Vaccine" to Cure Type 1 Diabetes in Mice


Using an innovative nanotechnology-based "vaccine," researchers were able to successfully restore normal blood sugar in mice with type 1 diabetes, and also slow the onset of diabetes in mice at risk for the disease. The study, co-funded by JDRF and published today in the online edition of the journal Immunity, has several key implications:



First, it provides important new insights into how to stop the immune attack that causes type 1 diabetes.

Second, it underscores the potential of "antigen-specific" therapies. Because the nanoparticle vaccine was designed with specific immune system proteins, it effectively blunted the targeted autoimmune response that causes diabetes without compromising the overall immune system - an issue that continues to be a challenge in developing treatments for diabetes.

And third, it suggests that antigen-specific nanovaccines, because of the effectiveness shown here, might also be developed to treat other autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. That could make the science more attractive to drug development companies.

Researchers from the University of Calgary in Alberta, led by Dr. Pere Santamaria, were looking to halt the autoimmune response that causes type 1 diabetes, but do so without damaging the immune cells that control and regulate the immune system or that protect against infections. So the team focused on developing a highly targeted antigen-specific immunotherapy - one, they explained, that could address the "internal tug-of-war between aggressive T cells that want to cause the disease and weaker T cells that want to stop it from occurring."



The researchers produced a unique vaccine comprising nanoparticles, which are thousands of times smaller than the size of a cell. They coated the particles with type 1 diabetes-relevant peptides, or protein fragments, that were bound to certain molecules that play a critical role in immune cell communication (called MHC molecules).



In the mice, the nanoparticle treatment expanded a type of regulatory T cell -- these cells ultimately suppressed the aggressive immune attack that destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. The researchers noted that the expanded cells shut down the immune attack by preventing autoreactive immune cells from being stimulated, either by the peptide contained in the vaccine or by any other diabetes autoantigen presented simultaneously by antigen-presenting cells. With the immune response that causes diabetes blocked, mice with type 1 diabetes regained normal blood sugars. And those that would have contracted the disease didn't.



The study also provides important - and promising - insight into the ability to translate these findings into therapeutics for people: Nanoparticles that were coated with molecules specific to human type 1 diabetes were able to restore normal blood sugar levels in a humanized mouse model of diabetes (that is, a mouse that has been genetically altered to biologically simulate type 1 diabetes in people).



According to Teodora Staeva, Ph.D., JDRF Program Director of Immune Therapies, a key finding from the Alberta study is that only the immune cells that specifically focus on aggressively destroying beta cells (or on regulating these aggressive cells) actually responded to the vaccine therapy. That means the treatment did not compromise the rest of the immune system - a key consideration if the treatment is to be safe and effective in an otherwise healthy person with type 1 diabetes. "The potential that nanoparticle vaccine therapy holds in reversing the immune attack without generally suppressing the immune system is significant," said Staeva. "Dr. Santamaria's research has provided both insight into pathways for developing new immunotherapies as well as proof-of-concept of a specific therapy that exploits these pathways for preventing and reversing type 1 diabetes."



The nanoparticle vaccine technology developed by Dr. Santamaria and used in the study has been licensed by Parvus Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company spun out from the University Technology International LP, the technology transfer and commercialization center for the University of Calgary. Parvus is focused on the development and commercialization of a nanotechnology-based therapeutic platform for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Connecticut Expo Center Map & Directions.

Map & Directions

The Connecticut Expo Center is one of the most accessible exhibition halls not only in the Northeast, but in all the country: We’re just seconds off Exit 33 of Interstate-91 and mere minutes from Downtown Hartford, the city’s Amtrak station and Bradley International Airport. And, of course, Hartford is halfway between Boston and New York and is an easy drive from both cities.

So if you’re planning to attend—or exhibit—at one of our shows, you’ll find that the Connecticut Expo Center is exceptionally easy to get to—and we have plenty of parking adjacent to our facility!

From Points East and West of Hartford:

I-84 to I-91 North. Exit 33 (Jennings Road). At the end of the ramp, take a left. At the second light, take a left onto Weston Street. At the second light, take a right onto New Road. The entrance to the Connecticut Expo Center will be on your left.

From Points South of Hartford:

I-91 North to Exit 33 (Jennings Road). At the end of the ramp, take a left. At the second light, take a left onto Weston Street. At the second light, take a right onto New Road. The entrance to the Connecticut Expo Center will be on your left.

From Point North of Hartford:

I-91 South to Exit 33 (Jennings Road). At the end of the ramp, take a right. At the first light, take a left onto Weston Street. At the second light, take a right onto New Road. The entrance to the Connecticut Expo Center will be on your left.

Click Here for an interactive map

Diabetes convention at the Hartford, Ct. Civic Center.

The Tummietote by Tallygear will be shown and available at the vendor fair on Saturdat April 17, 2010 from 10 am to 2 p.m.at the Hartford Civic Center. There are going to be alot of great things going on there. Please stop by there are usually more than 3500 attendees.



Below is some information on the fair ...time, location, info, link below with address to get there....

Featured Event

Event: ADA Diabetes Expo

Date: Saturday, April 17, 2010



Date: April 17, 2010

Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Contact: Louise Butcher, 860-639-0385 860-639-0385 x3532

or lbutcher@diabetes.org



The EXPO is FREE and includes health screenings, cooking demonstrations, product and service exhibitors, as well as leading experts talking about diabetes management and prevention. Get the latest information on preventing and managing diabetes and its deadly complications to help keep you and your family healthy.



Visit the American Diabetes Association EXPO/Hartford and join the movement to Stop Diabetes™. Learn how to live healthy, be active, and change the future of diabetes for you and your family.



more information and pre-registration:

http://main.diabetes.org/site/Calendar/130535562?view=Detail&id=9101

LIVE GOOD with diabetes: American Diabetes Tour De Cure.....

LIVE GOOD with diabetes: American Diabetes Tour De Cure.....

American Diabetes Tour De Cure.....

Welcome

Tour de Cure is a series of fundraising cycling events held in 43 states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association.

The Tour is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. Whether participants ride 10 miles or 100 miles*, they will travel a route supported from start to finish with rest stops, food to fuel the journey and fans to cheer them on!


Last year, more than 40,000 cyclists in 80 Tour events raised nearly $17 million to support the mission of the ADA: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

Take the Ride of Your Life. Sign up today.

Register or Request More Information online, or by calling your local American Diabetes Association office at 1-888-DIABETES.

*Ride route distances vary from event to event.

You are why we ride!

A Red Rider is someone living with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) who rides in the Tour de Cure as an individual or on a team! Learn more about how you can be recognized as a RED RIDER!

TOUR DE CURE.....go Team Tally!!!!.....

My sister is riding in this National Juvenile Diabetes event.....AWESOME!!!!!

GO TEAM TALLY!!!!!
Tour De Cure

This is an email I received from her today, if anyone is looking for specifics!.....


OK - so I have heard back that some of you are interested in joining

me for the 'Tour De Cure' (www.tour.diabetes.org) - I have registered

for the New England Classic 150 and formed "Team Tally" so if you sign

up be sure to join my team. They will give you a fundraising page

where people can contribute online - makes it much easier. And we can

all ride together.. Please forward this to anyone else that you think

may be interested in joining our team....



We will be riding for my sweet adorable niece Tallia Emily who has

type 1 diabetes as well as any friends and family members that you

would like to add to the list.



The ride that I am doing is July 10-11 and 75 miles each day (total

150). It is a supported ride (includes support and gear

transportation, mechanical assistance, medical volunteers,police

escorts, directional signs, rest stops every 10-12 miles with food and

drink and lodging at UNH) and requires a $600 min fundraising amount.

If you register now its $50 - but goes up to $80.



The ride begins in Woburn MA Saturday morning and goes to UNH the

first day where we stay overnight. The second days ride begins in

Durham NH and goes to Biddeford Maine. The ride continues from here

for the 550 miler (5 days). The participants of the 2 day ride are

driven back to Woburn.



If you register for the Classic, you can ride other New England Tour

de Cure rides for training without raising additional funds. Contact

the ride office to register. Other ride dates are:

Gloucester, MA - May 22, 2010

Narragansett, RI - June 6, 2010

North Haven, CT - June 12, 2010

Kennebunk, ME - June 13, 2010



Tour de Cure is a series of fundraising cycling events held in 43

states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association.



The Tour is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from

the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. Whether participants

ride 10 miles or 100 miles*, they will travel a route supported from

start to finish with rest stops, food to fuel the journey and fans to

cheer them on!

 http://tour.diabetes.org/


Lynne will also be riding with the Tallygear Tummietote on.....

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

TUMMIETOTE by TALLYGEAR new site almost complete......


www.tallygear.com will have a new look soon, we went green and used fatcow to design the new tallyygear site. their stuff is powered by wind, a renewable resource and that makes us feel good.  please stay tuned for the new look.....

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Saturday, March 27, 2010

livin' the good life.....

on chappaquidick island four wheeling ,
 insulin pump is protected in the tummietote by tallygear

tummietote by tallygear try it on the beach with the patented LOKSAK to hold your insulin oump to make sure that your pump does not get wet. Finally peace of mind and comfort too! You dont even know the pump belt is there because of the comfort of the fabric it is made with.
Contact http://www.tallygear.com/ to order.

(it is also a fashion statement if you want it to be...it looks like a cool accessory on the bottom of your tee and atop your shorts, or hide it underneath your tee....)

Diabetes and sugars and Sweeteners!

Diabetes and Sugar & Sweeteners


Foods that are sugar free, no sugar added, or low carb, typically have the sugar replaced with sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohols have a significantly diminished impact on blood sugar levels as compared to regular sugar because they are incompletely absorbed into the blood stream from the small intestine. They also have fewer calories than sugar, and are not as sweet as sugar. Some common sugar alcohols are: glycol, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, and lactitol. The simplest sugar alcohol, ethylene glycol, is the sweet but notoriously toxic chemical used in antifreeze. Sugar alcohol is typically derived from fruits and vegetables.

Top 10 tips for teens....

Tyler's Top Ten Tips for Teens

Tyler Stevenson

Mar 25, 2010

Experience is a great teacher, but sometimes it's not the best way to learn, especially when it comes to your medical needs. Smart people learn from their mistakes, but wise people learn from other people's mistakes. In my ten years with diabetes, I have found that to eliminate problems, you need to anticipate your needs. A few moments of preparation can ensure a great afternoon of fun with your friends, a better grade on a test, or participation in a sporting competition without any complications.

As people with diabetes, we don't have the option of forgetting about our disease if we want to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So here are ten things that I've learned we should all do to protect ourselves from complications as we go through our daily routine.

1. Have glucose tablets on you at all times.

2. Always check your blood glucose before any type of physical activity.

3. Have some type of sugary drink with you during any type of exercise or sport. Orange juice is the best by far.

4. Have a small bag to contain all of your supplies.

5. Check your blood sugar, and, if needed, try to have a snack 15 minutes prior to a test.

6. When playing school sports, check your blood glucose and adjust during halftime.

7. Take a Kwick pen with you whenever you are playing sports, in case you need a fast adjustment.

8. Always listen to your body. If you are thirsty all the time and have to urinate frequently, you definitely need to check your blood glucose.

9. Never be afraid to tell a coach or a teacher that your blood sugar is low because the problem will not go away.

10. When your blood sugar is low, have a snack that has protein and carbohydrates. The carbohydrates will get your blood sugar up, and the protein will prevent you from dropping as fast.


TUMMIETOTE by Tallygear

This is a wonderful, comfortable belt for your pump and physical activity!

PEANUTS.....

Energy for the good life.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

TALLYGEAR GOES GLOBAL !!!

                                                          Tallygear has gone global!!!!
. We are happy to report we have sold tummietotes in Saudi Arabia, UK, Norway, New Zealand, Australia, and all over the US.
We have received lots of positive feedback which I will start posting once I get my self organized......

http://www.tallygear.com/
Live good,
Deb

Sunday, March 21, 2010

tummietote by tallygear now sold on AMAZON!!!

tummietote by tallygear sold on amazon

a soft sided lightweight personal storage belt. made of high quality spandex/nylon material that feels like a second skin and it molds to your specific shape to provide the perfect fit. It has 3 six inch pockets to carry/store all your small items. It also has an adjustable waist with a heavy duty velcro closure. The belt is easily kept clean with periodic washes in cold water/line dry. There are many colors/designs available. The belt is extremely stylish and can also be very discreet.The belt comes in 3 sizes-small fits waist size 24" to 32"-medium fits waist size 30" to 38"-large fits waist size 36" to 44". Solid colors are black, navy,green burgundy,white,beige.

http://www.amazon.com/

Friday, March 19, 2010

Thursday, March 18, 2010

you know you are a parent of a child with diabetes when...

In public your teenager announces they're high and you hand them a syringe.

Your 6-year-old is given many colors of modeling clay and told she can create anything she wants and she chooses to make a meter, lancet and cotton ball for her diabetic teddy bear.

Your laundry smells good because you accidently washed the glucose tabs again.

Your nine-year-old son pees on the toilet at 3 a.m., and you're not mad because now you can check his ketones without making him get up again!

You end up with a drop of blood on the antenna of your cell phone during a 1 am blood glucose check.

Doing math homework, in response to the question "Name three things that you use in your home to measure with and draw a picture of it," your 6-year-old son writes "syringe" and painstakingly draws a picture of it.


live good,
deb

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Diabetes snacks treats & easy eats for kids...

Editorial Reviews


Product Description

When children come home from school or sports, they want a snack. Not some gourmet meal, just something simple and tasty and quick to fix. For those with diabetes, these snacks can be especially hard to come by. And with incidence rates rising sharply — one in three American children born in the last five years is expected to become diabetic — it’s a problem more and more families are facing. This book offers a happy solution, with 130 recipes for the types of things youngsters really like to eat that are also healthy and help them stay within diabetic guidelines. It contains a wide array of choices for every meal of the day and to satisfy every hunger pang in between, with healthy renditions of favorites like Pizza Puffs, Chicken Nuggets, Taco Salad, Turkey Quesadillas, Puffy German Pancakes, Strawberry Sundae, Mini Chocolate Cupcakes, and many more.

book description/review...taking diabetes to school


Product Description


This color illustrated book for elementary age children contains an instructive story of a grade-schooler with diabetes who tells his classmates about the disease and how he manages it. The story offers sensitive insight into the day-to-day school life of a child with a chronic illness. Includes Ten Tips for Teachers and; Kids Quiz--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Kim Gosselin was born and raised in Michigan where she attended Central Michigan University. She began her professional writing career shortly after her two young sons were both diagnosed with chronic illnesses. Kim is extremely committed to bringing the young reader quality children's health education while raising important funds for medical research. Kim now resides, writes, and gives consultations. Kim is the recipient of the 1998 National American Lung Association Presidential Award. She is an avid supporter of the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society, the Epilepsy Foundation of American, and a member of the American Diabetes Association, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the Small Publishers Association of North America, the Publishers Marketing Association, and the Author's Guild.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Living well with Type 1 Diabetes

Living Well With Type 1 Diabetes


Adapting to Life With Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes Facts

To live well with type 1 diabetes you must take it seriously. A casual approach to managing your blood glucose is not going to help you remain healthy and strong. The good news is that you can learn to manage your diabetes and in turn reduce the risk of long-term health complications.

How do you do this? Here are seven important ways to take care of yourself and stay motivated to live well with diabetes:

1. Become a Student of Diabetes

At the time of diagnosis, most people experience a steep learning curve as they try to digest all they can about managing their diabetes. But unfortunately, many stop learning after the first few months and assume they know enough. Don’t make that mistake. The more informed you are about diabetes the more confident you will be in managing it. Many excellent resources are available within this site to help you increase your knowledge of diabetes.

2. Manage Your Diabetes Every Day

The four pillars of diabetes management are insulin, food, exercise and glucose testing. Balancing your glucose levels with the first three is your daily challenge. Testing your blood regularly is the only sure way of knowing how you are doing. It’s important to remember that perfection is not the goal. No person with type 1 keeps their blood glucose levels in the normal range all the time. When you have a bad day, try to understand what went wrong, give yourself some slack and make an honest attempt to improve the next day.

3. Work Closely With Your Healthcare Team

Management of type 1 diabetes requires you to think of yourself as a member of a healthcare team. You are the most important person on that team because you will be doing most of the work. But you also need the expertise and guidance of others. These team members include a/an:

Endocrinologist

In addition to your primary care provider, you should also work closely with an endocrinologist (pediatric endocrinologist for children) who is a specialist in diabetes.
Diabetes Educator

A Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) is trained to help you learn about diabetes and make the necessary adjustments for your diabetes care.

Dietician

A dietitian can help you develop and stick to a healthy meal plan that is customized to your personal needs. You should consult a dietitian at least once a year. This annual visit is especially important for children to ensure their nutritional needs are being met as they grow.

Pharmacist

Your pharmacist can help you choose diabetes supplies and answer any questions about medications that may cause a rise in your glucose levels.

4. Learn about Vital Tests

Monitor the results of these three important measures of your health:

A1c Test

Also known as hemoglobin A1c, this quarterly test measures an approximate average of your blood sugar over the past three months. The standard goal is to have your A1c below 7, which indicates a fairly well-controlled glucose during that period. The lower the number, the better.

Blood Pressure

The goal for most people with diabetes is to keep blood pressure under 130/80. High blood pressure can lead to a number of serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.

Cholesterol

For total cholesterol, your goal should be under 200. For LDL (bad cholesterol), it is optimal to be under 100. And for HDL (good cholesterol), you want your reading to be above 40.

5. Learn to Handle Stress

When you are under stress, your body reacts as if it is under attack, releasing hormones and stored sugar into your bloodstream. This can raise your blood glucose. Learn to listen to your body for early signs of stress (tight muscles, difficulty concentrating, difficulty falling or staying asleep) and try practicing various forms of relaxation (deep breathing, exercise, meditation) to combat stress and remain calm.

Stress Relief Breathing Exercise

Deep Breathing Exercises for Kids

How to Meditate

Exercise for Beginners

Getting Kids Involved in Exercise

6. Get Support

Many people with type 1 diabetes have found great comfort and inspiration by participating in a diabetes support group. There are hundreds of support groups around the country that are designed for adults, parents, families and children living with type 1.

7. Ask For Help

To live well with diabetes you will need the help of others. Don’t be afraid to ask family members, friends, co-workers and employers for assistance. Having diabetes is not something you should be ashamed of telling others about. Nearly one in every 12 people in the U.S. has either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. So, by asking for what you need, you may be not only be taking care of yourself, but also showing others that they can do the same.


Live good,

deb

Diabetes related Social Networking....

Diabetes-related Social Networking


The online social networking scene has hit the diabetes world. Not that this is particularly new. Diabetes-related online social networks have been around a few years now and places like facebook, myspace, LinkedIn, and Flickr have been around even longer.

According to Manny Hernandez, founder of TuDiabetes, there are at least two dozen diabetes-related social networks (as of May 2009). I wouldn’t be surprised if there are even more now. Because I found eight in about 15 minutes of searching online. Below are the ones I found and I’ve also included a brief description taken from their site:

Site Description

tudiabetes “a community of people touched by diabetes, run by the Diabetes Hands Foundation“

juvenation “a Type 1 Diabetes community created by the JDRF.”

dLife Community “information, inspiration, and connection with others who share your challenges and concerns.”

diabetesFriends.net “a free social network for diabetics and people with an interest in diabetes.”

diabetesTalkfest “Linking Diabetics Coast 2 Coast”

My Diabetes “The community for patients, friends, families and healthcare professionals.”

Diabetic Rockstar “a social network dedicated to breaking down stereotypes and beliefs commonly associated with diabetics.”

Present Diabetes (for diabetes medical professionals)

We Are Diabetic “The Social Support Network for The Diabetic Community

alot of good info , take a look............

live good,

deb

Sunday, March 7, 2010

American Idol Alum Elliott Yamin has difficulties after Chile Earthquake getting insulin.....

Elliott Yamin, Diabetics Face Medical Danger After Earthquake
'American Idol's' Elliott Yamin Reports His Insulin Difficulties Post-Disaster

March 3, 2010

Stranded in Santiago, Chile, after the earthquake Saturday, "American Idol" alum and diabetic Elliott Yamin said he feared for his health after he realized he did not have enough insulin to treat his Type 1 diabetes while he waited for a flight home.

Tremor scared thousands, collapsed buildings and sparked tsunami warnings. "I only packed enough to get me to Sunday," he said, when his flight was supposed to leave for the United States.

Given the interruptions to medical care and supply transport caused by the earthquake, many other diabetics may be facing the same life-threatening dilemma, said Dr. Vivian Fonseca, chief of section of endocrinology at Tulane University.

Elliott Yamin Vows to 'Fight for Love'Hawaii Tsunami: 'We've Dodged a Bullet' Are We Ready if the Big One Happened Here?Yamin said he has been able to get a six-day restock for his insulin pump through the U.S. Embassy and the manufacturer of the pump that he hopes will last him until he is able to get a flight.

The airport in Santiago reopened Monday, according to Yamin, but flights are currently only carrying supplies in, not people out.

The earthquake, which has already led to death tolls over 700, may result in longer-term health complications without adquate medical care and aid, Fonseca said.

"The important thing now is getting emergency supplies, testing kits and insulin, to victims on the ground," he said, because "for those with Type 1 diabetes, running out of insulin becomes extremely dangerous within a day or two.

"Obviously injured people need attention as well," he said. "But people tend to put on a back burner those with chronic disease like diabetes."

Managing the Aftermath
Fonseca chaired the American Diabetes Association task force on disaster management following Hurricane Katrina and he said the organization has "learned a lot from Katrina" about the difficulties facing those with diabetes after natural catastrophes.

"Caring for diabetes on a daily basis demands constant attention in the best of times [and] despite the best planning, many aspects of the health care 'system' can be rapidly interrupted in a disaster," Fonseca and the other authors wrote in an ADA statement following Katrina.

"Physician's offices and pharmacies close due to evacuation, ... major medical centers may be inaccessible, ... loss of electric power, telephones, and other means of communication and closure of roads ... add to the complexity," the ADA statement said.

Chile Earthquake, Tsunami Warnings: Science of a DisasterDeath Toll Rises in Chile as Looting Hampers Rescue EffortsHow to Donate for Chile Relief EffortsAnd amid the chaos following a natural disaster, diabetic needs can jeopardize life within hours after a lack of insulin, experts say.

While for those with Type 2 diabetes, complications are slower to progress and less life-threatening, for those with Type 1 diabetes, the body makes almost no insulin and things get risky rather quickly, Fonseca said.

For those taking insulin shots, that can happen within 24 hours, said Dr. Charles Clark Jr., director of the WHO/PAHO Diabetes Collaborating Center for Continuing Health, and for those with an insulin pump, like the one Yamin uses, running out would pose a threat much sooner.

What's more, in situations of extreme stress, blood glucose control can be further depressed, leading diabetics to need even more insulin than usual, Fonseca said.
"Stress hormones can cause blood sugar levels to be erratic and these physiological changes combined with lack of good access to food and water" can complicate matters, said Dr. Amir Afkhami, assistant professor of psychiatry and global health at George Washington University.

Back-Up Plan Buys Time for Diabetics
There is little a Type 1 diabetic can do to "stretch out" limited supplies, said Dr. Joshua Cohen, associate professor of medicine at the George Washington University Medical Center.

"Insulin [shots are] an absolute necessity," otherwise within hours, a patient can develop ketoacidosis, when the patient's body, unable to process glucose, breaks down fat, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, he said.

Chile Earthquake: Death Toll Soars From 8.8-Magnitude QuakeTo help diabetics be more prepared for the health risks that can arise rapidly in emergency situations, the CDC advises keeping a few weeks supply of medication in an emergency kit to buy time until health care systems are back up and running.

The CDC suggests keeping diabetic-appropriate foods, such as peanut butter, cheese and crackers, in this kit as well, to ameliorate some of the problems associated with irregular food supply.

But for the many in Chile who will not have back-up supplies, the key issue now is to get medical aid to victims in Chile, Fonseca said.

This isn't "just a short-term thing," he said. "It affects victims for a long time because health care systems take a long time to get back together fully."

During Katrina, the ADA partnered with the International Diabetes Federation to provide specific diabetic disaster support and Fonseca said he suspects and hopes they will do the same for Chile, though the ADA said that, as of yet, no such plans have been made.

Yamin echoed this need to address conditions in Chile:
"It's been a traumatic experience," he said. "I'll get home when I get home. I just want to encourage everybody to pray for people who are far worse off than I am."

Olympic cross country skier with diabetes....way to go!

Kris Freeman Update: Breaking D-Ground in Olympic Endurance Sports


I’m back today for my second exclusive check-in with Kris Freeman, world-class cross-country skier competing in the Winter Olympics this week. He’s the only athlete there with diabetes. And on Saturday, it caught up with him. A blood sugar crash killed his chances for taking a medal in the men’s 30K event, where he was a favorite (he fell to 45th place after having to lie down in the snow mid-race for a bit). Naturally, he’s disappointed, but still pushing his limits.


WHAT AN AWESOME FEAT!!!!

Live good,

deb

Thursday, February 25, 2010

TUMMIETOTE by TALLYGEAR


You are looking at a Tummietote by Tallygear at rest. Recently a friend of Tallygear, Bill Woods, of ONE HAPPY DIABETIC attended a JDRF meeting where Phil Ripkin, the Physical Fitness Guru of Diabetes was giving a lecture. There was alot of talk about pumps as he works for Animas. They were showing how to wear your pump and the best way to hide/ secure/ attach it to your body. Bill woods got up and explained the Tummietote to the crowded room with great excitement, although he did not have one to show them because he has received several in the last little bit from us but keeps giving them away! And we are very excited he is giving them because he the people he gave them to have been Diabetes educators who are wholly impressed with this wonderful idea that my sister has designed and produced.
Visit www.tallygear.com for more information on this very cool and comfortable tote.  It is adjustable by 6 inches in each direction and made of swimsuit material, the ideal fabric to be against your skin if you have to have anything by your skin....send them an email with any questions , questions are answered in a timely and friendly manner. We want your child, friend, loved one to have the security and comfort to LIVE GOOD with diabetes.


Live good,

deb