T1D Tuesday: Insulin Transplantation

Every November I retire my Monday Random Round Up, and instead trot out T1D Tuesday for Type One Diabetes Awareness Month. 

You can learn about Juvenile Diabetes right here, and even make a donation to further research here. 

When you hear the word 'transplant', what do you think of? Heart? Liver? Plants, even? For most of us, something as abstract as insulin doesn't come to mind as a transplant option. What even IS it, exactly?

And if that raises more questions than it answers:

And who's smart enough to figure out how to transplant a hormone? Harvard, of course. We know that T1D is caused by the body attacking the beta cells in the pancreas. Well, a pack of brilliant Harvard minds has figured out how to produce those beta cells, making them theoretically available for manufacturing and transplantation.

What does that mean for T1D patients? NO. MORE. SHOTS.

A normal life, free from injections, with a body that can regulate it's own blood sugar. In a word: Amazing. In fact, a University College of London Professor of Regenerative Medicine, Chris Mason, is quoted as saying "If this scalable technology is proven to work in both the clinic and in the manufacturing facility the impact on the treatment of diabetes will be a medical game-changer on par with antibiotics and bacterial infections."

...Whoa.

I highly encourage you to read the whole article on this research - It's pretty short and even in layman's terms so all us non-Harvard grads can understand. The implications are mind-blowing for the future of those with T1D. A cure is real and within reach. Let's spread the word and increase funding for amazing research like this!

T1D Tuesday: Get'cho Facts Straight

Every November I retire my Monday Random Round Up, and instead trot out T1D Tuesday for Type One Diabetes Awareness Month. 

You can learn about Juvenile Diabetes right here, and even make a donation to further research here. 

Let's address something right off the bat this month: Type One Diabetes is not caused by what you eat or how much you exercise. Kids don't get it because they're parents are lazy, and adults don't get it because they're eating fast food.

Type One is a tricky business, and the pervasive belief that those diagnosed brought it on themselves somehow is a frustrating reality. It simply isn't true, and it hinders funding for research as people don't want to open their wallets for a 'self inflicted' disease. ARGH!!

So yes, this post is short and sweet. That makes it easy to pass on. We'll get into some mind-blowing developments in the march toward a cure next week, but for now, spread this word. This one, right here: Type One Diabetes is not a disease for the unhealthy, fat, lazy, uneducated, or sugar-addicted. It can hit anyone at any time. YOU, even. The faster we support finding a cure, the better it is for us all.

It's Important. REALLY Important.

November is right around the corner, and that means it's Type One Diabetes Awareness Month! As you may recall, my Monday Random Round Up gets to rest for a month, and is instead replaced by T1D Tuesdays: A little spot where you can pop in, learn a little something, and spread the word.

The most incredible research is happening toward a cure, and I cannot wait to tell you about it (seriously, I save articles all year so I can tell you about 'em in November). You think the new Star Wars movie coming out is exciting? Ain't got nothin' on the real-life, special effects-type science happening in the T1D world.

And why do I care so much? In a word, Ella.

My cousin's daughter was diagnosed at age 7 with Type One, and it rocked our family's world. So much to take in, so much to learn, so many questions. Now, at age 10, Ella is a perfectly functional 4th grader: Sporty, fun, and brimming with life. She even takes charge of her own care, injecting herself with insulin and taking finger-prick sugar level readings without a flinch. She is a carb-calculating whiz, and educates other kiddos on her diagnoses with panache.

Basically, she's amazing. And why wouldn't I want to raise awareness to make her life - and that of so many others - better. T1D Tuesdays, comin' at'cha! Get excited.

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Top 5 of 2014

Last year I rounded up the top five attention-getting posts of the year, and it was so interesting (probably only for me, but hey) that it's officially an annual event as of right now.

Sometimes I understand why a post is popular immediately, and sometimes... well sometimes I just end up thinking the world is a pretty weird and wonderful place. I'm happy people like the same things I do, and get even the tiniest kick of seeing those things in black and white here on this blog.

Drumroll please...

#1: Kitchen Switchin'

The top half of the kitchen cabinets was made over, grubby before photos and all. Funnily the whole-kitchen reveal didn't get quite as much attention. 

#2: Oil Pulling - The Basics

This is good stuff, guys, and I'm glad you were into it! It really does work wonders. I'm still a believer.

#3: Onesie, Twosie, Redsie, Bluesie

This fast, easy, and personalized baby gift is fun and do-able for anyone!

#4: RespecTABLE and Shelf Life

It's a tie for fourth place! Apparently people really dig a wooden furniture element (and watching me struggle).

#5: T1D Tuesday - My Reason

THANK YOU! This makes my day that it's a top five-er. And better yet, you can still get in on the feel-good fun by donating right here (she's over half way to her goal!).

Thanks for another wonderful year, all of you! Cheers to what's ahead, whatever it may be.

T1D Tuesday: Get After It

For the month of November - Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Month - my Monday Random Round Up goes on hiatus, making way for T1D Tuesday. 

Let's get educated, motivated, and moving on making Type One, Type None. 

Donate to my cousin Ella's efforts by clicking right here.

I've told you about my reason for promoting research and awareness for Type 1 Diabetes. I've told you about the research being done and the advancements being made. We've talked personal stories and hard science. And it's been great.

But now what? What can you do?

It's not all about dollars (although, super awesome if you want to support that way). There are tons of ways to get involved and create your own network of spreading the word.

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There are JDRF support chapters all over the country (and even the world), and you can find your nearest one right here. Your local chapter can offer personal contacts in the area, local activities, and even a brick-and-mortar office if you prefer face to face info gathering.

Ella at the doc

JDRF is all about being active too: Runs, walks, even bike rides, with proceeds going to fund research and development like what I've described this past month.

So many ways to support and get involved on any level you're comfortable with - Check it out.

And just to make sure we're all passing along quality information, take spin through these common myths about Type 1. Some of them SO common, you will be surprised to find they're not actually true!

Thanks for hanging with me every Tuesday in November, guys. Not only is the topic important, but how often these days to we get to say 'a cure is within reach' and mean it. Really mean it. A girl who is now nine could see a day when she wakes up and thinks "remember when I was diabetic...?"

Past tense is a beautiful thing. We can make it happen.

"I'm going to be a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon when I grow up."

T1D Tuesday: Fake It To Make It

For the month of November - Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Month - my Monday Random Round Up goes on hiatus, making way for T1D Tuesday. 

Let's get educated, motivated, and moving on making Type One, Type None. 

Donate to my cousin Ella's efforts by clicking right here.

Along with filling you in on some incredible new research like encapsulation last week, I want to give you an update on things I told you about last year: Namely, work on the artificial pancreas. If you donated to the cause last year, you've helped advance this crazy-in-the-best-way creation.

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Type 1 Diabetes, in it's most basic form, is when the pancreas fails to produce adequate insulin to release into the bloodstream to regulate sugar levels. Right now, the only way to remedy the situation is to monitor blood sugar levels in diabetics, administering insulin doses via shots or an inserted pump, which reduces injections but not monitoring duties. Neither are comfortable, and neither give a diabetic any real peace of mind. They think about their sugar levels all. the. time.

I'm going to let the experts handle the description of the research currently being done, so straight from the American Diabetes Association:

The artificial pancreas system – which includes an insulin pump, software and sensors that track blood glucose levels on a continuous basis – reduced the incidence of nocturnal hypoglycemia events by 32 percent and the duration and severity of those incidents by 38 percent, by shutting off insulin delivery for two hours once glucose levels reached a predefined threshold value (usually 70 mg/dL) the study showed. The threshold suspend feature is part of the MiniMed 530 G system, made by Medtronic and is currently undergoing review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This feature is available internationally in the MiniMed Veo System, where it is called Low Glucose Suspend.

Hypoglycemia is of great concern because it can lead to unconsciousness, seizures and even death. Overnight hypoglycemia is a concern for most patients and family members of those with type 1 diabetes.

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The work toward production of the artificial pancreas system is real. Although organ transplants are nothing but serious business, the concept of working around a faulty one with a mechanized version is already in practice. Think artificial heart valves: They replace one part of an organ, becoming a man-made alternative functioning as a part of the internal human body. Living proof? My own mom.

So in the last year, we've gone from working concept to reality-being-reviewed-by-the-FDA. If that's not a happy update, I don't know what is. Again and as always, THANK YOU if you donated last year, and if you haven't yet: What are you waiting for? This stuff is amazing!

Edited to include:
Check out this great article posted on CNN today about what it's like to face the stigma of being diabetic.

T1D Tuesday: Encapsulation

For the month of November - Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Month - my Monday Random Round Up goes on hiatus, making way for T1D Tuesday. 

Let's get educated, motivated, and moving on making Type One, Type None. 

Donate to my cousin Ella's efforts by clicking right here.

I can't even come up with a cute title for this post, because this concept just blows my mind.

The image above sounds wonderful, right? But the really exciting stuff is in the details: Encapsulation is basically a synthetic material being created to - you guessed it - encapsulate the cells in the body that produce insulin. These cells could then be transplanted into diabetics, allowing them to theoretically live like they are diabetes-free for two years.

Did you hear that? Allowing them to live like they are NO LONGER DIABETIC. Mind: Blown.

Here's a more science-based summation, direct from the JDRF website:
This protective, semi-permeable shielding will be designed to allow beta cells in islets to sense glucose and produce insulin, but be protected from immune destruction by two types of attack-autoimmune attack that caused diabetes in the first place, and the alloimmune rejection of foreign tissue transplanted into the body. 

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This incredible step bounding leap of an advancement needs more time and money and brain power put in to make it truly successful, but the science is real and the idea is actively being tested. Last year JDRF was able to fund a 4.3 million dollar research project on encapsulation alone. And if you donated to the cause you were a part of that. Thanks!

Want to be a part this year? Click here to donate to my cousin Ella's fundraising efforts. A nine year old diabetic herself, encapsulation is a real possibility to have an effect on her life. Science is incredible.

T1D Tuesday: My Reason

For the month of November - Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Month - my Monday Random Round Up goes on hiatus, making way for T1D Tuesday. Let's get educated, motivated, and moving on making Type One, Type None. 

Donate to my cousin Ella's efforts by clicking right here.

I don't have Type 1 Diabetes. Neither does my husband. Or my parents, or his parents, or any of my friends.

So why? Why do I care?

My 9 year old cousin Ella was diagnosed with T1D in 2011 as an active, creative, and smart-as-a-whip seven year old. Here's her story, as told by her mom:

When she was diagnosed I realized how little I really knew about diabetes of all sorts. How straight are you on the facts? Take a quick spin through this quiz and find out. I still have so much to learn! Meet me back here next Tuesday and we'll get some insight on some crazy-amazing research happening right now.

T1D Day!

November is Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Month, and today - November 1st - is T1Day across the country.

Depending on how long you've been checking up on this blog, you may or may not know about my cousin Ella, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 7. It gave me insight to a disease I'd hardly paid attention to prior, and the strides being made in research are straight-out-of-science-fiction incredible.

Knowing a cure could come so soon - in Ella's lifetime even - makes me want to spread the word like wildfire. And hey, if I raise a little money along the way to advance the research even more... In the words of Matthew McConaughey: Alright, alright, alright.

Just like last year, my weekly Random Round Up will be replaced with T1D Tuesday for the month of November. Get ready to hear about some incredible and exciting stuff! So shake off that Halloween sugar hangover, and - how appropriate - let's make Type 1 into Type None.

 Already feeling motivated? Give to Ella, walking in the JDRF One Walk: For A World Without Type 1 Diabetes in the Twin Cities right here.

Random Round Up: Summer

First things first: Do you know that for the month of July you can make a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation when you pick up your run-of-the-mill Walgreens purchases? From one dollar to ten, you choose the amount at the register and with the click of a button, your errand has just become a charitable mission. So please, drop a dollar or two in the virtual pot. It means so much to me and to all those touched by T1D! Click here to learn more or donate online here.

Now, on to your regularly scheduled programming. The running joke around here is that summer starts on July 5th. This year proves the validity: After rain on the fourth, an extended stretch of eighty-plus degree weather has me loving the world right now. It's summer!

I keep re-styling the shelf we built. Love having abundant backyard flowers!

Chop chop! Six inches gone.

Mango sticky rice - My new Thai food love.

Book. Bun. "Pool". Sun.

Sunday morning beach walk time.

Have a great week ahead, peeps!

Top 5 of 2013

First: Thank you!
Yep, you. The one reading this right now. Thanks for reading this - and numerous other ramblings - over the past 12 months. Feel free to be liberal with the back patting, you deserve it!

I thought it would be fun to take a glance backwards before we dive headlong into 2014, so here are my five posts from twenty-thirteen that garnered the most traffic. The posts that Y-O-U chose as the best!

#1: Mini-Makeover: White and Bright

I never know quite what will ring people's bells, but perhaps it's the what-to-buy list in this post. I must say, every product and technique used in this guy will be used a great deal more in the new year!

#2: Back Yard Yield

Yep, this one I get. Because the plum cake recipe included in this post is the bomb dot com.

#3: Mini-Celeb

Stop, I'm blushing. My Crowdtap blog shoutout landed the #3 most popular post of the year.

#4: JDRF and Walgreens

Warm my heart, why don't you! Any time my attempts to raise money for Type 1 Diabetes research garner attention I couldn't be happier. Here's hoping you all donated at Walgreens and - shameless plug - are about to hit up www2.jdrf.org right now to donate to Team Ella of Minnesota.

#5: Ottoman Reupholstering: Bottom and Lid/Results

Such a fun, easy, and totally transformative project. My 'new' ottoman is still happily installed in our family room collecting compliments and loving gazes.

Can't wait to see what you all choose to be the most popular of 2014!

T1D Tuesday: Amazing Advancements

For the month of November I'm putting my Monday 'Random Round Up' on hiatus, instead focusing on November being Diabetes Awareness Month. "T1D Tuesday" will hopefully shed a little light on Type 1 Diabetes. Learn, enjoy, and if you can, support JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). Donate specifically to my cousin Ella's efforts at www2.jdrf.org, and search "Team Ella" in Minnesota.

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I've talked before about the incredible research being done to craft an artificial pancreas for those with Type 1 Diabetes, which would render shots and glucose checks basically obsolete. Research is being done every day, and if you've donated to JDRF, you've contributed.

Pat on the back for you!

I thought this article on pump development was particularly interesting, and while I encourage you to read the whole thing, I'm wanted to share a snippet of what I think is the most exciting and fascinating part:

"People with T1D are burdened with constantly having to determine the right amount of insulin to dose at the right time. Yet even with diligent monitoring, people with T1D spend a significant portion of the day with either high or low blood sugar, placing them at risk for devastating long-term complications from hyperglycemia or traumas from hypoglycemia. Artificial pancreas systems will be external devices that help people with T1D do what their bodies cannot-automatically control their blood sugar around the clock. They will work by combining an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which provides glucose readings every 1-5 minutes, with sophisticated computer software that allows the two devices to automatically communicate to determine and provide the right amount of insulin at the right time.

Today, artificial pancreas systems are being tested that automate some insulin delivery. In the future, the goal is to restore the balance of other hormones, in addition to insulin, that are missing or out of balance in people with T1D. The dual-chamber infusion pump being developed by Tandem may help restore the missing hormonal balance in T1D, and will help evolve the artificial pancreas to the next generation of devices that will more closely mimic the function of a healthy human pancreas."

Is that not incredible?! And don't you want that for this face?

Ella

Unbelievably, we've already reached the last Tuesday in November - National Diabetes Awareness Month. Thanks for truckin' along with me - Hopefully you've learned a thing or two, and my dearest wish is that it's inspired you to take some form of action: Donate. Write a lawmaker. Post a Facebook status. Tweet an article link. Sign up for a walk. A cure is so close you can practically taste it... And it's as sweet as sugar glucose.


In the Seattle area this time of year? Head straight for The Sheraton and the 21st Annual Gingerbread Village benefiting the local chapter of JDRF. Amazing works of edible art to get you in the holiday spirit for a fabulous cause! (Seriously, check out these pictures of last year.)

T1D Tuesday: Walk a Mile in His Shoes

 For the month of November I'm putting my Monday 'Random Round Up' on hiatus, instead focusing on November being Diabetes Awareness Month. "T1D Tuesday" will hopefully shed a little light on Type 1 Diabetes. Learn, enjoy, and if you can, support JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).

Donate specifically to my cousin Ella's efforts at www2.jdrf.org, and search "Team Ella" in Minnesota.

Last week I told you about T1D For A Day, where upon signing up, professional snowboarder and Type 1 Diabetic Sean Busby would send you 24 hours worth of texts, allowing participants to get a tiny taste of what it's like to live with diabetes every day.

Sean and his wife Mollie - He texted this photo during my 24 hours!

For those of you who don't text or haven't yet signed up (you can do it anytime in November, so get on it!), I thought I'd share a little of my experience. Spoiler alert: It was pretty eye-opening.

How it all starts - So simple!

Every bite has to be thought about.

No rest for the weary - T1D doesn't take a break.

I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity - I feel like I got to know Sean (he even sent out a picture of his dog at one point), and I was actually kind of sad when I got my "the end" notice. A fascinating way to walk a mile in Sean's shoes and all of those who deal with T1D on a daily basis.

Want to learn more about what you can do? Visit advocacy.jdrf.org or to keep in the theme, text ACTION to 37420 to receive Action Alert emails and other communications regarding the Special Diabetes Program (SDP). There's super important legislation in the works all the time to get funding to cure Type 1 Diabetes. Be a part of it - They make it mind-blowingly easy. Five minutes of filling out a form letter can have a massive impact. Go!

T1D Tuesday: A Day In The Life

For the month of November I'm putting my Monday 'Random Round Up' on hiatus, instead focusing on November being Diabetes Awareness Month. "T1D Tuesday" will hopefully shed a little light on Type 1 Diabetes. Learn, enjoy, and if you can, support JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).
Donate specifically to my cousin Ella's efforts at www2.jdrf.org, and search "Team Ella" in Minnesota.

 Sure, everyone has heard of diabetes. You may know that people who have it need shots of insulin, or even that the disease affects the pancreas. But do you really know what a diabetic deals with on a day to day basis?

Professional snowboarder Sean Busby does, and he's teamed up with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to give folks a little more insight. A play-by-play, day-in-the-life experience, right in the palm of your hand.
About one hour after you text T1D4ADAY to 63566, you'll start getting texts from Sean for 24 hours, letting you see firsthand how he tries to maintain a balanced life dealing with his Type 1 diabetes. You can even talk about your experience and see that of others who've accepted the challenge by using or searching #T14aDay on Twitter and other social media outlets.

I started this morning. Join me!


Extra Scoop:
Participation in T1D for a Day is free of charge. (You may receive up to 45 messages.)
Message and Data Rates May Apply.
Text Stop to 63566 to Unsubscribe.
Text Help to 63566 for Help.
Mobile Terms and Conditions at www.protexting.com/T1D4ADAY.html

Two Minutes.

You have two minutes.

You do.

Now that you've read this, you have, let's say, a minute and 57 seconds left. Here's how you fill it:

And now that you've seen that (made by Ella's amazing mom, I might add), you'll be wanting to spend five minutes to donate to her cause. Click here to be taken right to the page to make your tax deductible donation for a cure.* On the anniversary day of her diagnosis, it's only right.

For Ella, for all.
And truly, thank you.


*Trouble with the link? Head to www2.jdrf.org and type Team Ella in the 'Team Name' box and choose Minnesota for the state. That will take you right to her link.

Because You Helped...!

It's coming time for some JDRF fundraising again soon, and as a little warm-fuzzy incentive, I wanted to show you something you helped develop if you've made a donation in the past:

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This is incredible, you guys. This little machine called the MiniMed 530G with Enlite acts as - ready for this? - an artificial pancreas. An internal pump, it can figure out when the diabetes patient needs insulin and when they don't, keeping kiddos (starting at age 16) and adults alike running smoothly without shots. How does that happen? Here's a little diagram to give you the gist:

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The MiniMed 530G with Enlite just got it's FDA approval, meaning it's ready to hit the market and change some lives pretty close to now.

Here are some of the high points:
*Automatically stops insulin delivery when the sensor glucose values reach a present low level.
*Provides better glucose control compared to multiple daily injections.
*Better detection of low and high glucose values.
*Improved sensor accuracy.
*More comfortable, smaller sensor that is 38% shorter in length.
*Longer sensor life - Enlite can be worn for six days of use.
*Easier insertion.
*I strongly encourage you to read the whole article here - Science is amazing!

Now, some of that might not mean a lot to those of us without diabetes, but to a patient, that list of bullet points could add up to a totally changed existence. So thank you, thank you, thank you if you've donated in the past, and - fair warning - you'll be hearing about a new opportunity to do so in the near future right here from me.

A cure for Ella, a cure for all!

• Automatically stops insulin delivery when sensor glucose values reach a preset low level
• Provides better glucose control compared to multiple daily injections(iv)
• Better detection of low and high glucose values(v)
• Improved sensor accuracy
• More comfortable, smaller sensor(vi)  that is 38% shorter in length
• Longer sensor life- Enlite can be worn for six days of use
• Easier insertion with the new Enlite serter that includes a hidden introducer needle and a one button insertion process - See more at: http://www.loop-blog.com/blog/Introducing-the-MiniMed-530G-with-Enlite#sthash.JWaVwz2x.dpuf

MiniMed 530G® system with Enlite®

MiniMed 530G® system with Enlite®

Reminder!

It's the weekend tomorrow and if you're like me, you get some errands done during those precious days away from the office.

So don't forget about the Walgreens and JDRF team-up for July. This is the LAST WEEKEND of the month (I know. Already.) so please, if have things to pick up at the drugstore, make it a Walgreens and donate to the cause. $1, $5, anything.

Get the whole scoop on my recent post about the topic here, or just head for Walgreens and they'll tell you everything you need to know. It's so, so important - Thanks guys!!

Handful of Vacation

I find I didn't take nearly as many photos as I normally do on trips this past vacation. No idea why, but I'm happy I've at least got a few gems to share. Enjoy!

Festive

Grace can fly!

'The Cabin'

Love these faces.

Ella water skis for the first time!

Sun-soaked birch.

Dreamy.

It's not a ton of photos, I know, but I think it gives you a pretty good little snapshot of life on the lake with the best family goin'.