TuDiabetes

Katie B
  • Female
  • Ithaca, NY
  • United States
Share 
Twitter

Katie B's Friends

Katie B's Groups

Katie B's Discussions

Glucagon: Do You Keep Your Kit At Home?

Replied Jun. 19, 2008

Vocal Technique and Diabetes

Replied May. 30, 2008

Vocal Technique and Diabetes

Replied May. 23, 2008

 

Katie B's Page

Latest Activity

Katie B updated their profile
June 25, 2009
Katie B left a comment for John Manning
June 25, 2009
John Manning commented on Katie B's blog post '6 months'
HI Katie, I'm a 35 year old type 1, I have had diabetes for over 33 years now. I always talk to my my mom about when I was younger and she tells me the ups and downs, the trials and tribulations of what it was like raising a type 1. Her struggles an…
June 25, 2009
Andreina Davila left a comment for Katie B
June 25, 2009
A blog post by Katie B was featured
I've been something of an emotional wreck over the past week -- there's been a lot going on, and my communication skills have been, well, shoddy. I've felt isolated, but unable to reach out, overwhelmed, but unable to ask for help, and fatigued, but…
June 25, 2009
Andreina Davila commented on Katie B's blog post '6 months'
Katie, I just read your poem "D is for Diabetes" again, ans wanted to tell you I think you are such a strong woman. It is not easy task, only to read about it it break my heart. But never forget what a great job you are doing. And I am sure the next…
June 25, 2009
Linda Gauvin-Miller left a comment for Katie B
March 10, 2009
Katie B left a comment for Brad L
February 8, 2009

Profile Information

Hometown (where you come from):
Johnson City, NY
Do you have diabetes?
I have a relative/friend with diabetes
I have:
Type 1
Date diagnosed
December 14, 2007
Most recent A1C (Blood Glucose Average) Value
7.1
What glucose meter do you use?
OneTouch Ultra2
Type of treatment you use
Pump
What pump model do you use, if any?
Animas 2020
What is the address for your Facebook profile, if any?
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/katie.ballantyne?ref=name
What is the address for your Twitter profile or other web site, if any?
http://musicianmama.blogspot.com
How did you find out about us? What were you searching for?
Another member of TuDiabetes left a comment on my website and invited me to come take a look at the site.
Who referred you? (if anyone)
Bernard
What do you do for a living?
Stay-at-home-mom/private voice teacher

Katie B's Blog

Katie B

6 months

I've been something of an emotional wreck over the past week -- there's been a lot going on, and my communication skills have been, well, shoddy. I've felt isolated, but unable to reach out, overwhelmed, but unable to ask for help, and fatigued, but unable to close my eyes and sleep.

In the past seven days, we've had appointments with Richard's pediatrician, his endocrinologist, his insulin pump trainer, his physical therapist, and our family's social worker. I've exchanged emails and phone cal… Continue

Posted on June 19, 2008 at 7:43am — 3 Comments

Katie B

Looking

Lately I've been ruminating on what makes people look at other people. What draws your attention? Why?

Richard O's insulin pump draws a lot of looks from strangers. It's okay, it doesn't bother me, but it does make for some interesting conversation.

At the post office:

"Is that a cell phone that he's carrying around? Wait, don't tell me, it's a GPS device."

At the grocery store:

"Check out the mp3 player on the baby."

Then there are the looks you get when your T1 child is having a Wacky Bl… Continue

Posted on June 8, 2008 at 9:06pm — 2 Comments

Katie B

Fighting off the lows

Since we've started on the pump, a number of people have asked if I can breathe a little easier now. The short answer is, "Kinda."

The long answer is, "No, not really, because I'm not confident that all of the pump settings are correct yet, so I have to watch him like a hawk to make sure things aren't going awry." I have to keep reminding myself, it's going to take some time and some patience before things are fine-tuned. I just have to keep logging his numbers faithfully, and eventually we'll… Continue

Posted on May 29, 2008 at 9:10pm —

Katie B

"Should the cabin lose pressure..."

The shaggy-haired cabbie glanced back at me in the rearview mirror. "You know, speaking as the father of two, mommies have got to take some time for themselves. You've got to put your own oxygen mask on first."

Validation comes from the strangest places sometimes, no?

Today was one of those days. One of those days when it feels like all the oxygen has been sucked out of the atmosphere and you can't breathe. At all.

I don't often feel like this, and as our days have been going lately, I wouldn… Continue

Posted on May 22, 2008 at 9:20pm — 2 Comments

Katie B

The ever-shifting definition of success...

It's 3 am, and once again I am up monitoring Richard O's blood sugar. We did well during the day today -- his numbers were much closer to target. However, we're still having problems with the infusion sites. I had to change his sites not once, but twice over the past 24 hours, which has been frustrating to me -- his numbers were climbing, and not responding to corrections through the pump. I had to wake up a rather grumpy Hubby after midnight tonight to give me a hand with the site change, and w… Continue

Posted on May 21, 2008 at 8:44am — 1 Comment

Comment Wall (8 comments)

You need to be a member of TuDiabetes to add comments!

Join this Ning Network

At 8:21pm on June 25, 2009, Andreina Davila said…
Katie, I just read your poem "D is for Diabetes" again, ans wanted to tell you I think you are such a strong woman. It is not easy task, only to read about it it break my heart. But never forget what a great job you are doing.
At 5:29pm on March 10, 2009, Linda Gauvin-Miller said…
Hey Katie....just thought I'd pop in to see how you're doing!Hello!

I am part of the Welcome Committee and was just checking in on you to make sure you are aware of all that TuDiabetes has to offer. We would love to hear from you so here is a helpful link where you can read about all the things you can do in the community.




http://tudiabetes.com/notes/New_Member_Guide




I look forward to hearing from you again soon.
At 8:43pm on February 4, 2009, Kirk Slusher said…
Katie:

I read your poem, very inspirational. I have learned a few things about living with D over the 51 years its been my life mate. I sense in your words feelings I have had about me and taking care of myself. One is an overwhelming sense of failure beacuse no matter what we do it is never perfect, but alas I have learned that doing our best is all we can do. I've also learned that even when things are freaky scary they will get better. You seem to be doing a wonderful job for you child. I will tell you my highest BS was 880 30 years ago my lowest was 15 and they were passing events that seem to have not permanently damaged me. You strike me as a wonderful mother Have you tried the Omnipod pump, I hear great things about it? Peace to you and your family.

Kirk
At 1:47pm on February 4, 2009, Marie B said…
your poem is incredibly powerful.
At 11:28pm on May 23, 2008, landileigh said…
i've really enjoyed reading your blogs!
At 11:36am on May 19, 2008, debb said…
i just realized your not very far from me. i live in brocton, ny. right on lake erie. half way between buffalo and erie, pa.
At 11:34am on May 19, 2008, debb said…
hi katie,
i really wasn't saying that we can't get frustrated with situations. we can and we do. we're human after all. i just wanted to remind people that unless you live it, it doesn't seem real. even i have family that don't want to know or learn about diabetes. when i say i can't have something it goes through one ear and out the other. today, my daughter bought me candy. because it's dark chocolate. so i know what you mean. i just wanted to remind people about the other side of the coin too. hope i didn't upset you. we get so tuned into our own problems sometimes that we forget that others don't think like us. if you know what i mean. family and friends mean well, but they don't seem to want to learn anything about our needs. for me.... my husband left me because "i let him down" by getting sick. so i do understand about the frustration.
At 6:01pm on May 18, 2008, Scott Strumello said…
Welcome to TuDiabetes, Katie! Glad you found us here and decided to join the TuDiabetes community! Welcome.
 
 

Spread the word

Loading…

Get Badge

Follow Us

Diabetes Hands Foundation Facebook Page

Tell Others About TuDiabetes

Receive our Monthly TuDiabetes Newsletter
Newsletter Archive

Our Other Programs

EsTuDiabetes
Word In Your Hand
Drawing Diabetes
Diabetes Supplies Art
No-Sugar Added Poetry

Groups

Diabetes Resources


TuDiabetes Team

Founders
Manny Hernandez
Andreina Davila
Interim Lead Administrator
Kristin
Administrators
Scott
Teena
On Maternity Leave
MelissaBL

Other Volunteers

 

© 2010   Created by Diabetes Hands Foundation, P.O. Box 9421, Berkeley, CA 94709.
Diabetes Hands Foundation (DHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations to DHF are eligible to be deducted.

Disclaimer
The contents of TuDiabetes is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, including without limitation diabetes. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on TuDiabetes.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The Diabetes Hands Foundation does not endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, services, procedures, opinions, or other information that are advertised or mentioned on the web site.

TuDiabetes®, TuDiabetes.org®, Word in Your Hand™, Drawing Diabetes™, Diabetes Supplies Art™ and No-Sugar Added Poetry™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Diabetes Hands Foundation.

Badges  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy  |  Terms of Service