Terry Keelan's Blog (17)

Hearts Afire

My doctor wants to burn a hole in my heart.

Technically what he wants to do is ablate (v.tr. 1. Medicine To excise, amputate, or otherwise destroy the biological function of) part of the wall of my right atrium.

He says it won't interfere with my training for the Denver Marathon in September, which kind of sucks because I don't want to train for it and was looking for an excuse. There are some commitments that even heart surgery can't get you out of.

It's all… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on July 10, 2012 at 11:15pm — 6 Comments

Alaska Cruise Days Three and Four

Alaska Cruise Days three and Four

We've been at see for two days and unwilling to pay the exorbitant Internet access fees. Thus the blog was suspended until we reached Juneau and the public wifi afforded by the Juneau Public Library.

The end of day two was uneventful; no different than residing in a floating hotel. Th accommodations are not spacious, but are certainly comfortable. Gels had her hair done at the inboard shop then we went to diner informal attire and were… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on September 22, 2011 at 12:16pm — 1 Comment

Alaska Cruise (or not) Days Two and Three

Alaska cruise Blog Day Two

Alaska has its own Time Zone. News to me. I thought it just stayed light longer. So we're an hour behind L.A. which is no problem, just a surprise.

The good news is that I found my blood glucose meter in my carry-on. Which is where I thought it was, but couldn't find yesterday. Which means I was wrong when I said it was where I could picture it on the bar at home. So much for ESP.

We spent three hours in the Ted Stevens Anchorage… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on September 19, 2011 at 11:31am — 1 Comment

Alaskan Cruise Day One

I am sabotaging myself. On this trip to Alaska I have left behind both my blood glucose meter and my continuous glucose monitor. This must mean that psychologically I am in denial and have subconsciously taken a vacation not only from the work a day world but from diabetes.

Not to worry , though. I have an extra meter in my luggage. As for the CGM, I have an extra sliver of metal and plastic inserted in my abdomen for no reason. It's sending signals but they're not being received.… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on September 17, 2011 at 6:10pm — 4 Comments

ten things I hate about you, diabetes

You're unpredictable.
You're high maintenance.
You're vindictive.
You're demanding.
You nag.
You interfere.
You cost a lot.
You are a major imposition.
You're never pleased.
You're an ingrate.

Added by Terry Keelan on May 12, 2011 at 7:45pm — No Comments

Bloopers

In support of the second annual diabetes blog week, I present my funniest diabetes bloopers.

So, you want to hear some of the funny bloopers I've had taking care of my diabetes? Here's one.

After I got out of the shower, dressed and drove to work, I realized that my pump was still on the bathroom counter! Hilarious, right?

Oh, and another time I remembered the pump, but forgot to attach it! Isn't that a riot?

Both times my blood sugar peaked at… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on May 11, 2011 at 9:00pm — No Comments

Dear Milkshake

Dear Milkshake,

I'm sure you're surprised to get this letter and I wouldn't blame you if you tore it up and threw it away without even reading it. I hope you didn't.

I know I hurt you when I left you in the McDonald's drive-through that night. I will never forget the look of pain and abandonment you gave me. It's burned into my memory as deeply as the time I got smacked in the face with a dodgeball by Rick Nowicki. I think of that night (not the dodgeball night, the… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on May 10, 2011 at 9:30pm — 3 Comments

Inspiration

Inspiration.

Perspiration.

"Invention is ten percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration." - Thomas Edison.

The notable characteristic of the diabetics who inspire me is the amount of work they put into advocating for diabetics and promoting their message. It's unfathomable. I suspect that they put in the work as means of controlling their blood sugar.

Inspiration doesn't just sit around. It propels us to do something. These diabetes bloggers… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on May 9, 2011 at 8:30pm — 2 Comments

Carlsbad Half Marathon 2011 Race Report

Before I talk about the course and the weather and the experience and the blood sugars, one word - Insulindependence. If you haven’t heard of Insulindependence go to the website and read about the great things this organization is doing to encourage young people with diabetes to get active.

This is a growing and dynamic organization I learned about two years ago when I first ran the Carlsbad Half-Marathon. I was looking for a diabetes related group to support and these were the guys.… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on January 26, 2011 at 10:39pm — 3 Comments

Maui Half Marathon Report - 2010

Costco, at least the Costco on Maui, sells a very delicious “Bean Hamburger.” It’s the size and consistency of a beef hamburger, looks like a beef hamburger, cooks like a beef hamburger, but tastes better.…

Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on September 23, 2010 at 11:41pm — 5 Comments

A1C is 7.6 and I'm Happy About It

Because my prior A1C was 8.1.

It's the small things in life that bring us pleasure. At the very least I'm heading in the right direction.

Onward and upward!

Wait.

No.

I mean Onward and downward!

Added by Terry Keelan on August 11, 2010 at 1:30pm — 7 Comments

A Fib. No lie.

There are runs where you feel invincible. Your legs spin as if attached to a wheel. Your feet feel as if they’re barely touching the ground. Every part of your body is working together in perfect harmony and unison; arms, torso, legs, lungs, heart.

Until they’re not.

Your legs are like wooden posts, your breath is labored, your heart races, but you can’t keep up with it. The synchronism that suffused your body moments ago is 50 feet behind you, gasping for breath. You slow… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on February 3, 2010 at 10:32pm — 4 Comments

Latest Marathon Adventure - Long Beach 2009

Part of the fun of running in a marathon, especially one as large at Long Beach with some 20,000 entrants, is the variety of people and characters you run with along the way. The course in Long Beach is very flat, with only three or four uphills, each very moderate. For that reason it's inviting to a lot of newcomers. For that reason it’s also quite humbling for someone like me who runs a lot. Being passed by a woman who is half your height and twice your width has a way of leveling your ego,… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on October 11, 2009 at 3:43pm — 3 Comments

My Diabetes, My Friend?

(This was inspired, in part, by dino's blog "I'm putting down the gloves" http://tudiabetes.com/profiles/blogs/im-putting-down-the-gloves and a few other sources, particularly a cold turkey quit smoking site that has been very supportive for me.)

Is this how a friend treats you?

This friend comes to live in your house. You didn’t invite him. He has no job. He has no money. He has no clothes. He has no visible means of support. But you can’t kick him out. Why? Because he’s… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on September 22, 2009 at 10:30pm — 16 Comments

Adventures with the “tuDiabetes meet-up”

I arrived at the Omellette Parlor in Santa Monica about 15 minutes late. Possibly later, because I parked so far away. I was trying to find Sarah and Rebecca, who I knew only from their messages on tuDiabetes and the pictures in their profiles. How hard could it be?

Confoundingly hard, in fact. It was only the day before that I confirmed that I’d attend the meet-up, arranged by Rebecca. But I didn’t have a phone number for either of them and for some reason, neither of them dressed… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on September 13, 2009 at 8:36pm — 12 Comments

A Teaching Moment - Time to Act Up

Every Monday morning my co-employees and managers gather in the conference room to review the week's production schedule. Each Monday for the past year one person has been assigned to give a brief presentation on a topic of their choice. People have sung songs, recited poems, given slide shows of their recent trips or photography, lectured on a topic of interest to them, and all kinds of things. Today was my turn.

I decided to combine two of my favorite subjects - diabetes and… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on April 13, 2009 at 4:45pm — 10 Comments

The 2008 Long Beach Half Marathon

I finished the Long Beach Half Marathon in 2:31:22 today, a mere 1:22 off my goal, so I am very pleased. It was also an interesting day for my blood sugars, so I thought I’d tell you how it went.

On background, I’m a 51 year old Type 1, diagnosed in January 2003, on insulin since 2004 and on a MiniMed pump since 2005. I have a Dexcom CGM, but didn’t wear it during the race.

Woke up this morning at 5:30 am with a BG of 315. WTF!!!???? That came out of the blue.… Continue

Added by Terry Keelan on October 14, 2007 at 5:45pm — 6 Comments

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