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Diabetes Blog Week 2015 – Day 4 – Changes

Posted May 14, 2015 In Diabetes, Personal

Welcome back to Day 4 of Diabetes Blog Week 2015! Here’s the prompt for Day 4, Changes – Thursday 5/14:

Today let’s talk about changes, in one of two ways. Either tell us what you’d most like to see change about diabetes, in any way. This can be management tools, devices, medications, people’s perceptions, your own feelings – anything at all that you feel could use changing. OR reflect back on some changes you or your loved one has seen or been through since being diagnosed with diabetes. Were they expected or did they surprise you?

The most significant changes I’ve experienced since I was diagnosed in terms of diabetes technology were the switch from multiple daily injections (shots) to an insulin pump, and then the addition of a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to help manage my bloodsugars. I switched to an insulin pump in about 2000 or 2001 and added the CGM in the fall of 2007. Switching to an insulin pump gave me more freedom as to when and what I would eat, since I was able to give myself more insulin any time I wanted. The CGM was a total game changer in that I was able to see what my bloodsugars were doing, minute by minute, meaning I could see the effect that food and insulin each had on my bloodsugar. My A1c dropped drastically just by adding that device.

Currently, my A1c is a little higher than I’d like, so I’m working on making the change to a lower A1c. Obviously, I would love a cure for diabetes in the future, but I’m just going to keep truckin’ until we get there. :)

xoxo,

Lauren

Are you looking for a photographer for your upcoming wedding or anniversary session? Email Lauren at [email protected] or use the contact link on the top of this page to get in touch with San Diego Wedding Photographer Lauren Nygard! Lauren is based in Southern California but loves traveling with her camera to capture love across the globe!

San Diego Wedding Photographer | Lauren Nygard Photography

https://laurennygard.com

Diabetes, Personal

Diabetes Blog Week 2015 – Day 3 – Clean it Out

Posted May 13, 2015 In Diabetes, Personal

Welcome back to Day 3 of Diabetes Blog Week 2015! Here’s the prompt for Day 3, Clean it Out – Wednesday 5/13:

Yesterday we kept stuff in, so today let’s clear stuff out. What is in your diabetic closet that needs to be cleaned out? This can be an actual physical belonging, or it can be something you’re mentally or emotionally hanging on to. Why are you keeping it and why do you need to get rid of it?

My parents recently moved out of the house that they purchased 29 years ago, before I was diagnosed with diabetes. In the process, my mom came across numerous old diabetes-related items that had been hiding in the closet for so many years! She found an old bag that I used to carry my glucometer when I was in elementary school as well as the case that came with my first OneTouch machine! We opted to toss the OneTouch case but I had to keep this bag!

I do still have a fair amount of supplies that I’ve stockpiled through the years, including my old insulin pumps and glucose meters. I keep them as backups in case my current meter or pump decides to kick the bucket. I don’t think I’ll be getting rid of them anytime soon! ;)

xoxo,

Lauren

San Diego Wedding Photographer | Lauren Nygard Photography

https://laurennygard.com

Diabetes, Personal

Diabetes Blog Week 2015 – Day 2 – Keep it to Yourself

Posted May 12, 2015 In Diabetes, Personal

Welcome back to Day 2 of Diabetes Blog Week 2015! Here’s the prompt for Day 2, Keep it to Yourself – Tuesday 5/12 :

Many of us share lots of aspects of our diabetes lives online for the world to see. What are some of the aspects of diabetes that you choose to keep private from the internet? Or from your family and friends? Why is it important to keep it to yourself?

Unlike many of the participants of Diabetes Blog Week, I don’t share much of my diabetes life online, except during DBW! In fact, I don’t often share the fact that I have diabetes when I meet someone new, unless it somehow comes up in conversation or is necessary (due to my experiencing a low blood sugar in front of them, or something similar). It’s definitely not that I’m ashamed of having the disease or that I don’t want others to know about it, but rather it’s just a part of me that, like other aspects of my life, don’t always come up in conversation.

Especially now that I use an OmniPod insulin pump, my diabetes is even less visible than it was when I used a MiniMed pump, since the OmniPod is typically hidden under my clothing. However, if someone does ask, I’m more than willing to share about my life with diabetes–in fact, I usually give them an earful (unintentionally!).

xoxo,

Lauren

San Diego Wedding Photographer | Lauren Nygard Photography

https://laurennygard.com

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Diabetes, Personal

Diabetes Blog Week 2015 – Day 1 – I can…

Posted May 11, 2015 In Diabetes, Personal

It’s been a few years since I participated in Diabetes Blog Week, but I’m back at it again this year!

Here’s the prompt for Day 1, I Can – Monday 5/11 :

In the UK, there was a diabetes blog theme of “I can…” that participants found wonderfully empowering. So lets kick things off this year by looking at the positive side of our lives with diabetes. What have you or your loved one accomplished, despite having diabetes, that you weren’t sure you could? Or what have you done that you’ve been particularly proud of? Or what good thing has diabetes brought into your life?

I talked about my running efforts when I participated in Diabetes Blog Week back in 2012, which is still something that I’m proud to have accomplished (though I have fallen off the wagon lately). But I think the main thing that I’m happy to have accomplished so far is to maintain the health that I have, which includes the lack of serious complications so far. Living over 25 years with diabetes hasn’t always been fun, and, though I know I do have some peripheral neuropathy (mainly in my feet), I don’t suffer from the complications at this point. In fact, the only reason I know I have neuropathy is because I participated in a study at my doctor’s office for a new neuropathy treatment and I barely qualified to participate. Had I not been specifically tested for it, I wouldn’t know I have it.

Another thing I’m sure diabetes has helped with is my weight management. My family jokes that I was a black hole as a child, but, when I was diagnosed, I was put on a strict diabetic diet. I think I would have been a total chunkster (though definitely a cute one!) had I not been on a diet at age 4. :)

As much as having diabetes is a drag, I’m definitely thankful that it’s something that I’m able to manage and, with it, live a relatively normal life!

Since photos are fun, here’s one of me, pre-diabetes, eating a Mickey Mouse-shaped ice cream pop like a champ, while my mom plots our course of action for the day. Photo by my dad. Taken at Disney World in December 1987.

xoxo,

Lauren

San Diego Wedding Photographer | Lauren Nygard Photography

https://laurennygard.com

Diabetes, Personal

2015 Resolutions

Posted January 28, 2015 In Personal

I somehow have an aversion to the word “resolution.” The definition, according to dictionary.reference.com, includes:

noun

1. a formal expression of opinion or intention made,usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group.

2. the act of resolving or determining upon an action, course of action, method, procedure, etc.

3. a resolve; a decision or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

In fact, I don’t usually make any goals or resolutions at the beginning of this year. But, for 2015, I do have some goals I’d like to accomplish.

1. Travel with our dog!

We have a dog now and I plan to take some camping road trips with her this summer. We took her on a “staycation” at the beginning of the year and she couldn’t get enough of sitting on the hotel’s king-sized bed.

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She’ll be an awesome travel buddy because she’s become quite the frisbee retriever…

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…and she’s a pretty darn cute dining companion!

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While traveling, I also want to…

2. Take spontaneous portraits on film.

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While remembering to stop and…

3. Enjoy the scenery

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I’m excited to be sharing these images as part of a blog circle with “Resolution” as the theme for the month! Follow along the circle and check out the post from Chester County Family Photographer!

xoxo,

Lauren

Are you looking for a photographer for your upcoming wedding or portrait session? Email Lauren at [email protected] or use the contact link on the top of this page to get in touch with San Diego Wedding Photographer Lauren Nygard! Lauren is based in Southern California but loves traveling with her camera to capture love across the globe!

San Diego Wedding Photographer | Lauren Nygard Photography

https://laurennygard.com

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