Month: March 2014

Elaine Stritch, 88 years young, type 2 and going strong

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A few days ago i saw the documentary film, Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me. I was bowled over. I first saw Elaine Stritch, singer, Broadway actress, comedian and larger than life figure, in the original production of Steven Sondheim’sCompany on Broadway. She stole the show.

I must have been in my twenties, I have no recollection why I was at that show, it was much too intelligent for me at the time, but anyone who saw it couldn’t help but be moved by a musical number that was Elaine’s alone, “The Ladies Who Lunch.” She commanded the stage and her deep throated voice grabbed out to the unsuspecting in the last row.

The documentary I just saw, which is more about her present life still putting on a pair of tights and while shirt, performing at 88, shows her as just as she’s always presented herself – authentically. From skipping down along Central Park in Manhattan to yelling at cab drivers, to fearing for her life having a low. She’s one bawdy broad. Elaine is just one of those people, the millions among us, who has type 2 diabetes and is on insulin and has lows and sometimes ends up in the hospital.

If you want to be moved and you have an independent film theatre in your town, maybe it’s still playing. Or netflix it soon. 

Today, it’s been raining all day and grey enough to keep me inside. and so I’m now watching her London performance from 2002 called Elaine Stritch at Liberty, a summation of her gorgeous career. This you can Youtube now. 

It has nothing to do with diabetes, it’s pure performance, but hey, living with diabetes, and being sixty, more and more I realize, life is not just about work, but also play. Enjoy.

Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen talks about the art of living

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I have been a fan of Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen since I first read her book,Kitchen Table Wisdom. It is a collection of stories about what she has learned from her patients. Most of whom are in the last stages of cancer.

Remen herself has lived with Crohn’s disease since she was in her twenties, yet her writing and her speaking is predominantly about the blessings in life that all too often most of us only see when we are at the end of it. The power of sharing our “stories,” living with a sense of wonder and honoring each other.

I was reminded of Remen by a recent contact I made, a woman who once we started talking, immediately asked me if I’d read Remen’s books?

So now I am taking up Remen again. Reading one of her books I had not, My Grandfather’s Blessings. Already this morning only reading the introduction, I was in tears reflecting on all the blessings I have in my own life – my husband, family, friends, work; all the kindnesses and all the heart that is webbed and woven around me. 

Remen embodies bravery, speaking to doctors about how medical training is like a disease that may be necessary for health care providers to recovery from. Here she was giving an address last year to women in medicine. 

How uncomfortable she notes doctors are made by their own professional culture taught to dishonor the things that truly provide healing, like connection, hope, awe and authenticity. Medical school Remen said, “does not train us to be fellow human beings.”

Her stories are amazing and uplifting. They will make you see your life differently. Thank you Rachel Naomi Remen.

Could you have diabetes or pre-diabetes? Check your risk rate.

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1 in 4 of the 26 million people walking around with Type 2 diabetes don’t know they have it. And most of the 80 million people with pre-diabetes have no idea their blood sugar is higher than normal and damaging their body.

If diabetes runs in the family, you’re overweight and/or not very active, you’ve got the three dominant risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. 

Take the American Diabetes Association’s Risk Test right now and find out if you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes. Just answer a few simple questions about your weight, age, and family history. 

If you find you are at risk, make an appointment to talk to your doctor and get a fasting blood sugar test immediately.  

If you’ve never had your blood sugar tested, it’s a simple blood draw at the doctor’s office or a lab. That’s all it takes. 

Pre-diabetes, or what I call Stage 1 of Type 2 diabetes, is when your blood sugar is higher than normal, yet not high enough to diagnose diabetes. But you want to know if you have Stage 1 diabetes. 

With higher than normal blood sugar, many of the complications of full blown diabetes like vision problems and neuropathy – a tingling or loss of sensation in your feet – may already be occurring in your body.

And within five to ten years, many people with Stage 1 diabetes go on to get full blown Type 2 diabetes.

If this simple risk evaluation, marks you at risk do something about it. Get a blood test, then find out how to start eating healthier, getting more activity and you may need medication.

The sooner you know, the sooner you can delay and/or prevent diabetes and that’s something you definitely want to do.  

Timesulin launches Indiegogo campaign today

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Today Timesulin, the little company that makes this great insulin timer cap, goes live with a crowd funding campaign on Indiegogo. 

If you want to send a message to the FDA that we in the States should have great, useful, life-saving products as quickly as anyone around the world, sign up at the link above. 

With a small contribution, you can get one of the first caps when released in the States – and like me, find you don’t wonder whether or not you took your shot. You can also get a copy of my latest book, “Diabetes Do’s & How-To’s.”

I’ve been using this cap for more than two years, since the day I met John at the IDF World Congress in Dubai. I can’t tell you how many mornings I sit down at this computer, start working and wonder whether or not I took my long-acting insulin shot. Timesulin always lets me know. The reason I love this cap.

Share the news – yes we can get products over here that we want and need faster by pulling together. 

Would it surprise you to know, Timesulin is already in 40 countries around the world? Be part of the solution and you and millions will benefit.