Looking back and looking forward
I know that I've been very quite on the blogosphere for the last several weeks. I appreciate more than I can express all the comments and e-mails asking me how I'm doing and wishing me the best.I won't bore you with the details here except to say that I'm in the middle of some type of depression. It's not earth-shattering and for those of you who have diabetes, it's probably not entirely unexpected. Taking care of a chronic disease is a big burden and it takes its toll. The good news is that I'm working pro actively to get this under control and get through it. And in the meantime I'm focusing on essential activities because I've not got a whole lot of energy for other things.
It's been a busy year on the blogosphere and busy one for me. I've been blessed with a lot of accomplishments over the last year, in no particular order:
- I met Allison and Mel in Boston. It's always fun to get together with fellow diabetics! If you're going to be near Boston in 2008, please let me know.
- I got to some meetings of the insulin pumpers group that meets in Woburn, MA each month. A fun, supportive and informative group. Every state should have a group like this.
- I marked my 35th year with diabetes by raising over $11,500 for research in a diabetes bike ride. Hint: it's not too late to support this.
- I received an award from Lilly and Joslin for 25 years with diabetes. Thanks Dr. Spatola for organizing this one.
- I setup the diabetes search engine. It now indexes over 800 sites and I like to think that it's helpful for folks.
- I joined the great TuDiabetes.com social networking site for diabetes. Big kudos to Manny for starting this.
- I worked together with Beth to start the diabetes365 project (originally her idea). As of today there are about 1,750 photos that give some insight into what it's like to live with diabetes.
- I almost completed NaBloPoMo for this year. I didn't post for every day of November. Next year will be better.
- I started using the Dexcom STS continuous glucose monitoring system and moved to the Dexcom SEVEN system later in the year. Life with a CGM is a lot easier, though it still has its frustrations.
- And of course I posted many blog entries. Along the way I hope that I informed some readers. I know that I learned a lot from your comments and I also managed to get lots of practice with my writing skills.
So what's in the cards for 2008?
- I'm getting some blood drawn in January as part of the research for Dr. Faustman's work on a possible cure for Type 1 diabetes. No, I'm not getting an early version of the cure, I'm just donating blood samples for the work. I hope to meet her and ask a few questions, I'll let you all know what I learn.
- I'll keep blogging, though maybe a little less.
- I hope to get involved in another fund-raising bike ride in September.
- Thanks to Wingman, I may take part in a run to raise awareness for diabetes.
- I'll continue to post photos to the diabetes365 project.
- As always I'll hope and pray for some real progress towards a cure for type 1 diabetes.
Happy New Year to everyone. I hope that 2008 will be a peaceful and better year for all of us.
Labels: CGM, Dexcom, diabetes, diabetes365, friendship, research, review, tudiabetes
posted by Bernard @ 11:57 AM
16 Comments:
Glad to see you back Bernard! I hope whatever is going, you are able to work through it. Here's to a happy and healthy new year!
I'm sorry you're going through a tough time right now, but I know you will come through on the other side without fail.
You've had an inspiring year, Bernard. Here's to 2008 - I am excited to follow alongside your adventures!
Happy New Year Bernard!
Thanks for "being there" for all of us. Your comments, encouragement and knowledge have meant a lot to me and I'm sure to others, also.
Happy New Year, Bernard. I hope that many good things will come to you and your family this year.
Bernard,
I've been wondering about you. Glad you're back.
I'm with you on the depression thing. It's no fun. Hopefully, this is temporary for you.
Best wishes for 2008 to you & yours!
Bernard, I am sorry to hear you're wrestling with another Big D. But, all things in life come to us in ebbs and flows, and with trust and patience you will leave it behind. Please let me know if there is any way I can be of help.
Happy New Year.
Bernard, you are an inspiration, whether you think so (or want to be) or not. It reminds me of this quote:
"What is to give light must endure burning." -Victor Frankl
Hey Bernard,
You did a lot of big things in 2007. I'm sure 2008 will work magically for you too.
I've always said that blogging should never be another stress in life, and that you should write when you can AND when you feel like it.
We'll all still be here whenever you post.
Take care, take time, be patient.
Bernard, I'm glad to see that you are back. I always check your blog & pictures for the latest news and appreciate all you do to help the rest of us stay well informed. Take care of yourself and here's to a better 2008!
Glad to hear you are OK (of sorts)and I hope that your depression is short lived. Look forward to many great and informative blog posts in 2008.
You need a training partner! We do a lot of work with people from the perspective of behavioral psych and the notion of a training partner can be a powerful motivator and encouraging facet of diabetes care. I'll be posting the GlucoPALS design on the Challenge Diabetes blog shortly (http://challengediabetes.com).
With the commercial availability of our GlucoMON-RT program, you and a friend might want to program your profiles in line with the GlucoPALS design which I created with the help of a 16 yr old kid with type 1 a few years ago.
I was glad to hear from you recently as well. Hang in there;)
Happy New Year to you, too. I'm sure you'll be able to work through things. I'm having some rough times myself, so I think if we can blog as much as possible, it might help. For everyone. I'm definitely excited to find out what GOOD things will be coming for all of us this year.
Bernard,
Thanks as always for being so frank.
For my part, I feel like I'm constantly fighting off this killer sense of helplessness -- the feeling that NOTHING I do for the diabetes is ever enough. It just makes me want to spit / smash all my D-supplies / cry and give up, or all of the above.
Sometimes I feel like I expend as much energy just pushing back that feeling as I do on all the "real" diabetes work.
Hi Bernard,
I just stumbled upon your blog (I'm new to the blog world too) and wanted to tell you how much I appreciate it. My brother has had type 1 for over 10 years and I founded Dodging Diabetes, a charity dodgeball tournament to raise money for the Joslin Diabetes Center. We just launched a site and blog and are gearing up for our 2008 tournament on March 2 in the DC area. www.dodgingdiabetes.org If you happen to be around, I hope you'll stop by. Thanks for your blog and for all you're doing to raise awareness about diabetes.
Bernard, I'm happy to see you here, and posting. In the past 8 months or so since I discovered the diabetes OC, you have been a constant and very positive source of inspiration and knowledge to me.
Every day can't be sunshine and roses, and I'm sure it can be hard to bear at times. I am thinking of you, wishing you well, and hoping for many blessings for you in the New Year.
Hey Bernard,
Thanks for your work on the D365 Project - which is where I found you originally. Started this year as you already know given your comment today. Also reading your blog I see you are interested in the Diabetic Runner Challenge.... This is my little contribution to the Diabetic OC - and we would love for you to join us!!!
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