Year 2

I'm a few days into my 2nd year at SJSU. For the most part, I've gotten the hang of daily life on campus. And for the first time ever I don't have classes on Fridays! Oh, college can be wonderful like that!

This year, I am living in an on-campus apartment. This differs from the dormitory I lived in last year in several ways. For one, I have 4 roommates instead of just 1. We have 3 single rooms and 1 double room, our own restroom, kitchen and living room. We also share a fridge. This brings me back to my primal fear of having my insulin stolen, but they are all pretty solid guys whom I trust. But this isn't the only major change in my life that has come up recently.

I've had to say my goodbyes to Lucile Packard's Childrens' Hospital. The reason being, I am no longer a child. There were plenty of great nurse practitioners and endocrinologists who took care of me over there. I'd like to give shoutouts to Kari Benassi, Netra Punjabi and Bruce Buckingham. Wonderful physicians who ensured I was at my best health in my youth.



I now see a big-boy endocrinologist who is already doing a fine job of keeping me on my toes and in check. She always pushes me towards a lower A1C every time I go in (as opposed to having 7.0 or less being a-ok) which I must suppose is an adult thing that I will gladly accept.

On a completely different topic, I am now starting to take Anatomy! A class that I will find very relevant on my path to becoming a nurse practitioner! Not for the faint of heart I must say, but loads of fun and plenty interesting. One minute I am inspecting a cadaver's heart with my (gloved) hands, and five later sees me eating lunch. Woo!

I'll keep you posted,

-Patrick

DASH Camp - Bushrod 2016

Today marks the beginning of the second week of DASH's 2016 Bushrod Camp. I was lucky enough to volunteer alongside Lucas, John and several Samuel Merritt nursing school students last week*. A very eager bunch that I was also lucky reconnect with or meet. We had an average of 10-11 campers a day (both diabetics and non-diabetics) who seemed to really enjoy camp.

Overall, the camp was a success in my eyes. Each day, we would follow a schedule consisting of two to three sports and/or physical activities (kickball and zombie tag were particular favorites) before lunch, a mixed bag of diabetic discussion during and after lunch, followed by three to four more sports/physical activities. The founder, Lucas Fogarty, even hinted at a '4100 Club' - wherein all camp members and staff would complete a collective total of 2000 push-ups, 2000 sit-ups and 100 sprints. We never did get around to it, though I am certain our campers and staff would have been more than willing to step up to the occasion.

What really spoke to me was the thorough care of diabetes we ensured for each and every camper. We weren't perfect in managing their blood glucoses as the keen experience of a doctor would provide, but we involved the kids in the process and encouraged them to fully understand and ask questions. Beyond that, the campers were more than capable and willing to answer any and all questions about diabetes that the nursing students had for them. That alone made me swell with enormous pride for this upcoming generation of diabetics. Awareness and good vibes being spread all around.

The parents would come back each morning and tell us how well the kids slept off their exhaustions and - a lot of the time - would report more in-range glucoses upon returning home, at night and the following morning. My butt got kicked by the sports and exercise (a real wake-up call) and I am too spoiled by summer sleep-ins. But it definitely made me feel like we were making a difference. That is what I cherish about DASH camp - the camaraderie, the fun to be had, the willingness to learn and grow. Why I would wake each morn to see those kids' happy and eager faces.

I would do it again every time.



*Due to family vacation, I am unable to be in attendance for this week :( Way to kill the moment, right?

Second Semester

Second semester is in full swing. Sorry, it's been too long.

I have gone head over heels searching for a way to make it all work. Studying, getting more involved with extracurricular activities and making time for friends. I don't even have a job; makes me wonder how others juggle. But back to the relevant points - this is a diabetes blog indeed.

Two weeks ago I went to a concert with my dad (a group called Best Coast should you inquire) in SF. It probably wasn't the best call to make, as it was on a Tuesday night. I wasn't sure what time it would end at and how long it would take to get back to my dorm either. But I didn't want to let my dad down so I readily went.

The venue was quite crowded and we had minimal time to eat dinner beforehand. We ate at a little hole-in-the-wall sandwich joint whose name eludes me. I got a vegan sandwich (new lifestyle choice, don't judge ;) The vegetables tasted a bit odd and were unnatural in coloration, but I paid little attention. We then entered the Fillmore and enjoyed the show.



Cut to Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Couldn't steal a single second of shuteye. Nausea ensued and the situation only worsened. I knew immediately that I had food poisoning. Never had it before, but I thought I could ride it out. For the next 3 days I projectile vomited and retched whatever I could (pretty much only water after day 1), couldn't eat at all and went to class. My blood glucose skyrocketed out of control regardless of injections and corrections.

The lesson to be learned is that sometimes some things cannot be handled alone. It was a vicious cycle wherein food poisoning was the cause but not the perpetuator. I couldn't eat for the first few days, which led to a breakdown of muscles and mighty thews. The rush of nutrients from tissue expenditure caused surging glucoses and ketones - a condition known as Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). I was severely weakened. So, I checked into the ER and sat tight for two days as I was brought back to steady glucose levels and a state of non-decay.

Moral of the story, get help should you need it. On a more positive note, the Bay Area Diabetes Summit was great! The children that I took care of seemed to enjoy it and, as per usual, Carb DM and DYF had a great set-up for parents and children. There was a good roster of diabetes non-profits and resources (including one such organization known as DASH :) out to inform the populous and spread awareness. And that always gives me the warm fuzzies. Good vibes all around.



Stay informed y en buena salud! Keep posted,

-Patrick