Goodbye, 2013.

Out with the old; in with the new.  Sounds like a good plan to me.

In 2013, I didn't blog as much as I wanted.  I renewed my URL, but never quite got it applied because of the hassle I was going through and a lack of time.  I allowed aspects of my struggling work life to interfere with the life I enjoy, but at the same time, I made a lot of changes for the better.  What happened that was notable?

I was a reader on Live from the Kelly Writers' House on WXPN fm.

I had a couple of poetry features in different places.

I was published in APIARY Magazine, then later ended up joining their staff as Coordinator of Outreach and PR.  I met a lot of really great people by doing this, and my life is better for it.

I celebrated my 31st trip around the sun, and my 23rd year with Type 1.

I moved into the City of Philadelphia proper.  I am still learning the ways to make it my home, but it's coming along nicely.  I like it here.

Despite the anxiety and stress I've been under on the job, I still get up, I still come in, I still do my work.  2014 is the year the daily grind is going to stop grinding me down.  I will find something new.  The "daily grind" will be more like some fresh-ground espresso--exciting, energizing...good-smelling?

I made plans to get myself in gear after a really awful A1C.

I got a new insulin pump!  (Tandem T-Slim)

I decided on a potential name for my Dexcom G4: Jadzia.  If you ever watched Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, you will hopefully find this as amusing as I do.

Here in December, I began experimenting on Victoza.  I took a little break for the holidays, but I plan on being back on it by Thursday.  I am definitely going to share some experiences with you all.

I didn't write enough blog posts.

I got to be a guest on DSMA Live!

I dressed an insulin vial up for Halloween.

I wrote some new poems, but I definitely didn't write enough of those either.

I wrote one short-short story, and that felt pretty good.  I think I need to do more of that.

I changed my hair color a couple of times.

I discovered how much I love brightly colored and bold lipsticks.

I let my inner girly-girl win out and got subscriptions to Ipsy, Birchbox, and Julep.  (If anybody else out there would be interested, I think I have referral links you can use that benefit both of us in the end.)

I met Scott J!  And Cherise!  And Sara K!  And Mike Lawson!  And Hannah and Aaron and Jerry the Bear!  And Chris Snider!  And Colleen!  And I saw Allison and Kerri and Manny and others!  What a kickass year for DOC hugging!!  It deserves more exclamation points than I can comfortably continue to fit in this little line break.

Most of all, I am happy I made it through another year in relative good health and high spirits.  May we all learn something from 2013, may we all reflect fondly on the good things.  Happy New Year, Dorkabetic readers!  See you in 2014!

To The D-Mom I Just Saw in a Comment Thread...

Her name was Donna, and she said that her son is on multiple daily injections rather than an insulin pump, because that is what works best for him, and doing something new would possibly compromise his quality of life.  Good for you, Donna!  You and your son are working with what's good for you, and I think that's the best way to do things.

She did say one thing, however, that I found a bit distressing.  She said it is tough for them to admit within the DOC that they are on MDI, because they are "looked down on" and people treat them as though they "are not up to snuff".

I don't have any children of my own, but being a member of this online community since 2006, this is where I put my concerned-parent face on.  My dear Diabetes Online Community, I am not speaking to any of you as individuals, because I don't know who the culprits are, but I swear we have been over this before.  My friend Bennet Dunlap has a phrase for this: YDMV: Your Diabetes May Vary.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but if someone isn't looking for advice, if someone's treatment plan is working just fine for them, then leave them to it.

Straight up, no-bones-about-it, my insulin requirement is high.  I am jealous when someone bemoans their huge 10 unit meal bolus.  Part of the reason I chose the pump I'm using now (the Tandem t:slim) is because it will remind me to deliver the remainder of a bolus that is over the allowable maximum.  I have had some clicking of tongues and shocked looks when I tell people my total daily dose, and I don't appreciate those any more than Donna appreciates judgement of her son's injections over pumping.

Look, DOC.  I believe in kindness and understanding, and I like to believe in the best in people.  I want to believe everyone is kind, flexible, and intelligent enough to know that what works for me may not even be remotely close to what works for you.  Here's the thing--that is totally okay.

Remember, very few of us are medical professionals, and even so, most of our blogs are no substitute for medical advice you can get from your doctor, nurse, or diabetes educator.

So to Donna, you keep doing what you're doing.  To everyone out there, keep doing what works for you.  And to the naysayers out there, remember, we are not all the same.  Be sensitive, especially if you're going around making assumptions.  The DOC isn't all about sunshine and rainbows and unicorns, but we can all try our best to not make others feel so excluded that they don't want to speak their minds.

End concerned female senior member of the DOC rant.