The annual Tour de Cure 2016 in Minneapolis saw a bump in Pancremaniac riders who are family. (The Pancremaniacss are daughter Heather’s team.) That was thanks mostly to JL who challenged family members last Thanksgiving to come and ride. He’d provide their minimum fundraising. The ride seemed to inspire people just like it did me the first time I rode. The red riders (with diabetes) are very visible and the support can be overwhelming. This disease that can be hidden is right out in the open. “Go Red Rider” is heard all along the route. For those who don’t live with it or with someone who does, it is not easy to imagine the amount of work it takes to keep life under control. The ride opened the eyes of family members who never really thought about how hard it is to live with diabetes.
And our team raised over $30,000 for the American Diabetes
Association. WooHoo!!!
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| With Red Rider Heather at the Tour de Cure |
http://aviewofaging.blogspot.com/2014/06/tour-de-cure-2014.html )
Volunteer Transitions
I was sad to say a final good-bye to the First-Graders who I
tutored this past school year. Although I only spent an hour with them every
week, I came to know them and to care for them. I learned a lot about our
current public school system and the challenges it faces in these turbulent
times. I will probably sign on with Schools of Hope again next fall.
A couple other volunteer attempts did not go so well. I have
learned that I do not volunteer to fill time. I need to feel that the time I
spend is worthwhile; that I learn from it; and that what I am doing has the
potential to make a difference in someone’s life.
Gardening
Typically, gardening in the UW Arboretum (where I live) ends
when the mosquitoes come out. That is often in mid to late May. This year they
are scarce into the end of June. It is quite a treat. We can sit out on the
deck, work in some of the remote areas of the yard and generally feel like most
people do about their yards. I know writing this will mean that the next time I
go outside I’ll be bit!
I tried some new flowers this year; nothing fancy. And some
of the old ones are doing quite well. For the record:
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| This climber goes crazy. I'm training it to circle on a tomato cage. |
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| Donde están las monarcas? The milkweed is waiting and so am I. |
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| Zinnias were one of Mom's favorites. I didn't like them until I started traveling to Mexico. |
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| My weed whipper is making the yard more accessible. |
I think I know why old people talk about their health so
much. It’s not complaining. It gets complicated and hard to figure out. For the
record: things seemed fine at my annual physical. I was recently back from the
big road/hiking trip. I felt great. But there are always tests. I was very
disappointed to learn that my A1C is back in the Type 2 diabetes range. We will
retest to confirm and if it’s really there I will need to go on medication. I’m
bummed. I’ve kept the weight off that I lost. I have really changed my quantity
and pattern of eating. We’ll see.
And then, I was due for a bone density scan. It seems I now have
osteoporosis. Oh, great. More exercise, more calcium. I was confused by the
language and the numbers in the letter I received and when I questioned it I
was referred to an osteoporosis specialist. Interestingly, she is in the
endocrinology department where diabetes and other autoimmune diseases are
treated. Maybe we can get a big picture look at what’s going on in my
body---but I doubt it. The appointment isn’t until October.
But on a lighter note, tennis is in full swing and I’m
having fun. I’m trying pilates and I can bike to the class. Win,win.
Overall, life is very good.
