STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP // type 1 diabetes work week in my life

[@MichelleLord]

I'm back with another vlog! I debated on whether or not I should post this because I felt I was a bit "negative" in this video... however, this is my reality at the moment, and I feel like a lot of us struggle with work/life balance. I will be back with more positive content next week! Basal IQ vlog coming up next :)

[@alexb.1320]

FWIW, I didn't find the video negative, just reality. Yeah, oops stink. Worse when you get to work and they pull a surprise half day meeting after you got ready for a lot of physical activity instead.

[@Steph_W]

Hi Michelle! You just take care of yourself. Don't worry about us and KZbin. I enjoy your videos because I was newly diagnosed T1 DB ( I'm 47) and you make me feel less isolated. I cried after I watched my first video of yours. But that being said, take care of you. We get it. I do anyway. For sure. Keep smiling....hugs to you. Thanks for sharing today.

[@lesliesantiago8537]

Hi, Michelle. I’m new to the T1D online community and Dexcom G6 and looking into TSlim X2 Pump 🎉 however I’m not new to diabetes I’ve been T1D for 45yrs and by the grace of God my “sweetness” has been controlled with no complications ❣️ With that said Thank you, for your videos💓 I did not find it negative at all. I enjoy your videos because they are real and honest with a positive attitude. Blessings, Leslie ☺️

[@Paradroidx]

I've been a T1 for 25 years. Eventually your health will become more important than making money, or pride. I've had to many on the job accidents, and eventually qualified for assistance. It's called Disability in the US. I still work, but only part time doing cashier job. Still have low sugar, and till is always off Lol. Good luck

[@kathyt8723]

Same here - 37 years with T1D and nothing's broken yet ;) Your reality is our reality too. Hang in there Michelle and post when you can :)

[@Madztr5]

You totally don't have to apologize for not posting and being busy! Life is full of enough responsibilities without diabetes on top of it all. Either way, you are so appreciated!

[@MichelleLord]

Aww thank you Maddie! That truly means a lot! I love making these videos, so I want to try my best to continue :)

[@mycorporateamerica]

You’re probably my favorite diabetes KZbinr and it’s really inspiring to see you work and travel and manage the whole time :) I’m recently diagnosed and I appreciate all of your videos 🦋🦋

[@MichelleLord]

That is a huge compliment, and really means a lot! Thank you :)

[@DebbyHerold]

Michelle, I appreciate all the videos you’ve posted so much. I’m a newly diagnosed T1 (end of October) and also just started a new job this week. I completely understand how life gets in the way of the things we plan and want to do. I look forward to your new vlogs, whenever you have the chance to them. You’ve helped me so much with this new-found way of living. Thanks for being there and hello from Calgary. 👋🏻

[@ThePJmommy]

Thanks for sharing your work week with us. I loved that you showed the food and carbs, most people don't and I find it helpful. We understand the challenges so don't apologize for cutting it short. Oh and tell Raffi, he's a keeper!! :)

[@MichelleLord]

Thanks! I will try to show more carbs in future videos :). Haha I will tell him

[@spike16965]

You're lucky you have someone who is understanding and helps make your health situation as easy as possible.

[@viconmypc]

You've got a sweet hubs! My hubs and children are the same with me. 💜🙌🏽 Sorry you've had a rough week. It makes me thankful to be a SAHM especially with the burdens of a chronic disease to manage!

[@MichelleLord]

Aww thanks. He is the best. I'm so glad you have a great support system as well 💓

[@gastrogal5353]

Hey there Michelle. No need to worry about all of us who support your incredibly positive journey with Type 1 Diabetes. You are my favorite person to listen to and when I get to feeling the Diabetes burnout coming on I always look to your videos for support. I also listen to great music videos to pull me out of my funk. I see you as a warrior who is leading the way for all who are lucky enough to find you on KZbin. Just keep being you and allow yourself to mention if and when you may be struggling and ask us for advice. It can go both ways since you help so many, allow us to simply return the favor. I am a Type 1 Brittle Diabetic for 15 years which I got due to the trauma my body got from a car accident. Since then I have been working to find my own sweet spot with this crazy disorder. So many people with no diabetes experience think it is like a walk in the park if they happen to watch the commercials on TV for Type 2 diabetics. I have asked my own endocrinologist’s why can’t they do more commercials about Type 1 and let it be known just how challenging it is to deal with 24/7 365 days of the year. Anyway, I just found out my thyroid is now a hypothyroid which is napping on the job. I am so happy to know this as when I spoke with my Nurse Care manager about it she told me that it can make you feel crazy, fatigued, moody, and much more. So this is just a shout out for you to know and your followers. Last weekend I was about to sign in to a mental ward to find out why I have developed an evil twin who takes over and is just out of control. Which leads to me feeling embarrassed and ashamed, which then makes me go to my room and cry while trying to figure out what caused my outrage. Well, I also have PTSD so sometimes it is just that. But I thought I was just dealing with Diabetes burnout only but once I found out about my thyroid I actually felt so relieved. Silly me with all of the good days and bad days, however, I think of you and all who are struggling with this unpredictable disease and know I am in good company. So, all I can say is give yourself a big hug and know that we love 💕 to hear from you. Your authenticity is so encouraging and easy to listen to. I try my best to live each day with the KISS theory - Keep It Simple Sweetheart. This is a great place to sign off with an early Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your incredibly kind and thoughtful Raphey. Keep up the good work and be kind to yourself. We all want the best for you, so off I go with what I need to do to take care of my diabetes, sending a hug 🤗 for support and lots of love and light so that you can find your balance once again as we all have faith in you. EnJOY your day, Heather

[@mrscps1970]

Rafi is adorable. It’s so great that he totally gets it and supports you. Love that he prepped your supplies.

[@amandamctyre8390]

My husband just changed my Dexcom for me after a 12 hour lonnnnnggg day! It’s so important to have supportive family and friends !

[@donbell8488]

Rafi is super cool. So great to have that support. I would say don't apologize because it isn't so easy . You do you.

[@MichelleLord]

Thank you!! I agree, he is super cool :)

[@johnedwards5575]

Work related: I’ve had the good fortune now living in Toronto to work from home. I started Dexcom 12 weeks ago, and I’ve navigated the alarms with Sugarmate. 5.5 A1C, so happy... then I needed to make my first work trip using Dexcom. Ugh. 9:30 PM flight, five hours to Victoria. At the hotel around 3AM ET. Can’t sleep for two hours. Using Dexcom app to try and track trends(not a personal favorite). 3 hours sleep. Fell apart at lunch (14mmol/L). Eating out. Arg. Friend visits each night. Massive sugar spikes at 3am. So tired. Up until midnight on a Friday. Up at 3am to get to my 6am flight to Toronto. No wifi or cell, so using Dexcom app again... sugars level when I get home at 3pm. Finally. Relax! No. Start packing.... cuz me and wife are up at 3am to catch our 6am flight to Mexico. Maybe it’s the heat, the severe lack of sleep, the booze, the careful navigation around the buffet, but taking 1.5x my normal bolus for almost two weeks. Finally back home today, and solid 4-7 mmol/L for the past 12 hours, with normal bolus again. Work and play is hard stuff. And I can’t underscore it enough. No two days are the same for us type 1s.

[@christinewelch4918]

Great vlog. Working full time, commuting, taking care of things around the house is hard enough without having to manage diabetes as well. The most important thing is to take good care of you. Yay to Raffi for being such a big help.

[@MichelleLord]

Thanks Christine!! I am SO grateful for Raffi! He is so caring and supportive :)

[@alessandralams2276]

Btw. How sweet of Rafi... You walk in after work and he has your meal ready AND all your stuff ready for your site changes. He's got you on his mind🤩🤗

[@ShesDiabetic]

Omg Michelle you are so amazing to do all that AND VLOG!!! WOWZA!!! I’m so impressed...!! Thank you so much for taking us along in your days! What a neat insight into your life! Bravo for keeping everything rolling, you are so inspiring to me (I find balancing life, work and KZbin virtually impossible!!) take good care of your self and take great care of yourself too! We’ll be here! 😘🥰♥️

[@pacather]

Take care of YOU first. We love you too much. And if we see less of you from week to week then we'll just appreciate it that much more. PS, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY and give your heavenly hubby some hugs from us, too👫💗!

[@debbiewithtype1diabetes559]

I’m impressed as I need completely different basal rates and I can go low so quick I am never that good all day well done Michelle you should be very proud of yourself !!

[@MichelleLord]

Thanks so much Deb!! :)

[@Iliev95]

You’re so amazing and inspiring to all of us fellow T1Ds !!! Thank you for sharing your life 🥰

[@Se7enSea5]

Totally get where you’re coming from, Michelle. Coming up on one year for my diagnosis and it’s been hectic managing it all sometimes. Pump sites going for four days are definitely a thing. Late nights in the office and the dexcom expiring. I’ve started taking G6 sensors and pump supplies with me and just changing them at work. Might not work for everyone depending on your work environment, but I just took it into my lunch hour and it works great.

[@DanBollard]

Thank you. Good to see how you handle things, and numbers..

[@carbycee]

This is so relatable. Just so you know, you're doing great! Love your videos 💙

[@MichelleLord]

Aww thank you ❤️

[@isabellaboccuzzi3959]

Thanks for making this video. I understand you, that you are so busy with work, house work and dealing with diabetes too. It can be very stressful. I'm happy your skin is doing better. Bye bye😘💙💪

[@kayla-vq6eb]

YAY ANOTHER VIDEOOO 🥰☺️

[@karri8998]

Love your videos! Would love to see a video by you and your husband talking about your physics degrees. My son also has type 1 diabetes and just finished his physics degree in December, so would love to hear more from both of you about your physics careers and advice. THANKS!!!

[@ArtFriendly]

Good days are great and bad days a downer. You have to lighten your load somehow. It is a juggle struggle. People do not understand when we are tired or have to disappear to take care of our health.

[@annetteperez125]

Hi Annette just take u time n take care of u self I have type 1 was rd at 17yrs I understand n I had 3 heart attacks it all from diabetes now they want to put a pump on me saying it's better girl just do u best n take very care of u selfish to doctor n get all information I'm with u 💞💞🙏🙏🙏

[@alessandralams2276]

Thanks Michelle. Good to see you again. Do you ever take melatonin to help you sleep? It can really help. Fast reacting if you find it difficult to fall asleep, slow reacting if you tend to find it difficult to fall back to sleep if you wake up during the night. Take care!

[@leonie1746]

Raphey is so lovely 🥰

[@helenemarielramslien6276]

Can you have like an lunch tips video? I struggling with lunch at school, with high carbs and would like to know lunches with low carb. Not that low but, around 30 carbs!

[@MichelleLord]

I usually just take leftovers for lunch, so I don't make anything specific. But I do I have this video for easy college meals: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJPJXpyHapyda80 I hope this helps :)

[@pickledrick5158]

Yeah exercise is weird, I tend to not mess with the basal rates, I rather take small glucose tablets during my workouts. If I decide to leave or change my intensity yeah for sure my BG would be above 12 mmol easily. Its easier to just eat or skip half a glucose than a basal rate. I assume I am taking typical basal insulin that cannot be changed. I tend to change basal only during my lunch to act more like my body's phase 2 insulin response and pre bolusing if accurate is close to phase 1 insulin response and if timed great along with increased basal delivery my BG does not fluctuate more than .7 mmol.

[@susanmortenson4863]

Anyone having problems w/ Dexcom G6 sensor insertion when the sensor will not release from the skin? I've had it happen to me 3 out of my last 4 insertions. The first time it happened, I had a panic attack with this large thing dangling from my abdomen. I contacted tech services. Only the online folks responded. Luckily, you just pull it off as if its at Day 10. HOWEVER, THE LAST 3 OF MY 4 INSERTIONS HAVE FAILED. AND I NOW HAVE NONE LEFT! Im waiting for my "1 hour" call back, and Im on my way to clocking 2 hours waiting.

[@jmarietj]

How long did it take you to figure out when and how much you needed to decrease your basal rate when it comes to commuting home/working out? Was it just a learning process or did your endo help you? Really considering switching to a pump, but I'm overwhelmed by all of the settings that can be adjusted, though I know they'll be so helpful.

[@MichelleLord]

It took a couple months and A LOT of lows on the subway lol. It was a learning process. I talked to a couple other T1Ds that do a similar commute in a big city, and they had the same thing happen, so they told me to try decreasing my basal rate 1 hour before I leave. It usually works well :) As for exercising, my diabetes education team helped me figure that out!

[@gaingaran81]

I'm using the dexcom g6 since last month on my arm and I have a rash and skin peeling happening. Do you ever have this happening to you. I'm not comfortable wearing it on my abdomen.

[@olingecko]

Adjusting to working full time is hard! Especially after you've been a student for so long.

[@MichelleLord]

So true!! It's completely different! I hope that I will eventually get used to it.

[@amandabilodeau1225]

Hugs and kudos to you for recognizing and respecting your limits! Wishing you a less stressful week next week and a fantastic long weekend! 💙

[@MichelleLord]

Thank you so much! Have a great long weekend as well :)

[@lauraelisee]

What did you do to help your skin? I feel like I have had the same issues, especially hormonal. Love your channel! Xx

[@MichelleLord]

I have no idea what helped it actually! It started to clear up on its own, and then I saw a skin care specialist as it was already clearing. We tweaked my skincare routine, but I'm not sure if that is what cleared it up. I now use the skin care line Vivier. I will make sure to show it in the next vlog I film :)

[@BurnseysRT]

Everyone understands. Take Care of yourself first. Well all be ok 😉

[@Marsyoutube1234]

Thans for thuis volg ❤️ i really can relate

[@MichelleLord]

You are so welcome! I love vlogging and I'm happy I can make videos that you can relate to! I feel like so many of us are struggling with work/life balance! ❤️

[@johnb4183]

Michelle how about driving to work , it would somewhat safer wouldn't it? Very informational videos.....................

[@MichelleLord]

John B Not in downtown Toronto 😂! Also it would take 10x the time to drive vs. take the subway. Thanks John :)

[@juliaijntema]

Lovely video 🥰

[@slackleashdogtraining3598]

Wow a spouse who is involved with T1D. Great man.

[@kimhaiser]

have you ever gone through rashes, reactions, or even rejection of your dexcom, libre, or pump?

[@MichelleLord]

Kim Haiser No I have not! But I know people who have, and apparently applying Flonase (allergy nose spray) to your skin, letting it dry, then applying your site helps with rashes!

[@ArtFriendly]

@@MichelleLord Good to know! Will try that on pump sites, running out of somewhere to put it and they get red a lot more often.

[@jamesfox8453]

Hello, have you ever been waking up with a blood sugar 11mmol ?

[@vicki4493]

Does the bump ever get stuck with the clothes and tubing?

[@MichelleLord]

My pump? It can sometimes get tangled up with clothes/tubing, yes. Not too often though :)

[@debbiewithtype1diabetes559]

Hahah it’s such a Toronto thing to say it’s the worst thing

[@MichelleLord]

Haha!!

[@Randomguy66672]

Just thinking that I haven't seen a video for a while and then...

[@MichelleLord]

Haha here I am!! :D

[@debbiewithtype1diabetes559]

I find that if my BG is over 8 I can get acne

[@cloej1026]

If you could choose not to be a diabetic would you be a diabetic still or no? I would still be one if I could choose.

[@peanutfreeavocados7396]

Same

[@MichelleLord]

💙

[@sarahschlotfeldt8698]

Meeting Dr IGUDIA KZbin channel was the beginning of a new life for me after using his herbs medication in curing my Diabetes disease.

[@Kiwi-ui3uk]

Take care of yourself first

[@MichelleLord]

💙💙

[@brandipaez9595]

Like 39 🙃

[@MichelleLord]

❤️❤️

[@ninaandianfan21]

I love your vlogs but don‘t pressure yourself so much please ❤️ you’ll just burn out and end like many others who don’t post for months or years or don’t ever again 😔

[@MichelleLord]

ninaandianfan21 Aww thank you for the concern ❤️. This was just a particularly stressful week work-wise, where I maybe shouldn’t have been vlogging haha :p . I love making videos, so I can’t see myself burning out any time soon ☺️