[Gangrel]

Figured I'd write up a little intro for me since I've been visiting the site since Christmastime and actually posting!

I'm originally from Halifax, NS, where I was diagnosed T1 at the ripe age of 7, 1983. So, that was the end of the Kit Kat bars and the Coke, to be replaced with Diet Kool Aid and Graham Crackers.

When I started, I was on Toronto and Lente insulins, in one of those old horse needles we used back in the early 80's. I tested my blood sugar using Chem-Strips, which for those of us who have used them, were a fun 2-3 minute exercise (depending on how high you were) in colour matching! Ooohhhh, so precise! Is my blood 13.7 or 11? I can't tell!

Oh, and to test for Ketones, I would use an eye dropper and place my, ahem, "sample", into a test tube. I would then put in a tablet which would then fizz like some science experiment gone crazy. Then, guess what.... more colour matching!

Life was ok as a kid..... aside from being injected all the time (and then learning to do them myself-oh, how i cried the first time the evil doctor made me do it myself!) and no fun foods. It was only later on in childhood that I realized my dreams of being a firefighter or pilot were dashed. And no NASA career. (I even sent NASA an email asking if they'd allow diabetics in space..... of course, they replied very politely to this 12 year old, no.)

Fast forward to Saint Mary's University, whereupon I used most of my student loans to pay for my CD addiction (as in music......) and copious amounts of Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale (as in getting loaded all the time)...... I managed ok, with only a handful of diabetic episodes related to alcohol overuse. (i.e, i'm too drunk to test my sugar and eat something!) Thank god for moms........

Now, i'm 30, and living in Ottawa (my 8th year here). A lot less drinking, and I sit in front of a computer all day at work (still dream of being a firefighter tho. My A1cs lately have been in the 6.5-6.9 range, and we're trying to get it down lower. I've been doing carb counting for the past year and a bit, and I wonder how I ever did without it? You mean I can eat an Oreo cookie if i want, and just give myself some extra Humalog? Cool!

I play hockey any chance i get (but still skate like a one legged man) My visits to my endo are usually very short (which is good news I suppose.... means no problems!)

Heck, I can even still feel my lows, which my endo told me is very rare for someone who's had T1 for 23 years like I have! Good genetics I guess.....

Hmmm, what else can i bore you with? Jussssttt kidding. I'm here all week, try the veal...........

Now, to be serious, over the past few years, I have wished for a place for us "diabeys" to get together. I've been wondering if the diabetic association here in town would do anything like that, but I find most of their events are for Type 2s, and mostly old people.

So, if there are any T1s in Ottawa, feel free to give me a shout! Maybe we can start a cult or something........

Now back to your regularly scheduled broadcasting...............

(did I ramble enough?)

[Dewey]

LOL Aaron! Welcome to the family! I love your post, and the part about Kit Kats & graham cracker trade-offs brought back fond memories (ok, fond for me, anyway ).

Glad you're here & hope you'll post often! There are many kind, fun-loving folks here, so you'll make many new friends. I think it would be cool to have a group gathering, or something of the sort! That would be really neat! We've been trying to work on regional gatherings, so folks wouldn't have to travel so far, but it seems hard to set time frames in which to do it (as each person has different schedules).

Anyway, here's hoping you'll share plenty of stories & info. with the group. Once again, welcome aboard & glad you're with us!

[Mario]

Hi Aaron and welcome here.

I was born near you, in the other side of the river in Hull. Since I was 3 years old, I'm living near Quebec city. Another canadian in the forum. Hope you'll find answers to your quesiions here, and maybe a lot of friends.

[koblenz]

Originally Posted by Gangrel

... to be replaced with Diet Kool Aid and Graham Crackers.

Mmmmmmmmm. Diet Kool Aid!

I am not from Ottawa, but welcome the forum. The only question left I have to ask is what did you get for Christmas when you were nine? (kidding... sheesh)

[discordia]

Hey dude.

My names' Aaron and I'm also hooked on insulin. Here's to us

[liz32]

Greetings from another Haligonian! Grew up in Bedford went to CPA. Though I'm three years ahead of you (yes, it's too hard to say 33). This place is great! Glad ya found us. See ya around.
Liz

[Cinnabon]

Hey hey Gangrel...
on that same train as you.. You would think Miami, FL woudld have Diabetic get together, But NO! I really never focused the carb counting routine till recently when my pump was activated. Now its a no thinker. One thing is for sure, Diabetes burns you out at times and you need recharging, but we do it LOL. WELCOME!!!!!

[am1977]

:dito: I think it would be cool to have a Diabetes get-together. I think it's been discussed here, but there are no formal plans to do this, probably since it would be complicated to get everyone to one location. People are spread out all over the place!

In any case, I like your intro- sounds like you have a lot of personality and spunk and it's great to see that . Hope you will feel at home here and will visit and post often!

See you around

[Gangrel]

Originally Posted by koblenz

Mmmmmmmmm. Diet Kool Aid!

I am not from Ottawa, but welcome the forum. The only question left I have to ask is what did you get for Christmas when you were nine? (kidding... sheesh)

Hmmm, 9..... I think probably some Transformers and the old WWF wrestlers I used to play with that were rubber.

[WordJames]

Originally Posted by Gangrel

When I started, I was on Toronto and Lente insulins, in one of those old horse needles we used back in the early 80's. I tested my blood sugar using Chem-Strips, which for those of us who have used them, were a fun 2-3 minute exercise (depending on how high you were) in colour matching! Ooohhhh, so precise! Is my blood 13.7 or 11? I can't tell!

(did I ramble enough?)

I remember those strips! They were so expensive the doctor suggested splitting each strip into two or three for multiple use. The timing on reading the strips was critical, too -- you had to wait 40 seconds, then compare colors in less than a second -- and they all looked the same. The very first meters just read the colors on those old strips for you ... provided you got all the glass parts clean enough.

(Yes, a very satisfactory ramble.)

[KickStart101]

Hi Aaron: Welcome to this Great Forum. I don't know how I missed
your humorous post, but it brings back memories, and I'm glad to meet you.
(Lucky James pulled you out. Thanks James). As you can see there's lots of
Cool Folks here so I hope that you get to know many and share your info and
comments and any questions.
Are ya getting out to Vote on Monday?? Although I'm afeared of the out-
come, I hope ALL Canadians get out there and Vote. (Sorry for the Ad on your
post). Yes, you rambled long enough, Thanks.

[Gangrel]

yes, i'll be voting for sure on Monday! If I don't vote, I can't complain for 4 years.....

[KickStart101]

Originally Posted by Gangrel

yes, i'll be voting for sure on Monday! If I don't vote, I can't complain for 4 years.....

Good Boy, me too. And we hope for the Best.
What part of Ottawa are you in?

[Belinda]

Welcome....btw...what comes with the veal???????

[gettingby]

Hi Aaron and Welcome.
Boy, all the stuff you mentioned in your intro brought back alot of memories. Some good, some bad.
Stick around and post often. It's good to have some "oldies" around (LOL, you know what I mean)
.