Author Archives: janekdickinson

Focusing on success in diabetes

Posted on July 16, 2018 by janekdickinson

Uncontrolled, poor control, poorly controlled, bad control, and even their counterparts good control, well controlled, and so on. These words, along with compliance and adherence, comprise the language of judgment, shame, blame, and guilt in diabetes. They focus on failure. … Continue reading →

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Trekking Poles

Posted on July 13, 2018 by janekdickinson

I finally caved and bought trekking poles after a PT friend was hiking with me and suggested poles would help me with knee pain going down hill. Here’s an informative article about poles. I’m not advocating this particular brand of … Continue reading →

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Adapting failure in a success-oriented approach

Posted on July 9, 2018 by janekdickinson

I am still thinking about what I heard about health care being a “failure-based system,” and I can’t helping insisting that it’s possible to adapt that failure mindset into a success mindset. What would a success-oriented approach or system look like? … Continue reading →

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Surgery and Diabetes

Posted on July 6, 2018 by janekdickinson

I am avoiding surgery as long as I can; hopefully I never have to have it (again). Sometimes, however, surgery is unavoidable and that’s OK! I had two c-sections and I don’t regret them at all. If you can safely … Continue reading →

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Diabetes in a failure-based system

Posted on July 2, 2018 by janekdickinson

“Health care is a failure-based system,” is what an MD said to me recently. I can think of many ways we are working with/in a failure-based system. The language is just one. The judgment, shame, blame, and guilt that run … Continue reading →

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Analog insulin

Posted on June 26, 2018 by janekdickinson

I read a tweet the other day that had me pretty confused about analog (analogue in countries other than the US) insulin. Here’s the scoop on analogs, just in case anyone else is confused. Once upon a time some awesome … Continue reading →

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Trying something new

Posted on June 21, 2018 by janekdickinson

Well, I finally did it. I started using CGM (continuous glucose monitoring). While this technology became an option in 1999, I have been known to say “Call me when it’s perfect” for the last couple decades. I just wasn’t interested … Continue reading →

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The insulin pricing concern

Posted on May 23, 2018 by janekdickinson

A few months back a reporter from our local newspaper interviewed me about the insulin pricing situation. I will admit I felt foolish because I didn’t know a lot about it. I mean, I know that insulin costs too much. … Continue reading →

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Objection! Leading the Patient.

Posted on May 21, 2018 by janekdickinson

At a follow up visit with my son, the first provider ushered us into the room asking leading questions like, “You haven’t had any pain recently?” and so on. The other provider came in the room asking: “You’re not having … Continue reading →

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International Diabetes Federation

Posted on May 9, 2018 by janekdickinson

Are you aware that there’s an international organization focused on helping people with diabetes? The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has initiatives for professionals and people living with diabetes. They even have a philosophy on language! They also partnered with the … Continue reading →

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