Who's the best doctor?

Assume you have been seeing the same old diabetes doctor since you were just a young teen. For a very long time, let's say around 30 years, this same doctor has been your hero, the man who has helped you through many ordeals. He has calmed you down when you were completely lost. He understood the high numbers followed by those creepy lows when you had gone out with your
friends. He reprimanded you for not using your glucometer for 2 weeks, because you were fed up with D. He reassured your parents you were going to be okay, when once again, you were in the hospital with DKA. Your parents invited him to your wedding and he congratulated you with your first child. He helped you figure out the lows and the highs and he checked the blue marks on your thigh as a result of the daily nighttime shot. He reminded you to take your vitamin D and to change your needles as often as possible. And then, he announced he was going to leave the hospital. He wanted other, younger doctors to take over. Your world fell apart. How would you cope without him? Not one other doctor knew all about your lows and highs. This man knew you better than your own parents did? Deep down, you knew this day would come. You weren't ready for it. It wasn't easy for him either...

Then this other doctor showed up. He was experienced too. He had a calm voice and a firm hand but he was not your doctor.. You built a shield around you and you were not prepared to let him in. He talked about some device you had never heard of. He tried to persuade you to alter the settings on your insulin pump. Was he out of his mind??? If your settings weren't okay, wouldn't your own doctor have said so? What do you mean, 180 mg/dl is not the best average blood glucose?

You were heartbroken. You wanted to talk to your own doctor and make him come back. He deserved his retirement, absolutely. But why now? Why someone else that you didn't know?

Things are different now. You have to rely on a different method. A doctor with an opinion of its own. Why does he keep saying it is so important to count carbs? Why does he want you to change what has become your way of life? It's not fair. It's still the same disease, then why change it all?

You texted me to ask about the carb content of this and that. We sat down together, to discuss this new device, called Dexcom G4. You were impressed, to your surprise. Maybe it was time to let go. Just like a mom, who is setting her child free to flap her wings, it was time to let go of the old days and the old ways. You were ready for a new milestone. I heard you followed my advice and you got yourself a new insulin pump, bluetooth included. I'm proud of you. Carb counting can be tricky, but seeing what those carbs do to a body infected by diabetes, is beyond interesting. I have this feeling, that you are beginning to like this new doctor. Maybe he's not the enemy. Maybe he's your next challenge in life. You can do this. You're on your way.

The lady with the sign

When we were here in January, I saw her for the first time. I believe she's somewhere in her midst 40's. Just the average woman, she could be your next door neighbor. But the job she does, is a little different. Every day, we see her outside, on Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, holding up a sign. Her job is to attract the attention of the passing drivers. If you're interested in buying cheap Disney tickets: she'll tell you to stop right there... You can even pull over to sell your unused Disney tickets - I have no idea why people would have unused tickets?

She's there in the morning, she's still there at night. She's standing there, holding a huge billboard, twirling it around like it doesn't weigh anything. It looks pretty heavy to me though.. Especially if you have to do this all day, in the sun. Respect.. honestly.. I know I wouldn't do it.

I have had the intention to pull over to talk to her. To show her my respect. To ask her why she has chosen this job. I wonder.. She seems pretty fit to me. I can't imagine someone would call this a dream job? There are several other people out there, but this lady has been holding on to this job. Wow..

Chat 'n Chew

Going out for dinner is always a pleasure, especially in good company. It's something we really like to do: having a chat over a well presented plate of delicious food. The clock ticks away time, but we don't keep an eye on it. Because good times are not supposed to end.

There's this show on TV, called Dinner Date. A single person tries to find his ideal date. Five candidates make their own personal 3 course meal in the hope the single person will pick them. Without having seen anything but the menus, the single person gets to choose 3 favorite dates. He then gets invited into their homes for a romantic dinner date. Some can cook, others are wonderful hosts and sometimes there's no click at all.
At the end of the week, the single person gets to pick his favorite date, based on the cooking skills, the romance and the overall impression of the night. All 3 candidates are supposed to dress up for a night out, but only one gets the chance for a second date, in a romantic restaurant. The other 2 get TV dinners delivered to their houses.

What a great concept! It seems like a lovely way to meet new people. Maybe people should do this in real life too! It would be a challenge. I suppose married people don't do dinner dates?

The sweet intoxication of love

The best present a father can give to his child, is to love its mother..

Photo by Lana Joos

This little baby is the perfect result of the love between two people. Both mom and dad have been longing for this little boy for a long time..

He's here now and he's gorgeous.. Just look at him. Wouldn't you want to hold him and never let go? An innocent child, born into this world. A little boy with a mission, I would like to say. Because I have this feeling, this little cutie will matter. He will unite people from different worlds, different cultures, different believes. He will be loved and honored and cuddled and embraced by many. One day, he will speak for himself and let others know what he stands for. He will have a mind of his own. He will become a great man..

The right thing to do

You had questions and that's why we met for dinner. We talked things over and we shared experiences. Your diabetes is pretty much under control but there are other issues. You should be in the recovery room by now. I hope things went smoothly and you're not too sore. Please let me know you're okay. I'll be expecting your text message.
The operation is major but there's pain relief available and you shouldn't hurt too much. I'm wishing you all the best for your new future and I hope to meet you again somewhere in the beginning of January, to see how you are doing and to hear about your new life. Thinking of you big time..

Something else

This tiny and fragile young woman is mysterious, gracious and elegant. She's extremely talented and worthy of your attention. I'm talking about Vanessa-Mae, an extraordinary violin player. The way she plays her instrument is .. well.. is there a word to express the feeling? Toggata & Fugue is a major piece and she makes it come alive. Just enjoy!

Justice

Els Clottemans

Els Clottemans has been convicted of the murder of her best friend, Els Van Dooren. She allegedly murdered her friend, by cutting the straps of her parachute. I say: allegedly, because there is no proof. There are allegations that point in her direction, but there is no proof whatsoever. Did she or did she not commit the murder? We don't know. Nobody knows, but the person who did it.

I'm truly disgusted by the aggression in the voice of some that believe she did it. Did they witness her committing the crime? Or were they influenced by the media circus? Would they share the same opinion if it were their own child? What if they were to be convicted of committing a crime they didn't do? It makes me sick to my stomach that someone is sentenced to a vast number of years in prison, not knowing for sure that person is actually guilty. It's just so medieval. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth?

I feel sorry for the family of Els Van Dooren. They have lost a wife, a mother, a relative.
I feel sorry for the family of Els Clottemans. They know their daughter. They are convinced she didn't do it.

Els Van Dooren

I feel sorry for anybody out there, who is so blind sighted to any other option. They have made up their minds. There's no opening for any other reality. They play their own judge. They feel they have the right to decide about someone else's life and future, like the killer decided to end the life of Els Van Dooren. There are other explanations possible. Maybe Els Van Dooren couldn't take it anymore. Maybe she decided to end her own life. Or how about the lover? Who says he's not guilty of the crime?

Did she get a fair trial? No, she didn't. Even the people that believe she's guilty, can't say her trial was fair. The media made the trial for us. Times are changing. The media is everywhere. They create a story and stories sell well, don't forget that. People want to share their opinions. They want to take sides. Either they believe she did it, or they are convinced she didn't do it. The truth may be somewhere in the middle. I won't say she didn't do it. And I refuse to say she did it. I have an opinion of my own. I just believe it's not righteous to sentence someone to serve time in jail, without proof. That's what this blog is about.. And I'm sorry if you don't approve. You are entitled to your opinions. Let me be entitled to mine.

I am nothing but a speck

Some days, we think we are so important, trying to conquer the world and making the best of it. But in the end, we are nothing but a speck on this planet. I am a speck. A small speck. A tiny speck. Not of any importance. People will remember me after I die. For a while. And then they will forget.. That's okay. I don't need to be remembered. Because after all, I'm nothing but a speck..

Don't give up

Don't give up

'cause you have friends

Don't give up

you're not beaten yet..

Don't give up

your daughter needs you more than anything..

Your life is pretty complicated and not of the easiest kind. You have overcome so many struggles by now. The only goal in life you would never give up on, was having a child of your own. That was by far an easy subject. People pointed at you for wanting to become pregnant. They called you names, said you didn't deserve to have a baby.

Friedreich's Ataxia is a horrible disease. It prevents you from getting out of your wheelchair and do what you want to do the most: have a great time with your daughter. Play with her on the floor, hold her hand to go for a walk, dance with her while her favorite song is playing. You are clever and you always find ways to give your daughter everything she needs.

Life's a struggle. Yours is a battle. You're brave, very brave. I think you are the most courageous person I have ever met. Your daughter is lucky to have a mother who is so in love with her.. You didn't get much love from your own mother. Maybe that's the reason why you have so much love to give..

Tomboys

I have never really felt very feminine in my life. I always felt more like a tomboy. Not that I didn't want to feel feminine, I really do. It's just not happening. I'm more the jeans and long sleeve shirt type. When I see those beautiful skirts and dresses in the shops, they make me want to buy them. And sometimes I do. I buy skirts and dresses and I even buy high heels and boots to go with them. Sometimes even a matching purse. But I don't feel feminine when I wear it.. I no longer want to be a tomboy. I want to be a girl. A woman. A lady...