Friday, December 22, 2017

The Unexpected Challenges Of Living With Chronic Illness

Hello there,
welcome to INSPIRE.

Today my post is
inspiring (hopefully) to anyone
living with any form of chronic illness,
and the challenges that ensue.


To begin, I want
to share a brief glimpse, of where
this battle began in my life.

In February of 1997,
my husband & I were celebrating
our second year of marriage.
The truth is, I hadn't been feeling very
well, in the weeks leading up to this
momentous time, and had
scheduled an appointment
with a doctor, which just
happend to be the morning 
after our anniversary outing.

We had dinner with my sister in-law, and her husband.
And we then went to catch the theater
re-release of The Empire Strikes Back.
Being kids in the early 80's, this 
was really kind of exciting to get 
to see it again on the big screen.

My body however, didn't feel the same.

I kept passing out, and we had to make
an early exit from the movie.
My brother in-law made the
suggestion of taking me to the
nearest Urgent Care, so that is what we did.

Upon arriving, they handed me a cup for a urine specimen, and then sent Del & I
into an exam room. A brief
few moments later, the doctor came in and these
were his words:
"You have a dead woman on your hands.
EVERYTHING we should find in urine, is absent. All that is there is SUGAR".

He then stated he had called the local hospital, and the ER was on stand by, awaiting my arrival.

What a dark day that 
anniversary celebration 
had become.

Diagnosis? Type 1 Diabetes,
Adult Onset.
Meaning?
 Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition. It's caused by the body attacking its own pancreas with antibodies. In people with Type 1 Diabetes, the damaged pancreas doesn't make insulin.

So, for the last 20 years, my life
has been encompassed by insulin injections, insulin pump, and more recently back
to injections again.

All trial & error.

Twelve days ago I made
a HUGE error in my insulin dose.
I over estimated my carb intake, and took
way to much insulin.

An hour or so after dinner,
I had encountered a very
serious blood sugar low.
As I watch each glucose reading
fall first into the 60's, then the 50's, until
the critical 30's, I knew I was in
big trouble.

Insulin overdose.

I hadn't had this happen
in 20 years of dealing
with Type 1 Diabetes.

This error, was a life threatening
error, and one I am going to try my level best
to never, EVER do again.

So for the last couple of weeks
I have essentially been in a recovery mode.
Once again trying to find
a healthy balance between
my food intake & insulin doses.

Feeling much stronger day by day.

The struggle is real.
And being responsible for miscalculations
is not a mistake I plan to do again.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Many blessings to you
& yours this Holiday Season!

Merry Christmas!



Tuesday, November 21, 2017

What A Mess: From Complete Chaos To Organized Clutter

Hello there!
Welcome to INSPIRE.

Today's post, begins with a question.
Have you ever stepped into your 
(messy) creative space to create
and realized what complete 
chaos & disarray your space is?

This can totally hinder 
the creative energy.

And that is exactly what happened to me.
My creative energy totally deadlocked,
because of the mess.
 As you will see in the evidence of
a mess, in these first photo's.





So right in the middle of Christmas crafting,
I decide to clean and reorganize my space.

TWO DAYS!
It has taken me.....
to create a more organized mess,
instead chaos.
Needless to say, I have vowed 
never to leave it like I found it,
ever again. (Rrright)😉
I have to say, the two days spent, was
well worth it.







Definitely a better creative energy.
And I can not wait 
to get busy messing....eh hem, creating again!

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Until next time.....Happy Crafting!



Sunday, November 19, 2017

Big Exciting News Today That I Just Have To Share!

Hello There!
Welcome to INSPIRE.

Today I have such big & exciting news
that I just have to share!

Drum roll please......
(okay I do not have drums, lol)

I have been chosen to 
be a member of the
Canvas Corp Brands Creative Crew 2018!

Follow the link below 
to see the CCB full announcement.

http://blog.canvascorpbrands.com/ccb-creative-crew-2018-announcement/

If you are not familiar with 
CCB products,
I have to say "WHAT?"

Canvas Corp Brands have
an AMAZING line of products
featuring the main brand,
Canvas Corp as well as Tattered Angels
& 7 Gypsies.

I am so excited about this 
new creative journey.
To be among many great
crafter's & artist's
is such an honor,
and getting to work with 
the CCB products too.

So stay tuned to see what 
Canvas Corp Brands 
has in store for 2018!

I invite you to visit the
Canvas Corp Brand store & 
The Creative Studio blog today.
(links below)


Until next time.....
Happy Crafting!!!






https://shop.canvascorpbrands.com




http://blog.canvascorpbrands.com

Saturday, November 18, 2017

An Angel Inspired Mixed Media Canvas How To

Hello there,
welcome to INSPIRE.
Today I want to share with you 
a peak at my latest design team
project for The Robin's Nest.


This project was inspired
by a  BEAUTIFUL cardstock,
as well as one of my favorite
Christmas songs ever
"Gabriel's Message" by Sting.

Want to see the full project?
Follow this link, to the
Chattering Robin's blog:

http://chatteringrobins.blogspot.com

Don't forget to visit 
The Robin's Nest online store
for your paper crafting supplies.

http://shop.robinsnest-scrap.net

Thanks for stopping by today!

Until next time.....Happy Crafting!


Thursday, November 16, 2017

On The Craft Table Are Many Signs Of The Christmas Season

Hello there!
Welcome to INSPIRE.
Today, just a brief post to share.

How many of us,
are still in the midst of getting Christmas
crafting done?

After all, hasn't most of our 
crafty shopping places
had Christmas decorations
and Christmas crafting 
items on full display 
for months?

Well, I blame those sources,
for my lagging behind
a wee bit.
With SO MANY IDEAS...
How can a seasoned crafter decide?

Nevertheless, I have spent this
week on finishing 
a Christmas card order,
and I have finally decided on a few
holiday projects I am in the midst
of crafting.


As you can see by the photo...
lots of of ideas ready to make.
I will share photo's, as I complete
the projects, so stay tuned.

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time.......Happy Christmas Crafting!

Sunday, November 12, 2017

A ScraPerfect Blog Exclusive How To With The Best Glue Ever

Hello there!
Welcome to INSPIRE!

I wanted to stop by today, to share with you my latest ScraPerfect Design Team project
using innovative products
from ScraPerfect, including the 
Best Glue Ever.


For details on how I made these adorable holiday cards, head on over to the ScraPerfect blog,
using this link:
https://scraperfect.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until the next time.......Happy Crafting!


Friday, November 10, 2017

One Huge Positive Change For The Better, In This Crafty Gal's Life

Hello thank you for stopping by today.
I wanted to share something,
that isn't at all a crafty project, 
but rather to inspire others that may be living
with a lifelong chronic illness.


In the crafting community, I have met
so many crafty ladies, that suffer 
from a broad array of illness,
fibro, heart & lung issues, blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid, diabetes sadly some with cancerous conditions.


Twenty two years ago, on our second wedding anniversary, I was admitted into the hospital, on the very brink of a Diabetic coma, and at deaths bed.
Type 1 Diabetes the diagnosis.
And it had been slowly destroying my body
for over a month.

All I knew of this illness at the time, was that my maternal grandmother, passed away at the age of 65, and when I was barely 6 months old.
As I lay there listening to the diagnosis and level of treatment, I thought I am going to die young too.

For years, I was treated by the diagnosing endocrinologist, not completely understanding the full brunt of my care, and his suggestions, would belittle me, and tear me down.

So ultimately, now what I understand because of
another major health issue he failed to look at and diagnose, he resorted to calling me morbidly obese, and putting me on an insulin pump.


This felt like a curse, an iron ball and chain.
Ultimately changing my life, and robbing me of any freedom.

After our moving away for a short time and returning, my husband was blessed with employment with one of the most prestigious healthcare networks, phenomenal insurance, and miracle working doctor's.

In 4 years time, my thyroid condition has been aggressively treated, and I am now in a healthy range. My cholesterol, blood pressure & blood sugar, in such great levels, than they have ever been before.

The blood sugar so well, that for the last week, I have gone without the pump, and put on the once daily long acting insulin Tresiba, along with fast acting insulin to correct high blood sugar, and for meals when needed.


When needed. Something I rarely heard
in the 22 years of dealing with this illness.

So this week, I have been a little slow at getting crafty, focusing on getting this new treatment right, and so far, I am doing very well.

I just wanted to share this "morsel", with anyone dealing with a chronic, treatable illness,
never give up hope. 


With all the new innovations in medicine & treatments, and doctor's and specialists that truly know what they are doing, and have a compassionate heart for their patients,
you too may someday find what you have been looking for.

Thank you for visiting.
Until next time
be encouraged in faith & hope.
And never give up.
God Bless You & Keep You.

*phrased photo's are not my own they were found on Pinterest.


  



Saturday, November 4, 2017

Today Over On The Chattering Robin's Blog A Jeweled Canvas How To

Hi there!
Welcome to INSPIRE!

Well it is the first Saturday of a new month, 
and that means today over at the Chattering Robin's blog, 
I am sharing my new DT project
using exclusive products from The Robin's Nest.

Here is a peak....

Want to see more?
Follow the link featured below
for all the details.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Until next time.....Happy Crafting!

https://chatteringrobins.blogspot.com




Friday, November 3, 2017

Today Over On The ScraPerfect Blog: Best Glue Ever Project How To

Hello there!
Welcome to INSPIRE!

Stopping in to day to share the link to  
the ScraPerfect blog,
where today I am sharing my latest
design team project,
using the Best Glue Ever & Perfect Crafting Pouch.

Want a peek?


To see more follow the ScraPerfect link below this post
for all the details.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time.....Happy Crafting!


https://scraperfect.blogspot.com


Michelle Wells

Saturday, October 21, 2017

How To Make Boo-tiful Halloween Nesting Boxes

Hello there
WELCOME to INSPIRE!

Stopping by today to share the link to may 
latest DT project for
The Robin's Nest.
A cute Halloween decor project that
can be used two ways.



For full details follow the link 
below the photo above.

While there, check out the many galleries featuring projects using the EXCLUSIVE products
from The Robin's Nest.

Have you subscribed to the Chattering Robin's blog, YouTube or Facebook page?

Have you visited The Robin's Nest online store
for your paper crafting needs?

Below you find links to all four.
Visit, look around, shop & subscribe
to stay up to date with what is going on
with The Robin's Nest.

Until next time.....
Happy Crafting!






https://www.facebook.com/RobinsNestScrap/

http://chatteringrobins.blogspot.com


https://www.youtube.com/user/RobinsNestScrap

http://shop.robinsnest-scrap.net