Top Ten Things I Wish I Had Known As A Graduate

10.  At any age, even 18, being mindful of your money is smart.
-Subsection A: If you are about to start college in the fall and are looking at loans, be careful about how much money you'll owe. If you are graduating from college now, and staring down repayment in 6 months, you're seeing the result of the loans you have: Payments are a thing.
-Subsection B: Credit cards are usually not a good choice. Think: Is this a need or a want? The wants can add up to a big ugly debt really fast. Live simply.

9.  Although you think you're pretty busy, have an activity or two you enjoy after work hours. It may very well become your Happy Place during rough times. Plus, you'll meet cool like-minded people.

8.  Care about something: Save the whales. Work with voter registration. Be a champion for arts in the schools. In other words, be a part of your community by action, not just complaint, no matter where you land.
Subsection A: Be Kind To Other People. Everyone has a story. You would be surprised to know not only what problems others have, but also what talents they have. A smile, an encouraging word, taking those few seconds to listen, can make a difference in someone's life.

7.  Take time for yourself every day. Notice the weather. Take a walk. Listen to music. Relax. Breathe. Repeat. Appreciate your surroundings.

6.  Try something new on a regular basis. What if you actually like ska music or Cajun food? Zip-lining? Swing dancing?  Poetry? Zorbing? Never, never, stop learning.

5.  Take care of your health: Eat better than you did in high school or in college (they're called fruits and vegetables). Get a yearly checkup, even if you don't think you need it. Keep up with dental care. Get new glasses when you need them. Get some exercise (which doesn't have to take place in a gym. Just sayin').Wear a helmet when you're on a motorcycle. Don't text and drive. Wear sunscreen, because: Wrinkles and skin cancer.

4. College grads: Yes, get a job ASAP. But, do not take 'something' because it's better than 'nothing.' Make an effort to be careful in your choice of job. That is, choose a job that sounds like it's at least a little challenging, and has fun people to work with. You're going to be there 8 hours a day or more. High school or any other kind of grad: Whatever you do, do your best. Have a good work ethic-be dependable, make an extra effort, be cooperative and inquisitive: If you have an idea, speak up and see if it's something useful for your work team. Think outside the box, try something new, make a suggestion.

-Subsection A: Live on your own as soon as you can, and live on your own before you get married or have a partner. Find out what it's like to manage your life independently. It's a very good thing.

3.  Share your knowledge by mentoring or tutoring: think about someone who did this for you, and how much it meant to you--pay it forward. Start with just one person and see how it enriches your life as well as the other person's.

2.  Your family is not only people related to you, but your friends as well. Nurture those relationships, hang on to them with intent and ferocity, because you will not only enjoy those relationships, but will need them from time to time. Knowing you have solid connections no matter what happens, makes all the difference.

And the #1 thing to know:


Be Grateful. Your life is always full of promise, as long as you're alive. Appreciate your home, friends, family, experiences you've had and are still going to have, and the power of knowledge.

And also, Congratulations!!!

Diabetes Awareness

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Let's learn something about Diabetes in order to understand it better.


Did you know there are several kinds of Diabetes? The most common are Type1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes. Gestational type occurs during pregnancy, so it affects less people, and usually stops after the birth of the baby. We're going to share information here about Type 2 and Type 1.

                                                         Type 2

90% of people who have Diabetes, have Type 2. Whether you develop Type 2 is mostly dependent on lifestyle and heredity: If you have a close blood relative that has it, you are at higher risk as well. Being overweight increases this risk. However, many Type 2 Diabetics are of average or slender build.

With Type 2, your pancreas is still functioning, but not at 100% efficiency. If you closely monitor the foods you eat, with Type 2 you can still keep diabetes under control to some extent. Type 2 involves an insulin resistance and sometimes a reduction in insulin production. Your body's cells do not use insulin the way they are supposed to. Sometimes people with Type 2 Diabetes are able to control their blood glucose (blood sugar) levels with diet and exercise, but often treatment requires medication. Often, medication in a pill form will help cells use insulin more efficiently, and so insulin is not necessary. However, sometimes people with Type 2 Diabetes aren't able to achieve good control of their blood glucose levels and begin to use insulin injections. When taking the pill form of medication, it's necessary to check blood glucose levels by doing a finger stick. The drop of blood goes on a test strip, and the test strip is inserted in a glucose meter which tells the level of glucose in your blood at that moment. You would check your levels before meals and at bedtime, so about 4 times each day. You gauge how many carbs you should take in if your glucose level is high, or if you are about to eat something with carbs in it, which would raise your glucose level. If you run high too often, you may need to inject insulin to help regulate the level (keep it down but not too low).  When taking insulin, much more frequent checks are needed.

The type of doctor a diabetic sees is an endocrinologist. These specialists understand the endocrine system more thoroughly than a family practice physician, and are often the only doctor a Type 1 diabetic sees. It's important to have a good relationship with your doctor, but especially with this condition.

Here is someone checking her blood glucose using a meter: The drop of blood is put on a test strip, and the test strip is inserted into the meter, which gives the blood glucose reading.

                                                                             Type 1
Type 1, or Juvenile Diabetes (also called T1D), occurs when your pancreas isn't functioning at all. In this case, you will need to give yourself insulin when you need it and monitor your food intake much more closely than with Type 2.

It was originally called 'Juvenile Diabetes' because it usually shows up in people under the age of 20-including newborns and toddlers-but can appear at any age. Type 1 is considered an autoimmune disease, or an attack from within. It does not have a connection to your lifestyle. However, it can be genetic ("runs in the family").

People with Type 1 must rely on insulin injections for treatment. Your body requires insulin at all times. Insulin works as a type of "key" that lets glucose into all your cells. Glucose is needed by your cells in order for the cells to function. Without it, glucose can't enter cells, so the cells don't have fuel to work, and your system shuts down. In Type 1, insulin must be injected so that the glucose can always enter your cells and your body can function. 


Ways to take insulin: Insulin can be carried with a person in a device that looks like a fat pen and is pre-loaded with insulin. It has a needle on the end that needs to be changed after every use.  Insulin needs to be refrigerated until it is opened. Once opened, it can be out of the fridge for 28 days and then must be thrown away. 

When you have Type 1 Diabetes, your life is much more influenced by the disease than with Type 2 (usually). A typical day for a Type 1 Diabetic includes up to 12 finger sticks/meter readings per day, with injected insulin (shots) occurring with each meal as well as long-acting insulin to get through the day. Activities that lower or raise your glucose mean more testing, as does illness (it tends to run high while fighting off an illness) while exercise usually lowers the glucose level. Having too high a level can cause nerve damage if it's left uncontrolled, and running too low of a glucose level can result in the person going into a coma. A young woman describes a day with Type 1 here: https://lyfebulb.com/2017/10/16/day-life-type-1-diabetic/




Another option for someone with Type 1 Diabetes is an insulin pump. Here is what it looks like:

The pump, as you can see, looks somewhat like a pager. It has a tendency to make security alarms go off, and can be a bother to allow for if you're wearing certain clothing; however, it does save you from several injections every day. You can take it off completely for an hour to shower or take a swim, but the pump cannot get wet. The device to your left is a Continuous Glucose Monitor. It communicates with the pump to tell it when your glucose is very low. The CGM can be worn on the shoulder as well.

With the pump, insulin is constantly being administered to the person, 24/7. This provides the person with a steady supply of insulin, since their body isn't making any insulin, and the body's cells always need it ready to dispense. The person does a blood test (finger stick) and based on that, tells the pump to deliver a "bolus" (dose) of extra insulin when they eat or when their blood sugar is running high. Since the tubing is already sitting under the skin, the pump eliminates the need for several insulin shots per day. Every 3 days a new 'set' is inserted, using  a needle and a little tool. Once the new set is inserted, the needle is then removed, leaving behind a cannula, which is a very small hollow plastic tube, underneath the skin. This connects to the insulin pump via a small plastic tube that's about 12 inches long. The pump itself is typically worn on the front of pocket of your pants. The needle is attached to your skin in the abdomen area with a large round bandage patch. The pump needs to be refilled and the infusion site (the place where the tubing was connected to the body) changed every two to three days. The insulin needs only to be infused into the fatty layer of tissue just beneath the skin. From there, it is absorbed into the body and dispersed to the cells that need it. 

How do you know if someone with diabetes might need your help? A person whose glucose level is running very low will become disoriented, may not make sense, will seem a little drowsy or shaky. If you know the person is diabetic, offer some juice or a small piece of soft candy-you don't want him or her to choke. A very small amount of soda will work, but is extremely high in sugar so don't give a large amount. Even a little milk will probably provide enough sugar to stabilize the person so he/she can decide what to do. Do not pour something down the person's throat! Your aim is only to bring the blood glucose (sugar) level up enough so the person becomes fully alert. Stay calm so the person will also stay calm, and stay close by to watch over him or her. In a few minutes, you should see an improvement. Once the blood glucose level comes back up, the person will be fine and probably will not need medical intervention. However, if you are not having success, call 911 right away. It's important to be a concerned and caring friend, but once the episode has passed, don't make a big thing of it. Your diabetic friend already probably feels self-conscious about it.

Here's a vid of a day in the life of a college student with Type 1. He is not using a pump. Notice how his vision gets blurred when he's running low. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=type+1+diabetic+for+a+day&view=detail&mid=956341D0FFFACD6E8DFA956341D0FFFACD6E8DFA&FORM=VIRE

Please also visit jdrf.org to learn more about Diabetes, and when you donate to charity, keep in mind people experiencing a natural disaster in their area: There are usually diabetics in need of help with their supplies and meds. 

How to Adult: Making a Doctor Appointment

Once you're on your own, whether away from home at college or starting life as an adult, you'll eventually need to tend to your health; namely, you're going to need to see a doctor for some reason, or at least get to a pharmacy for some help to feel better.

 

First, how to know you are 'sick enough' to be seen by a doctor. Here are some guidelines, but truly: if you feel incredibly sick, then you're sick enough.

• Do you know how to take your temperature? You can get a digital thermometer at a pharmacy, they're easy to use if you follow the directions. Normal is usually 98.6. If it's more than 100, it might indicate you're fighting something.
• A bad cough may indicate a respiratory infection
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea that just won't stop after 24 hours and laying off food, should be checked out
• If your chest aches, you may have any number of respiratory issues
• A very raw sore throat may be strep. However, strep doesn't always cause a sore throat. It also can be shown by feeling nauseous, headaches, and a rash.
• For women, if you are not sure whether you have a yeast infection, you should see a doctor.
• You also should be seen if you are having depression that won't ease up. Don't feel like it's not important enough, it is.

While you wait for your appointment, here are some things to try that may help:
Cold/Cough/Chest/Sore Throat - Lots (Lots) of liquids, particularly water; cough drops or anything to suck on that soothes your throat; salt water gargle; ice pops; keeping warm; sleep. Tylenol or ibuprofen for aches and pains (have a little food with ibuprofen as it upsets the stomach)


Vomiting, stomach upset - flat or sometimes fizzy soft drinks, especially clear ones; nothing but clear liquids for 24 hours and then bland foods like soda crackers, bananas, applesauce, plain cooked rice. Have small amounts at a time and see if it stays put.


For any illness, you may want to try products OTC (over the counter) to see if they help-ask a pharmacist for suggestions.

How do you make an appointment?
It doesn't matter if you are at home or away at college, it's the same procedure: First, you call the clinic. Have an idea what time you'll be able to come in. If you prefer a certain doctor or nurse practitioner, say you want to make an appointment with her. Otherwise, just say you need to be seen. They will ask what your symptoms are. This is so they are prepared for possible lab tests or anything else they commonly do, and to gauge how long an appointment you will need. They will tell you what times are available. You can choose the time you want. Write it down so you don't forget.

 

They will ask what insurance you have. Be sure you can answer that one. They will likely want a copy of your insurance card when you come in for your appointment.

 

Show up on time or a bit early for your appointment, and have your debit card with you for the copay. Go to the checkin desk and tell them who you are, and that you have an appointment at 9:00  with Mary Jones, for instance. They'll ask for your insurance card and possibly a co-pay. Get a receipt for that and keep it in a safe place.

 

When they call your name to go to your exam room, answer the doctor's questions as well as you can. It's hard to diagnose when you're not being clear. She will listen to your heart and lungs, look in your ears and at your throat, examine your lymph glands (below your ears), and may have you lay down so she can palpate (feel) your belly, and will need to examine anything that might indicate what the problem is. She may want to do lab tests such as a white blood count. That will indicate if you are fighting an infection. If there is anything at all you don't understand, ask the person to explain.


It's possible your doctor will determine that you have something viral, and antibiotics won't help.

You can also ask the doctor to write down your instructions for when you leave; most of them will give you a printout to take home with you.


It is important to know if you have any allergies to any kind of medication. Ask your parent if you don't know. If you have seen this same doctor for a few times, he or she will likely know and will prescribe only drugs that are safe for you to take.


If you have something viral, then a prescription won't help. The doctor can suggest ways for you to soothe your symptoms.
If you get a prescription, and they don't fill it at the doctor's office, here's how you get it filled.


Some doctors will call in your prescription for you at the end of your appointment (know where you want them to send it to be filled). If you get a slip of paper, called a scrip, take the scrip to your pharmacy and give it to the person working there. If you're not in their records they may ask for your information. They'll also need to know what insurance you use. They may be able to fill it while you wait, or may have you come back.


Once it is ready, you pay the copay and they give you your medicine. Ask any questions you have, and they may tell you not to take this medication with certain foods. Pay attention to that: Sometimes if you take a medication with orange juice, for example, it wipes out the effect of the medication. There will be cautions printed on the paper you get with the prescription. If you have any questions, you can call the pharmacy and ask them.


Take the medication exactly as it says on the pill or liquid bottle, and finish it all, even if you start to feel better in a couple of days. If you finish it and still aren't better, call the doctor to see what she thinks you should do (another round of medication? Something different?).


Most of all, don't be afraid to see a doctor when you are concerned. They really want to help you feel better. And if it's something that will simply run its course, then you don't have to be worried about it anymore.


Take care of yourself!!

I Love Me A Good List

You don't just need a list of what stuff to bring to college, you need a list of stuff you need to do, such as......

• Check about your car insurance. Are you going to have a car at college? If you are, see about a lower rate if you won't be in a metro area. If you're not going to have a car at college, drop coverage to Comprehensive only, if the car will be parked and not in use. Coming home from winter break and want to use the car for those few weeks? It can be done.Call your insurance agent and ask about these things. Be sure you have your proof of insurance card with you all the time.
• If you'll have a car at college, do you know how to check the oil? Fill the windshield washer fluid? Change a tire? Have someone show you before you leave. You may not be able to Google that when you need it.

• Make sure you've had any vaccinations recommended, including one for Meningitis. Keep a record of them, the college may ask for it. Carry your health insurance card with you all the time. Some facts on meningitis; http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/meningococcal/collegefact.html
• Set up your own bank account, or a joint account with a parent. You may need cash from time to time and, you may have a 'regular' job or a work-study, and your employer will need to direct-deposit your pay.
• Find out where you can use an ATM without incurring charges to your account-some of them charge $4 just to make a withdrawal.

• Know what you'll do if you get sick while you're at college: Is there a campus clinic? How does your insurance work when you're not 'at home'?
• Remember, the college can't share any information about you without your consent. That means grades, for example, as well as any medical information if you should go to the doctor (whether at home or away)
• If you have a significant other, talk about how your relationship will work if you aren't going to live close together. Be honest: Do you want to be free to enjoy your time? Do you want to go home as much as possible to see him or her? Or not? How does your SO feel? Better to talk about it than assume you know what you both want.

• If you have a younger sibling who will, believe it or not, miss you while you are gone, see if there's a prized possession of yours or maybe your pet, that you can entrust to said brother or sister. This can be quite an honor for him or her.
• Do you know how to cook simple foods? The college caf won't be open 24/7. Where can you get a loaf of bread, peanut butter, and milk? Fruit? Cereal?

• When you get in touch with your roommate, talk about the practical part of living together. Who empties the trash? Will you share any supplies? Does one of you like to stay up late and the other is early to bed? Some excellent questions to ask each other: https://campusriot.com/10-questions-you-must-ask-your-new-college-roommate/
• If there is no air conditioning in your dorm, you'll be glad to have brought a fan, even a small one, and even if you only use it for a few weeks.
• Clarify how often you'll be in touch with your parents, if necessary. They'll miss you and want to hear what you're up to, and you'll be very busy a lot of the time.

• Less is more: four or five of every type of clothing will probably be fine, plus (ahem) underwear, a light jacket or hoodies, a couple of pair of shoes, and a winter coat. Dorms are TINY. You don't need 17 pair of shoes. Really, you don't.
• Remember, you're not cutting ties with life as you know it. There are discount stores, grocery stores, even malls, just about anywhere you go. You can ask your parents/guardians to send you things you need, too---it's kind of fun to receive a package in the mail.
• Be safe: remember to have a buddy when you go out, especially at night. Text each other when you get back to your dorms. Take note of emergency phones on campus, too.

 

 

 

Sick

You're away at college, and you get sick. Really, really sick. Is it just a cold, or a bug, or is it the flu? What do you do??


1.  Assess the level of sickness. 
Do you feel like it's more than a cold?
Are you so tired you can hardly drag yourself out of bed?
How long has it been going on? More than a few days?
Can you keep food down? Water?
Does your throat hurt?

Can you feel swollen glands in your neck?
Is your neck stiff?
Do you have a headache?
Is there a cough? How does your chest feel?
Do you have any ongoing condition that's making it worse?
Has your roommate or someone you hang out with a lot been sick, too?
Is it your stomach that's not right? In what way?
Do you know if you're running a fever? Have there been chills and then sweating?
What else is going on that concerns you, including stress?
How are you sleeping? Sleeping more, less, having trouble sleeping?

2. Have you tried some home remedies?
Are you taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for aches and fever?
Do you have anything to soothe your throat if you need it?
Are you eating a lighter diet if your stomach is upset?
Chicken soup is of some value: Warm salty liquid can soothe your symptoms sometimes.
Are you keeping warm?
Are you keeping hydrated?
Are you resting? This is hard to do while trying to keep on top of your studies.


3. Find help.
Most residential (you live on campus) colleges have some kind of medical help available for their students: A clinic or other medical facility near where your dorm is. If you don't know where it is, ask. If you have a Resident Advisor in your dorm, ask that person, or ask a professor. Alternately, go to the campus website and search "wellness" or "Campus Clinic". Keep looking and asking until you find it. The clinic will have nurse practitioners, RNs, and physicians to help you out.


Through your campus or possibly through your medical insurance, there might be an "Ask A Nurse" helpline where you can call and ask questions to see if you need to be seen by a medical professional. This could be really helpful, too.


4. Don't wait very long to be seen.
Get right in to see a medical professional if you're sick. Waiting is likely to make it worse. You may have never done this for yourself before, but never fear: All you have to do is call or stop by and make an appointment. They may even take walk-ins. Plus, if you're really sick, you'll miss classes, and this can be a big problem. Even if the medical professional you see decides it's viral and there's not much to be done besides wait it out, at least you'll know.


5. Depression is also an illness that needs attention. Sometimes, depression can cause other physical symptoms. You don't need to feel embarrassed to ask for help for depression.

And also remember a campus clinic can help with other issues like birth control, reproductive health, and testing for STDs. Any clinic will keep your visit confidential, no matter why you were seen. They can't share your information with anyone including your parents or guardians, unless you give them permission.


If you're well now, take some time to check with your medical insurance to see how coverage works when you're away from home. You can ask your parent or guardian to check for you, or check it out yourself. For example, Will you need to pay a co-pay at the time you're seen, or can it be billed to you or your guardian later? How much is that? This will be good to know before you get sick, but either way, be seen by a medical professional when you need to. The bill can be dealt with later.


Here's hoping for a healthy winter, and for knowing that help is available to you!!