I belong to quite a few online diabetic communities, and one that I have become  involved with lately is called the Global Diabetes Awareness Community run by Mark-John & Patti Clifford and Thomas Moore (aka Major Tom) along with many other volunteers in the background.  Their goal is to bring diabetic awareness and education to both nondiabetic and diabetics like myself.  I took part in an online radio show back in November for World Diabetic Kid'z Day, talking with many other diabetics over a long w/e.  They were both young and old, and also many great folks in the medical field took part.  It was an amazing experience to say the least!

Starting on New Years Day, GDAC is asking you to post BGL (blood glucose level) readings for those of you willing to poke/prod your nondiabetic friends (I've been told I'm very gentle, they didn't feel a thing).  So far, I have had a few victims , of course, Mike my hubby being one.  I'll be doing random tests of more individuals over those 5 days, posting their results at 1 Disease! World! Voice! (you can find Information and Guidelines here incase my scribbles don't make sense here).  I won't be stopping there of course, I'll also be reporting the results in Twitter, using the hashtag #test2010.

One thing I've already discovered with some BGL pretesting of friends due to not seeing them as we live too far away.  The results can be interesting for both you and the "patient" when the BG readding is revealed.  I experienced a few readings that were above 11 mmol/l (198 mg/dl  ) - which is considered a "casual blood glucose" according to CDA website and signify's diabetes.  If I could have had more time, a few more BG tests could have revealed abit more, but alas, ran out of time.

Now, again, the one test like I had done to my friends above does not imply they are diabetic (one of them was abit upset with my urging them to see their GP for follow up), as more random tests would be more appropriate (CDA link above explains other tests that can reveal the truth), but still it's best to check it out afterwards. rather then listening to a know it all diabetic like myself (I say this in jest, as I'm always learning something new).  All I can say is just be patient with them, as some of you may remember how it felt when you were first diagnosed.  It's not the greatest news to hear and many times people will deny that they have a problem. In my case, I have had to back away, tho' it hurts to do this, but it's the best I can do at this point in time.  Pushing may cause more problems I'm afraid to say in some cases like this.

One point to remember when doing a BG tests, ALWAYS make sure fingers are washed well with soap and water (alcohol dries the skin/nerves out).  This will remove anything that might alter the BG test, Also, ALWAYS use a fresh sterilised lancet for each test.  I have enough boxes of lancets to incircle our big blue marble, so I'm all set.

Have a Happy New Year - and see you in 2010!