Diabetes in the real with Karli - CDCES

Diabetes in the real with Karli - CDCES “Why are you 300? Clearly you messed up but how?”
Is it always about food? Me too! I’m 45 years into this Thing! TIME TO BE REAL PEOPLE!

Been told you’re 'Non-Compliant' or you’re A1c is 'BAD?'
Has someone rolled their eyes when you ate a Donut?

DON’T MESS WITH ME-I KILLED MY OWN PANCREAS!
03/09/2026

DON’T MESS WITH ME-
I KILLED MY OWN PANCREAS!

The Learning CurveOne thing many people discover after diabetes becomes part of their life is how much there is to learn...
03/08/2026

The Learning Curve

One thing many people discover after diabetes becomes part of their life is how much there is to learn over time. And the learning NEVER stops!

Understanding how your body responds to food, activity, stress, sleep, and medication can take patience. What works one month might need adjusting later, and that’s normal. Diabetes care is rarely static - it’s a process of learning, observing, and adapting.

That’s why spaces like this matter. When people share experiences and ideas, everyone learns something new. What helps one person might spark a helpful idea for someone else.

There is a lot of collective wisdom in the diabetes community, and conversations like these help bring it forward.

What’s one thing you learned about diabetes that surprised you?
For me, it was that when I don’t eat, often my blood sugar goes UP! And that if I exercise sometimes, I can go UP too! Has this happened to you?
(If it has and you don’t understand why, drop a note and I’d be happy to explain it).
Do you ever feel like you’re having to live like a Detective and constantly having to figure things out? Welcome to the Wonderful World of Diabetes Management- because you ARE!

If you’re interested in practical discussions and shared learning, follow along. The goal here is to build a space where people can learn from each other.



03/08/2026

What People Don’t Realize

Many people think diabetes management is just about avoiding sugar or taking medication, but anyone who lives with it knows it’s much more complex than that.

There are daily decisions, adjustments, planning ahead, and paying attention to how the body responds to different situations. Sleep, stress, activity, illness, and routines can all influence blood sugar levels. That’s why diabetes management is often described as both a science and an art - you’re constantly learning and adapting.

The more we talk openly about the realities of diabetes, the more understanding we create for people navigating it every day.

This page exists to share practical information, real experiences, and useful discussions that help people feel more confident and informed.

Let’s start a conversation:
What’s something about diabetes that people outside the community often misunderstand?

If you find these conversations helpful, consider following the page so you don’t miss future discussions.

Are there still people out there who think they got diabetes from eating too many treats?Apparently YES! I saw a new pat...
03/06/2026

Are there still people out there who think they got diabetes from eating too many treats?
Apparently YES!
I saw a new patient yesterday who introduced herself as “The worst diabetic in the world.”
When I tried to assure her that I’ve met many “bad” diabetics (including myself if her definition meant those who enjoy sweets!), she exclaimed “the first toy I remember ever receiving was an Easy Bake Oven! That started it all!”

People!
Let’s please let go of the guilt! Let’s let go of the blame, embarrassment and the idea that you have failed. Let’s deal with the issue at hand and work to do the BEST you can-MOST of the time. And when you can’t do your best? Give in! And then pick yourself up again.
You are NOT battling the “Beast” alone. There are millions of us-and the good news is- WE’RE ALL OVER THE PLACE! PICK ONE!
Share your story, your frustrations, and your victories! You’ll be helping them out too. This is too BIG to do alone.
(PS-and the Easy Bake Oven? I continue being traumatized that I never got one. And I still got the ‘betes!😡. How fair is that?)


‘Twas another triple-digit day in the Summer of ‘05 -Portland, Oregon when my antiquated air conditioner finally gave up...
03/05/2026

‘Twas another triple-digit day in the Summer of ‘05 -Portland, Oregon when my antiquated air conditioner finally gave up the ghost.

Knowing that this was a non-negotiable predicament I was facing, I called a repair man, knowing what an exorbitant fee was in store. He kindly came over that same day, and upon me opening the door he gasped and exclaimed, “is that an insulin pump you’re wearing?”

I was more than anxious to answer to the affirmative... as once a fellow pump wearer is discovered, there is a natural bond that exists that could also possibly lead to a discount in services! ;)

We chatted gleefully, and he let me know that his fiancée was the lucky pump user. We exchanged anecdotes and quips that only a fellow pump user could relate to. I was teaching a community diabetes class at the time, and he was very interested and asked if I would like his betrothed to come and speak to the class about her philosophy of exercise and how it helps with diabetes management. I whole-heartedly agreed, feeling as if two people with diabetes testifying of exercising would be so much better than just one!

Oh. Wow! She came to the class alright!

Wearing her work-out garb, stop watch, ekg monitor and even a whistle around her neck! I didn’t know if she was planning on working out in front of us or going out to direct traffic!

She then went into how if you don’t bring your heart rate up for 60 minutes the exercise is worthless and how this needs to be done on a daily basis.

Needless to say, my sweet little ladies in the class were completely overcome and giving me a look like “You have GOT to be kidding me,” and the men were just amused by the whole production.

In a single moment I lost them. They were defeated and DONE.

Moral of the story - This is NOT necessary! If you can increase your movement a little bit every week... then that’s a victory!

CGM’s make it so that you can watch in real time how it helps you! Got an extra 10 minutes? Move around! YOU know what you can do and what is and isn't realistic.

Remember folks - it’s ALL about being REAL.

(Also - don’t be wearing your insulin pump so that it can be visible to others -it could get you in trouble!)

Don’t even think about trying to be perfect with this. It will never happen for you or for anyone else. Do the Best you...
03/05/2026

Don’t even think about trying to be perfect with this. It will never happen for you or for anyone else. Do the Best you can as often as you can. Just be Real. And know you’re NOT alone.
Ever



Yes. It’s a busted toilet. This happened to me last year. I was in bed with a bad flu bug- the “vomiting” kind. Hurled ...
03/02/2026

Yes. It’s a busted toilet.

This happened to me last year. I was in bed with a bad flu bug- the “vomiting” kind. Hurled all week and into the weekend. Naturally, I was quite weak and got up about the same time I realized the CGM was going off and reading LOW. (Previously had slept through it- I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s done that!)

By the time I stumbled my way to the bathroom I tripped and fell on the toilet-with a fair amount of blunt force trauma.

And this is the result.

So-a quick show of hands-how many of you can-in good conscience- say you Busted the toliet?

I may be the only one!

(when it comes to diabetes- even I can’t make this stuff up!) 🥴

02/28/2026

500 FOLLOWERS! YOU ARE ALL ROCKSTARS!

Anyone who knows me knows saying NO to a donut is a near impossibility. But when I first got diabetes I never ate one- a...
02/27/2026

Anyone who knows me knows saying NO to a donut is a near impossibility.

But when I first got diabetes I never ate one- and I mean NEVER. I never ate anything gooey and yummy. Because in those days, everything was punitive. And you were considered RECKLESS and BAD if you did. We were under the impression that if you had a bowl of Lucky Charms you’d have you eyeballs pop out right there and you’d be blind.

And then it happened.

I was a new RN living in Salt Lake City, Utah, working on a Bone Marrow Transplant unit. I worked swing shift, and I was packing my lunch and measuring my lunch on my food scale (because that’s what we did if you were T1). It was late January 1986. The TV was on in the living room and the Challanger has just launched and I heard all of this commotion and ran in to see that explosion and something clicked in my mind. At that moment, something happened-I was SO upset watching this that everything about meticulously managing my diabetes went right out the window. I was DONE. I left my apartment, went to the closest Winchell’s Donut House, and I ate 10 maple bars right there in the spot, called in sick and then GOT sick!

Morale of the story- if there’s something you really want to eat-for Pete’s Sakes- just EAT IT! Don’t go years depriving yourself so that at one vulnerable moment you go NUTZ and really potentially harm yourself. And when you do have it- Enjoy it. Give yourself some grace. You’re fighting a battle every minute

There is a lot of noise online about diabetes - quick fixes, extreme advice, oversimplified answers.Real diabetes care i...
02/26/2026

There is a lot of noise online about diabetes - quick fixes, extreme advice, oversimplified answers.

Real diabetes care is more nuanced than that.

It involves individual responses, evolving routines, access to care, emotional well-being, and practical decision-making.

There isn’t one formula that works for everyone, and that’s exactly why ongoing education matters.

This space is committed to realistic, evidence-informed conversation without shame or hype. The goal isn’t fear. It’s clarity.

When people understand their condition better, they make stronger, more confident decisions. That’s how long-term change happens.

Let’s talk about it:
What’s one diabetes topic you wish had clearer, more straightforward information?

If you value balanced, practical diabetes education - follow the page and join the conversation. We’re building something steady here.

One of the biggest shifts in diabetes care happens when we stop reacting to single numbers and start looking for pattern...
02/24/2026

One of the biggest shifts in diabetes care happens when we stop reacting to single numbers and start looking for patterns.

A high or low reading can feel urgent in the moment - and sometimes it is. But long-term management is about noticing trends.

What time of day feels hardest?
What happens after certain routines?
How does stress show up physically?

When you zoom out, you often find useful information that one isolated number could never tell you.

That’s where confidence starts to build, not in perfection, but in awareness.

This page is about helping people think critically, ask better questions, and feel more informed in their decisions. Whether you live with diabetes or support someone who does, understanding patterns creates steadier ground.

Let’s make this practical:
What’s one pattern you’ve noticed in your own experience with diabetes?

If conversations like this are helpful, follow along. We’re building a space for thoughtful, real-world diabetes education - and your voice adds value here.

This was ME earlier (well I definitely did not look this polished!) I had a 54 reading and could NOT stop. Eating, that...
02/23/2026

This was ME earlier (well I definitely did not look this polished!) I had a 54 reading and could NOT stop. Eating, that is! I was working on a full box of Lucky Charms before I finally hit the “ABORT ” button. Anything between me and the ‘fridge was fair game. I had sparks on my fingers I was shoving it in so quick.
Now I’m playing the “YoYo” game. First inclination is to Rage Bolus but that’s just gonna mess me up even more. Looks like I’ll be taking the afternoon off.
Who can relate to this? Do tell me your hypo-nightmare?

Address

Portland, OR

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Diabetes in the real with Karli - CDCES posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Diabetes in the real with Karli - CDCES:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category