Six have died - the rest of you keep living please

As 2/3 - the anniversary of Jesse's death - creeps up on me it forces me to try to make sense of things. I wonder sometimes if all the news I hear of deaths in the diabetes community are just escalating because I'm sensitive to the deaths, because facebook brings us all together, or if in fact there are more deaths.

Last night was a hard night for me. I have been struggling with how I will deal with Jesse's death on the actual anniversary. I had made the decision to stay positive and not think of death, or replay the day.

Last night, I learned of three more deaths in the diabetes world. All young. In fact, one was a 16 year old boy named Jesse. Horrible for me. Horrible for them. As I woke in the morning I learned of 3 more. All under the age of 28 (one was an 18 month old who's diagnosis was missed).

I wanted to take a moment to say to you all that are living with diabetes - please do not take my posts as a means to make you sad or scared. No, I repost and talk of these deaths so these families can find me. Because the best counseling I could get was from families who lost before me. I hope to be there for these new families and they transition to this new group that once again, no one wants to be part of.

So for those of you living with "d", live it large. :)

A Viewing of the Triabetes Documentary - October 12th

I know - finally! The Science of Inspiration has been shown in many cities - but not Madison! For obvious reason I have been a little awol from this project. Today marks the 7 month anniversary of the death of my son, Jesse. I say this not to scare you, or to instill fear, I say this as the means of "keep educating, keep learning, keep reaching" and find a cure for this wretched disease.

The specifics:
Tuesday, October 12th
Gray's Tied House - Verona
6 pm, cash bar
7:00 pm - viewing

The show itself is 50 minutes long - expect something you might see on Discover Channel. We have a large screen tv and private room for our group.

I hope you can make it!

The Science of Inspiration: Diabetes and Athletes

So the question I hear the most right now: "WHEN can I see the Triabetes documentary???!!!"

So the Triabetes project has official been named in the documentary as: "The Science of Inspiration: Diabetes and Athletes". I trust Nella's genius on this - she's the one with the emmy awards, not I!

We are now entering the documentary into film festivals. While doing so, most of them request that we not show the documentary to the public until its gone through the festival process.

Hang tight. It's coming! But we'd like the doc to get the credit it deserves, mama would like a new trophy on her shelf and I don't mean bowling.

38 miles on your bike makes you think

Ugh. Seriously...UGH. I have neglected my body and my bike for way too long. Work has been so busy (yes I know you are the choir and I am preaching) that I have stopped doing what makes me feel the best - cycling.

It's almost November and if you have ever been to Wisconsin you know that a day like today can be 20 degrees and a blizzard, or you can luck out and it is 62 degrees and sunny. Today was one of those days.

I took the time to put air in the tires (I'm embarrassed to tell you they were down to like 30 lbs each), get the water bottles, and saddle up with my newly reshuffled itunes mix (Black Eyed Peas and I Got a Feeling will launch you over any hill) and hit the road to Paoli. As I biked on I got lost in my thoughts. Work this, work that, celebrities this, exhibitors that. Then it went to the Triabetes premiere, donations rolling in to launch us that last bit...

The leaves were crunching under my tires (I could hear it in between Beautiful day by U2 and While I was jamming to Switch by Will Smith) and finally caught myself smiling.

Signing up with a huge group of fantastic type 1 ladies to do Ironman Lake Placid '11....well today that did not seem out of reach. In fact, it seemed important to set myself on that path.

Today is a good day.

Giddy...and Ironman Documentary PREMIERE!

Hi, kids. I hope you've missed me at least a little. Time to play a little blogging catch up. I was working today (have I told you already that BRAVA magazine is alive, kicking and a helluva lot of fun?!) Anyway, our resident fashionista, Mollie Shambeau, was putting together our blog (check it if you are bored, I think we crack ourselves up - www.bravaintheknow.wordpress.com) and I thought, "I think its time for a Triabetes update."

Nella, the guts behind this project, is currently putting together a pretty "rough cut". People have been submitting amazing tunes that will set the stage and catapult these Triabetes athletes forward on a big screen.

I got an email the other day from Peter Nerothin, king of Ironkidz, Insulindependence, and temporary Colorado resident (he moved across the street from Johnny Moore!!!). He teased my brain by sending a marquee from a theatre...in Tempe, AZ.

Drum Roll....

I have goosebumps when I tell you the documentary is set to premiere in Tempe, AZ, November 21st, the day before even more Triabetes team members embark on a new Ironman adventure...

Stay tuned.......

Triabetes Radio

You heard me right....

http://triabetesradio.podbean.com/

Triabetes - the Next Generation

Where have I been, you ask? Where have I been? Errr...well lots has happened. The magazine I worked for (and loved) suspended operation on 4/10, 14 of us walked out with boxes, sadly, not knowing if it would reopen. In those two months, we worked hard and found a new investor and will happily be back to work soon enough.

But more importantly, I've spent some time working on the distribution of the documentary - lots of exciting news on that front, but can't tell you yet....

So instead, I'd like to take a moment to highlight members of triabetes that go beyond the original twelve. My focus was always the documentary itself, while Peter Nerothin and the team at Insulindependence worked hard to keep the momentum building to take the team to newer and greater heights, quite successfully in fact.

Case in point, here is Casey Boren, who you may be seeing on Twitter as "Triabetic", does an interview is Boise, Idaho about his upcoming races. Go, Casey!

Follow Casey on Twitter at Insulinpowered.

http://www.kivitv.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=3848839&at1=News&h1=Boise&rnd=28047572

3//3 - you've all seen the hat, what's the story behind?

Today is 3/3. You've seen me wearing my 3//3 hat everywhere that mimics the one created by Lance Armstrong (10//2) which referred to the date he was diagnosed with cancer and his life changed forever.

3/3/2000 was the day Jesse was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Some people may think its an odd day to celebrate, and yet most people with "d" can tell you their "anniversary date".

Today was his 9th anniversary. We ate burgers, fries and shakes at Sonic. Rage against the machine, I guess.

How do you celebrate yours?

What if someone said, "Wow, so tell us more about why you eat mac n cheese?

That's how I felt about getting asked to fly to NYC to talk about the Triabetes Documentary. To me, it's like talking about something that is so second nature at this point, it amazes me that someone cares what I have to say! Not to belittle the project AT ALL! My point is that is just part of my day, I look at them like, "Why are you interested in how I parallel parked my car?"

All kidding aside, I'm a little nervous posting this because I haven't actually SEEN the clip that was filmed on the set of Dlife about a month ago in NYC. I'm actually nervous it will be like 6 seconds and I will be horribly embarrassed, but what the heck, I've never been a shy girl, why start now?

Check your local listings but the episode will appear on Dlife and it is my understanding it will be March 8th at 7 pm est. If you miss it, don't worry, I'm narcisistic so I'll probably show up at your house and knock to remind you that you can re-watch it on the www.dlife.com website soon after.

I received word that Brian Foster will be flying in to narrate the film on 4/4-4/6th and the script Nella and Ray of Andiamo Productions have built was the first time I really envisioned the film from beginning to end. Those two are rockstars.....

Anyway, I hope you tune in. I hope you tell your friends. I hope you don't mind the yard sign I planted in your lawn.

Grab a sandwich, a kleenex, and watch our new clip

I seriously cannot believe it is already 2009. Seems like yesterday it was September 2007 and a bunch of people I had never met were flying in and staying at my house so they could sign up for Ironman 2008. Today Andiamo Productions released a new clip about Ironkidz and the Triabetes documentary. I love how the story has evolved into more than a story about a few great people doing Ironman. It has become the story also of a great group of kids who set out on an adventure on a river to learn about themselves, only to find strength in meeting a Triabetes athlete and helping to cheer them across a finish line. Those of us involved in the project knew it would be inspiring for the kids. What I didn't expect was how pivotal it was for the athletes themselves. Please enjoy the next little segment about a project that doesn't come from just my heart - it comes from the heart of many. Please spread the word. We can't do it without all of you...


http://vimeo.com/2722286

Sometimes, the real job kicks in, right?

Wow. Have you missed me??? I've missed you! I was watching some emails fly today from the Triabetes 2008 team and it made me feel like bringing you all up to speed on our lives.....

My job at brava magazine has proven to be one of the best job moves in my entire life. For those of you who don't know, I work for Kristin Erickson, publisher of brava, who I met when her son, Sean, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes almost 2 years ago. I featured her at my JDRF gala (best one you'll ever see, baby) and when she found out I was back on the market, she hired me up in seconds as her Marketing & Events Director. I cannot tell you how blessed I feel to have earned this position. I'm in charge of something called the Madison Women's Expo (www.MadisonWomensExpo.com) where 8000 women and 200 vendors come together to just kind of celebrate chica-land. Two celebs, Tim Gunn (of Project Runway fame) and Debbie Reynolds (pinch me when I called her office to say the photos they sent for the article just weren't doing it for me and they sent me original photos from Debbie's scrapbook from Singin' In the Rain and the Unsinkable Molly Brown...helllooo?????) are coming and lets just say putting this event on feels like a JDRF gala x 10. LOVE IT. I have about 20 people in the office who surround me, support me and damn it they are just as goofy. Creative? Wow, what a refreshing change of pace!!!!

As I finish up this huge event this weekend, I'm happy to say that Triabetes is working hard with Team Type 1 to bring you something big...something huge...something real....cohesive. Stay tuned. I'm so proud to see the diabetes & sports world coming together instead of splintering off.

Steve Ahn sent us a quick note...his wife is due soon to have their third (he's busy during IM training, isn't he folks?) and let us know his wife has had some difficulties, but he emailed his old teammates - to let us all know so we can pull for him. Every time I see a Triabetes athlete name in my inbox, I'm so happy. I do miss them terribly.

A few of them are racing Ironman Arizona this weekend (go Triabetes!) and Triabetes 2009 is well underway. For now, I sit back and watch Nella and Ray work their magic on the documentary as I try to wrap my arms around distribution - what is the right venue for this beautiful movie? Hulu? Vimeo? I mean, viral is HOT right? Film festivals, local viewings, so much to consider...and so much to learn, this executive producer knows well she's new to the scene. We all stay motivated, we all fight to bring the story beyond the day....stay tuned....

I hear videos rock in hi-def....

ah...YEAH! WOW!

It's been awhile since I posted to the old blogster. :) What's to say other than the team is desperately missing each other. It's funny. We became a family, I think. I talk to Anne almost daily. An email from Steve, or John, Peter...Nate...they are all met with a smile.... I miss everyone.

But, here is some candy. Nella and Ray of Andiamo did a fabulous job. I love that Bascom Hill Band - a local band that I started following a few years ago through my friend Stacy - not only let us use their music, but are handing over their "yet-to-be-released" new stuff. How do you like dem apples?????? I cannot WAIT!

For now.... ENJOY...and PLEASE...share.... (I am bad at sharing too, but just this once, ok?)

http://vimeo.com/1871013

Love,
M

Triabetes Ironfans

Well, I shamelessly led out this blog entry with a picture of my lovely teen, Samantha. It's rare that Sam pays a whole lotta attention to what mom does unless what mom is doing is somehow inappropriate (ok, ok that happens a lot). But 5 minutes ago she and I were watching a top secret double-probation reel that Nella sent over today that just blew me out of the water. She showed some footage with a local fav band of mine playing. I was incredibly moved once again.

I realized as I was subjecting all of my children to watching it for the 100th time and saying "SHHHH! I'm trying to hear this part!" that Sam was once again wearing her Ironfan shirt. And I looked over and so was Jesse. We won't headcount Joey because it never matters what he is wearing because it is always covered in cat hair. If you knew him at ALL you would understand that comment.

Ironfans. I need a moment to talk about them. Wow. Did they show up in #s or WHAT? Over 200 tshirts were printed and worn by friends and family. I always new the shirts would serve many purposes - I mean, this wasn't my first trip to the big show, baby. I knew it would serve purpose, but I am going to share with you a few times it really counted.

Swim start - I'm manning the table of ziplock bags filled with diabetes gear and glucose and I hear "Michelle! Michelle!" Two of my favorite triabetes fans are standing there cheering and congratulating me - Jenny and Mike Wimmer (psst they signed up for 09). They found us. All of the sudden I spot Joe's wife, Cindy, in her shirt and it allows us to stand together with Joe's family as we hear the gun go off.

The swim is over and it's time to head up to headquarters so I can debrief and head out to the bike course. A huge family comes running up and says, "Excuse me, do you know Peter Nerothin? I'm his dad and this is his family." Step right up Nerothin family, head up to headquarters and get some Ironfan shirts (later at the finish Peter exclaims to me, "Michelle! Did you meet my family??" A wink and a nod - of course I did!). Stop at Einstein bagel to grab quick coffee and food with Stacy Cook on our way out to the bike course and an adorable little girl and her family stop us to say they watched about our team on the news and the little girl was just diagnosed with type 1 within weeks. Out come some Ironfan shirts for the new fans and they went out to watch! A lady in Chicago cheering on the course comes up to say her mom has diabetes. The race course officials talk to me as Brian Foster tests and gets food and tells me how cool they think our project is. Ironfans. Brian is low on the run course - good thing we can spot people in Ironfan shirts for surely they will know how to help him!

And now we are at the finish line. I'm stopped literally every time I walk up and down the bleachers to hear, "we heard about you guys! My child has diabetes...my mom has diabetes...." and of course, the guy who just finishes Ironman and is hugging and kissing his wife, sees me and comes running over, grabs me and says, "I've been seeing you guys all day! Please! Meet my wife! I want her to do Ironman with me but she says she can't because she has diabetes." And out comes an Ironfan shirt for someone I hope one day becomes a Triabetic herself.

Literally, I saw Stacy Cook give her Triabetes Ironfan shirt....right off her back. Not kidding (and yes this was a very popular moment on the Midtown hill where many a triathlete thanked her and blessed her for her bikini moment.)

Triabetes Ironfans. I thank you. They thank you. We couldn't have done it without you.

Isn't that something? We started this to bring awareness....I guess we reached at least one of our goals....

Roughed Out Can Be Rough

I went over to Ray and Nella's last night to take a look at the footage that was shot for the documentary. It's amazing how much there really is. Nella has a studio all set up in her house so we grabbed a few sodas and plugged away. It was really exciting for me to see the footage. And there are some really funny parts that I hope I can convince Nella to put into a blooper real for all of us.

Nella's creative brain was working overtime. We had lots of thoughts about the movie...the direction, the feel, the emotion, and even things like the music. Nella and I got to talking and thought it might be great to feature Madison area musicians to give it that local feel. I have to say I love the idea and have already contacted some musicians who want to take part in the project.

So patience is key while I wait for Nella to keep chopping and editing ....

The grass is greener on this side of the fence

For 18 months the Triabetes Project has been in my life. Next week Wednesday athletes start to arrive in Madison. I'm having a little Triabetes sleepover on Wednesday with Steve Chop and Bill Carlson at my house - how fun is that? The rest arrive on Thursday, staying with host families like The Gorsuch family, the Sollingers, etc. I can't thank them enough for them opening up their homes.

Dr Matt Corcoran and I are attending a medical meeting with Ironman medical advisors to make sure our team is safe on the course. Friday turns into crazyland as we swim, film, register, film, eat, film, bike, film, run, film, get headquarters ready with supplies, computers, twitter, you name it. Oh, and film. Mandatory meetings, film. The huge welcome reception on Saturday at Grey's Tied House from 3-5 (you are invited, blog reader!), a quiet dinner for just the athletes, Matt, film crew, and I...up at 4:00 am for RACE DAY! WOOHOO.

Ok, here's the point of my picket fence picture. I anticipate some of you will be disappointed with my decision to not race on Sunday. I've tortured myself with a vibe I have had for over two months - the vibe that I serve this team better as a logistics person for the week. As much as I cherish being called the lucky #13 team member - the Triabetic Wannabe - I more so cherish the idea of making sure the film crew can find the athletes on the course, etc. I only have one shot at this documentary. It will be a great honor to watch each of them cross the finish line and I look forward to that. Not to mention I started my fabulous new job as Marketing Director for brava magazine last week!

To those of you who have supported me through my training etc this year... no worries, I don't think I've done my last Ironman. I'm trying to convince Anne and the rest of the team to do Ironman in France in 2010. I'm not kidding... a girl has to have goals.

So support me, by supporting the team. More info to come soon on how you can help on the course! Now, off to the Taste of Madison with the kids....

Triabetes IronFAN...get your tshirts while they are hot!

Ironman is coming up quick and Madison is buzzing! Our fabulous graphic designer, Emily Dobson, put together the official IronFan shirt for the Triabetes project!

WANT ONE???!!!

We will be handing out tshirts the day before Ironman (more info to come) to anyone who is planning on cheering the crew on out on the course! We want to be able to see you. Shirts will go fast of course, so here's an opportunity to RESERVE QUANTITY AND SIZE TODAY!

If you are willing to pre-order, I will set aside your tshirts! No waiting! No hassle! And you are supporting a GREAT cause!

All it takes is a $10 donation (tax deductible) for each shirt. You can email me your request at curejesse@gmail.com OR click on the "FIRST GIVING" button on the left of this blog with your donation. It's that simple!

You've been with us this far.....now go the full 140.6 miles with us, baby. Get one, and pass on the information to anyone who might be out on the course on 9/7/08. Thanks for all your support - together, we educate the world that people with diabetes can do...ANYTHING.

Team Type 1 Coming Out My Ears

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting yet another tt1'er, Bob Schrank out of the Chicago area. I was invited to a dinner hosted by Sanofi Aventis to listen to Bob speak about his diabetes management, etc. The room was filled with diabetes educators.

Memorable phrases from the evening:

Michelle: "My son wears a CGM"
Three educators: "What's a CGM"
Michelle: "???????? Really???????"

Bob, when asked about other pro racers saying it's an unfair advantage that they use insulin: "my pancreas red-lined, what's your excuse?"

My favorite quote from Bob that instantly became my tagline was when he said: "I didn't join Team Type 1 for cycling. I was already a cyclist."

I love what he said because it reminds me of so much of what we all do, those of us invested in the "d" world. We use the amazing skills we already have to spread the message and do good things, to get us closer to a cure.

I'm not sure what my amazing skill is but I'm pretty sure it involves pot pies or something.

PS Check out Bob's new blog as he embarks on RAAM 2008:
http://gobobgobobgo.blogspot.com/

Gala Success - What a Night!

Ok, so Friday, May 2nd, the "When You Wish Upon A Star Gala took place in Madison, Wisconsin. Lots of committee members made it happen. I know there are amazing photos yet to come that I will blog about, but for now, here are a few.... I'm starting with my favorite.

Phil Southerland of Team Type 1 and I were joking about him flying in to be my date. Phil and I have been friends since what I call the "old" days (a.k.a. he wasn't even out of college, Team Type 1 was something still in his imagination, and I was just fresh out of my chubby PTA mom days in Carmel, California). What started off as a joke, became reality with Phil flying in as my honorable date. We are lucky that he does a class-act job as being a key-note speaker as well! Lucky us!

I was a little shy about his documentary company holding a camera to us as we were both frantically trying to get dresses and tuxes on (I do not know how to tie a bow tie - thank you you tube!). I raced to the VIP reception, he watched the bow-tie video 7 times, and the evening was on. Could I ask for a better date? Nah.

Enter the reception and skip past Triabetes athlete and wife extraordinaire, John and Maureen Moore. Ok, so John picks on me that I don't recognize him, but hey! I've never seen him dressed up like that! All is forgiven and we have an amazing ballroom-filled evening.

SOLD OUT.

GORGEOUS.

I stood at the door briefly just to listen to people as they entered the ballroom. I giggled everytime I heard a gasp.

The evening is filled with silent and live auction. Phil tells the story of growing up with diabetes. He takes the time to speak to lots of the kids of the evening. My inbox has proven that Mr. Southerland made quite an impression in Madison, Wisconsin.

I'm proud to say our evening raised a whopping $360K at last count - a good $90K over our goal! Good company, good friends. I will post a photo album once our professional photographer puts the photos together.

Enjoy!

I finally have a tshirt for Bill Carlson

Ok, I've got a BIG message I want to send out about the JDRF gala on Friday that ROCKED THE HOUSE thanks to so many people. I'll talk endlessly about having my Triabetes athletes here (John Moore, Brian Foster, Joe Brady, Aaron Perry...) and how fun it was to have Phil Southerland here along with his Team Manager of Team Type 1, Tom Schuler.

BUT...as we finished up the gala, Brian Foster was in town and wanted to do this little 5K for the physicial therapy department of the UW-Madison, to give Ray and Nella a little footage for the documentary. Now, this girl has NOT been running. Running her @ss off to get the gala going, sure, but not training. SO.... Brian is at my house, we are just chilling out, talking about the documentary...and I think, "well, Michelle, giddy up. Time to lace up the shoes officially."

Training season. Late start.

So we go to the race, it's a beautiful sunny morning, 52 degrees. Brian and I have on our Triabetes shirts (of course), Ray, Nella and Elisa show up to film. I'm feelin' good. Brian goes to the front, I meander to the back as to not embarrass myself. Phil had given me this awesome Team Type 1 jacket that I was going to wear, but realized if I wore it, people would think I was actually an athlete. Not wise. Went for some quieter fashion thanks.

Started off the race with a bad stich in the right side. Tried to push through it, felt a little whiny. But I felt ok as I finally passed some 90 year old guy (seriously, how bad am I????) and got a little stride.

I knew Brian would finish at like 15 minutes (of course he did, finishing like 6th overall) and jogged back to find me, thank GOD I was not walking, then I see Ray pull out his video camera. Girl tries to lay it on hard for the camera. As I finished, the timing crew stopped me to get my #. I have this thing where I have to keep moving, or I feel breakfast coming up (in this case, breakfast was merely coffee, but it still felt bad). It subsided and I felt good.

I'm sad to say it took me 28 minutes to finish that bad boy, but hey, I think I won my age group. Ok, ok, there weren't a lot of old people like me there! But I'll take it.

BILL CARLSON: I love my LA Marathon shirt you gave me. I have a "UW Wisconsin Rehab Run" shirt for you. Time to trade up, baby.

I'll Take the 200 Words Given to Us...

Ok. So it's not the world's biggest article. I was excited, however. The May Issue of Triathlete Magazine is out! The May Issue is out! I walked over to Barnes & Noble to get my fresh copy (a triathlete doesn't DRIVE to the bookstore - sheesh!) of the issue.

Page 30 of the 25th Anniversary Issue. There it is. My idea on real, bonafide, national magazine paper. Someone.......pinch.......me.

I have had an interesting week, for sure. I found a new house to move into. I move Saturday. Yes, that is a crazy thing to do right before my huge SOLD OUT gala (gosh I love saying that). But hey, chaos is life, live on chaos. What choice do we have, right? I know there are people out there who enjoy their 6000 sq ft house with pool in the backyard, but hey, are they living life? They go to work, push some paper. Not me. Sometimes the bumps in the road are big enough that you hit your head on the roof of the car, right, but hey, we still find time to make it to the Wednesday Night Bike Ride with 200 of your closest spandex-clad friends, bike into the wind only to enjoy the 30 mph ride back with wind pushing you onward....grin, and enjoy the beginning of what I call "training season". Giddy up. (Athough Mark G did tell me that my idea of bringing razors to the wnbr rides to get guys to shave their legs for my enjoyment was a "bad idea." What? Party pooper....)

As for me and Triathlete Magazine, my issue is framed on my JDRF office wall. I won't be replacing that bad boy until Dave Shack ends up on the cover of GQ, or we get that 3 page story - cover of course - of Bicycling Magazine.

Wicked happy evil grin.

Today I am definitely glad I didn't trade it all in for some 6000 sq ft house. You?