MN Meetup Recap
Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 5:03AM While I was vacationing in Minnesota, Scott had planned a meet-up to happen on Saturday at the MOA (Madhouse Mall of America). The plan was for everyone to meet us in the food court (lots of diet pop refills) from 1-6 and just hang out.
The first to show up was Molly from Dam Diabetes. Molly brought her dog Dixie who is no stranger to meet-ups but I will talk about her a little later.
Dave, a friend of Scott’s and a former co-worker was there. Jim, another type 1 in the area, and Dean who hangs out on Diabetes Daily were all there right around one.
Once again, no weirdness, no awkward moments, nothing. It was a table with a bunch of people who all shared one common thread, type 1 diabetes.
We laughed a lot and talked about our treatment. Frustrations that were mentioned were understood. Everything was understood and it was so safe and comforting to know we are not alone.
After a few minutes Molly tells me I should test my blood. You see, Dixie is a service dog and alerts Molly when her blood sugar is low, high, or is dropping. I looked at my CGM, and it said 153 with two double arrows down. A finger stick came in at 120 and as soon as I put my machine away, I began to sweat and shake. I was low.
“She’s never wrong,” Molly said. Dixie was lying down and was satisfied that her job was done and I actually checked my blood.
The table started talking about how amazing it was because this was not some fluke, she knew. Dixie came over to me and I started to pet her when something hit me and I started to get a little choked up. This dog knew my body better than I did. I felt so scared and yet so thankful that Molly had Dixie to protect her. It was a weird moment but one I will not forget.
Not too much time went by after I corrected my low when Molly nudged me and looks down next to her. There, giving me a total stare down is Dixie. I sat there looking into her big brown eyes and she never took them off of me. She stared me down. I took out my machine, tested, and was well over 240. No sooner did I lick the blood off my finger did Dixie lie down.
Molly explained that she alerts her if she is out of range at all. High or low. This is not like anything I have ever seen. Dixie is amazing.
Dave, Jim, Dean, Molly, and even Dixie were all so great. We all were cracking up and sharing our lives with one another and it was comforting. I am already looking forward to the next time I get to MN to hang out with them all.
Scott from Strangely Diabetic and Chris from Type 1 Tidbits told us they were going to come up from Kansas for the meet-up! I was shocked that they would come from so far away but then again, I think I win for distance traveled. :)
They got to the mall right around 4PM and quickly they were introduced to the group. Another 2 PWD’s and it was all good.
Scott brought me a very unique gift from Kansas. Check out this awesome Zen cow! He is currently sitting on my desk and keeping my mind at total peace! Every Ninja should take time to meditate so this cow totally fits! Thanks so much Scott, I really dig it!
Right around 6 we all said our goodbyes (kinda sad) but since Scott and Chris had come such a long way, we made plans to meet in the morning and hang out until they had to leave for home. They weren’t in Kansas anymore right? Right? Get it? :)
We met Sunday morning at IHOP and had the most awesome waitress, Susan
She hooked up carafes of Diet Pop and made our breakfast most excellent. She brought Chris 8 strips of bacon so how could I not love her?
After breakfast we went back the MOA to hang. After making a fool of myself out front, I continued to do so as soon as I entered.
This is me checking my blood sugar with the help of Mr. Shark.
Even Chris got into the fun!
We walked around and tried this Nascar race simulator. It was pretty cool and I was so stoked that I won. Well, I came in 10th but I beat these guys! LOL I think they all were out of range or something.
The Bubba Gump Sea Monkey looking dude was chilling outside the restaurant so I asked for a picture. As soon as I posed I decided to make sure I let the camera know how I really feel about big scary Shrimp Sea Monkeys. Look at my face! I am terrified! LOL
We laughed a lot. We talked a lot. We just hung out and were normal. Normal in our D-lives together and it felt really really safe.
Once again, a good time had to come to an end. We said our goodbyes as the Kansas duo headed off into the sunset.
Reader Comments (12)
From the look & sound of things, a fantastical time was had by all!
There is nothing like a D-meet-up! So much to talk about - and yet there's that unspoken language and understanding that require no words at all.
Dixie is indeed a wonder pup in every sense of the term- service dogs are amazing!
I wish I'd been able to travel to the Mall of America for the get together, but I'm SO glad that you all had a blast!
Kelly K
PS - I want a Zen Cow - SO COOL
That's awesome! And the story about Dixie is amazing! Thanks for sharing this :)
What a great recap, sounds like an awesome time had by all. Congratulations on organizing a fantastic meet up. I am down in Chicago, I will have to check the flights to see how much it would cost to join you next time there is a gathering.
Dixie is an amazing animal. I have to read more about her.
-Chris
twitter.com/futype1
Oh my gosh, that sounds like the most awesome time ever!!! I'm so glad the meet up was such a success. And Dixie is amazing - so much better than the current CGM technology, huh??
Do you want to know what I think? I think you and Scott, when together, have some kind of super waitress mojo!! Remember the waitress at Denny's and how great she was. And now you guys are two for two!! :)
K2 - The Zen Cow is awesome as was the entire time! D-meetups rock.
Virtue - Dixie blew me away. It was like nothing I have ever seen.
Chris - That would be so great! I don't know when I'll be out again but I know Scott and the others will probably have something going soon.
Karen - The entire time I thought about our awesome waitress at Denny's. I am not sure what the magic is but I love it! Bring on the Diet Pop! Oh, at one point we were talking about our CGM getting out of range and Molly said, "I don't mean to brag but I can be out in the garden and Dixie will come from the house and get me if I am out of range." SO AWESOME!
lol!! it was awesome! molly and dixie are the best ever.!and it is like we all knew each other.i was glad to be able to meet you all
looks like you guys got to have some fun why you where there!heck i would even go back out there to meet other d s !!
George-
Great post! It was a blast. So glad that we were all able to hang out. It's just really nice to be able to talk to people who speak our language fluently.
When we got to the car, Dixie hopped in and CRASHED. She slept the entire ride home. That's how she recharges her CGMS battery. :-)
Hope that we can hook up again some time. Dixie really likes you. She says thanks for babysitting her when I went to get diet coke refills.
G-
I am so glad you had a nice time. D-meet-ups are awesome! Scottie, Mr. Strange and Chris are amazing people. I am glad you had a chance to meet other D-peeps.
It was such a great time. The whole thing.
I'm SO glad that you were able to meet so many of the great folks around here, and what a treat that Chris & Dr. Strange drove up!
soooo awesome all the way around!
I'm glad you had such a great visit to Minnesota. Dixie sounds amazing!
George-
you said, "Dixie came over to me and I started to pet her when something hit me and I started to get a little choked up. This dog knew my body better than I did."
I used to feel that way too. Now I just understand that she has skills that I don't have. (honestly, it's skills that not even a super technology CGMS has....) Dogs have a sense of smell that is far superior to humans. The good thing is that she's willing to share her skills with me. (and other folks with diabetes)
Molly