Q. Where are you from?
A. I grew up in southern New Hampshire and lived there until I went to college in central New York. After that, I settled in Ithaca, NY.
Q. What’s your story?
A. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes on July 9, 2003, so it’s been about 8 years living with diabetes now. I’m currently using an Animas Ping insulin pump/meter and a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor.
Q. What was your insulin regime like when you were first diagnosed with diabetes?
A. It was awful! I was on NPH which is a slow acting (~4-6hr) insulin and Novolog. I had to carry the two vials everywhere I went, and mix them in a syringe which is not a very fun thing to do in public. My first HbA1c was 5.4%, which was only because I had so many bad lows from the random peaking times of NPH. Within a year I was using Novopen Jr with Novolog and a shot of Lantus (a 24-hour insulin) once a day. I finally decided to get an Animas pump (was IR1200 at the time) when I realized that 8+ shots a day was too much for me.
Q. What are the top 5 songs on your iTunes?
A. My most played songs are several of the long techno remixes by Paul Oakenfold and Ministry of Sound. I’m also frequently listening to hits on the radio and NPR podcasts. More recently I’ve been finding really great covers like Sunny Choi playing pop music on piano, and if I need a good laugh I just search YouTube for ukulele covers.
Q. What is the coolest thing you’ve done as a person with diabetes?
A. If Generic Cialis I Buy Cialis had to pick a single event that was a great accomplishment with diabetes, I think it would be my first cycling tour. I spent weeks planning out a route around Lake Ontario and figuring out exactly what to bring without overpacking. I set out in early May of 2009 by myself on my bike loaded with just enough gear for the 1040km trip in 8 days. I stayed with some really great hosts along the way that fed me very well considering I was burning about 6-8,000 Calories per day. I set my basal rates to -90%, and hardly bolused for meals, averaging only about 15 units a day! Being so active kept my sugars in range for a week straight, so I’m really excited to do a similar trip this year – possibly around Lake Erie this time.
Q. What keeps you ‘in motion’?
A. I have a big list of sports and have been looking to try out as many as I can, hoping to stick with a few that I really love. I got a hang gliders pilot license in college, though now I live in a place without any hang gliding nearby unfortunately. My main sport these days is cycling, and I’ve rode over 16,000km in the past 3 years. In the warmer months, I’ve been getting out on the windy days learning how to windsurf on Cayuga Lake,and kayaking when the wind isn’t there. This winter I’ve been learning how to cross-country ski and I am really enjoying that. I also love backpacking in any season too.
Website/Links: My journal for bike touring – http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/geekguyandy
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/andygoodell
Twitter – http://twitter.com/diabeticcyclist
My journal for bike touring – http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/geekguyandy
My blog for cycling rides – http://geekguyandy.wordpress.com/
