Insulindependence

2007 International Team Expedition – Upper Missouri River, Montana, USA

May 21-25, 2007

May 24, 2007

Within a mile or two of Judith Landing, our final stop, a few scattered clouds came together to let us know that we’d be wet once again. Just moments before we’d been sunning ourselves, drifting effortlessly with our feet stretched upon neighboring canoe gunnels. It had been a glorious spring day on the Missouri River, yet it now seemed that our paddling adventure would end just as it had begun four days prior, under a chilly downpour. No matter at all—being a group of diabetics, we knew a thing or two about adaptive behavior.

Just eight days ago, while two of our team members were enjoying a serene hike in Northern Minnesota, others from New Zealand were doing a different type of exploring on California’s Rodeo Drive. Meanwhile, the rest were rushing their way through final exams, packing bags and speeding along federal interstates in anticipation of coming together for the first time as a team.

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By the 18th, eight of the ten were united in Minneapolis. Already four countries were represented, spanning nearly six decades of age. While Stacy and Peter (the trip leaders) packed the trailer and polished canoes, the others enjoyed sights and sounds of the “City of Lakes” from bike saddles, blood testing meters in hand. It must have been a memorable day; our senior most team member boldly declared later that evening that Minneapolis was his new “favorite city on earth.”

The next morning we were packed up and on our way to Montana via Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Hours in the van came and went. By the time Team Insulindependence reached Billings, it might have been said that we were more like a family than a team. Late in the afternoon of May 20th, we stopped at Billings International to pick up the last of our team members. Our family complete, we pushed our way into the night toward Coal Banks Landing.

The next morning—just as Lewis and Clark had done some 204 years ago—Team Insulindependence shoved off on one of America’s most spectacular scenic waterways.

The days were filled with natural wonders--soaring eagles, horned lizards, hungry pelicans, creeks, canyons, gulches, and the sort of sunsets that make you wonder why you hadn’t been taking the time to stop and do this every day.

Though there was plenty of time for exploring nature and our inner-selves, the team was constantly busy doing what any good community would do--taking care of one and other. From general housekeeping to camp breaking and wood gathering, from cooking to boat loading and suntan lotion application; there was never a moment when one of us felt alone.

Naturally, the stage was set for us to accomplish what we’d set out to do: learn more about managing our diabetes. “We were always all there for one another,” wrote Lara, our 24 year-old Canadian team member. “That was huge in keeping motivated to achieve better sugars, count CHO's properly and timing/amount of insulin, especially on the ‘hmm, I wonder how this will affect me" type of food/activity.’”

At one point during a hike, Andrew, who’d just been diagnosed during his freshman year at college, noticed that Mike had fallen unusually silent near the top of a cliff. Knowing that Mike had struggled with hypoglycemic unawareness in the past, he asked that the group wait while they administered a blood test. A pocketful of candies later, we were on our way.

Later that night, after some good laughs and stories around the campfire, we reflected on why Mike went low and how he might avoid it next time around. Kind of makes you wonder if they shouldn’t just schedule doctor’s appointments out here.

“This trip exceeded ALL of my expectations!!! On so many levels . . .”

“I . . . had no idea that I would learn so much about diabetes, I
thought I knew it all. This trip inspired me to do a lot more with my
life than I was planning, originally I thought this was gonna be a sweet trip
down a river, a good holiday, but it was much more [than that].”

“The best aspect of the trip was the bond that formed between the 10 of us . . . I can't imagine a better group to share stories/techniques and a crazy
adventure with. It was an incredible opportunity to learn from each other in
such a supportive environment . . .”

“There was always a positive ‘You can do it’ attitude toward everything we did . . . from managing D, climbing up mountains . . .”

“There is no doubt for me . . . [that] the highlight of my trip . . . was the company that I had during the time I was in America. I met some incredible people that have truly made me think about what I wanted to do in life, where I wanted to go and who I wanted to
be.”

“We were always all there for one another. That was huge in keeping motivated to achieve better sugars, count CHO's properly and timing/amount of insulin, especially on the ‘hmm, I wonder how this will affect me" type of food/activity.”

“Finishing the trip by creating our own ‘Constitution’ was a great way to wrap everything up... It truly showed how comfortable we are
with sharing such personal goals.”

“I have gained soooo sooo much from this experience . . . I learned a lot about
me . . . and how I can make a few simple changes to make my life a thousand and
two times better.”

“Since being home, I've been diligent in counting CHO's and bolusing prior to a meal, waiting for BS to go down before eating, running in the mornings and facing my
attachment issues.”

“The trip went far beyond my expectations, I had no idea I would walk
away knowing so many great people that I most definitely want to keep in
touch with.”