I had a severe low this morning. The worse, since June '07.
There was juice.
There was candy.
And then, there was stupor,D50, and a trip to the ER. I was not wearing my Dexcom.(predictably, or this wouldn't have happened) I feel stupid.(I should have been wearing it)
Tonight's Plans: sleep, sleep, and sleep. I am zonked.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Meme Time
1. Where is your cell phone? pocketbook
2. Your significant other? Glenn
3. Your Hair? Brunette
4. Your Skin? Fair
5. Your mother? Elma
6. Your favorite thing? ipod
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? diet
9. Your dream/goal? healthyness
10. The room you’re in? computer
11. Your ex? none
12. Your fear? Dogs
13.Where do you want to be in 6 years? pregnant(yeah, I'm crazy)
14.Where were you last night? here
15.What you’re not? rude
16.Muffins? blueberry
17.One of your wish list items? laptop
18.Where you grew up? Virginia
19.The last thing you did? cleaning
20.What are you wearing? coat
21.Your TV? Dunno…
22.Your pets? cats
23. Your computer? HP
24. Your life? rollarcoaster
25. Your mood? tired
26. Missing someone? yes
27. Your car? Chevrolet
28. Something you’re not wearing? belt
29. Favorite Store? CVS
30. Your summer? Busy
31. Like someone? yes
32. Your favorite color? blue
33. When is the last time you laughed? Tuesday
34. Last time you cried? Last week
35. Who will respond to this? dunno
36. Who’s Answers are you anxious to see? everyone
pass it on!
2. Your significant other? Glenn
3. Your Hair? Brunette
4. Your Skin? Fair
5. Your mother? Elma
6. Your favorite thing? ipod
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? diet
9. Your dream/goal? healthyness
10. The room you’re in? computer
11. Your ex? none
12. Your fear? Dogs
13.Where do you want to be in 6 years? pregnant(yeah, I'm crazy)
14.Where were you last night? here
15.What you’re not? rude
16.Muffins? blueberry
17.One of your wish list items? laptop
18.Where you grew up? Virginia
19.The last thing you did? cleaning
20.What are you wearing? coat
21.Your TV? Dunno…
22.Your pets? cats
23. Your computer? HP
24. Your life? rollarcoaster
25. Your mood? tired
26. Missing someone? yes
27. Your car? Chevrolet
28. Something you’re not wearing? belt
29. Favorite Store? CVS
30. Your summer? Busy
31. Like someone? yes
32. Your favorite color? blue
33. When is the last time you laughed? Tuesday
34. Last time you cried? Last week
35. Who will respond to this? dunno
36. Who’s Answers are you anxious to see? everyone
pass it on!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Because
Because we seek control, we mutilate our fingers 10 or more(or less) times a day and insert sharp objects into our skin to deliver medication. This may be the 21st century, so is still so much that is archaic about this disease. (like peeing on a test strip)
Because we seek control, a "perfect pregnancy" not only exists, it must exist. The challenges of a normal pregnancy with all the fun of diabetes thrown in. Mentally worrying over every high; every slip up is not only bad for you, its potentially disastrous to the little one you're carrying.
Because we seek control, yearly visits to the eye doc to have painful dilation drops and(potentially) lasers beaming up the the bad vessels in our eyes is the gold standard of good care.
Because we seek control, our exercise routines consist of eating twice as many calories as we burn off, in the attempt to prevent low blood sugars.(or treating them)
Because we seek control, we're up at 3 AM, dealing with a high or low blood sugar.
Because we seek control, a new pair of shoes is judged mainly on it's ability to not cause calluses/infection/subsequent amputations, not it's visible appeal.
Because we seek control, a hospitalization is not the time to turn over your D-care to the experts because most of the time, the experts know even less then you and you'll be even sicker if you did it their way.(Except if your endo is on staff and even then they ignore her orders)
Because we seek control, the "stackable" bolus that we took at 10,12, and 2 has just now hit the fan and we're tanking like a rock and have to start eating again.
Because we seek control, we trust our lives to a liquid that loses potency out of a very delicate temperature range. Freeze or bake, (it's toast) you're toast.
Because we seek control, exercise is twice as important to us then to the non-diabetic. Keeping the bg down, keeping the heart healthy- heart disease is the highest morbidity for the D and you don't have to be old to have a heart attack. You just have to be D.(according to the medical profession)
Because we seek control, we're forced to ride out huge chunks of time in the 80-100 mg/dl spot and be as cranky as heck that we can't overeat and end this feeling of hyponess. Or at least I do. Not that it isn't an excellent bg range, its just when you're used to much higher it makes you feel fairly irratable.
Because we seek control, we drive great distances in search of the perfect endocrinologist.
Because we seek control, denial isn't just a River in Egypt- it's a one-way ticket to Complications City.
Because we seek control, we spend hours of our free time glued to the internet in search of information and support.
Because we seek control, we're a little OCD about the type of meter we use and if it's not the right kind we don't really "trust" it.
Because we seek control, it's not just physical control we must achieve, it's also mental. Not responding in anger to the idiot who asks "Should you be eating that?" is often difficult, if not impossible. Unfortunately, it is an occurrence that will repeat itself thousands of times throughout the life of a PWD and one that you'd suppose you'd eventually get used to and a pro at handling.
Because we seek control, no a1c is truly low enough and if you're over 8, you'd rather not discuss it, especially if the rest of the blog-o-sphere is under 7.
Because we seek control, we chose salad over fries-making the choice not only for ourselves but for the loved ones who want us around a little longer.
Because we seek control, we realize that the state of medical care available today is abysmal for many people and something had better change or we'll all end up with type 2 diabetes, complications galore, and no one to care for anybody.
Because we seek control, sometimes we have to ditch the books(and the subsequent studying for the horrendous test the next day) to go the pump club meeting. We need to know that we are not alone.
Because we seek control, we realize that perfect control really doesn't exist + all we can do is our best. To live, to laugh, and to love-to stick it to the D. Whatever your philosophy, life is a journey, realizing that the D is part of it but not all of it and not something that should own you.
Because we seek control, a "perfect pregnancy" not only exists, it must exist. The challenges of a normal pregnancy with all the fun of diabetes thrown in. Mentally worrying over every high; every slip up is not only bad for you, its potentially disastrous to the little one you're carrying.
Because we seek control, yearly visits to the eye doc to have painful dilation drops and(potentially) lasers beaming up the the bad vessels in our eyes is the gold standard of good care.
Because we seek control, our exercise routines consist of eating twice as many calories as we burn off, in the attempt to prevent low blood sugars.(or treating them)
Because we seek control, we're up at 3 AM, dealing with a high or low blood sugar.
Because we seek control, a new pair of shoes is judged mainly on it's ability to not cause calluses/infection/subsequent amputations, not it's visible appeal.
Because we seek control, a hospitalization is not the time to turn over your D-care to the experts because most of the time, the experts know even less then you and you'll be even sicker if you did it their way.(Except if your endo is on staff and even then they ignore her orders)
Because we seek control, the "stackable" bolus that we took at 10,12, and 2 has just now hit the fan and we're tanking like a rock and have to start eating again.
Because we seek control, we trust our lives to a liquid that loses potency out of a very delicate temperature range. Freeze or bake, (it's toast) you're toast.
Because we seek control, exercise is twice as important to us then to the non-diabetic. Keeping the bg down, keeping the heart healthy- heart disease is the highest morbidity for the D and you don't have to be old to have a heart attack. You just have to be D.(according to the medical profession)
Because we seek control, we're forced to ride out huge chunks of time in the 80-100 mg/dl spot and be as cranky as heck that we can't overeat and end this feeling of hyponess. Or at least I do. Not that it isn't an excellent bg range, its just when you're used to much higher it makes you feel fairly irratable.
Because we seek control, we drive great distances in search of the perfect endocrinologist.
Because we seek control, denial isn't just a River in Egypt- it's a one-way ticket to Complications City.
Because we seek control, we spend hours of our free time glued to the internet in search of information and support.
Because we seek control, we're a little OCD about the type of meter we use and if it's not the right kind we don't really "trust" it.
Because we seek control, it's not just physical control we must achieve, it's also mental. Not responding in anger to the idiot who asks "Should you be eating that?" is often difficult, if not impossible. Unfortunately, it is an occurrence that will repeat itself thousands of times throughout the life of a PWD and one that you'd suppose you'd eventually get used to and a pro at handling.
Because we seek control, no a1c is truly low enough and if you're over 8, you'd rather not discuss it, especially if the rest of the blog-o-sphere is under 7.
Because we seek control, we chose salad over fries-making the choice not only for ourselves but for the loved ones who want us around a little longer.
Because we seek control, we realize that the state of medical care available today is abysmal for many people and something had better change or we'll all end up with type 2 diabetes, complications galore, and no one to care for anybody.
Because we seek control, sometimes we have to ditch the books(and the subsequent studying for the horrendous test the next day) to go the pump club meeting. We need to know that we are not alone.
Because we seek control, we realize that perfect control really doesn't exist + all we can do is our best. To live, to laugh, and to love-to stick it to the D. Whatever your philosophy, life is a journey, realizing that the D is part of it but not all of it and not something that should own you.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The House of Horrors
Me thinks this has great money-making potential-a night in the Lincoln Bedroom.(that's a man-eating Christmas cactus in the pot...and you've got your fat cats to jump up on the bed in the middle of the night) As an extra bonus, the guest would be treated to the occasional treat of a hypoglycemic wild-eyed crazy person clomping down the stairs at 3 AM on their way to the refrigerator. (yes, I probably look like a ghost at that hour) The only drawback: our house isn't White...
Friday, October 24, 2008
On a Friday Streak
On my way out the door this morning, my pump tubing got caught. This was a first- in terms of that this door was the front door and I'd already locked it. I had to leave the pump there, go get my keys from the car, and unlock the door. I wasn't wearing the pump, I've had alot of extreme sensitivity nights and last night I just took it off, it was so impossible to get my blood sugars up. Suffice to say, not a great idea- I still needed some insulin. Fell asleep, woke up high, took a slight bolus and took the pump back off. Woke up 150. Off I went to the infusion center, to get my magnesium infusion and I bolus for breakfast. Dexcom shows a steady trend up to 210,(at the time of bolus)I don't correct for that. Goes up to 300, and then it tanks right on down to 152. For the second time this week, the IV lock comes loose and blood starts to seep into the pillow and blanket. Delightful.(on Monday it blew blood all over the bathroom) Fortuantly, I'm sitting down and it doesn't seep much before a nurse comes to my rescue. This doesn't seem to be my week for luck with IV's and mini IV's.
Anyway, getting back to the blood sugars-I know that bolusing anything at bed is a horrible idea, even if I'm high.(I'll get low) I think I need to cut everything 50% around the board, starting at 11 pm, and post-supper run it on 0% or take my pump off. I'm glad to finally have more sensors, my last bunch expired before I could use them all and I haven't been able to afford any for the past month. CGM's make diabetes so much easier. (goal for new year..get insurance to COVER sensors, a battle I've been too busy to fight) I use my sensors till they absolutely don't work anymore, + get about 2-3x the normal useage out of them. I do get my money's worth but its money that the insurance company should be shelling out, not me.
Friday's Goodie:
(if you're a coffee person- you don't have to be a B&N member to use the coupon)
Have a good weekend,everyone.
Anyway, getting back to the blood sugars-I know that bolusing anything at bed is a horrible idea, even if I'm high.(I'll get low) I think I need to cut everything 50% around the board, starting at 11 pm, and post-supper run it on 0% or take my pump off. I'm glad to finally have more sensors, my last bunch expired before I could use them all and I haven't been able to afford any for the past month. CGM's make diabetes so much easier. (goal for new year..get insurance to COVER sensors, a battle I've been too busy to fight) I use my sensors till they absolutely don't work anymore, + get about 2-3x the normal useage out of them. I do get my money's worth but its money that the insurance company should be shelling out, not me.
Friday's Goodie:
(if you're a coffee person- you don't have to be a B&N member to use the coupon)
Have a good weekend,everyone.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Diabetes Humor, Part I
Three guys(a regular Joe Blow,a musician, and a diabetic) walk into a bar.
The J.B. orders a beer.
The musician orders a scotch on the rocks.
The diabetic orders a diet coke.
Half a dozen beers later,the J.B. climbs up on the the bar and begins belting out a drunken melody. Soon, people begin to leave the bar. More people leave, until only the musician, the diabetic, and the bartender remain. The J.B. changes his pitch, and the musician claps his hands over his ears and rushes out. Only the diabetic remains, and he calmly finishes his diet coke, seemingly unfazed by the horrible caterwauling. Eventually, the J.B. gets tired of singing and shuffles out of the bar. The bartender asks the diabetic why he didn't leave.
"Wrong type of key tone" replies the diabetic.
(yeah, pretty lame but its my first attempt at creating a diabetes joke..)
The J.B. orders a beer.
The musician orders a scotch on the rocks.
The diabetic orders a diet coke.
Half a dozen beers later,the J.B. climbs up on the the bar and begins belting out a drunken melody. Soon, people begin to leave the bar. More people leave, until only the musician, the diabetic, and the bartender remain. The J.B. changes his pitch, and the musician claps his hands over his ears and rushes out. Only the diabetic remains, and he calmly finishes his diet coke, seemingly unfazed by the horrible caterwauling. Eventually, the J.B. gets tired of singing and shuffles out of the bar. The bartender asks the diabetic why he didn't leave.
"Wrong type of key tone" replies the diabetic.
(yeah, pretty lame but its my first attempt at creating a diabetes joke..)
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Peaks and Valleys
Overheard:
"I would like the sugar-free ice cream, because I'm interested in making decisions that are healthful for my body."
(6.5 year old nephew)
I think I just about died laughing, in reality he just wanted the chocolate ice cream. Very verbiose little boy.)
Today, I ate an 115 carb bag of chips, half the dip container, 30 carbs juice, 15 carbs instant glucose to treat a low. It was at my favorite store(CVS) and you know how grocery shopping while low goes. Couldn't stop eating. At the end, I was only 356, I've got alot of that post-mountain-climbing-sensitivity thing going on. Had two lows last night.(over the weekend we went down to hike the Blue Ridge Parkway and celebrate oldest bro's b-day)
"I would like the sugar-free ice cream, because I'm interested in making decisions that are healthful for my body."
(6.5 year old nephew)
I think I just about died laughing, in reality he just wanted the chocolate ice cream. Very verbiose little boy.)
Today, I ate an 115 carb bag of chips, half the dip container, 30 carbs juice, 15 carbs instant glucose to treat a low. It was at my favorite store(CVS) and you know how grocery shopping while low goes. Couldn't stop eating. At the end, I was only 356, I've got alot of that post-mountain-climbing-sensitivity thing going on. Had two lows last night.(over the weekend we went down to hike the Blue Ridge Parkway and celebrate oldest bro's b-day)
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
The Sweetest Place on Earth
Remarkably, isn't a room full of PWD's gobbling sundaes. Nor is a FFL convention. No, the sweetest place on earth is a certain little town, tucked away very near to an interstate near and dear to my heart. That interstate, takes you all the way to my old hometown. (yeah, I was tempted)
Hershey, PA. The medical center nearby(Milton S. Hershey Medical Center) must get its fair share of touristy types who make wisecracks while waiting in the ER for phenergan because they tossed too many cookies from riding the many wild roller coasters.
"But doc, chocolate has antioxidants! It's good for my heart!"
"Can I have another IV bag of chocolate milk?"
Nurse: "Doc, he's crashing!Do something!"
Doc: "Push two amps of chocolate and stand clear because he's gonna jump off that table a-swinging. He's just in withdrawal."
I'll bet they also diagnose quite a few cases of diabetes, people tend to go a bit overboard on their consumption of chocolate. (saw people carrying huge shopping bags of chocolate)
Nurse: (sniffing) That's DKA.(to self) "Sir, your days of chocolate imbibement are going to have to come to an end- you've got diabetes and after this, chocolate is going to be a treat- not a daily staple."
On that particular day(last Sat.) also cold and drizzly. Went from 76 in one state to 40's in the next. Quite a shock to the system, I was ready to go home. Free Credit Report dot com commercial guy(or his evil twin) pulled up right in front of us, parked his car and strode purposefully toward the entrance, looking as if the weather didn't bother him one bit. Although, if I were making that kind of money off of commercials it wouldn't bother me so much either.
Go inside. Wander over to lunch pavilion, eat lunch. It was buffet style so of course we overate. The pulled pork sandwiches were the only thing that saved me from turning into an icicle, they were lovely and warm. BG 230's.
Went on Ferris Wheel.(we were the only ones)
Went through Zoo America
Went on the "Kissing Tower"
Went on canoe ride(kind of like Splash Mountain but didn't get quite as wet)
BG 179, ate popcorn. Sun comes out.
Went on SkyRide, monorail, antique cars, train
Browesed shops on way out. Both of us hate roller coasters with a passion, no loss there. (we are old boring married people)Got several souvenir thingies for my collections, husband got chocolate. Also got Hershey perfume so I can smell sweet, not just BE sweet. (which is sooo 20th century) BG 238. I swear, its something in the air.
Final stop at the Factory:
Went on tour ride, did some more shopping, then went home. It was a fun day.
Hershey, PA. The medical center nearby(Milton S. Hershey Medical Center) must get its fair share of touristy types who make wisecracks while waiting in the ER for phenergan because they tossed too many cookies from riding the many wild roller coasters.
"But doc, chocolate has antioxidants! It's good for my heart!"
"Can I have another IV bag of chocolate milk?"
Nurse: "Doc, he's crashing!Do something!"
Doc: "Push two amps of chocolate and stand clear because he's gonna jump off that table a-swinging. He's just in withdrawal."
I'll bet they also diagnose quite a few cases of diabetes, people tend to go a bit overboard on their consumption of chocolate. (saw people carrying huge shopping bags of chocolate)
Nurse: (sniffing) That's DKA.(to self) "Sir, your days of chocolate imbibement are going to have to come to an end- you've got diabetes and after this, chocolate is going to be a treat- not a daily staple."
On that particular day(last Sat.) also cold and drizzly. Went from 76 in one state to 40's in the next. Quite a shock to the system, I was ready to go home. Free Credit Report dot com commercial guy(or his evil twin) pulled up right in front of us, parked his car and strode purposefully toward the entrance, looking as if the weather didn't bother him one bit. Although, if I were making that kind of money off of commercials it wouldn't bother me so much either.
Go inside. Wander over to lunch pavilion, eat lunch. It was buffet style so of course we overate. The pulled pork sandwiches were the only thing that saved me from turning into an icicle, they were lovely and warm. BG 230's.
Went on Ferris Wheel.(we were the only ones)
Went through Zoo America
Went on the "Kissing Tower"
Went on canoe ride(kind of like Splash Mountain but didn't get quite as wet)
BG 179, ate popcorn. Sun comes out.
Went on SkyRide, monorail, antique cars, train
Browesed shops on way out. Both of us hate roller coasters with a passion, no loss there. (we are old boring married people)Got several souvenir thingies for my collections, husband got chocolate. Also got Hershey perfume so I can smell sweet, not just BE sweet. (which is sooo 20th century) BG 238. I swear, its something in the air.
Final stop at the Factory:
Went on tour ride, did some more shopping, then went home. It was a fun day.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Monday, October 06, 2008
The Ties that (Un) Bind
Dear (life-sucking-former) Work:
You don't owe me anything anymore. Granted, its been almost a year since I walked out your doors, tossed my cap straight up into the rain and danced for the pure joy of never again having to spend a minute more of my time inside of you but there's been the little issue of that final slip of paper I had comin'. I couldn't ignore you completely.
Today, I am truly a free woman.
You don't owe me anything anymore. Granted, its been almost a year since I walked out your doors, tossed my cap straight up into the rain and danced for the pure joy of never again having to spend a minute more of my time inside of you but there's been the little issue of that final slip of paper I had comin'. I couldn't ignore you completely.
Today, I am truly a free woman.
