From Allison....
(go ahead, give it your honest opinion.Time for a reality check.)
1. Who are you?
2. Are we friends?
3. Something I have and YOU want?
4. Give me a nickname and explain why you picked it.
5. Describe me in one word.
6. What was your first impression of me?
7. Do you still think that way about me now?
8. What reminds you of me?
9. If you could give me anything what would it be?
10. How well do you know me?
11. How do you see me in the future?
12. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn’t?
13. Are you going to post this in your blog and see what I say about you?
I hope to answer some of the them(on other blogs) later today.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Family Ties
The year was 1862, and the Battle for the Shenandoah Valley raged hard-it was vitally important to divert the Union forces from shacking up and burning Richmond. That summer was a game of cat and mouse all over Central and Western Virginia, and Stonewall Jackson played it well. Later, a famous painting of him was done at a fence at a certain small farm in New Market. It was several years before Sheridan would do his damage, and the Valley was still rich in crops,green, and photo(or picture) genic. Anyway, 146 years later the hill is still there,(but not the fence, nor the tree) it has been in my uncle's family since before forever. It is so cool to think that there, history was made.(saw the picture in their house)
The family get-together was the usual eclectic group of far-righties and far-lefties trying to be pleasant to each other(this was accomplished by the far-righties not talking about the subject at all)...the house was packed with people. Had bolused aggressively for a post-breakfast high and found myself 84 with lunch still an hour away so I had to chug juice. My relative with diabetes was there, and I never know what to say because as a teenager, my mom took me to the hospital to see her and scare the bejabbers out of me. (the complications of diabetes) I was scared all right but it spurred me to teenage turn-off. Now I know I should be more of an adult + actually have a conversation with her but that was not the best of experiences and I'd rather not know.As long as she's happy(which she appeared to be) and having the best health possible I wish her well. Lunch was good, afterwords we viewed my dad's video, played games, toured the farm, ate more food, and gradually dissipated down to fewer and fewer people and then we left.
A good Thanksgiving, overall.
The family get-together was the usual eclectic group of far-righties and far-lefties trying to be pleasant to each other(this was accomplished by the far-righties not talking about the subject at all)...the house was packed with people. Had bolused aggressively for a post-breakfast high and found myself 84 with lunch still an hour away so I had to chug juice. My relative with diabetes was there, and I never know what to say because as a teenager, my mom took me to the hospital to see her and scare the bejabbers out of me. (the complications of diabetes) I was scared all right but it spurred me to teenage turn-off. Now I know I should be more of an adult + actually have a conversation with her but that was not the best of experiences and I'd rather not know.As long as she's happy(which she appeared to be) and having the best health possible I wish her well. Lunch was good, afterwords we viewed my dad's video, played games, toured the farm, ate more food, and gradually dissipated down to fewer and fewer people and then we left.
A good Thanksgiving, overall.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Post Turk(um)
I came.
I saw.
I gained at least 5 lbs by overeating...
And I played with my very cute niece.
that is all....(two papers await to be written + CVS demands to be visited(at least once, tomorrow)
I saw.
I gained at least 5 lbs by overeating...
And I played with my very cute niece.
that is all....(two papers await to be written + CVS demands to be visited(at least once, tomorrow)
Thursday, November 27, 2008
A T-Day B-Day
Have a great Thanksgiving all....
I'm off to inflict my cranberry salad upon the relations + to celebrate my husband's birthday today.(I won't say how old, he wouldn't like it)
Bolus well, be happy, and check blood sugars often.
I'm off to inflict my cranberry salad upon the relations + to celebrate my husband's birthday today.(I won't say how old, he wouldn't like it)
Bolus well, be happy, and check blood sugars often.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The Horse with Type 1 Diabetes
Tuesday, 25 November 2008 00:18
His name is ‘Justin Credible.’ He’s one month old, and he’s believed to be the only horse ever documented to have been born with Type 1 Diabetes.
The colt’s owners, who live in Carlisle, say they’re working around the clock trying to keep him alive.
Justin Credible, a Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse born from a world-champion (show-horse, was a surprise to David and Monica Hufana from day one. He was born before his mother seemed ready. Right away, he seemed malnourished; they thought that was because his mother was not producing milk. So they sought help from veterinarian Nathan Slovis, at the Hagyard Equine Medicine Institute.
“He came on in as any other foal that has a lack of calories,” said Dr. Slovis, “We thought, ‘oh, we’re going to get this foal out of here in 48 hours.’”
But that is not what happened. After giving the colt fluids and anti-bodies, the colt’s glucose levels went through the roof. Tests showed signs of an abnormal pancreas; the organ which produces the insulin that regulates glucose. It seemed too small to do the job. The diagnosis: Justin Credible had been born with the Type 1 Diabetes. Dr. Slovis says it is the first documented case of its kind.
They began treating the colt with insulin meant for humans, and his energy has come back.
“He’ll buck, he’ll run, he’ll jump,” said David.
But he’ll never have a normal life. He has seizures, and no freedom to graze through pastures. “Grass is full of sugars, and you know diabetics have to watch their sugar levels,” said Dr. Slovis.
His owners, no longer have a normal life either. Every 4 hours, they draw blood to test his blood sugar levels. Every 8 hours, they give him an insulin injection.
Monica even quit her job as a horse trainer to care for him, as medical costs add up. So far they’ve racked up a $4,000 bill. While David works, Monica makes homemade wreaths which she sells at a Carlisle gallery, for extra money on the side.
“You do fall in love with them, you can’t help but to do it,” said David about his horses.
And they do love the little colt, as if it were their own child. Their hope, is that in time, they won’t be forced to make a difficult decision.
“If his quality of life isn’t what it should be, if he can’t run and be a horse and have a good time, then we obviously won’t continue,” said David.
If the owners are able to keep up with the current treatments, they believe the horse’s life expectancy could be around 10 years. The Hufana’s are looking for donations, which can be made out to their farm in Carlisle, called ‘Sanctuary Farm.’
(Now that's a cause I would give to.)
How does one measure a horse's blood glucose- from the ear, like a cat? (I'd take care of it- I could never euthanize a cat/or dog/whatever just because of the inconvenience of getting it shots)
His name is ‘Justin Credible.’ He’s one month old, and he’s believed to be the only horse ever documented to have been born with Type 1 Diabetes.
The colt’s owners, who live in Carlisle, say they’re working around the clock trying to keep him alive.
Justin Credible, a Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse born from a world-champion (show-horse, was a surprise to David and Monica Hufana from day one. He was born before his mother seemed ready. Right away, he seemed malnourished; they thought that was because his mother was not producing milk. So they sought help from veterinarian Nathan Slovis, at the Hagyard Equine Medicine Institute.
“He came on in as any other foal that has a lack of calories,” said Dr. Slovis, “We thought, ‘oh, we’re going to get this foal out of here in 48 hours.’”
But that is not what happened. After giving the colt fluids and anti-bodies, the colt’s glucose levels went through the roof. Tests showed signs of an abnormal pancreas; the organ which produces the insulin that regulates glucose. It seemed too small to do the job. The diagnosis: Justin Credible had been born with the Type 1 Diabetes. Dr. Slovis says it is the first documented case of its kind.
They began treating the colt with insulin meant for humans, and his energy has come back.
“He’ll buck, he’ll run, he’ll jump,” said David.
But he’ll never have a normal life. He has seizures, and no freedom to graze through pastures. “Grass is full of sugars, and you know diabetics have to watch their sugar levels,” said Dr. Slovis.
His owners, no longer have a normal life either. Every 4 hours, they draw blood to test his blood sugar levels. Every 8 hours, they give him an insulin injection.
Monica even quit her job as a horse trainer to care for him, as medical costs add up. So far they’ve racked up a $4,000 bill. While David works, Monica makes homemade wreaths which she sells at a Carlisle gallery, for extra money on the side.
“You do fall in love with them, you can’t help but to do it,” said David about his horses.
And they do love the little colt, as if it were their own child. Their hope, is that in time, they won’t be forced to make a difficult decision.
“If his quality of life isn’t what it should be, if he can’t run and be a horse and have a good time, then we obviously won’t continue,” said David.
If the owners are able to keep up with the current treatments, they believe the horse’s life expectancy could be around 10 years. The Hufana’s are looking for donations, which can be made out to their farm in Carlisle, called ‘Sanctuary Farm.’
(Now that's a cause I would give to.)
How does one measure a horse's blood glucose- from the ear, like a cat? (I'd take care of it- I could never euthanize a cat/or dog/whatever just because of the inconvenience of getting it shots)
Loser's Best
NaBloPoMo is offering a consolation prize (it's #21)for the best "why I didn't post 30 days this month" excuse.
I think I have a pretty good shot at that prize.(more so then the others...that blogroll is in the hundreds!)
I think I have a pretty good shot at that prize.(more so then the others...that blogroll is in the hundreds!)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Ping'ed
There's a unique moment, once every four(or more years) when the UPS dude walks down up to your door, rings the doorbell, you sign, and he hands you a humongous box filled with special D-goodies.
(in Limey Green!)along with 5 boxes of cartridges/assorted manuals/cases/accessories/infusion sets.(I still love the Cleos, don't think I will be switching to anything else)
Maybe I've gone to the dark side, but Smith's Medical doesn't own me + I want to experience another pump's features. Deltec of course still works, but it is out of warranty. I am, of course, pumped.(finally a meter that communicates with the pump,Freestyle test strips were never covered by my insurance company so I couldn't use that feature with my Deltec. This one uses One Touch strips.)
(in Limey Green!)along with 5 boxes of cartridges/assorted manuals/cases/accessories/infusion sets.(I still love the Cleos, don't think I will be switching to anything else)Maybe I've gone to the dark side, but Smith's Medical doesn't own me + I want to experience another pump's features. Deltec of course still works, but it is out of warranty. I am, of course, pumped.(finally a meter that communicates with the pump,Freestyle test strips were never covered by my insurance company so I couldn't use that feature with my Deltec. This one uses One Touch strips.)
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Line Between the Two
I've been thinking about the concept of using CGM's in the hospital and have come to the conclusion that that there is just no way it could EVER work.
Patient "M" is extremely sick, in the ICU. Patient M's blood sugar is going up and down like a pregnant women on steroids. Patient M could really benefit from stabler bgs and fewer hypos. Patient M, however, is being pumped full of acetaminophen/narcotics and that pretty much voids out the usefulness of a CGM.(acetaminophen makes the moniter read HI) Throw in the occasional (or not so much,if they are in the ICU they might have a few of those) MRI and the staff had better remember to remove the sensor or the patient will be dead. (due to the metal in the sensor) You think about the lawsuits waiting to happen, it's rare for staff to be acquainted with pumps, let alone CGM's. (I have a question for anyone who has ever been
in the hospital, with a pump...assuming they even permitted you to continue using it, did they even ask if you were changing the site every 2-3 days? I don't, so it doesn't disturb me,but many people are prone to infection + that needs to be addressed. Breeding ground to further issues, is the pump site infection.)
And for infection prone patients, it is something else for the staff to forget. (changing it occasionally) In its current form, CGM's would be a headache for use in the hospital setting. I'd far rather have frequent bg checks then rely entirely on the CGM it is a good thing that there are many more type 2's then type 1's in the hospital or even more staff would be required.(so I think) There are so many D's in the hospital, they make up like 2/3 of the patient population.(according to Diabetes Forecast) The CGM is a very valuable tool, but someone has to be following it, tweaking, looking at patterns and another characteristic of non-endocrinologists is they are REACTIVE,(aka the "sliding scale") rather then proactive. I realize I'm lumping all of them into one generic group but its a case of guilty until proven innocent. Until someone demonstrates their D-savvyness, I do not assume that they've got it. And I would not use a CGM without meter confirmation. A CGM, does not replace the need for meter monitoring.
I think the answer lies in being more proactive with management, rather then the highly unpractical, time-consuming, expensive CGM. How about an insulin pump or IV insulin drip rather then then NPH/Regular shots?(for starters) Or how about not serving juice, jello, and various other high glycemic foods to skyrocket the patient's blood glucose even more? The goal is to prevent complications, not encourage them. I'm not sure things will ever improve, to where they should be, even in the enlightened hospitals. I wish I could tell this to a few hospital CEO's, better blood sugars translate into money(and lives) saved.
Patient "M" is extremely sick, in the ICU. Patient M's blood sugar is going up and down like a pregnant women on steroids. Patient M could really benefit from stabler bgs and fewer hypos. Patient M, however, is being pumped full of acetaminophen/narcotics and that pretty much voids out the usefulness of a CGM.(acetaminophen makes the moniter read HI) Throw in the occasional (or not so much,if they are in the ICU they might have a few of those) MRI and the staff had better remember to remove the sensor or the patient will be dead. (due to the metal in the sensor) You think about the lawsuits waiting to happen, it's rare for staff to be acquainted with pumps, let alone CGM's. (I have a question for anyone who has ever been
in the hospital, with a pump...assuming they even permitted you to continue using it, did they even ask if you were changing the site every 2-3 days? I don't, so it doesn't disturb me,but many people are prone to infection + that needs to be addressed. Breeding ground to further issues, is the pump site infection.)
And for infection prone patients, it is something else for the staff to forget. (changing it occasionally) In its current form, CGM's would be a headache for use in the hospital setting. I'd far rather have frequent bg checks then rely entirely on the CGM it is a good thing that there are many more type 2's then type 1's in the hospital or even more staff would be required.(so I think) There are so many D's in the hospital, they make up like 2/3 of the patient population.(according to Diabetes Forecast) The CGM is a very valuable tool, but someone has to be following it, tweaking, looking at patterns and another characteristic of non-endocrinologists is they are REACTIVE,(aka the "sliding scale") rather then proactive. I realize I'm lumping all of them into one generic group but its a case of guilty until proven innocent. Until someone demonstrates their D-savvyness, I do not assume that they've got it. And I would not use a CGM without meter confirmation. A CGM, does not replace the need for meter monitoring.
I think the answer lies in being more proactive with management, rather then the highly unpractical, time-consuming, expensive CGM. How about an insulin pump or IV insulin drip rather then then NPH/Regular shots?(for starters) Or how about not serving juice, jello, and various other high glycemic foods to skyrocket the patient's blood glucose even more? The goal is to prevent complications, not encourage them. I'm not sure things will ever improve, to where they should be, even in the enlightened hospitals. I wish I could tell this to a few hospital CEO's, better blood sugars translate into money(and lives) saved.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Adoption Hurdles
My brothers/sil's adoption is going along swimmingly...baby was born this morning, all is good with mother and infant. I guess that nothing is a sure bet until 30 days have passed, the mom can still change her mind but hopefully I'll be an aunt AGAIN, real soon, can't wait to see the baby!(next week)
Friday, November 21, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Dollar Special
I distinctly said Diet.
"Medium fries, a double cheeseburger, and a small diet Pepsi,please. I've got coupons."
"That'll be $1.09."
Everything tasted weird- the fries were having an off day(tasting like a chemical), the burger was blah and the drink just couldn't be explained. Or (I thought) the drink tasting weird was because of the food...Bolus for everything but the drink.
1.5 hours later, HI. I take a shot, because I think it is my infusion set's problem but within an hour the shot drops me to 425 + I deduce that it must be the drink,I could not have gotten diet. Much later, when I'm 288 and take a corrective bolus it drops me nicely to where I'm supposed to be, no resistance problems. And that would be highly unusual, to spike 400 points on pure caffeine alone.(I've spiked about 100 before) I think I didn't get diet, I think I got something else.
(just lucky for me I didn't get the large drink or I'd have gone into DKA)
I think I should get some diastix and start testing(for sugar) every(restaurant) drink from here on out,nothing is more scary then a blood sugar gone HI.
"Medium fries, a double cheeseburger, and a small diet Pepsi,please. I've got coupons."
"That'll be $1.09."
Everything tasted weird- the fries were having an off day(tasting like a chemical), the burger was blah and the drink just couldn't be explained. Or (I thought) the drink tasting weird was because of the food...Bolus for everything but the drink.
1.5 hours later, HI. I take a shot, because I think it is my infusion set's problem but within an hour the shot drops me to 425 + I deduce that it must be the drink,I could not have gotten diet. Much later, when I'm 288 and take a corrective bolus it drops me nicely to where I'm supposed to be, no resistance problems. And that would be highly unusual, to spike 400 points on pure caffeine alone.(I've spiked about 100 before) I think I didn't get diet, I think I got something else.
(just lucky for me I didn't get the large drink or I'd have gone into DKA)
I think I should get some diastix and start testing(for sugar) every(restaurant) drink from here on out,nothing is more scary then a blood sugar gone HI.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Placebo Effect
This is scary. I guess the vast majority of people take the prescribed medication, and have no desire to know exactly what they're taking but it is no wonder people end up in ER's with allergic reactions and other adverse effects(even antibiotics could react with other meds), they have no clue what they're taking.
I would want my doctor to be honest with me,tell me if there was nothing else that could be done. False hope is worse then no hope.
I would want my doctor to be honest with me,tell me if there was nothing else that could be done. False hope is worse then no hope.
Monday, November 17, 2008
A Glimpse Inside My Library
(because I have too many diabetes books!)
Journey of a Diabetic by Lawrence M. Prey
An excellent autobiography of one man coming to terms with his diabetes. Will make you cry. My own copy is personally autographed by the author(I wasn't around back then, but its withstood the test of time) I got it on...Ebay.(where else!)
The Sun, The Rain, and the Insulin: Growing up with type 1 diabetes by Joan McCracken,MD.
Written by an endocrinologist, about the diabetes camps she hosts. An account of a summer in the 80's. (it's not all obsolete, and some parts were extremely funny)
Diabetes is not a Piece of Cake by Janet Merilles, RN.
Not very complementary toward pumping..but overall, very insightful. Should be required reading for any Type 3(to understand what we really go through)
Showdown with Diabetes by Deb Butterfield.
You've probably already read this..but if you haven't, it's a classic. Get it. Read it. Let it penetrate your brain, soak in its wisdom.
A Field Guide to Type 1 Diabetes(by the ADA).
Handy little pocket guide to diabetes, it pretty much covers the basics. Nothing I didn't already know, but it was free so I took it.
I’ve made my decision about the pump I’m going to get. Now to take the mountain of paperwork to the endo's office, which she'll absolutely love. This is a whole new insurance and who knows how much of it they will cover(I've been fortunate, but good fortune usually doesn't extend to 100% coverage 3x in a row) It's really not necessary to get trained on this pump, I can do it on my own but since my endo isn't going to be seeing me again till Feb. I am sure she's going to make me see the CDE anyway.(sigh)
Journey of a Diabetic by Lawrence M. Prey
An excellent autobiography of one man coming to terms with his diabetes. Will make you cry. My own copy is personally autographed by the author(I wasn't around back then, but its withstood the test of time) I got it on...Ebay.(where else!)
The Sun, The Rain, and the Insulin: Growing up with type 1 diabetes by Joan McCracken,MD.
Written by an endocrinologist, about the diabetes camps she hosts. An account of a summer in the 80's. (it's not all obsolete, and some parts were extremely funny)
Diabetes is not a Piece of Cake by Janet Merilles, RN.
Not very complementary toward pumping..but overall, very insightful. Should be required reading for any Type 3(to understand what we really go through)
Showdown with Diabetes by Deb Butterfield.
You've probably already read this..but if you haven't, it's a classic. Get it. Read it. Let it penetrate your brain, soak in its wisdom.
A Field Guide to Type 1 Diabetes(by the ADA).
Handy little pocket guide to diabetes, it pretty much covers the basics. Nothing I didn't already know, but it was free so I took it.
I’ve made my decision about the pump I’m going to get. Now to take the mountain of paperwork to the endo's office, which she'll absolutely love. This is a whole new insurance and who knows how much of it they will cover(I've been fortunate, but good fortune usually doesn't extend to 100% coverage 3x in a row) It's really not necessary to get trained on this pump, I can do it on my own but since my endo isn't going to be seeing me again till Feb. I am sure she's going to make me see the CDE anyway.(sigh)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Youtube Sunday Time-Waster
This is ingenious..kind of like the Choose Your Own Adventure books from my youth...highly addicting!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Nothing Profound
This NaPoBloMo thing- not easy. I am so tired I just want to be curled up in bed for the next 10 hours and here I am, fulfilling my daily post requirements. So all I have to say is, Office Depot ROCKS. They just changed their reward program, instead of turning in 3 ink cartridges a day for a discount on your purchase you can now turn in all 25 for a $75 gift card at the end of quarter. Multiply 75 by the number of days in two, three months and you can see how good it gets. Better then Staples 3 carts a day (total of $9) cumulative program.
So if you read that Office Depot has declared bankruptcy(sometime in late Feb.), I will be part of the cause. Too good to be true.(and it will not last)
So if you read that Office Depot has declared bankruptcy(sometime in late Feb.), I will be part of the cause. Too good to be true.(and it will not last)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Diabetic '007
Dear Guardian Angel:
I really wasn't (intentionally) in training for the next James Bond movie. Honest. Flipping cars and acrobatic stuff just isn't me. The hill was wet, steep...and though I admit to traveling a bit too fast for the conditions by the time it registered that the car next to me had stopped(aka red light) it was too late to stop. Not without fishtailing and causing even more of a scene. So for 15 seconds I sped through the intersection, expecting the crunch of death at any minute.
None came. When it was safe, I pulled over and promptly hyperventilated. And though Gary Hall claims that adrenalin can send his bg up and over 100 points per 45 second race, the line on the Dexcom didn't change at first. Until about 35 minutes later, and it marched up about 50 points. And I wasn't low.(so I can't even blame that, I was just being very, very stupid)
But that's ok, because I'm still alive. A good World Diabetes Day, for sure. Thank you, Guardian Angel,I know I am a real handful at times.
I really wasn't (intentionally) in training for the next James Bond movie. Honest. Flipping cars and acrobatic stuff just isn't me. The hill was wet, steep...and though I admit to traveling a bit too fast for the conditions by the time it registered that the car next to me had stopped(aka red light) it was too late to stop. Not without fishtailing and causing even more of a scene. So for 15 seconds I sped through the intersection, expecting the crunch of death at any minute.
None came. When it was safe, I pulled over and promptly hyperventilated. And though Gary Hall claims that adrenalin can send his bg up and over 100 points per 45 second race, the line on the Dexcom didn't change at first. Until about 35 minutes later, and it marched up about 50 points. And I wasn't low.(so I can't even blame that, I was just being very, very stupid)
But that's ok, because I'm still alive. A good World Diabetes Day, for sure. Thank you, Guardian Angel,I know I am a real handful at times.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Welcome to Mordor Flats
Dateline: November 13, 2007. On the big island of Hawaii, at the Volcano House Hotel.
(The Hawaii Chronicles...Part 3. Continuing the honeymoon saga. No pictures, because they were all ruined when my digital camera went kaput.)
Ah, breakfast. Another stuff-me affair of bacon, sausage links, rice+beans, eggs, juice(yes, I was being bad, I was nowhere near low at 143 mg/dl) but I wanted juice) milk, pineapple, and a Danish pastry. Also, some fruit that looked like cantaloupe was decidedly NOT. Husband liked it, I didn't.
After that,we set off on Crater Drive, to see the sights. Huge craters(called candelas) jotted the shale shacked landscape. Smoke "vents" blew out of the veginous hillside, seemingly from nowhere.
Further on, at an Observatory, we saw green glowing sulfur piles in one of the larger candelas. No molten lava greeted the eye- the last one was in 1983. I was pretty bummed about that, why do people say the thing could erupt at any time? It's been dormant for about as long as I've lived on this planet. Borring.(the view is worth it , but honestly, its just smoke. You can take a $200/person helicopter ride to view the active part of the volcano,(its in a closed-off section of the park) but I'm not a big fan of heights and it wouldn't be worth it.(would much prefer to see it standing on the ground) Mark Twain had it pretty good-he got to see the lava flows LIVE (which he writes about in the book "Roughing It") Bet that was pretty cool.
Then we drove through what is, quite honestly, the most destitute piece of real estate on Planet Earth. (hence the name, Mordor Flats) It reminded one of various Lord of The Ring scenes, miles and miles of black rock. Got out of the car, and were greeted by sulpheric waves so strong we both started coughing. Sulfur, boys + girls, is not the best thing to be breathing- kids, pregnant women, and heart-lung patients shouldn't be anywhere near the stuff. To me, it smelled like burnt pancake syrup. Didn't stick around long to view the sulfur stink piles any closer, hopped back in the car to view some more lovely craters.
Then we did some walking trails and went back to the hotel for lunch. Ate sandwich, chips, swapped out resevoir, 140 mg/dl. All that walking did wonders for the breakfast pig-a-thon. Got a flashlight from the gift shop, and it was off to...
The Thurston Lava Tubes
Wherein, hundreds of years ago, the caves were carved out by lava. Nice little(lighted) cave walk, but without a guided tour. Then we got to the (optional) unlighted part and the fun began. 337 meters of pure spelunking blackness, pierced only by our flashlight and my periodic panicky moans. There were no maps, no assurances that it wasn't going to split into 4 paths and get us hopelessly lost in a maze of caverns. And the roof, leaked. There was a pile of rocks that looked eeringly similar to a grave and put me in freak-out mode even more. But then, we met a group coming back and they told us it got narrower and eventually ended. We proceed and see it drop off into a huge cavern, so we go back.
Then, we attempt to drive up to Mauna Koa's scenic overlook. A the beginning of the route, someone's car is smokin' in the parking lot but no one's cellphones work so they have to take a hike to the ranger station. 11 miles of winding, harrowing roads, you haven't lived till you've know the fear of either a head-on collision or plunging off the side of a mountain. Lots of weird white-silver trees and white/purplish flowers. (Another scene from Middle Earth) Occasional lava-flow remains pile. Got to the top, and it's too cloudy to see anything. Plus, my bg was close to 400 and I was in cranky, I want to be somewhere with a bathroom and water fountain mood so we didn't stick around long. Took another half hour to get down. (fortuantly, we were well stocked with water bottles)
The only tv at the Volcano House gets only one station.(and it's an Arizona vs Oregon game) The Volcano House...is a good three hours from civilization and the only accommodations inside the park. People go there for the convenience/history(Mark Twain went there, when he was in Hawaii), not for the cutting edge of luxury. And it's expensive, very. (like everything else in Hawaii, so we decide to skip dinner and snack on chocolate bars) A day ended, a misty rain starts to fall and it gets much more Novemberish.
PS: the header picture is from the Volcano National Park-I took it with my cellphone, and thus it survived.(when the others did not)
(The Hawaii Chronicles...Part 3. Continuing the honeymoon saga. No pictures, because they were all ruined when my digital camera went kaput.)
Ah, breakfast. Another stuff-me affair of bacon, sausage links, rice+beans, eggs, juice(yes, I was being bad, I was nowhere near low at 143 mg/dl) but I wanted juice) milk, pineapple, and a Danish pastry. Also, some fruit that looked like cantaloupe was decidedly NOT. Husband liked it, I didn't.
After that,we set off on Crater Drive, to see the sights. Huge craters(called candelas) jotted the shale shacked landscape. Smoke "vents" blew out of the veginous hillside, seemingly from nowhere.
Further on, at an Observatory, we saw green glowing sulfur piles in one of the larger candelas. No molten lava greeted the eye- the last one was in 1983. I was pretty bummed about that, why do people say the thing could erupt at any time? It's been dormant for about as long as I've lived on this planet. Borring.(the view is worth it , but honestly, its just smoke. You can take a $200/person helicopter ride to view the active part of the volcano,(its in a closed-off section of the park) but I'm not a big fan of heights and it wouldn't be worth it.(would much prefer to see it standing on the ground) Mark Twain had it pretty good-he got to see the lava flows LIVE (which he writes about in the book "Roughing It") Bet that was pretty cool.
Then we drove through what is, quite honestly, the most destitute piece of real estate on Planet Earth. (hence the name, Mordor Flats) It reminded one of various Lord of The Ring scenes, miles and miles of black rock. Got out of the car, and were greeted by sulpheric waves so strong we both started coughing. Sulfur, boys + girls, is not the best thing to be breathing- kids, pregnant women, and heart-lung patients shouldn't be anywhere near the stuff. To me, it smelled like burnt pancake syrup. Didn't stick around long to view the sulfur stink piles any closer, hopped back in the car to view some more lovely craters.
Then we did some walking trails and went back to the hotel for lunch. Ate sandwich, chips, swapped out resevoir, 140 mg/dl. All that walking did wonders for the breakfast pig-a-thon. Got a flashlight from the gift shop, and it was off to...
The Thurston Lava Tubes
Wherein, hundreds of years ago, the caves were carved out by lava. Nice little(lighted) cave walk, but without a guided tour. Then we got to the (optional) unlighted part and the fun began. 337 meters of pure spelunking blackness, pierced only by our flashlight and my periodic panicky moans. There were no maps, no assurances that it wasn't going to split into 4 paths and get us hopelessly lost in a maze of caverns. And the roof, leaked. There was a pile of rocks that looked eeringly similar to a grave and put me in freak-out mode even more. But then, we met a group coming back and they told us it got narrower and eventually ended. We proceed and see it drop off into a huge cavern, so we go back.
Then, we attempt to drive up to Mauna Koa's scenic overlook. A the beginning of the route, someone's car is smokin' in the parking lot but no one's cellphones work so they have to take a hike to the ranger station. 11 miles of winding, harrowing roads, you haven't lived till you've know the fear of either a head-on collision or plunging off the side of a mountain. Lots of weird white-silver trees and white/purplish flowers. (Another scene from Middle Earth) Occasional lava-flow remains pile. Got to the top, and it's too cloudy to see anything. Plus, my bg was close to 400 and I was in cranky, I want to be somewhere with a bathroom and water fountain mood so we didn't stick around long. Took another half hour to get down. (fortuantly, we were well stocked with water bottles)
The only tv at the Volcano House gets only one station.(and it's an Arizona vs Oregon game) The Volcano House...is a good three hours from civilization and the only accommodations inside the park. People go there for the convenience/history(Mark Twain went there, when he was in Hawaii), not for the cutting edge of luxury. And it's expensive, very. (like everything else in Hawaii, so we decide to skip dinner and snack on chocolate bars) A day ended, a misty rain starts to fall and it gets much more Novemberish.
PS: the header picture is from the Volcano National Park-I took it with my cellphone, and thus it survived.(when the others did not)
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Notes from a Spinning Planet: Progress Notes
I sit, waiting, for the doctor to appear-shoes squelched tightly against tile, toes curled, sweaty hands gripping chair arms in death grip...
"Hello."
"Hi."
"Your labs look great, with the exception of your blood sugar, which is high, the last one was 185."
He fixes me with the all-knowing look.
(Not again...)
"It's very important to keep your diabetes under control."
Great. How to put this is diplomatic, physician-approved, terms. Deep breath, going off the deep end never helped one's case.
"I understand, and I do try, but I'm not your typical type 2 patient and type 1 diabetes is impossible to prevent post-meal spikes. My kidneys aren't going anywhere." (the regular function of them is perfectly fine)
He does not look convinced.
"Proper management is ESSENTIAL, you don't want those problems too."
He's a nephrologist, and I'm his type 1 diabetic patient- I guess he has the right to rag some. How many patients has he seen die because they neglected their D? probably quite a few.
I wish he would stop it though. I get that I'm at prime risk for everything under the sun. I take my health(and D) seriously, and I'm trying to manage it. Unfortunately, Doctor-Patient Communication 101 must not have been a class taught in medical school some 44 years ago and I get the feeling he thinks I'm just spouting off excuses.
"Why is it so hard for you?"
Check yes on that theory. It's not that it's consistently "hard", it's more like D has a freakin' mind of it's own and even when it's easy the insulin peaks at odd times, the hormones surge whensoever they wish and the effects of exercise hit at 4 AM, leaving the total deal somewhat of a crap shoot. And I can't explain all that, the million factors of managing bgs. I respect his expert opinion on the management of my electrolytes, but the nagging guilt parade over my bgs has got to stop. I've got to find a way to communicate that to him, because he is a very hard-nosed, do-it-my-way kind of doctor who stopped learning new info a long time ago. Finding another doctor isn't possible, the wait list for nephrologists is 1-2 months and I still have to get infusions. I need him, to manage it. It is doing much better,and I will soon only have to have it 1x/week.(on the good news front)
"Hello."
"Hi."
"Your labs look great, with the exception of your blood sugar, which is high, the last one was 185."
He fixes me with the all-knowing look.
(Not again...)
"It's very important to keep your diabetes under control."
Great. How to put this is diplomatic, physician-approved, terms. Deep breath, going off the deep end never helped one's case.
"I understand, and I do try, but I'm not your typical type 2 patient and type 1 diabetes is impossible to prevent post-meal spikes. My kidneys aren't going anywhere." (the regular function of them is perfectly fine)
He does not look convinced.
"Proper management is ESSENTIAL, you don't want those problems too."
He's a nephrologist, and I'm his type 1 diabetic patient- I guess he has the right to rag some. How many patients has he seen die because they neglected their D? probably quite a few.
I wish he would stop it though. I get that I'm at prime risk for everything under the sun. I take my health(and D) seriously, and I'm trying to manage it. Unfortunately, Doctor-Patient Communication 101 must not have been a class taught in medical school some 44 years ago and I get the feeling he thinks I'm just spouting off excuses.
"Why is it so hard for you?"
Check yes on that theory. It's not that it's consistently "hard", it's more like D has a freakin' mind of it's own and even when it's easy the insulin peaks at odd times, the hormones surge whensoever they wish and the effects of exercise hit at 4 AM, leaving the total deal somewhat of a crap shoot. And I can't explain all that, the million factors of managing bgs. I respect his expert opinion on the management of my electrolytes, but the nagging guilt parade over my bgs has got to stop. I've got to find a way to communicate that to him, because he is a very hard-nosed, do-it-my-way kind of doctor who stopped learning new info a long time ago. Finding another doctor isn't possible, the wait list for nephrologists is 1-2 months and I still have to get infusions. I need him, to manage it. It is doing much better,and I will soon only have to have it 1x/week.(on the good news front)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Sold
(a quarterly Ebay rant)
Every once in awhile, you run into an individual who really takes the cake. The world of Ebay is a world of dark, deep, mysteries..and sooner or later you'll step into a hole and get sucked up to your eyeballs before you realize what's happening. Lawsuits, all the rest,it's not pretty out there. I've been pretty fortunate but I've stepped in those holes too. Account hacked,disagreements.. it's somewhat amazing to me after all these years that I'm still on there. My latest joyride involves a buyer, who, after receiving his item, decided it wasn't as advertised and demanded a refund. Since he'd already used up the item,(gift certificate) I gave him a partial refund, based on what he thought the item was worth. End of story, right? Nope, after one month he files a chargeback through his cc company and Paypal goes and sucks the money from my account for the total cost of the item. Investigation commences, I provide proof of PP refund. Several weeks later, PP concludes I should get about 1/3 of the chargeback back. (only because of the partial refund) I call Paypal(aka India) and eventually get to talk to someone in the US because the problem is pretty complex. They say its up to the cc company, and that can take up to 90 days by law. What peeves me is this guy did not have an "unauthorized" use of his cc, like he claimed to the cc company, you can see his trail of wild, happy spending(history), he's just unhappy and out for blood. So: A. I essentially give him the item, free B. I'm out of 1.5x the value of the item. The only thing I can do is wait for the decision of the cc company, block the bidder, and leave him positive feedback.(because Ebay now has this wonderful feature that you can only leave a buyer pos. feedback) Lesson learned: get delivery confirmation on everything, even if the item is dirt cheap because when it comes to dealing with cc companies they will always trust their customer's "Unauthorized Charge" lines and the DC is a gold-stamped alibi. I am such a dummy when it comes to dealing with things like this, if the cc company decides in his favor I'll just let it go because it's not like I have a leg to stand on. Screwed is screwed.
Slit Sagittal Suture, insert new brain...
Every once in awhile, you run into an individual who really takes the cake. The world of Ebay is a world of dark, deep, mysteries..and sooner or later you'll step into a hole and get sucked up to your eyeballs before you realize what's happening. Lawsuits, all the rest,it's not pretty out there. I've been pretty fortunate but I've stepped in those holes too. Account hacked,disagreements.. it's somewhat amazing to me after all these years that I'm still on there. My latest joyride involves a buyer, who, after receiving his item, decided it wasn't as advertised and demanded a refund. Since he'd already used up the item,(gift certificate) I gave him a partial refund, based on what he thought the item was worth. End of story, right? Nope, after one month he files a chargeback through his cc company and Paypal goes and sucks the money from my account for the total cost of the item. Investigation commences, I provide proof of PP refund. Several weeks later, PP concludes I should get about 1/3 of the chargeback back. (only because of the partial refund) I call Paypal(aka India) and eventually get to talk to someone in the US because the problem is pretty complex. They say its up to the cc company, and that can take up to 90 days by law. What peeves me is this guy did not have an "unauthorized" use of his cc, like he claimed to the cc company, you can see his trail of wild, happy spending(history), he's just unhappy and out for blood. So: A. I essentially give him the item, free B. I'm out of 1.5x the value of the item. The only thing I can do is wait for the decision of the cc company, block the bidder, and leave him positive feedback.(because Ebay now has this wonderful feature that you can only leave a buyer pos. feedback) Lesson learned: get delivery confirmation on everything, even if the item is dirt cheap because when it comes to dealing with cc companies they will always trust their customer's "Unauthorized Charge" lines and the DC is a gold-stamped alibi. I am such a dummy when it comes to dealing with things like this, if the cc company decides in his favor I'll just let it go because it's not like I have a leg to stand on. Screwed is screwed.
Slit Sagittal Suture, insert new brain...
Monday, November 10, 2008
Yes, We Did
What's red, green, and white.. and has been living in freezers for the past 366 days?
That's right- the top tier of our wedding cake. Finally get to eat it, newlyweds no more.
That's right- the top tier of our wedding cake. Finally get to eat it, newlyweds no more.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
D-Blog Day 2008
Oh yeah. That thing called diabetes, which I am duly obligated to blog relentlessly about-it's time to blog about it again. Today of all days. (you know when you just don't want to do it..it's the very day you HAVE to do it.) Ugh.
Well, diabetes, you have made me a stronger person and you have given me many cool cyber-pals and real life-pals and I can't say that it's a total lose-lose situation.
But today will always have a note of sadness mixed into it, diabetes didn't create it but it's there. We should have an National Type 3 Day-those people are the backbone of our lives.
(unfortunately, type 1to type 1 contact is rare, sporadic thing for most of us)
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Decision '08
Lazy Saturday, until the mail arrived. Walked around the neighborhood helping with a food drive and got chased by a dog. That ended it being fun.(I hate dogs)
Smith's Medical has informed me that my pump warranty expires in December. Man, how time flies. I have not even thought about getting a new pump. I like my Cozmo- but perhaps I should go with something different. This will be pump #3 for me(Minimed 508, Deltec).
Acck- decisions, decisions. So, you tell me- what pump do you have, and what do you like/dislike about it's features? Please vote in my poll.
Smith's Medical has informed me that my pump warranty expires in December. Man, how time flies. I have not even thought about getting a new pump. I like my Cozmo- but perhaps I should go with something different. This will be pump #3 for me(Minimed 508, Deltec).
Acck- decisions, decisions. So, you tell me- what pump do you have, and what do you like/dislike about it's features? Please vote in my poll.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Dc Dollars(at play)
As anyone who lives or works in the DC area must know..the week of Jan.20 is crazy. Every four years, the party faithful besiege the South Lawn to witness their man take the oath of office. And this year, you can bet that it will be much more insane as the Democrats hasn't had a chance to party hardy since 1996. (Bill Clinton) The throngs of loyal Obama-ites that will spend any amount of money for this most momentous occasion is great. I didn't believe it till I saw it, but the instant it became clear who the next president would be hotel prices went berserk. According to the paper, a stay at a Motel 8 will cost you $600 that night.A guy on Craigslist rented his house out for $5,000 that week, and most others are in the $1,500+ range. I am slightly envious that we don't live closer to DC and can't do the same. Although I neither wish to attend or watch it on tv, that's a business proposition that is pretty sweet. Supposedly one can ask their CongressPerson for tickets, although they won't be giving them out till Nov.17. Yes, I'm a cold hard calculating Republican who has no scruples about what I'd do with those tickets, if I managed to get some.(but you didn't read it on this blog)
Marylanders are in kind of a bind right now-Frank Kratovil and Andy Harris are still duking it out for a Congressional seat and it won't be known who has it till they count all those absentee ballots. (not cool, I want my good or bad news right now)
Anyway, the point is, Inaugural Week is not about the poor and underprivileged at all, it is nothing but a massive show of money. (on both sides of the aisle) It's like the biggest waste ever, George Washington wouldn't be doing something like this. Not that I think they shouldn't celebrate but they do it in overkill. My word, we're going to be paying for enough fillet mignon dinners for the next four years as it is. We treat our presidents like kings.
Marylanders are in kind of a bind right now-Frank Kratovil and Andy Harris are still duking it out for a Congressional seat and it won't be known who has it till they count all those absentee ballots. (not cool, I want my good or bad news right now)
Anyway, the point is, Inaugural Week is not about the poor and underprivileged at all, it is nothing but a massive show of money. (on both sides of the aisle) It's like the biggest waste ever, George Washington wouldn't be doing something like this. Not that I think they shouldn't celebrate but they do it in overkill. My word, we're going to be paying for enough fillet mignon dinners for the next four years as it is. We treat our presidents like kings.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Storks
(quick post before I dash off for the entire day)
A few nights ago, I dreamed I was delivering a baby. The patient was yelling and I was too ("It's coming! I can't help it!" "Nooo- you've got to wait for the ambulance!") in sheer panic. It is one thing to deliver Manniken Annie's baby(EMT class) and quite another to do it live.
"Breathe, Breathe!" I said, as much for my benefit as for the patient. Maybe I would get my stork pin. (something every EMT looks forward to, it's like a badge of honor that you delivered in the field)
"Aughhhh!"
One push, two push, three push, four pushes..and the baby is in my arms, I'm drenched in blood and the amniotic sac is on the ground,(I think that actually bursts-in reality) the umbilical cord is still tying baby to mom. I take a knife cutter and hack the cord loose,and tie, hoping I did it at the right place. (extremely graphic dream)
"Where is that ambulance???"
There is something wrong with the baby, she has a hole in her head and proceeds to bleed to death in my arms. The ambulance never comes. The mom cries, and I cry because I didn't know what to do. Didn't want a stork pin anymore. In reality,I've never witnessed a live birth so anything other then a straightforward one would be a total disaster. Babies are so little, so delicate. No margin for error. It was the sort of dream that leaves a vivid impression on one, life is so fragile.
A few nights ago, I dreamed I was delivering a baby. The patient was yelling and I was too ("It's coming! I can't help it!" "Nooo- you've got to wait for the ambulance!") in sheer panic. It is one thing to deliver Manniken Annie's baby(EMT class) and quite another to do it live.
"Breathe, Breathe!" I said, as much for my benefit as for the patient. Maybe I would get my stork pin. (something every EMT looks forward to, it's like a badge of honor that you delivered in the field)
"Aughhhh!"
One push, two push, three push, four pushes..and the baby is in my arms, I'm drenched in blood and the amniotic sac is on the ground,(I think that actually bursts-in reality) the umbilical cord is still tying baby to mom. I take a knife cutter and hack the cord loose,and tie, hoping I did it at the right place. (extremely graphic dream)
"Where is that ambulance???"
There is something wrong with the baby, she has a hole in her head and proceeds to bleed to death in my arms. The ambulance never comes. The mom cries, and I cry because I didn't know what to do. Didn't want a stork pin anymore. In reality,I've never witnessed a live birth so anything other then a straightforward one would be a total disaster. Babies are so little, so delicate. No margin for error. It was the sort of dream that leaves a vivid impression on one, life is so fragile.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
The Presidential Present
Election morning is like Christmas morning...you wake up to all these presents under the tree. Some of them you like, some of them you dislike, but the biggest present of all you want to be above reproach, pristine, amazing.
When its the one thing you didn't want..it hurts.Even though the people have spoken,and that's what great about America.
Merry (pre)Christmas, America-you'll find out what's in that Obama box soon enough. And it won't be what you expected it to be.
And with this post, I've no doubt eliminated 99.99% of my 10 readers.Lecture over.
When its the one thing you didn't want..it hurts.Even though the people have spoken,and that's what great about America.
Merry (pre)Christmas, America-you'll find out what's in that Obama box soon enough. And it won't be what you expected it to be.
And with this post, I've no doubt eliminated 99.99% of my 10 readers.Lecture over.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The Coke Zero Vote
After going to do my civic duty this morning, I popped open a can of this:
Took a big swallow, took another swallow, and felt something that was definatly not liquid.
That, ladies and gents, is a piece of gravel. Or coal, its hard to tell. I know CocaCola wants Americans to get all of their vitamins and minerals but that is a extreme way of getting them. It's not as bad as finding a mosquito encased in your Hershey's chocolate bar(like one of my bros did) but still...rather shocking. I never expected to be drinking rocks.
Thank you, Coca-Cola, for making my day incredibly special.I only regret that I didn't kill a filling on it and have to go to the dentist to make the day even more special. I'd vote for you(over Pepsi) any day of the year.
Took a big swallow, took another swallow, and felt something that was definatly not liquid.
That, ladies and gents, is a piece of gravel. Or coal, its hard to tell. I know CocaCola wants Americans to get all of their vitamins and minerals but that is a extreme way of getting them. It's not as bad as finding a mosquito encased in your Hershey's chocolate bar(like one of my bros did) but still...rather shocking. I never expected to be drinking rocks.
Thank you, Coca-Cola, for making my day incredibly special.I only regret that I didn't kill a filling on it and have to go to the dentist to make the day even more special. I'd vote for you(over Pepsi) any day of the year.
Monday, November 03, 2008
The Top Ten Food Joints for the PWD
#1 Carb Hut. Raise your hand if you've got bolusing for pizza down to a T. I'm still learning because I love all kinds of doughy deliciousness.
#2. Pizza Boli. Plural of pizza bolus? (yep, this place is real)
#4 McHappyHemoglobinA1c Place. Hold the bread, pass on the ketchup, and slap on a slice of rubbery low-fat processed cheese. Yummy.
#4 Salad Bell. I'll have the one without the deep fried tortilla chips.
#5 Daiquiri Queen.(rather self-explanatory) Time to get very, very drunk.
#6 Applebgs. Maybe the more burned something is, the less carbs it has. (at at Applebee's, burned is a sure bet)
#7 Endogans. Wouldn't it be cool if the waiters could tell us how to bolus for anything on the menu?
(think Hooligans, with a medical twist)
#8 Five Meters. I'll have the One Touch with a side bucket of peanuts, please.
#9 The Peking Postprandial. Chinese Food- what else!
#10 Dunkin' Disasters- donuts so carb-infused that there ain't no hope of guessing the correct insulin dose needed.
#2. Pizza Boli. Plural of pizza bolus? (yep, this place is real)
#4 McHappyHemoglobinA1c Place. Hold the bread, pass on the ketchup, and slap on a slice of rubbery low-fat processed cheese. Yummy.
#4 Salad Bell. I'll have the one without the deep fried tortilla chips.
#5 Daiquiri Queen.(rather self-explanatory) Time to get very, very drunk.
#6 Applebgs. Maybe the more burned something is, the less carbs it has. (at at Applebee's, burned is a sure bet)
#7 Endogans. Wouldn't it be cool if the waiters could tell us how to bolus for anything on the menu?
(think Hooligans, with a medical twist)
#8 Five Meters. I'll have the One Touch with a side bucket of peanuts, please.
#9 The Peking Postprandial. Chinese Food- what else!
#10 Dunkin' Disasters- donuts so carb-infused that there ain't no hope of guessing the correct insulin dose needed.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
NaBloPoMo
Does it count if you back-post to make up for a day late? Guess I'll find out.
I should not be doing this at all(I am the most insanely busy I have ever been) but this is my one and only opportunity to perhaps clear my list of everything I've been meaning to blog about. A ton of stuff. So here we go.
I should not be doing this at all(I am the most insanely busy I have ever been) but this is my one and only opportunity to perhaps clear my list of everything I've been meaning to blog about. A ton of stuff. So here we go.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
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