Sunday, October 29.
2 am-
Phone rings. Another one rings. Soon, a hundred, a thousand, phone calls flood the lines at all three pump companies. It's going to be a long night for the staffers.
"May I help you?"
"How do I change the time on my pump?" Panicky voice of new pumper.
"I can help you with that- go to x, x, press x, x, etc..."
"Is this gonna screw up my blood sugars???!"
"It may. You should be in contact with your health care team to determine how much more/less insulin you'll need, if your basal rates differ overnight."
Yep, your health care team will be so thrilled to answer that question(that you should have asked them about at said appointment last week).
--------------------------------
Sunday, October 29.
8 AM: I’ve got a odd quirk- every time the time changes, I wake up low. Or lower. I have done this 16 consecutive times-it's like a tradition. I do not know why this is, since I practically always sleep in on weekends + it doesn’t seem to impact the need to alter the basal rate down. Woke up 187 today, down from last night, if I’d have been normal last night I’d be low today.(and the last 3 nights blood sugar have gone up overnight)
Being a veteran pumper, I do not worry about it. Changing basal rates and everything at 2 AM is more trouble then it's worth.(and its so NEWBIE..)I just adjust later, and move on.
Diabetes is just so weird sometimes.
--------------------------
I’ve discovered Grey’s Anatomy- and I’m so addicted.I live a very sheltered life(obviously), I rarely watch television. Television does not enrich one’s mind(except, in all the things you probably shouldn’t be doing anyway) or bank account, not to mention addicting you to so many shows you hardly get anything done (around the house). For those reasons, I don’t get it, but I occasionally watch back episodes of various shows. ER season 7 will have to wait, I’m still on Grey’s Anatomy second season.
I really need to speed up the getting-of-the-degree; work is getting on my nerves. Or rather, one of the individuals at work, who, as Designated Health Care Person milks this position to an extreme. She has a major Doctor Complex, calls herself a nurse, and is a CNA. Everything is about the company-and not the patient, no one “hurts themself at work, you did it at home”, quite a lot of that has been going on recently. If you aren’t bleeding-it ain’t a problem. (Yes, I once whacked my head and was told that) Some of my coworkers have been having some real problems w/her of late.
I know more then she does, and I’m pretty dumb- but I am an EMT + working on a nursing degree, which she isn’t. The company should hire someone who can actually do something(besides dispense aspirin + unsolicited advice), but this is about $35/hr cheaper, I guess. I would not want her to ever attempt CPR (or anything else) on me- if there were a way of having that tattooed on my chest, I would. Don’t let her near me.
----------------------------
I got “Cheating Destiny” Tuesday(and had it read in three days). The one thing that really stands out to me is its just so much harder to see your kid diagnosed with diabetes then it is to have it yourself.
Man, what a powerful book. Especially the end- where they’re all at the 2005 Friends for Life conference.(I think I identified with that the most- seeing as I was there myself!) The author, who has had diabetes 30 years(and much of that time, had a1cs in the 6's) sees diabetes in a whole new light after his son is diagnosed.
- - -
Check out your status here:
“ Much more nice than naughty. Can be very thoughtful. Has improved cleanliness, which I like. Could take better care of toys. Says "thank you" often, but still not as much as I would like. Good mood often spreads to others. Hopefully, will keep up the good work!”
Hmm, dunno about all that. What I need- is a Good/Bad PWD meter, which would swing up and down based on current blood glucose readings + the phase of the moon.
- - -
My brother says I’ll feel better if I got into an exercise routine, while that might be true, its not like I get no exercise.(some of my family thinks exercise is the cure to everything, including diabetes) Getting payed to sweat is much better then paying to sweat. I sweat daily at my job, it’s a workout.(yes, I’m sure you all wanted to know that lovely piece of information) There’s a gym right across the road from work, and he’s offered to pay the membership fees if I try it/like it/stick with it. And exercise, to some extent, can make you feel better overall even if you’re going through a rough medical times. So I may try it. That being said,
I see the trainer tomarrow.
I’ve not thrown up for 4 days, pretty good in my book. Monday-Wednesday was absolutely horrible, Tuesday evening my blood sugars shot to the moon + it became even more of a problem keeping ketones at bay. Spike (blood sugars), vomit, drop (blood sugars), eat, vomit, spike, vomit, etc. It wasn’t real sure what was the result of not eating and what was the result of the 400's but since all ketones aren’t good, it didn’t really matter. I called the gastro doc(they didn’t return my call till a day later) + tried to up my intake of caloried fluids, etc. It stopped, (that evening) much to my relief. It is like flying blind- dealing with ketones (you aren’t sure if being positive is a result of not eating, or a result of being high).
If whacked up bgs are the result of some gastro illness, who does one contact anyway- endo or the gastro?
- - -
On Thursday, it was Chili Day at work- it was good, hot, and stuffed with beans. I ate about half, and stuck it back in the refrigerator for the next day’s lunch. On Friday, I went to get my lunch + it was gone. I was peeved (especially when I saw my ex supivisor eating chili, maybe she got mine by mistake?) But figured it happens, its not the first time someone’s taken my lunch. Not exactly 100% honesty, where I work. That’s why there are vending machines- as backup for such misfortunes.
My body. A collection of various organs, all designed to function in perfect harmony. Only it never works out that way, my body organs get to pick the days they want to go on strike. Monday-Wednesday, its the stomach, followed by the lungs on Thursday, the brain(hypos) on Friday, and the brain and gut on Saturday. On Sunday, I crash(getting ready for another week!) I feel like a collection of medical disasters.I believe in predestination- some people will be healthy + die in their sleep at 98, some people won’t. My 40'ish coworker(currently in the process to donate a kidney) has never been in the hospital- including at birth.
Some people get all the breaks.
How many carbohydrates in this?
It looks good- worth every single unit of that 20-30 unit bolus.
- - -
The Top Eight Things to dress up as(on Halloween)
1. Sugar Free Plum Fairy
2. A Syringe- Orange pointy cap, white dress, black unit markings, and a plunger(out the back end).
3. Vegetables. Because they’re low carb, of course, and you’ll know how much to bolus for them. (Most of them)
4. A Food Nazi- Very, very scary, if you ask me. “Trick or Treat- Should you be eating that???”
5. An Endocrinologist. White lab coat, Elmo scrub cap, orange + blue striped socks. Stethoscope slung carelessly, authoritatively, around neck. Reading glasses perched on end of nose. (And yes, I’ve been watching too much Grey’s Anatomy)
6. A pancreas- Red, puffy, and with little black dots for your islets.
7. Hypoboy or Hypogirl-
(More powerful then 10 strapping firefighters..
Faster then a speeding ambulance..
I’m low, and I need sugar NOW.)
8.A meter- with a perfect 100 mg/dl written in black permanent marker ‘cross your chest. Seeing is believing.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
Energy=Millions of Carbohydrates Squared
E=MC(squared)
The one thing that’s wrong with that equation is its Sans Insulin, and one won’t be getting much energy off that deal. With all due respect to Mr. Einstein, it should be:
E= MC(squared) x I(to the 4th gallon)
That should cover it.
--------------
So you think your website has problems? I’ll tell you right now, they pale in comparison to these guys, whose website has been crashing regularly for months. Apparently (big surprise!) many YouTube’s users do not know how to spell. 62 million hits does present somewhat of a problem, and the poor utube guys couldn’t handle it.(see story)
---------------
Endoscopy went ok, it was over just like that. I was nervous, and thus high, but it was 200's going in which wasn’t too bad + when I got to recovery, the nurse checked it again(215). It took 2 hours for my blood pressure to recover(I think, because I was slightly dehydrated going in), it was 90's/50's range. 25 points off the norm makes one heck of a difference. After the rest of the IV fluids, it went up but I still felt rather off + the nurse checked my bg again, just to make sure I wasn’t low.
159 that time. Guess all those drugs make you feel like crud anyway, quite independent of actual vital signs. My dad drove me home, where I slept it off.
And the results were normal. Yay- still no answers. At least not in the esophageal tract.
Meanwhile, the puke-a-thon continues.
My blood sugar control, though, is great. This will work wonders on my a1c, which, quite frankly, definitely needs something..Life is pretty much one great big fasting basal check!
Since I can’t eat much.
---------------
Thought for Today: Only the mediocre are at their best 100% of the time. So if your recent blog entry sucks, take heart. It just goes to prove you’re not mediocre- you’ll have that brilliant, inspiring post soon.
Keep on plugging away.
The one thing that’s wrong with that equation is its Sans Insulin, and one won’t be getting much energy off that deal. With all due respect to Mr. Einstein, it should be:
E= MC(squared) x I(to the 4th gallon)
That should cover it.
--------------
So you think your website has problems? I’ll tell you right now, they pale in comparison to these guys, whose website has been crashing regularly for months. Apparently (big surprise!) many YouTube’s users do not know how to spell. 62 million hits does present somewhat of a problem, and the poor utube guys couldn’t handle it.(see story)
---------------
Endoscopy went ok, it was over just like that. I was nervous, and thus high, but it was 200's going in which wasn’t too bad + when I got to recovery, the nurse checked it again(215). It took 2 hours for my blood pressure to recover(I think, because I was slightly dehydrated going in), it was 90's/50's range. 25 points off the norm makes one heck of a difference. After the rest of the IV fluids, it went up but I still felt rather off + the nurse checked my bg again, just to make sure I wasn’t low.
159 that time. Guess all those drugs make you feel like crud anyway, quite independent of actual vital signs. My dad drove me home, where I slept it off.
And the results were normal. Yay- still no answers. At least not in the esophageal tract.
Meanwhile, the puke-a-thon continues.
My blood sugar control, though, is great. This will work wonders on my a1c, which, quite frankly, definitely needs something..Life is pretty much one great big fasting basal check!
Since I can’t eat much.
---------------
Thought for Today: Only the mediocre are at their best 100% of the time. So if your recent blog entry sucks, take heart. It just goes to prove you’re not mediocre- you’ll have that brilliant, inspiring post soon.
Keep on plugging away.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Endoscopy
In 9 hours, they'll be doing an endoscopy. Shoving a tube down my throat, all the way to the colon.
And I'm scared to death.
I'm scared of what they'll find, I'm scared of going under anesthesia.
I've been under general anesthesia several times, and never had a problem. But it still scares me.
And I'm scared of what my blood sugars will do during the procedure. Pre-surgeries, I've always just reverted back to Lantus but I think I should just stay on the pump for this. Will the staff moniter my blood sugars + keep them in a safe range?prob. so, but I'm still worried.
My dad's going to drive me to their house, after the procedure( where I'll sleep off the anesthesia)
I now have the overwhelming urge to clean my house, I won't be sleeping tonight anyway.
And I'm scared to death.
I'm scared of what they'll find, I'm scared of going under anesthesia.
I've been under general anesthesia several times, and never had a problem. But it still scares me.
And I'm scared of what my blood sugars will do during the procedure. Pre-surgeries, I've always just reverted back to Lantus but I think I should just stay on the pump for this. Will the staff moniter my blood sugars + keep them in a safe range?prob. so, but I'm still worried.
My dad's going to drive me to their house, after the procedure( where I'll sleep off the anesthesia)
I now have the overwhelming urge to clean my house, I won't be sleeping tonight anyway.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Cause and Effect(s)
Rain falls.
Sun shines.
Grass grows.
Type 1 drags mower out for one last shearing-of-the-lawn before winter.
3 hours later...
Meter reads 112.
Put on temporary rate, go to bed.
Awake sweating like the dickens. Rip pump off, go on 1:30 AM eating spree and check blood sugar while doing so.
22 mg/dl.
Panic, consume more candy corn. Grab phone, fall back into bed wonder if it’ll kick in anytime soon or if anyone would find me(days later). The phone is comforting though, it is my link to the outside world(and even if I’m fuzzy headed I would still know how to press 9) Fortuantly, its never come to that.
Feel better, go back to sleep.
Wake up 579. Hate morning, work, diabetes, and everything else(in that order)
Check ketones. (None)
Take corrective bolus(put pump back on)
Feel rotten till 10 AM, and which point the just eaten breakfast has obviously not effected the massive amount of insulin still floating around in your system from 4 hours earlier. You’re headed low, and its time for another snack.
Lunch-139.
- - - -
The greatest fear of every PWD...
Is not blindness.
Is not retinopathy.
Is not an empty wallet.
Is not stroke/cardiovascular disease.
Is not amputation x 2.
Is not “Dead in Bed” Syndrome.
Is not El Stupido Insurance Company.
Is not further Autoimmune Adventures.
Is not making a hypoglycemic idiot out of oneself at the lunchroom at work.
No, the greatest fear of every PWD is this.
It’s a simple, powerful story, and it makes me cry every time. Read the CWD review
of James Hirsches book(Cheating Destiny) and I knew I have to get it on Amazon. Any review that so completely sucks me in within the first two paragraphs I just gotta get the book/watch the movie.
How would you react, if there was no insulin available?
I’d like to say that I’d take it calmly, but from past experiences I’ve disproved that little illusion. When I’m high, I take water + insulin like it was going out of style + I’m really, really, cranky in the process.(diagnosis + last year proved that)Back in the later part of 1999, when the entire world was going a little nutso over the Y2K computer deal, I worried about whether I’d be able to get the medical supplies I needed.
Me: In January, if I can’t get test strips should I still take my insulin?
Pediatric Endocrinologist: (looking alarmed) You should ALWAYS take your insulin, don’t stop, you will get very sick! Promise me you’re not going to skip your insulin doses?
Me: Ok, I promise.
(thinking) How am I going to pull that off, if I can’t test my blood sugar? I need to test, otherwise I will not know the right dose of insulin to take. I will really suck at guessing.
(Yes, I’m very much a PWD of the Age of Glucose Monitors- and back then, I was very new to D as well)
Fortuantly for all of us, Y2K came and went(with no major problems). But I’ll admit it, dying from DKA is not on my list of ways to go. No, I’d not be calm + resigned to the situation, I’d be pretty hysterical.
Someday, the world may be faced with that situation again- or another disaster scenario befall this country. The television shots of Hurricane Katrina reminded us all of that. Who can forget the poignant Need Insulin sign?+ the teeming mass of humanity in need of diabetes supplies? People out there are still dying from it, simply from the lack of medication/supplies.
I am lucky.
I am lucky that I have insulin, a pump, testing supplies- and an insurance company, (even if said insurance company is a major pain in the gluteus maximus). So many people don’t have any of those.
I am lucky to have a great diabetes team- ranked one of the finest in the nation. Dudes(and Dudettes), I love ya all.
And I’m lucky to have the OC- and a blog, where I can vent out all my frustrations. Thanks for listening, guys.
And I can’t forget that, no matter how many insulin reactions(5) I've had in the past 24 hours.
Sun shines.
Grass grows.
Type 1 drags mower out for one last shearing-of-the-lawn before winter.
3 hours later...
Meter reads 112.
Put on temporary rate, go to bed.
Awake sweating like the dickens. Rip pump off, go on 1:30 AM eating spree and check blood sugar while doing so.
22 mg/dl.
Panic, consume more candy corn. Grab phone, fall back into bed wonder if it’ll kick in anytime soon or if anyone would find me(days later). The phone is comforting though, it is my link to the outside world(and even if I’m fuzzy headed I would still know how to press 9) Fortuantly, its never come to that.
Feel better, go back to sleep.
Wake up 579. Hate morning, work, diabetes, and everything else(in that order)
Check ketones. (None)
Take corrective bolus(put pump back on)
Feel rotten till 10 AM, and which point the just eaten breakfast has obviously not effected the massive amount of insulin still floating around in your system from 4 hours earlier. You’re headed low, and its time for another snack.
Lunch-139.
- - - -
The greatest fear of every PWD...
Is not blindness.
Is not retinopathy.
Is not an empty wallet.
Is not stroke/cardiovascular disease.
Is not amputation x 2.
Is not “Dead in Bed” Syndrome.
Is not El Stupido Insurance Company.
Is not further Autoimmune Adventures.
Is not making a hypoglycemic idiot out of oneself at the lunchroom at work.
No, the greatest fear of every PWD is this.
It’s a simple, powerful story, and it makes me cry every time. Read the CWD review
of James Hirsches book(Cheating Destiny) and I knew I have to get it on Amazon. Any review that so completely sucks me in within the first two paragraphs I just gotta get the book/watch the movie.
How would you react, if there was no insulin available?
I’d like to say that I’d take it calmly, but from past experiences I’ve disproved that little illusion. When I’m high, I take water + insulin like it was going out of style + I’m really, really, cranky in the process.(diagnosis + last year proved that)Back in the later part of 1999, when the entire world was going a little nutso over the Y2K computer deal, I worried about whether I’d be able to get the medical supplies I needed.
Me: In January, if I can’t get test strips should I still take my insulin?
Pediatric Endocrinologist: (looking alarmed) You should ALWAYS take your insulin, don’t stop, you will get very sick! Promise me you’re not going to skip your insulin doses?
Me: Ok, I promise.
(thinking) How am I going to pull that off, if I can’t test my blood sugar? I need to test, otherwise I will not know the right dose of insulin to take. I will really suck at guessing.
(Yes, I’m very much a PWD of the Age of Glucose Monitors- and back then, I was very new to D as well)
Fortuantly for all of us, Y2K came and went(with no major problems). But I’ll admit it, dying from DKA is not on my list of ways to go. No, I’d not be calm + resigned to the situation, I’d be pretty hysterical.
Someday, the world may be faced with that situation again- or another disaster scenario befall this country. The television shots of Hurricane Katrina reminded us all of that. Who can forget the poignant Need Insulin sign?+ the teeming mass of humanity in need of diabetes supplies? People out there are still dying from it, simply from the lack of medication/supplies.
I am lucky.
I am lucky that I have insulin, a pump, testing supplies- and an insurance company, (even if said insurance company is a major pain in the gluteus maximus). So many people don’t have any of those.
I am lucky to have a great diabetes team- ranked one of the finest in the nation. Dudes(and Dudettes), I love ya all.
And I’m lucky to have the OC- and a blog, where I can vent out all my frustrations. Thanks for listening, guys.
And I can’t forget that, no matter how many insulin reactions(5) I've had in the past 24 hours.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
The Latest Meme
Working its way around the O.C..
1. Do you still have tonsils?
Yes.
2. Would you bungee jump?
Yeah I would, if someone else paid for it.
3. If you could do anything in the world for a living, what would you do?
Comedian.
4. How many tattoos do you have?
None.
5. Your favorite fictional animal?
Hard to say-but I like Speedy Gonzales.
6. One person that never fails to make you laugh?
My coworker, who is even more disorganized then me. Its not a mean laugh, though, she laughs at herself too.
7. Do you consider yourself organized?
Um, NO. I’m doing good just to show up at the right places at the right time, let alone being properly prepared for anything.
8. Any addictions?
Chocolate, Cheetos, and Diet Coke.
9 From what news source do you receive the bulk of your news?
Talk Radio- during the midmorning +mid-afternoon energy slumps. There’s nothing like hearing the latest political news, to get a person all fired up(and awake again).
10. Would you rather go to a carnival or circus?
Carnival - if I wanted to see animals, I’d just go to a zoo.
11. When you were twelve years old, what did you want to be when you
grew up?
The person who collects all the coins out of the Wishing Fountains.
12. Best movie you've seen this year?
“Ladder 49"
13. Favorite alcoholic drink.
Red Wine.
14. What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
Look at my pump, and if it isn’t 6:00(on the dot), I go back to sleep.
15. Siblings?
Older sister, 2 older brothers, and 2 younger brothers.
16. What is the best thing about your job?
Some of my coworkers(friends), and the health insurance.
17. Have you ever gone to therapy?
Yes. And someday, I may need it again.
18. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
To be able to function off 4 hrs of sleep a night. I’d be a tremendously productive individual.
19. Do you own any furniture from Ikea?
No, there aren’t any around here.
20. Have you ever gone camping?
A few times, but not since I got diabetes.
21. Gas prices - first thought
"Supply and Demand, PEOPLE!!!”
22. Your favorite cartoon character?
Jason- in the “Foxtrot” comic.
23. What was your first car?
A 1989 Pontiac Grand Am.(red)
24. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
No.
25. The Cosby Show or The Simpsons?
Anything is better then the Simpsons.
26. Do you go to church?
Most of the time, but I’ve been sick a lot recently+ I haven't felt like going.
27. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Nicole J. Baker.
28. What errand/chore do you despise?
Laundry.
29. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
It didn’t go off(A. I don’t have an alarm clock, and B. I temporarily stopped it on my pump)
30 Last time you puked from drinking?
Never, I rarely drink + I don't particuraly relish the thought of getting sick from it.Its one of the few things I'm really mature about.
31. What is your heritage?
Scottish-English-German-French.
32. Favorite flower?
Sunflower.
33. Disney or Warner Bros?
Disney
34. What is your best childhood memory?
Playing hide and go seek in the neighboring cornfield, without the landlord chasing us out.
35. Your favorite potato chip?
Cheddar-or Sour Cream+ Onion.
36. What is your favorite candy?
Peeps, Candy Corn, and Airheads.
37. Do you burn or tan?
Burn, unfortuantly. I hate my complexion. Why does everyone else on the O.C. tan? (sigh)
38. Astrological sign?
Virgo
39. Do you own a gun?
No, but I intend to get one someday.'Round these parts,a gun is a necessary accessory, whether or not you actually use it(hunting), it still comes in handy to deter crime.
40. What do you think of hot dogs?
Quick, taste good- what’s not to like?
1. Do you still have tonsils?
Yes.
2. Would you bungee jump?
Yeah I would, if someone else paid for it.
3. If you could do anything in the world for a living, what would you do?
Comedian.
4. How many tattoos do you have?
None.
5. Your favorite fictional animal?
Hard to say-but I like Speedy Gonzales.
6. One person that never fails to make you laugh?
My coworker, who is even more disorganized then me. Its not a mean laugh, though, she laughs at herself too.
7. Do you consider yourself organized?
Um, NO. I’m doing good just to show up at the right places at the right time, let alone being properly prepared for anything.
8. Any addictions?
Chocolate, Cheetos, and Diet Coke.
9 From what news source do you receive the bulk of your news?
Talk Radio- during the midmorning +mid-afternoon energy slumps. There’s nothing like hearing the latest political news, to get a person all fired up(and awake again).
10. Would you rather go to a carnival or circus?
Carnival - if I wanted to see animals, I’d just go to a zoo.
11. When you were twelve years old, what did you want to be when you
grew up?
The person who collects all the coins out of the Wishing Fountains.
12. Best movie you've seen this year?
“Ladder 49"
13. Favorite alcoholic drink.
Red Wine.
14. What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
Look at my pump, and if it isn’t 6:00(on the dot), I go back to sleep.
15. Siblings?
Older sister, 2 older brothers, and 2 younger brothers.
16. What is the best thing about your job?
Some of my coworkers(friends), and the health insurance.
17. Have you ever gone to therapy?
Yes. And someday, I may need it again.
18. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
To be able to function off 4 hrs of sleep a night. I’d be a tremendously productive individual.
19. Do you own any furniture from Ikea?
No, there aren’t any around here.
20. Have you ever gone camping?
A few times, but not since I got diabetes.
21. Gas prices - first thought
"Supply and Demand, PEOPLE!!!”
22. Your favorite cartoon character?
Jason- in the “Foxtrot” comic.
23. What was your first car?
A 1989 Pontiac Grand Am.(red)
24. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
No.
25. The Cosby Show or The Simpsons?
Anything is better then the Simpsons.
26. Do you go to church?
Most of the time, but I’ve been sick a lot recently+ I haven't felt like going.
27. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Nicole J. Baker.
28. What errand/chore do you despise?
Laundry.
29. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
It didn’t go off(A. I don’t have an alarm clock, and B. I temporarily stopped it on my pump)
30 Last time you puked from drinking?
Never, I rarely drink + I don't particuraly relish the thought of getting sick from it.Its one of the few things I'm really mature about.
31. What is your heritage?
Scottish-English-German-French.
32. Favorite flower?
Sunflower.
33. Disney or Warner Bros?
Disney
34. What is your best childhood memory?
Playing hide and go seek in the neighboring cornfield, without the landlord chasing us out.
35. Your favorite potato chip?
Cheddar-or Sour Cream+ Onion.
36. What is your favorite candy?
Peeps, Candy Corn, and Airheads.
37. Do you burn or tan?
Burn, unfortuantly. I hate my complexion. Why does everyone else on the O.C. tan? (sigh)
38. Astrological sign?
Virgo
39. Do you own a gun?
No, but I intend to get one someday.'Round these parts,a gun is a necessary accessory, whether or not you actually use it(hunting), it still comes in handy to deter crime.
40. What do you think of hot dogs?
Quick, taste good- what’s not to like?
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Random Acts of Irresponsibility
If I didn't hate my job so much, I'd sell my car + live it out in high style, commuting via bicycle(all the essentials of life are within a five mile radius).
But I have dreams that one day, I'll have my RN degree(and my salary will quadruple overnight).Then, maybe I'll meet a rich doctor and he'll sweep me off my feet, support my D habit and everything else...
Cars are just money suckers-mine is no exception. Now Nugget is a fine little car, and I take decent care of her, but tires wear thin + state inspections come due+ weird roaring noises start creeping into the accelerator + you know it's going to be expensive. The tires are taken care of, but I hope I don't run into any town cops before Saturday morning... And yeah, insurance premiums are just around the corner.
Yesterday, I had to have several fillings-they wanted to put a crown on one of them,but I'm holding off on that for now. Namely, because my dental insurance has a lousy $1,000 yearly cap (and dental wise, that does NOT go far).
I checked before the appointment,bolused for 212.(2 units)
Checked 5 minutes after the 3 Novocaine shots-360. Gotta love that Novocaine.(this was about an hr after I'd bolused for the 212)My dentist thought my pump was an MP3 player and I told her there was no way I could be THAT relaxed.
Learned fact- Its impossible to eat/drink anything when one's face is still feeling the effects of Novocaine. If you've ever watched that movie Christmas with the Kranks, you'll know what I'm talking about. (the part where the dad gets a botulism shot and everything dribbles down his chin because he can't eat.)And I was hungry too, didn't wear off till 8 pm. I guess, if one became low(in a situation like that) you'd just have to inject glucogon.
Its shaping up to be a great holiday season for the retail world, sales in Sep.are above average + that means there's lots of work for us. We're deep into the Christmasy stuff with scarves,hats, coats,ornaments, jewelry,games,etc. everywhere. Its not that bad-especially since our supivisor got a big promotion and she'll no longer be our supivisor! (come Monday) HooRAH. Just hope the next one is better.
Today, however, was pretty awful,alot of the people in a certain section were out and I had to help do their job. I'm not Arnold Swartzenegger,+ found it difficult tossing heavy totes/boxes around like they were simply peanuts..Dude, I'm 5'2, 120 lbs-I'm sure some of that stuff weighed more then me! My back hurt,my feet hurt, my head hurt, and I ran into a steel bar(sustaining a nice little bruise on my leg). I couldn't do that all the time. One of the other workers(a big, tall,strapping guy) looked bored the whole time(it wasn't rough on him). Life is not fair.
And I have a grand total of 20 test strips left, gotta go to the Research Center after work tomarrow, or I'll run totally out.(Not advisable, on a weekend, and they give me strips free anyway for the research study.)
What a week this has been!
But I have dreams that one day, I'll have my RN degree(and my salary will quadruple overnight).Then, maybe I'll meet a rich doctor and he'll sweep me off my feet, support my D habit and everything else...
Cars are just money suckers-mine is no exception. Now Nugget is a fine little car, and I take decent care of her, but tires wear thin + state inspections come due+ weird roaring noises start creeping into the accelerator + you know it's going to be expensive. The tires are taken care of, but I hope I don't run into any town cops before Saturday morning... And yeah, insurance premiums are just around the corner.
Yesterday, I had to have several fillings-they wanted to put a crown on one of them,but I'm holding off on that for now. Namely, because my dental insurance has a lousy $1,000 yearly cap (and dental wise, that does NOT go far).
I checked before the appointment,bolused for 212.(2 units)
Checked 5 minutes after the 3 Novocaine shots-360. Gotta love that Novocaine.(this was about an hr after I'd bolused for the 212)My dentist thought my pump was an MP3 player and I told her there was no way I could be THAT relaxed.
Learned fact- Its impossible to eat/drink anything when one's face is still feeling the effects of Novocaine. If you've ever watched that movie Christmas with the Kranks, you'll know what I'm talking about. (the part where the dad gets a botulism shot and everything dribbles down his chin because he can't eat.)And I was hungry too, didn't wear off till 8 pm. I guess, if one became low(in a situation like that) you'd just have to inject glucogon.
Its shaping up to be a great holiday season for the retail world, sales in Sep.are above average + that means there's lots of work for us. We're deep into the Christmasy stuff with scarves,hats, coats,ornaments, jewelry,games,etc. everywhere. Its not that bad-especially since our supivisor got a big promotion and she'll no longer be our supivisor! (come Monday) HooRAH. Just hope the next one is better.
Today, however, was pretty awful,alot of the people in a certain section were out and I had to help do their job. I'm not Arnold Swartzenegger,+ found it difficult tossing heavy totes/boxes around like they were simply peanuts..Dude, I'm 5'2, 120 lbs-I'm sure some of that stuff weighed more then me! My back hurt,my feet hurt, my head hurt, and I ran into a steel bar(sustaining a nice little bruise on my leg). I couldn't do that all the time. One of the other workers(a big, tall,strapping guy) looked bored the whole time(it wasn't rough on him). Life is not fair.
And I have a grand total of 20 test strips left, gotta go to the Research Center after work tomarrow, or I'll run totally out.(Not advisable, on a weekend, and they give me strips free anyway for the research study.)
What a week this has been!
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Hola-Velkommin-Shalom-Drasvoytye-Hello
If you’ve ever faced a bagful of candy corn/pumpkins at the beginning of a hypoglycemic meltdown, one thing is always perfectly clear. (When the rest of the world is going fuzzy)
It is impossible to eat just 8.5. (15 carbohydrates worth)
I have a bad habit of scarfing down half the bag, especially if it goes down easy(like candy corn). And later, I have to deal with the resulting 300...
So after having two lows yesterday, one of which involved lots of french fries + the other, the bag of candy corn, I’ve decided it would probably be a good idea if I’d mark 15 carb baggies(of candy) to help control my eating habits. I’m less likely to overeat (during lows) if it ain’t in front of me. And plus, if I do still overeat, I’ll have a way to backtrack + give the proper amount of insulin. Works with juice. 15 carbs is nowhere NEAR enough to treat the vast majority of my lows, I usually require 25-30 carbs but if I measure for 15, that can also be a I’m-Not-Quite-Low-But-I-Gotta-Eat-Or-I-Will-Be-In-15-Minutes blood sugar treatment.
Today, I had a mild low,ate two (15 ct.)baggies,and did not spike.(go figure)
Then,after the half the bag low, I went to the annual International Festival, ate Thai food(Chicken Kabobs and some squashy-stringy Kolrabi-carrotty thing drenched in a black, extremely sweet sauce that most definitely was NOT soy sauce) + danced to Kurdish music till the pounding in my head echoed from my hair to my toes. I wasn’t quite sure if it was an insulin reaction or not, but the music ended +I didn’t feel low, so it wasn’t.
There was a pretty big crowd, (watching) and I’m not an extremily outgoing person, but I wanted to dance, so I linked in and danced. A person only gets so many chances in life, to make an idiot out of themselves, + I just had to hope that none of my coworkers were watching. And, it was FUN. (Regardless of any teasing I may encounter later) I’m glad I did it. I walked back to my car, and then drove home. Checked my pump,and the screen was blank.
Blood sugar was 376.
I momentarily freaked out, ready to call the pump company until I discovered my battery cap was missing. Pump was on my wasteband,and the battery was just nested in there,snug as anything sans this most important piece. Battery cap must have been loose and just knocked off at the festival.
In disgust, I disconnected from the pump, shoveled a large amount of insulin via syringe in, and went to bed. I have more battery caps, but I didn't feel like tracking them down,and I sure didn't feel like taking Regular/Lantus backup.
The next morning,waking up feeling even higher,I again shoveled in a correction shot +didn't check. Ate breakfast + bolused when I was sure it was down.
I doubt that I'll ever be nominated for Inspiring PWD of the Year.
It is impossible to eat just 8.5. (15 carbohydrates worth)
I have a bad habit of scarfing down half the bag, especially if it goes down easy(like candy corn). And later, I have to deal with the resulting 300...
So after having two lows yesterday, one of which involved lots of french fries + the other, the bag of candy corn, I’ve decided it would probably be a good idea if I’d mark 15 carb baggies(of candy) to help control my eating habits. I’m less likely to overeat (during lows) if it ain’t in front of me. And plus, if I do still overeat, I’ll have a way to backtrack + give the proper amount of insulin. Works with juice. 15 carbs is nowhere NEAR enough to treat the vast majority of my lows, I usually require 25-30 carbs but if I measure for 15, that can also be a I’m-Not-Quite-Low-But-I-Gotta-Eat-Or-I-Will-Be-In-15-Minutes blood sugar treatment.
Today, I had a mild low,ate two (15 ct.)baggies,and did not spike.(go figure)
Then,after the half the bag low, I went to the annual International Festival, ate Thai food(Chicken Kabobs and some squashy-stringy Kolrabi-carrotty thing drenched in a black, extremely sweet sauce that most definitely was NOT soy sauce) + danced to Kurdish music till the pounding in my head echoed from my hair to my toes. I wasn’t quite sure if it was an insulin reaction or not, but the music ended +I didn’t feel low, so it wasn’t.
There was a pretty big crowd, (watching) and I’m not an extremily outgoing person, but I wanted to dance, so I linked in and danced. A person only gets so many chances in life, to make an idiot out of themselves, + I just had to hope that none of my coworkers were watching. And, it was FUN. (Regardless of any teasing I may encounter later) I’m glad I did it. I walked back to my car, and then drove home. Checked my pump,and the screen was blank.
Blood sugar was 376.
I momentarily freaked out, ready to call the pump company until I discovered my battery cap was missing. Pump was on my wasteband,and the battery was just nested in there,snug as anything sans this most important piece. Battery cap must have been loose and just knocked off at the festival.
In disgust, I disconnected from the pump, shoveled a large amount of insulin via syringe in, and went to bed. I have more battery caps, but I didn't feel like tracking them down,and I sure didn't feel like taking Regular/Lantus backup.
The next morning,waking up feeling even higher,I again shoveled in a correction shot +didn't check. Ate breakfast + bolused when I was sure it was down.
I doubt that I'll ever be nominated for Inspiring PWD of the Year.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
A Diabetes Timeline
It was one of those cute(sy) ADA magazines, with artwork done by(or to) type 2's scattered quite liberally through its pages.
(wait, there's ONE dedicated to a type 1-wow!)
There are some good things in there-things I'd like to get. The 2006 Gift of Hope ornament, for one.
But I'm not expecting any of my dollars to go toward type 1 research, more then likely
it'll go toward type 2. (I realize type 2 needs to be cured too, but the ADA likes its type 2's. The only reason we type 1's get the occasional recognition, is its still diabetes, and sometimes type 2's actually become more like type 1's...(need insulin) Type 2, is definatly more sexy. They can keep coming up with all these new,cool drugs, to blast the insulin resistance back into submission.
Whereas, with type 1, we're limited to plain old insulin...
A Diabetes Timeline
(an excerpt from that magazine-with a few embellishments)
1921 Doctors Banting and Best extract insulin from dog pancreases and use to successfully treat diabetes in dogs. (Nowadays, we do all our experiments on rats/mice,we'd be charged with cruelty to animals if we did it on dogs)
1922- Leonard Thompson, 14, is the first person to be treated with insulin.
1923- Commercial production of insulin begins.
1940- The American Diabetes Association is founded.
1948- The first issue of ADA's "Forecast" rolls off the press.
1949- Insulin is discovered to work like a key,transporting glucose into cells.
1950- Exchange lists for meal planning are developed by the ADA and the other National Food Nazi-ish groups by dividing foods into six groups, or "exchanges", based on the calories, carbohydrates, proteins and fats in each serving.
1950- Lente(type of insulin) comes out.(?)
1953- Tablets for testing urine glucose became widely available, and urine test strips appear over the next few years.
1954- The first successful kidney transplant is performed + dialysis machines really get perfected.(but not for the diabetic,on whom it is considered a "waste".)
1955- Sulfonylureas, oral medications that stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin, are developed.
1959- Researchers differentiate the type 1's from the type 2's. ( C-peptide test?)
1961- Glucagon, an injectable treatment for hypoglycemia, is developed. (You mean that handy little kit has been in production for that long? Was it always white?(help me out here, long timers)
1964- The first strips for testing blood glucose by color code enter the market.
1966- The first sucessful pancreas transplant is performed.
1970-The first blood glucose meter is developed. Vitrectomy, a surgical procedure to restore sight to those with vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment, is first performed.
1971- The American Diabetes Association Gift of Hope program is developed and generates $5,000 its first year.
1973- U100 and syringes are released, to help reduce errors in insulin usage. (standardization)
1974- The National Diabetes Research and Education Act, the first such law in US history, requires the goverment to gather and disseminate diabetes research and information.
1975- Researchers in Scotland detect antibodies to islet cells in people with type 1 diabetes, supporting the idea that type 1 diabetes is caused bya nimmune system attack on pancreotic cells.
1976- Exchange lists are revised to allow for more individualized meal plans to to reflect research showing the need to reduce fat in the diet and not overly restrict carbohydrates.
1977- The Hemoglobin A1c test is devised as a rapid way to test overall blood glucose control over a three month period. (and our lives have never been the same since)
1978- Researchers introduce bacteria to produce Humulin, which is identical to human insulin. Until Humulin became available in 1982, patients relied on insulin from animal pancreases.Researchers achieve normal blood sugar levels in patients using insulin pumps.
1981- Self monitering of blood glucose becomes a standard part of diabetes care.
1984- Diet Mountain Dew hits the shelves, making many former Tab drinkers very, very happy..
1985- A National Eye Institute study shows that diabetic retinopathy can be sucessfully treated with laser photocoagulation.
1987- Three hundred pancreas transplants are performed in the United States.
1988- Blood pressure medications are shown to reduce protein in the urine and slow the progression of kidney disease.
1989- Steel Magnolias,
the movie that EVERY PWD knows and loves, is released.
1993- The Diabetes Complication and Control Trial shows that good blood glucose control can significantly reduce/stop diabetes complications.
1995- Carbohydrate counting is developed.
1996- The Red Cross changes its policy regarding type 1 diabetic donors, they are permitted to give blood(providing they've never taken animal insulin).
1996- Lispro, aka Humalog, is developed and immeadietly becomes vastly preferred to Regular. (although some diabetes clinics continue to use Regular F.O.R.E.V.E.R. longer... I didn't start Humalog, till 2000)
1997- Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is defined by cause rather, then treatment. The fasting bg needed for diabetes diagnosis is lowered from 140 to 126. Rezulin, which makes muscle cells more sensitive to insulin, enters the market.
1998- Nicole Johnson (now Baker) sweeps diabetes into the national scene, by winning
the Miss America pageaunt. Definatly making diabetes the cool disease of the year.
1998- While (then) President Clinton is expressing his profound sorrows to the American People, one American Citizen has (much)weightier matters to reflect upon + doesn't much feel like reading about his.
2001- Islet transplants are first performed.
2002- The Diabetes Prevention Program trial results are announced, just 30 minutes a day of moderate activity coupled with a 5-10% weight reduction, reduces type 2 diabetes incidence by 58%.
2005- 7%(20.8 million) of the US population has diabetes. Another 41 million are estimated to have pre-diabetes.
2006- The Guardian RT + Dexcom are approved, making a few (lucky) PWD's very happy.
(wait, there's ONE dedicated to a type 1-wow!)
There are some good things in there-things I'd like to get. The 2006 Gift of Hope ornament, for one.
But I'm not expecting any of my dollars to go toward type 1 research, more then likely
it'll go toward type 2. (I realize type 2 needs to be cured too, but the ADA likes its type 2's. The only reason we type 1's get the occasional recognition, is its still diabetes, and sometimes type 2's actually become more like type 1's...(need insulin) Type 2, is definatly more sexy. They can keep coming up with all these new,cool drugs, to blast the insulin resistance back into submission.
Whereas, with type 1, we're limited to plain old insulin...
A Diabetes Timeline
(an excerpt from that magazine-with a few embellishments)
1921 Doctors Banting and Best extract insulin from dog pancreases and use to successfully treat diabetes in dogs. (Nowadays, we do all our experiments on rats/mice,we'd be charged with cruelty to animals if we did it on dogs)
1922- Leonard Thompson, 14, is the first person to be treated with insulin.
1923- Commercial production of insulin begins.
1940- The American Diabetes Association is founded.
1948- The first issue of ADA's "Forecast" rolls off the press.
1949- Insulin is discovered to work like a key,transporting glucose into cells.
1950- Exchange lists for meal planning are developed by the ADA and the other National Food Nazi-ish groups by dividing foods into six groups, or "exchanges", based on the calories, carbohydrates, proteins and fats in each serving.
1950- Lente(type of insulin) comes out.(?)
1953- Tablets for testing urine glucose became widely available, and urine test strips appear over the next few years.
1954- The first successful kidney transplant is performed + dialysis machines really get perfected.(but not for the diabetic,on whom it is considered a "waste".)
1955- Sulfonylureas, oral medications that stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin, are developed.
1959- Researchers differentiate the type 1's from the type 2's. ( C-peptide test?)
1961- Glucagon, an injectable treatment for hypoglycemia, is developed. (You mean that handy little kit has been in production for that long? Was it always white?(help me out here, long timers)
1964- The first strips for testing blood glucose by color code enter the market.
1966- The first sucessful pancreas transplant is performed.
1970-The first blood glucose meter is developed. Vitrectomy, a surgical procedure to restore sight to those with vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment, is first performed.
1971- The American Diabetes Association Gift of Hope program is developed and generates $5,000 its first year.
1973- U100 and syringes are released, to help reduce errors in insulin usage. (standardization)
1974- The National Diabetes Research and Education Act, the first such law in US history, requires the goverment to gather and disseminate diabetes research and information.
1975- Researchers in Scotland detect antibodies to islet cells in people with type 1 diabetes, supporting the idea that type 1 diabetes is caused bya nimmune system attack on pancreotic cells.
1976- Exchange lists are revised to allow for more individualized meal plans to to reflect research showing the need to reduce fat in the diet and not overly restrict carbohydrates.
1977- The Hemoglobin A1c test is devised as a rapid way to test overall blood glucose control over a three month period. (and our lives have never been the same since)
1978- Researchers introduce bacteria to produce Humulin, which is identical to human insulin. Until Humulin became available in 1982, patients relied on insulin from animal pancreases.Researchers achieve normal blood sugar levels in patients using insulin pumps.
1981- Self monitering of blood glucose becomes a standard part of diabetes care.
1984- Diet Mountain Dew hits the shelves, making many former Tab drinkers very, very happy..
1985- A National Eye Institute study shows that diabetic retinopathy can be sucessfully treated with laser photocoagulation.
1987- Three hundred pancreas transplants are performed in the United States.
1988- Blood pressure medications are shown to reduce protein in the urine and slow the progression of kidney disease.
1989- Steel Magnolias,
the movie that EVERY PWD knows and loves, is released.
1993- The Diabetes Complication and Control Trial shows that good blood glucose control can significantly reduce/stop diabetes complications.
1995- Carbohydrate counting is developed.
1996- The Red Cross changes its policy regarding type 1 diabetic donors, they are permitted to give blood(providing they've never taken animal insulin).
1996- Lispro, aka Humalog, is developed and immeadietly becomes vastly preferred to Regular. (although some diabetes clinics continue to use Regular F.O.R.E.V.E.R. longer... I didn't start Humalog, till 2000)
1997- Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is defined by cause rather, then treatment. The fasting bg needed for diabetes diagnosis is lowered from 140 to 126. Rezulin, which makes muscle cells more sensitive to insulin, enters the market.
1998- Nicole Johnson (now Baker) sweeps diabetes into the national scene, by winning
the Miss America pageaunt. Definatly making diabetes the cool disease of the year.
1998- While (then) President Clinton is expressing his profound sorrows to the American People, one American Citizen has (much)weightier matters to reflect upon + doesn't much feel like reading about his.
2001- Islet transplants are first performed.
2002- The Diabetes Prevention Program trial results are announced, just 30 minutes a day of moderate activity coupled with a 5-10% weight reduction, reduces type 2 diabetes incidence by 58%.
2005- 7%(20.8 million) of the US population has diabetes. Another 41 million are estimated to have pre-diabetes.
2006- The Guardian RT + Dexcom are approved, making a few (lucky) PWD's very happy.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Obesity Skyrockets in Small VA Town
Saturday,I contributed (greatly) to the obesity epidemic in America.
I sold Coke by the zillions(seemed like) at my yard sale. And at .30 apiece, I left my competitors smoking in the dust.(although rumor had it, there was someone else selling theirs for .25, must have been across town, as it didn't hurt my business though) Even at .30 each, one makes a .10 profit per can, and, per each 12 pack, you get a Coke Reward code.(worth .50 on Ebay- total profit per 12 pack, $1.50) Sold alot of Coke Zero too. I felt guilty selling that real Coke to some of the people(who would have been better off drinking Diet), but they would have bought it somewhere else anyway. Its like cigerettes + alcohol- people love their bad habits. So, heck, if it leaves them .20 more to put toward their future gastric bypass surgeries, it does make me feel a bit better about selling it to them. Some people will not touch Diet anything, before the big D came to call, I was that way too.
Didn't do too badly at the yard sale either, cleared over $150..
Started to rain, so I drug everything back into my house + went over to my neighbors yard sale. Got a couple of videos.
Then, I went to the mall, hit up Bath+Body Works for their latest deals(8 handpump soaps,1 lip gloss, 4 Spa lotions, and 1 room spray for $31), Target(buy 2 Almay soaps, get a $5 gift card-I got $25 in gift cards), Kroger(converted my spare change to an $15 Amazon gift Code), FYE($15 Itunes gift card w/purchase of $20 in cds), + Kmart(albuterol pickup,winter is a'comin).
I love bargains, I am a Bargainaholic.
- - - -
And in other Obesity News,
get ready for an all new Monopoly-Mc Donalds eat-a-thon to begin,
come October 3.
Last year, I got so throughly sick of McDonalds free food,(off winning
gamepieces, which have to be used up before they expire in Nov.)
I couldn't stand to look at the stuff for two months. I didn't quite eat the stuff
for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but I still gained 10 pounds + my blood pressure
was high.(usually, its very normal) Cholesterol was unaffected, fortuantly.
(though, I don't recommend a holiday checkup if you're on this food craze)
I sold Coke by the zillions(seemed like) at my yard sale. And at .30 apiece, I left my competitors smoking in the dust.(although rumor had it, there was someone else selling theirs for .25, must have been across town, as it didn't hurt my business though) Even at .30 each, one makes a .10 profit per can, and, per each 12 pack, you get a Coke Reward code.(worth .50 on Ebay- total profit per 12 pack, $1.50) Sold alot of Coke Zero too. I felt guilty selling that real Coke to some of the people(who would have been better off drinking Diet), but they would have bought it somewhere else anyway. Its like cigerettes + alcohol- people love their bad habits. So, heck, if it leaves them .20 more to put toward their future gastric bypass surgeries, it does make me feel a bit better about selling it to them. Some people will not touch Diet anything, before the big D came to call, I was that way too.
Didn't do too badly at the yard sale either, cleared over $150..
Started to rain, so I drug everything back into my house + went over to my neighbors yard sale. Got a couple of videos.
Then, I went to the mall, hit up Bath+Body Works for their latest deals(8 handpump soaps,1 lip gloss, 4 Spa lotions, and 1 room spray for $31), Target(buy 2 Almay soaps, get a $5 gift card-I got $25 in gift cards), Kroger(converted my spare change to an $15 Amazon gift Code), FYE($15 Itunes gift card w/purchase of $20 in cds), + Kmart(albuterol pickup,winter is a'comin).
I love bargains, I am a Bargainaholic.
- - - -
And in other Obesity News,
get ready for an all new Monopoly-Mc Donalds eat-a-thon to begin,
come October 3.
Last year, I got so throughly sick of McDonalds free food,(off winning
gamepieces, which have to be used up before they expire in Nov.)
I couldn't stand to look at the stuff for two months. I didn't quite eat the stuff
for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but I still gained 10 pounds + my blood pressure
was high.(usually, its very normal) Cholesterol was unaffected, fortuantly.
(though, I don't recommend a holiday checkup if you're on this food craze)
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Pinch me, Please
Last night, I had one of those bizzare diabetes dreams. Dreamed I was at work, half-listening to the familiar ramblings of my supivisor handing out orders like she lives in the White House.(Just like real life) She finishes, I move off to organize my work gear before starting in on the orders, not greatly enthused about starting.
I'm sitting there, minding my own business when my Ex-Endocrinologist walks by, confusing the heck out of me(since when did work turn into the hospital?and since when did he grow a beard?) + he sees me, walks over.
"Are you here for an appointment?"
"No-I'm not really sure what I'm here for." I know I should be working by now, my supivisor will be out on the war path in a minute. And I'm not sure why I'm suddenly clad in nice, black, funeral-ish looking dress attire.
He laughs.
"Are these your numbers?"
Before I can react, he's got The Notebook(#1) in hand, surfing through it in grand o'le style.
Oh man. Oh man. Oh man. Oh NOOO. (Neither of The Notebooks have ever been read by anyone else but me) Not him, not now.
Stuff starts to fall out of it.
"No-NOT my numbers," I reply, mortified to death.
"What is it then?"
"Uh, you know, just stuff. About diabetes. Diabetes stuff." I'm tongue tied now, throughly at a loss for words. Duck under table, start to pick papers up, partly to hide flaming red face.
He flips to the back.
Recall what I posted in the back- the title of one such section being "The Top Ten Types of Endocrinologists in their Natural Habitats." I doubt that he'd find that part very humerous.
His eyebrows go up, but not one word does he say, as he quickly scans the pages. I can't tell if he's amused, disgusted, or sorry he ever had me as a patient.
Mercifully, not one word about it does he ever say, as he stands up, says goodbye, and takes his leave.
I wake up, my heart pounding away(and my blood sugar a comfortable 100 mg/dl). What a nice dream.
If parts of The Notebook ever makes it to book form, there will definatly be two versions. The Type 1 version and the Medical Professional (friendly) version.
I'm sitting there, minding my own business when my Ex-Endocrinologist walks by, confusing the heck out of me(since when did work turn into the hospital?and since when did he grow a beard?) + he sees me, walks over.
"Are you here for an appointment?"
"No-I'm not really sure what I'm here for." I know I should be working by now, my supivisor will be out on the war path in a minute. And I'm not sure why I'm suddenly clad in nice, black, funeral-ish looking dress attire.
He laughs.
"Are these your numbers?"
Before I can react, he's got The Notebook(#1) in hand, surfing through it in grand o'le style.
Oh man. Oh man. Oh man. Oh NOOO. (Neither of The Notebooks have ever been read by anyone else but me) Not him, not now.
Stuff starts to fall out of it.
"No-NOT my numbers," I reply, mortified to death.
"What is it then?"
"Uh, you know, just stuff. About diabetes. Diabetes stuff." I'm tongue tied now, throughly at a loss for words. Duck under table, start to pick papers up, partly to hide flaming red face.
He flips to the back.
Recall what I posted in the back- the title of one such section being "The Top Ten Types of Endocrinologists in their Natural Habitats." I doubt that he'd find that part very humerous.
His eyebrows go up, but not one word does he say, as he quickly scans the pages. I can't tell if he's amused, disgusted, or sorry he ever had me as a patient.
Mercifully, not one word about it does he ever say, as he stands up, says goodbye, and takes his leave.
I wake up, my heart pounding away(and my blood sugar a comfortable 100 mg/dl). What a nice dream.
If parts of The Notebook ever makes it to book form, there will definatly be two versions. The Type 1 version and the Medical Professional (friendly) version.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Yamin Fan
2 months after I ordered it, the Richmond JDRF finally sent my t-shirt.
I love it. (Even though he lost, he's still my American Idol!)
- - - - -
Today, I also received the results of my latest a1c, and, it stunk. Really, really, stunk. At the end of the report, my endo added a note that if I needed any help on basal adjustments, just call her. I am now in the depths of despair, why I even care about the stupid thing is one for the debate club. I don't want any more a1cs, the only thing they accomplish is make me feel like 2 cents when I can't measure up to the gold standard. I'm serious about this, no more a1cs until I feel I can handle it emotionally. I'm aware that my endo(bless her) didn't want to really lay it on think on my very tender ego, but she didn't even need to. I feel terrible.
-------------------------
Once, there were two ipods. A pink ipod, and a blue ipod...
The pink ipod had a long + fufilling life, bringing great joy to its owner(each and every day, for the
next two years) Its only problem was, well, it was pink. Not exactly the owner's first choice, color wise. But considering where it came from, it was simpler just to keep it(and be glad that it worked). On the day the Pink Ipod died, the owner (who couldn't afford another new ipod) decided to do a little tinkering + combine elements/parts of another ipod to get the previously longed for BLUE Ipod.
The blue ipod came from CA, a Refurb-Retard-Return + in worse shape the the pink one. Who knows what its previous history consisted of. But one thing was obvious- this was a match that was meant to be.
This project, obviously, required a working knowledge of how an ipod is put together. And the owner is a total klutz at all things mechanical.
But eventually, it'll happen.
Match made in Heaven.
(The two, shall become one)
- - - - - -
I've woken up with reactions the past three nights, its so wonderful to be pulled from a dead sleep back into the instant demands of the diabetes world. Both waking up high, and low, make you feel like a overcooked spagetti noodle the next morning. 0.7 obviously needs to be cut down by .2...
Still no word from the gastro doc, I will have to call her + remind her that I do exist.
I love it. (Even though he lost, he's still my American Idol!)
- - - - -
Today, I also received the results of my latest a1c, and, it stunk. Really, really, stunk. At the end of the report, my endo added a note that if I needed any help on basal adjustments, just call her. I am now in the depths of despair, why I even care about the stupid thing is one for the debate club. I don't want any more a1cs, the only thing they accomplish is make me feel like 2 cents when I can't measure up to the gold standard. I'm serious about this, no more a1cs until I feel I can handle it emotionally. I'm aware that my endo(bless her) didn't want to really lay it on think on my very tender ego, but she didn't even need to. I feel terrible.
-------------------------
Once, there were two ipods. A pink ipod, and a blue ipod...
The pink ipod had a long + fufilling life, bringing great joy to its owner(each and every day, for thenext two years) Its only problem was, well, it was pink. Not exactly the owner's first choice, color wise. But considering where it came from, it was simpler just to keep it(and be glad that it worked). On the day the Pink Ipod died, the owner (who couldn't afford another new ipod) decided to do a little tinkering + combine elements/parts of another ipod to get the previously longed for BLUE Ipod.
The blue ipod came from CA, a Refurb-Retard-Return + in worse shape the the pink one. Who knows what its previous history consisted of. But one thing was obvious- this was a match that was meant to be.
This project, obviously, required a working knowledge of how an ipod is put together. And the owner is a total klutz at all things mechanical.
But eventually, it'll happen.
Match made in Heaven.
(The two, shall become one)
- - - - - -
I've woken up with reactions the past three nights, its so wonderful to be pulled from a dead sleep back into the instant demands of the diabetes world. Both waking up high, and low, make you feel like a overcooked spagetti noodle the next morning. 0.7 obviously needs to be cut down by .2...
Still no word from the gastro doc, I will have to call her + remind her that I do exist.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Three Pairs of Shoes
Ya know when you're just sitting at work, trying to get some work done + a blog idea pops into your head + you've just GOT to write it down, before it dissapears? That's what happened today, the Idea Central portion of my brain went into overdrive(for a couple of hours) + in between the essentials of the job, I snuck down notes like crazy.
the first idea was a poem...
Walk a mile in my shoes
And you'll see
The most depressing of specialties.
A disease we cannot cure, or even prevent
Only treat.
Like the aftermath of a hurricane
Or the rubble from an earthquake,
It has no match, it respects no one.
The demands we place would fill a library,
but ultimately guerentees nothing.
Daily, the sorrows + pain from this disease
fill the hospitals
and the doctor's offices
and the jails
and the nursing homes
and the preschools all across America.
It is hard
to know what to do, what not to do, if anything is helping.
Seeing the pain, it is hard not to yell at your patients about their "bad" numbers,
hoping to inspire them to better control.
Walking a mile in my shoes, you'll see that they need more then that.
They need you, to be their
-sounding board
-advocate
-blank check on the bank of diabetes knowledge
-much more...
Without the judgement, they've got too much of that in their lives already.
Walk a mile in my shoes
And you'll see
A happy family.
Mother, father, sister, brother, baby.
Night time has fallen, bedtime is near.
Snacks all around, the shot, and the little boy toddles off to bed.
This little piece of innocence
Tucked underneath his Superman covers.
Nothing can hurt him, his is still a child's world.
A childish voice, breaking the stillness
"Mommy, when will there be a cure?"
A tear, quick catch to the voice
"Soon, sweetheart."
The love that tucked him in that night
Will keep him safe till that cure.
Walk a mile in my shoes, and you'll see
The love of a parent knows no bounds.
Walk a mile in my shoes, and you'll see
A seasoned veteran.
They are mothers, fathers,sisters, brothers, husbands, wives AND grandparents.
Masters of the 1 minute infusion set changeout
And the checking your blood sugar level on the crowded freeway rush.
Many a refridgerator have they cleaned out, in their most vunerable hypoglycemic
(low blood sugar)
moments.
Yet, when the shaking ends, they stand back up, and go about their lives.
20 years, 30 years, 50 years- an entire lifetime.
They live their lives with courage, dignity, and grace.
Walk a mile in my shoes, and you'll see
That the future still looks bright, they've helped make it so.
the first idea was a poem...
Walk a mile in my shoes
And you'll see
The most depressing of specialties.
A disease we cannot cure, or even prevent
Only treat.
Like the aftermath of a hurricane
Or the rubble from an earthquake,
It has no match, it respects no one.
The demands we place would fill a library,
but ultimately guerentees nothing.
Daily, the sorrows + pain from this disease
fill the hospitals
and the doctor's offices
and the jails
and the nursing homes
and the preschools all across America.
It is hard
to know what to do, what not to do, if anything is helping.
Seeing the pain, it is hard not to yell at your patients about their "bad" numbers,
hoping to inspire them to better control.
Walking a mile in my shoes, you'll see that they need more then that.
They need you, to be their
-sounding board
-advocate
-blank check on the bank of diabetes knowledge
-much more...
Without the judgement, they've got too much of that in their lives already.
Walk a mile in my shoes
And you'll see
A happy family.
Mother, father, sister, brother, baby.
Night time has fallen, bedtime is near.
Snacks all around, the shot, and the little boy toddles off to bed.
This little piece of innocence
Tucked underneath his Superman covers.
Nothing can hurt him, his is still a child's world.
A childish voice, breaking the stillness
"Mommy, when will there be a cure?"
A tear, quick catch to the voice
"Soon, sweetheart."
The love that tucked him in that night
Will keep him safe till that cure.
Walk a mile in my shoes, and you'll see
The love of a parent knows no bounds.
Walk a mile in my shoes, and you'll see
A seasoned veteran.
They are mothers, fathers,sisters, brothers, husbands, wives AND grandparents.
Masters of the 1 minute infusion set changeout
And the checking your blood sugar level on the crowded freeway rush.
Many a refridgerator have they cleaned out, in their most vunerable hypoglycemic
(low blood sugar)
moments.
Yet, when the shaking ends, they stand back up, and go about their lives.
20 years, 30 years, 50 years- an entire lifetime.
They live their lives with courage, dignity, and grace.
Walk a mile in my shoes, and you'll see
That the future still looks bright, they've helped make it so.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Driving and Diabetes
The only high school class I ever took was Driver's Ed. (that being a class one can't exactly "pass" w/out the proper certifications)
It was the Summer of '98, and my mom decided it might as well be gotten over with. That, and the fact that the school system didn't allow homeschooled students to take it during the school year. Homeschooled students are the scum of the earth(in the eyes of the public schools).
So she enrolled me and my next younger brother in Classroom Driver's Ed.
That first day, we showed up (on time), nervous as heck about everything. (and intent on never, ever, ever revealing that we were weirdos from another planet).
This strategy backfired though(as it quickly became apparent no one else was intent on learning the stuff). Keep in mind that this was a summer class, for the previous semester's Flunkees. It was also a dual Gym class for the 9th grade students.(we didn't have to take that part)
As I couldn't let my younger brother beat me out, it was a battle to see who could get the most straight 100's. Our teacher must have thought she'd won the lottery,I recall her being extrordinarily nice to us. We both got A's (not a number grade), so the competition was kind of pointless, but still fun.
I got diabetes in that school.
There were the symptoms- thirst, hunger, frequent urination. To this day, I recall the location of every single water fountain, restroom, and drink machine on each of the school's three floors.
It was a six week class, sometime during those first couple of weeks those symptoms began.
And got worse.
August, September, October, November, December. I lost 30 lbs, great chunks of my hair fell out, my eyesight went blurry, among other things. If there was ever a weird symptom of the Great Undiagnosed D, I had it. In the interest of this being a Family Friendly Blog, I won't describe the rest of the symptoms.
Thanksgiving, 1998. After a huge dinner, my heart started doing weird palpatations + I didn't feel like going out to play the annual family Football slug-a-thon. Lay on the couch and wished I didn't feel so crummy.
That day in December, hooked to tubes/IV's/moniters. Realizing my life had just changed in practically every area, including driving. And the pediatric Endocrinologist, drilling the rules of good D care (as it pertains to being a responsible driver) into my thick head..
I got a new chapter in Driver's Ed that day, one that my brother + the other kids didn't have to take.
Don't drive if your blood sugar is under 90, pull over to the side of the road, eat, and recheck
in 15 minutes.
ALWAYS have a source of sugar on your person, and in your car..
Wear your medical indentification!
Check your blood sugar before driving, every 2 hours WHILE driving, and whenever you
think you may be low..
Don't drive when you're high,(over 600) that affects your thinking abilities as well.
Didn't have a choice about those either, my parents/ doctor saw to it that I walked the line.
But maybe it was for the best, at least it was drilled into my head along w/ everything else (driving related) + now its second nature. Maybe I did get diabetes at just the right time (earlier, and I'd have been a preteen self conscious disaster; later, and I've been out on my own w/out health insurance)
It was the Summer of '98, and my mom decided it might as well be gotten over with. That, and the fact that the school system didn't allow homeschooled students to take it during the school year. Homeschooled students are the scum of the earth(in the eyes of the public schools).
So she enrolled me and my next younger brother in Classroom Driver's Ed.
That first day, we showed up (on time), nervous as heck about everything. (and intent on never, ever, ever revealing that we were weirdos from another planet).
This strategy backfired though(as it quickly became apparent no one else was intent on learning the stuff). Keep in mind that this was a summer class, for the previous semester's Flunkees. It was also a dual Gym class for the 9th grade students.(we didn't have to take that part)
As I couldn't let my younger brother beat me out, it was a battle to see who could get the most straight 100's. Our teacher must have thought she'd won the lottery,I recall her being extrordinarily nice to us. We both got A's (not a number grade), so the competition was kind of pointless, but still fun.
I got diabetes in that school.
There were the symptoms- thirst, hunger, frequent urination. To this day, I recall the location of every single water fountain, restroom, and drink machine on each of the school's three floors.
It was a six week class, sometime during those first couple of weeks those symptoms began.
And got worse.
August, September, October, November, December. I lost 30 lbs, great chunks of my hair fell out, my eyesight went blurry, among other things. If there was ever a weird symptom of the Great Undiagnosed D, I had it. In the interest of this being a Family Friendly Blog, I won't describe the rest of the symptoms.
Thanksgiving, 1998. After a huge dinner, my heart started doing weird palpatations + I didn't feel like going out to play the annual family Football slug-a-thon. Lay on the couch and wished I didn't feel so crummy.
That day in December, hooked to tubes/IV's/moniters. Realizing my life had just changed in practically every area, including driving. And the pediatric Endocrinologist, drilling the rules of good D care (as it pertains to being a responsible driver) into my thick head..
I got a new chapter in Driver's Ed that day, one that my brother + the other kids didn't have to take.
Don't drive if your blood sugar is under 90, pull over to the side of the road, eat, and recheck
in 15 minutes.
ALWAYS have a source of sugar on your person, and in your car..
Wear your medical indentification!
Check your blood sugar before driving, every 2 hours WHILE driving, and whenever you
think you may be low..
Don't drive when you're high,(over 600) that affects your thinking abilities as well.
Didn't have a choice about those either, my parents/ doctor saw to it that I walked the line.
But maybe it was for the best, at least it was drilled into my head along w/ everything else (driving related) + now its second nature. Maybe I did get diabetes at just the right time (earlier, and I'd have been a preteen self conscious disaster; later, and I've been out on my own w/out health insurance)
Monday, September 11, 2006
9/11
September 11, 2001
Sun coming up over the Blue Ridge..
6 AM- My car's alternator, sputtered once, twice, and gave up the ghost. Super annoyed, I didn't know yet there were much worse things in store for this day.
I got my mom to take me to work...
9:30 AM- A coworker comes over and tells me there'd been an accident, a plane had just flown into the World Trade Center. Say what? It was an interesting piece of information, but the radio wasn't saying people were dead/dying. It was more like, a plane had a slight collision w/the building + everyone was ok...
10 AM- News of plane #2 into WTC.
10:30 AM-News of the Pentagon, of United Flight #93.
I turned off the radio-I don't want to hear any more. The whole country was going nuts. And work is just not that important anymore. Not that much work is getting done anyway..
A coworker is crying, worried about her daughter. (who later turns up ok) The rumors fly thick + furious, everyone is scared. By day's end, its confirmed that 5 employees(from Boston) were on United 175, and the company VIP's who knew them are now crying too.
I just can't imagine, what it would be like to have something like that happen to a friend/loved one. And I'm not very good at talking to VIP's anyway, let alone knowing what to say in such a horrible situation, so I keep my mouth shut.
When I get home from work, the tv is on(and the magnitude of the situation increases 100x) Seeing it on the tv, is much more impactful then hearing it on the radio.
Five years later, and the shock factor has worn off some. But I think of the people who died in the attacks, when they got up that morning, their day didn't involve just a dead car. Maybe they didn't even have a chance to tell their families they loved them..
We can't forget, lest we let our guard down. There are people out there whose prime objective in life, is to see America brought to her knees, and have no qualms about the method of extermination. 9-11 is so horrible, nothing like this has ever happened. But if there's another terroist attack, (on a greater magnitude) will 9-11 still be remembered? These are weighty questions, and perhaps we can't prevent all the stuff the terroists have in store for us. 9/11 brought out part of the greatness of America (we can pull together, in times of dire need) but why can't we do that w/out such a tragedy? Instead of handing it all off to goverment?
-
Sun coming up over the Blue Ridge..
6 AM- My car's alternator, sputtered once, twice, and gave up the ghost. Super annoyed, I didn't know yet there were much worse things in store for this day.
I got my mom to take me to work...
9:30 AM- A coworker comes over and tells me there'd been an accident, a plane had just flown into the World Trade Center. Say what? It was an interesting piece of information, but the radio wasn't saying people were dead/dying. It was more like, a plane had a slight collision w/the building + everyone was ok...
10 AM- News of plane #2 into WTC.
10:30 AM-News of the Pentagon, of United Flight #93.
I turned off the radio-I don't want to hear any more. The whole country was going nuts. And work is just not that important anymore. Not that much work is getting done anyway..
A coworker is crying, worried about her daughter. (who later turns up ok) The rumors fly thick + furious, everyone is scared. By day's end, its confirmed that 5 employees(from Boston) were on United 175, and the company VIP's who knew them are now crying too.
I just can't imagine, what it would be like to have something like that happen to a friend/loved one. And I'm not very good at talking to VIP's anyway, let alone knowing what to say in such a horrible situation, so I keep my mouth shut.
When I get home from work, the tv is on(and the magnitude of the situation increases 100x) Seeing it on the tv, is much more impactful then hearing it on the radio.
Five years later, and the shock factor has worn off some. But I think of the people who died in the attacks, when they got up that morning, their day didn't involve just a dead car. Maybe they didn't even have a chance to tell their families they loved them..
We can't forget, lest we let our guard down. There are people out there whose prime objective in life, is to see America brought to her knees, and have no qualms about the method of extermination. 9-11 is so horrible, nothing like this has ever happened. But if there's another terroist attack, (on a greater magnitude) will 9-11 still be remembered? These are weighty questions, and perhaps we can't prevent all the stuff the terroists have in store for us. 9/11 brought out part of the greatness of America (we can pull together, in times of dire need) but why can't we do that w/out such a tragedy? Instead of handing it all off to goverment?
-
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Veni, Vidi, Visa (I came, I saw, I bought)
Yesterday was the Semi-Annual Community Yard Sale Event. (May 8th..) The one that's pretty much impossible to work out the boluses/basals for.
Up the hills.
Down the hills.
Check the blood sugar, eat. Bolus. Do some more walking. Eat some more. Bolus some more.
I did fairly well, in that I stayed around 180-210. No lows, no staggering around the side of a busy street, no playing chicken with the oncoming vehicles..
And I picked up some pretty great bargains-loads of cross stitch stuff(people are always desperate to get rid of these), a working Ear Thermometer, several books/cds/dvds, NIP earrings, an oven mitt, a complete Mr. Potato Head, and several other items that will work their way into my upcoming yard sale.
Came home, and gloriously crashed the couch. Woke up(4 hrs later), and my blood sugar was 80. I'm glad I didn't correct for that 196!
Today, the lawn needs mowing (bad), I'm nearly out of groceries + I have zero motivation to do any of it. The new med the gastro doctor is having me take works about as well as an oral T2 med on a type 1, its not relieving anything + its making the nausea even worse. Resorting to sick day rules, I'm keeping hydrated/checked ketones. Fluids work, foods hate me. I need to call the doc tommarow,this isn't working at all.
Up the hills.
Down the hills.
Check the blood sugar, eat. Bolus. Do some more walking. Eat some more. Bolus some more.
I did fairly well, in that I stayed around 180-210. No lows, no staggering around the side of a busy street, no playing chicken with the oncoming vehicles..
And I picked up some pretty great bargains-loads of cross stitch stuff(people are always desperate to get rid of these), a working Ear Thermometer, several books/cds/dvds, NIP earrings, an oven mitt, a complete Mr. Potato Head, and several other items that will work their way into my upcoming yard sale.
Came home, and gloriously crashed the couch. Woke up(4 hrs later), and my blood sugar was 80. I'm glad I didn't correct for that 196!
Today, the lawn needs mowing (bad), I'm nearly out of groceries + I have zero motivation to do any of it. The new med the gastro doctor is having me take works about as well as an oral T2 med on a type 1, its not relieving anything + its making the nausea even worse. Resorting to sick day rules, I'm keeping hydrated/checked ketones. Fluids work, foods hate me. I need to call the doc tommarow,this isn't working at all.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Paging, AO82
It was a totally new experience, this pharmacy.
Tucked away between Radiation Therapy and the Blood Donor Center, it was non-imposing, modern, bright and cheerful(on the set of double doors/surrounding woodwork). The other hospital cafeteria was right around the corner. Definatly a pleasant place.
Until one went inside.
The first line snakes 10 people deep, almost to the double doors. Overhead, the paging system spits out various letters + numbers-and then, I realize something. It is the DMV voice, nicely canned + adopted to a differant setting. There were at least 3 other lines to various other counters scattered around the room, + I(not being brave enough to try to possibly find the (right + shorter) line, stick with the receptionist.(first line) 15 minutes later..
She enters all the rx info,takes my card, and gives me the number.
But the path to the filled prescriptions doesn't end there... I take a seat, and wait. Those were just the pleasant preliminaries.
AO, apparently, is the about-to-hand-in-your-rx line. I am #82, and they're just now processing #71.
Wow, just wow.(and its only 11 AM) I could be here awhile. I count the E line, which is going backward from 50(I never do figure that one out)
30 minutes later..
Hand in rx's. They say it'll be done in 30 minutes, but I really doubt that. Decide to come back for them.
I go off to the research center(my handheld pda has been acting kind of funky, the variability index isn't computing right). Research coordinator is on the phone, and the endo is talking to the Research Center lead invesigator. (aka head honcho) I'm slightly intimidated, but you gotta do what you gotta do.. RC gets off the phone.
I knock, go in.
Variability index isn't reading right, because I haven't put in enough trials(data, bg numbers). RC says it may not give any readings for the rest of the 2 week period, even if I put in zillion of bgs. I really screwed it up, but I guess the computer still computes a VI when they download everything. Even if the pda isn't.
The endo, and the HH are discussing the fine nuances of the Dexcom, Guardian RT, and the Navigator.
And despite the recent addition of another year(one should be more mature, hey, many people would kill for how good I have it), I am overtaken by a sudden, strong surge of jealosy..Jealous, jealous, jealous. What I wouldn't give to be in one of those clinical trials. (I would give ALOT)
But I am in a clinical trial, where it most definatly would not work. (having a RT moniter) Because this one, is all about the feelings. (Getting in touch with your inner diabetic self) And that makes me ineligable for any other trials.. I may be more in touch with my diabetic self, but I'd rather have a RT moniter any day. Maybe in December,(when this trial ends) they'll have something (open).
I want one. Man, do I want one. Not that it would be perfect, I wouldn't expect that.
Just catching my highs(in particular) could lower my a1c to Endo-Extatic numbers. She'd say,
hey you're doing an awesome job, and I'd say its not me. Its all the moniter. I couldn't achieve an Endo-Approved a1c if I worked from now, to the cure. My life is way too sporadic(on and off the bandwagon) for that.
RC gives me more test strips and I head back to the pharmacy + get in line again. This time, the D acronym denotes the picker-uppers from the rest of the crowd. So, I get my new D number(110) and sit down to wait.
30 minutes later....
Rx's are done. Discover insurance company totally does NOT cover one of them. That makes the copay quite a bit juicier. Crud insurance company.
A lunch from the cafeteria...(chef salad) Bypass the sushi + calzones, even the sign makes me nauseus. (I would NEVER eat that stuff)
One last task remains, before I call it a day. Blood draw from the lab. The phlebotomist complements me on my cute "cellphone", and makes my day. (MY PUMP IS CUTE!WHOO HOO, its not my imagination. It came straight from the mouth of a Normal Person..)
(gastro appointment was earlier today, they did an ultrasound + they'll call me next week)
-------------
And thanks for the b'day wishes.
Tucked away between Radiation Therapy and the Blood Donor Center, it was non-imposing, modern, bright and cheerful(on the set of double doors/surrounding woodwork). The other hospital cafeteria was right around the corner. Definatly a pleasant place.
Until one went inside.
The first line snakes 10 people deep, almost to the double doors. Overhead, the paging system spits out various letters + numbers-and then, I realize something. It is the DMV voice, nicely canned + adopted to a differant setting. There were at least 3 other lines to various other counters scattered around the room, + I(not being brave enough to try to possibly find the (right + shorter) line, stick with the receptionist.(first line) 15 minutes later..
She enters all the rx info,takes my card, and gives me the number.
But the path to the filled prescriptions doesn't end there... I take a seat, and wait. Those were just the pleasant preliminaries.
AO, apparently, is the about-to-hand-in-your-rx line. I am #82, and they're just now processing #71.
Wow, just wow.(and its only 11 AM) I could be here awhile. I count the E line, which is going backward from 50(I never do figure that one out)
30 minutes later..
Hand in rx's. They say it'll be done in 30 minutes, but I really doubt that. Decide to come back for them.
I go off to the research center(my handheld pda has been acting kind of funky, the variability index isn't computing right). Research coordinator is on the phone, and the endo is talking to the Research Center lead invesigator. (aka head honcho) I'm slightly intimidated, but you gotta do what you gotta do.. RC gets off the phone.
I knock, go in.
Variability index isn't reading right, because I haven't put in enough trials(data, bg numbers). RC says it may not give any readings for the rest of the 2 week period, even if I put in zillion of bgs. I really screwed it up, but I guess the computer still computes a VI when they download everything. Even if the pda isn't.
The endo, and the HH are discussing the fine nuances of the Dexcom, Guardian RT, and the Navigator.
And despite the recent addition of another year(one should be more mature, hey, many people would kill for how good I have it), I am overtaken by a sudden, strong surge of jealosy..Jealous, jealous, jealous. What I wouldn't give to be in one of those clinical trials. (I would give ALOT)
But I am in a clinical trial, where it most definatly would not work. (having a RT moniter) Because this one, is all about the feelings. (Getting in touch with your inner diabetic self) And that makes me ineligable for any other trials.. I may be more in touch with my diabetic self, but I'd rather have a RT moniter any day. Maybe in December,(when this trial ends) they'll have something (open).
I want one. Man, do I want one. Not that it would be perfect, I wouldn't expect that.
Just catching my highs(in particular) could lower my a1c to Endo-Extatic numbers. She'd say,
hey you're doing an awesome job, and I'd say its not me. Its all the moniter. I couldn't achieve an Endo-Approved a1c if I worked from now, to the cure. My life is way too sporadic(on and off the bandwagon) for that.
RC gives me more test strips and I head back to the pharmacy + get in line again. This time, the D acronym denotes the picker-uppers from the rest of the crowd. So, I get my new D number(110) and sit down to wait.
30 minutes later....
Rx's are done. Discover insurance company totally does NOT cover one of them. That makes the copay quite a bit juicier. Crud insurance company.
A lunch from the cafeteria...(chef salad) Bypass the sushi + calzones, even the sign makes me nauseus. (I would NEVER eat that stuff)
One last task remains, before I call it a day. Blood draw from the lab. The phlebotomist complements me on my cute "cellphone", and makes my day. (MY PUMP IS CUTE!WHOO HOO, its not my imagination. It came straight from the mouth of a Normal Person..)
(gastro appointment was earlier today, they did an ultrasound + they'll call me next week)
-------------
And thanks for the b'day wishes.
Friday, September 01, 2006
September Greetings
The driving rain, compliments of Tropical Storm Ernesto, sloshes up against the front porch.
Inside, my pump alarms its customary up-and-at-em 6 AM wake up call.
Not today, of all days. I'm trying to catch up on sleep here, for crying out loud.
Fumble in darkness for pump.
Bam. Bam. (with fist)
Beeping stops.
Blissful unconsiousness once again.
Internal radar beeps, waking me up once again. It's 9:30 AM, and definatly time to check the o'le blood glucose.
84.
Normally, such an unpredictably wonderful number would have me turning cartwheels but today, I wish it were a bit higher. I've got tons of things to do, on this day off.
Pre-breakfast is 4 fig bars.
I jump in the car and head over to work to pick up my check. Sneak up to HR- past the security + up the stairs.
"Hey there," the head of the HR dept. greets me. "Let me guess why you're here.."
"Che-" I start in, but don't get far.
"I heard on the radio its your birthday today."
Slap head.(mentally) Geez, I never should have called that 3 years ago, radio stations keep that info around forever + repeat it year after year.
"Yeah, it is."
"Happy birthday!" "Thanks."
"It's your birthday today?" Bill, another higher-up(company VIP) chimes in. "How old are you anyway- 19?"
"Not quite. I'm 25. (I've been there 6 years, as of next Tuesday) And I feel old."
"I don't even remember my 25th birthday, you're not old."
Its 10:30 AM, and the HR dept. is really buzzing today. (not typical for a Friday) The company
Annual Service Award banquet is at 12:30, and the VIP's/managers are attempting to quickly finish the urgent stuff and break out of there(for a weekend). Can't say I blame 'em, but I'm not sorry I've got today off.
Get check. Cash Check. Go home.
Do odds and ends around house, take nap. My mom calls(the one person on earth who couldn't forget this day). Go out to movie theater, cry over World Trade Center. (Nicholas Cage makes me cry anyway)
Traffic jam on interstate(which I purposely avoid). Take long way home, avoiding secondary roads as its flooding in several areas. And my yard is a swamp.
Yuck.
3 bottles of Seagrams Pineapple Coconut Calypso Colada(my twice-a-year alcohol indulgence) tops off the evening(and, the end to a perfect day).
All bdays should be so nice. (minus the rain, which we really could have done without)
Inside, my pump alarms its customary up-and-at-em 6 AM wake up call.
Not today, of all days. I'm trying to catch up on sleep here, for crying out loud.
Fumble in darkness for pump.
Bam. Bam. (with fist)
Beeping stops.
Blissful unconsiousness once again.
Internal radar beeps, waking me up once again. It's 9:30 AM, and definatly time to check the o'le blood glucose.
84.
Normally, such an unpredictably wonderful number would have me turning cartwheels but today, I wish it were a bit higher. I've got tons of things to do, on this day off.
Pre-breakfast is 4 fig bars.
I jump in the car and head over to work to pick up my check. Sneak up to HR- past the security + up the stairs.
"Hey there," the head of the HR dept. greets me. "Let me guess why you're here.."
"Che-" I start in, but don't get far.
"I heard on the radio its your birthday today."
Slap head.(mentally) Geez, I never should have called that 3 years ago, radio stations keep that info around forever + repeat it year after year.
"Yeah, it is."
"Happy birthday!" "Thanks."
"It's your birthday today?" Bill, another higher-up(company VIP) chimes in. "How old are you anyway- 19?"
"Not quite. I'm 25. (I've been there 6 years, as of next Tuesday) And I feel old."
"I don't even remember my 25th birthday, you're not old."
Its 10:30 AM, and the HR dept. is really buzzing today. (not typical for a Friday) The company
Annual Service Award banquet is at 12:30, and the VIP's/managers are attempting to quickly finish the urgent stuff and break out of there(for a weekend). Can't say I blame 'em, but I'm not sorry I've got today off.
Get check. Cash Check. Go home.
Do odds and ends around house, take nap. My mom calls(the one person on earth who couldn't forget this day). Go out to movie theater, cry over World Trade Center. (Nicholas Cage makes me cry anyway)
Traffic jam on interstate(which I purposely avoid). Take long way home, avoiding secondary roads as its flooding in several areas. And my yard is a swamp.
Yuck.
3 bottles of Seagrams Pineapple Coconut Calypso Colada(my twice-a-year alcohol indulgence) tops off the evening(and, the end to a perfect day).
All bdays should be so nice. (minus the rain, which we really could have done without)
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Chocolate Dreams
Hershey's gift to me for messing up a Ebay/Wrappercash order:
(a 36 ct. box of Milk Chocolate-arrived DSL, cold pack, overnighted)
And this is what one will need (post chocolate):
and:
I love chocolate, but it doesn't love me (at the present time).
When the gastro issues get sorted out, I think I'll throw a smore party.
(easy way to use them all up + get more wrapper points to bid on stuff)
-----------------------------------------
Bizarre Medical Story of the Year:
(Do not read this story if you've an aversion to extremily graphic medical images!)
Back to this news story, it is, beyond a doubt, the most weird medical thing I've ever heard
of. Quite enough to give someone nightmares, or worse.
I've made the firm decision NOT to go into surgery..
Or oncology pediatrics. (I cry every time I read the Chicken Soup for the Soul books-how much help would I be to a little kid with cancer?)
Or obstetrics.
Everything else is fair game.
--------------------------------------
Last Monday, my youngest brother flew out to boot camp. (Marines) Initially, he was going to join
the Navy, but the Marine(s) won out in the end.
When he graduates (Nov.) from boot camp, he'll be changed. (for better or for worse) I just hope they don't send him to Iraq.
------------------------------------
Sunday, I worked a 5 hr day, a definate first in the history of my employment with this company. Sat. was a full 8. (not a first, for a Sat.)
And I must be crazy, because this is retail. Not health, restraurunt, or any other (needed) service.
I volunteered for a Sunday. (yes, my supivisor was very taken aback)
But doubletime pay is a powerful motivator towards the common good. (they get the work done, I get the fat paycheck)
Vacation is a comin' though- so I figure I can make it a few more days.
The one bad thing about it- there were more supivisors running around then there were employees.. It made me nervous. (twice as much oppurtunity to be critiqued) One could almost believe they were normal people, it was a sweats n' tshirt day for everyone. Even the regional manager was there.
----------------
The Top Eight things that are helping me through this week:
1. Compazine
2. The Calander (check another day off)
3. The recent dry spell(I haven't had to mow for two weeks:-)
4. Mr. Pumpy (read Ode to the Pump) New pump, same love.
5. Ketostix, hard candies, case of Diet Coke, and cold icees.
6. Being terrifically overworked. (it helps)
7. Yahoo Games.
8. 2 days away from holiday FREEDOM!
--------------------
On this one year anniversary(post Katrina), the stats are still very dismal. So many without basic electricity, homes, etc. And the mayor they've got, doesn't seem to mind spending money(vs getting it). Way to go, Mr. Nagin, that's really helping out the people of New Orleans.
(a 36 ct. box of Milk Chocolate-arrived DSL, cold pack, overnighted)
And this is what one will need (post chocolate):
and:
I love chocolate, but it doesn't love me (at the present time).
When the gastro issues get sorted out, I think I'll throw a smore party.
(easy way to use them all up + get more wrapper points to bid on stuff)
-----------------------------------------
Bizarre Medical Story of the Year:
(Do not read this story if you've an aversion to extremily graphic medical images!)
Back to this news story, it is, beyond a doubt, the most weird medical thing I've ever heard
of. Quite enough to give someone nightmares, or worse.
I've made the firm decision NOT to go into surgery..
Or oncology pediatrics. (I cry every time I read the Chicken Soup for the Soul books-how much help would I be to a little kid with cancer?)
Or obstetrics.
Everything else is fair game.
--------------------------------------
Last Monday, my youngest brother flew out to boot camp. (Marines) Initially, he was going to join
the Navy, but the Marine(s) won out in the end.
When he graduates (Nov.) from boot camp, he'll be changed. (for better or for worse) I just hope they don't send him to Iraq.
------------------------------------
Sunday, I worked a 5 hr day, a definate first in the history of my employment with this company. Sat. was a full 8. (not a first, for a Sat.)
And I must be crazy, because this is retail. Not health, restraurunt, or any other (needed) service.
I volunteered for a Sunday. (yes, my supivisor was very taken aback)
But doubletime pay is a powerful motivator towards the common good. (they get the work done, I get the fat paycheck)
Vacation is a comin' though- so I figure I can make it a few more days.
The one bad thing about it- there were more supivisors running around then there were employees.. It made me nervous. (twice as much oppurtunity to be critiqued) One could almost believe they were normal people, it was a sweats n' tshirt day for everyone. Even the regional manager was there.
----------------
The Top Eight things that are helping me through this week:
1. Compazine
2. The Calander (check another day off)
3. The recent dry spell(I haven't had to mow for two weeks:-)
4. Mr. Pumpy (read Ode to the Pump) New pump, same love.
5. Ketostix, hard candies, case of Diet Coke, and cold icees.
6. Being terrifically overworked. (it helps)
7. Yahoo Games.
8. 2 days away from holiday FREEDOM!
--------------------
On this one year anniversary(post Katrina), the stats are still very dismal. So many without basic electricity, homes, etc. And the mayor they've got, doesn't seem to mind spending money(vs getting it). Way to go, Mr. Nagin, that's really helping out the people of New Orleans.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
G-Stuff
I haven’t felt very well lately, no doubt enhanced by my less-then-healthful- diet. People have a lot more get up and go when they eat properly, Twinkies and hamburgers just don’t cut it. I’ve been busy, stressed, and its taken its toll on the diabetes control(not checking as much as I usually do either.) Bg's aren't really high-they're just kinda middish blah.(150-mid 200's)
Swallowing the usual wad of post-breakfast pills(last week), they got stuck in my throat + wouldn’t go down. Tried water, diet coke, and food(to no avail). They weren’t large pills, but I’ve never had a problem swigging down 4 of them before..
The throat stayed raw for a day, and stuff still takes its sweet time on the way down.
Today I called Gastro(Center for Digestive Health-if you’d like the pc version), and got lucky. An appointment in 2 weeks(someone cancelled). I hope I live till then.
Gastro issue #2- Reoccurring right upper quadrant pain, nausea, occasional puking, lower shoulderblade pain.
Can someone say “gallstones?” I’d be surprised if it wasn’t that. (Hamburgers are probably catching up with me)
And, the eye. Stabbing pains in that part of the anatomy that dramatized my life last February.
Maybe its just the heat..
Or the phase of the moon.
Or the Daily Diabetes lotto check just bounced.
Rock on, September.
(I think I'll go to bed till then.)
Swallowing the usual wad of post-breakfast pills(last week), they got stuck in my throat + wouldn’t go down. Tried water, diet coke, and food(to no avail). They weren’t large pills, but I’ve never had a problem swigging down 4 of them before..
The throat stayed raw for a day, and stuff still takes its sweet time on the way down.
Today I called Gastro(Center for Digestive Health-if you’d like the pc version), and got lucky. An appointment in 2 weeks(someone cancelled). I hope I live till then.
Gastro issue #2- Reoccurring right upper quadrant pain, nausea, occasional puking, lower shoulderblade pain.
Can someone say “gallstones?” I’d be surprised if it wasn’t that. (Hamburgers are probably catching up with me)
And, the eye. Stabbing pains in that part of the anatomy that dramatized my life last February.
Maybe its just the heat..
Or the phase of the moon.
Or the Daily Diabetes lotto check just bounced.
Rock on, September.
(I think I'll go to bed till then.)
Monday, August 21, 2006
The Master Race
In the movie Gattaca, the hero must prove himself in the brave, new, genetically pure age. Born with a heart defect + nearsightedness, he’s passed aside(while his brother rises to the top). The “Valids”are the master race, superior both physically and (supposidly) mentally. To fulfill his dream(s), he must assume the identity of a Valid, while shedding off all evidence of his real DNA.(fastidiously clean, that guy)
It’s a great movie- in the end, he gets it all. A dream (to outer space) fulfilled, beating his genetically superior brother, and winning the heart of the pretty girl.
There’s one part in that movie where he upsets the arm of the phlebotomist, pretends to howl in pain, bends his arm + slips a vial of other guy’s blood into the tubing hole when the phlebotomist turns around. (To avoid giving up his real blood) I’ve often wished I could do that. (I just need some hemoglobin a1c perfect blood!)
It all goes to prove physical superiority is not the most important thing. (Even in a new age of flawless genetical engineering) Its the strength of the human spirit that counts.
That being said, being a type 1 diabetic is much like being marked "Invalid."
So many rules and regulations...
-You can't be a truck driver. (in most instances)
-You can't be in the military. (unless you're already in it, and you're in excellent physical
condition.)
- Many jobs(fire, police) are difficult/sans impossible to get into...
-You can't attend a military college.
And that's just the government.
-You can't give aspheresis/bone marrow.
-You can't get drunk, even consumption of light amounts of alcohol is monitered.
-You can't have a baby, without your doctor's permission.
-You can't go barefoot, lest you cut your feet + it leads to amputation(s).
-You can't not be without insurance, unless you want to go bankrupt.
-You can't eat whatever you want, whenever you want.(and at family reunions,its
best not to eat anything at all..)
And telling someone you have diabetes, even in this enlightened age, is sure to invoke the "OMG-are-you-going-to-pass-out-on-me?" reaction.
We're all Valid- we all have worth.
It’s a great movie- in the end, he gets it all. A dream (to outer space) fulfilled, beating his genetically superior brother, and winning the heart of the pretty girl.
There’s one part in that movie where he upsets the arm of the phlebotomist, pretends to howl in pain, bends his arm + slips a vial of other guy’s blood into the tubing hole when the phlebotomist turns around. (To avoid giving up his real blood) I’ve often wished I could do that. (I just need some hemoglobin a1c perfect blood!)
It all goes to prove physical superiority is not the most important thing. (Even in a new age of flawless genetical engineering) Its the strength of the human spirit that counts.
That being said, being a type 1 diabetic is much like being marked "Invalid."
So many rules and regulations...
-You can't be a truck driver. (in most instances)
-You can't be in the military. (unless you're already in it, and you're in excellent physical
condition.)
- Many jobs(fire, police) are difficult/sans impossible to get into...
-You can't attend a military college.
And that's just the government.
-You can't give aspheresis/bone marrow.
-You can't get drunk, even consumption of light amounts of alcohol is monitered.
-You can't have a baby, without your doctor's permission.
-You can't go barefoot, lest you cut your feet + it leads to amputation(s).
-You can't not be without insurance, unless you want to go bankrupt.
-You can't eat whatever you want, whenever you want.(and at family reunions,its
best not to eat anything at all..)
And telling someone you have diabetes, even in this enlightened age, is sure to invoke the "OMG-are-you-going-to-pass-out-on-me?" reaction.
We're all Valid- we all have worth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
