There are certainly bigger things going on in the world to worry about and be saddened by.
But this story crushes a childhood dream. Unless I can get myself to California to spin the big wheel before he retires (unlikely). As a child I spent a LOT of time with my grandmother. She taught me to play cards. I would sit by the tv in the living room and watch Mister Roger's and Seasame Street at the age of four while playing solitaire. It was great. But, my grandmother LOVED divorce court and family court and they came on at 11am, so I would trek across the driveway to my great aunt and great uncle's house to watch The Price is Right. My least favorite part of the show was when the contestants would spin the wheel, but at the same time I dreamed of spinning it myself and playing *plinko* A favorite movie of mine is Happy Gilmore and I think the best part is that Bob Barker has a cameo--The Price is Wrong... What a great sense of humor he must have. And that brings me to my favorite quote from the article:
He [Bob Barker] said he'd take on a movie role if the right one came along, but filmmakers, take note: "I refuse to do nude scenes. These Hollywood producers want to capitalize on my obvious sexuality, but I don't want to be just another beautiful body."
And to be true to Bob, I must remind you: "Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered." (I loved the safe game, because I knew there'd always be puppies shown and the reminder given!)
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
"Seasonal Adjustment Issue"
I'm tired.
Seems so much has been going on and no matter how much sleep I get or what I do, I'm tired. Mornings have always been rough, but now I handle them even worse. At night anything past 10 and I want to be sleeping! The house is a MESS--understatement. October just seems so busy every year. Thankfully it's almost November! I think things are due to slow down, but am I going to feel better? I try and think of what is causing the lack of motivation, black circles under my eyes, generally disconnected look about me, my shortness with people at work, my depleted energy levels. Really it's sad and I think about how every year around November I get sick and it just stays with me. Then finally I end up with antibiotics and a mono test. This year it has hit me that maybe I have a bit of a "seasonal adjustment issue." I hesitate big time to use the word "depression" because I think it would be doing an injustice to those who do actually suffer from depression. So, I think it's more a bad time of year for me. I make major efforts to be productive, but my heart isn't in it at all. The Patriots play in just 1 hour and I want to go to bed now (8pm!) I am trying to convince myself that I love football and I couldn't stand to miss the game... or could I?
So... does anyone else struggle with a "seasonal adjustment issue?" If so, any remedies?
I'm thinking a short walk after work might give me some energy and help me to sleep better at night, perhaps making mornings more bearable. I think making diet changes will help also.
Now if I could only get the sun to stay out longer! (That would certainly help!)
In other news, my blood sugars are back to normal for the most part. No more CRAZY highs in the ams. I've switched endocrinologists and I think it will be a very good change for me. I've managed to stay on top and satisfied with my diabetes management for almost 2 years now, but I'm looking to dig a little deeper. I also hesitate to give myself A1C goals, so lower numbers are good enough for me, until I reach a point where I just don't feel like lower is better. Vague. But I like it that way, it makes failure less likely to start off without a goal--oh man, I sound like I'm still a college student!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Halloween tomorrow. As a child for Halloween I would receive apples from my neighbor and give all my candy to my brother, but I'd always get a toy! When I got older, my father would bring me to the roller skating rink nearby and I would run into friends and speed around the rink. Up until just last November I still insisted that roller skates and not rollerblades were the way to go. Last November I changed my mind! That's just a random fact-not terribly important. :)
Seems so much has been going on and no matter how much sleep I get or what I do, I'm tired. Mornings have always been rough, but now I handle them even worse. At night anything past 10 and I want to be sleeping! The house is a MESS--understatement. October just seems so busy every year. Thankfully it's almost November! I think things are due to slow down, but am I going to feel better? I try and think of what is causing the lack of motivation, black circles under my eyes, generally disconnected look about me, my shortness with people at work, my depleted energy levels. Really it's sad and I think about how every year around November I get sick and it just stays with me. Then finally I end up with antibiotics and a mono test. This year it has hit me that maybe I have a bit of a "seasonal adjustment issue." I hesitate big time to use the word "depression" because I think it would be doing an injustice to those who do actually suffer from depression. So, I think it's more a bad time of year for me. I make major efforts to be productive, but my heart isn't in it at all. The Patriots play in just 1 hour and I want to go to bed now (8pm!) I am trying to convince myself that I love football and I couldn't stand to miss the game... or could I?
So... does anyone else struggle with a "seasonal adjustment issue?" If so, any remedies?
I'm thinking a short walk after work might give me some energy and help me to sleep better at night, perhaps making mornings more bearable. I think making diet changes will help also.
Now if I could only get the sun to stay out longer! (That would certainly help!)
In other news, my blood sugars are back to normal for the most part. No more CRAZY highs in the ams. I've switched endocrinologists and I think it will be a very good change for me. I've managed to stay on top and satisfied with my diabetes management for almost 2 years now, but I'm looking to dig a little deeper. I also hesitate to give myself A1C goals, so lower numbers are good enough for me, until I reach a point where I just don't feel like lower is better. Vague. But I like it that way, it makes failure less likely to start off without a goal--oh man, I sound like I'm still a college student!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Halloween tomorrow. As a child for Halloween I would receive apples from my neighbor and give all my candy to my brother, but I'd always get a toy! When I got older, my father would bring me to the roller skating rink nearby and I would run into friends and speed around the rink. Up until just last November I still insisted that roller skates and not rollerblades were the way to go. Last November I changed my mind! That's just a random fact-not terribly important. :)
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Looking for a little help...
I currently don't wear a medical ID bracelet (gasp!) I did a little stint last summer with one. I really liked it, although it was really noticeable, and I'm not sure I'm ready to go that route again (I lost the old one). Other than that I would say I've spent most of my 18 years with diabetes without one. I've been extremely lucky to have never needed one either, but it's scary to think of what happens when you do need one and you don't wear one.
So, I'd like to see what everyone else wears. Links, photos, etc. Did you get it engraved onto a bracelet, necklace, tattoo? Does anyone know what is acceptable and what's not? What will an EMT check?
Thanks!!! :)
So, I'd like to see what everyone else wears. Links, photos, etc. Did you get it engraved onto a bracelet, necklace, tattoo? Does anyone know what is acceptable and what's not? What will an EMT check?
Thanks!!! :)
Monday, October 09, 2006
A happy ending every once in a while...
This makes me think more about what types of things I should keep in an emergency bag!
Diabetic driver survives on crackers, dew after crash
POSTED: 9:01 a.m. EDT, October 9, 2006
MONSON, Massachusetts (AP) -- A diabetic driver survived for four days on Wheat Thins and dew after crashing his SUV into thick brush on his way home from work.
Raymond A. Vachon's wife reported the 59-year-old missing on October 3 when he didn't return from his overnight security job in Springfield. He spent four days in and out of consciousness before a dog-walker heard him yelling for help Saturday morning.
Vachon later told police he had lost control of his SUV around 5 a.m. and crashed about 30 feet into the brush along Route 32. His leg was fractured, and Vachon, who is dependent on insulin, was unconscious.
Read More
Diabetic driver survives on crackers, dew after crash
POSTED: 9:01 a.m. EDT, October 9, 2006
MONSON, Massachusetts (AP) -- A diabetic driver survived for four days on Wheat Thins and dew after crashing his SUV into thick brush on his way home from work.
Raymond A. Vachon's wife reported the 59-year-old missing on October 3 when he didn't return from his overnight security job in Springfield. He spent four days in and out of consciousness before a dog-walker heard him yelling for help Saturday morning.
Vachon later told police he had lost control of his SUV around 5 a.m. and crashed about 30 feet into the brush along Route 32. His leg was fractured, and Vachon, who is dependent on insulin, was unconscious.
Read More
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
pumping insulin!
I was looking at old blog entries from my other blog--which I think has died, but I hold out hope for its revival, and found this one, which reminded me of my starting on the pump just over a year ago.
-------
Syringes and such
It has been over 24 hours since I last gave myself a shot AND my blood sugars have been mostly normal! This has not happened in 18 years. As a matter of fact, I have given or gotten upwards of 16,000 injections of insulin in those 18 years and I've hated every single one just as much as the one before it. You never get used to it--so if I ever told you that-- well I straight out lied. Sure they don't hurt in a physical pain sense so much, but they do hurt sometimes. And they always suck internally. Now, I still have to think about what I'm doing and each time I eat there is a consequential action--however, there are NO shots :) I've thus far missed 3 injections. wahoo.
3 shots/day v. 1 shot/3 days. sweet.
Next step- new pancreas (wish it were that easy!)
:)
-------
My audience at the time(of maybe 3/4 readers) were people with no frame of reference outside of what they saw in me for diabetes. Which hadn't been much up until about 9 months previous to this post. I was able to drop my A1C an amazing amount (in my mind) in just 9 months and was able to do this using an NPH and Humalog regimen-just awful, but my body's allergy to Lantus did me in. So my switch to the pump was glorious! I had a few reasons to switch--some good, some were more humorous, I think.
So here's some reasons:
1. Better control. NPH really sucked.
2. No more shots. I think that's pretty evident from the above post :) In college there were nights that I would lie in bed and fight with myself on the importance of getting up and taking my bedtime shot. Most of the time I won the battle, but there were nights that I went to bed without the shot--laziness at it's best. Also a lack of desire to control the disease--it controlled me. ugh.
3. Shots in the car. Yep, I wonder how many people test while driving? Ever drawn up insulin and injected while driving? Yeah, hmm, maybe not the safest of options, but it happened.
Honestly, I think those were my driving reasons. The better control was already there... I dropped my A1C 3 points in 9 months, but the shots were just sooooo annoying.
Anywho, please comfort me that I am not the only one who ever did the things mentioned in #3 or I guess, I'd rather you don't lie to me if no one else has.
hmm.
-------
Syringes and such
It has been over 24 hours since I last gave myself a shot AND my blood sugars have been mostly normal! This has not happened in 18 years. As a matter of fact, I have given or gotten upwards of 16,000 injections of insulin in those 18 years and I've hated every single one just as much as the one before it. You never get used to it--so if I ever told you that-- well I straight out lied. Sure they don't hurt in a physical pain sense so much, but they do hurt sometimes. And they always suck internally. Now, I still have to think about what I'm doing and each time I eat there is a consequential action--however, there are NO shots :) I've thus far missed 3 injections. wahoo.
3 shots/day v. 1 shot/3 days. sweet.
Next step- new pancreas (wish it were that easy!)
:)
-------
My audience at the time(of maybe 3/4 readers) were people with no frame of reference outside of what they saw in me for diabetes. Which hadn't been much up until about 9 months previous to this post. I was able to drop my A1C an amazing amount (in my mind) in just 9 months and was able to do this using an NPH and Humalog regimen-just awful, but my body's allergy to Lantus did me in. So my switch to the pump was glorious! I had a few reasons to switch--some good, some were more humorous, I think.
So here's some reasons:
1. Better control. NPH really sucked.
2. No more shots. I think that's pretty evident from the above post :) In college there were nights that I would lie in bed and fight with myself on the importance of getting up and taking my bedtime shot. Most of the time I won the battle, but there were nights that I went to bed without the shot--laziness at it's best. Also a lack of desire to control the disease--it controlled me. ugh.
3. Shots in the car. Yep, I wonder how many people test while driving? Ever drawn up insulin and injected while driving? Yeah, hmm, maybe not the safest of options, but it happened.
Honestly, I think those were my driving reasons. The better control was already there... I dropped my A1C 3 points in 9 months, but the shots were just sooooo annoying.
Anywho, please comfort me that I am not the only one who ever did the things mentioned in #3 or I guess, I'd rather you don't lie to me if no one else has.
hmm.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
weddings, pumps, & billboards.
I'm a lazy blogger. I think of things, but they don't make it to the computer with me.
But I am here--I want to sleep, but going to bed just after 9pm most nights is not really who I am. I am not sure why for the past 3 weeks I have been like this. Boredom? Lack of motivation? Lack of exercise--although nothing has changed here.
This weekend I drove to a wedding with a friend--19 hrs in the car and 4 at the wedding=the LONGEST 23 hr period of my life. It was just long. long time to be in a car. Very impractical way, but yet we saved money by not staying some where.
However, upon arriving at the wedding 15 minutes "early," we realize that no one else is just arriving. A short discussion had preceded our arriving in which the possibility that the wedding was at a different time was discussed. However, this being true was not an option in my mind--not after 9 hours in the car! We were 15 minutes late for the wedding and missed all but the kiss at the end (shortest wedding ever). The reception was great though.
When we arrived and found it odd that we were the only ones and it occurred to us that the wedding had already started, we simply moved as quickly as possible to get to the ceremony. This means that I did not have time to fish for my pump clip in my bag and secure said pump. So, I wasn't thrilled, but it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where I had to put it--in my bra. I've used this method for volleyball before, no big deal.
The problem came during the meal. I realized I was with one person who knew about my pump and only that person and the groom even had any idea I was a diabetic and well, since the wedding wasn't about me, I'm sure news hadn't travelled ;) I debated hiding behind the flaps of the tent to bolus or going to the car to get the clip, but my friend assured me that there was nothing to be worried about--really who cared, you don't know anyone. Well it's true, I knew very few people and was prepared to ask questions. What I wasn't prepared for provided me with the most entertainment of the whole trip: a woman 3 tables away was watching (scratch that, she was staring) as I pulled my pump out and bolused and then got it back in place. I pointed it out to my friend and he assured me no one was looking until he looked up at her and nearly burst out laughing at how badly she was gawking. It was great. I was asked no questions and apparently confused her or at least entertained her? or something.
I'm thankful I wasn't more sensitive about the whole thing.
however, I do really, really like pockets :) (and jeans--I love jeans!)
Best billboard seen on the trip: "Jesus is coming as lightening" Having had only 3.5 hrs of sleep and being awake for 14 hours already at this point, I envisioned a Jesus-shaped lightening bolt :) (although I did know what they meant :) )
But I am here--I want to sleep, but going to bed just after 9pm most nights is not really who I am. I am not sure why for the past 3 weeks I have been like this. Boredom? Lack of motivation? Lack of exercise--although nothing has changed here.
This weekend I drove to a wedding with a friend--19 hrs in the car and 4 at the wedding=the LONGEST 23 hr period of my life. It was just long. long time to be in a car. Very impractical way, but yet we saved money by not staying some where.
However, upon arriving at the wedding 15 minutes "early," we realize that no one else is just arriving. A short discussion had preceded our arriving in which the possibility that the wedding was at a different time was discussed. However, this being true was not an option in my mind--not after 9 hours in the car! We were 15 minutes late for the wedding and missed all but the kiss at the end (shortest wedding ever). The reception was great though.
When we arrived and found it odd that we were the only ones and it occurred to us that the wedding had already started, we simply moved as quickly as possible to get to the ceremony. This means that I did not have time to fish for my pump clip in my bag and secure said pump. So, I wasn't thrilled, but it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where I had to put it--in my bra. I've used this method for volleyball before, no big deal.
The problem came during the meal. I realized I was with one person who knew about my pump and only that person and the groom even had any idea I was a diabetic and well, since the wedding wasn't about me, I'm sure news hadn't travelled ;) I debated hiding behind the flaps of the tent to bolus or going to the car to get the clip, but my friend assured me that there was nothing to be worried about--really who cared, you don't know anyone. Well it's true, I knew very few people and was prepared to ask questions. What I wasn't prepared for provided me with the most entertainment of the whole trip: a woman 3 tables away was watching (scratch that, she was staring) as I pulled my pump out and bolused and then got it back in place. I pointed it out to my friend and he assured me no one was looking until he looked up at her and nearly burst out laughing at how badly she was gawking. It was great. I was asked no questions and apparently confused her or at least entertained her? or something.
I'm thankful I wasn't more sensitive about the whole thing.
however, I do really, really like pockets :) (and jeans--I love jeans!)
Best billboard seen on the trip: "Jesus is coming as lightening" Having had only 3.5 hrs of sleep and being awake for 14 hours already at this point, I envisioned a Jesus-shaped lightening bolt :) (although I did know what they meant :) )
Friday, September 15, 2006
things that make you go hmmmm.
If you ask any diabetic they'll tell you that many times/most times there's no real reason behind the disease. I had a couple of those moments this week that confirm this.
1. Tuesday am. Wake up, blood sugar 212 (am readings are not cooperating lately!) Correction, shower, etc. Hour later, pick up my diet pepsi and donut from D & D. Ordered a jelly stick (I wanted a plain stick but apparently they're not popular anymore, so I can't get them.) Anywho, smaller than normal donut made me wonder, but I figured, it's probably for the best. Less carbs, fewer calories, etc. Eat donut. Ten am ish, test, 180ish. Meh, think nothing of it, correction bolus. Lunch. Normal blood sugar, food, bolus, etc. All normal. Afternoon, filling in my nifty little excel document courtesy of Kevin (yay, thanks!). Flipping through the pump. No morning bolus for the donut. No crazy high blood sugar symptoms. As a matter of fact, 180 didn't even register any sort of alarm for me. It was as if I just misbolused. I was perplexed. Honestly, it makes me wonder if my corrections/night time basals are off or something.
2. Last night. Bedtime (early) 9:30pm. Regular blood sugar. Wake up at midnight. 75. Not dealing with any sort of lows and also not getting out of bed. Eat three glucose tabs and go back to sleep. 7am blood sugar 264. Can't make any sense out of that one. I had no signs of a low, but I guess it's possible my body dumped some sugar. I wouldn't have had anything but basal insulin in me.
I have no idea. These are the times I say, whatever. I'm not sure I could've done anything better. In situation number one I later weighed the options: a 180 bs or a low at 9am. I think I would have found the low more frustrating.
Last post I mentioned pet peeves about lows. That weekend I encountered another one, that I'm not sure I've encountered before.
Forgetting to treat a low. I felt low, tested, was low and saw something that needed to be done (I was camping). Started to do it and thought, I feel low, I should test. Thankfully, I'm not so forgetful that I actually tested again, but instead I finally went to pour some juice. I would take a sip then put the juice down and see what needed to be done again and go do it. Then realize I've lost my juice and I'm still low!
I found this one a little odd. :)
1. Tuesday am. Wake up, blood sugar 212 (am readings are not cooperating lately!) Correction, shower, etc. Hour later, pick up my diet pepsi and donut from D & D. Ordered a jelly stick (I wanted a plain stick but apparently they're not popular anymore, so I can't get them.) Anywho, smaller than normal donut made me wonder, but I figured, it's probably for the best. Less carbs, fewer calories, etc. Eat donut. Ten am ish, test, 180ish. Meh, think nothing of it, correction bolus. Lunch. Normal blood sugar, food, bolus, etc. All normal. Afternoon, filling in my nifty little excel document courtesy of Kevin (yay, thanks!). Flipping through the pump. No morning bolus for the donut. No crazy high blood sugar symptoms. As a matter of fact, 180 didn't even register any sort of alarm for me. It was as if I just misbolused. I was perplexed. Honestly, it makes me wonder if my corrections/night time basals are off or something.
2. Last night. Bedtime (early) 9:30pm. Regular blood sugar. Wake up at midnight. 75. Not dealing with any sort of lows and also not getting out of bed. Eat three glucose tabs and go back to sleep. 7am blood sugar 264. Can't make any sense out of that one. I had no signs of a low, but I guess it's possible my body dumped some sugar. I wouldn't have had anything but basal insulin in me.
I have no idea. These are the times I say, whatever. I'm not sure I could've done anything better. In situation number one I later weighed the options: a 180 bs or a low at 9am. I think I would have found the low more frustrating.
Last post I mentioned pet peeves about lows. That weekend I encountered another one, that I'm not sure I've encountered before.
Forgetting to treat a low. I felt low, tested, was low and saw something that needed to be done (I was camping). Started to do it and thought, I feel low, I should test. Thankfully, I'm not so forgetful that I actually tested again, but instead I finally went to pour some juice. I would take a sip then put the juice down and see what needed to be done again and go do it. Then realize I've lost my juice and I'm still low!
I found this one a little odd. :)
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
'Every 10 Seconds...' Unite for Diabetes campaign
| "Every 10 seconds...' is a short film exploring the devastating impact of the global diabetes epidemic. Produced by award-winning Danish company ’FilmSolutions’ on behalf of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF), this seven-minute movie explains why the global diabetes community is joining forces to campaign for a United Nations Resolution. For more info: http://www.unitefordiabetes.org" I came across this video today at Google Video. Warning--a bit depressing. It sparked my interest in this UN Resolution. Perhaps someone has heard of this before? | |
Friday, September 08, 2006
Perpetual Lows & other annoyances
what's a blood sugar above 70 feel like?
I haven't had one since lunch today. Some people overtreat, some people don't treat (As I've learned reading some of the blogs around here). I don't do either, but then I don't account for why I went low in the first place and I go low again.
Reason for the lows today--adrenaline. I know, it's supposed to raise your blood sugars, but I think when I get going and I need to get stuff done for work, so my blood's pumping and I'm rushing around (around being within the confines of my office, so there really isn't any exercise involved)--my blood sugar drops. I had three juices at work today between 2pm and 4:30pm (Not a record for me unfortunately). I've now had 3 lows since leaving work (or was it four) and it's only 9:40pm. I have a lot more to get done tonight and an early morning ahead of me. If I drop to a temp rate, I'll have a high and find myself unable to sleep. Ah, the things people with fully functioning pancreases (pancreai?) take for granted. I can't even pack for a camping trip without a low! oy.
However, if I weren't low right now, I certainly wouldn't have the time to sit here and write this.
Other low blood sugar pet peeves:
* A low blood sugar before a meal.
Experienced today before dinner. Glucose tablets are not considered appetizers and they do not enhance the taste of pasta.
* Pre-driving lows
Managed to finish my errands before the lows started today (whew). But there's nothing like getting all you stuff together to run out the door and feeling the beginnings of a low. Testing confirms a low and one must drop what they're doing, treat and wait. yay.
* The rare "I'm not hungry" lows.
Currently experiencing. I'm not hungry. I don't want a protein snack to help me through the remainder of my evening. Heck, I don't even want juice. Does any one else NOT like juice? Years without juice have made me associate juice with low blood sugars--juice is not an option, it's an obligation. (I drank the juice--new (or just new to me?) strawberry banana Juicy Juice--just meh, give me fruit punch anyday over this (if I have to I might as well be picky!))
I'll stop there. I'm going to go and be responsible and open a few cabinets and see if a snack doesn't "wow" me into eating.
What are other people's low blood sugar pet peeves (besides the obvious pet peeve of low blood sugars themselves)?
I haven't had one since lunch today. Some people overtreat, some people don't treat (As I've learned reading some of the blogs around here). I don't do either, but then I don't account for why I went low in the first place and I go low again.
Reason for the lows today--adrenaline. I know, it's supposed to raise your blood sugars, but I think when I get going and I need to get stuff done for work, so my blood's pumping and I'm rushing around (around being within the confines of my office, so there really isn't any exercise involved)--my blood sugar drops. I had three juices at work today between 2pm and 4:30pm (Not a record for me unfortunately). I've now had 3 lows since leaving work (or was it four) and it's only 9:40pm. I have a lot more to get done tonight and an early morning ahead of me. If I drop to a temp rate, I'll have a high and find myself unable to sleep. Ah, the things people with fully functioning pancreases (pancreai?) take for granted. I can't even pack for a camping trip without a low! oy.
However, if I weren't low right now, I certainly wouldn't have the time to sit here and write this.
Other low blood sugar pet peeves:
* A low blood sugar before a meal.
Experienced today before dinner. Glucose tablets are not considered appetizers and they do not enhance the taste of pasta.
* Pre-driving lows
Managed to finish my errands before the lows started today (whew). But there's nothing like getting all you stuff together to run out the door and feeling the beginnings of a low. Testing confirms a low and one must drop what they're doing, treat and wait. yay.
* The rare "I'm not hungry" lows.
Currently experiencing. I'm not hungry. I don't want a protein snack to help me through the remainder of my evening. Heck, I don't even want juice. Does any one else NOT like juice? Years without juice have made me associate juice with low blood sugars--juice is not an option, it's an obligation. (I drank the juice--new (or just new to me?) strawberry banana Juicy Juice--just meh, give me fruit punch anyday over this (if I have to I might as well be picky!))
I'll stop there. I'm going to go and be responsible and open a few cabinets and see if a snack doesn't "wow" me into eating.
What are other people's low blood sugar pet peeves (besides the obvious pet peeve of low blood sugars themselves)?
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
nineteen years ago today
Nineteen years ago today, I was discharged from the hospital--a five year old child, being brought home after a week spent in the hospital by parents overwhelmed with the prospect of caring for their youngest child, their daughter--a newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic.
I called the hospital today because I've always been curious about my exact date of diagnosis. Strange--the immediate info that I can receive without the hospital having to dig medical records out of storage is that I was hospitalized from Aug. 22-Aug. 30, 1987. This puts my date of diagnosis at August 22nd, 1987. So, Happy Belated Anniversary to me.
I plan on expanding on my nineteen years with a follow-up post. But I'm mentally and physically exhausted. I spoke with the hospital, I retold my diagnosis story for the first time to a friend of 10+ years and for the first time, I asked my mom about it.
Friday, August 25, 2006
wired
Does anyone else feel like their wrapped up in wires all the time?
When my pump supplies arrive, the box contains half of the longer tubing and the other half short tubing. I haven't decided which tubing I prefer yet. The shorter tubing is a pain in situations such as sleeping, going to the bathroom, changing--pretty much any time my pump is not in my pocket or my pocket is not close to my site. The longer tubing is a pain, because it tends to poke out of clothing more often. This generally doesn't bother me, but can get frustrating after the umpteenth tuck.
Now, the problem I have isn't going to be solved by shorter tubing or longer tubing--it would be solved by no tubing at all. (Yeah, I have heard of the omnipod, but I've also seen it and it's too big! Beggars can't be choosers, I know, but I like my minimed pump, despite the last two posts). However, a couple of site changes ago, so about 6 or 9 days ago, I was sitting right here (in front of my computer). I filled the resevoir, primed it, ready for connection. Meanwhile, I'm listening to the red sox game on my mp3 player (note: not bluetooth). The future site is all swabbed up with alcohol, dried and so I stand up as is my normal procedure, use my blue doohickey (the insertion thing), removed the needle and voila, site changed.
Did you see this coming? That's right folks, I have glued (using the little medical adhesive circle) the wire from my mp3 player to my stomach. I HATE failed site changes, HATE 'EM, HATE 'EM, HATE 'EM. So I'm not easily going to give up and poke myself again--not if I don't have to anyways.
I determine that the needle has gone in, barely missing the wire to my headphones, and so the cannula should be happily in place (it's a risk I'm willing to take, if only I can finagle the wire out from under the adhesive without moving the cannula).
It took a little bit, but I managed to get it. Only had a pesky little spike afterwards, which is the usual for me lately after site changes--anyone have any tricks for this? I usually try to change my site around the time I'm eating and a lot of times that extra insulin carries me. I'm afraid to up my fixed prime anymore, because, well, it's high enough already!
MY OTHER issue with the wires is when I have my mp3 player in one pocket, my pump in the other--where is a girl to put her cell phone?
Happy Friday everyone!
When my pump supplies arrive, the box contains half of the longer tubing and the other half short tubing. I haven't decided which tubing I prefer yet. The shorter tubing is a pain in situations such as sleeping, going to the bathroom, changing--pretty much any time my pump is not in my pocket or my pocket is not close to my site. The longer tubing is a pain, because it tends to poke out of clothing more often. This generally doesn't bother me, but can get frustrating after the umpteenth tuck.
Now, the problem I have isn't going to be solved by shorter tubing or longer tubing--it would be solved by no tubing at all. (Yeah, I have heard of the omnipod, but I've also seen it and it's too big! Beggars can't be choosers, I know, but I like my minimed pump, despite the last two posts). However, a couple of site changes ago, so about 6 or 9 days ago, I was sitting right here (in front of my computer). I filled the resevoir, primed it, ready for connection. Meanwhile, I'm listening to the red sox game on my mp3 player (note: not bluetooth). The future site is all swabbed up with alcohol, dried and so I stand up as is my normal procedure, use my blue doohickey (the insertion thing), removed the needle and voila, site changed.
Did you see this coming? That's right folks, I have glued (using the little medical adhesive circle) the wire from my mp3 player to my stomach. I HATE failed site changes, HATE 'EM, HATE 'EM, HATE 'EM. So I'm not easily going to give up and poke myself again--not if I don't have to anyways.
I determine that the needle has gone in, barely missing the wire to my headphones, and so the cannula should be happily in place (it's a risk I'm willing to take, if only I can finagle the wire out from under the adhesive without moving the cannula).
It took a little bit, but I managed to get it. Only had a pesky little spike afterwards, which is the usual for me lately after site changes--anyone have any tricks for this? I usually try to change my site around the time I'm eating and a lot of times that extra insulin carries me. I'm afraid to up my fixed prime anymore, because, well, it's high enough already!
MY OTHER issue with the wires is when I have my mp3 player in one pocket, my pump in the other--where is a girl to put her cell phone?
Happy Friday everyone!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
< / saga >
I spoke with Minimed--I'm over it. According to the nice lady I spoke to a recertified pump is essentially a used pump that is brand new--they just can't call it new because it's used, but all the parts are new, but it's used. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around this, but she assured me that there are no built in time-bombs just waiting to break within my "new" recertified pump. I'm holding her to that :)
So, I'm slow. I don't share a lot. This is pretty good though, two posts in about a week's time and that's without any visitors! ha.
I think my basals are slightly skewed--perhaps the doctor's office really didn't have the most up-to-date rates. Somewhere between 4 and 6 am, I jump up to the mid-200s. Tonight is a basal check night, because even mid 200s wake me up. If there's one thing I can't stand it's waking up 20 mins before the alarm goes off! Wish me luck. I just have to wake up... once I'm up... who am I kidding. I am hoping for the best though. There's plenty of motivation in the thought of many sleep-filled evenings.
If anyone is reading this, I'll try to share a little bit about who I am outside of the world of Diabetes, although I'm in that world so very often.
(1) I'm a habitual proofreader--I find typos in books, overheads, my coworkers' writings, etc. I don't try to look, I'm just a little uptight about the whole thing. You will notice, however, that when writing blogs and such, I am not a stickler about my own punctuation and I fluctuate as to the importance of capitalization. Spelling is what bothers me beyond anything else, so if you see a spelling error, go ahead and correct it... it'll irk me that I've spelled it wrong (or typed it wrong), but it's a humbling experience.
(2) I'm a dog person, who fell in love with a cat. Her name was/is Gus. Although, since having to give her away to, I'm not so sure Gus is still her name. See, I wasn't a cat person, so she technically got her name before I bothered to find out that he was a she. My dog, lives with my mother. Charlie is a 14 year old toy poodle, who looks more like a bichon than a poodle, poor thing. He has the manners of a mutt too, but it's endearing, really.
So, I'm slow. I don't share a lot. This is pretty good though, two posts in about a week's time and that's without any visitors! ha.
I think my basals are slightly skewed--perhaps the doctor's office really didn't have the most up-to-date rates. Somewhere between 4 and 6 am, I jump up to the mid-200s. Tonight is a basal check night, because even mid 200s wake me up. If there's one thing I can't stand it's waking up 20 mins before the alarm goes off! Wish me luck. I just have to wake up... once I'm up... who am I kidding. I am hoping for the best though. There's plenty of motivation in the thought of many sleep-filled evenings.
If anyone is reading this, I'll try to share a little bit about who I am outside of the world of Diabetes, although I'm in that world so very often.
(1) I'm a habitual proofreader--I find typos in books, overheads, my coworkers' writings, etc. I don't try to look, I'm just a little uptight about the whole thing. You will notice, however, that when writing blogs and such, I am not a stickler about my own punctuation and I fluctuate as to the importance of capitalization. Spelling is what bothers me beyond anything else, so if you see a spelling error, go ahead and correct it... it'll irk me that I've spelled it wrong (or typed it wrong), but it's a humbling experience.
(2) I'm a dog person, who fell in love with a cat. Her name was/is Gus. Although, since having to give her away to, I'm not so sure Gus is still her name. See, I wasn't a cat person, so she technically got her name before I bothered to find out that he was a she. My dog, lives with my mother. Charlie is a 14 year old toy poodle, who looks more like a bichon than a poodle, poor thing. He has the manners of a mutt too, but it's endearing, really.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
As good a time to start as any...
Well, I'm jumping in to the world of diabetes blogging--it does seem like it's own little world. I have a folder devoted to diabetes bloggers among my many feeds. I read about other people's triumphs, failures, frustrations, and humorous tidbits daily. I feel as though I ought to offer a little something back and since the idea of verbalizing my thoughts has been on my mind a lot lately in regards to my dealings with diabetes, there seems no better time than now.
Why you ask?
My pump died... again. And while friends and family can say, wow shots every two hours, waking up throughout the night, didn't your pump break before, how can it break, etc. No one really understands how frustrating an event like this can be. Coupled with the thoughts that there will never be a cure and I will always be dependent upon some technology or a syringe filled with insulin and you've got a more than just unhappy camper on your hands.
So it beings--Late last September I began pumping. Three weeks later during the first battery change I lost my beloved pump and started shots every 2 hrs until my new pump arrived (32 hrs later). (The first "breaking of the pump" really was a lame situation (perhaps it was slightly my fault that it broke). Hearing the minimed tech guy ask me if I've tried to open the battery case with a butter knife (a big no-no and I said, "No I haven't tried that" and hearing him say, "Well I think you should" at 2 am did warrant a laugh on my part.
Last week I changed my site, but had a hang up with an A33 error. No evidence of the error in the manual and a successful third try had me confident that I had fixed the problem and it would no longer rear its ugly, insulin propelling head (yes, insulin shot out of the cannula about 2 feet across the room--imagine my surprise!)
I was wrong. Yesterday morning, 10 am, site change (at work--see I have a cool job that allows me this comfort and I'm too lazy to worry about site changes at 7am)--error, A33. This had me more concerned, so I google it. It's beginning to look hopeless. The information I gathered: A33 means some sensors in your pump are either dead or they will be dead soon (great monty python scene-scroll down a bit or search the page for 'Bring out your dead' ). Call Minimed, they advise that I do not use the pump again and I begin the every two hrs crap again. Oy. It was not a happy day. Numbers fine for the first 6 hours. Downhill for the next 6 hours. One ok reading, an alright but not great one, and some more mid-200s and it's morning and time for work. Finish the 24-hour period off where I started--mid 90s.
10 am this morning--ambush the UPS guy and rip my fancy new (read: once again refurbished and probably going to break again soon, just like the last refurbished pump, but I'm not bitter) from the box. Reprogrammed and hooked up within 5 minutes.
Some happy thoughts about the past 24 hours:
-In the next couple of days I'll be speaking with minimed about my disappointments with their company and testing the waters for a NEW (read: new) pump.
-I didn't wake up once all night because I was laying on my pump (although I was up every two hours to test and shoot)
-I work in an environment where it's ok to take 45 mins off at 10 am to track down some pen needles and your basal rates from your dr's office.
-It could always be worse. I'm lucky enough to have a job and insurance that will pay for such and expensive piece of equipment at no cost to me.
So, that tells you nothing concrete about me, but I've been able to share the death of a pump with a community that truly understands. :) If you've made it this far, thanks for forging ahead through what may have been a disappointing retelling of my story.
Why you ask?
My pump died... again. And while friends and family can say, wow shots every two hours, waking up throughout the night, didn't your pump break before, how can it break, etc. No one really understands how frustrating an event like this can be. Coupled with the thoughts that there will never be a cure and I will always be dependent upon some technology or a syringe filled with insulin and you've got a more than just unhappy camper on your hands.
So it beings--Late last September I began pumping. Three weeks later during the first battery change I lost my beloved pump and started shots every 2 hrs until my new pump arrived (32 hrs later). (The first "breaking of the pump" really was a lame situation (perhaps it was slightly my fault that it broke). Hearing the minimed tech guy ask me if I've tried to open the battery case with a butter knife (a big no-no and I said, "No I haven't tried that" and hearing him say, "Well I think you should" at 2 am did warrant a laugh on my part.
Last week I changed my site, but had a hang up with an A33 error. No evidence of the error in the manual and a successful third try had me confident that I had fixed the problem and it would no longer rear its ugly, insulin propelling head (yes, insulin shot out of the cannula about 2 feet across the room--imagine my surprise!)
I was wrong. Yesterday morning, 10 am, site change (at work--see I have a cool job that allows me this comfort and I'm too lazy to worry about site changes at 7am)--error, A33. This had me more concerned, so I google it. It's beginning to look hopeless. The information I gathered: A33 means some sensors in your pump are either dead or they will be dead soon (great monty python scene-scroll down a bit or search the page for 'Bring out your dead' ). Call Minimed, they advise that I do not use the pump again and I begin the every two hrs crap again. Oy. It was not a happy day. Numbers fine for the first 6 hours. Downhill for the next 6 hours. One ok reading, an alright but not great one, and some more mid-200s and it's morning and time for work. Finish the 24-hour period off where I started--mid 90s.
10 am this morning--ambush the UPS guy and rip my fancy new (read: once again refurbished and probably going to break again soon, just like the last refurbished pump, but I'm not bitter) from the box. Reprogrammed and hooked up within 5 minutes.
Some happy thoughts about the past 24 hours:
-In the next couple of days I'll be speaking with minimed about my disappointments with their company and testing the waters for a NEW (read: new) pump.
-I didn't wake up once all night because I was laying on my pump (although I was up every two hours to test and shoot)
-I work in an environment where it's ok to take 45 mins off at 10 am to track down some pen needles and your basal rates from your dr's office.
-It could always be worse. I'm lucky enough to have a job and insurance that will pay for such and expensive piece of equipment at no cost to me.
So, that tells you nothing concrete about me, but I've been able to share the death of a pump with a community that truly understands. :) If you've made it this far, thanks for forging ahead through what may have been a disappointing retelling of my story.
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