Lots of stuff going on here...Received my new CGM (just calling her Dexie at the moment...DexCom being the name of the company that makes it) I also got information on possibly getting a new pump, and I might end up switching companies. Currently, I use a pump by Medtronic (Minimed), so her name is Minnie. If I switch, it'll be to a company called Animas, so the new pump would be named Annie. We shall see...
And, please note...I am NOT sponsored or endorsed by ANY of these companies. Just stating facts of which I am using, or might use, but I am not saying that one is better than another.
This CGM is really cool. My husband and I keep checking out the trend charts. They show all your sugar levels for the last 1 hr, 3 hrs, 6 hrs, 12 hrs and 24 hrs. Kinda too much information, yet kinda cool to watch. When it wakes me up during the night because I am either high or low, it's okay the first time...but the second time in one night that it wakes me up, I get kinda cranky. OK...moderately cranky. I have had it for 2 weeks now, and I think I'm adjusting to it alright. Sometimes, the logistics of where to put it, both the sensor on my tummy, and where to carry the receiver, can be interesting. The sensor has to be 3 inches from my pump insertion site, the sensor and the pump insertion site both have to be at least 1-2 inches from the belly button, and frankly, that just seems overwhelming sometimes. :) So, currently I have Minnie on the right side and Dexie on the left. But, I need to switch them this next time. It's probably a good thing that I don't have anything remotely resembling a bikini body, because my tummy looks interesting. :) As for the receiver, I think it needs a pager button on the sensor. I have misplaced it a few times, and I run around the house in a panic trying to figure out where I set it down last. If I could page it, and follow the beep, that would be fantastic. Like when you have to call your cell phone from the land line, or someone else's phone to find out where it is. (You know you've done it too!!)
On a totally different note...I saw on Facebook the other day that Medtronic contacted people in the areas that were expected to be hit by Hurricane Irene, and reminded them to take their pump supplies if they had to evacuate, and also gave them their emergency supply number, so they could contact them if necessary. Great move, Medtronic!!
I remember a few years ago, we had a pretty ugly ice storm here (probably no biggie for other parts of the country, but here in the NW, we don't do that extreme weather too often!) Power went off, we didn't have a generator. Had to keep the insulin cold. And, had just filled my prescription, and had quite a bit of it. I was afraid to keep it outside, since it was SO cold, and it's not supposed to freeze. Probably could've put it in the garage, but we ended up getting to a friend's house, who had a generator that allowed them to keep their refrigerator going. One of those weird things I had never thought of before. Never think Mother Nature is going to have much to do with your diabetes, and yet...of course it does. EVERYTHING is affected by diabetes. Even your bikini body. :)
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Getting closer...
OK, well, just a couple of days til I start on the CGM. Quite a few of you helped me with ideas on names, mostly on Facebook. Some very original, funny ones too!! Thank you so much! Still haven't decided on one, (well, okay, two...) but we shall see how it goes. Might have to live with it for awhile...Update later.
So, for some reason, I am now getting nervous about this whole thing. The logistics of it are stressing me out. So, I have the pump attached to my tummy, which lives in my pocket or clipped onto my belt or waistband. Possibly, in a thigh strap with a dress, or occasionally in my bra. I already have to make that decision daily, sometimes multiple times a day, depending on what I am doing and how many times I have to change my clothes.
Then, when I go to bed, I have to clip it on my jammies, and try not to roll onto it while I'm sleeping. Don't misunderstand me, I DO roll onto it, and it briefly wakes me up, til I move it or I move, and go back to sleep. Seriously, I don't think I have slept through an entire night since I got it.
THEN, I am about to add another piece of machinery to my gadget collection. It will be attached to me, but it's wireless. However, it will still need to be near me...like in my purse, pocket, on my nightstand, etc. So, not QUITE as much of a pain, but still a pain. Not to mention that I have to carry my monitor, test strips, and poke-er thingee with me, plus glucose tablets, at all times. I used to like little to medium sized purses. Now, I require medium to large. Mostly large. (Partly because of my gorgeous, luxurious, big ol' wallet that my son gave me for my birthday...super cute, non-diabetic story) Anyway, this whole electronic aspect of diabetes has changed life in ways both big and small. Some involuntary, some voluntary. This next step is voluntary. Recommended and encouraged by my doctor. But still my choice. Sometimes I wonder why I am excited about it.
I am quite a control freak about lots of things. My doctor says that diabetes is a great disease to have if you are a control freak. And, this new gadget will help me get it under really tight control. Which is cool. Really cool. :) So, I have been chatting with God about this, and realizing that He has a plan. And, that it will be okay. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13) I believe this is a step that God wants me to take. I understand that it might not be easy. But it will be good for me, and will help me to be healthy, and to take care of this imperfect body that God gave me, until I get to heaven for that awesome, perfect heavenly body. (I am just assuming that if it is "perfect" that it will include a functioning pancreas. Yay God!) Yes, I still have to make healthier choices in eating and choose to exercise more often (okay, at all!) But still..."'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to bring you hope and a future.'" (Jer. 29:11) Oh, that gives me such peace when I just remember to remember it!!
So, for some reason, I am now getting nervous about this whole thing. The logistics of it are stressing me out. So, I have the pump attached to my tummy, which lives in my pocket or clipped onto my belt or waistband. Possibly, in a thigh strap with a dress, or occasionally in my bra. I already have to make that decision daily, sometimes multiple times a day, depending on what I am doing and how many times I have to change my clothes.
Then, when I go to bed, I have to clip it on my jammies, and try not to roll onto it while I'm sleeping. Don't misunderstand me, I DO roll onto it, and it briefly wakes me up, til I move it or I move, and go back to sleep. Seriously, I don't think I have slept through an entire night since I got it.
THEN, I am about to add another piece of machinery to my gadget collection. It will be attached to me, but it's wireless. However, it will still need to be near me...like in my purse, pocket, on my nightstand, etc. So, not QUITE as much of a pain, but still a pain. Not to mention that I have to carry my monitor, test strips, and poke-er thingee with me, plus glucose tablets, at all times. I used to like little to medium sized purses. Now, I require medium to large. Mostly large. (Partly because of my gorgeous, luxurious, big ol' wallet that my son gave me for my birthday...super cute, non-diabetic story) Anyway, this whole electronic aspect of diabetes has changed life in ways both big and small. Some involuntary, some voluntary. This next step is voluntary. Recommended and encouraged by my doctor. But still my choice. Sometimes I wonder why I am excited about it.
I am quite a control freak about lots of things. My doctor says that diabetes is a great disease to have if you are a control freak. And, this new gadget will help me get it under really tight control. Which is cool. Really cool. :) So, I have been chatting with God about this, and realizing that He has a plan. And, that it will be okay. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13) I believe this is a step that God wants me to take. I understand that it might not be easy. But it will be good for me, and will help me to be healthy, and to take care of this imperfect body that God gave me, until I get to heaven for that awesome, perfect heavenly body. (I am just assuming that if it is "perfect" that it will include a functioning pancreas. Yay God!) Yes, I still have to make healthier choices in eating and choose to exercise more often (okay, at all!) But still..."'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to bring you hope and a future.'" (Jer. 29:11) Oh, that gives me such peace when I just remember to remember it!!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Name those appendages!
So, last Friday (early!!!) I received my Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) in the mail. Very exciting for a geek like me. Unfortunately, I couldn't get an appointment with my Diabetes Educator until next week to learn how to use the silly thing. So, it sits. In the box(es). Not that I didn't open it. I did. And, I took out each part, and stared, intimidated, at the thing that you insert it with. Very wicked looking. And, I mean wicked in the old person way...you know, negative. Not the young person, cool way. Eek!! Not that I am afraid of needles...but that's really not the point. And, I looked at the super thick instruction manual. And held the tutorial disc. And the accompanying software discs. Oh dear! SO much information. And technical stuff. The geek side of me thinks it is SO COOL...and the other, less geeky side of me is intimidated and a little overwhelmed.
Now, if I haven't explained this to you, and you don't already know, the CGM is a machine-type thing that has a little attachment that goes on/in my tummy (a little bigger than the size of a quarter) that stays there for a week, then I move it. It checks my sugar levels from the tissue fluid, which is just a little behind the blood sugar levels. So, quite accurate, just a bit behind. It checks every 5 minutes, then sends the info (wirelessly) to a receiver, which hangs out on or near me. I can program it for certain high numbers and low numbers, and as my sugar levels approach those parameters, an alarm will go off and let me know, so I can correct it, however that needs to be done (insulin or glucose). It'll also let me know whether my sugar levels are trending up or down, or steady or what. For control freak-type people like me, this is potentially awesome! Or, overwhelming. We shall see which. Most likely both...depending on the situation...or the day...hour....minute.
I was reading another diabetic blog and checking out a new diabetic website and I realized that another girl had named her CGM (Dexter). Same brand as mine, so logical name. Well, I was thinking about naming mine. And, it'll have to be a name that goes with my pump, which isn't yet named either. I am thinking that they should go together somehow...you know, rhyme or something clever. However, I am not feeling clever, and need help. (I do have a ganglion cyst on my left hand that has been coming and going for years which I have named Fred. So, that name is taken.) Since they are (or will be...) attached to me, I am thinking that I want them to have girl names.
Any ideas? Unfortunately, I don't have anything fun to raffle off to the winner or anything like that, so you'll just have to do it for the fun of it, and for the great gratification of knowing that you helped me name my newest appendages. :)
Let the names begin!!!
Now, if I haven't explained this to you, and you don't already know, the CGM is a machine-type thing that has a little attachment that goes on/in my tummy (a little bigger than the size of a quarter) that stays there for a week, then I move it. It checks my sugar levels from the tissue fluid, which is just a little behind the blood sugar levels. So, quite accurate, just a bit behind. It checks every 5 minutes, then sends the info (wirelessly) to a receiver, which hangs out on or near me. I can program it for certain high numbers and low numbers, and as my sugar levels approach those parameters, an alarm will go off and let me know, so I can correct it, however that needs to be done (insulin or glucose). It'll also let me know whether my sugar levels are trending up or down, or steady or what. For control freak-type people like me, this is potentially awesome! Or, overwhelming. We shall see which. Most likely both...depending on the situation...or the day...hour....minute.
I was reading another diabetic blog and checking out a new diabetic website and I realized that another girl had named her CGM (Dexter). Same brand as mine, so logical name. Well, I was thinking about naming mine. And, it'll have to be a name that goes with my pump, which isn't yet named either. I am thinking that they should go together somehow...you know, rhyme or something clever. However, I am not feeling clever, and need help. (I do have a ganglion cyst on my left hand that has been coming and going for years which I have named Fred. So, that name is taken.) Since they are (or will be...) attached to me, I am thinking that I want them to have girl names.
Any ideas? Unfortunately, I don't have anything fun to raffle off to the winner or anything like that, so you'll just have to do it for the fun of it, and for the great gratification of knowing that you helped me name my newest appendages. :)
Let the names begin!!!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Talking with Your Hands
So, today's blog is only vaguely diabetes-related. I was at my Dad's house yesterday, chatting with my Dad and my brother, J. I was explaining to them about the Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) that I just ordered (which will arrive on Monday! Yay!). While I was explaining how it works and what it does, I was talking not just with my mouth, but also with my hands. For those of you that know me, this is NOT a surprise. I have been known to get animated when I'm speaking. I have almost hit people if they are next to me while I'm speaking, and my husband has been known to pat me on the leg in a signal to "shh" when I get excited...apparently I get louder as I get all into my subject.
OK, back to the conversation with my brother and Dad. Right in the middle of my explanation, my Dad interrupts (not a shocker to those of us who know and love him) and comments to my brother that I still wave my hands around while I talk.
This leads us back to an old family story. When J. was in about 5th grade, which would put me in 2nd, he had to give his first "big" in-front-of-the-class presentation. It was about igloos. He was practicing in my Dad's den, with Dad and I as an audience.
Now, my Dad was a banker. Apparently, he wasn't particularly comfortable speaking in public, and joined a group called Toastmasters. I am sure it is much more than this, but I had the impression that it was (is) a club for people to sit around and talk about talking. So, my Dad was giving J pointers. He told him that he needed to enhance his speech with hand motions. So, J was trying to figure out hand motions to go with his talk. As the wonderful, helpful, supportive, encouraging younger sister that I was, I was .totally. trying to help him out. So, as he said the line, "There is a small hole in the top of the igloo that allowed the smoke to come out" (remember, we're talking igloos here), I made hand motions. It would be much easier to show you, but since they are pretty basic, I should be able to talk you through them.
"There is a small hole..." made a circle with thumbs and forefingers
"at the top of the igloo..." pointing down at the circle with pointer finger of R hand
"that allows the smoke to come out..." curly-que motions in an upward spiral
Well, my brother saw me doing this and just burst out laughing. Every time he would start again, I would do the motions again, and he would start laughing again. After many times, after my Dad told me to stop, J finally got through it. I was just trying to help. Really. I have no idea how he did on his talk...neither does he. We just remember this practice session.
For years, I could get him giggling just by doing the motions. Didn't have to say a word. Could stand behind my parents, where they couldn't see me, and make these motions, while he was trying to keep a straight face. OK, so this might not've been the nicest thing ever. But, I am the little sister.
So, we are now both in our forties (he's farther into them than I am...and I don't let him forget it) and I can still just look at him, do those motions, and we both start giggling. Even my Dad was chuckling about it last night. (My Dad does NOT giggle.) So, after a little trip down Memory Lane, I got off the detour and finished explaining about the CGM. They think it'll be cool. Me too. Not shockingly, my brother already has a new nickname for me. "'Borg", short for cyborg, of course. I will add it to the list of nicknames....which is entirely too long for this blog.
Isn't family fun? :)
OK, back to the conversation with my brother and Dad. Right in the middle of my explanation, my Dad interrupts (not a shocker to those of us who know and love him) and comments to my brother that I still wave my hands around while I talk.
This leads us back to an old family story. When J. was in about 5th grade, which would put me in 2nd, he had to give his first "big" in-front-of-the-class presentation. It was about igloos. He was practicing in my Dad's den, with Dad and I as an audience.
Now, my Dad was a banker. Apparently, he wasn't particularly comfortable speaking in public, and joined a group called Toastmasters. I am sure it is much more than this, but I had the impression that it was (is) a club for people to sit around and talk about talking. So, my Dad was giving J pointers. He told him that he needed to enhance his speech with hand motions. So, J was trying to figure out hand motions to go with his talk. As the wonderful, helpful, supportive, encouraging younger sister that I was, I was .totally. trying to help him out. So, as he said the line, "There is a small hole in the top of the igloo that allowed the smoke to come out" (remember, we're talking igloos here), I made hand motions. It would be much easier to show you, but since they are pretty basic, I should be able to talk you through them.
"There is a small hole..." made a circle with thumbs and forefingers
"at the top of the igloo..." pointing down at the circle with pointer finger of R hand
"that allows the smoke to come out..." curly-que motions in an upward spiral
Well, my brother saw me doing this and just burst out laughing. Every time he would start again, I would do the motions again, and he would start laughing again. After many times, after my Dad told me to stop, J finally got through it. I was just trying to help. Really. I have no idea how he did on his talk...neither does he. We just remember this practice session.
For years, I could get him giggling just by doing the motions. Didn't have to say a word. Could stand behind my parents, where they couldn't see me, and make these motions, while he was trying to keep a straight face. OK, so this might not've been the nicest thing ever. But, I am the little sister.
So, we are now both in our forties (he's farther into them than I am...and I don't let him forget it) and I can still just look at him, do those motions, and we both start giggling. Even my Dad was chuckling about it last night. (My Dad does NOT giggle.) So, after a little trip down Memory Lane, I got off the detour and finished explaining about the CGM. They think it'll be cool. Me too. Not shockingly, my brother already has a new nickname for me. "'Borg", short for cyborg, of course. I will add it to the list of nicknames....which is entirely too long for this blog.
Isn't family fun? :)
Friday, July 22, 2011
So, could this be an eating disorder?
I have to say, there are times when I wonder if diabetes should have it's own little section under eating disorders. Now, all joking aside, I know that there actually IS an eating disorder associated with Type 1, where usually teen to early 20-something females don't use their insulin properly, and let their blood sugars run high, because then they lose weight. Of course, it's from their body basically eating all their muscle. But, they weigh less. And do irreparable damage to their bodies. Sad, yet true.
OK, back to joking. Semi-seriously...I constantly think about food. When I wake up, I wonder if I have time to shower and get ready before I have to eat. Do I feel low? Shaky? Normal, not-ready-to-wake-up-yet shaky, or hypoglycemic shaky? Must eat breakfast, although I have never in my life been much of a breakfast person. (I LOVE breakfast food, but I like it more at dinner. Or at least brunch. Maybe it's because I've never been a morning person. Huh.) Must plan snacks, food thrown in purse, in the car, meals for the rest of the day...where can I get them? When I'm at work, it's fine, because I kind of have that down. And there are juice boxes in the fridge. Just for me. And any patients that exhibit symptoms that look very familiar to me. If I'm running errands, I have to think about whether there is somewhere to get a snack nearby or on the way. How much walking is going to be involved in my errands? If someone offers me a drink, a piece of candy, a stick of gum...I must mentally analyze it before I accept it. Even stupid, non-fun things like cough drops.
If I go to Fred Meyer or Costco, I seriously need a snack with me. I don't consider walking around there exercise, but apparently it is. Someday I will learn to check my blood sugar before I start shopping. Because I never can remember to, and I can't even count how many times I have ended up shaky and sweaty and seriously hoping I can complete my shopping without acting like a fool. I really do carry glucose tablets, but food tastes WAY better. I do use this as an excuse for really non-diabetic friendly food. You know, the stuff that is right there, nice and convenient at the checkout. Yummmm. Bad choice, but SO easy.
And one of biggest pet peeves of diabetes and food is when I eat too much, but don't accurately count my carbs and take too much insulin. So, when I check my blood glucose and it's too low to go to bed and I need a snack, and I'm not even REMOTELY hungry and HAVE TO eat or drink something. That's just a plain old waste of calories. I don't even get to enjoy it. And, on a similar note, when I am trying to lose weight and am counting calories, and have eaten all my calories and am all proud of myself...and then need to have a snack. And the snack has to be full calorie, of at least full carb...And it puts me over my calorie count for the day. That TOTALLY shouldn't count against me.
So, although I know that eating disorders are really serious, and I'm not making light of them, I just think that we should have a subcategory. For those of us whose lives literally revolve around food. And the balance of food and exercise and insulin.
OK, back to joking. Semi-seriously...I constantly think about food. When I wake up, I wonder if I have time to shower and get ready before I have to eat. Do I feel low? Shaky? Normal, not-ready-to-wake-up-yet shaky, or hypoglycemic shaky? Must eat breakfast, although I have never in my life been much of a breakfast person. (I LOVE breakfast food, but I like it more at dinner. Or at least brunch. Maybe it's because I've never been a morning person. Huh.) Must plan snacks, food thrown in purse, in the car, meals for the rest of the day...where can I get them? When I'm at work, it's fine, because I kind of have that down. And there are juice boxes in the fridge. Just for me. And any patients that exhibit symptoms that look very familiar to me. If I'm running errands, I have to think about whether there is somewhere to get a snack nearby or on the way. How much walking is going to be involved in my errands? If someone offers me a drink, a piece of candy, a stick of gum...I must mentally analyze it before I accept it. Even stupid, non-fun things like cough drops.
If I go to Fred Meyer or Costco, I seriously need a snack with me. I don't consider walking around there exercise, but apparently it is. Someday I will learn to check my blood sugar before I start shopping. Because I never can remember to, and I can't even count how many times I have ended up shaky and sweaty and seriously hoping I can complete my shopping without acting like a fool. I really do carry glucose tablets, but food tastes WAY better. I do use this as an excuse for really non-diabetic friendly food. You know, the stuff that is right there, nice and convenient at the checkout. Yummmm. Bad choice, but SO easy.
And one of biggest pet peeves of diabetes and food is when I eat too much, but don't accurately count my carbs and take too much insulin. So, when I check my blood glucose and it's too low to go to bed and I need a snack, and I'm not even REMOTELY hungry and HAVE TO eat or drink something. That's just a plain old waste of calories. I don't even get to enjoy it. And, on a similar note, when I am trying to lose weight and am counting calories, and have eaten all my calories and am all proud of myself...and then need to have a snack. And the snack has to be full calorie, of at least full carb...And it puts me over my calorie count for the day. That TOTALLY shouldn't count against me.
So, although I know that eating disorders are really serious, and I'm not making light of them, I just think that we should have a subcategory. For those of us whose lives literally revolve around food. And the balance of food and exercise and insulin.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Allow me to introduce myself...
Hi there! My name is Karen and I am going to attempt this blog. I cannot guarantee how often I will post, or how well written it will be, whether anyone will read it, follow it, comment on it, or really, even benefit at all from reading it. But, I am going to do it anyway. So there.
Let me explain my title...
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the ripe "old" age of 35. Just a couple months short of 36. For those of you who aren't PWD (Person/People with Diabetes) or just generally knowledgeable about it, Type 1 is what used to be called Juvenile Diabetes, and generally kids come down with it. But, because there are more and more people like me out there, they have changed the name to Type 1, because it is not just "juveniles" that come down with it anymore.
At one of my initial appointments with my (then new) endocrinologist, I asked how I could have Juvenile Diabetes as an adult. And he said, "You are just juvenile at heart." And there you have it.
At my one year anniversary of diabetes, I decided to switch from multiple injections daily to using an insulin pump. Really, SO MUCH better. Don't misunderstand...there are moments where I want to just rip the stupid thing out of my tummy (or wherever it happens to be attached that day) and huck it out a car window. Then I pray, calm down, and remember to be grateful. As my wonderfully patient husband reminds me on my "poor pitiful me days"...one hundred years ago, they didn't HAVE insulin, and I would be dead by now. And the pump IS really much better, subtle, and socially acceptable than injections. (for me, anyway) I don't have bruises all over my tummy. Just an extra funky "nipple". (seriously!) That moves. Every three days. I don't have waitresses walk up to ask how we are liking our food while I have a needle sticking out of my "inch" that I happen to be pinching. (Never fails...if not when your mouth is full, while you are shooting up)
I am a Christian, I am a wife, a stepmom, a dental hygienist, a sister, daughter, friend. And, I am a diabetic. I have a wonderful life. And, a sarcastic sense of humor (you have been warned!) Really, who wouldn't want this life??? So, come share it with me...
Let me explain my title...
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the ripe "old" age of 35. Just a couple months short of 36. For those of you who aren't PWD (Person/People with Diabetes) or just generally knowledgeable about it, Type 1 is what used to be called Juvenile Diabetes, and generally kids come down with it. But, because there are more and more people like me out there, they have changed the name to Type 1, because it is not just "juveniles" that come down with it anymore.
At one of my initial appointments with my (then new) endocrinologist, I asked how I could have Juvenile Diabetes as an adult. And he said, "You are just juvenile at heart." And there you have it.
At my one year anniversary of diabetes, I decided to switch from multiple injections daily to using an insulin pump. Really, SO MUCH better. Don't misunderstand...there are moments where I want to just rip the stupid thing out of my tummy (or wherever it happens to be attached that day) and huck it out a car window. Then I pray, calm down, and remember to be grateful. As my wonderfully patient husband reminds me on my "poor pitiful me days"...one hundred years ago, they didn't HAVE insulin, and I would be dead by now. And the pump IS really much better, subtle, and socially acceptable than injections. (for me, anyway) I don't have bruises all over my tummy. Just an extra funky "nipple". (seriously!) That moves. Every three days. I don't have waitresses walk up to ask how we are liking our food while I have a needle sticking out of my "inch" that I happen to be pinching. (Never fails...if not when your mouth is full, while you are shooting up)
I am a Christian, I am a wife, a stepmom, a dental hygienist, a sister, daughter, friend. And, I am a diabetic. I have a wonderful life. And, a sarcastic sense of humor (you have been warned!) Really, who wouldn't want this life??? So, come share it with me...
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