Monthly Archives: May 2012

Hangers-On.

May 22, 2012 – 6:33 am

So… just how long do you hang onto your supplies? You didn’t think that I actually had an entourage or anything, did you? No, really… Do you have outdated supplies? Old, old stuff? I’m talking about anything related to your D-care: Insulin, syringes, infusion sets, reservoirs, alcohol swabs (if you use them); and glucose meters, lancets, or test strips. Okay, almost no one ever has extra test strips, so maybe you can cross that one off of the list.

But chances are, if you have any kind of chronic illness, and you have access to drugs or paraphernalia that helps you manage your condition (read: helps you live your life), you’ve probably got a stash of something that you just can’t part with. Until you realize you’ve had that extra pill, or extra pill box, or something else, for a looooong time. An outdated glucose monitor that you just can’t trash (or the test strips that went with the one you did trash). Syringes from 12 years ago. A special case that you carry all of your must-have supplies in. I’m looking at you, Mr. and Ms. Glucose Tabs.

I’m guilty of hanging onto two things over the years.

One is outdated insulin. I’ve been a pumper for two years now, and I’ve only needed injections twice in that time. Both were needed as a result of bent cannulas. But I was cleaning out the fridge over the weekend and I found a six year old bottle of Lantus in there. That was my backup when I did the injection thing. I had a small incident a few years back (actually, eight years now that I think of it) when the mail order pharmacy held back my insulin delivery for some long-forgotten reason, and I just got it resolved the day before leaving for Ireland on vacation. After that, I developed a habit of ordering refills early from the pharmacy and saving one extra vial, just in case. But I never rotated my stock, so to speak. I just saved that one vial, the same vial, all those years. Looking back, it’s easy to see that it wasn’t a backup as much as it was an emotional crutch.

Also, I have this funny but amazing thing that I carry my insulin in when I travel:

I’ve had this for all of the 21 years that I’ve had this disease. My grandmother found it in a drugstore shortly after my diagnosis and bought it for me. The plastic thing goes into the freezer until I need it. Then I microwave it for a minute or so. Then the insulin goes in and it gets slipped inside of the other blue thing with the foam padding (these are technical terms here). Keeps it cold for a long, long time. It’s been with me on trips to the ocean, to the mountains, Ireland, California, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Florida, everywhere. And you know what? I ain’t giving this one up either. It’s indestructible.

Now, I have a point. Do you have anything that’s extra, but not outdated? Maybe you’d like to share with those less fortunate? Here are a couple of websites where you can get information on donating extra D-related supplies:

http://www.act1diabetes.org/campaigns/supply-exchange-program/

http://www.learningdiabetes.com/donate-supplies.html

I’m due for a new glucose meter… maybe I’ll see if I can get that before I use up all of my strips…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Disclaimer
I have no medical training. If you consider anything written here as medical, legal, financial, or any other kind of advice, you’re out of your mind. Please speak to a learned professional before making any changes that might affect your health. Any of the original content found on this site is my property and should not be reproduced, copied, or otherwise used without the author’s expressed written consent.

By StephenS | Posted in Additional Inspiration | Tagged , | Comments (1)

Diabetes Blog Week: Day 7– Super Dia-Heros.

May 20, 2012 – 8:17 am


 
Today is the final installment of Diabetes Blog Week. Special thanks AGAIN to Karen Graffeo at Bitter~Sweet for hosting this inspiring event. Why is it inspiring? Well, for me, I have read many (read: hundreds) of posts that were waaaaaay better than anything I’ve written this week. They were all posts that inspired me. Inspired me to live a better life. To care more about those less fortunate. To advocate, to speak for those who are unable to speak for themselves. To write a better blog.

Thank you to all of the d-bloggers out there who make made my posts look like a grocery list this week.

That said, I’m going to punt on today’s post. I’m going to re-post something I wrote on this subject a few weeks ago.

But before I do, I want to add to the super dia-heros list you see below. In the original post, I forgot to mention the Maryland Transit Authority Police, who helped me through an extremely dangerous low I experienced about a year ago on the subway home. They were fantastic, and they even met me later, off-duty, to deliver my meter and my pump, which I lost in the incident. In short, they saved my life. How can you thank someone enough for that? Can’t believe I forgot them in the original post.

Now, to the previous post:

Super Dia-Heros.

The world needs more Superheros!

I suppose so. But I can think of a few Superheros that I would like to retire… as soon as possible.

The Great Spousal Unit is a Superhero (Supershero?). She’s always got my back. In the middle of a road trip, or in the middle of the night, she’s always there when I have an issue. For all 21 years of this disease, she’s been a rock. I would like to give her a break. She’s earned it after all these years. I don’t want her to worry about me anymore. Without me asking.

The Live-In Niece has been terrific. I’m the first, the only, diabetic she’s ever known. Or known about. She knows nothing of hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis. But she asks a lot of questions. And she never makes me feel bad for being a pain in the ass because I had a low or I’m mad at the diabetes today. Without me asking.

Prior to the Live-In Niece was the Live-In Nephew. My Godson. Probably the relative I’m closest to. And diabetes freaks him out. But when he was confronted by something that freaked him out, he was able to help me. Without me asking.

I’ve had a couple of crappy doctors over the years. But I’ve had a couple of super ones too. That’s you, Dr. Mowry in Cincinnati, who originally diagnosed me after two doctors couldn’t be bothered to take the time; and you, Dr. Pao in Baltimore, who speaks my language and gets me thinking about adjustments to make things better, instead of always staying the same with lesser results. Thank you, thank you.

Thank you Diabetes Online Community. For the first time in I don’t know how long, I feel validated. Can’t tell you how much it meant to find out that others have the same experiences, the same hurdles, the same highs and lows. I not only feel validated… I feel more confident that I can live in this world. That I belong in this world.

Where would I be without JDRF and ADA? Your advocacy has brought us countless advances in care, support, and on, and on, and on. It’s easy to take you for granted. But these two groups are full of thousands of Superheros.

And what about the companies that have developed technology or drugs to help us continue to live a life that means something? Medtronic, Animas, Dexcom, Novo Nordisk, Aventis. That’s right… I’m givin’ props to you, big Pharma. I’ve made it as far as I have in part thanks to you.

There are many Superheros in my diabetic life (Diaheros?). But I would like to retire all of you. I hope that soon, very soon, you can find the time to focus on someone else. Another cause. Or maybe a vacation. In the meantime, thank you sooooo much for being my Superheros.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Disclaimer
I have no medical training. If you consider anything written here as medical, legal, financial, or any other kind of advice, you’re out of your mind. Please speak to a learned professional before making any changes that might affect your health. Any of the original content found on this site is my property and should not be reproduced, copied, or otherwise used without the author’s expressed written consent.

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes Blog Week | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Diabetes Blog Week: Day 6– Saturday Snapshots.

May 19, 2012 – 6:38 am


 
Saturday… what a day. Here in Baltimore it is! Preakness Day! Here’s hoping your horse is a winner today. Now, over the incessant drone of the freakin’ blimp outside, here are my Saturday Snapshots for Day 6 of Diabetes Blog Week.

My photos fall into three categories.

First, a couple of diabetes-related photos:

Every PWD who works at a desk has a drawer like this. This should provide enough carb content when those afternoon lows strike. There’s also a candy jar on my desk.

Thanks to the DOC, I found that you can put an infusion set in your leg. And it can work. And work well.

Exercise is a big part of staying healthy for me. This was my first triathlon last year:

Swim…

Bike…

…and Run. Now you can tell that the other photos weren’t staged.

Finally… everyone should be lucky enough to have a great family like mine. Maureen and my darling great niece (yes, I’m crazy over her), born on my 50th birthday:

One more day of DBW left… have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Disclaimer
I have no medical training. If you consider anything written here as medical, legal, financial, or any other kind of advice, you’re out of your mind. Please speak to a learned professional before making any changes that might affect your health. Any of the original content found on this site is my property and should not be reproduced, copied, or otherwise used without the author’s expressed written consent.

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes Blog Week | Tagged , , , | Comments (2)

Diabetes Blog Week: Day 5– What They Should Know

May 18, 2012 – 7:40 am


 
It’s day 5 of Diabetes Blog Week, and today we’re answering the question: “What is one thing you would tell someone that doesn’t have diabetes about living with diabetes?”.

Kind of a hard topic to put into words, but it’s a good exercise for me. Because occasionally, I’ll get this random, fleeting moment when someone asks about my diabetes, or someone is confronted with my diabetes, and I have a short window of time to say something insightful about it.

I need a diabetes elevator speech.

In business, or in real life (IRL), when you’re on the elevator and an important executive; or a potential client; or an inquisitive member of the general public steps in and asks about your insulin pump, you’ve only got a 20-30 second window to impress. So you go to your elevator speech. Something that briefly says who you are, what you’re about, and where you’re going. Prepared in advance, memorized pretty much word for word, delivered like a champion.

How to begin? Maybe I talk about how I’m a type 1 diabetic, which means my pancreas is messed up and doesn’t work properly anymore. And it won’t work properly again. No need to go into that Islet of Langerhans thing. We’ve only got a short ride, right?

Have to mention the pump. I have to have insulin to survive, and the pump works pretty well in place of the thing that used to serve the purpose.

There are the everyday issues. High BGs, low BGs, eating, exercising, measuring carbs, keeping the weight in check. That’s in addition to work, relationships, family.

And people realllly need to know that insulin isn’t a cure, and not everyone has the same access to care, drugs, and equipment that I do.

Ready? Here’s my diabetes elevator speech:

This? Oh, it’s my insulin pump. I’m a type 1 diabetic, which means my pancreas is permanently broken and I need insulin to survive. This thing costs a fortune, but it really does the trick. I worry all the time about the people who have the same curse that I do, and don’t have access to something like this to help them stay alive. Daily struggles? Sure, I’ve got them. Who doesn’t? But overall, I live a pretty normal life. And I’m not going anywhere for a long time.

That’s What They Should Know, Charlie Brown….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Disclaimer
I have no medical training. If you consider anything written here as medical, legal, financial, or any other kind of advice, you’re out of your mind. Please speak to a learned professional before making any changes that might affect your health. Any of the original content found on this site is my property and should not be reproduced, copied, or otherwise used without the author’s expressed written consent.

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes Blog Week | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

Diabetes Blog Week: Day 4– Fantasy Diabetes Device.

May 17, 2012 – 6:45 am


 
We’re up to Day 4 of Diabetes Blog Week, and today is a cool topic. From Karen at Bitter~Sweet:

Today let’s tackle an idea inspired by Bennet of Your Diabetes May Vary. Tell us what your Fantasy Diabetes Device would be? Think of your dream blood glucose checker, delivery system for insulin or other meds, magic carb counter, etc etc etc. The sky is the limit – what would you love to see?

I would like to see a cure for diabetes… Anyone? Anyone?

Barring The Cure, I would like to see a non-intrusive device for measuring blood glucose. Too scientific for you? I mean something that I can use to check my blood sugar that doesn’t require me to stab my finger (or anything else) with a sharp instrument.

I’ve had diabetes for 21 years, and I have never had a problem with injections, or inserting infusion sets in my gut or my leg. But I DO NOT like popping the button on a spring-loaded device that rams a sharp lancet into my finger. The ones that I used back when I was first diagnosed were practically sadistic. Part of why I would go a couple of years at a time without using them. That’s right. I didn’t check my BGs for months, even years at a time. And today’s devices are only marginally better for me, though I’m pretty faithful in checking at least 4-6 times per day now.

But how cool would it be to have a device that could check without needing actual drops of red blood drawn outside of the body?

And something like that could have a real impact in the CGM arena. Something that would allow you to check anytime, without drawing blood, without using test strips (no test strips!), without lancets (no lancets!)… could also be used as a non-intrusive Continuous Glucose Monitor. Add in software that makes it compatible with any mobile or wi-fi device, and I would buy it. Today.

Not stabbing your finger multiple times per day? That’s a Win. Not using up precious bodily real estate to insert a new sensor? That’s another Win. Software that’s multi-compatible? Another Win.

That’s a fantasy diabetes device that we could all live (longer) with. Get to work on that, you scientific-research-techno-geeks!

But don’t forget about The Cure, okay?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Disclaimer
I have no medical training. If you consider anything written here as medical, legal, financial, or any other kind of advice, you’re out of your mind. Please speak to a learned professional before making any changes that might affect your health. Any of the original content found on this site is my property and should not be reproduced, copied, or otherwise used without the author’s expressed written consent.

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes Blog Week | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)
%d bloggers like this: