Death-Wish Bolusing

If I had the energy yesterday I would have been screaming F.I.H.P. Sadly the most I could muster was a sad and pathetic whimper.

I had to take a diabetes day yesterday, my BG was so high I could not even gather the energy to move let alone get dressed and make it to school.

Yesterday was a nightmare. I spent the majority of the day higher then the CGMS reports. Yes that is right over 22.2…. I did everything any anything I could think of including changing: my site (x2), insulin bottle (tried 2 different brands fast acting and took lantus), I bolused, I injected, I drank water until my eyeball floated, I prayed to the diabetes gods for sympathy. Nothing worked!!! As a last ditch effort I called the emergency Endo line who ever so helpfully told me to take more insulin (thanks- why didn’t I think of that).

Rage Bolusing does not even begin to describe what I was doing. More like Death-Wish Bolusing. At one point I was injecting 10 units every hour (twice the correction dose suggested by my pump) while disregarding any insulin on board (the lantus, the fast acting injection, and the 200% basal). Still couldn’t crack 15 mmol.

Yesterday blew goats. I took over 300 units of insulin (TDD around 50) and I averaged just under 20 mmols for the day. Today is better but still running higher then normal. Oh Diabetes why do you mock me.

Diabetes 1 : Sarah 0

The Morning After

The morning after is never pretty…

The morning after a:

College Frat Party –Empty beverage containers, passed out party guests litter the floor

Wild Bar Night- Coyote ugly & aspirin- enough said

A Nighttime Low- Disgusting….

The Carb Count is Right

I have been on vacation for the last 2 weeks., well more accurately staycataion. During the last week of my staycation a good friend came to visit. He also happens to be a type 1 diabetic. As it was my staycation and his vacation we were eating and drinking things that are not normally on the menu. Leading us to play what I have coined “The Carb Count is Right”. Guess the carb count and best BG 2 hours post without going hypo wins.

Example: Scallop potatoes I WAGed (wild a** guees) 45 he WAGed 30. I was 7.5 he was 8.7- point to me.

I will admit that I have been carb counting longer so I had the advantage. However, I lost a few rounds- onion rings got the best of me. Marble slab ice cream (although it was delicious) disqualified me with a low- it was the walking I tell you my guess was better. I should mention I dominated nachos and lime margaritas- just saying.

Today I stood by the sushi cart at school and without even thinking “50. You?” Sadly, no one wanted to play….

Do it For the Puppies…

Today is Judgment Day also known as A1c Blood Draw Day.

The mood today was different. Three months ago, I was having a really hard time. Despite two hospital visits, countless doctor visits, and every blood test under the sun there was no explanation for why I just could not take control of my numbers. Diabetes was just mocking me and it was not fun. Three months ago, I was frustrated, angry, and honestly feeling a little nauseous (I had ketones).

Today was different. Today I was nervous. Despite knowing my average my standard deviation and having access to CGMS data, I sat there sweating like a wh&re in church…. Praying to the diabetes gods to send me a “good” number, or at least something that wouldn’t put me in the “you are going to die a painful death crippled by diabetic complications” category. And the praying will continue until the results are online or my doctors appointment next week.

So PLEASE Diabetes gods send me something reasonable (see not even asking for “good”). If you can’t do it for me then do it for the puppies….

Ohh Mexico

Warning- This post is the rambling of a sad grad student who desperately needs a vacation or at least samples to run without mass spec issues... Consider this your warning.

Words cannot describe how much I need a vacation. If all goes well 2 weeks from today (I still have to ask my supervisor) it will be the start of my “Staycation” (A vacation where you stay rather then vacate).

Grad student life, it is a fancy one.

Friday August 7^th cannot come soon enough…. I have been dreaming about ice-cold lime margaritas on a sunny, white sand, beach (hey a grad students can dream).

In an attempt to fool myself that I am on a beautifully beach and not in the lab yelling profanities at the mass spec I have switched by pump to Spanish.

“Ohh Mexico… It sounds so simple I just got to go…The sun so hot...”

Result: Disappointing….Switching your pump to Spanish is NOT a vacation replacement. Come on August 7^th.

TMI

How much is too much?

In the last few days I have read the following status updates on Facebook or Twitter:

“I’m ovulating.... Don’t call we are busy”

Seriously if you are that concerned about interruptions turn the ringer off . Do all of your 10 000 closes friends need to know that you are “doosing it” right now?

“First colonic today- I loved it… Can’t wait for the next”

I do not even know what to say except way TMI…. I may have to block you based on the visual that is burned into my brain.

“Got my period today...”

I know you are trying to conceive but again do all of your 10 000 closes friends have to be updated on your bodily excretions. In fact, this one is becoming so common that I know the day it will appear. We are acquaintances at best, should I be privy to this information?

“I am VERY regular”

No idea what this referenced but it just sounds like TMI. It reeks of bodily function talk- again do 10000 of your closes friends need to know?

So if it is appropriate to Facebook and Tweet about your sex life and bodily excretions…

What is TMI? Where do you draw the line?

I have been asking myself this question recently as even after 7 years of pumping I am still not sure how to answer the “Is that a pager/phone? What is that?” question.

I do not hide my pump. I am not ashamed of my diabetes. I will test or inject anywhere. But the “what is that?” question gets me every time.

Do I just give them the basics “It is insulin pump for diabetes”?

This is my normal answer but it has a few downfalls:

• It can make the questioner uncomfortable
• It opens the door for “I’m sorry.” Great now we are both uncomfortable.
• Can be followed by the my Uncle Joe had diabetes and he had [insert terrible complication here] story.
• It can bring out the diabetes “expert” who needs to educated me about their vast diabetes knowledge, the evils of sugar, my overindulgence as a child, ect.

So what is the right answer? Should I give more information? Would this help avoid the pity party, the you are going to die a horrible and painful death conversation, or the diabetes lesson. I do not mind a quick conversation about diabetes but there are some conversations I want to avoid at all cost.

Is there are good answer? What is the right answer?

Last Night was Ah-Mazing!!!

Fear not- this is not THAT kind of post.

However, I have to say last night was the best night I have had in months...

for BG testing (told you not that kind of post).

Whoever designed the freestyle light meter deserves a medal, an award or at the very least a handwritten card and a fruit basket or whatever the appropriate gift is for someone who made 3am that much more enjoyable (again not that kind of post).

This girl/guy is a genius. Strip light and black light Nobel prize material as far as I am concerned. After years of fumbling around in the dark or squinting waiting for my eyes to adjust to the excruciatingly bright light this person comes up with a meter you can use without fumbling in the dark or burning your retina…

I can’t say it enough:

Freestyle Light Designer I am impressed!!! You are Ah-Mazing!!!