Okay, so I've been pretty much absent from the internet for the past week. I hate that, but I've done little more than check my e-mail. I simply haven't had time and haven't felt well.
I fought a cold all week last week and by Saturday, I thought I had it beat. That is until I woke up Sunday morning feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. And I've pretty much felt that way since. Last night I broke down and asked the pharmacist what I should take. My normal cold meds just weren't cutting it. I've not wanted to go to the doctor since everyone else in my town has strep, or the flu, or the stomach virus. I figured I could tough out a cold. By last night, I was beginning to second guess myself.
Turns out, my pharmacist is a pretty smart guy. He recommended a med to me and within a couple of hours I began to feel much better. For the first time in days, I slept through the night (I could BREATH!!) and woke up feeling like a new person. I still am a little coughy and yucky, but I can deal with it.
Last week, while I was fighting to keep this silly cold away, I was also working on the baby shower cake for a friend of mine. My gift to her, along w/ a baby blanket that I knitted. "Why," you may ask, "did you work on a cake all week long?" Well, if you've ever watched Ace of Cakes, you know it can take FOREVER to do the detailing work. I worked for an hour Tuesday night, two hours on Wednesday and Thursday nights, and Friday night from 5 until 11. I was able to finish it up on Saturday morning in about an hour. Whew! But it was worth it. It went over wonderfully and I was pretty darn proud of myself.
I am constantly trying new things. This was a very new thing to me. And I am always working to get things perfect. While this wasn't perfect, I was proud of my first effort at a design like this.
Anyway, I am hoping that I will be completely recovered by the weekend, since my sister is spending the night with me on Friday and we are heading to Nashville on Saturday morning to shop (her!) and go to a cake show (me!).
Hopefully I will get to post another blog or two as well...
I have not been blogging regularly. Basically, I've had so much stuff going on, that I've not had time. Even tonight, I am putting stuff off, just so I can blog. I miss you guys! And I miss blogging.
So it's catch up time.
1) Two weeks ago, I met with some other adult type 1 diabetics in Nashville. There were 7 of us that showed up to have lunch at a great little restaurant called The Yellow Porch. The food was fantastic. I was the only one who didn't live in the Nashville area (it's about a 2 hour drive for me), but it was nice. And it's probably going to be a monthly thing. I don't know that I can always make the trip, but I can go sometimes. And as you guys know, it's nice to be around others with diabetes.
If anyone is in the Nashville area, let me know and I'll get you the info on our next meeting.
2) I spent an entire week without my sensor on. But MiniMed came through for me. They not only got the approval, instead of waiting on the letter, they agreed to overnight me my sensor order. I should get my new box of sensors tomorrow. And the letter they needed was faxed to them today, after they had already agreed to release my order.
Someday I will get into an entire blog post on how wonderful MiniMed is. I won't do it today, but when I do, expect a short novel. You just don't get customer service like that anymore.
3) I spent last weekend in the D.C. area with my friend and my adorable godson. It was a nice trip. I left on Friday and didn't have to be back until Monday night (gotta love state holidays).
During my trip, we spent waaayyyy too much time eating. No lie. My diet (sorry Biggest Loser gang!) went out the window for the weekend.
4)On Valentine's Day, we got together with some other friends of Amanda's and had dinner at a fantastic restaurant called The Melting Pot. I had never had fondue before, so it was an experience. And the food was amazing! I loved it. Not to mention it gave me an excuse to get all dressed up.
5)Sunday morning I met up with Heidi, fellow blogger, from The D-Log Cabin. :) I love meeting fellow bloggers. It's so fun! We met at a place called Eggspectations and had wonderful omelets and chatted away. I'm going back up in May, so I'm hoping to get together with Heidi again and maybe some other fellow bloggers in the area. It would be fun to get several of us together to have lunch and hang out. Not to mention, so much fun to blog about.
Pretty much the rest of Sunday was spent watching movies, napping, and making cupcakes. :)
6)Monday morning, we headed back to Baltimore (this is where I flew into and out of) early.
The first thing we did when we got there was go stake out Charm City Cakes, home of Duff from Ace of Cakes. We took pictures in front of the building. You can't go in. It's only by appointment. And there is black on all the windows. But it was still pretty cool. I stood in front of Charm City Cakes! **Eeeekkkkkkk!!!!!!**
7)Then there was a restaurant that Amanda wanted to take me to called The Blue Moon Cafe. Since there is no website, I have just linked you to some reviews. Basically, it's a little hole in the wall. Very small, very packed. The wait was around 45 minutes. But when we got in, it was oh so worth it. They make Captain Crunch French Toast. Yup, you read that right. I don't know how they do it, but it is THE most fantastic thing I've ever had in my entire life. Homemade bread, no need for butter or syrup. And also I guesstimated around 110 carbs. I was so full when I left there that I only ate some cheese and crackers for the rest of the day.
Now, folks, I am spending this week working on a baby shower cake/cupcakes, so I have very little time. But I will blog again next week. Really.
On Friday afternoon, on my way to the airport, I got a call from Medtronic saying the insurance did approve my sensor order. I should have my new shipment in a week or so. :) I can deal with that! I am soooo happy. My mother cried when I told her. I would have posted sooner, but had no internet access. I will blog all about my trip in the next couple of days.
Last Saturday I took my sensor off. It was dead and I only had one left. With the whole insurance deal, I didn't know how long it would be until I heard something. So I spent the entire week "bare". I have run all over the board since then. I've had crazy highs and some lows. But none like hit me last night. My mom and sister came over to hang out and help me get ready for my trip I am taking this weekend. While they were hear we ate dinner and I began to work on some Valentine's Day cupcakes I was taking to work today. Suddenly I started feeling a little "off". When I tested I was 31. Three juice boxes, 5 BG tests, cold sweats, and numb lips later, my mother was crying and I was just becoming a normal human again. I never lost consciousness, but looking back on it, I think I probably could have used a trip to the ER. I didn't go. But it would have been quicker than waiting on my own. Since I moved out of my parent's home when I was 18, I haven't lived with them again. That's been nearly 10 years. I don't typically mention my ups and downs of diabetes to my mom. I just don't think of it as that big a deal. It's just part of life. But last night left my mother in tears. And I hate myself for that. I know it's not my fault and that she loves me, but I hate to worry her. She raised me with this disease. She knows the ins and outs. But time tends to mask the evils of this disease. You "forget" over time. Last night's horrible low was a Diabetes 101 updated crash course for my mom. And I hate that she had to deal with it. This, Dear Insurance Company, is why I need coverage for my MiniMed CGMS. Not because it would save my mother some tears, but because it might keep me alive. If they hadn't been here, I don't know what would have happened.
On a plus note, I am back on the sensor. Currently the only one I have left. And I am off for a long weekend to see my friend in the D.C. area. I'll be offline until sometime Monday night. I hope all of you have a fantastic Valentine's Day weekend.
I was tagged by Jill to post six things that make me happy. Here are the rules: Link to the person who has tagged you. Write down six things that make you happy. Post the rules, tag six others and let them know you did it. Then tell the person when your entry is complete.
1. My church. It makes me happy because I love being with other people who love God. I also enjoy my work in the church (teaching 5-6 year olds). It lets me feel like I am doing something good.
2. My family. They are a little weird sometimes. But they are mine, and I love them. They make me smile. The love me when I'm crazy and when I'm not. And they are so supportive of me.
3. My friends. I have so many wonderful friends. I am hard to get to know at first (you guys wouldn't think so, but I really am!), but when I make a friend, you are pretty much stuck with me for life. One of my friends I've known since kindergarten, another since we were 3, 2 since high school, and another 2 since college. And then there are my internet friends! You guys rock. I wouldn't trade you for anything!
4. Music. I'm not talented. I won't be the next American Idol. Or a famous musician. But music moves me. Music of all kinds. I wake up every morning with a song in my head (no kidding!). I'm constantly singing in my car, my apartment, and in my head at work (I don't want to scare the co-workers!). I have a song for every situation. Most songs remind me of a time, or a place, or a person.
5. Cake decorating. Yeah, I know. Weird, right? But it makes me happy. I like being creative and then letting people eat it! :) I am constantly buying stuff to make and decorate cakes. Sadly, I'm not making any money at it, so I am going broke. But it's fun, so I'll suffer.
6. Theater. I could go to a play every single week and be perfectly happy. Sadly, I don't get to go nearly enough. There just isn't the opportunity where I live. When I get the chance, I try to take it though. Including going to see RENT in Washington, D.C. on my birthday this year! I bought myself tickets, even though my birthday is three and a half months away. :)
Okay, now that I've done this wonderful meme, I am going to break all the rules by NOT tagging 6 people. Most of you have already been tagged, but if you haven't, feel free to do this and then let me know, so I can read it. :)
I'm not really sure what to do. I was approved for my CGMS back in February of last year. I didn't have any problems getting approved. It just went through and I was hooked up with in about 6 weeks. I feel so grateful and blessed that was the case for me. MiniMed was essential in my getting approved and they went above and beyond when it came to getting me the information I needed and getting all of the paperwork to my doctors. Since going on CGMS I feel I have much better control. It's been so important to me. In fact, I have discovered that any time I am off of my sensor, my blood sugar goes a little crazy. At one point, I even believe the sensor saved my life by waking me in the night when I had a low. I live alone and nighttime lows were always a worry of mine. Then the hypoglycemic unawareness because a problem in the daytime too. I would be walking around talking and my blood sugar would be in the 30s or 40s. It was a blessing from above to be approved for my CGMS. About a week ago I realized I only had 2 sensors left in my box. I put one in and ordered a new box right away. Usually MiniMed is very quick in getting items to me. This time it was dragging on a little. It began to worry me. I usually take my sensor out after 7 days, but this time I have left it in. I am going to try to get at least another week out of it. I'm not sure how successful I'll be. This afternoon I received a call from MiniMed. Apparently when my insurance company changed their "policy" it was required to get a new letter of medical necessity. They are supposed to be contacting my insurance company today and waiting to hear back from them. At this point, I have no idea how long that is going to be. I have no idea how long I am going to have to go without a sensor. And I'm not even sure if they will approve it. I'm scared.
In true Carly Simon fashion, I have discovered I am vain. More so than I would have thought. And it bothers me.
I got my insulin pump 3 years ago in May. My warranty isn't up on my MiniMed 722 for over a year, but I have been curious about other insulin pumps. When I was offered a pump, the only two that I was shown were the MiniMed and the Animas insulin pumps. And my CDE pretty much told me that the one most people in this area get was the MiniMed.
I did look the information over carefully, and ultimately went with MiniMed because they were within months of releasing their CGMS system. That was of great interest to me and I figured it would be something I would eventually want to try. So, I ended up with the MinMed 722, and later joined the world of CGMS.
I'm happy with my pump. In fact, I don't have any problems with it to speak of. The CGMS is also great. My only complaint with that is the HUGE needle that I can SEE while I insert it (note to MinMed: Make your sensor inserter like the quick set. I don't wanna see the needle!).
More than likely, I will stick with MiniMed when it comes time to get a new pump.
But, after hanging out the the OC for a while, you get curious. There are people with Cozmo pumps, Animus pumps, Omnipods, and people with MiniMed pumps. I wanted to explore the different types of pumps. I wanted to see their features and read up on them.
I started out by visiting each website. Most of them were very informative. And all of them allowed you to request further information be sent to you via snail mail. I filled each of them out.
When I got to the Omnipod site, there was also the option to request a trial "pod". I did this also. I wanted to see the actual size and shape. I wondered how it would work with my clothing.
A trial pod has no insulin & no needle. It's basically just the size and weight of a real pod. When I received it in the mail my first thought was that it was smaller than I thought it would be. I let it sit in my living room for over a week before I finally broke down and put it on.
The instructions state to pick a place that will not be bothered by folds of skin. I already had an infusion site on my stomach and because of my weight (I'm doing the Biggest Loser D-Style...cut me some slack!) I felt like my stomach would not be a good site.
I looked on the website for some tips. Some of the people were wearing it on their leg. That was out for me as most of my jeans are fitted and it would look like I had a growth on the side of my leg (see! Vain I tell you!!). There was another picture with the pod on the back or side of the arm. This was something I thought I could live with. I slapped it on my left arm.
It was a little weird at first. I expected it to be. When I first got my MiniMed, it took some time to get used to.
Day one went by. I caught my arm (or should I say the pod on my arm) on a door frame. Twice. In the same day. And let me tell you, it's not pretty! Also, taking off my clothes, I got the sleeve of my shirt & the strap of my bra caught on the pod at two different times. Sucks. It HURTS!
But, I figured I'd get used to it.
Day two rolled around. I started my day out lazing around my apartment (it is the weekend after all). When I finally decided to get around to doing something, I made the choice to go shopping. I was looking for something to wear and I pulled out a pink tee-shirt that I hadn't worn in a while. When I put it on my heart did a little flutter. I realized you could see the pod. It wasn't like you could see it a little bit; you could see the whole thing.
Suddenly I didn't want to go shopping. I didn't want to leave the house. Because I didn't want anyone to see this large piece of plastic stuck to my arm. I started thinking about the post that Kerri wrote for dLife. And later, the one she wrote on her blog. In both posts, she talks about people staring at her Dexcom sensor on her arm.
Did I want people staring at my arm? No way. But Kerri doesn't want that either. But was I strong enough to put up with the stares? No way. I took a picture of my arm and quickly changed shirts. I was a chicken. I was VAIN.
(Enjoy a little Carly...)
For the most part, people don't realize that I have an insulin pump. It's pretty inconspicuous. My CGMS is very small and I wear it on my thigh, so my pants or skirt always cover it. The pod was impossible to hide unless I had on a long sleeved shirt. And that's what I ended up wearing that day.
After spending all day shopping (and nearly ripping the thing off my arm a couple of times while changing clothes) I came home and took off the pod.
I love the fact that it's not tethered. But all in all, I don't think it would work for me.
The thing that made me the most sad was the fact that I let what some strangers would think about me, effect the way I would treat my diabetes. And it threw me back to feeling like Cara: iRobot.
I am 27 years old and have had diabetes for 23 years. I have been on an insulin pump for two years and love it! I have also been on the CGMS for a year. I am a teacher by trade, but am currently working in social work. My diabetes is a very big part of who I am, but I am more determined to beat it than I have ever been in my life. This blog is just a place to vent my frustrations and to find other people who can relate.
