UPDATE:
Just learned that everyone is now communicating and I've been pre-approved for the OmniPod. Yea! More to come...
___________________________________________________________________
In the past, diabetics had to constantly fight for their care, e.g. battle insurance companies for coverage, battle doctors for more supplies, battle both to play nicely with each other. In many cases, this similar activity goes on today.
My parents had to fight for insurance coverage for me. And God help me if my diabetes prescriptions ever changed. Personally, I have fought insurance companies and some doctors for increased blood glucose strips, long before the DCCT [Diabtes Control and Complications Trial] was ever published.
In 1999, I successfully fought for an insulin pump. And yet throughout the years, I've learned to communicate very well between different parties. Right now, I'm communicating between three parties: my doctor, my insurance company, and the Insulet Corporation--makers of the OmniPod.
The great news is, the insurance company and Insulet are getting along very well. Strange news is, my doctor's office and Insulet are miscommunicating. I find this strange due to how strongly my doctor wants me on a pump, but the office just can't get things right with the pump maker. Go figure, right?
Guess who now has to steer the ship? Yeah, another day in our lives as diabetics. However, the fight goes on...
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
I'm Not Perfect!
So, here I am having a streak of awesome blood sugars, when WHAM! I get hit with a 290 after breakfast.
Why?
'Cause I wanted pancakes for breakfast. The all-mighty carb breakfast. All I wanted was that delicious taste of butter and sugar-free maple syrup on a wonderfully hot pancake. Is that too darn much to ask? I even thought I gave myself enough insulin to cover...I guess I didn't.
Too many bad carbs...bad, bad carbs. Bad me for wanting too many bad carbs. At least I caught it in time.
I should've had the slice of rye toast, with turkey on it, like my wife suggested. I know...I know, I'll get over this. :(
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Staying Motivated
When I began planning my exercise routine, my wife and I agreed that the time of day to exercise was critical. Why?
1. I drive 25 miles each way to work everyday; out at 6:30 am, in by 5:30-6ish pm.
2. After I get home, I help my wife with either the kids' homework or cooking dinner (yes, I cook and everyone is still living)
3. Intense exercise before bedtime is NEVER a good idea (waking up at 2:30 am with a 25 blood sugar is not cool)
4. In the past, my body always did better with morning exercise
Before my stationary biking venture, I awoke every morning at 5:30 am and was out the door at 6:30. Now, I am up at 5 am (or sometimes 4:45 am), test, use the potty, drink a little water, then bike.
So, how do I stay motivated even though my body sometimes screams for more sleep? In addition to prayer, music, and writing, I search for articles and blogs on the web that motivate me. Such sites as dLife.com, Team Type 1, Jay Hewitt, and Triabetes.org are just a few. These sites offer so much valuable information on diabetes, exercise, and diet.
Being motivated to take care of my disease is a step closer to preventing further complications. Staying motivated means that I don't live in fear of what is around the corner; be it further retinopathy, neuropathy, heart disease, or cancer.
Keep well and...
get motivated!
Mark
1. I drive 25 miles each way to work everyday; out at 6:30 am, in by 5:30-6ish pm.
2. After I get home, I help my wife with either the kids' homework or cooking dinner (yes, I cook and everyone is still living)
3. Intense exercise before bedtime is NEVER a good idea (waking up at 2:30 am with a 25 blood sugar is not cool)
4. In the past, my body always did better with morning exercise
Before my stationary biking venture, I awoke every morning at 5:30 am and was out the door at 6:30. Now, I am up at 5 am (or sometimes 4:45 am), test, use the potty, drink a little water, then bike.
So, how do I stay motivated even though my body sometimes screams for more sleep? In addition to prayer, music, and writing, I search for articles and blogs on the web that motivate me. Such sites as dLife.com, Team Type 1, Jay Hewitt, and Triabetes.org are just a few. These sites offer so much valuable information on diabetes, exercise, and diet.
Being motivated to take care of my disease is a step closer to preventing further complications. Staying motivated means that I don't live in fear of what is around the corner; be it further retinopathy, neuropathy, heart disease, or cancer.
Keep well and...
get motivated!
Mark
Monday, March 09, 2009
Bad Diet / Bad Results
Sometimes I get the urge to eat something really bad.
Okay, not really, really bad, but you get the point. And, hey, I've been doing very well on my stationary bike! I deserve a couple of greasy meals, right?
Sooooo, let's just say a double-cheeseburger, chicken philly, and an order of fries made their way into my diet this past weekend. No, not in one meal as some of you might believe. :)
Ye ole blood sugar did very well. I managed to keep it tight amidst my greasy binge. My body though, did not appreciate the intake of said foods. Let's just say, it immediately flushed out my foolish choices.
Ah yes, my body is feeling much, much better now.
Back to yogurt and salads...
Eat well!
Mark
Okay, not really, really bad, but you get the point. And, hey, I've been doing very well on my stationary bike! I deserve a couple of greasy meals, right?
Sooooo, let's just say a double-cheeseburger, chicken philly, and an order of fries made their way into my diet this past weekend. No, not in one meal as some of you might believe. :)
Ye ole blood sugar did very well. I managed to keep it tight amidst my greasy binge. My body though, did not appreciate the intake of said foods. Let's just say, it immediately flushed out my foolish choices.
Ah yes, my body is feeling much, much better now.Back to yogurt and salads...
Eat well!
Mark
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Exercise: Day 12
Today, I switched up my routine.
I noticed yesterday that I wasn't sweating as much when riding my typical 10 miles on the stationary bike. Sexy, isn't it? [Yeah, I don't know if I mentioned this, but I began riding 10 miles on February 18th]
Today, I decided to ride 15. The ride went fantastic and no small creatures were injured... :)
In preparation for this increase, I lowered my Lantus to 18 units at bedtime and Novolog to 1 u. per 15 grams. My blood sugar levels have not been above 130 in 3 days. However, I have had my share of lows, which is why I lowered my insulin intake.
In other news...
If you haven't signed up already, the Atlanta Diabetes Expo is on March 21st at the Georgia World Congress Center. This is a good opportunity to attend symposiums and see displays of diabetes-related information.
Stay well!
Mark
I noticed yesterday that I wasn't sweating as much when riding my typical 10 miles on the stationary bike. Sexy, isn't it? [Yeah, I don't know if I mentioned this, but I began riding 10 miles on February 18th]
Today, I decided to ride 15. The ride went fantastic and no small creatures were injured... :)
In preparation for this increase, I lowered my Lantus to 18 units at bedtime and Novolog to 1 u. per 15 grams. My blood sugar levels have not been above 130 in 3 days. However, I have had my share of lows, which is why I lowered my insulin intake.
In other news...
If you haven't signed up already, the Atlanta Diabetes Expo is on March 21st at the Georgia World Congress Center. This is a good opportunity to attend symposiums and see displays of diabetes-related information.
Stay well!
Mark
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