Living With Diabetes

Didn't get home until late tonight--mainly because my students need Microsoft VB.net and I had to get it on 16 computers. Got it mostly knocked out. I have two computers to finish in the morning.

I still had a high blood sugar in the afternoon, and I swear I bolused for it this time AND did the symlin. It was 205 this time, better than yesterday. However, the correction worked.

I have gotten in 15 minutes on the treadmill, had to stop because I think I was burning blood sugar faster than I was digesting it. I'm going to try to get in another 15 minutes before 8:00.

Posted by at 7:20 PM | Permalink

After last week's major reorganization of my day, everything IS getting better.

I didn't do any school work last night and I didn't do any uncontrolled stress eating. My insulin usage was actually under 40 units, which is the best it's been since the initial announcement.

I still manage to go a few moments each day without something major i need. Yesterday it was the cell phone/blood sugar monitor bag. For an entire class period. Left it up in the other room. Also my coat. I've got to figure out how to handle that, because retrieving that hurt my knee.

I also forgot to bolus for lunch but did do the symlin. Blood sugar was 225 in the mid afternoon, which is not good when the room is 100+ degrees.

I thought it was either the heat or too much insulin the day before, but it was a simple missed bolus. Downloading everything each day is a wonderful thing!

Posted by at 6:42 AM | Permalink

My blood sugar has run a bit high all day ,and the corrections haven't worked -- in the 140 to 200 range. It's one of two things, the heat in my classroom, I swear it was at 110 this afternoon OR it's the after affect of pushing so much insulin in my body because of the agility trial.

The knee I feel on is a bit sore, not bad. I had loads of fun telling people about falling and still taking second. It was a good lesson, and a great opportunity to brag on Marcie. She's got a big fan club at school since she come in every semester and teachs AP Psychology.

I actually decided not to do any school work tonight. I've got all Wednesday to grade -- all math students (and my CS students) have to do a writing prompt that I don't have to grade.

I'm in the middle of installing software at school. I have Microsoft.Net on 5 computers so far, and have 11 to go by Thursday.

So things are going much better. However, I never have what I need when I need him.

Posted by at 8:30 PM | Permalink

This article interests me on a lot of different levels.

First, Verplank went to a Dallas ISD high school (not mind, but the closest one between mine and the house), and grew up at the country club down the street from our house. By the way, a good portion of our school's golf team has already been in my CS classes.

I'm also interested in his strageties for competing and managing blood sugar, though we are in vastly different sports. Dog agility is a short burst of energy and long periods of sitting around.

Scott Verplank - Celebrities with Diabetes - Diabetes Health magazine

For Scott Verplank, staying on top of his diabetes with frequent blood glucose testing means staying on top of his game for the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour.

Posted by at 8:07 PM | Permalink

My blood sugar levels were the best they have ever been during dog agility. I never went higher than 200 all weekend.

That made a vast difference in how I felt and how we did.

The second day went well, though I fell during Marcie's Standard run, we did finish the run and take a second place. She was still real slow the second run -- JWW, and my instructor suspects I only have one really good run in my knees right now, and I suspect she's right.

Maggie had 4 refusals, all caused by me, in the Open run. I just couldn't be where she needed me. Her JWW was very good, though I didn't get the time. She missed the weaves.

Hopefully I'll have new pictures up soon, one of the professional photographers took quite a few.

Posted by at 6:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is my first agility trial sine I started PT. We are doing well.

Marcie took a first in Excellent A Standard and was clean but over time for JWW.

I am definately tired.

Maggie just got goofy and took an excusion. At that point I got confused.

We knocked a bar, had a refusal, and truly ugly weaves. I just couldn't run any more.

All in all a good day especially after the trama from the week before.

Posted by at 3:22 PM | Permalink

I haven't posted this week partly because of time and partly because I don't want to say that wrong thing.

BUT

I have learned some good lessons this year.

I am an effective teacher and it doesn't matter what other people think. What matters is my results.

I had a very high passing rate last semester and my students like me.

I am effective in both the traditional and in the techology classroom.

I've lost a group of students and I've gained a group of students. Saldy the ones I've lost are very upset. The good news is that for the most part, the new students are happy.

The change has been hard and I spent the week stress eating. That has to end! Now!

Posted by at 11:01 AM | Permalink

Even though I'm stress eating and my insulin usage is hitting the roof -- my morning blood sugars are still good -- even on the weekend, so I"m doing something right.  I think I've got pretty much the right carb ratios and basal rates.

I think I've even figured out how to deal with physical therapy -- good thing, since I've got another 3 weeks.  Basically I turn the pump down to 50% two hours before -- the Palm alerts me.  Then when I eat dinner, I go to a 1:10 carb ratio instead of a 1:7. (Halved due to Symlin.)

Now if I only find my classroom keys this morning.

Posted by at 6:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

My knee grumbled at me all day, but it wasn't bad.  Better than it's
been this weekend.  My PT did an evaluation and decided I need another
9 days.  I'm not arguing at all with that, especially knowing that I'm
competeing this weekend.

We did decide I still need anti-inflammatories and I'm back on it.

Frankly, I'm still scared and freaked out about the new schedule.  The good news is that I have a programming assignment for all my classes (except the one kid that is a APCS II kid, but I didn't find his book until later in the day) and I know what I'm going to talk about each period.  We won't get things settled for a few days but we are working on it.  Oh, and I lost my classroom keys, but I think I know where to look for them.

I've got a handle on books and materials, so I'm quite a bit farther than I was.  I also have an idea as to where my students are at.

I start out in one classroom, and end up in the same one at the end of the day.  The biggest problem, is that I can't find anywhere to look things up in the other room.  The good news is that my stuff is still in my closets.  I just can't get to them, as they are in another room.  Long story, but basically I used to have one very large room with a divider.  My students and I always filled it -- but then they've practically killed the program.  We're full up 2nd period, and then the rest of the classes are good sized.

The most fun was my AP kids.  About half of them took PreAP last year, so we know each other.  I'm not sure about the others as to whether they took PreAP or not, but I'm stuck.  One of my old students came in first, I high fived him, and he said -- "I'm so glad you're our teacher again".  Two moments later he said, "But this means we have to do work now!".

Posted by at 10:15 PM | Permalink

What they don't tell you in the article though, IS why there is a school nurse shortage.

And of course, it is because there is a nurse shortage. Also school nursing jobs don't pay as well.

CNN.com - Cohen: School nurse�crisis puts kids at risk - Jan 23, 2006

"Why don't you get the school nurse?" I asked. The principal looked at me like I was an idiot. "The what?" came the reply.

Posted by at 7:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The worst part about the schedule change is that I am getting a bunch of new students.  I never do well the night before getting new students.  In fact, I hate teaching students I don't know.  That's why I don't like to do tutorial sessions when I have to teach new material.

I have a friend I teach with who I discovered is just as bad as I am.  We never sleep well the night before a set new of students, etc.  The sad part, is that she gets to meet all of hers in advance, I never do.  The good news, is that because of what I taught, I usually had (and do today) some students that I knew.  That helps.

I'm sure I'll survive today, but it's not going to be easy.  Tomorrow is going to be interesting too since we have prime time, and my first period class returns to me after 2nd period (I'd like to kick the person who came up with that concept.).

Posted by at 6:27 AM | Permalink

I'm not that worried about the new courses I start teaching tomorrow. For those who are new to the blog -- I taught computer science for 14 years.

Nice retrospective -- I started out teaching computer math, with BASIC on Commodore 64's and AP Computer Science, which was Pascal. In the years, I've gone to teaching on real IBM PCs in a networked lab, teaching QBasic and Pascal, and then to Visual Basic and C++. Even last year, I'd been doing Java for a couple of years, and sitll was doing Visual Basic.

Yesterday was really good. We had a computer lab set up for the math students work do tutorials on. Four of our math teachers showed up included the math department chair. We worked in one lab for a while, then fed the kids, then moved them to a different lab. The different lab was my new lab, and I found the gradebooks. Now I know my student's names and have some grades for them.

Since we had so many people, it freed me up to spend a couple of hours, even paid, to get situated.

I may even be able to move my Algebra I class into the building, we'll have to see.

Right now, I'm working on getting my class website back up and working on lessons for the week.

Posted by at 11:11 AM | Permalink

Sadly he won't get what he wanted but maybe it will help others.

Diabetic wins suit against IRS

Gary Branham didn't anticipate striking a blow for diabetics who face discrimination because of their disease. He didn't even know such discrimination existed.

Posted by at 11:15 PM | Permalink

I arrived at a meeting early today and got my new teaching schedule for Monday. I'm teaching computer science again, and I'm leaving my ELI kids.

I'm now teaching Algebra I repeaters, Computer Science (Visual Basic) I, PreAP Computer Science (Java), AP Computer Science A (Java) and AP Computer Science AB (Java).

I haven't written any code almost a year, haven't thought about CS in about that long, and sure haven't thought about getting the kids to pass. I have no idea if there is any money.

I also have no idea what I am doing with those students.

Life is fun.

I have a feeling my TDD is going up, as I think I'm going to need cards to get this to work.

I'm going to try to keep in my the following:

• I can't do anything if my diabetes isn't under control.
  
• My diabetes isn't under control if I am not exercising.
  
• If I try not to eat, it just makes it worse.
  

Posted by at 10:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's not quite as temperature sensitive as they claim -- I think that may be true of insulin too, as Medco treats both fairly cavalierly and they are sure careful with depo.

If you do much more than 4 symlin injections in a day, you may have gastrointenstinal distress. When I asked my doctor about it (who has had years of Symlin experience), he said, "yet'. I really think that is what caused nausa at Christmas and caused diarrah one weekend.

Symlin does work well for me for turning off the hungry, even some of my emotional hungrys. However, if I use it too late or too much, I am going to be sick to my stomach in one way or another.

It doesn't work well on grazing food. It will work on the initial food, but additional food need more insulin.

It would be better if I didn't have eating issues and could do better at controlling carbs. Unfortunately that isn't true.

Posted by at 10:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I swear this pump is noiser than the other one. Oh well.

I've downloaded the old pump, but need to do it one more time to get today's information from it. I'll probably ship it back then.

I've also uploaded my old settings to the new pump, AND the food database. That makes life infinitely easier.

Knee has been talking to me all day, and the surrounding muscles. Especially on the stairs. He cut the stairs from the program tonight. The ice and TENS unit thing really got to me tonight, but I'm better now that I've hit the hot tub.

Sure didn't feel like much day today.

Posted by at 9:36 PM | Permalink

The new pump has arrived. It looks new, which is good. When Animas replaced my IR1000 it was worn, and it kinda gave me the creeps, so I was worried about that.

I'm keeping the old pump until I can download it, and I make sure the new pump is working.

Posted by at 12:55 PM | Permalink

The pump has left Louisville and on it's way to Dallas.

I woke up with a stiff knee but as I move around it gets better. I'm sure that doing knee exercises would be more productive than blogging, but oh well... I can't bring myself to exercise in the mornings. I should probably get over that.

Right now, I'm too sleepy, my hair is too wet and I just got dressed and don't want lint and dog hair on me.

Posted by at 6:51 AM | Permalink

Ran again tonight -- one regulation course, twice. I took it easy the first trip, and it wasn't bad. Just one dog and one class. Making up for Thursday night when our classes are cancelled.

We did an exercise in the barn that really required a front cross -- for the non-dog people, that means you get in front of the dog and cross. To do them right, you have to plant your leg and change direction at speed, so that means you put a lot of force on your knee, and I always end up doing them on my right knee.

Then we went out and ran the regulation course again. I took it at full speed, and it went very well. The first 14 obstacles were gorgeous, both me and the dog, but you could see when I started running out of both lung and knee, things started to get a bit ragged.

Marcie is a fabulous little dog, even if she hasn't got a hunting title referring to the fiasco this weekend. She was very happy to be a) first for a change, b) mom without a lot of pain, and ran REALLY REALLY fast. We call that border beagle, as she is running like a little border collie. She's also a bit out of control that way. I don't really want to see border beagle at a trial, I like nice solid little double Q beagle the best.

I really think I'm going to be up for the next trial. It's the weekend after next.

FYI: The pump is on it's way to Lexington and is due at school before 3:00 pm. I got the tracking number via email from Animas which always rocks, have the tracking number subscribed to via bloglines. and checked the shipping schedule via UPS.

I love the internet.

Posted by at 10:29 PM | Permalink

They are going to overnight my pump and I've had them deliver it here at school. It will be interesting to see how that goes. We've had some very expensive items disappear from our office.

I'm going to give them instructions to call me as soon as it comes, and send someone with it.

So far the current pump is still working.

I need to remember to download the settings off of this pump and print everything out.

Posted by at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I woke up this morning, and none of the buttons on my pump were working. I've got them working now, but the adhesive holding the plastic button cover has come loose.

I'll be calling at 7:00 am (8:00 am Animas time) for a new pump.

Posted by at 6:27 AM | Permalink

Random Thing #1 For 8 years, I had one of the top obedience beagles in the country, most of the time she was number 1. Her name was U-CDX Weaver's Peppermint Patty, UD. She was a very sweet dog, and in addition to doing obedience she was a therapy dog at one of the earliest programs in the country.

Random Thing #2 I trained police K-9 dogs, mostly obedience and drug detection. I also did some weapons detection training and some work with an arson dog. I also did some bite work, often as the handler, but occasionally in the bite suit. Mostly I trained police officers on how to train their own dogs. I did all this while teaching high school kids.

I even graduated from a police academy and passed my TECLOSE test. I didn't become a police officer, since the main purpose was to give me creditials for K9 training. Also, it would put me in a weird legal status. In Texas peace officers are required to carry guns at all times. We never checked, but we were pretty certain teachers were required NOT to carry guns.

Random Thing #3I was extremely active on Prodigy when it was around.

Random Thing #4I had the second personal internet account in the DFW area. Texas Metronet was the first place you could get an internet account on your own. Before that, you either had to be affliated with an university or a business. I wasn't into teaching yet, so I couldn't get one that way.

Random Thing #5I ran a FIDONet hub for many years. It was part of a Dog BBS. I also moderated an animal rights discussion board. No one could decide which side I was one -- which is a good thing when you moderate (I'm basially against animal rights AND animal cruelty.)

I think I'll tag another community. DB of MedRants and Enoch Choie at Medmusings

Posted by at 9:28 PM | Permalink

noncompliant

What's your A1c?

Kassie blogged about A1C's, and how one person's gidd A1C number is another person's bad one.

For example, my A1C is 6.6. Most people would be happy with that, but my last A1C was 6.0.

Don't get me wrong, a 6.6 is NOT a bad A1C at all. It takes a lot of work to get there. It's winter -- and research shows that diabetics A1C does go up in the winter, plus we've just gotten through the holidays.

I just want to reemphasis -- be careful how you react to an A1C, and maybe a smilie rather than a number would be better!

Posted by at 3:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Currentlly waiting to see my endo. I personally don't have anything new to deal with but my lab results weren't good.

He was concerned about some values that indicate dehydration and we want to check next month.

There several possibilities. The anti-inflammatory for my feet and knee. My blood pressure medication. Avoiding going to the bathroom since it is so far away.

I think I'll try one solution since my blood pressure is controlled. Half the diuretic.

He considers me a low maintenance patient.

Posted by at 11:24 AM | Permalink

Scientists Discover Gene That Confers Sizable Risk of Diabetes - New York Times

Scientists have discovered a variant gene that confers a sizable extra risk of Type 2 diabetes and that is carried by more than a third of the American population.

Posted by at 8:28 PM | Permalink

I had to get up EARLY to get to the hunt test. Google maps indicated it would take 2 1/2 hours -- but I may have calculated wrong, because I made it in 1 1/2. However, if I had gone during rush hour, it would have taken the full 2 1/2.

My postpranial after breakfast was 180, but I decided not to correct as it looked like I was going to be on my feet and walking for a while. I think that was a good choice. I also had some lovely sausage and cheese bread at the hunt test site, and bolused for a regular piece of bread -- I think that worked out well, when I got done with Marcie's turn, I was at 120. And it was about two hours after the bread.

I had some problems with the knee today, which I was expected. The PT kicked butt last night, it was all strength and stretching, and I was sore when I got up. Sitting in the truck for an 1 1/2 hours didn't help it.

I got smart. I took Marcie and my chair out during the second dog's turn, and then ditched the chair during dog 3's turn, so we'd be ready. One of the other handlers took it back to the sidelines for me.

Marcie and I walked steadily in very rough terrain for our full turn -- 30 minutes. Like I said, my blood sugar after was good.

I ate lunch with the club and then came home. I got sleepy driving and I'm very proud of how I handled it. Instead of getting candy -- something my dad taught me, but is dumb because the sugar makes me sleepier, I stopped at a Subway and got nice big salad. That got me home.

I crashed when I got home, and then woke up at 5:00 pm with a blood sugar of 140. Not a bad diabetes day.

The knee is still bothering me. I'm fine when I sit, but the longer I sit, the stiffer I am when I get up.

It was really nice that my health issues didn't get in the way of a planned day.

Posted by at 6:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I took Marcie to a hunt test this morning at the Lone Star Dachshund Conservatory. Maggie went along, but I was pretty sure when I entered I was only up to one dog (and I was right).

Lovely site! It's fenced in, to keep both the dogs and the rabbits in. It was very dry there, very grassy with cedar trees. They have put out pallets, chopped down trees, etc. to create places for the rabbits to hide. They put out water and feed for the rabbits too.

Here's how it worked. They listed all the entered dogs, and then drew small numbered balls for our running order. We got to go 4th, which I think was a really good place to be in. I could see what other people did, and give Marcie a change to get out and see what was going on.

When it was our turn, I was told to let Marcie off leash and to guide her into places where the rabbits might be. I actually flushed out the first rabbit, but Marcie was too far away to see it. She flushed one out later, but it ran towards the fence and she gave up when she saw it disappear at the fence. She didn't realize that they can't get out, and didn't keep looking.

She went back where she found it, and was very dilengent and excited about searching for it.

Unfortunately she didn't find anything else in her 30 minutes so we were excused.

I was praised by several handles because I didn't try to over control her, let her work, and didn't say anything at all to discourage her. I was thrilled because she came when she was called and she worked hard. I wasn't sure how that part would go.

One of different parts of that day is that one of the big bosses at Tuesday Morning was there. I think Rich's boss reports to him, but there may be a person in between. I'd first met Richard (yes, same name as my husband) and his wife at their house when they got their first basset hound. They are extremely active in the Basset Hound club now and have quite a few dogs. They do conformation and are just starting in field work. I will admit I didn't recognize them at first, since we usually see each other dressed to the nines for the company Chirstmas party and they aren't in my "dog database".

Posted by at 6:06 PM | Permalink

A commenter asked about obtaining the Glucowatch.

Animas Corp at http://www.animascorp.com owns Glucowatch now. I would assume you would contact them in the US and find out if there is any way to get one in your country.

I'm honestly not sure of the price because of the ownership change.

Posted by at 5:48 PM | Permalink

Tonight was a tough strength session. When we finished, my blood sugar was below 110 when I got done.

Today went well. The Algebra I kiddos did well on the computers, we got our activity done -- 7th period finished a bit early, but they usually do.

I was on my feet all day, and was in pretty good shape at the end of the day.

I have to be out of the house by 5:00 am tomorrow to get Marcie is a hunt test. More on that when we survive!

Posted by at 8:29 PM | Permalink

No pain this morning! I figured I might have some problems this morning.

The good news, is that I won't be climbing the stairs as much today. I'll be in one of my friends computer labs with the Algebra kids, go back to my room for the non-English speakers, and then back in her room for the end of the day. The computer labs are upstairs.

I think I am ready for today. It's going to be very interesting. We haven't done this before.

Posted by at 6:25 AM | Permalink

Don't know how I feel about this. This is the news I've been hinting at.

Was told by the principal that they couldn't find a new CS teacher and didn't want to lose the PreAP/AP CS program. They can find an ESL teacher. I get to keep my Algebra I repeaters. 35 x 3 of the most interesting students you'll every meet -- right now, the new ones are tagging my room (graffitt) and stealing stuff -- we got over that in September, I hoped, but I have a different set of kids. I get to stay in my room with them. We had a very high passing rate last semester, but many of them had passed 2nd semester and were only lacking first semester.

I get to go to the computer lab three classe periods and teach in that room for 4 days. For one day, I get to teach them in someone else's class room for three periods. Longer story. Not worth getting into.

They haven't had any instruction since school started.

Bet I lose more weight.

I will do what is best for my kids and for my school I'm also not sure I'm the best teacher for the ESL students I have right now -- most of them are extremely low level -- we have moved all but one student who had talent in math. Many of them have not gone to school before they came to ours. Some weren't allowed, some didn't have schools, and in one sad case, no one cared enough to make him go to school. I can teach high school math to non-English speakers who have some skills -- they are doing well in the higher level course. I am not doing well with kids who don't have skills.

Don't know when the job change will happen.

I feel like the saint of lost causes -- but then that was what I was unofficially canonized for when I was in college -- I tutored handicapped students taking CS and the CS professors got together and unofficially canonized me for it. Hey, the pay was $20.00 an hour when Work Study pay was under $3.00 who wouldn't do it.

Posted by at 11:40 PM | Permalink

I've blogged about it before and left a comment for his blog. I am definately allergic to Humalog.

Diabetes - Allergic To Medicine

The full prescribing information for several insulins, including Lantus, Levemir, Humalog, and Humulin, all warn about allergic reactions. They say that these reactions are rare.

Posted by at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

If you need a physical therapist, I can't recommend him enough.

http://www.metrocrestchamber.com/html/members_alpha.cfm?Company=T

Closest thing I can find to a website.

My doctor's office likes him too.

Posted by at 11:25 PM | Permalink

Yep, it wasn't pretty, it wasn't graceful, I wasn't where I needed to be all the time, but the dogs and I managed to make it through 1 1/2 classes of dog agility.

I did all of Maggie's runs -- they were pretty flowing and only a couple of front crosses -- they hurt the worse -- in front cross, you get in front of the dog and turn in front of them. As you might imagine, it's hard on the knee. I do better with rear crosses as you drift behind the dog's path to do those. Basically dog is ahead of you, and you move to the other side of the obstacle. Front crosses cause tighter turns than rear crosses, but like I said, you have to rotate on the knee and you are usually digging in and planting.

Marcie's runs were tougher as they were in the barn, tighter, and almost all front crosses. We only did have the class, two courses, and the first one really bit us inthe butts. We both made mistakes. Marcie felt mama pain vibes and was running slow. Mother was behind all the time, even behind slow Marcie.

She's a good dog though as she compensated for me on the second run and was perfect. Again not graceful, and I caused her some time wasting, but we got through it.

Best yet, is that even though I was still and sore when I got home, the hot tub releived most of the pain.

I love my PT!

Posted by at 11:15 PM | Permalink

It feels almost 100% this morning. I hope it stays this way though I'll probably mess it up tonight.

Next two days are going to be a mess. I have to get the furnace fixed this afternoon -- provided the part is avaiable. I'm going to check on that fairly early. Have to get my CDE appointment fixed, since they want to cancel on me. Probably just skip it as I see the endo that day. She's over booked.

I have to profile my students, which means giving them a practice test. That means getting copies. One of our copiers are down, and it's the hardest to use for this job anyway. Hopefully the co-op teacher will let me borrow her copier since i'm careful to use it for emergencies and I gave her reams of paper.

Of course, I was told this yesterday evenng.

That's not a big problem, since I really don't want to start a new unit tomorrow. Grading and profiling is going to be a pain and will probably have to be done on Monday.

Because of my mystery news (which might not happen), I'm trying to keep everything graded, everything planned, and everything ready to go at a moment's notice.

Posted by at 6:53 AM | Permalink

Was on my feet more than I should have been, but the Physical Therapist fixed it for the time being.

I can't get over how good a session makes me feel.

I am going to try to train my dogs tomorrow night. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

Almost forgot -- got lab results -- some values are NOT good but will know more on Monday. A1C was 6.6. Not my best, but not one of my worst since the pump (worst is 7.0 on the pump, my first few months).

Posted by at 9:54 PM | Permalink

Yes, very long, 8 pages on treating Type 2 diabetes.

In the Treatment of Diabetes, Success Often Does Not Pay - New York Times

They did not shut down because they had failed their patients. They closed because they had failed to make money. They were victims of the byzantine world of American health care, in which the real profit is made not by controlling chronic diseases like diabetes but by treating their many complications.

Posted by at 6:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Whatever was wrong with me Sunday night and all day Monday is over now.  Thankfully.

Knee isn't bad.  It's much better than it was last week before the weird injury.  I see the PT again tomorrow.  I've done most of his exercises.

Bad news -- the furnace stopped working and we have to replace a board we replaced a few years ago.  ARGH!  On Thursday, as I have a meeting after school on Wednesday AND PT.

And watch this space for interesting news.  It's going to be kinda of like that one year on the TV series Dallas, if it happens.  And who knows when.



More good news. My blood sugar is doing better in the evenings, but still high during the day. Maybe it's the 35 students in 1st period and the 30+ in second period who tagged my walls.

Posted by at 10:19 PM | Permalink

Sarah asked in the comments, if Depo is good for Type 1 diabetics...

My answer:

Every year, my CDE and my gynocologist and I go around and around on this one, and we usually go with the "isn't broke don't fix it". Every patient has to make up their own mind with their doctor's guidance.

My problems are painful periods along with never wanting to have children. The other problem, of course, is diabetes. Most people who menastrate see changes in blood sugar. I see a slight, temporary raising of blood sugar, but very slight with each shot.

My CDE thinks that the depo probably adds to insulin resistance and weight gain. My answer is, when I get under 175 pounds and I can't lose any more weight, I'll consider dropping it for that reason.

Also, I'm getting close to menopause (I just turned 46) and they claim I won't have any sympthoms while on depo.

Posted by at 7:35 PM | Permalink

I haven't posted about this yet, because

a) I've been too busy being sick and with knee pain
b)I haven't formed an opinion.

The 'betes

Anyway, both diseases disgust me today. Today I'm going to be judgmental and angry with people who are taking their health and trashing it by not eating and exercising to their advantage.

I do have an opinion about this though.

A lot of people look at me and assume I got here because I don't care about myself, and that I got here because I wanted to.

That's not really true.

And there are plenty of skinny Type 2 diabetics out there.

I think it is wrong for people to stamitize diabetes. It's a disease. People don't choose to get it. They even often don't choose NOT to get it -- sounds weird, but people assume just diet and exercise will do it. It's not that easy.

As I said, there are plenty of active, thin people with diabetes. I have a friend who is a principal at one of our schools that exercises every day, eats right, has never little excess body fat, but takes 3 different types of oral medications daily.

I also have friends that are very overweight, have been for years, and yet they don't have diabetes at all.

Even if someone is over weight, it's often something that the individual has no control over. For years, I exercised every day, dieted, and did everything I could think up. Only one problem. I was only sleeping a few hours a night and had sleep apnea (from a broken jaw, not from being overweight). I kept gaining weight, and once the sleep problems were solved, I started losing weight.

Educating people is a good thing. When a student observes me testing my blood and says -- "oh, my grandmother (or other relative) tests her blood like that". My response is: Make sure you get screened for diabetes every year, since you have a relative, it is more likely you'll become diabetic someday.

Just make sure you are giving correct facts and you are not adding to the stigmas!

Posted by at 6:51 PM | Permalink

I made it through the day. I ran out of knee about the end of 6th period. And I'm exhausted from being up all night.

I've got PT at 6:40 -- I might add to this post when I get home, and I might just go to bed.

I'm back from PT. Grueling -- here's weird for you. My blood sugar was 78 with no signs of low blood sugar about 1 1/2 hours after eating. Not a good idea to do PT in that state, so I picked up a small chocolate shake at Sonic and didn't bolus for it.

I was at 103 after the PT session, so I grabbed a MC Filet of Fish, bolused for it, and hopefully will be okay.

Nice to eat a couple of treats guilt free since I haven't eaten anything but dinner and half a bag of Animal Crackers all day.

Posted by at 5:26 PM | Permalink

I don't know if it is food poisoning, the Symlin, or what...but I went to a party last night, had lots of protein, very little carbs and started feeling sick right after dinner (this is why I think it might be Symlin since I started feeling queasy after dinner.

I ended up with a very nasty bout of diarrah and I haven't eaten anything all day so far, and don't plan to. Since I was out sick on Friday, I didn't want to be out again today. And sure enough the substitute completely screwed everything up.

He put white out on my pink sheets which means they will probably have to be redone. He didn't write down any of my new student's names, and he didn't give any work to my Algebra I students. Instead he gave their work to my English for Math students, meaning I don't have enough copies to get my Algebra I students this afternoon. Though hopefully I'll collect the rest of the packets from the English for Math kids. However, about half of one class already lost their packets.

I didn't get enough sleep last night, and I have been in the restroom every class period for at least 10 minutes but we're getting through the day.

The knee is only a minor annoyance.

Posted by at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

My knee is still pretty good today.  I'm having odd pains when I'm at rest, either in bed or in a chair, but walking is okay.  Stairs, even one stair is a bit hard, but I still can't believe how much good one PT session did.  I've been better since I saw the PT than I was all last month.

I am able to do some walking on the treadmill.  I'm doing 5 1/2 minutes today, SLOW, 2.0 mph, after meals, though this evening will be tough as I am going to a party, and so will the school day.  I'll have to see how things go after Monday's PT session.

My blood sugar is much better than it's been.  It had one of those days yesterday when I was just hungry all day, but today, I'm sick to my stomach and don't feel much like eating (probably Symlin).  I wish I would have less days like Saturday.

I'm off to visit a good agility friend who fell yesterday and had surgery this morning to repair a broken hip.  Then I'm heading to the party.

Posted by at 3:54 PM | Permalink

It is SO much better!  I was afraid to get out of bed, as I was having some pain, but not a lot.  It didn't hurt to put weight on it!

I did some of the physical therapy exercises and I did two sets of 2 1/2 minutes at 2.0 mph on the treadmill after breakfast.  Not a lot, but seeing as how I couldn't walk without crutches when I got up yesterday, it's huge improvement.  I'm going to try to do 5 minutes after every meal for a while, then slowly up the distance.

Posted by at 10:25 AM | Permalink

Just got out of the hot tub, and I'm doing SO much better.  I went and made a copy of the physical therapy sheet as I know I'll need those exercises the minute I wake up.

I can't believe the difference the physical therapy made.

Posted by at 10:26 PM | Permalink

I got into the Physical Therapist, got evaluated and got my first workout.  I actually walked out with a pain score of about 3.  I went in with a pain score of about 7-8, so it really did some good.

I've already done a round of exercises since I got home, and feel even better.

The therapist indicated that I would probably be able to keep running dog agility but maybe not pain free.  That is super news!

Posted by at 7:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Amy posted about the shift from BMI to girth measurement.

Diabetes Mine: More Titillating D-News Tidbits

I've been watching the cardio vascular news pretty closely (that's the major complication that got my father and his parents). The movement from BMI to girth measurement has been a well documented, but slow shift.

And I certainly fit the model!

Posted by at 10:51 AM | Permalink

Well, I know have a lot more confidence in him.  Hey, it takes me a while, and no one I go to ever knows who he is ....

Anyway, he was right on the money on the diagnosis.  I got the xray done, and a letter from the radiologist.  I see him at 2:45 to get a referall to the physical therapist.

Posted by at 10:33 AM | Permalink

I am very happy with my doctor right now.

He had written instructions to his assistant to write orders for an xray.

Also he called back quickly after hours.

Right now I'm waiting to get an xray.

Posted by at 9:28 AM | Permalink

My whole leg hurts, from the knee down to my toes!  Icing hasn't helped much.  I've got a Thermacare wrap on it now, but it isn't either.  The hot tub helped earlier, so I'm going to hobble down when I get enough courage and try that again.

--

Hot tub helped -- I have more range of motion.  Oddly enough blood sugar is lower, not higher, as I expected.

Posted by at 12:58 AM | Permalink

I always knew those Type 2 diabetes drugs weren't anything to mess with....

I'll admit to blowing the initial headlines off, thinking -- well, it's a known complication anyway, until I read the following paragraph.

FYI: Eyes scare me AFTER cardiovascular complications.

Rosiglitazone Linked to New/Worsening Macular Edema

A majority of the cases involved concurrent peripheral edema, according to an alert sent today from MedWatch, the FDA's safety information and adverse event reporting program. In some patients, macular edema resolved or improved after discontinuation of therapy. In one case, the condition resolved after dose reduction.

Posted by at 12:18 AM | Permalink

I put a knee brace on this evening, and went to dog agility class. I got to the outside of the aframe which was obstacle 3 on the course), put my knee on the ground and screamed. I honestly don't know what happened now, at the time, I thought it was a snap or a pull, but now I think it is a really really sharp intense pain.

I'm taking tomorrow off and dealing with it. I'm on crutches, but mostly to support some of my weight, not immobilizing it.

The good news: He is sending me to a retired army physical therapist who can get me running again if anyone can.

The bad news: I may not ever run again.

Plus the jerks didn't reconnect the temperature gauge when they repaired my truck so maybe I can get that done too.

(You are a jerk if you don't check everything).

Posted by at 10:14 PM | Permalink

My fasting blood sugar was 107 this morning.  Lowest it's been in a while.

While the break was nice, it was definately hard on my blood sugar, especially last week when I've taken a break from working out because of the knee.  I plan to start up again on Saturday.

I also should get my truck back today.  I think I blogged that I took it in on Monday and not only is the door broken, but the engine compartment is leaking.  They were hoping to have it done yesterday after school, but didn't get there.  It's going to cost about $3,000 to get it fixed.  I'm hoping that 6 car payments are going to be better than 3-4 years worth of car payments.

I plan to ice my knee after each stair excusion and see if that helps.  I may have to break down and get a heating pad too.

Plus I have dog agility tonight.

Does anyone know if the knee braces sold at Walgreen's would help?

Posted by at 6:44 AM | Permalink

I attended the awards ceremony last night, and it was a lot of fun.

And ... drum roll ... this blog was honored with the Best Adult with Type 2 Blog Award

As I said in my acceptance speech last night -- I owe it all to Medrants, his blog is my parent blog.

Posted by at 6:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

My knee has been bugging me since I went back to work yesterday.  Today is probably equal to yesterday which is good, since this was the first teaching day, but I didn't need to spend a lot of time moving through the classroom. 

I'll be tied to the computer most of the period tomorrow, so that will help.

I am finding ice does give some relief.  Also the hot tub provides some temporary relieve.

I have a call out to the doctor for something that works better than the Celebrex.  I'm ready for a knee brace right now, boots really helped with my feet.

Posted by at 7:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I DVR'ed last night episode of Made In America on the Travel Channel.

Before I saw that segment, I thought Made in America was a good series.  I had no idea how good.  Ratzenburger narrated and his narrative was very carefully researched.  He explained what diabetes does, how a pump makes a difference, etc.  One of the best 10 minute segments on Insulin Pumping and Type 1 Diabetes. 

You really need to see it.  It's fascinating how the pumps are made.  You actually get to see the individual processes. 
There were a few points I have problems with.  I seriously doubt that there are "millions" of Smith insulin pumps in use.  I also don't think it is the most portable insulin pump -- I think the Animas is, as its profile is smaller, and it's easier to hide on your body.  I also think they should have pointed out that you still have to poke a whole in your body to get a blood sugar reading.  They made that sound like it was a complete function of the pump and that's the part I have to educate the most about.

I would have gone with a Smith pump IF they had been more responsive.  When I was initially pump shopping.I contacted all the manufacturers.  It was just after the Minimed / waterprrof debacle and since I have a pool they were completely ruled out.  I was very torn between Smith and Animas.  Here's what sold me.  Smith sent me a brochure in the mail.  The Animas rep contacted me via email, arranged for me to meet him in person AND other pumpers at an insulin users groups and was 100% proactive.  Good thing for them, because I've bought two pumps from them (an IR1000 and an IR1250), and all supplies since I've met them.

I don't remember, but I may have told the Smith people I was Type 2 and what insurance and figured it wasn't worth pursuing, but they should remember, some people find pumping important enough to lay out the money for it themselves, even if insurance won't help.

Posted by at 6:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Shorter Dinner-To-Bed Time Linked to GERD

In addition to diabetes, I do have GERD (Gastric Reflux Disease). Before my diabetes diagnosis, I was careful not to eat after 6:00 pm and I found that my sympthoms were significanly reduced.

However, now if diabetes, the nuitrionist had me eating before I went to bed and yes, I saw an increase in GERD. In fact, just about everything they want you to do to manage your blood sugar makes GERD worse.

My GERD is best if I only eat three meals a day. Of course, that causes spikes.

I am working hard to avoid eating at night, but these higher blood sugar levels make it harder.

Posted by at 6:09 PM | Permalink

Diabetes Mine: Amylin's Colorful CEO, and AOL's Stake in Diabetes Blogging

The Type 1 bloggers are very upset by the Amylin's statement that she tests her blood sugar once a day to "live the diabetes life", and rightly so.

One thing to keep in mind, is that Byetta is potentially a bigger money maker than Symlin, and Symlin is exculsively for Type 1 at the current time. So her largest market share is Byetta.

However, they also forget that is often the Type 2 Diabetics life. When I first was diagnosed, I was given a prescription and told to test my blood sugar. I was given this schedule:

Monday: Test in the morning
Tuesday: Test before lunch
Wednesday: Test before dinner
Thursday: Test before going to bed
Friday: Test in the morning
Saturday: Test before lunch
Sunday: Test before dinner

Why? Well many insurance plans will only cover 50 strips a month for non-insulin using diabetics. Some only over 100 strips. Over a long time period, this will give the doctor a picture. Not an inaccurate picture.

Posted by at 2:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I think my blood sugar is slowly lowering.  We'll have to see.

Today was a teacher work day.  Got my student's grades back.  They had a very good passing rate on the final and a better overall passing rate.  This is good as all of my students are repeating their class.  As a result, I am starting to get a little bit of "big head."

My knee is in horrible shape.  The bad news is that the elevator wasn't working and I ended up going up to the second floor a bunch of times.  Unfortunately there is no elevator between my room and the main building, but it's easier to up and down that flight slowly -- for one, it's steeper.

I'm worried about tomorrow.

Good news: there is very little change between my 1st semester roll and my 2nd semester roll for my ELI classes.
Bad news: There is a massive change in my repeaters classes.  They are all over 25 students now.  We had quite a few students who had flunked only 1st semester of Algebra I, they were also enrolled in Geometry and they are all gone now.  (They all passed).

It's going to be an interesting day.

Sure hope my truck is back.

I have some decisions to make.  If I want to move to the new school, there is a January 31st deadline to apply.  I don't think I want to go, but I don't want to burn that bridge.  Also, my principal tells me that he has a computer science opening (I knew this).  Of course that status could change, but I would have seniority.  Of course that didn't count last year.

So do I want to teach computer science?  Or math?  I'm leaning towards math.

Do I want to stay at my building?  My biggest problem with my building right now is temperature control.  It's great out in the portables -- that might be a plus for a new school.  My old classroom was incredibly hot in the winter time.

Decisions!

Posted by at 8:10 PM | Permalink

I watch this sort of thing, as the target group describes one of my favorite students.

I have an non-English speaker, recent immigrant from South America, who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes when she was screened by our intake center.

Outcomes of a diabetes disease management program

Persistent change in CVD risk factors can be made through diabetes disease management; changes in glucose control, however, are more difficult to sustain in spite of continued use of medication. Further research must be undertaken to help improve glycemic outcomes over time.

Posted by at 7:54 PM | Permalink

The truck breaking down as been the "final" factor in my decision.  I've been kicking around the idea of teaching summer school.  I haven't before, but the extra money is now needed, especially since I'll probably have to get a new truck soon, and maybe a new car for my husband.

The biggest factor though, is my blood sugar.  It has been extremely difficult to control over winter break, and it is definately easier to control when I'm teaching.

So as soon as sign up is available, I'm on it.

Posted by at 6:18 AM | Permalink

After reading about patello-femoral syndrome and hearing from one commenter who suffered problems for almost a year -- I decided to lay off working out until later on this week.  I am starting to miss it!

First, my insulin usage is way up and so is my blood sugar.

I'm really worried about school starting back up, since the stairs are doing such a number on me -- we have extremely steep stairs at school, and there really is no other way to get from my room to the building -- yep, we're not ADA compliant and it will take something like $50,000 to get that way.  They are hoping the overcrowding solution will solve that problem.

Posted by at 6:52 PM | Permalink

Edinburgh Evening News - Opinion - Letters - Dose of reality, please in diabetes debate

The author is referring to this article

Diabetics in treatement delay row

While I have a needle phobia, that certainly isn't what drove me to the pump. And I personally don't think that is a valid reason for going to a pump.

However, if you are on a drug OR insulin regemim, you are required to keep to a strict schedule if you want as good as control as I am getting on the pump with my random schedule.

However, the patient really seems to be complaining that the injection regimim isn't working, especially if he is having problems with thrist and double vision.

Of course, they don't mention the ongoing costs, just the initial cost. You do end up using more insulin, plus the sets when you are pumpimg.

Posted by at 6:41 PM | Permalink

I've been having problems with my truck -- it has been locking me in -- and out.  When I went to Kroger's yesterday, I couldn't get in when I got done.  The power unlock didn't work, nor did the key.  This happened on Friday too, and I drove over to the Ford place and got an appointment to get it fixed.  I could get it open by pulling on the inside latch.

The fun part, is that you can't leave the truck unlocked while it is rolling. 

Took it in this morning, and they also found a major engine leak.  <sigh>  $3000 later and not done until Wednesday.  That's about 6 car payments!

I have a cute little red Chevy from the rental car place to drive until it's fixed.

Posted by at 3:53 PM | Permalink

Sounds weird -- doesn't it?  We useDiet Gourmet for our food.  They take the Christmas holiday off, last pickup was on December 21, and today was our first pickup.  It's much easier to use their service.

First, no choices at meal time.  I make the choices in advance.  That means I'll probably make better choices. 

Anyway, it's nice to have my regular food back.  My blood sugar has gotten progressively more out of control.  Though I'm sure part of that is due to taking some time off from working out to let my knee heal.

Posted by at 8:57 AM | Permalink

I've set up Performancing for Firefox.  It's pretty cool.  Supposedly you can add a blog entry by pressing F8.

And it works!  See http://www.Performancing.com and look for Performancing Firefox.  I've very pleased so far.

Except that it publishes multiple versions when you update after publishing -- I'll delete the other stuff in a moment.

Posted by at 9:22 PM | Permalink

Welcome To the Diabetes Talkfest

Come by Diabetes Talkfest on January 4 (Wednesday night). I'll be there and presenting.

Posted by at 4:41 PM | Permalink

I blogged a couple of weeks ago, that I was having trouble with my long Inset fusion sets -- they just didn't seem to be adhering as good as they should.

Well, I called and complained to Animas, and they replaced the two boxes I had left.

The new lots are 100% better! The paper isn't coming off the set -- in fact, I have to be careful to make sure that I don't tear the paper before it's completely off the set. And they actually stay on me for three days without extra adhesive.

I called Animas Friday and thanked them, it sure makes life easier.

Posted by at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)