Living with Diabetes and Lapband

New pump coming on Monday

My warranty is up on February 25. I went pump shopping during winter break. Decided to stick "with theo nes that brung me Animas".

Why? In my opinion they have the newest and best technology.

I also like the form factor and the customer service.

I thought hard about the Cosmo but they lost me on the technology and especially the screen hard for this bifocal wearing gal to read.

Medtronic is Medtronic.

Here is the weird part. My warranty is not up until the end of February .

isn't going to cost a dime as long as I return the old pump. not sure why I wouldn't.

Got a black pump. Wish the meter was black but they are all silver.

Fall Semester is almost over

I hate the new schedule.  Yes, fall semester isn't over until today.  Really Monday.

More good news - today's skirt, again one of the larger ones I've recently bought also feels too big.  I have to remember to grab it's belt before I leave.  Also the bras I bought at the same time are also feeling a bit big.  That's not an issue at all since they have an alterations department.  At about a third of the cost of new, they will custom alter these.

Evening food is still an issue, but I'm working on it.  Exercise is getting easier. 

I've been doing cardio only, but I think I'll add some weight and core exercises tonight.

Finally a good day

Don't knpw how much this had to do with it buy I woke up with a normal blood sugar.

didn't sweat out the water thing but did make sure I drank a lot. yeah it was mostly diet coke but fluid none the less.

I didn't have weird xravings just got through the day eating what I think a normal person does.

Hopefully I wil have more of those.

Two Week Break - Plans

I'm off for two weeks.  I am going to try and destress and get ready for the rest of the year and my new lab install.

Goals

• Get assignments up for my AP AB student -- he wants to work over the break.  GOOD KID!
• Post about a month of assignments for the rest of my students.
• See if someone will "give" me a new vehicle, truck or car.  I have a 2+ year old Ford Escape.  I will trade if I can have the same payment, no cash passes hands (or at least tags, etc), and I can put all my stuff in the new vehicle. 
• Try all the major insulin pumps
• Get squared away on eating/drinking water
• Get back to walking regularly.
• Train my dogs -- especially weaves and work on Macy's teeter.

Things are looking up

Still thirsty all the time (which is a good sign, means I'm not ignoring the thirst any more). 

Blood sugar is at 112 -- and it hasn't been that low fasting in ages.

Weight is down at least 2 pounds since I started the medicallly assisted diet.  I weigh in Wednesday.

However, I am STILL coughing.

Saw the shrink today

It's very odd sometimes because all I feel like I am doing is saying the same thing I've been saying on Twitter and the blogs, but it does seem to help.

Today, I decided while I was there, that I would get Ozarka to actually BRING me water.  You see, I've figured out that is the biggest and best thing I can do to help me with weight loss, lap band surgery or not, and that my biggest obstacle was getting it into my room.  So Tuesday I am going to have them deliver. It should be easier than bringing in bottles, etc.  We'll see how it works.

Joining a lap band support group has been eye opening.  Most of what they experience with the lap band is what I get with Symlin but ignoring, and I've decided to switch to dealing with it how they do.  We'll see how that works.

Back to School

I reported a week ago last Monday.  As always, during reporting week I had blood sugar problems.  It's such a drastic change from summer -- even though this summer was full of workshops. This time I kept going low, partly because they had separated the meetings into three places, and those three places were as far a part as possible.  And the restrooms were far too.  Plus my room. 

The worst part, is that I'd get settled in a meeting and the powers that be would decide that I needed to fix something.  Broke projector, broke notebook, broke connection etc. So I'd have to walk from one far place to another, fix the broke then, then walk back.  I was getting in over 10,000 steps a day.

This week has been interesting and I've been getting in about half the number of steps.  I like the calmer though.  Kids started back Monday, and they pulled the seniors out for 2 days, then the freshmen for two days.  Very odd.  And I found out that I'm practically a freshman teacher.

But I do have great news.  My insulin usage has gone from about 120 average to 90 average.  My weight has also dropped, at least 5 pounds, maybe 10.  I'm playing with a new Beta device -- I am not sure how much I can say about it, but it looks like a useful tool.

Next blog post is going to be the Dexcom and happen in a few minutes.

I am tired!

I am here, listening to one of the keynotes and interesting but preaching to the choir. I already know games make the most money in computer science. Anyway, my plane got in early. I waited patiently and was last off and the IDIOT who was supposed to help me wanted push the wheelchair on the ramp. it wasn't a steep ramp but it causes problems. sShe was ready to help when we were on the level but I told her don't bother. I even waited a few extra minutes. Oh have I mentioned I had not eaten? I got to baggage claim and no luggage. Finally a lady came to us and said the equipment to bring the luggage was not available and so I asked about food. I went upstairs and grabbed a Burger King breakfast sandwich. Didn't have a hand free to mess with a drink but had passed a soda machine with bottles. unforunately it did not work. The best news is that my bag was there so I grabbed it. I walked a ways hoping to find a diet coke in bottles but nope couldn't find them. however I was able to grab a taxi and get to the port. Probably the worst part of the day was waiting in line to get on the ship. They had some sort of machine that took pictures for our ship passes and they were not working.

Man i can be dumb

We got to 365 and 121 - almost to the airport when I remembered I had not taken the bag of injectables out of the refrigator. It was 4:20 and the flight boarded at 5:30. We had to go back. Took 45 minutes total. Thank got for outside baggage check in. that helped mt get my bearings. TSA took forever, they had to see my sensor and at each step of the way, the next person was not available. However I am currently on the plane and about 2 hours from Miami. Oh and I was disconnected for at least an hour maybe two because my tubing wasn't connected. But maybe I should start at the beginning. At about 1:30 Macy was barking because Marcie would not let her in the room. I was to tired to think beyound that. I got up at 3:00 and found my good leather Ameribag chewed up. Okay just one pocket. I am wondering if they can fix it but probably not. Maggie was laying next to my thankfully unchewed passport and everything I carefully packed was scattered around the room. I still do not know if I have everything but at least I found the contacts intact. Whoever chewed up the pocket destroyed my lancing device. Thankfully I stocked up on them when they were cheap as they are 25 dollars. yes I know I ahould have put the bag up. I also know that it was probably not Maggie but Macy but there you go. I am not rational at that time of day. Of course there are doubts about the rest of the day too. I really hate that the bag is chewed up though. I really liked it. The good news is that I have 20 off fromebags so I might order a new one before I get on the boat. unfortunately I am not wild about the colors available.

Cruise

My luggage and packing cubes have arrived.  I've started packing.

 

I've put my medicatoin in packets and am trying to get some documentation for it. I am going to ask my doctor today (Have an appointment in a few minutes) and might go by the local pharmacy to get some help.

 

I've got my formal clothing, shoes, and bag packed -- won't need that until the cruise.  Also have a new pair of walking shoes, same as the ones I own, ready.  Also have spares of all my medical stuff ready to go.  That's going to go in the checked bag.

 

I'm planning that the medication, one outfit, nightgown, CPAP and spare pump goes in the carry on.  That's another thing -- I've got a loaner pump coming.