Living with Diabetes and Lapband

I got an angry note last night from a reader, which I deleted, but then responded privately. I hope the reader reply to my email again, because I think it's someone who needs some help.

The reader was frustrated because I whined about having a slightly higher elevated blood sugar, and because I saw my endo about it.

I know that I am lucky and that I've made some good choices. Teacher pay is lousy but our benefits are pretty good.

I'm on 6 different medications a day, plus insulin and test strips. I haven't figured out exactly, but I will ball park that at around $150 a month. No that's not bad.

I see several specialists on a regular basis. A sleep doctor about every 3 months now, and the endo, about every 6 months. Right now I am seeing his CDE for diet and weight loss support every month, but may go to every other after November. I used to get allergy shots and saw an allergy doctor on a regular basis, but am taking a break from that.

And don't forget the pump supplies. Those run around $150-200 a month, but the insurance pays 95% of the covered part.

I do use our Flexible Spending account to pay all of the above I can with pre-Tax dollars.

So my diabetes care isn't cheap and does take some personal sacriface. This summer when I was frustrated with my job, I didn't go look for another one, because I knew the benefits wouldn't be as good.

However, I am not whining, just stating facts. And I don't know what I would do if we did lose the insurance.

I know my husband has never been unhappy with the sacriface we've made so I could have the pump.