Living with Diabetes and Lapband

Got up this morning and called about script and was told it would be ready around noon.

Ate our embassy suites breakfasts and then went out.

We did NOLA things. Got a streetcar pass and went into the French Quarter. Did a mule carriage tour which was really nice.

After noon we took the street car to Walgreens and the insulin was therebut they forgot the story. the.good news is that 9edco agred with me, the doctors nurse and the pharamcy I should get a full m supply for the copay so I have 5 vials in boxes. Rich took them to the room.

Pictures of the day later.

We got situated in the room and got an internet fix.  Then we decided to do some New Orleans stuff.

We walked over to the Riverfront “Mall” – It is a mall, but I don’t know if they call it that.  Probably says on the pictures.

Oh, the pictures are here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kath_weaver/sets/72157615437187141/

They had a Café De Monde so I made Rich eat beignets and drink coffee.  He liked the coffee, I didn’t even with chocolate.  It was okay, but I’ve never liked the coffee there and don’t drink coffee most of the time anyway.

We got on the street car, rode it to the end of the line and then got off at Harrah’s.

We played nickel poker slots.  I like nickel poker slots.  Rich won over $20 and I lost $3.00 of his so he was happy.

We walked back to Embassy Suites and had their Manager’s Hospitality hour with a po-boy and fries (Rich had pizza).

Now we are upstairs chilling, I’m waiting to check my blood sugar and see where I am.  317 – yuck and needed 7 more units.  However, before the hotel hurricane and dinner and after beignets, I was at 137.  I have 113 units in the pump and a little over 100 in a cartridge.  I still don’t trust the partial bottle so put it in cartridges – that way I have an estimate on the amount.

Plan:  I have called Walgreen’s.  They don’t have my insulin in stock but think they can get it tomorrow.  Doctor’s office was to phone in script and they were to fax it. 

We’re going to eat Embassy’s breakfast by 9:30, call Walgreens and then take the street car up Canal Street to get the insulin if it is in.  If not, we’ll punt, I have enough for most of the day tomorrow.

I am not sure how I am going to get the insulin home, but should be exempt from TSA restrictions and I am already a problem child.  I should have 5 vials and I don’t think they will work in the plastic bag.  I also don’t want it out of the boxes.

Every time I fly something weird medically happens.

I forgot to do the liquid thing at home.

I grabbed one of the bags at the airport, sat down and put all my liquids in one bag like a good girl.  Then promptly dropped it.  I thought it was only one of the vials since the top nicely broke off.  But no, the bottom came off the other. Fortunately the partial bottle didn’t break.

I almost didn’t go.

But I did.

I’m in New Orleans, at a REALLY nice room at the Embassy Suites.  Husband is sharing my WiFi off my phone.  We’ve running 3G.

We’ve had lunch at Mother’s Restaurant (my MOTHER did insist we eat there), and had a Ferdi’s special.  It was good. 

Then we got the room (by the way, it’s in the Lofts next door instead of there), and an upgraded room.   VERY nice.  I don’t feel bad about the rate with the upgrade.  It is a REAL suite.  Of course Embassy’s are. 

I finally got the courage to see how much insulin I have and I have 50 units in the pump, and another 250 units in cartridges.  That wouldn’t be too bad, but I use 150 units a day right now and am in New Orleans.

I was told there was a Walgreen’s on Canal Street (there is), and as I was calling them, the doctor’s nurse was calling me.  Walgreen’s has all my information (a bit creepy),and the information to fax the doctor (yeah, creepy too),, and since I have to pay a month’s copay, I insisted on a month's supply of insulin.  How I am getting that home will be interesting, but it is medication so should be okay with TSA.

Speaking of TSA.  It was one of the more pleasant experiences.  I set the metal detector off and they hand wanded me and found all the metal on my body.  They also had to hand search the cpap machine (why?).  But they got my stuff together right off, so I am a happy camper.

I rarely got to go to camp as a kid.  It was something my parents couldn't really afford -- besides I had three sets of grandparents to visit in the summer so they didn't need a break.  With aunts and uncles to entertain us.

I've always wanted to go to camp or one of those retreats.

Here's one I'd LOVE to go to:

http://www.fitwoman.com/type-2-diabetes-program.htm

It looks like everything I've ever wanted except timing.  April isn't the greatest time to take off from school.  Okay, when is?

I love the fact that it focuses on diabetes.  Though I, my doctors, and everyone else thinks I'm pretty up there with knowledge, I figure you can always get more.  I also think that getting away and focusing on healthy behaviors has got to be a good way to get your head straight and into the game.

I've actually talked with them, but since I'm in the middle of doing weight loss surgery, I can't do it right now, but maybe when I'm at a plateau this would be a good plan.

I'm definately keeping them in mind.

Just got back from the psychratist office. The pysch evaluation is done which is a major step towards surgeryIt is okay. They should have the results by the end of the week..

My idea of the perfect spring break is to do absolutely nothing.  Rarely happens, I usually have doctor's appointments or other things to do.

This year, my husband decided he wanted to go on trip (notice I said nothing about having a husband around).  Frankly, the last thing I want to do spring break is to spend time sitting in a car.  He wanted to go on the gulf coast and every place I suggested, he had a reason we couldn't go that way.

I decided I wouldn't mind flying to New Orleans for a couple of days, so researched it.  Have come up a decent hotel to stay at and a decent plan.  Then I remember I had a $100 voucher from American Airlines.

So far, Rich has been to Baton Rouge and three casinos on the first day and is now in Biloxi.  He's going to meet me at the airport on Tuesday and then I'm going to fly home on Thursday.  We've got someone taking care of the dogs while I am out.

Best yet, when I come back, the yard will be taken care of and the house cleaned -- our regular cleaning is due Thursday.

So not bad of a deal though have spent most of the break's energy so far, getting ready to go.

I go for my pysch evaluation on Monday. 

I’ve gone from over 5 meals a day to 3.  The rest of the time I alternate between liquid Slim Fast and Slim Fast bars.  My insulin usage is dropping as a result.  I would like to get down to two, but I’m not there.

Part of my problem is I am saying good bye to some of my favorite foods I know I won’t be able to eat after surgery.  Like Brazilian BBQ today.  I also didn’t make it but the place was actually busy for lunch and I probably had some of the best service and meal I’ve had there.

Interesting – betting it doesn’t make a huge difference as people tend to keep their pump in the same place.  I will admit that I keep the new Ping below insertion sets where I used to keep it above but didn’t notice a change in amount of insulin used when I switched.

Dr. Sheri’s Blog on Exercise and Diabetes » Watch out for Your Insulin Pump’s Position

I’m also pretty sure that the research has a bias.

I went to Albertson's to the Save-On Pharmacy to pick up Maggie medication the other day and they charged me over $50.00 It's generic Xanax and I've never paid more than $20, and usually get it for around $12.00 there.

The tech said, "they switched the generic on us and we complained to the home office but there was nothing we could do". Read the Angry Pharamacist blog this morning and thought -- hey, I'm going to ask him what to do.

He said to call the pharmacist and I did.

Seems they have a new discount program.  If I would come in and sign up for it, they would refund the extra cost of the Xanax and it would never be more than $7.49 again (well, I think that price holds for a year or something).  Some drugs are $4.99 and if my co pay is more than what they charge, I get charged what they charge, and it even applies to the pets.

Weird.

So I did.

I have a refund of $3x.xx coming.

Weird.

Monday was Parent Teacher Conferences

Okay, who ever thought it would be a good idea to have Parent Conferences the Monday after Day Light Saving time change needs to be drug behind a car for a block.  Not enough to kill them but enough to get the point across.

Parents feed us greasy barbeque with lots of carbs.  What happened to cole slaw and green beans?  Please.  Are they really more expensive than potato salad and baked beans?  I skipped the bread and the desert.  Though if they give us time to get something to eat we'll be here to 9:00 pm so no thanks.  Had 12 parents. Finished my part of the girl scout cookies.

Yesterday I got hit by thought that the BBQ place around the corner probably had salads, and having a last one would be a good thing. You don't understand.  They give you a HUGE plastic container full of what ever salad makings you want.  Lettuce, corn, black beans, mushrooms, olives, croutons, etc.  It was good.  I'm glad I did it.

Yesterday I had my last Diet Gourmet breakfast.  Probably ever, I doubt they will work once I've had surgery.  So today I had a slim fast drink at 8:00 and a bar around 10:00.  Just finished lunch.

My food is much better in control that it was.  We'll see how it goes.

Oh, by the way, last Friday my department chair was whining about how much she had scheduled this week -- my response, and why do you think you are special?