Occlusion

The first time my pump ever made weird squalling noises is the first time I ever traveled with other teachers from my middle school. It's always awkward to have to prick my finger in public, check my blood sugar, deal with a low, but I refuse to retreat to the bathroom. It's just not worth it to hide anymore. Fortunately most people are very understanding, and want to know more about diabetes. I am always surprised about how much people don't know even though it's all over the news and in newspapers.

When we were returning from our fast and furious two day trip to west Texas, I noticed my newly changed pod pricking me in my back. It doesn't usually do that, but I put it out of my mind and repositioned myself in my seat. During dinner, I noticed a high-pitched whining sound. I thought it was the restaurant we were in, but when we got back in the van to travel the final leg of the trip towards home, it continued. It was then that I checked my PDM and found out the the cannula that stays inserted into my skin was bent, and insulin could no longer be delivered. Thankfully, I brought an extra pump. So, with six members of the junior and high school looking in, I set out my medical menagerie and got to work. After I changed it out, it worked fine. The shame was wasting 130 units of insulin. Boo. Hiss.

sugar free delights!

Well I found a basket of sugar free joy at Walmart this weekend. Sugar free devil's food cake and chocolate icing!!! Let's hear a "heck yeah!" for "legal" cupcakes! I have a great recipes where I add pureed pumpkin to the devil's food cake mix, and it makes a wonderfully moist (and healthy without the eggs and oil!) cupcake. Can't wait to try them. The only drawback is that there is so much "fake" sugar like malitol, etc. When you get too much of that in your system, it pays you back. Laxative effect, oh yeah.

On the other hand, I had a couple of runs (runs, ha) this week without my insulin pump falling off. That's good. The only problem, now that it's cooler, is figuring out how to manage it, fix the numbers and calculations programmed in my pump so that after I run I don't get such bad lows. Right now, I'm still getting low blood sugar before lunch, and after I work out. I guess I'll just have to wait until I go to the doctor on Oct. 12 to have him help me "crunch" numbers with my PDM, personal diabetes manager, that controls my insulin pump through its signal.

Vegetarian update

Well... I'm trying hard to be a vegetarian, and I haven't eaten pork or beef in awhile, but it's hard! I find myself carb loading on pasta or bread, and that's not good for my diabetes, or my thighs!

I'll have to try harder to find whole grains and be sure to add extra veggies. And I guess I'll have to try to like fruit. Eww, though, it has such a gross texture.

I did try the Skin Tac with my pump, and it stayed on great! Also, we've had below 100 degree temperatures, so that helps a little. The only thing was, that I didn't have the remover wipe with me at the time I had to take it off. So OUCH!!! I felt like I ripped my skin off. The redness went down in a few hours, but it hurt like heck. I'll have to remember to bring all my supplies next time.

Pump Problems

So... I was challenged by my diabetes educator and close friend to tell my students this year that I am diabetic. This is a major source of concern for me because I still am somewhat reluctant to tell people. I kind of like it when they find out accidentally. So much less awkward to explain.

I felt like I needed to tell the kids in my class because sometimes there are alarms associated with my pump, and I might have to eat in front of them at times. Fortunately I haven't had any unforseen lows yet, and hopefully I won't with my new pump. I love it! The omnipod is the best thing that I could have changed about my diabetes routine. It makes life so much easier.

On the downside, the company (insulet) doesn't have to tell you when they make changes to their products. I found out from a diabetes forum that some companies are changing how adhesive their pump parts are. Therefore, the adhesive is less sticky, and especially in the frequent heat and humidity we've been having, is apt to fall off. Not good! So... after reading a few forums last week, I found out that you could get free samples of SkinTac, an adhesive that comes in wipes that they use to attach colostomy bags to patients. I tried it tonight, and it works great. They also sent me some Tac away samples that wipes the tackiness away from the pumpsite and your fingers after you get finished applying it. The true test will be tomorrow when I go running in the morning... will it stay, or will it fall off???

Operation Vegetarian

Operation Vegetarian has begun. You may be thinking... What????? A diabetic girl's going vegeterian? Absolutely. Don't worry, it's not a diet tactic, although it would be nice to lose a few jiggly spots. :) This girl's gotta eat... just not meat.

I've never been able to digest meat products well, so this is the final step in what's been a long awaited diet makeover.

Since I was diagnosed in 2004, I noticed that as I moved away from milkshakes, ice cream floats, etc., my body no longer accepted them well if I tried to eat them again. This has been the case with dairy, fried foods, rich foods, beef, and most recently pork. I guess it's just my body's way of saying "No!" And I'll agree with it.

So I've been going vegetarian, or going healthy in stages...

Stage 1:eliminate diet drinks and aspertame
Just because it's sugar free doesn't mean you should drink it.

Stage 2: eliminate pork products... bacon, ham, sausage.
This one has been hard. I do love a good hamburger pizza.

Stage 3: eliminate processed foods
This means fast food, sandwich meat... I'm trying to go towards more of a whole foods diet.

Stage 4: eliminate chicken and fish
This stage will probably take a year or so... I'm just not ready to give this stuff up yet.

Stage 5: eliminate dairy
Oh boy... this will take awhile. I have a love affair with bread and butter.

The advantages? Going vegetarian or vegan eventually will help me eat a healthier diet. Will I still get enough protein? Of course! There are other sources besides animal protein. Beans, nuts, green veggies are all good sources. It will also alleviate some stomach issues I've been having. Removing meat from my diet will also help me become a better athlete. All this will hopefully enable me to better manage my diabetes. Here's hoping! Wish me luck!