more stuff
Wow, 61 messages in my mailbox this morning! I’ve gotta remember to go
on digest before leaving the office Friday, or the system will probably
explode….
>I’m starting to wonder what
>your training for the pump consisted of.
Boy, not enough! I kept getting switched back and forth between two
CDEs, and I’m guessing they didn’t leave comprehensive-enough notes about
what each one had covered. There was a 2-hour session with the Mini-Med
rep, but she focused on programming the pump rather than actual site
changes. Good thing this group is here to fill in the chinks!
>That is a number one no no of pumping
>changing at night before bed. Which sets are you using also?
Using the Silhouette, although I still have a hard time disconnecting for
the shower. The past few times, I’ve had my husband do it and felt like
a real wuss. <g>
>if you want to protect your eyes, etc almost 9-11 bg tests a day
>are needed forever
Oh, shoot. I’ve been diabetic 41 years, with absolutely NO complications
(yet), and until starting on Humalog/carb counting a few months ago, did
only two tests a day…three if I was feeling really dedicated. I’m
thinking there’ll be some kind of great irony, if I start developing
complications now!
>If you want, I can send you a pic of Gail and me
Jan, bless your heart — don’t spend postage money for that. I’ll just
keep my imaginary pictures of everybody except Patrick, who I’m glad
outlived his band!
>I HATE BEING A DIABETIC!!!!
Chrissy, I’m curious whether it makes any difference how old you were
when you got it. I’ve always thought it was easier to grow up not
knowing any other way of life, but that could be way off base. Could be
EVERYbody hates it, and you’re in better touch with your feelings!
Laurie, hoping your husband sells his book
October 15th, 2004 at 6:12 am
Part of that is the luck of the gene pool. There ain’t no guarantees. On
another list I’m on an identical twin did everything right and has all the
complications. His twin did nothing right and has none. Go figure. But,
whatever we can do is what is best - and hope for the best.
I had to take 4 tests a day for a year before I could get a pump. I
complied, but that was in the days of visually reading strips - cut in 1/3s
to save $$$.
Well, Laurie, bless your own heart (lol) - I wasn’t going to spend 1c - was
going to e-mail it!!!!! hahaha I should have made myself clearer - blonde,
ya know. <VBG> (Actually, I had the blackest hair around and the school bus
driver used to call me Blackhead. I have to drink ink now to darken it.) The
pic of my first pump, me doing a *cooking demo* at a DM Carnival that shows
my pink (that time) zipper cigarette case that swings from my belt(s) for
Bluda Sue, and me and my hugsband.
As a kid, this is some of what you get:
"Poor thing, going to die."
kids (some) can’t play with you ’cause they might *catch it.*
More likely to get the complications and earlier.
Opportunity for 1000s more injections and pokes and prods.
School interrupted by doctor appointments.
"I can’t marry you because you can’t give me a son." (he adopted, I had one)
< V B G >
And I forget the other things Gail added to this on another list. Gail
was 5, I was 11.5.
October 15th, 2004 at 2:19 pm
RE: [Insulinpumpusers] more stuffBTW, Nicole Johnson, Miss America 1999 said
the best thing that ever happened to her was getting DM. I love her and
think she’s terrific, but I guess 7-8 years just isn’t long enough. I have
never been able to say that.
Jan
===
I was DX @ 15 yrs old (23 yrs ago), and hate it as much now, as I did then.
My 5 yr old daughter was DX 12/99, and hates it too. She isn’t even up to
the frustrating part of following the guidelines, restrictions, and getting
unpredictable BG’s. Although children that get DX @ an early age do not know
any other way of life, looking on the other side of the fence and seeing
others that do not have the restrictions, and stress associated with this
disease, surely does not make them happy about getting it. It doesn’t have
to have anything to do with how well you stick to your treatment plan. I’ve
had very good Hb1ac’s (mostly 6’s & recently 5.3 since the pump), but it
still doesn’t make me accept or enjoy being a diabetic. I do what I have to
do to ward off complications, so diabetes doesn’t win.
Kevin
>I HATE BEING A DIABETIC!!!!
Chrissy, I’m curious whether it makes any difference how old you were
when you got it. I’ve always thought it was easier to grow up not
knowing any other way of life, but that could be way off base. Could be
EVERYbody hates it, and you’re in better touch with your feelings!
Laurie, hoping your husband sells his book
October 17th, 2004 at 8:35 am
You can always switch to web only if the mail becomes to overwhelming =).
You can read all the messages fro the Egroups web site.
October 26th, 2004 at 2:10 am
<< Chrissy, I’m curious whether it makes any difference how old you were
when you got it. I’ve always thought it was easier to grow up not
knowing any other way of life, but that could be way off base. Could be
EVERYbody hates it, and you’re in better touch with your feelings! >>
I really dont know. I was 12. I am now 45. The pump has improved things
And yes I wear my
immensly but I still dont like being a diabetic.
feelings on my sleeve. Chrissy
October 27th, 2004 at 10:41 am
<< RE: [Insulinpumpusers] more stuffBTW, Nicole Johnson, Miss America 1999
said
the best thing that ever happened to her was getting DM. I love her and
think she’s terrific, but I guess 7-8 years just isn’t long enough. I have
never been able to say that.
>>
Yeah and I like those splinters under my nails….there real fun!!!! How
about a nice cut on the arm oh oh thats a joy!!!!! Sorry I think she must be
nuts to think something like diabetes is the best thing that could happen to
someone. Hello???? Chrissy
November 2nd, 2004 at 1:13 pm
I, too think somewhat like you are Chrissy. I am a very upbeat and positive
person, but I could not say it is the best thing that has happened to me.
I sometimes thing that diabetics saying that have no complications and have
been realatively healthy otherwise.
Having diabetes at 5 yrs old affected alot of my growth. My endo said that
my organs and such, did not have a chance to mature healthily. Due to that
I have additional problems along with my complications.
But by saying this I am not diasgreeing with John. I think what he says is
true. But it is a fact of life, some of us are born smarter than others. I
think, John, that you are so far above me, that I couldn’t begin to
understand many things that are common knowledge to you. You are a truly
blessed individual.
I have always thanked God for the intelligence I have had. The intelligence
to use a pump and to start when they were relatively unheard of. The
ability to adjust insulin myself and to balance diabetes, wifehood,
motherhood and life.
Gail
November 2nd, 2004 at 9:34 pm
I agree Chrissy!!! I don’t even understand how drug users can want to put a
needle in themselves if they don’t have to. These are the people who should
have diabetes. Not the people who respected there bodies and didn’t try to
alter them.
Kevin
Yeah and I like those splinters under my nails….there real fun!!!! How
about a nice cut on the arm oh oh thats a joy!!!!! Sorry I think she must
be
nuts to think something like diabetes is the best thing that could happen to
someone. Hello???? Chrissy
November 5th, 2004 at 11:38 am
Well, I’ve past 28 years since DX and I agree with her!
Janet
November 5th, 2004 at 7:46 pm
It’s all a matter of attitude. I don’t think pain is a big deal, nor do I
mind a few inconveniences if the payoff is feeling great, being happy and
enjoying life. If you disagree, that’s fine. I’m not an airhead–I just
think there is a positive side to most things and prefer to look at life that
way.
Janet
November 6th, 2004 at 3:53 am
By the way, I never said I thought diabetes was the best thing that could
have happened to SOMEONE ELSE! She and I have a perfect right to feel that
way since we both know how we might have lived if we had NOT been diabetic.
Besides, when has whining ever done anyone any good?
Janet
November 6th, 2004 at 10:39 pm
<< Not the people who respected there bodies and didn’t try to
alter them.
>>
AMEN to that honey!!!!!
Chris
November 7th, 2004 at 6:46 am
<< By the way, I never said I thought diabetes was the best thing that could
have happened to SOMEONE ELSE! She and I have a perfect right to feel that
way since we both know how we might have lived if we had NOT been diabetic.
Besides, when has whining ever done anyone any good?
>>
Janet Im not trying to whine…:) I think this disease affects everyone
differently. I dont go around in self pity daily or anything like that. I
just cant be happy about it is all. You have every right to feel how you
want. I’m not trying to step on anyones toes. Sorry if Im offending anyone.
Not trying to. I love you all and this forum is awesome. I’m just very
real w/my feelings. Sometimes that gets me into trouble. Hope you all
understand. Thanks Chrissy
November 7th, 2004 at 3:01 pm
Who? Miss America or Chrissy?
November 9th, 2004 at 2:01 am
<< I
just cant be happy about it is all. >>
Aha! I think we’ve hit on where a lot of the misinterpretatiion has come from.
Something may be the best thing that ever happened to you, but it does not
necessarily mean it’s something happy or pleasant. In fact, sometimes it can
be something downright terrible. A good friend of mine, for example, was a
severe drunk and drug addict, to the point where his life was in shambles.
One night, he had a terrible auto accident, almost killed himself, and had to
spend weeks in the hospital. To this day he walks with a limp, but he’ll
tell you that wreck was the best thing that ever happened to him, because it
served as a wake-up call to stop drinking and drugging. He’s been straight
since that night.
Sometimes, we have to burn our hand to learn to not touch the stove! I
believe this is more the idea behind Miss America’s comment about diabetes.
Patrick
The NC bluegrass pickin’ pumper.
November 15th, 2004 at 7:21 am
Miss America!
November 15th, 2004 at 3:28 pm
Patrick, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head! Thanks for looking at it
the way I think some of us mean it when we’re "glad" that something happened
to us that most might consider terrible. I hope your friend lives many happy
years knowing that he owes his life to that awful "wake-up call".
Janet