Monday, December 14, 2009

A Video Shoot of Aortic Proportions

Greetings friends, fellow pirates, and members of dblogville.

Life has been hectic as of late and the medical tests continue. I'm seriously looking forward to closing the book on this chapter (that being every Dr. I've come in contact with in the last two weeks favorite medical oddity. I'm OVER IT) in Kelly's Big Book of Life and move forward.

Tomorrow it's back to the eye specialist for a follow up and on Wednesday I will be an active participant in a video/photoshoot of my aortic valves & company. This procedure is called a TEE or Trans Esophageal Echocardiogram.

Basically, they put a camera down my throat and esophagus and take video & stills of my heart chamber.
LOVELY - I know. But hopefully, it will show that all is good in that area.
Me being a bit of a camera whore - I'm sure they'll get some good shots.
I'll admit-I'm big time nervous about what they'll find, but this needs to be done in order to move on, so I agreed to it.

"Diabetically" speaking, blood sugars have been spot on.

Speaking of blood sugars,I have a question for you guys:

This test requires that I fast and not eat before they shove said camera down my throat. Any insulin pumpers out there who can offer advice regarding fasting/basal rates for same day medical procedures?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated by yours truly and I'd be forever in your debt.

And of course,sharing your advice would definitely put you one notch up on Santa's "Good" list ;)

13 comments:

Crystal said...

I just watch my levels, like to be near 200 before I go "under." But that is me. I don't really recommend it. I've done a basic 20 to 30 percent decrease in basal to make sure I stay at the level I want to be at for the procedure.

Call your Endo and/or CDE too. See what they suggest.

Good luck!! You will be fine, do fine. ((hugs))

Unknown said...

That's a tough question. You don't want to go low which can happen from not eating, and you don't want the stress from the procedure to push you too high. I think the only answer is to test frequently.

Cara said...

I'd be sure I was a little on the high side. At least the high 100's. That way you don't have to worry about a low and needing to eat or drink to correct it.
As for the basal rates...time for some basal rate checking. ;)

Elizabeth Joy said...

I've done -20% temp basal too...I've tried to be at around 130-150 when I go in (any higher and you're at a little increased risk for infection.) I don't know how long the procedure will be, but if it'll be more than a half hour, you can ask them to test you mid-surgery, and give you a Dextrose drip if you're going low at all. Test before you go in, and you should be fine.

Good luck, Kelly. I know you're going to do GREAT, and it'll be so good to get this all over with. I'll be thinking about you tomorrow...

Casey said...

I agree with Elizabeth Joy. Start with a lower basal 8-12 hours before, but check frequently because you might need more insulin due to stress. Remind them to test you during the procedure as well as right before so they can use a drip if needed. Prayers!!! You will be fabulous, like always!

Rachel said...

No practical advice here, but I hope everything goes well. :)

Zita said...

Getting blood sugars in line before a procedure is tricky. When they put my son under to do a scope to diagnose Celiac's we had him in a good range and then the anesthesiologist was over an hour late. Bah! I was worried my son would go low, but it all worked out. He was probably running higher from the stress of it.
Good luck!

Karen said...

I'm so glad you've got plenty of good advice here already. I've never needed to fast for a procedure, so unfortunately I don't have any tips for you. But I'll be thinking of you and sending awesome vibes!!

meanderings said...

No advice, just lots of good wishes!

Traci said...

I think you've gotten some great advice already so good luck and let us know how it goes. You make me laugh with your descriptions of the medical world. Spot on.

Scott S said...

I can't offer much in the way of advice (I would ask the doctors for their recommendations) but I wish you the best of luck on everything, and we'll be awaiting updates!

Scott K. Johnson said...

I too wish you the best of luck on all of it. I think I also agree on running a bit on the high side, and maybe reducing your basal a bit.

In THEORY, on a pump, in a perfect world, you'd be able to fast forever and you would die of starvation before anything bad BG wise happened. I don't recommend that though. Unfavorable side effects.

Lyrehca said...

I've often just kept my regular basal rates before such procedures, and haven't ever reduced a basal beforehand.

Good luck!