Eating Healthy While Dreaming of Cupcakes~

Eating healthy is challenging (as are the 7 pounds that I’m trying to shake) and ANY product in this world that makes eating healthier easier- be it on the road or at home, while still tasting good is a must in my book/kitchen/car.

So because cupcakes have been on my mind as of late (shout out to my cupcake twitter crew!) I decided to make a list of kitchen staples that make my world easier and healthier- while still appealing to my epicurean side.

Legumes (BEANS)

Beans are a great source of protein and fiber, and are inexpensive to make.

Beans are our friends and we should treat them as such. They reduce inflammation of the heart lining and valves- at least according to my dietitian/ CDE, who told me I MUST consume 2 servings a day.

Beans such as Black; Kidney, Baby Whites, lentils (which require no over night soaking and cook in under an hour) and Soybeans make my world easier.

I’m a lover of humus and spicy black bean dip with sliced up veggies. I love the fact that bean dip takes less than 5 minutes to make. I also love the fact that my friends always ask me to bring my bean dips to parties.

I make wicked black beans and brown rice loaded with garlic, cilantro, jalapeno, red onion, and sweet peppers. Like I said, beans are my friends.

Edemame: Soy Beans take 2 to 4 minutes to make and whether you serve them hot or chilled, they taste great. I serve mine with a sea salt, cumin, and turmeric blend.

FYI- Turmeric is also good if you have inflammation and joint issues.

Tofu: I’m a HUGE tofu fan and make a mean Chili Lime Stir Fry with mushroom and Broccoli. Once you figure out how to cook tofu (you need to actually squeeze the water out) tofu really will become one of your favorite things.

Soy Milk: Silk Vanilla and Chocolate Soy Milk ROCK my world daily. So easy to get my 2 servings a day by drinking them.

FOODS THAT TRAVEL WELL

I'm in my car for work, A LOT. Foods that are "Driver Friendly" are KEY.

Apples: Seriously high in fiber and super easy to eat while driving. Plus, unlike most fruits, the “sticky” factor is low. Most varieties only contain between 15 to 20 grams of carbs (more like 12 to 16 when you minus the fiber,) so according to Diabetes Math, they really are the perfect snack. Plus, rumor has it they keep the Dr away.

Cheese Sticks: I could eat the whole bag- but normally stick to one or maybe two, tops.

Trader Joes FIBERFUL Handmade Dried Fruit Bar: Thank you Fran Carpentier for introducing them to me! Super easy and light to carry around (and they are bendy so they fit in the smallest of handbags) to treat a blood sugars that a little low. 14 grams of crabs, 6 grams of fiber and 45 cents a pop!

Trader Joe’s "Just A Handful of Raw Almonds": The bag contains 13 individual bags (with 32 nuts in each) of raw almonds to go. You get a perfect portion of almonds and the individual servings make it super easy to toss one in your bag or briefcase you can read all about the many benefits of almonds HERE.

Larabars: LOVE THESE rawfood snack bars that come in flavors like Banana Bread, Key Lime Pie, Cinnamon roll, Cherry and Apple Pie- just to name and few! Larabars are high in fiber, are weather proof (meaning they wont melt in the heat) and are SUPER DELICIOUS. Rummer has it they are made by fairies and sprinkled with pixie dust and all sorts of good vibeage~

Foods in General

Trader Joe’s Almond Butter- the best $4.99 you will EVER spend. WARNING- Highly addictive – Does not last long in most households.

All Natural Peanut Butter: See Above listing- same rules apply

Portobello Garden Burgers: Low in fat and carbs and 3 grams of fiber. Take 5 minutes to make and are excellent topped with Salsa. FYI, I never eat mine on a burger bun, cause I'm weird like that.

Teas: Teas make me happy! Teas are also high in antioxidants. Might I suggest a nice citrus Green Tea or Celestial Seasonings herb BlueBerry and Tangerine flavors- SO YUMMY. Also, a nice black Chai on a crisp fall day REALLY hits the spot! Add a little Silk Vanilla Soymilk- and you have yourself an excellent Chai Vanilla sans all the crap that Starbucks adds. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper if you make it yourself!

Low Sodium V8 Juice loaded with Mexican or Chili Seasoning. VERY low in the carb department. Here’s the Diabetes Math: 10 grams of carbs +2 grams of fiber = 8 grams of total carbs. BTW, One 8 ounce glass equals 1 serving of veggies. Excellent for Bloody Mary’s as well.

Raw Veggies! Sweet peppers, baby carrots, celery, and hearts of palm - all must haves.

Broccoli: Sauteed in Olive Oil and garlic = AWESOME

GARLIC: IN ALMOST EVERYTHING

Really Good Salsa: Nothing sucks more than a watery, tasteless Salsa. With that being said, a good spicy one makes everything taste better and is fat free and loaded with Lycopene~

Flax Seed Meal: High in fiber, and Omega 3 fats. Tasty in Steel Cut Oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies.

Wasa Crisp N’ Light 7 Grain Cracker Bread: 3 slices per serving gets you 0 grams of fat and cholesterol, 13 grams of carbs minus the 2 grams of fiber for a total carb count of 11.

Really tasty and taste excellent with dips, cheese and PB & J.

0 % Fat Greek Yogurt: Currently addicted to the Chobani brand,all flavors. Less than 20 grams of carbs, all sorts of probiotics, and only a handful of ingredients that are easy to pronounce and recognizable by name.

Wild Salmon: Great source of protein, antioxidants, Omega 3’s and vitamin E. The Wild salmon is much better for you than the farm raised. Unfortunately, the Farm Raised salmon are fed with corn-Yellow Dent # 9 to be exact. The same corn used to make High Fructose Corn Syrup- stay clear of the Farm Raised salmon – your body will thank you in the long run.

Sriracha Chili Sauce: Not really a food, but a damn fine condiment!

Frozen Sweet Potato Fries: O trans fat, low in carbs and easy on the blood sugar.

Spaghetti Squash: A great replacement for pasta and squash is loaded with vitamins.

Food Should Taste Good Gluten Free Chips: Regardless of whether or not you have gluten issues- these chips TASTE AMAZING.I'm a HUGE fan of the Lime, Multigrain, & Jalapeno flavors!

Ezekiel Sprouted Wholegrain Bread: This bread makes it easy to enjoy a sandwich again. 1 slice contains 15 grams of carbs, 3 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of protein, 0.5 grams of fat and 0 cholesterol. This particular flavor contains “naturally occurring gluten,” but other breads they make do not. Click HERE for a complete list of breads- including gluten free.

PS This bread is found in the freezer section and should be kept in your freezer

Nutella: Cocoa hazelnut deliciousness on a spoon. All natural ingredients and TOTALLY BOLUS WORTHY~

Any other suggestions to keep our kitchens healthy so we can continue to indulge in cupcakes from time to time?

Dear Children & Teenagers With Diabetes

Dear Children and Teenagers with Diabetes:

I know your smart and a digital native, and I know you know almost everything, but please hear me out.

I’m an adult (which freaks me out to write, let alone say) with diabetes and I was once in your shoes.

Being a child with diabetes has its challenges, and some days it sucks- I get that. And I’ve experienced those days -still do in fact.

Diabetes is a lot to handle for an adult, not to mention a kid or a teen, but your doing a great job!

I know that shots can be scary, annoying and painful, and I know that pumps have their own set of challenges, like infusion site changes, doorknobs and deadspots.

Your bravery is AWESOME.

I know you want to be like your friends, and eat whatever and whenever you want.

And that’s not always possible when your blood sugar is high or the food isn’t gluten free.

I know testing your blood makes the tips of your fingers sore and freckly, and the more tests you take, the more rough and callused your fingers become.

Diabetes doesn’t change the fact that you’re a kid, you just

come with a different set of instructions than most of your friends.

Fitting in, regardless of the age or circumstances, can be challenging at times. All of us- Diabetes or not, have these great qualities that make us stand out.

Embrace what makes you special and run with it!

You’ll be surprised how others will follow your lead.

And the ones who don’t respect you and your diabetes- have other issues (most likely at home) that don’t involve you and D at all. Trust me on this fact!

Ignore what they say and focus on your real friends.

Diabetes will help you in other ways you never imagined or even thought possible.

Your diabetes will help you see who your real friends are.

Diabetes will help you see who your real friends are not.

Diabetes will allow you to develop something called empathy.

Now keep in mind, almost every one has empathy- or the ability to put themselves in other peoples shoes- but not everyone pays attention to their empathy gene.

Without a developed sense of empathy- humans become selfish and uncaring towards others thoughts and feelings. That will never happen to you.

Diabetes has given you a unique perspective at quite a young age. You know what it’s like to have a bad Diabetes day because of high or low numbers.

You, as a person with Diabetes have the second sight to see when others struggle, and know how to be a good friend to anyone who needs one. Seriously- that’s a cool gift!

Diabetes will allow you to recognize when your high or low – sometimes-even before you test.

Teenagers, this part of the letter is directed mainly at you.

Look, I know that you know everything- I do - I KNOW THAT.

But please give your parents some street cred when it comes to your Diabetes care.

If you want more independence regarding your Diabetes (which I think you should have- to a point) show your folks that your actually capable of taking care of yourself & diabetes.

Your diabetes isn’t going anywhere whether you choose to work with it or against it.

So TAKE OWNERSHIP of your Diabetes. Show your parents that your serious about managing your Diabetes and work with them.

Do this by testing your blood sugars 10 to 15 times a day, and write them down in a log book or phone app. Keep in mind that testing 10 times a day- it only turns out to be 50 seconds a day, and 15 times a day is only 75 seconds. I know you have an extra 50 to 75 seconds a day between texting, wii, texting,school, texting, work, texting, Starbucks, and texting.

Back in the Diabetes Darkages, when I started testing my bloodsugars, my parents wanted me to lug THIS around in my knapsack-

And this is the box it came it!

And it took 2 minutes to tell me what my blood sugar was.

You have it SO MUCH EASIER!

Back in the day, there was no such thing as counting carbs and ALL foods were off limits.

So take advantage of the fact that carb counting is key and nothing is off limits and bolus correctly (give your best shot-if your wrong, that's what a correction bolus is for) for carbs.

And then test your glucose later to see if you reached Blood Sugar Nirvana.

Carry food with you- ALWAYS. It’s your responsibility- no one else’s.

I know for fact that Glucose Tabs and fruit rollups can be discreetly carried- even in the tightest of jeans.

Dust off your empathy tool (which tends to get rusty during the teen years) and put yourself in your parents shoes.

I don’t know if your aware of this, but when

you were diagnosed, your parents world was turned upside down.

And if you were diagnosed as a child- they’ve spent years working 24X7 to make sure your healthy. You want more Diabetes freedom- show them you can handle it!

Parents will always be PARENTS- there's no changing that. They will worry about you even when your over 30 and working a real job and live on your own- trust me on that fact!

And one more thing, THANK them every now and then for all they’ve done. Because someday, when your healthy, on your own, and living the life you want, you’ll realize everything they’ve done was because they LOVE you.

Later~

Kelly Kunik

Inbox Overflow- Shopping for Diabetes AND Support Group Info

My In-Box is overflowing! Here’s a list of some upcoming October Diabetes related meetings and shopping events - More to follow VERY soon.

SHOPPING to Help Find a Cure~

When: October 10, 20009 11 a.m.

Who & Where: Cure Thrift Shop 111 East 12^th Street NYC

What: Fall Home & Fashion Event- All funds raised Benefit The Diabetes Research Institute.

Designer and eclectic goodies for sale at bargain basement prices! And yes- all money raised goes to The Diabetes Research Institute.

When: October 17^th, 2009

Where: Macys locations across the U.S

What and Who: “ Shop for a Cause” and support the Diabetes Research Institute.

Normally, $5 dollars gets you BUBKUS ! But this shopping pass gets you great deals and raises money for the Diabetes Research Institute at the same time!

Here's the deal. Your $5 donation will get you a "special" shopping pass, which can ONLY be used on Saturday, October 17. What's so special you ask? PLENTY. Pass holders receive 20% off of all in-store purchases and 25% off of one specific item (I'm thinking Black Boots) at any Macy’s across the country!

Also, each store will be giving one lucky shopper a $500 Macy’s Gift Certificate good at any Macy’s in the United States!

Interested in getting a pass? Here's what to do. Email Sheryl Sulkin at: ssulkin@drif.org to purchase your shopping pass – and do it QUICK.

Passes must be mailed out to you (due to the fact that it’s an actual PASS, no barcodes, etc) so email Sheryl TODAY. The minute she takes down your billing info- your pass is put in the mail!

Click HERE for a Direct link.

Support Groups

When: October 13th and 27th - Second and Forth Tuesday of Every month

Who: Act1.org

What: Support Group for Women with Diabetes

Where: Friedman Diabetes Institute, Beth Israel Hospital, 317 E. 17th Street (btwn 1st and 2nd Avenues) 8th floor

Who & Where: Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital – Rosenberg Outpatient Building. Baltimore Maryland.

What: Support Group for Type 1 Children, Teens and their families

When: When: Every 3^rd Wednesday of the Month:

October 21^st: At this meeting, a spokesperson from the JDRF will speak about new research and technologies that make life easier for folks with the “Big D”.

Members of the Mt.Washington Pediatric Hospital’s endocrinology team will be there and will answer and all questions you might have.

After the speaker, Psychology Services will discuss managing diabetes in school & meeting other Type 1 kids and teens.

Prizes will be raffled and food will be provided!

For further questions, please call: Sarah Highstein, Psy.D. 410-578-8600 x 5189

The support group is free.

When: October 28, 2009 - 6:30 pm–8:15 pm

Who: The American Diabetes Association

What: Safe at School Workshop

Where: Cherry Hill Public Library 1100 Kings Highway No. Cherry Hill, NJ 08034

Room: Conference Room

Fee: FREE

In a nutshell, this workshop helps parents of diabetic children know what their children's rights are and how to negotiate for them. Parents and guardians are taught strategies for working with schools for care; how to negotiate a 504 plan, expert advice from other parents, and what resources are available to families of diabetic children.

The Safe at School Campaign is dedicated to making sure that all children with diabetes are medically safe at school and have the same educational rights and opportunities as their classmates.

Click HERE for more info and Registration forms.

Who: Act1.org

When: October 29th- held the last Thursday of every month.

What: Support Group for Adults with Diabetes

Where: Cure Thrift Shop - 11 East 12th Street (bet. 3rd and 4th Ave.)

Dear Diabetes - I GOT YOUR MESSAGE!

Dear Diabetes:

I’m STARVING

And… well, It’s all your fault. Seriously my stomach is growling and I have a headache.

Yours truly only had coffee for breakfast this morning thanks to waking up with a blood sugar of 290, caused by middle of the night low at 3 a.m. of 50.

OK- I realize that I’m responsible just as much as much as you are regarding the low BG, we ARE a team after all.

And I TOTALLY understand that you were nudging me with the 3am low to:

A. Wake me up and treat the 3 a.m. low

B. Make me realize that I need to take good look at early a.m basal rates and consider an adjustment.

C. You reminded me yet again, that like most "well oiled machines," you need tweaking every once in a while.

Done and done my friend! My iphone alarm is currently set for 12 a.m. and 3 a.m. basal rate blood sugar tests.

But next time D, time how about just putting the volume to 10, instead of turning it all the way up to 11.

Yes, I referenced (though be it poorly) Spinal Tap- I know how much you love that movie!

LOOK, I totally appreciate and am forever grateful that you woke me up for the low. THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU! From the bottom of my imperfect pancreas for the cold sweat and pounding heart low blood sugar alarm.

Thank you for allowing me to wake up and have the presence of mind to treat it, even if I over treated it this time.

It’s just, well… it made working this morning a bit of a drag – from the second my iphone alarm clock rang at 6:30 am. It took a ridiculous amount of time to peel myself out from under the covers and get ready for work.

And YES, paperwork was accomplished and my calendar IS coming finally coming together- but it took you (and me) a good bit to feel like the caffeine was ACTUALLY kicking in.

Current #Bgnow is 144, which means lunch is a go. Which is good thing- because like I said- I’M STARVING.

Let’s continue to work on our “Communication Skills D"

Like it or not, we are team and we have to work as one, 24X7, 365 days a year.

I will even go with Mediterranean Salad for lunch- because I know that particular salad works well regarding keeping the blood sugar study.

Talk to you in a few hours, when it’s time to check our post lunch blood sugar numbers!

Peace ~

Kelly K

Admission Memories~

October is the month that I was diagnosed, and Halloween was the day. Also, it was either the day of, or the day after my parents anniversary. I've been thinking a lot about that as of late. Once a week during October - I'm going to write q post about that time (or what I've learned from that time) in my life.

Today, I'm writing about what I remember about the the day (and the following days,) I was admitted to the hospital & became an official member of the D Club.

I remember...

Waiting in Admissions with my parents- I still didn’t get the fact that I was going to be in the hospital or that I had diabetes. I’d never been to hospital before and I thought Admissions was just part of the procedure every time you entered the building.

I remember getting a complete physical at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia and the nurse asking about a burn scar on my butt. Then being taken to another room with a Social Worker and a policewoman, who again asked me about the burn scar on my butt. They wanted to know “if my parents did it?” The burn scar was not from anything abusive-on the contrary- it was from me walking into the house as a 5 year old (wrapped in a towel after taking an outdoor shower after the beach) and being cold because the air conditioner was on FULL BLAST. We had an old Oil heater that was about 6 feet wide and 4 feet tall in the house I grew up in. I pressed up against a small circular part that showed the inside mechanisms and literally singed the skin of my bottom. I cracked jokes with them and said- something like: You want to know how I burned my butt?? Have I got a story for you!” And proceeded to tell them about the “heater room incident.” They laughed and knew I was telling the truth. They watched me run to my parents babbling about my burned bottom when they entered the room.

I distinctly remember the Social Worker saying: "The way she laughed when she told the story made us laugh. And then seeing her run and hug you both- there’s no way that burn was done on purpose.”

I remember...

A nurse dressed as a clown giving me an insulin drip IV and telling me I did indeed have diabetes.

Realizing at that moment that I HATED clowns.

Nick naming my insulin drip "The Alaskan Pipeline."

Seeing all the nurses dressed up in Halloween costumes- VERY SURREAL. It was like something out of a REALLY bad movie.

Seeing patients Trick Or Treating on each floor and being told that I could trick or treat, but that I’d only be allowed Sugar Free candy. – I was already familiar with the concept because of my sisters- and knew they played havoc with your intestinal system. I wisely (and some what bitch like) said no.

I remember....

Being sad that my Halloween was spent in a hospital.

Being scared to tears every time I had to take an insulin shot.

Being DEATHLY afraid to inject myself.

Injecting an Orange with Saline Solution, daily- and having no fear at all.

Seeing a huge, giant # 3 on the wall, painted in orange (like a Burnt Sienna Orange) with an orange line going through it and along the wall, when I got off the elevator on the 3^rd floor Endocrinology Unit. All the chairs in the waiting room and hallways were orange as well. I would later learn that the third floor was the “orange floor,” and for the rest of my life, I associate the color orange with diabetes. And the 70's of course- because Burnt Sienna and Avocado Green are colors that represent the 70's. As do wood paneling and fondue sets. But, I digress.....

I Remember thinking that my Endo, Dr. Parks was REALLY tall. I mean REALLY, SUPER TALL. Like Jolly Green Giant-Ho-ho-ho tall. I asked him to pick me up in his arms and carry me down the hall to his office every day- because I liked the view. He never said no.

Sitting in Dr. Parks office with my parents and being told that they were 10 years away from a cure. I was excited, until my mother said that they told her that very same thing 12 years ago when her other daughter had been diagnosed.

Realizing that I would most likely hear the 10 year tune in another 10 years time.

The Huge wall of windows in my hospital room and how the sky always seemed gray.

A wall of Orange drawers and bins on the opposite side of the window – to put all my stuff in. There was also a Bin/drawer that was about 3.5 ft tall, it tilted out and opened from both the inside of my room and the outside- for easy dirty linen collection. I remember emptying the linens out and hiding in there when it was time for my shots.

I remember...

Staying up as late as I wanted to at night and watching TV and NOBODY telling me to stop turn it off or go to bed!

Following the nurses around and playing with the little toddlers on the floor.

Being forced to eat 3000 calories a day because I'd lost so much weight.

I remember..

Realizing the pickles (which I loved) were considered free food.

Crying when I realized that sweets were off limits.

A Foozeball table set up by the Nurses Station.

The McDonald's in the Atrium of CHOP.

Going to the McDonalds with my CDE Joe, who I had a crush on. Joe had Diabetes to and Joe told it like it was and made me laugh. Joe would tell me that when they found the cure, he was renting out Bryers Ice Cream and throwing a BIG PARTY.

I remember...

Arts and crafts therapy. We made leather key chains and hammered images into the leather. We hammered so hard that we woke up the babies in the nursery!

Sitting in the Play/Arts in crafts room for hours, coloring, reading and convincing the other kids that “pretend” was indeed awesome to play!

Getting a card from my oldest brother John (who lived in California) in the hospital the front of the card had a Donkey with a thermometer in it’s mouth and said something like: “Get well, and consider yourself lucky- they could have put the thermometer ……” When you opened the card there was a picture of the Donkeys behind and the words: ”HERE!!!!”

Crying in the middle of the night about Diabetes when no one saw me.

I remember...

Being happy when it was time to go home - almost 3 weeks later.

I LOVE LUCY

Today is NO DDay. What's that? George will explain it HERE. And you can find it on Twitter by looking up the Hashtag #nodday.

As for me, I'm writing about LUCY.

I decided to write about one of my oldest friends, Lucy. 

WHY? BECAUSE I LOVE LUCY.

There isn’t a time when I don’t remember having Lucy in my life.

She's is one of the constants - No matter how much my hometown changes or where my life's journey takes me, Lucy remains the same. Actually, she gets better with age.

Whenever I see her and no matter how long it's been - she welcomes me with a wink and a smile.

Lucy is learned and wise. The years have given her wisdom and her eyes have seen more than most of us forget.

Lucy.....is an Elephant. YES, you heard me right, AN ELEPHANT.

Otherwise known as: Lucy THE Elephant!

And not just any elephant mind you. Lucy is larger than life, standing 6 stories (65 ft) tall, 60 feet long, and 18 feet wide. She weights close to 90 tons- and is a proud pachyderm!

Lucy was built in 1881 as gimmick to promote real estate in “South Atlantic City,” which is now called Margate - my hometown.

Lucy has had many incarnations. First as Real Estate promotion, then a mini hotel, a private beach cottage and a tavern – Imagine the visions of Pink elephants she inspired!

In the 1950’s she started to fall apart and by the late 60’s she was ready for the wrecking ball.

In 1969 The Save Lucy Committee was formed and in 1970 Lucy was moved 2 city blocks to he r present location.

In 1971 she applied to be on the National register of Historic Places and is granted that status in 1976.

Over the years hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent to restore her interior and exterior  - and she is beautiful!

Lucy has ALWAYS been there for me.

When I was little, she provided me with wonderful memories of both my father and brother.

My first real memories of her are seeing her from the beach-back when I was a little girl.

My father and I would take walks on the beach and after a while we’d see her. I’d start waving to her and calling her name. “HI LUCY!!!- I LOVE YOU!!!” She’d stand there with her comforting smile, and I knew all would be well.

Another early memory is seeing her from the ocean -  when I was maybe four.

 My brother John was a Life Guard and his “job” in the family was to make sure I learned to swim. We went out in the Surf Boat with another guard and they rowed out deep. 

Then John dove in the ocean and me being me, jumped in after him  - and we started to doggie paddle, and that’s how I learned to swim. Together we paddled back to shore- and my brother kept saying: Swim towards Lucy! Swim towards Lucy!” And with his help (and hers,) I did.

In Grade School I remember singing & dancing (both as audience member and as a performer) at her summer out door concerts.

In Middle School- Lucy was my friend when others were not.

In High School, my first boyfriend kissed me under the stars and beside her trunk.

In college, the night of my sister’s funeral- my friends decided to take me out. 

It was night filled with beer, tears and lots of wonderful stories. 

My friend Matt and I broke from the group and took a walk in Lucy's direction. 

We sat by the bulkhead- with Lucy directly over our shoulders, shielding us from unseen things in the night.

Matt told me to look up at the stars,to the ocean in the sky-and remember that was where my loved one’s would always be. Those words brought me great comfort and still do today. Whenever I think of my father or sister, I know they are walking along the the ocean in the sky, healthy and happy along it's shore.

My “serious” boyfriends have all been introduced to Lucy ;)

Most recently, I took my niece Livy on a tour of Lucy. We sat atop her howdah and we laughed and laughed and shared all sorts of secrets with Lucy- and much to her credit, Miss Lucy has kept every one.

The End ~

Way Back Wednesday: Diabetes Math Still SUCKS

I originally wrote the following post back on December 4, 2007- when Diabetesaliciousness was just under a month old. I'd just hung up the phone after a maddening conversation with my insurance company regarding my insulin RX coverage (or lack there of,) and my head was about to explode!

Unfortunately, not much has changed (except for the fact that my price for insulin has gone up) and "Diabetes Math" still infuriates me on EVERY level- be it financial or carb related.

And with Health Insurance being in the news- I thought it was appropriate to repost~

Diabetes Math When It Comes To My RX Bills....OR I Will Work For Insulin

So I was on the phone with my insurance company this morning trying to figure out why they won't let me order my insulin from a medical warehouse in 3 month quantities, like I do with my pump and blood testing supplies. By doing that, they would cover 80% of my insulin as a opposed to the mere 40% they cover for monthly non-generic Rx's.

I asked my insurance rep why they would cover 80% of my pump supplies and not my insulin when in actuality I wouldn't need my insulin pump if I didn't require the insulin (which fills said insulin pump) on a daily basis. Are you following? She had no real answer for me - besides the fact that those were the rules of my policy.

Let me just share the fact that I am charged $124.00 for two bottles of insulin per month - out of pocket -sometimes more, depending upon how generous they are feeling. I'm reimbursed exactly 40 %, $49.50 to be exact. At this rate, my credit card will never see a zero balance.

I explained to her that insulin doesn't come in a generic form and never has. Then I explained the "Diabetes Math" to her and asked her if she thought that was fair.

To my surprise, she said: "No Kelly, I don't think it's fair." I have to give her street cred for being honest and stating the obvious. But anyway you look at it, Diabetes Math still sucks.