Carry-on Bag: MacGyver Trapper Keeper Vs All My Diabetes Supplies

I don't know about you, but sometimes in life.... and life with diabetes, I need to remind myself that I am a lucky duck. 
Also: This happened in the a.m.
 I've been thinking about gratitude a lot as of late, so I decided to write about turning this morning's bitch frown upside down.
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New Mac sitting on old, big ass, shiny red Ma Book Pro, padded case.
Fuchsia ( I know it looks red, but it's definitely fuchsia,) knapsack, specs, car keys, water bottle. 

This morning I put my brand-new and super streamlined (not to mention super light,) MacBook in my old MacBook Pro’s red, shiny, padded laptop case. 

And I was like:  I'm effing brilliant - I'm talking MacGyver level smarts! 

There was so much damn room that I could fit my trusty/always on my person, 5X7 sketchbook as note book; current paperwork, and a spare pen on the other side of the sleeve divider with room to spare. Slap a rainbow and unicorn stickers on that sucker and it was like a grown up version of my Trapper-Keeper from grade school!!

I was impressed with myself and said out loud: I don’t need to get a new laptop case - I can fit my new Mac and more in my Trapper-Keeper! 

Then I placed said "MacGyver Trapper-Keeper" and its contents in my trusty fuchsia backpack and was all types of happy - until reality set it. 

I absolutely required a new streamlined laptop case/sleeve and the reason had everything to do with diabetes. 

I’m heading to San Francisco next week to attend ADA (more on that early next week,) and need to carry my MacBook, various charger(s), diabetes supplies (spare Omnipods; insulin, glucose strips, a spare sensor, glucose tabs, snacks, etc.,) on my person/in my carry-on bag, a.k.a, my knapsack  - and I need all the room I can get. 

I momentarily forgot that my shiny red padded MacBookPro case always makes for a tight fit re: D supplies when it's crammed for travel. MacGyvering it only adds to the cramped quarters.

MacGyver Trapper Keeper 20.19 was a no go. 

And for a few seconds (OK, more than a few - at least sixty seconds,) I was annoyed because I thought I could forgo buying a new case and save a few bucks.  

After all, I’d just spent a shit ton on a much needed new Mac - and  I am so incredibly grateful that all the stars aligned to make make it happen. 

My old Mac was a 2012, purchased in February of 2013, is officially slower than molasses, riddled with software issues, and weighs 4+ pounds. 

Also - and I'm only partly joking - I was  afraid it could blow up at any minute, software wise.

It was long past its expiration date, and now “my old friend” sits in a place of pride on my desk, as my official backup/home computer, no longer accompanying me on the road.  

With all new electronicals, there’s compatibility issues with old ones. Sound familiar diabetes peeps? 

Now that I have a new Mac, I require a new printer because my current printer wants nothing to do with my new Mac and refuses to recognize its existence in the universe. 

I now need a new printer/scanner. I get it, I am on it.  

Anyway, back to me being momentarily annoyed - I took a breath and was glad again, quick. 

Because I know how lucky I am to have a new Mac - I know that it will help me do my job today, next week - as well as future jobs, assignments, and personal projects - HELLO Light ROOM. 

I know I’m lucky to be attending ADA for work.

And damn straight I know how lucky I am to have spare insulin in my fridge and extra diabetes supplies in my hall closet. It's a luxury that many of us living with diabetes in the United States and beyond do not have.   

I have no right to complain because in the grand scheme of things - screw my MacGyver Trapper Keeper! 

$14/$19 new streamlined MacBook case is a small price to pay for peace of mind re: protecting my Mac while allowing me to have extra room for my diabetes supplies in my carry-on is a gift…. as is having insulin in my fridge... And I am a lucky duck, indeed~

Also: I use the words Mac, MacBook, and MacGyver a hell of a lot in this post. 

Diabetes & Pain-In-The-Ass, Administrative Tenacity

Since mid-November, and right up until yesterday afternoon (December 19th,) I’ve spent countless hours on the phone re: health insurance, prescription Rx’s being refilled; squeezing in final, end-of -year Endo and eye doctor’s appointments. 

Not to mention 4 hours and five different weekly phone calls with Edgepark re: my end of year test-strip RX - before I was finally given a ship-date yesterday afternoon - and after being on hold for 22 minutes. 

A three month supply of test strips will be shipped out December 21st. 
Fingers crossed and we shall see.

As of today, December 20th, I’m still waiting for one more DME authorization - it’s a new one, fingers crossed it will approved and billed before the end of the year. 
More to follow. 

These are the things that no one tells you about when it comes to living with diabetes or other chronic illnesses - the time spent on the phone, the hours spent on hold, in order to stay healthy. Thankless and frustrating tasks that we have no choice but to do because our health depends on it.

I try and schedule most of these calls and or tasks around lunch - so it doesn’t cut into my work time too much. I eat my lunch while on hold and my with trusty notebook and pen near by to take notes re: any and all information - including current issue, CS name, refill/ship dates, and the likes there of. 

And I immediately schedule follow up calls in my iPhone calendar as soon as I hang up. 
It's stressful, it's annoying, and like you, I do it because I don't have a choice! 

And lets not forget all the stupid insurance or third party admin mistakes that have nothing to do with us - but impact us directly. 

Like my insurance billing me for a separate visit to UrgentCare 4 days after I received stitches on my foot back in April. 
I was mistakenly billed for a new visit, except i wasn't a new visit -it was follow up visit, which according to UrgentCare, all follow up visits for a specific injury are free of charge up until 10 days out .Since I had 10 freaking stitches on the top of my foot, of course I went back several times to make sure it was healing properly, and to get my stitches out. For some reason it's not computing and even though all the dates line up. 
So incase anyone hasn’t told you as of late - GREAT JOB AND WELL DONE re: all the pain-in-the-ass, administrative tenacity that diabetes requires - not just in December, but 365 days a year! 

BRAVA for multitasking during your endless hours on hold, and fuck yeah, for your tenacity  - diabetes and otherwise, and for never taking NO as your final answer! 

Standing Ovation Clap GIF from Standingovation GIFs

Diabetes By The Numbers - On A Monday & Before 3:30 PM

Diabetes By The Numbers  - on A Monday & Before 3:30 PM

I've decided to catalogue today's numbers because it's amazing how much time, energy, and thoughts we devote to our diabetes throughout the day - even when out numbers are in range.... and especially when they aren't.
Also, diabetes is fucking weird, man.

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7 blood sugar checks so far today. SEVEN - and started at 2:54 a.m.

2:54 a.m. - I woke up from not the greatest of slumbers and thought I might be low. 

I was 129 and didn’t correct. 
WHY DIDN'T I CORRECT? Because I was 159 when I went to bed and didn't correct, because I had 0.60 insulin on board and didn't want to risk going low in the middle of the night. 
When I woke up at almost 3 a.m., things were heading in the right direction.

7:15 a.m. bg 249 and I'm like: WTF, there’s no fucking way that can be right. I check again one minute later.

7:16 a.m. bg reads as 241- W.T.F. 

Breakfast blood sugar was 241 ( I have no idea why,) bolus for 40 grams because coffee (and yes, I like mine with extra cream and sugar,) and required an 8.25 correction and an extended bolus of 4.25 units followed by the other 

4 units, 30 minutes later.

2 mugs of coffee required - each with an individual bolus - the second one was for 1.9 units. FTR, I bolus for my 2 cups of coffee individually and I've found it to be helpful re: mid morning spikes. That works for me - YDMV. 

My breakfast was not large because 241, bg. Cheese sticks and a small Bartlett pear (8 grams after subtracting 3 grams for fiber) that was not  even close to ripe, but I ate it anyway.  

11:48 a.m. My blood sugar is 134.

12:27 PM  - My lunch bg, 107 - Didn't bolus for the 16 carbs of blueberry Icelandic yogurt or the Food Should Taste Good Chips because my blood sugar was 107 and I still had 2 units of insulin on board.
FTR: I almost always bolus for lunch - but I normally don't have so much insulin on board. 
SIGH.

1:41 PM - I am very well aware that I shouldn't check my blood sugar so soon after eating, but I'm curious because I didn't bolus for my lunch.  BG is 128.

3:04 PM - My blood sugar129

7 times I’ve pricked my fingers today and I will never be a hand model.

2 meals ingested.

48 grams of carbs bolused for - the majority for the two mugs of coffee. 

8 for the unripe, hard to digest pear.

None for the cheese sticks.    

None for the yogurt or chips. 

30.10 units of insulin delivered since midnight

Insulin Total Breakdown according to my Pod's PDM

Bolus(35%) 10.60 units

Basal (65%  19.50 units

I’m still trying to figure out the 241 at breakfast , but have decided to embrace my inner Elsa and let it go or it will drive me fucking nuts. 

35 ounces of water consumed. I need to drink more water - that's not enough. 

Again, still pissed about the 241 at breakfast because: 

1. today’s numbers are weirdly good- except for 241
2. I am not super hungry today, which isn't a thing for me - So I'm going with it... for now
3. I would probably be down by 4 or 5 units of insulin today if it wasn't for the G*d damn 241 breakfast blood sugar!
4. I'm thinking that my lower than normal numbers are due to yesterday's hike
5. Still can't explain the fucking 241 bg. 

I’m hungry and I'm probably going to eat a KIND bar.

Twirling like Elsa and letting it all go because shit happens, so does diabetes.

I know and have accepted that tomorrow's numbers will be completely different - because diabetes is like that  - same goes for life. 

As of 10 minutes ago, I'm looking forward to a big dinner. 

Another Diabetes Option: Accu-Chek® Guide SimplePay Program

Another diabetes option ended up in my inbox a few weeks ago in the form of a Press Release re: Accu-Chek Guide SimplePay Program ( a cash discount program for Accu-Chek's Guide meter and test strips,) and info re: a recent Diabetes Care survey that reported that “more than half (52%) of Americans living with diabetes report the cost associated with managing their diabetes has negatively impacted their finances.” 

OK, not a shocker and an absolute no brainer if you’re a person/family living with diabetes - but kudos to them for getting actual statistics on the subject.

Yes, the cost of living with diabetes keeps us up at night, as does the quality of care re: our diabetes tools of the trade. We worry, we cut back in all aspects of our lives so that we can afford diabetes tools that keep us healthy and keep us alive - the more affordable and accurate options, the better! 

Answers to some potential questions re: the Accu-chek Guide® Simple Pay Program and Simple Pay program card. 

How do you find out if you're eligible for the program and how do you get the card?  

Got online, answer some questions, see if you qualify. 

If you do, downloaded the card for free online at SimplePaySaves.com .

Is Accu-Chek® Guide SimplePay Program/Card insurance? No, it’s a cash discount program and it cannot be combined with any form of health insurance -And not everyone qualifies.

What if you're insured by a government healthcare program? 

If you are a Medicare/Medicaid recipient, are in the military or VA, you’re not eligible for the program. 

If you meet the requirements, the Accu-Chek® Guide SimplePay Program test-strip breakdown is listed in the graphic below. 

Bottom line: Life and life with diabetes is all about options, so take a beat, do the research in all dimensions, and see if the Accu-Chek® Guide SimplePay Program is a diabetes option that might work for you. 

My Omnipod Experience - Part 2

Yesterday I wrote about part 1 of switching things up and starting the Omnipod. 

Today I share part two of my experience, where I discuss the stuff I love about podding - and the stuff that takes some getting used to. 

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The Stuff I Love

Swimming in the ocean with my Pod - I LOVE IT.

Not having to disconnect, and more importantly - not worrying about the contortion issues re: access to my pump site to reconnect after swimming - which for some reason, was always trickier for me, is freeing in all dimensions. 

The same goes for showering without disconnecting and sleeping naked if I so choose. 

Also: YAY!!

Wearing dresses and not having to wear bikes shorts or pump garters - makes things so much easier. 

I still have to deal with Spanx on occasion, but at least I don't have to worry about dealing with infusion site issues!

Access/Utilizing Arm/Leg Sites Is A Game Changer 

I could never navigate arm sites with my tubed pump and the thought of getting tangled in tubing freaked me out.

Every time I tried a thigh site with my previous pump, they had a limited shelf life and normally only worked for 24 to 40 hours before crapping out. 

Thighs = high access area and the tubing was continually being pulled, yanked, etc. 

With Omnipod, I’m able to wear arm and thigh sites for three days and that makes my life with diabetes easier. 

Scar tissue was a huge issue with me on my previous pump and is the primary reason I chose the Omnipod. I was changing out my site every 30 hours - that’s no longer the case and I’m thrilled. 

Good To The Last Drop

Most of the time I’ve been able to use all the insulin in my pod - that wasn’t always the case with my old pump reservoirs - which normally would be less efficient when the reservoir went below 30 units.

Cool Techno:

When you activate your new pod on your person, the PDM tells you the exact date and time it’s supposed to expire, based on your personal pump settings and insulin amount.

My pods run low on insulin between 3 and 4 hours earlier. 

That’s not on Omnipod issue, that’s a Kelly issue - yours truly needs to do some MAJOR basal rate testing, which I  didn’t want to consider let alone  attempt until I was wearing new diabetes tech. 

Basal Testing is now on the horizon. 

Loud Alarms

 The first time my 15 unit Low Reservoir went off, my PDM was in another room and I thought it was my smoke detector.

The PDM & Pod do their priming dance BEFORE you put it on your body.

Cool Software 

I can download the Omnipod PDM to Glooko, making it easy for my CDE to access all my PDM info: Carbs; blood sugars, basals, carb ratios, etc. 

This should allow for easier tweaks and I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

Blood Sugars

4 out of the first 8 days, my daily 24 hour insulin intake was 10 to 12 units lower than my old “low side” of normal. 

That still seams to be the case 36 days in - sans elevated bg's due to a couple "dead sites," and the summer cold that's been the bain of my existence for the past week.

Facing Fears 

I have officially conquered arm, thigh, calf and love handle infusion sites. 

day 18 (and for the first time, ever,) I attempted a back /love handle site, it required some major twisting on my end, but mission accomplished!

BONUS: Great numbers with that never before used real estate space.

I tried an inner side calf site - it was easy but I had absorbtion issues. 

I’m going to try the back of calf to see if works better. 

Still have not tried back or front belly sites. 

I’ve decided that before I give my abdomen areas a complete break, I want to see how that area works with the omnipod verses my old pump - I haven’t done it yet - but I will. 

Issues /Learning Curves

The only insulin pump delivery system that’s 100% perfect is a fully functioning pancreas. 

I don’t have that - same goes for many reading this post. 

Andit makes sense that changing pumps = dealing with some issues and learning curves 

as I learn to navigate wearing/using the Omnipod insulin delivery system.

Bad Pod/Bad Pod sites 

Dealing with Pod failures and insulin reimbursement issues. 

Unexpected Pod Change Out On Day 2 of Wearing My First Pod  

I wasn’t thrilled, but shit happens - how many times did I rip my old pump's tubing out by walking by a door knob or getting caught on my car's emergency break? .

Answer: ALOT.  

Anyway, everything was working great with my first official pod (left arm,) the first 27 hours. 

Then I started noticing blood sugar spikes that wouldn’t come down, no matter how much I corrected. Something was up and the top of my pod looked uneven. 

I called Insulet's Customer Service and the Rep and I spent almost an hour on the phone. 

I told him my issue, answered a series of questions, emailed the Rep pics of the pod on my arm so Insulet could study the issue and send out a replacement pod.  

The Rep also talked me through my Pod change - it was only my second time and I was a little nervous - but it was easy and he was patient. 

CS Rep and I discussed the insulin reimbursement program - 7 cents per unit (OK, it’s something,) with an insulin receipt and 5 cents per unit without.

I emailed a photo of my insulin receipt from my pharmacy and via my phone to Receipts@insulet.com. 

Insulin Reimbursement takes up to 6 weeks to be approved and payment received. 

  

There’s two different procedures - one for dealing with a bad pod and or bad pod site, another dealing with insulin reimbursement issues - that can get confusing if you're new to  podding. 

I’ve learned to take notes and jot down the the case numbers for both, along with the date and the name of the CS I spoke with. 

Follow up

I’d like the follow up fort the insulin reimbursement (it takes 6 weeks,) to be better. 

I’d like an email to be sent saying they received my email and receipt photo and are working on my case.

Sidebar: My second pod (on my right arm,) stayed put for 3 days through daily showers and body surfing in the Atlantic, no problem.

ALWAYS follow up

7 days post my first pod site failure, I called Customer Service to check on the status of my insulin reimbursement and found out the wrong report had been filed.

The new CSR rectified the situation, immediately - and yes, I followed up to make sure.

Day 24 - Pod Failure Alarm

PDM called a Pod Failure while said pod was in Prime Mode and not yet attached to my bod. 

FTR, I liked and very much appreciate that the PDM recognized an issue with the Pod BEFORE it was officially up and running on my person. 

I called CS, they asked me some questions and then told me they’d FedEx me a new Pod. Filed both a failed pod report and insulin reimbursement report. 

This time, the phone call took less than 10 minutes and I received my replacement pod 

3 days later. I returned the failed pod to them in the package and shipping label Omnipod included with my replacement pod. 

All in all, I'm learning and going with the curve~

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Embracing Something Different 

Change is difficult - even when it's good. 

Diabetes or not, we get used to doing things a certain way and I love that going with the Omnipod is helping me knock down my walls when it comes to embracing change in life... and life with diabetes.

 I wore a different brand's insulin pump for 15 years, I knew the idiosycricies of that pump brand like the back of my hand - I was losing real estate because of scar tissue and I needed to switch things up - so I did. 

So far, I’m glad that I made the change - and I 'll keep sharing my podding experiences with you guys - The good, the bad, and the diabetesalicious of it all. 

And if you have any questions - ASK! 

Diabetes Emoji

Do you think that diabetes is trying to tell me 

that it wants its own official Diabetes emoji/emojis?  

No joke and this is NOT photoshop guys. 

THIS is what I saw when I looked down at my fingers 

after I checking my blood sugar this morning (it was 111😁.) 

FTR, that's my blood, not a Sharpie drawn smiley face~

Pretty damn trippy! 

December Diabetes Reminders

As if people living with diabetes don't have enough to do without scrambling for end of year RX refills, dr's appointments, etc. But we don't have a choice -we must. 
January 1,2017 isn't only New Year's Day - it's the day our yearly insurance deductibles start all over again. If you've met your 2016 deductible or not - get those refills, tests, and end of year appointments done, ASAP!
And yes, it's a pain in the ass - but it's important!
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The following is your December reminder(s) to refill your end-of-year prescriptions; look into getting new eye glasses, get fitted for orthotics, ( Medicare covers both orthotic inserts and one pair of "diabetic shoes, every year,) and most insurances cover orthotics (fully or partially,) if you have diabetes. 

Make sure your up to date on your pump, CGM, and tests strip supplies. 

Schedule and all last minute appointments and Lab RX/test requests for December, before your 2017 deductible kicks in. 

If you've met your deductible for 2016, December is time to order your new pump, if you're due. And once deductibles have been met and according to your plan, your RX medications may be reduced in price or on some plans, free.

If that's the case with your plan/plans, today would be a great day to call your doctors up and get your one-month prescriptions for December changed into three month RXs, fill them ASAP, and save some money in the process. 
Heads-up: It might not go exactly as you planned on all fronts - but it will still save you some money.

December is also a great time to stock up on insulin pump double/triple AAA batteries- most stores have batteries on sale this time of year - thank you Christmas/Hanukkah toys!

And not like we have enough to do, but December is also the time of year for many to research, pick, and choose 2017 healthcare plans. 

Ut's going to be a long and expensive winter, folks -and a little prep goes a long way~

Of Higher Blood Sugars, Increased Temporary Basal Rates, And Having Patience.

After a week straight of varying degrees of increased temporary basal rates, (between 138% and 150%,) followed by the past four days of high morning blood sugars followed by damn near perfect blood sugars in the afternoon and evening that boarded on the low side  and sans temp basals - diabetes had me feeling tired. 
I knew the crazy glucoaster ride was temporary - remnants of a double ear infection that’s taking it’s own sweet time leaving my unusually narrow ear canals. 

Things would be back to normal soon and I knew that, but I was all sorts of exhausted after dinner.  
And what I wanted to do was chill out on the couch and digest my dinner. 

Instead, I made myself go out and take a walk on the beach. 
I didn’t walk for the exercise - I walked for my head - and because the air temperature had dropped, the ocean was warm and it felt good to be outside. 
30 minutes into my walk, I ended up running into friends and I staying out until it was dark  - and when I finally walked in the door, my blood sugar was 150. 
I set a temp basal rate of 123% ( the lowest increased temp basal rate in a week,) and 
went to bed at 10:45 with a 128 blood sugar and no correction. 
When I woke up today and for the first morning in days, my blood sugar in the low 100s. 109 to be exact. 
And so far, things have been holding stready for the rest of the day. 


Patience is a virtue and I am stronger (and bitchier,) than diabetes~