Victory

Since my last post, my readings have been great! My high has been 188, and that's just because I slightly over-treated a low blood sugar during the middle of the night last night. Changing the site and priming a bit more in the tube seems to have been it.

To me, the last two posts typify type-1 diabetes. Complete aggravation and total frustration to sheer elation and indescribable jubilation! I'm willing to concede that I may be more 'numbers and average focused' than the average joe, but you've got to know that comes from twenty-two LONG years of struggle and un-control.

About that...to all the doctors, endocrinologists, nurses, diabetes specialists, and certified diabetes educators: a little compassion goes a long way. It is dangerous to assume that every diabetic that has unsatisfactory readings is in that state due to apathy, lethargy, or laziness. I used to DREAD the appointments with my 'team.' Frankly, it felt like a one-man team - me. To lecture people about the possible long-term consequences of their prolonged high blood sugars is not altogether helpful. A simple tip: ask questions. Get to know the individual. The blood sugars are not the whole person, just a part. One final suggestion: you are not always smarter than your patient, and even if you are don't act like it. Nothing is more annoying to me as a diabetic than to listen to someone who has no clue what a 400mg/dl blood sugar feels like tell me I ned to try harder, do more, etc.

Whew, that was a long time coming...I feel much better now!

Along the way there have been a few CDE's and doctor's that I think may be borderline incompetent. That's some, but not all.

Conversely, my current team of professionals is incredible. I went through a few Endro's and more CDE's, but getting the right combination of people is a great, and well worth it. If you as a diabetic are feeling like you're not connecting with your team, get a different team. At the end of the day, it's your health at stake, not theirs.

I was so frustrated I (speaking very quietly...) stopped going regularly to my appointments.

(gasp gasp)

Was that their fault? No way, that was all on me. Dumb. Really dim witted. But when I made the decision to consider the pump I found a new team, and it has made all the difference in the world.

That brings me back to my main point (I did have one..)

Diabetes can be a roller-coaster, even in the best case scenario. The pump has given me the readings that I never thought were achievable. There was a string of about 3 days in there (starting on Thanksgiving) where things went a little haywire, but now order is restored!

Coming up in a future post: my biggest fears about the pump, and how I feel about them now.

Hang in there friends, and until next time, I can assure you, I'll be pumpin...