Happy Birthday!!!!

Debe

Don - Happy Birthday!!

You're right Don, the value of insurance takes on a whole new significance when we become T1. When I was diagnosed in 1976, a bottle of Lente insulin, some urine test strips, and 30 syringes was all I needed for a months care (approximately $40). Now, between my pump supplies, test strips, CGMS sensors, insulin, etc. my monthly supply cost is more like $700 (luckily, a significant part is covered by my insurance).
If I lost my insurance, I'd have to give up the level of flexibility and control I now have and go back to a much more regimented treatment system. So, for me at least, the option of trying to live footloose and fancy-free is no longer a consideration (of course, 5 kids and a mortgage doesn't help either). When it comes down to it, my health is more important than my job satisfaction. I can pursue fun and creativity outside of my work time.

Just say something. They wont get mad. I think you told me that story before. But I wont call you rich any more. I will say Don and then everyone will say DON. They usually forget and follow the first one who says the name. LOL

When I was in grad school (painting), we actually had a class on surviving as an artist. One of the best things they did for us was pass out a sheet of places that offer health insurance plans to their part time employees. I *think* Starbucks and Fedex were on the list... granted, not the funnest kind of employment, but for health insurance, a part time less-than-awesome job is worth it! I'm fortunate to have insurance, though I absolutely worry about the future and any changes in mine or my husband's employment.

My husband's a musician too! Manny (the awesome guy who created this site) is always looking for music as background tracks to his weekly podcasts; you might send him a few of your tunes :)

Nice to meet you :)

You're welcome Don. I don't buy into the complication lotto idea. That may have made sense back in the 70's (before any of the long-term studies), but I think the evidence is pretty strong now that our lifestyle and BG control definitely are a big factor.
Your approach is a good one. Find whatever works to control your BG first, then as you gain experience you'll be able to add more flexibility into your lifestyle and still enjoy good control. I ate a Twinkie last night (not an everyday thing), 2 hours after my dinner, and my BG never went over 100 :-)

I have never found that 2 units covers 30g of carb. I would always get results like that- up to 150. I've found I do much better on 4 units, even for a really low carb, veggies-only meal. I suspect that the pen doesn't reliably deliver low doses and when I do 4 or 5 I'm actually really getting that dose. I also try to stay as flat-line as possible, which means I need more insulin than people who are aiming for 140 (2 hours after eating so god knows how high they got in the interim.) I usually end up going down to about 70 or so after an hour and a half and then I have a little more and get back up to 85-90. I have had 3 A1C tests done: I was 7.3 at diagnosis, which was a complete shock as no-one had any idea I had diabetes. I had the test done as part of a panel because I was feeling tired all the time. I went super-low carb and got down to 5.8. (No fruit, yogurt, starchy vegetables, and of course no grains, prepared foods, baked goods.) On insulin it's down to 5.6 which was a bit disappointing as I had worked very hard. But at least I now eat fruit, yogurt and fresh corn. I tried a small piece of bread the other day and was at 160 3 hours later in spite of 4 units of Novolog. (I think it wore off.) My fingers are a bit sore from testing so I'm back to eating my same, safe stuff. Most people think I'm nuts because I am bound and determined to have normal BG. And by normal I mean between 80 and 100 almost all the time including the 2 hours after meals. I feel OK about a very brief spike up to 110 or so but even 120 feels too high to me. so I eat all this wierd stuff like sprouted peas and lentils for a snack. Before I got on the sprouted whole grains for breakfast I used to make a cheese/vegetable bake with spinach, mushrooms, eggs and different cheeses- feta, swiss and ricotta. Sort of a vegetable lasagna without the pasta. I would make a big casserole on Sunday, cut it into 6 pieces and have one every morning. I froze some of them so it would be fresher. Simple, convenient and pretty tasty, and no need for insulin at all. I usually don't like low-carb bread- before diagnosis one of my hobbies was baking and I made fabulous crusty artisan breads so the low carb stuff doesn't seem worth it. I sometimes make a wrap out of nori- the sushi seaweed- but recently discovered a low-carb wrap that tastes like real bread so I can have sandwiches again. Talk to you later, Libby