Total Recall

February 27, 2014 ~ JodiLea ~ 1 Comment

I’m not talking about the movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger, or it’s remake. I have no clue who is in the remake because I personally boycott films that are modern do-overs of perfectly fine original films. One day I will be ranting about that, but today I am here to rant about something else.

I received an overnight USPS envelope in the mail yesterday. There were two letters in it. One from OmniPod, my insulin pump maker, and the other from Abbott, the company that makes the “FreeStyle” glucose test strips that are for the FreeStyle BG meter, AND for use with the OmniPod insulin pump system.

There is something drastically wrong with the latest batch of test strips and the OmniPod system- they are giving false readings. Which is incredibly bad when you use your blood glucose levels to figure out how much insulin you need. I haven’t even been on the Pods for a week. Arrrrrrrrgh!

I have to call a toll-free number to get replacement strips (at no charge) sent to me. Apparently there are a massive number of diabetics these days. I waited on hold for 45-minutes yesterday, then needed to eat lunch. I was sick of their crappy on-hold music, so I hung up and decided to try it last night and see if I have better luck.

#$*&#%&@!! <– that, BTW, means “No.” Tonight I’ll put my headset on and knit or sew while I’m waiting. Or, I’ll watch the Olympics we have recorded. Even better, I’ll sit in my recliner, in front of the vaporizer, reeking of menthol, and take a nap; leaving it all to be dealt with tomorrow.

This week reminds me of Roseanne Roseanna Danna

– “It’s always something…”

.
Yep, that about sums it up.

Music For Listening

February 25, 2014 ~ JodiLea ~ 1 Comment

Bach’s Prelude in C-major, played on a Lever Harp, by my cousin Eric, was posted to Facebook by his brother (my other cousin) Luke. And, because we are “friends”, as well as cousins, I got to play the video.

This was a surprise. I totally forgot he plays that instrument. Eric plays so many different ones that I can’t keep up. The entire Steitz branch(s) of the family tree has incredible musical ability. I, alas, am not from that talented branch.

I play the iPod Nano these days, and I’m cool with that. I did play the piano in my youth, but the only keyboards my fingers bang on now belong to computers.

I feel remiss that I have not been frequenting YouTube, Facebook, and other sources of my families music. I get all caught up in my mind and the “little things” are pushed aside so I can get stuff done. I’m wound tighter than rattlesnake – so I’ve been told.

But – today, I stopped. I closed my eyes. I cleared my mind. And LISTENED.

Really listened. And when it ended, I listened four more times.
The harp music did what 3 kinds of depression/anxiety/sleep medications that I’m on didn’t do. It made me feel relaxed.

Maybe that is why the angels play…

Thanks Cuz!

Day’s Two & Three: Graduation & Reality

February 21, 2014 ~ JodiLea ~ 1 Comment

Yesterday, I graduated!!
My doctor sent me off with her blessings, after I completed the last class. It was exhausting. So much information, tips and rules to learn. I can call Maureen or my doctor’s office if things come up, but I HATE to do that. Not because I’m afraid to bother them, but because I am stubborn and prideful.

If my blood sugars stay high after walking and a lunchtime bonus insulin, I need to call Maureen and find out if I should increase my hourly dose. I was running low yesterday and it was decreased. Now I’m high (Oh, how I wish!). The last couple hours of scrubbing floors should warrant as exercise, as well as this morning’s walk. Right?

Apparently yes.

Wow. my BS (take that any way you like), is now 113. A good BS to have, but not when you still have 3-units of insulin on board. Since I did the math and the pump matched it, everything should be cool. The problem here is that I am human and how bodies work varies. Today, mine put off using the exercise factor until hours later than normal. Now I must call Maureen and ask her if I need to stop my hourly insulin, while the other gets out of my system.

:-{ Dammit!

P.S. Maureen said “yes” stop it for 1/2 hour if I was low again. But I was not. And here I was starting to look forward to that cupcake…