Wednesday, September 27, 2006

I'm Getting Married!

Saturday, Saturday, Saturday! Woo!

I am finally at a point where I can be excited about this instead of stressed out over the planning aspects. Now I can focus on the fun stuff, the heavy stuff...putting together CDs of music, writing out some vows (I do my best writing at the last minute!), making sure my friends all know where they're going/what to do when they get there. I've got a friend taking pictures; I've got one doing hair (possibly two). I have to ask one of the groomsmen if he wants to play DJ at the reception, switching the CDs and making announcements if they need to be made.

Oh crap, I just realized I was going to go get my engagement ring cleaned today so it would be extra shiny and sparkly. I'm sure someone besides me will be admiring my finger. No matter how fierce, how independent I am, I'm just a girly-girl on the inside. Here's hoping the high heels don't end up hurting my feet and the pantyhose end up fitting properly. Here's hoping for good hair and NOT catching Matt's cold. Here's to wherever ol' Pumperiffic ends up stashed in my dress.

After it's over, it'll be back to the full-time new job search. Possibly maybe even some volunteering at the local JDRF office. I figure the more I get involved with people who's lives have been touched by diabetes, the easier it will be to take care of myself. I'm trying to find my support system.

Also, tomorrow morning I have a job interview. I don't really know how I feel about it since it's the same line of work I was just let go from, but they saw my resume online and called me. I can't really say no to someone who thought I might be talented enough to do a job that might even be a level above what I was doing before. I've at least got a fabulous outfit picked out.

Even if this job turns out to be crap, or they're not interested in me, it's all going to be okay. I've got major amounts of love in my life, and that's really what matters.

I think I'll go practice signing my name with his last name. Awwww.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Boo hisssss.

Putting off those thoughts of good control for a couple of days. I need some time to sort of be in a funk so that I can move on faster. I predict some excess snacking, maybe a drink or two...

I lost my job on Monday.

Now, granted, it wasn't really getting fired. I hadn't done anything wrong. It was just one of those things that "wasn't working out" for the company. They knew I was working hard, and they liked me. I guess I'm just not a person who's good at working with quotas. Or at least not in that particular situation. I busted my butt, and I came close to what they wanted, but not close enough. I was thanked for my hard work, offered a recommendation whenever I needed one...

However, enter the instant stress, a lot of sobering thoughts...Had I been at work long enough that I could get COBRA coverage? Would unemployment be enough to pay for the outrageous COBRA fees as well as my rent and my student loans? Would I still be able to order my 3-month insulin supply this week?

What was I to do? It may not have been the greatest job in the world, but my co-workers were both kind and supportive, and my work wasn't the most boring I had ever attempted.

I have a paycheck coming this week, which will take out a double premium on my insurance. I'll have regular coverage until the 15th of October. I'll get another week of pay as well (a balance of vacation days and a couple of non-vacation days this week, not sure why that is...).

Never, ever in a million years did I think that losing my job less than 2 weeks before my wedding was a possibility. So it's back to the online job boards, and this could be good news for all of you out there on the OC, because I'll have more time during the day to update.

However, since I slept until noon today like a good disappointed unemployed girl, I am awake at this hour on a weeknight. I think for now, it's back to bed. Even if I can't sleep because my mind is heavy with...well...everything, there's at least a warm, snuggly husband-to-be who will appreciate my presence.

Friday, September 15, 2006

A Catch-Up Post

My life is too busy right now! I'm stressed out at work. I'm stressed out at home. I'm stressed out over my health. My blood sugars are high, and I've been working with a nurse practicioner/CDE to start managing things better than I have in years. However, all this being busy and stressed is not helping me to manage my blood sugars. I'm always on the run, and I should really download some software for my PDA that'll make it easy to record stuff when I'm out and about. Otherwise, it just doesn't get done. I've been relying for years on the system of taking a glucose reading, then pulling the numbers from the meter memory and writing them down. The CDE wants BS readings, carbs, the insulin I took...I should have sent her numbers by now, but I can't get into the habit of keeping track of things.

That's why I got the PDA in the first place, because I saw someone over at the American Diabetes Association message boards talking about how they've been using Diabetes Pilot software for their Palm, and how easy it is to use it. I plan on downloading it tonight (along with registering some games that I bought online for the Palm...you can see where my priorities are). Once I get the hang of it, I'll let you know if it's worth the effort, the money, and the time.

In Thigh Thing news, I haven't given it a walking test yet. I've put the pump in it and even slept with it on, much to the delight of my hubby-to-be. (That's in the nude, folks!) It was quite comfortable for sleeping and didn't cause me any problems. It's a little difficult to slide the pump out of the Thing to make a quick nighttime correction, so always check your BS before you hit the hay. If I can walk around without it sliding down my leg, I might wear it for the wedding. Maybe my garters will help it stay up. If the Thigh Thing fails the walking test, then we'll see of the many ways it can be stuffed into pantyhose or my fancy longline wedding bra. (Being fairly chesty, I have NO doubt my cleavage can hide the ol' Pumperoo.)

How do you keep up with your blood sugars? What's your favorite way to hide your pump in your outfit? And why haven't more of you answered the Diabetes Video Game question? I've got a couple of good answers, but if you want to have some fun, go back a post and let it out! If you're going to be stuck with a condition for the rest of your life, you might as well learn how to laugh about it sometimes.

Hope everybody is planning a fun weekend. I'm planning nothing, except maybe to write down some blood sugars for a change. It's going to be awesome.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Xbox-a-betes?

So I'm not sure if Captain Novolin was ever a real video game hero, but I had a rather amusing exchange with Scott the other day regarding the ultimate in dorkiness and diabetes combined, the Diabetes Video Game!

My question to you, readers, lurkers and friends...what would it be like?

I can think of a number of situations.

Grand Theft Auto: Diabetes
While this game wouldn't be for kids, it would be great. You can always punch some punk in the face when he looks at your dinner selection and says, "Hey, can you eat that?" Missions include busting the health care company who's overcharging for faulty glucose meter test strips and beating up politicians who are against stem cell research. Careful! Too much running through the city will give you a low blood sugar, and you'll lose valuable time when you have to stop and treat it! If your BS goes too high, you'll be sluggish, and the cops will be able to catch you faster.

Diabetes Tetris
Wherein lancets, test strips and syringes fall into columns. They line up, they disappear. It's just like real Tetris, only with medical supplies and without the fun Russian folk tunes.

Diabetes Revolution
Program the right amounts of insulin and carbs into your pump as blood sugar results and foods appear on screen. Happy Japanese sound effects abound.

I know there's more. This is where you come in. It's a good time to have some fun...and don't censor yourself! No answer is too lame!

Thursday, September 7, 2006

Diabetes Haiku

You may not realize that I write a lot of poetry. I've also been to the National Poetry Slam, competing on Team Delaware this summer. I love to indulge in silly haiku. These are best appreciated by the DiabetesOC. I tried them at an open mic once, but I don't know that everybody "got" all of them. You will. It's good to laugh about your diabetes sometimes.

1.
Cell phones have TVs,
So why can't insulin pumps
Have built-in iPods?

2.
Oh, whiny kid on the
Glucose monitor advert,
Pricks don't hurt THAT much.

3.
Wilford Brimley is
A spokesman for my disease.
Please, no more oatmeal!

4. Sugar-free candy:
Too much of a good thing can
Turn out disgusting.

5.
I promise, if you
Make out with me, you will get
A big sugar high.

Monday, September 4, 2006

Nothing to Do With the D, Except a Player Name

Want to know what's so random and silly about my life?

I am the only girl at a LAN party right now. Unreal Tournament. Space dudes, prepare to die at the hands of HaNn0rZ-teh-sW33tn355!!111

Generally speaking, this is one of the many reasons why this blog is named Dorkabetic. Haha.

Friday, September 1, 2006

Somewhat Pointless Update

Somewhat pointless update on the Thigh Thing.

It came in the mail yesterday, and at least it fits. I slept with it on last night, and it seemed pretty good. My only issue was that it was a little difficult trying to stuff the pump back in after taking it out to give a correction bolus.

I have not yet put the pump in it for a walking test. Here's hoping the Thigh Thing doesn't end up becoming the Foot Thing or, even worse, the Pavement Thing.

Saying "Pavement Thing" makes me think of a Pavement cover band. Hmm. Anyway. Back to your regularly scheduled nothing.