Pump Watch: My Choice Is Made
I read. I researched. I solicited for information. I was underwhelmed with the response. I vetted the last two candidates. I made my choice.
Medtronic, you’re the one for me.
I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. In light of this, I’m taking the time to highlight and acknowledge the most important tools I have available to help me care for my diabetes.
It’s not the Lantus or Novolog; the Freestyle Lite or the OneTouch Ultra 2 (both of which I’ve had to within the past year, as damnable insurance companies keep preferring different ones at different times) test meters; not the Multibetic vitamins nor the swabs or any other necessities I use every day.
Another Reason Fairmount Is Best, and a Couple Why It Isn’t
Now, during the Halloween season, there are some added reasons why Fairmount is awesome. Unfortunately, this time of year also brings out the worst in some people.
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Pump Watch: The Field Narrows Further
As you know if you’ve been reading prior posts (like this one, this one, or this one here), I’m making the move to insulin pump therapy. The problem is, I didn’t know exactly which pump I was going to choose, and which would be best for me.
I thought, “This is a great opportunity to see how active the pump and continuous glucose monitoring (GCM) device manufacturers will be in trying to get me to use their products.”
The answer, I found, was pretty underwhelming.
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Worst Mexican Team Ever? It Just May Be
- I’m grateful for three wonderful years of marriage with my wonderful wife.
- I’m happy the U.S. finished top of the region — again — in World Cup qualifying.
- I’m grateful for the really comfortable weather these past few days, which have allowed for some nice family time.
I’m not here to praise the Mexican national team, but to bury them.
(Seriously. This isn’t a situation like Julius Caesar where Marc Antony claimed he was going to eulogized Caesar in a manner where he would just say “good riddance,” when, actually, he was pointing out the great things Caesar had done for Rome. No. I’m here to bury the Mexican national team.)
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Then and Now: The More Things Change …
- I’m grateful I was able to get some antibiotics, so my sinus infection is doing much better.
- I’m happy Meg and I started early with our music snobbery, and turned Owen on to some groovy music. (Last night he sang himself to sleep to “September” by Earth Wind & Fire.
- I’m grateful Sam Elliott mentioned The Smiths and Morrissey on Parks and Recreation.
Pump Watch: A Contender Has Entered the Picture
- I’m happy Lane Kiffin got what was coming to him after he screwed the Tennessee Volunteers those years ago. What goes around comes around.
- I’m grateful Owen received a clean bill of health from his doctor Friday.
- I’m happy we don’t have much going on and get to have a fairly lazy Sunday.
This Is the Price of Being a Fan
- I’m happy for the beautiful Spring-like weather we have today.
- I’m grateful Meg and I were able to attend our friend Rabia’s going-away party last night, as she prepares for her move to Brooklyn.
- I’m happy we also got to experience Nan Zhou Hand-Drawn Noodle House last night for dinner. It was awesome.
Stupid Things Stupid People Say, Stupidly, to Type 1 Diabetics
- I’m happy it’s the weekend.
- I’m grateful my new co-workers are still coming up, introducing themselves and making me feel welcome. (I’ve worked at many places where people have been very stand-offish with the new guy.)
- I’m happy we get to see Karen this weekend, who, insanely, flew in for Owen’s birthday.
Hi. I’m Brian, and I’m a Type 1 diabetic. In recent years I’ve become aware that there’s a group of diabetics who are unhappy with the label diabetic, so they refer to themselves as PWDs, or People With Diabetes. This is stupid. I’m diabetic.
When I was diagnosed I had juvenile diabetes. Then it became Type 1 diabetes. I’m getting too old to change the terminology, although there are people who want to refer to it as this. Or these. I’m not interested in any of that nonsense. I’m diabetic.
However, I’d prefer that it be known that what I have and what Type 2 diabetics have are not the same thing. The object is the same (our pancreases do not produce sufficient amounts — or any, as in my case — insulin). However, every other aspect of the diseases (with the exception of the need to test sugars regularly) is completely different.
Anyway, here is a running list of stupid things I’ve had stupid people say, stupidly, to me about my diabetes over the years:
Qualification, Anticipation, Commemoration, Bits and Bobs
- I’m grateful my new coworkers seem like really, sincerely nice people.
- I’m happy the Eagles look like they’re going to be seriously fun to watch this season. (Seriously? We’ve only seen 60% of the offense?)
- I’m grateful Mexico decided they weren’t going to show up for World Cup qualification matches.
Type 1 Philly 