Diabetic Recipes
I took Charlie to his endo appointment yesterday. It was the first time we didn't come with an unraveling scroll full of questions. I had no questions because I believe they have no answers.
It's not that Charlie is doing so poorly. His latest A1c of 8.2 was his best ever. But his numbers have been rough since school started and patterns have become difficult to spot.
A pair of medical students entered the room with big smiles and lots of questions. I couldn't help sounding very matter of fact and slightly defeatist.
"Yes, we're counting carbs correctly. Reading labels, subtracting fiber, all that fun stuff," I said.
"Yes, we have the Calorie King book."
A social worker came in next. She looked young - like she just came from cheerleading practice.
"How are you doing?" she asked with a well-practiced sympathetic pout, as she climbed atop the medical students on her knees, forming a pyramid - raising both arms to the sky.
"We're fine," I said.
I took her packet of support group information and out the door she went with an exaggerated slow-motion jog, her heels kicking her backside.
The nurse practitioner came in next. I didn't know when to spring the news on her. It got awkward once she started talking about our next visit.
She looked at Charlie's logbook and shook her head and said, "I just don't know what to tell you."
I knew she didn't, and that was the problem. With that I handed over the divorce papers of sorts and said goodbye to the hospital we've gone to for four years - since Charlie's diagnosis.
Since Charlie had given blood for his A1c just a month ago at a lab closer to home, we were both thrilled that he didn't have to have his blood drawn.
"Wanna go in there?" I asked him.
"Uh uh," he said with a smile as we walked past the phlebotomy office, giving it the finger with our eyes.
We jumped through the self-revolving door that led outside to a beautiful sunny day; narrowly escaping a surprise attack from security guards we pretended were stormtroopers.
On to greener pastures, we hope.
We have spirit, yes we do. We have spirit, how 'bout you?
i absolutely love reading your blog!
just a note about my own carb counting... i never subtract fiber even though they say to... for me it doesn't work but maybe charlie's different... we all react differently. do yall go to Children's Hospital? i loved my endo at Childrens in New Orleans... wish i didn't grow out of them!
::exits cheering - 'be aggressive, be aggressive, b-e-a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e'::
lol
Thanks Julie. Thanks for visiting my blog. I really don't know how much of a factor the fiber subtraction is being that it's such a small amount that Charlie eats. So we plug in 15 carbs rather than 16. Big deal.
We are making the switch to CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia). We also liked our endos, but it's time to leave. We need more answers. CHOP appears to have more resources, more pump knowledge, fantastic reputation, etc.
Oh, and nice cheer.
My daily dose of d-funny... Aweseome, Carey...
It is so hard to leave an endo - at least you had the decency to let them know. A few times, I've just disappeared, with only a note from my next endo asking for medical records in my wake...
I agree with Julie - I NEVER subtract fiber when calculating carbs. It might be recommended, but it definitely doesn't work for me. :)
Hell no
We won't go...
To that endo anymo'.
Oh wait. I think that's a protest chant...not so cheerleady.
If Children's by you is anything like the Children's we bring Brendon to, then you will be very pleased indeed.
Good for you for making a change as awkward as the breakup was.
Great post Carey :) I have went to our University of Missouri diabetes clinic for 15 years now. I am sick of of all the medical students too. I see a new crew each time I go, and inside my head I am saying, "just bring me my Freaking doctor"!! But that's not even good enough. He is so over-booked that he can't even give me any REAL quality and personal advice. I want a doctor that I feel like I can ask tons of questions and not feel like I am burdening the next waiting patient. Your post has triggered me to want to write on this topic too. Thanks again Carey for the great post.
Carey I love your post. Sometimes you just have to leave even though you hate to. I am on my 4th endo in 2.5 years, he's good but lately to busy to take good care of me, so I may have to move on soon and in the past 4x times i've seen him he's changed nurses like I change clothes, only to guess who will be the next victim of his nursing staff, haha.
Good luck to you and we hope you find what you're looking for.
Funny. I especially liked his trick with the eyes. I think I need to practice that.
When I was a kid, we'd call the folks who drew blood the vampires. Some of them did have VERY pale skin.
Go Team Go!
Like Julie, I have never looked at or even figured fiber into my insulin dosings. Although I have heard of this technique, I don't think it would fit for me. Future blood sugar spikes from fatty meals concern me more. Best of success with your future squad, Coach!