Greg Woodhouse

On average, I test seven times a day. It can range from five to twelve, depending on activity, emotions, symptoms, and my memory.

Today, I've already tested four times and I'm only half way through the day. Yesterday, I tested nine times. The day before, I tested eight.

Obviously, I go through bottles of strips quickly. Twenty-five to a container doesn't make it very far. Sometimes two days, sometimes four.

Usually, I notice when I get towards the end and throw an extra bottle in my purse. Carrying two bottles all the time (no matter how small) doesn't interest me. So I just try to keep track before I run out.

This morning I noticed the bottle was low, but full enough to make it through the day. But diabetes had another plan.

I am now completely out of strips and too far from home to get some. I have a doctor's appointment on the other side of town in about an hour, so it doesn't logically make sense (with the price of gas and lost work wages) to run home to get a bottle of strips.

I realize that driving across town and the nerves of the doctor will add up to a disaster in the blood sugar region. If I can't test, how will I know for sure if I should treat the "low" or bolus for carbs?

I won't. But right now, my personal economy is taking priority over my diabetes. So I'll just have to go with the symptoms that present, cut my insulin down, and try to make it home as quickly as possible.