I don't find it common place when I get excited about diabetes, but yesterday, oh boy. I had my first appointment with a new P.A. and I think I gave him a hand cramp!
This visit marked my first day with a new bout of medical pros. I signed up with a new primary doctor, new endocrinologist, new P.A., and even new crabby dr.'s office receptionists that somehow came with the package. (They are another story though).
I had my list of questions and requests dialed in on paper so we could make this meeting as productive and efficient as possible. He gladly filled out the half dozen prescriptions I needed "31 gauge, ¼ inch pen needles please", "and I will need 200 test strips a month", "my glucagon is expired too, let's renew that". Scribble, scribble, scratch went his pen. "What do you think about those new Lantus pens?" I asked, looking at my list. He said he thought they are great, but mostly geared towards people who live on awkward schedules or travel a lot. "That's for me then", I said. The toothbrush case has got to go. He handed over a complimentary sample, "You can try it and see how it works for you."
So I left my meeting with a new insulin delivery toy and a shiny new meter. He offered to replace my old Freestyle Flash meter with a new one, one that wasn't two and a half years old and hadn't been thrown around carelessly.
The half an hour wait at the pharmacy was expected, giving the pharmacy techs time to get the diabetes stock pulled from the shelves and into my hands. New test strips, lancets, BD pen needles, glucagon, Novolog pens, and Lantus pens filled my sack. I was like a diabetic kid in a sugar-free (and sorbitol free,thanks) candy store. It was like Christmas in September. More buckeyes please!
Hi Scott,
I just read this posting from you from September. sorry I am late reading it, but you really make me smile. I love to read what you write. Although I am a fairly new type 2 I have learned the wisdom of making out my wish lists for visiting the doctors. Things just seem to flow easier if we already know what we want. Most of my doctors don't write very clearly so I usually just ask the nurse if she wants to make out the prescriptions and give them to the doctor to sign. Then if he wants to add something else for me, he has a little more time to do it. I have waited too many times at the pharmacy for them to call and find out what he wrote.
My son who is a type 1 also just got a new glucometer and is really happy with his too. He has been a good teacher about finding good spots for me to shoot. He had already left for college when he was diagnosed. Now we laugh together about the crazy things that happen and he tells me that i look like a dalmation dog I have so many spots on me.
Thanks for the answer to my story about my daughter. Reading what you write really perks up my day.
What a wonderful thing to read- I'm glad you find enjoyment in my posts.
It must be nice having your son that can relate with your diabetes. A little mutual understanding when it comes to dealing with diabetes everyday can go a long way, as I'm sure you can relate to.
Hi Scott,
How was your Thanksgiving? We went to my daughter's house this year. And had a really nice time.
I ran into trouble and appreciated having my son there to help me out. My doctor had started me on some Novolog and Lantus insulin last week. I felt really bad Wednesday night and didn't sleep at all. When we started the long drive to my daughter's house we stopped for breakfast. I shot the Novolog and thought I was fine. Not So. When we got to my daughter's house I was feeling really bad. Stu (my son)told me to check my blood sugar and we found it really high. He asked me what I had eaten and what else had happened to me recently. I told him about missing the sleep and he said there was my trigger. He helped me get an extra shot of Novolog and is teaching me about triggers and parameters. I have to say I am learning something new every day. I am very grateful to have him around especially when we were out of town and I couldn't have reached my doctor on a holiday. I was looking at all the things I had to be thankful for yesterday and realize that I am truly thnakful for having such nice people here on dLife to talk to and help me learn.