Spring Break!

So I made it through part I of boards! I won't find out how I did until April or May though, so that kind of sucks, but I'm just glad it's over with. Now I can see my friends again and get back to being myself! Jen and Mo's wedding is less than three months away! I have to get working on my tan and finish something I'm working on for Jen! :) I have so many things to do in the next week before it's time to go back to classes. I still have clinic on Wednesday morning and Friday afternoon, but other than that it's technically spring break! I also just decided on Tuesday that I'm going to head to Chicago this weekend for a few days because I wanted to see my cousin and I needed a vacation! Well, I need to get ready to take Karen to the airport then I'm going to get a massage and then it's dinner with my mom, dad, and aunt because they're in town for the girls state basketball tourney today.

Finals and Boards

So finals (Monday and Tuesday) and boards (March 17 and 18) are quickly approaching and I'm as busy as ever and just a little stressed. It doesn't help that I seem to be constantly tired and feeling sick all too often lately. If I seem too busy to do much of anything between now and then, it's because I am :( I'll also try to have a post once boards are over, because it's long over due.

Dexcom Seven

I decided to write about my first week with the continuous glucose monitor. The first few hours I was constantly checking the receiver to see what my blood sugars were doing. As the week went on, I found myself checking the receiver less frequently. My first sensor was placed on my stomach as you can see in the picture below. I've also included a picture of the receiver and a good three hours! I hate giving myself shots in my stomach and have never placed a insulin pump infusion set there because it is the most uncomfortable spot for me. The first few days it was pretty uncomfortable, but I thought it would just take a little getting used to. As the week went on it just seemed to get more uncomfortable and I never got used to it being there. I took it off last night because it was really bothering me and the results I was getting were all over the place and not very accurate. I wasn't going to put a new one on until tomorrow, but I had a little extra time before dinner tonight with the girls, so I decided to try a new site. I decided to try my lower back and so far, so good! It's much more comfortable and I can't even feel it now. I figured I tend to sleep on my side, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue while sleeping. It was a little tricky bending back that way to insert the sensor, but not nearly as difficult as inserting my insulin pump infusion set! Here's a cool video of almost the same site that I used tonight. I really wanted to try the back of my arm, but I couldn't figure out a way to do it by myself...I might need the help of friend when I decide to try that! :) Well enough for now, I have to make Jell-O for tomorrow and then do a little last minute shopping in the morning before I head north for a few days!

Approved!

I was approved Tuesday for the Dexcom Seven! I can't believe it was that easy and apparently I didn't need prior approval from my insurance company, which is often not the case. I think more insurance companies are starting to cover them because of this trial. I'm getting excited and can't wait for it to arrive. I'll update everyone on how the new gadget and me are getting along once I figure everything out, but for now it's time to get back to studying for my five finals next week...

Continuous Glucose Monitoring System

I recently decided that I'm finally ready to get serious about getting a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) and I'm in the process of working with DexCom to see what my insurance will cover. I've thought about getting this device in the past, but I have issues with be "hooked up" to two machines at once. I figure I will try it out and wear the machine as needed (like when my blood sugars are being chaotic) or to get an idea of trends in my blood sugars. The machine starts at $600 and the sensors are about $250 for four and the sensors last about one week. It's pretty expensive, but I believe it will be very beneficial and allow me even tighter control of my blood sugars. I also called my insurance company the other day and the lady I spoke with said that CGMS's and sensors are covered at 90% if I choose an in-network provider, so now I just have to fax a few papers to the DexCom representative and hopefully the approval process won't take very long! I'm getting excited because I think this may help me get my HbA1c to 6.0%!

This is what I have to look forward to! I love this blog and Kerri's experience and another person I have spoken to have also made me want to take this next step in my diabetes management! I'll let everyone know when (and if) I get approved for the CGMS!

Fall!

I just wanted to share a picture of my pumpkin that I recently carved! It took forever and this will probably be the last time I try to use a stencil labeled difficult! But I think it turned out pretty good!

And some other photos from a fall party we had at Meg and Alex's house!

Early Mornings

I realized I hadn't posted in quite sometime, so I figured I needed an update! So this quarter is already making me drained and training for a half marathon doesn't make it much easier! I have class at 7:30 am every day except Tuesday. I also ran 10 miles on Monday and took Tuesday off and tonight I ran four, but I'm still a little sore from the 10 miler.

I've been keeping busy as usual, but the weekend of the 19th I went whitewater rafting in West Virginia and had a great time. It was perfect weather and I haven't been camping in so long. It was nice little break before school started up the next week :)

I also made a trip to Put-In-Bay with my parents and cousin Ryan over Labor Day Weekend. It was a fun time and I want to go back to go kayaking before it gets too cold...but it already might be too cold for that!