Category: Blog

I'm sure this is the hotel's fault.  I'm in Maryland, I want Maryland crab, and they didn't serve it in the dinner.  Some horrible "chili" was on the menu.  I like chili but this was too spicy.  Wasn't bad with the Jasmin rice.

Everything else was really good, and I did get an appetizer order of Maryland crab from the hotel restaurant.

Mark Freeman of @thepathtochange and @everyonehasabrain was the speaker, and he had some very interesting points.  He is actually making a living with his blog, which is a very interesting thought.

I got to meet Mark Hoskins @MHoskins2179 of @DiabetesMine.  Interesting enough, we have some common online friends.  I mention him because we sat next to each other and Dulce alerted on him and reminded him to take some meal time insulin.

All in all, it's been a good experience so far.  Disclaimer: AstraZeneca is playing for this trip.

Well, I have a bottle of insulin and no way to get the insulin out of the bottle.  Didn't bring a cartridge OR a syringe.

I thought about that when I parked my truck but the shuttle driver picked me up too fast.  That's my excuse and I am sticking with it.  Of course I'm not sure where my truck is either.

Oh, I have a full complement of diabetes supplies in the truck.  Usually good, since it's rare for me to go anywhere without it.

Also had two Jenny Craig shakes in my carry on.  Really they are factory sealed.  They did let me take them with me.

Other than that, everything is going well.  

So I'm diabetic and traveling. That's a pain in itself.  I have to haul a CPAP machine, insulin, infusion set, and the rest of the diabetes stuff, even for an overnight trip.  Makes for a big heavy bag.

And then I bring the service dog, which you would think immediately scream "I have a disability".  It also adds to the bag, especially since I have a late night flight and I always plan for airline screw ups.

Nope, at home, the people that work out at the gym think I'm training her for someone else.

The good news: American Airline personnel have been great.  Both the flight attendants and their mobility staff.  And yes, I caught the captain flirting with her, which is all good.

But, probably my fault — they give me the furtherest room from the elevator. Probably thinking she'll be quieter that way.

Oh, and the loudest noise we've heard from Dulce this trip: snoring.

I will be honest- I write a lot of good blog posts in my head that never made it to the blog. Life gets busy, and often I get on a path that I didn't necessarily choose. 

However, my blog just happens to be the longest living diabetes blog.  

There re was a time when I was a very active blogger and I was a very good diabetic.  My A1c was never over 7 and usually under 6.4

Due to a lot of life problems I did a lot of slippage.  Some of it was burnout. Some of it was due to some life events.  I actually haven't felt control of my life for quite a while. 

I had a job I loved, teaching a subject I was passionate about, though the working conditions were pretty bad.  Old building, poorly maintained and the victim of people who didn't care. I always felt bad for the students. 

Now I am semi retired, teaching those same subjects, remotely, online which I do truly love. I have a volunteer job I really like, and people I like working with. I have a monthly income, and while it isn't a lot, I could make it if something happened to my husband. I have good health care.  

So I try not to dwell too much on the past and should haves. 

I have recently lost 20 pounds with Jenny Craig and got my own to 6.4. I am doing everything I can to keep from surgery especially orthopedic.  I work out pretty close to every day and have a good reason for not. 

I make use of my tools, especially my diabetes alert dog   And just keep going on as best I can. 

I will be honest- I write a lot of good blog posts in my head that never made it to the blog. Life gets busy, and often I get on a path that I didn't necessarily choose. 

However, my blog just happens to be the longest living diabetes blog.  

There re was a time when I was a very active blogger and I was a very good diabetic.  My A1c was never over 7 and usually under 6.4

Due to a lot of life problems I did a lot of slippage.  Some of it was burnout. Some of it was due to some life events.  I actually haven't felt control of my life for quite a while. 

I had a job I loved, teaching a subject I was passionate about, though the working conditions were pretty bad.  Old building, poorly maintained and the victim of people who didn't care. I always felt bad for the students. 

Now I am semi retired, teaching those same subjects, remotely, online which I do truly love. I have a volunteer job I really like, and people I like working with. I have a monthly income, and while it isn't a lot, I could make it if something happened to my husband. I have good health care.  

So I try not to dwell too much on the past and should haves. 

I have recently lost 20 pounds with Jenny Craig and got my own to 6.4. I am doing everything I can to keep from surgery especially orthopedic.  I work out pretty close to every day and have a good reason for not. 

I make use of my tools, especially my diabetes alert dog   And just keep going on as best I can. 

I am at the airport, waiting for my flight.  So far, things are going well.  Left my car in covered parking at Patk N Fly. Only one problem, got picked up so fast I forgot record where I parked.  I know it was at the end about row 3 facing away from home. 

TSA was its normal pain, the AA assistance person reminded me of the laptop, but I forgot that the have to go through the CPAP.  It also took them awhile to find a female assist.

So now we wait.  

I’m traveling for at least 10 days, maybe 2 weeks.  Taking 3 dogs to the National Beagle Club Specialty.  I’m competing in agility only since I forgot to measure the horse beagle (Jamie’s new nickname)

—–

• CPAP
• 2 gallons of distilled water
• Emergency battery
• Diabetes supplies
• Insulin – 2 vials, 1 pen
• 1 box of infusion sets
• 1 box of cartridges
• 1 package of syringes
• Pen needles
• Medication
  • Pillpacks for as long as I have – may need to get some shipped to me on the road 
  • Allergy Meds
  • Neupro patches – full box
• Dog supplies
• 6 bowls (food and water)
• puppy food
• adult food
• 3 sets of cages – one in the car, one at the show site, one at the place we are staying
• Clothing
• Workout clothing
• Pajamas (suitable for walking the dog in the middle of the night
• Business casual outfits for at least a week (will need to find laundry)
• Clothing for showing in agility
• Luau clothing
• Shoes
• Workout
• 3 pairs of business casual shoes
• Toiletries
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Brush
• Hair dryer
• Hair straigther (hot iron or brush)
• Makeup kit
• Electronics
  • iPhone / cable
  • iPad     / cable
  • Mac Notebook / cable
  • cable for Apple Watch
  • Surface / cable
• Food
• Jenny Craig travel food

Yeah, it’s a lot.  Nice thing is that i can get Jenny Craig food in Ocala.

I was pretty sure I could share but I am going to Diabetes Linkup on AstraZeneca's dime. 

They have us completely booked, flying in Thursday afternoon, dinner and then all day Friday.  Back home that evening.

Slightly disappointing since I would have liked to have lunch with my bosses but I will get there someday. 

I am am looking forward to the event and getting back to active blogging.

I

I keep tweaking my overnight traveling post.  I won't start the almost 2 week traveling checklist until I get back.

I did contact American Airlines and made sure that they knew about the dog and that they had me marked down to use the mobility assistance.  Every time I use it I don't feel like I need it but then when I don't, I have issues.

Like our last cruise, I decided I could walk off the boat, and then there was a two hour wait for the bus.  Not exaggerating.

And especially after I fussed at a friend for not using it.

My endo is leaving private practice and going to work at the Dallas VA.  I am shocked but glad they are getting such a good doctor.  He gave me two names.   I get to see him one more time.

At the same time, my pump warranty is up in a few weeks, while I am traveling. I reached out to the local rep and not only did he reassure me, but he helped me decide which of the two endos to pick. He knew one, she is closer to my house, and didn't know the other.  

I will be getting the new Medtronic pump and I am really looking forward to it.

Still feeling very sad and scared about the endo. He also made the second issue leave my brain.