Category: Blog

Testing a scheduled post

There are two numbers that aren’t budging and they are frustrating me – my weight and my A1C.

One number is getting better – that’s my sleep number.  I’m getting over 7 hours a night lately which is much better than it was in December.  I think I was average about 4 hours, even less some nights, especially when I was dealing with the gas line.

I do know that number has to improve before the other ones will.

I’ve got one more doctor’s appointment next week – primary care.

I’ve got all of my medical supplies ordered, and most of them are here.  The last box was here, but we did the billing wrong, so that box is on it’s way back to Medtronics, and its’ replacement will be here next week.

My prescriptions are on the way, one arrived today.  So yes, life is MUCH better.

Actually it isn’t that hard.  Layers of stress have been rolling off. 

First I got my medical insurance card.  And leave it to Express Scripts to make sure I get my presciption stuff on January 2.   I did get my information from them in advance and had PillPack working on things as soon as they opened after the 1st.

I’ve been getting all the medical appointments done that I’ve put off because of the $3500 deductible.  Well woman last week, endo this week, primary care next week.

Get my CPAP supplies last week, insulin pumps supplies are shipping today.  Have that all on autoship now.  Well, the CPAP stuff I pick up because the office is in Dallas and they are nice.

Nice to know that everything is covered with the reasonable deductible.  Yes, I pay more each month, but its all piece of mine.

Oh, and best yet, I show up in the Texas Teacher Retirement system as retired and I know what my gross pay is.

All good!  Now if I can get my A1C down.  It’s 8.1, was 8.0 and of course during the holidays.

Oh, and I ended up not scheduling a retirement party because the process brought out my social anxiety disorder.

I have been doing yoga since about the time we got back from our cruise.  On January 1, we celebrated my 50th class and celebrated doing their 60 day challenge – doing 5 classes a week for 60 days.

I missed a few days last week, between a dog agiity trial and doctor’s appointments, it just didn’t happen.

It seems to be helping my overall pain level and its definately helping the mood. 

I might have to change my mind about Express Scripts.  They made me absolutely nuts when I had to use them before – between how they shipped insulin, to how they manage some medications.

There are advantages to Express Scripts over UHC Optum RX – they charge by the month, not the dose.

They allow PillPack though I have to pay the monthly cost, not the 90 day.  The nice thing about Pill Pack is that they help manage my medications that take pre-certification.

We’ll see how it goes, but I am going to let PillPack handle things for awhile.

See http://www.lillarose.biz/kweaver  Gorgeous hair jewerly.  Found these at an agility trial – and have loved them ever since.  They are made out flexible wire, look gorgeous, and are easy to use.

My favorite right now is the You-Pins, wrap up your hair, stick two pins in them and you are good to go.  They also have really cute badge clips.  So there is something there for everyone.

More later, but I love these!

I took advantage of a couple of CyberMonday opportunities and the Medtronics Connect device was one of them.

Since I’m an avowed Windows girl, it is a big awkward but works. I do have a iPod Touch, and am using it to upload my data. I can keep it in my bag, attached to a portable charger and use the hotspot on my phone.

I really wish they would create a Windows Phone app – or let me.

I wish they also had more than CGMS data uploading. I’d like to be able to see everything on the Connect app and website that you can see on the pump.

Not bad though, for a release 1.0

Oh, and the diabetes dog still works better – if she is relaxed, my blood sugar is just fine.

As I blogged a few days ago, I've made a major change in my exercise and my life — I'm doing yoga — hot yoga.   And Dulce has been accompanying me.

One thing everyone needs to know about me, is that my feelings are easily hurt, especially when it comes to the dogs.  And, yes, I've questioning the whole hot yoga thing. 

Dulce is in a plastic crate when I go to class, which doesn't absorb the heat like a metal one.  It's also well ventilated and I keep a bowl of cold water in it.  I also keep an eye on her — partly for her sake and partly so I don't miss an alert.

So, Tuesday I go to class, and the manager of the place stops me and wants a letter from the vet that it was okay.  Apparently people have asked them, but neither the questioner or the manager bothered to say anything to me in person. Also I had just been at the vets office picking up meds and it was quite chaotic.  The vet that ended up answering the request has her hands full (Thanks!)

I spent the next few hours questioning my own judgement and even asked a few people as reality checks.  They agreed that the heat shouldn't bother her and I was taking the correct precautions.  One person even pointed out that I should be offended — she thought it was very sweet of people to think of her.

So on Wednesday, I was still very much upset and offended and cancelled my membership which I almost immediately regretted. 

I got the letter AFTER I cancelled, but I sent the letter to the yoga studio and then sheepishly asked if I could come back.

Here's what I am getting out of the yoga:

a) body acceptance

b) ability to stand for longer periods of time — the first half of the class is standing, and that's hard for me.  I did have to quit in the last 10 minutes of the standing portion recently, but that was just one class.

c) it's helping me lose weight — I don't have the urge to stress eat as much and I overall just feel better.

We're not at the pain relieving part yet <smile> but I think we'll get there.  I've been a member since the 9th and have made it to 12 classes.

Once of the things I really like about this is that they using gaming.  The handout rewards and I got my first one on Thursday and they also have a point system so that the more classes you attend the cheaper it is for you.

By the way, they also reward referrals, so if you would like to join, let me know!

And trying to get to the pool today.

Raining though it's 70, and the pool scares me.  I don't do well cold, so I'll probably stay in the warmer pool.  I haven't been to the pool in a long while.

I'm trying to do my own "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss", and trying to ramp up the exercise portion.  Food wasn't good yesterday but I know what I did wrong.

Less than a month and a half until decent insurance, retire pay at the end of January.

Funny because I have ALWAYS hated group classes, but these are great.

Everyone is really nice — instructors, greeters, and even the other class members.  Of course Dulce helps and she seems to have getting hot down. 

The best thing: it is making the weight go in the right direction.  Diabetes manage still sucks.