Tag Archives: Coro Center

25Oct / 2012

New Endo

This email bing!-ed in when I walked into Target. It was nice of her to write to me.

It true. Bigfoot test glucose too much. Also it true Bigfoot lose access Brown Medical School fellows, RN-CDEs, nutritionists. Now Bubs patient private practice, solo uno endo, no CDE, no helper, only additional staff = spring-loaded hobby horse in waiting room Bubs recommend for “crotch massage.”

Regardless, happy w. change. New Endo personality very warm, kind. Example: for conversation starter ask Bubs if any pets. When Bubs say Butter! Our dog! He’s kind of crazy. For follow up inquire heritage emotionally disturb dog. Instead of say, “I’ve met a lot of obnoxious wheaten terriers” like typical Rhode Island conversationalist, New Endo say: Oooh, they’re sooooo soft.

Also New Endo cat diabetes! On Lantus! Ha! Sorry guess not funny/cute when cat have disease. Bigfoot think funny picture cat lie belly, New Endo wipe kittyfur bottom w alcohol swipe. (Sorry if feline diabetes hit raw nerve—Bigfoot not “get” cats.)

Also New Endo = same endo West Bay Bubs. When WBB mom hear of Dr. Doughnut test strip Rx forced belt-tighten say, “I can’t believe that! I’d be horrified!” Feel like WBB, New Endo on same page Bigfoot, i.e. hover somewhere on spectrum of: trust me, you don’t need to micromanage my strips/hands off my strips, bitch/I’m building an igloo out of strips in my fortress of insulin vials and it’s none of your fucking business.

Also New Endo spend long time review medical history, ask questions. Also tell Bigfoot Bubs need eye exam. (Sorry Bigfoot not know this on own initiative. Thought eye part this show would come much later.)

Also when time for Rx talk, New Endo ask, “How many {whatevers} do you like to have each month,” etc. while tap-tap-type into computer for send pharmacy. So simple. Thank you.

Also tell Bigfoot see in chart from Coro note re “parents test too much”, but New Endo disagree–not see any unnecessaries. Thank you.

However. Bigfoot come clean. Lately cut out few tests. Like this one:

Cut out test before bike to school. Instead, Bigfoot walk Butter toward school while Bubs dart off on bike. That way, Bigfoot/dog act as “sweeper” for supine child roadside. Since Bubs eat/bolus within 45 minutes bike, BG fairly irrelevant. Unless low. But. Then would feel low. Unless. Whatever.

And this one:

Cut out test bedtime because often dinner/dessert within 2 hours bedtime. (E.g. Eat 6:30PM, Bubs bed 8:30PM. Just test 10/11PM when adults bed.)

Bigfoot reply Dr. Doughnut from Target vestibule:

thanks. we loved having you as our doctor, but the sudden change in Rx really threw me for a loop! i could not find anyone—parent or medical professional—who thought i should stay with you, since we were unable to see the test strip thing the same way. 
thank you for all of your thoughtful care.  i am still amazed at your ability to be so responsive to questions and to reply to emails so quickly. 
best,
bigfoot

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17Sep / 2012

Reasonable

It Part Two of Test Strip Reduction Saga

Still overwhelmed, but with fingers in a more ladylike position.

“Geeze, you know, I hope we can keep this just between us,” CDE tell Bigfoot, as if gear up drop bombshell. But then say, “I can see it from your point of view. As a mom and a grandmother, I know I’d feel how you feel.”

Meanwhile Bigfoot hoping big reveal still coming: Everyone is leaving this practice because Dr. Doughnut is losing her mind, and we are actually having to close the office because Bubs was our last patient.

Instead CDE finish not-so-bombshell with, “But I can see it from Dr. Doughnut’s point of view too, because we’ve worked together for a long time, and we’ve seen parents from both ends of the spectrum—parents who need to be encouraged to be engaged in their child’s treatment at all, and parents who are way over the top.”

So big secret is CDE reasonable person. Dr. Doughnut reasonable person. Bigfoot reasonable person too. Regardless, see treatment differently. No bombshell, just human condition.

And so very reasonable, non-drama, Bigfoot keep September appointment for A1c, plan switch new practice for December exam. Maybe will try explain feelings Dr. Doughnut, maybe not. Probably no point, because Dr. Doughnut very experience, probably long history Bigfoot-types leave practice. This must happen pediatric endocrinologists all of time. Parents start out hang every word, then—though not science expert/conduct pancreatic research/invent bionic pancreas (except some cases)/teach medical school—quickly (research show avg. 13 mo.) surpass endocrinologist in knowledge their child’s disease.

Sometimes Bigfoot ask zen master for advice. Long time ago, discover ugly secret about friend, other people in town gossip, Bigfoot not believe true, then find out true. Bigfoot ask minister if kinder tell friend know secret, or kinder keep knowledge of secret to self, even though secret make Bigfoot leery spend time this person. Zen master response include I’ve never understood that line about how you can’t choose your family but you can your friends. I find why we become friends a complete mystery.

True dat. And double true re. Pediatric Endocrinologist. Doctor in hospital when child so, so thirsty/unable walk/DKA is Doctor stuck with. But not necessarily BFF. EFF. BEF. BEuntil18. BEU18. Bigfoot hope find BEU18 by Christmas, already send suck-up emails top two contender.

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14Sep / 2012

99 Luftballoons of Rage

I guess this is more for the diabetes than the doctor, but give me more strips

Please tell Bigfoot this excellent letter solve problems. Why Dr. Doughnut so adamant reduce test strips use 300 from 400? CDE call today this news, “She’s very certain you should be testing less. She’s really putting her foot down” make Bigfoot cry parking lot Seven Stars Bakery after so nice almond milk chai.

Hope this not because Dr. Doughnut see Life of a Child films for first time, decide all Rhode Island patients spoiled brats.

If can bear read, below paste email Bigfoot just send Dr. Doughnut. Now everything make Bigfoot cry. Bigfoot not cry for whole year, maybe this small thing snip some ribbon in brain, set loose barely restrained helium balloon stampede emotion. Hope email calm enough. Hope tampon analogy not consider rude. Hard catch breath, so strong feeling victim/injustice.

Unfort, based on experience, when Bigfoot feel so overwhelm injustice, Bigfoot wrong. Impossible see how in moment, realize later, then feel shame.

FROM: Bigfoot
TO: Doughnut MD
CC: CDE, Other CDE
Friday, September 14, 2012 11:58 AM

Hi Dr. Doughnut,

I spoke with CDE today and will be reviewing with her on Monday how our family can learn to use fewer test strips. She suggested that if I shared our information with you directly I might be better able to understand how to reduce our usage to 300 tests/month.

I actually think we need 450 strips/month. 450! On a typical day, we are using 15 strips. Some days more, some days less.

While I don’t yet see how we could be testing less often, I am very willing to try. But even once we learn the directions for testing less often, I don’t understand the harm in our having extra strips. It is not as if we are asking for an antibiotic to treat a virus—this is more like keeping an extra box of tampons in the linen closet.

What’s being conveyed to me through CDE is that you feel strongly that we should test less often. I hope that you can see from our point of view, as his caregivers, frequent testing is allowing Bubs *more* freedom (in terms of going out for bike rides by himself and not having to leave recess at school because he’s feeling low) and is making diabetes *less* of a burden to him.

Even if it is only done to humor us while we learn how to test less often, I hope you will increase our test strip Rx to 15x/day. Thanks for your attention.

Bigfoot

This is a typical day of testing, taken from an actual day in the life of Bubs:

1AM: 264 correction bolus

3AM: 156 (checking to make sure correction is working, because it doesn’t always)

6:30AM 118, eat breakfast, bolus

8:30AM 179 (not checking because it’s 2 hours post-pran, only checking because he leaves for school on a bicycle. If under 100, I give him a graham cracker with peanut butter.) (I could cut out this test if I trail him on my bike, but it seems less of a burden to the nine-year-old child to take the test than to have a mother following him.)

10:30AM 116, eat snack at school, bolus

11:45AM 75 (checking to see if needs a snack before recess at school. Over the course of the school year so far, he is just as likely to be high at this time, there is not a pattern of lows at this time.) 10g uncovered snack, recess.

12:35 59 (checking before lunch.) 12g glucose tabs (there is not a pattern of lows at this time–he is equally likely to be high before lunch at school.)

12:50 63 (checking after low), 8g glucose tabs

1PM 131 (checking after low) eat lunch, bolus

3PM 113 (checking before leaving school on bicycle)

4PM 67 (checking before snack)

4:15PM 99 (checking after low), eat snack, bolus

6PM 107 (checking before dinner), eat dinner, bolus

8:30PM 101 (checking at bedtime to see if a snack is needed)

11PM 68, 10g CHO

11:30PM 90

—–

1AM 212 (checking to make sure not low after the 90)

Update: here’s what I got back! You can’t fault our endocrinologist for speed!

From: Doughnut
To: Bigfoot
Cc: CDE, Other CDE
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 12:50 PM
Subject: RE: Bubs test strips Rx

Hi Bigfoot:
I understand you want to test because you are worried, but 15 tests a day is actually excessive, so it’s not like having “extra” if you need it. 8-10 tests a day is more than every 3 hours around the clock: if he actually NEEDS to test more frequently, then we aren’t using the pump capability to its maximum effect, i.e., keeping BS relatively stable for at least 3-4 hours at a time or anticipating variability. Testing an hour after eating just because of activity is unwarranted.  If there are periods in the day that BS are widely fluctuating, then we need to adjust his basals.  The danger of too many tests is not only the extra medical costs but too many numbers can lead one to focus so much on the numbers that life is constantly interrupted to test.
I cannot medically justify more than 300 per month at this time. Let’s try it for a month or 2 and let’s use the numbers to make adjustments so that you feel more confident that BS aren’t widely fluctuating.  I agree that following him on his bike is not an option, but 5 tests in under 3 hours is excessive. Even when we start a person on a pump, we don’t test more than 10 times a day. If you still feel constrained and worried and more tests seem medically necessary, then I am certainly willing to reconsider.
I look forward to seeing you later this month. Diabetes care is a work in progress- so let’s reassess and change plans later if needed.
C

And then I said this…

Thank you for the quick reply.

For the near future…we are adjusting his basals to attempt better control with the pump. This has been challenging, especially with the school year starting. There is no way we will use under 300 strips this month, having already been going at a rate of 15+/day.

For the long term…I hope you know that I respect your expertise, but as his caregiver, I do believe we need more than 300/month. I don’t think this is about me being overly worried. Our usage is based on our very specific knowledge of Bubs and his diabetes. We know that *sometimes* he is low from activity, and other times not. I do not feel worried that he will die at recess or on his bike ride home. I don’t think a low is the worst thing in the world. But if it can be so simply avoided, it seems worthwhile to test.

I will ask for CDE’s help in determining which six of the tests listed in the example day should have been avoided.
Bigfoot

And then she said

I am happy to help with adjustments- let’s see how things go with 300 per month and reassess-
Jean will mail you another 50 tests strips to help with this month
have a good weekend
D

And then I said

Thanks

 

 

 

 

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13Sep / 2012

Strip Hog

Tiny golden appetizer forks.

Recent switch VerioIQ meter. When pick up snazzy golden strips, find 300 in bag, not 400 as anticpate. That odd. Ask CVS pharmacy technician why change, technician answer with professional tone, These strips are used for testing the blood sugar up to 8 times a day. As if frequency of test relate to color scheme on box. Bigfoot hate when get this technician. Always manage smug + dumb combination, even if Bigfoot purchase bandage, Cashew Lover’s Mix, or probiotic supplement.

Call Coro Center ask why change, also write email explain why need at least 400, it not Bigfoot attempt open small business test strip cantina in garage.  Also, insurance already pay 400/month. Why Coro center downsize Bubs strip allocation?

CDE call back. Heard from Other CDE Dr. Doughnut say “That’s too much testing.” But this CDE read Bigfoot email explain why so many. Agree with Bigfoot not too much testing. Generously add, “You didn’t even include needing to re-test him after he’s low!” (Good point! This statement make Bigfoot feel understood.)

CDE: I’m glad I spoke to you. I’m going to print out your email and present it to Dr. Doughnut. I mean, especially if your insurance was paying for 400 before, there’s really no reason for it to change just because you changed meters

BIGFOOT: Well, you know, Dr. Doughnut might think this much testing is too much of a burden on the child

THIS CDE: You’re right. She might think that

BIGFOOT: But with his school schedule, and recess happening way before lunch, and needing to test before he eats, and before he rides his bike to and from school by himself…anyway, you already agree with me so I won’t go on and on about it but really I don’t see what we can cut out, and even if our insurance wouldn’t cover more strips, we’d still want to buy more and be able to use our HSA account to pay for them, and we can’t use our HSA unless we have a prescription. I’m sorry, I won’t keep talking about it. I know you know what I mean

THIS CDE: Yeah, you’re right. I’ll talk to Dr. Doughnut in the morning and call you tomorrow to let you know what she says

Bigfoot sad request result in endocrinologist slap Bigfoot for try too hard. Violin music, poor Bigfoot. Hope story end w/ more test strip in Rx, not Bigfoot come to term w. own insanity.

I have been adding this up over and over and over again. 15 is normal for us. Fifteen! And still with such rickety control. We really need to learn to use the Dexcom. This whole thing is stupid.

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03Aug / 2012

Tender

This is where I would like to have a picture of Jon Stewart, in his full summer tan, with a big red heart Skitched around his face.

Oh, so tender moment August 2nd Daily Show. Jon Stewart really quite balanced, address Chik-fil-A anti-gay stance, less knee-jerk liberal than Bigfoot normally expose to, interesting, JS point out flaw in Tom Menino/Rahm E. not want allow Chik-fil-A in city. OK. Nice. Bigfoot alert, patient as pea brain expand contain new idea. But at 5:11 in this clip, so extraverynice moment.

Gay marriage is happening. Like many drive-thru window lanes, it ain’t going backwards. And your bonus is this: you get gay marriage. All your political opponents are going to get…is Type 2 diabetes.

Bigfoot so relief. If not qualify pro-antigay Chick-fil-A eater future disease, so disaster Bigfoot mood. I.e. imagine Jon Stewart say All your political opponents are going to get…is diabetes. Grateful JS have sensitivity know need include adjectival phrase. Probably have Type 1 PWD intern, deep breath, insist scriptwriter add. Maybe more experience intern say no, more important pare out unnecessary language. T1D intern assert not unnecessary. Imagine T1D intern experience sense triumph. Maybe Jon Stewart pat on back, squeeze shoulder, make affectionate-mean comment. However happen, grateful.

Meanwhile, tomorrow Maine. Meanwhile, Bubs coughing, snuffly this night. High BG. Bigfoot spouse change site, Bigfoot stay up make sure go down/not down too much.  Bubs say I don’t think it’s a problem with my site. I think I’m high because I’m getting sick. Everyone Bigfoot know currently child ill w. Hand, Foot, Mouth disease. Maybe this disease begin snuffle? If high because sick, just give more-more-more insulin or need use mystery Insulin R? Dread call Coro Center pager. Very old system, enter number after loud fax machine/beep noise, no way know if enter correctly except if no one call back. Always very drama.

Forget for moment cart work best behind horse.

 

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26Jun / 2012

Porn for D-Moms

(there was a picture from porn for women here.)
From Porn for Women. No images from Porn for D-Moms available.

Chronicle Books may do well add new volume Porn for Women series. Cover photo Porn for D-Moms: bespectacled BrownUniversity endocrinologist extend toward viewer paper showing A1C score_____. (To be determined; focus group choose 6.9 vanilla fantasy/5.5 for hardcore.) Today Bigfoot starring role this quasi-erotic scene.

And he grew an inch, and gained 3 lbs. More free porn ideas for Chronicle!

Dr. Doughnut not say word, only hand paper with number. Important remember: naive Bigfoot anticipate A1C 10+.

BIGFOOT: 6.9?

DR. DOUGHNUT: Yep. Nothing wrong with that

BFOOT: How can his A1C be OK when he has been high so much?

DR. DNUT: He’s only high for isolated periods, then he comes right down

BFOOT: ??? (small tear of joy emerges)

Many women prefer written porn to visual. D-moms often prefer straight up numerical.

DD: Listen. This is excellent. Once you’re under 7, it’s all diminishing returns. Do you hear me? You know what I mean? (Slices line diagonally through the air with an open palm, fingers held tightly together.) It’s not linear. It’s curvilinear. In terms of long-term effects, a 6.9 is almost equivalent to a 6.1, get it? It’s getting down from 8 or 9 where you get the bang for your buck, do you know what I’m saying?

(there used to be a picture of a guy in betabrand’s disco pants here)
We may disagree on the best color for a FastClix, but every woman can agree on these pants.

More Porn for D-moms. Picture #2 Husband, poss. dressed in sequined pants: Why don’t you take the summer nights off, gorgeous? I don’t need to sleep for a few months. Picture #3 Restaurant Menu: Welcome to Pinky’s Organic Cafe, all carb counts verified by Atkins dieters with OCD. And Picture #4 FastClix display: Help Yourself! Kelly green, VW Bug Pop Orange, peony magenta…

*******

Is D-mom a generic term for the mothers of diabetic children, or does it usually refer specifically to D-mom on D-mom dot com? I meant to use it in a generic way, and didn’t at all mean to imply that the famous D-mom is getting kinky with her child’s endocrinology records.

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25Jun / 2012

Suddenly Tomorrow

Like a kid in a candy store! Lego individual blades of grass–among other exotic pieces–lead to an insane amount of sedentary play, and to disastrous blood sugar unless your parent realizes it’s her responsibility to remind you to move periodically

Lego store like penny candy store: fill little tub from pretty-color bins. Also like candy store because cause high blood sugar. When Lego so much fun, child only want sit still/play quietly inside own head. Enter state of flow. Quiet for hours. Bigfoot insatiable greed for quietude. Therefore very much sit still this thunderstorm day.

Today huge difference yesterday–in terms activity. TODAY Bubs’s activity include Lego, Minecraft, reading, Madagascar 3 . Also coughing. YESTERDAY: soccer, swim, boogie board, dig hole, chase seagull, kadima, jackpot, pickle, rescue clam named Phil. Bigfoot important scientific discovery: insulin not work for shit in sedentary person.

After lunch bolus, ask Bubs jump around. Say you don’t really have to work up a sweat or anything, just don’t sit down for a while. OK. Bubs game. Bubs want insulin work too–begin series tai chi moves, yoga poses. Grow ponderous in modified dog pose don’t you hate it when people spell “kids” with a Z to try to make something seem fun? Bigfoot agree, add and what if it’s a kidZZZ club, but they spell “club” with a K? Bubs so disgusted this thought, come up from pose reveal horrified face.

Slow mo all over kitchen, controlled arm movement, slow steps and as the cheeseburger enters the bun, the sun comes up over the ketchup, and the dog finds a noodle narrating moves in Bob Ross voice. Insulin still not work. So many corrections, for example 358; correction. 316, oh how kind of you to make effort, correction; 269, why thank you again, how about try a little harder next time? Correction. 277. Insulin work ALMOST NOT AT ALL on rainy day.

Then sun come out. Then Bigfoot Spouse come home. Stir-crazy Bigfoot leave for run, Bubs and Bigfoot Spouse play basketball. As if all corrections stored up in one square inch bum decide emerge in one whoosh after basketball game: finally, BG normal. Then BG low. Want throttle someone. Not sure who.

Tomorrow see Dr. Doughnut Coro Center 9:30AM. This date creep up on Bigfoot, feel like try lose 5-8 lbs. before own annual physical, then sun rise on day of physical, no place hide. A1C situation not really so similar because Bigfoot never actually try lose weight. Try so hard good A1C.

This A1C going to suck. Bigfoot know. Not pessimism. Fact. So many BG over 200, over 300. Know more recent weeks count more toward A1C, even more recent weeks suck.

Aha! 65 at bedtime. Please let this count extra lot. Dr. Doughnut not consider 65 Official Low but even Dr. Let Me Take My Chances On the Wall of Death Doughnut advise bedtime snack if under 70. So not treat as low, merely low-ish for time of day: peanut butter cracker, half glass milk. Bubs snuggle under duvet after snack, eyelids heavy. Smack lips, I love being low.

BFOOT: Whaaaat?

BUBS: I love being low. I mean, it feels bad, but I get a tasty snack

BFOOT: But you know you can always have a tasty snack anyway (that not true–would never let eat in bed for normal people snack)

BUBS: I know, but the taste is just so tasty at night in bed

If this were an endocrinologist’s supply closet, and these were the colors for complimentary Multiclix, I’d be all over the kelly green. In real life those are blades of grass Lego, and they are pure evil.

Bigfoot love Dr. Doughnut but dread tomorrow. Dread A1C. Dread whole thing except for if can score new free Multiclix because jammed up favored marine blue one with sand yesterday.

Also dread what if Bigfoot ever-so-casual ask Dr. Doughnut if think cough sound worth inspection and Dr. Doughnut slam clipboard down on exam table, say I am so sick of you leeches! I’m his goddamn endocrinologist, not his pediatrician! Get a fucking clue! Or what if Bigfoot ask I heard something about a letter I should have for air travel with the pump? and what if Dr. say Ask a fucking nurse! God! No wonder his A1C is 17. You are such an IDIOT. Better ask for complimentary Multiclix first.

*******

NB: I should also have said that we love our endocrinologist. She is really very kind. These mean conversations are strictly limited to my imagination. My metabolism runs on anxiety.

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25Apr / 2012

Dongle Problongle

The scribble represents a professional opinion of the idiot gentleman's blood sugar data.

How know dongle work/not work? Bigfoot kind of worn out on Diasend software. Dongle. Hold dongle to small rectangle on Ping, wait for magic happen. No happen. Dongle OK? Dongle-Ping communicate at all? This a secret? Ping-dongle making baby?

Today need communicate many days Bubs’s #s to Coro Center. This not problem when use LogFrog app. But when begin use pump, start 8 1/2 x 11″ paper log, preferred method of Coro. This log track more detail than LogFrog. Many category data. Today attempt transmit data via breezy email message:

Hi Dream Team,
I haven’t been in touch with Bubs’s numbers since 4/11. Now I am hoping for help adjusting his night time and mid-morning basal rates. He has been waking up high. Mid morning he has often been low. My thought is to scooch up his night time basal by 0.05u/hour and to change his morning ratio from 1:10 to 1:12 or 1:15 to see if that helps. (At this point should Bigfoot Spouse and I just be making these kinds of little tweaks without checking in with you?) PLEASE DON’T BE ANNOYED THAT I’M ASKING I AM JUST SO CAUTIOUS YET AM REALLY VERY CAPABLE PLEASE LOVE ME AND THINK I’M AWESOME
 
I’m going to include all of the possibly relevant information I can think of and hope to hear back from someone tomorrow or soon. Thanks! (I am going to attend an Animas Diasend workshop in May, so I hope to soon have a better way to share this data with you. I am sorry it is so cumbersome!) PLEASE LIKE ME AND THINK I’M THE BEST PATIENT PARENT EVER AND TALK ABOUT ME AT YOUR STAFF MEETING IN GLOWING TERMS. IF POSSIBLE, ALSO SAY I’M PRETTY.

Coro call back: want Bigfoot fax 8 1/2 x 11″ papers. Lazy Bigfoot call back I do not have a fax machine read between lines: I’m too lazy to drive to Staples. Or I don’t care enough about my child’s health enough to buy a fax machine. Or Get the fuck out! A FAX machine? Do you also want me to dictate the numbers into an 8-track cassette recorder?

This tidy sample page is from Ping day 3.

Pumping one month: this awkward phase. First week, call daily with numbers. Review over phone. 2nd week, call two/three times. Review over phone. Week three…that about last time interact w/ Coro. Crap. Even if had fax, would need to rewrite each 8 1/2 x 11″ paper because so messy, also Bigfoot Spouse often omit certain info, and Bigfoot know what Spouse intends imply with blank space but it impossible non-marriage partner intuit true facts from 3AM scrawls/absences scrawls.

Perfect solution: Diasend! This graphic take Bigfoot breath away. But Diasend dongle not give any clue working. Informational videos adorable but in Swedish. Ah, here in English. Still adorable but not help Bigfoot with dongle issue. Best part in any language: features slim patient. Thank you, Sweden.

Suspicious: never ever hear any real diabetes person speak or write of Diasend success. However, Diasend web site sleek, informational video adorable, Sweden good track record machine-making (who not love 1980′s Saab) <—all bode well. In May, Bigfoot attend official Diasend lesson, fingers crossed dongle inspector on faculty.

Meanwhile, Dr. Doughnut advise pretty much same thing Bigfoot predict. That not technically true. Actually Dr. Doughnut advise lower I:C ratios throughout day and increase night time basal more than Bigfoot have cojones suggest. Gulp!

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12Apr / 2012

350, 291, 306, 147, 71, 73, 262, 318, 228

Pray for a 99, Jason Gordon Levitt.

Six consecutive high morning  =  pattern. Not just high. HIGH high. Over 300 today. Endocrinology team member Julianne Moore recommend increase basal insulin 12AM-6AM: Dr. Doughnut thinks it sounds like he’s ready for a more robust basal segment overnight. Bigfoot, Bigfoot Spouse brilliant plan: stay up watch The Descendants, check sugar # midnight, watch 500 Days of Summer, check sugar # 2AM, celebrate lucky #99 or #123 or #111, clink imaginary champagne flutes, wake up 6:30, feel great, heal world.

Meanwhile, friend–same age Bigfoot (barely 40), very athletic/funny/great taste in music–diagnosed this week: DIABETES. (LADA.) Try explain sorry this happen, try not be glad for self. This friend so smart, always find best science articles share, already find great diabetes app for track blood sugar. This man know a lot about everything, but not annoying know-it-all <—just intellectually curious, enthusiastic. Mention count carbs what a pain! but not yet need insulin. Long honeymoon/slow decline Langerhans? Want read LADA articles but not want learn so much become certain also fall victim.

Leaving the mining facility early again

Every day after school, Bubs + friends run into woods behind baseball diamond to “the mine.” Mine for gold/silver nuggets represented by dirt clods. Gather sticks for “the armory.” Waggle loose tree roots = “security system.” Girls run between mine and swings, relaying messages: everything’s okay. The boys say go to the fort; let’s hustle! and Sarah went home. She was lonely and other obscure knowledge. Bigfoot admire imaginative play, but hate not able see Bubs unless stand in pricker bush. Feel extreme helicopter parent, so sit in baseball dugout near mine try read New Yorkers but unable: if he passes out, will one of those miners come out to tell me, or will they think he’s doing it for ambiance? After not too long, come up with excuse need leave—lucky today, small rain storm come.

This idea on Bigfoot mind: Engine 2 Diet.

Depending on point of view re kids in 70′s, either 1/9 or 1/3 OK: 350, 291, 306, 147, 71, 73, 262, 318, 228. Hope tomorrow better.

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06Apr / 2012

Chucklebreaths

Waiting for hot chocolate at The Sunnyside. #177.

Bubs high a lot over last 24 hour. Correction bolus. Minimal effect. Maybe infusion site bad. Change site. Correction bolus. Still high. Maybe insulin bad. Change insulin. Correction bolus. Still high. Call Dr. On Call. On Call doctor say give more insulin, call in two hours if still high, maybe pump not working. No still high: 167. 167 OK.

Wake up 207. That high, and that STUPID. Bigfoot know it OK not able explain everything. Liver, broken pancreas, growth hormone, complicated ballet variables, so forth. But still: SO STUPID. Before breakfast: 184. That almost OK. 3 hours later: 306. Call Coro Center. Receptionist chuckle warm-heartedly; catch in middle of YouTube break?

Here it comes

RECEPTIONIST: Coro Center etc.

BIGFOOT: Hello, this is Bigfoot. My son Bubs is a patient of Dr. Doughnut and he has been high a lot and I would like to talk to someone about his insulin doses

RECEPTIONIST: (catching chuckle-breath) Dr. Doughnut is on vacation until Monday

BIGFOOT: I know. I thought maybe I could talk to Julianne Moore or The Runner

RECEPTIONIST: Julianne Moore and The Runner are also on vacation until Monday! (Cracks up)

HUMORLESS BIGFOOT: Well, we called last night and the doctor on call helped us, should I call the pager?

Does this beverage cause permanent high blood sugar?

RECEPTIONIST: You’re not going to believe this—-(laughing)—-the doctor on call is also on vacation!

TOTALLY HUMORLESS BIGFOOT: That doesn’t make any sense. There must be someone on call

RECEPTIONIST: Ah yes. I see. I guess I could have one of the doctors who works with Dr. Doughnut call you back

BIGFOOT: Yes, please

Why not go straight option D) a doctor who works with Dr. Doughnut–waiting for Bigfoot give up on get help? Maybe “the doctors who work with Dr. Doughnut” is Coro Center slang for Brown University undergraduate bio lab. Just when Bigfoot about get all wound up righteous fury, blood sugar beep: #133.

If Bubs high, undoubtedly say feel fine. Act fine too–run around, play Lego, not seem tired/slow. Love read this—high blood sugar feeling from articulate adult perspective. Tell Bubs, “Cute Kerri with the blonde hair you know from the Expo you met her she was really nice? With the panda on the rocking horse and pretty like a princess but in jeans? She wrote an essay about how when she has high blood sugar it feels like there’s molasses* instead of blood in her veins.” Bubs: what’s molasses? You know, like in gingerbread. That slow, sticky stuff. Huh. Yeah. I guess so. Could I read it?

(That incorrect. Actually sticky jam + heavy cream.)

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