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Pharmacy Phuck Up - Or Why 3mm Makes All The Difference In My Diabetes World

Pharmacy Phuck Up - Or Why 3mm Makes All The Difference In My Diabetes World

This Post is late, and now I know why I didn't publish the post I had originally intended this morning. It didn't feel right or finished. And then this happened tonight. Diabetes blogging works in mysterious ways~

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Time: 6:26 PM

Date: 3/10/11

Weather: Torrential rain & wind

Blood Sugar: 70

Mood: Angry

Cause: CVS Pharmacy Phuck up

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Dear CVS Pharmacist:

You know me, and have for a long time.

You refill my insulin and pills and the likes there of.

You know how hard I work on my health; you know my insurance company has" issues", and you know that I'm a loyal customer.

You ask me to trust you, and I try, but it's my health and I'm always skeptical.

Especially when I see poor choices being made by healthcare professionals that are supposed to be there to answer my questions and concerns and assist me in making positive choices regarding the diabetes Rx tools that I must use every single day of my life.

Tonight the wind was howling and the rain was pouring and I wanted nothing more than to get home, eat some dinner, pack for my trip and pay some bills.

I'm tired, it's been a long day, and to be perfectly frank, I JUST DON'T NEED COMPLICATIONS IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW - Diabetes or otherwise.

BUT I had an RX to pick up: BD- Ultra-Fine III Mini Pen needles, 3/16' (5mm) length needles to use with my Symlin Pen.

1 RX, it should have been SO easy.

So simple in fact, that I didn't even open the brown paper bag you handed me, so I'm partially to blame.

But there was a long line behind me, and I wanted to get home.

And I trusted your judgment.

I finally made it home, wet and cold and ready for dinner. I peeled off my clothes and threw them in the washing machine, put on my PJ's and opened the fridge. The left over salmon and 1/2 a sweet potato looked good, as did the broccoli. SOLD!

Before I tested my blood sugar I grabbed my Symlin pen, and just for shits and giggles I decided to compare my new pen needles to the ones my Dr. gave me.

But here's the thing, you gave me BD Ultra Fine Pen Needles, #31 Gauge, 8mm and 5/16".

Nothing mini about them at all.

When I called you up, you told me that my Dr. Had written an RX for 6 mm, which apparently they don't make, so the Pharmacist thought 8mm, (instead of the 5mm that they also had plenty of,) would be just dandy.

REALLY, a longer needle works for you?

Because I got news for you, it doesn't work for me, not one bit!

My body is a human pincushion and damn it, I rely on smaller, finer, less piercing to the skin needles whenever I can get them!

I jab my fingers 10 to 15 times a day to keep my blood sugars in check and I have the finger callouses to prove it.

I'm hooked up to an insulin pump almost 24 hrs a day and I'm taking the Symlin shots to makes said insulin work more efficiently. So yes, I want the smallest Symlin needle possible.

I do all of the above willingly for better control and good health - Regardless of how annoying, time consuming and painful diabetes tools can be.

Needles are just the tip of the freaking diabetes iceberg.

And go ahead, call me a bitch; I could care give two shits!

And then I literally Asked you: REALLY, a longer needle works for you? Seriously? If you were me, which needle would you would prefer piercing your skin with?

And then you mumbled something about the 5 mm being the one you'd go with.

SHOCKER.

So why didn't you consider that choice for me?

More importantly, why didn't you call me and ask me which needle I'd prefer?

Yes, my Dr. was one mm off in his RX, and that right there is why you should have called both of us!

So tomorrow morning, when I should be working, packing for D.C., writing, etc. I'll be discussing your mistake with your boss, and getting my RX filled properly.

I don't have time for this!

Why do I care so much about a lousy 3 mm?

Because I never get a break or a day off or a vacation from diabetes and I get tired of it sometimes.

And tonight, I could have used having one less thing to worry about or do.

And I'm mad at myself for allowing 3mm to make me tear up in anger and frustration - but I can't help it.

Because sometimes in the world of Diabetes, it's the little things that make all the difference~

Animas Panel Discussion - It Was GREAT!

Animas Panel Discussion - It Was GREAT!
The Panel Discussion at Animas on March 4th was GREAT.

Basically 4 people (3 pump users and a parent of a pump user) had the opportunity to talk about how pump therapy has changed our lives, and our family’s lives for the better, to 2 groups of Animas employees. They had the chance to ask us questions about life with diabetes, life on the pump, life pre pump, etc.

The panel consisted of:

Ashley Enedict, an RN and Clinical Manager for Dexcom, and has been a T1 for over 15 years, She wears an Animas Pump and we’d met before. A few years ago I wore the Dexcom on a trial bases when it first came out, via a program the company was offering through my CDE. Ashley helped me overcome my CGM tech fears. It helped that she wore a pump and a Dexcom, and understood all my fears, both real and imagined!

Ron DiNunzio: A T1 for over 37 years, Ron has had his share of ups and downs with the “Big D.” He’s managed to overcome some big challenges and is an UBER diabetes dude. The American Diabetes has recognized his work on a National level for his work in the Diabetes Community.

Ron is the founder of weekend-end program called Adventures For The Cure/Extreme Weekend for Children with Diabetes. I’ll be blogging about the Extreme Weekend for Children With Diabetes next week. But check out the link until then.

Don Plotts, Don is a parent of a Diabetic and works for Animas as the Manager of Sales Training. He first become familiar with Animas when he & his wife were shopping for pumps for their then 6-year-old daughter (who had been diagnosed at the age of 5) and is now 14.

Don started working for the company a few years after they chose Animas as her pump.

(On a side note, As a PWD, I always gain so much from a parent of a CWD point of view.
Don talked about watching his then 6-year-old daughter injecting her shots and how his heart ached every time he watched her. That made me think about my parents and what they went through – and reminded me of all the parents whose blogs I read daily.)

And then there was me, T1 for 31 years, pump wearer for 5 1/2 year. Currently I wear a Minimed 512 and am looking for a new pump. Full disclosure, Animas is currently on my “Pump Short List.”.

All of us were asked to attend by my friend Bill King, Manager of Patient & Professional Relations for Animas, T1 marathon runner and Animas wearer.
Bill I first met at the National DESA Conference in Colorado a few years ago, and have worked together on other projects since. Bill is funny, extremely positive, and a Sports nut to boot!

Between the four of us on the panel, we’d had over 93 years of D experience. We were asked to talk about our lives pre and post pump for Animas Customer Service employees.

All of us talked about the freedom that wearing a pump has given us. No longer are we slaves to the clock and are free from injection schedules; free from Lantus, and free to eat what we want within reason.

We talked about Normal – the “Holy Grail” for all diabetics. Ashley, Don and I talked about how we craved being normal as teens, and wished that the pump technology had been available to us then.

I discussed humor and how it helps me deal and own my diabetes on a daily basis & Ron agreed.

Those of us on the panel told the Animas employees about the days of urine testing in glass tubes and fuzzy blue pills. We reminisced about the days of strict diets and food exchanges and having almost everything tasty off limits.

We talked about the "Diabetes Police” and the guilt (financial, food, blood sugar, etc”) that accompanies being a person with diabetes. We discussed terms like “cheat,” “High,” and “being a bad diabetic.”

We voiced our frustrations on not being taken seriously by medical and healthcare professionals.

Don told the employees “Diabetics ARE experts on diabetes, so listen to what they have to say when they call. You might
be the expert on Animas pumps and gear, but they are experts on Diabetes.”

I have to admit, I liked when he said that! How many times have we encountered professionals in the health & diabetes arena who think we no nothing about our disease?

The Animas employees wanted to know what Lantus shots felt like (I said something about injecting Orange Juice in your skin & watched as they squirmed). They asked what’s it’s like wearing a pump 24 X 7. We explained that while wearing a pump 24X7 does have it's own set of issues, the benefits of pump therapy are worth the occasional "Doorknob issues."

I shared my blog and private email comments that you sent me regarding life on the pump. I also read Penny’s comment out loud and everyone in the room got a little emotional.

After each session, several employees came up to me and said that they learned so much in the discussion and continue to learn more about the disease everyday. Many had family members who were diabetics and many employees were diabetic themselves. That meant a lot to me as a PWD.

As for me - I learned SO MUCH & am grateful to have had the opportunity!

I'm A DIVABETIC And Don't You Forget It!

I'm A DIVABETIC  And Don't You Forget It!
Well I just have to say that I got my DIVAbetic on BIG TIME this past Saturday in Philadelphia, PA!

Over 680 Philly and Tri-State area Divabetics braved the monsoon like weather and came together at the Philadelphia Hilton on Saturday March 8th, for a day of glamour; diabetes education, and a chance to walk the cat walk and strut their fabulousness for all to see.

It was my first time ever at a Divabetic Makeover Your Diabetes Event and it will not be my last!
To see women with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes congregate, learn about, and embrace who they are, (diabetes and all) was both amazing and empowering.

The women had the chance to meet with both beauty and healthcare professionals for a total makeover - both inside and out.

I got the chance to meet the fabulous Mother Love, (who truly is FABULOUS and VERY funny) talk & learn with wonderful diabetes educators, get a few beauty tips, (cause a little “glam” goes a long way) from professional hair & makeup artists, and learned some Fashionista tips from professional stylists.

Yours Truly even got to walk on the catwalk – MEOW.

If a Divabetic Makeover Your Diabetes Event comes to a city near you, do yourself a favor and ATTEND. It won’t cost you anything to go, but the benefits you’ll take away with you, knowledge, empowerment, and a wonderful sense of self worth are priceless.