1 Drop at a Time

I believe I skipped a couple weeks of blogs but we were on vacation. It was nice to get away and soak up the sun. I won't lie, I was moderately mopey about going to the beach because I wasn't sure how taking my pump off to swim would work. I've been reading the latest edition of Pumping Insulin and was happy to find a chart with suggestions on how to bolus insulin if you are off your pump. 30 minutes requires no bolus, but if you know you will be off your pump for 1-4 hours, give 80%  of your missed basal. Y'all it worked without a hitch. I floated, rode waves and felt like a kid again. *Basal-the insulin that runs in the background 24/7 *Bolus-insulin you give to cover carbs or in this case, missed basal insulin That being said, I feel like I have more or less fallen off the giving a shit about diabetes train. I've basically been treading water, ignoring all those little tips and tricks I learned over the past few years, you know, being a diabetes rebel. For

Today was one of the best days. My friend texted about going to Rush to let the kids jump, and boy, I think I had more fun than Jacob. Rush, in Athens, GA, is basically a big room with a bunch of trampolines. It took me back to summer days in Pocahontas, Arkansas jumping for hours upon hours with my cousins until we were completely exhausted or the mosquitoes almost ate us alive. After we were done, or should I say kicked out because toddler time was over, I was scrolling through my email when I came across some of the best news I have seen in awhile. Come August, I will be able to download a software upgrade on my current t:slim X2 pump. The new upgrade will require a Dexcom G6 BUT this new technology will predict low blood sugars 30 minutes prior to the low occurring. The pump will shut off basal insulin until your blood sugar starts increasing again. Here is the direct link from Tandem:  t:slim X2 Insulin Pump with Basal-IQ So what all does this mean? Well for starters, this mea

Hi all, Yesterday, Osman and I celebrated 7 years of marriage. We looked through old photos and watched our wedding video. It was fun to see those moments and boy, were we young! Instead of going out to dinner, we cooked at home. Osman is quite the grill master. The menu was T-Bones, Cucumber Mint Salad, Broccoli/Cauliflower Casserole (I felt like a true southerner making that one). For desert I made a play on lemon custard. It got Osman's seal of approval so I thought I would share it. Did you know that My Fitness Pal will calculate nutrition facts for you? As in, upload or type up a recipe and it does the work for you. It is incredible. You can find it online or use it as an app on your phone. https://www.myfitnesspal.com/ For this treat the crust will run about 8g of carbs and the "custard" about 18g for a total of 26 grams. Not bad! Lemon Custard 1 package Lemon Pudding (Sugar Free) 1 1/2 cups Skim Milk 1/2 cup Lite Cool Whip (may add more if des

Week 2 of Summer Break has been great. Jacob and I are enjoying slower days, swinging in the hammock while reading Bernstein Bears and counting leaves. We've gone to swim lessons, dentist appointments, had some play dates with sweet friends. This is the life. My first week off was glorious. I had these perfect blood sugars, minimal fluctuations. I felt healed. I also didn't leave the house, spent most of my day working out, perfectly timing my meals/insulin, reading, and writing. Basically, I was a diabetic hermit. However, this week in the diabetes department, I've been a hott mess. Over the past few years, I have learned to separate how my blood sugars will dictate if I have a good time or make good memories. So my time with Jacob has been precious, while my blood sugars have been anything but. Let's face it, in the summer, I'm just more active. As a school nurse, there are days I run around but  mostly in one spot. There are so many variables that change wh

Wow, no posts since February. Life has been busy, blah blah. That's what everyone says, right? Spring time as a school nurse is always a little busy. We traveled home to Oklahoma. For Mother's Day we visited the Smokey Mountains. That is a gorgeous part of the country. While there, we enjoyed a trip to Dollywood. Jacob had a blast on the kiddie rides. It has been a fun few months.  Things have also been a little comical. Low blood sugar is never comical, but it is when your husband is out of town. Especially when you leave your phone on silent. Sorry.... Osman was at a retreat in May. I went to bed, my blood sugar was 120, I had minimal insulin on board. Cool, I was fine. I didn't call Osman because I knew he was busy with retreat activities. Well around 1230 in the morning, I heard a man's voice in my room, specifically my neighbor Andy's voice. The dogs were going crazy, barking their heads off and poor Andy was awkwardly standing in my doorway, "Meagan,

Today was one of those womp, womp days. I did a site change this morning and must have hit a vein because my blood sugar was stubbornly high. I tried to do a site change at work, and the cannula must have bent but not enough to set off the occlusion alarm so I had no idea until I took it out this afternoon.  It was hanging out at a 90 degree angle, so my blood sugar ran close to 300 for the better part of the day. This equals cranky Meagan who just happened to have Scoliosis Screenings at work today AND an A1C test this coming Monday, so I'm on the glass half empty train. BUT I came home and I have noticed that Zoe paws at me when my blood sugar is low and now barks at me when it is high and insists on staying beside me. If you know Zoe, this is not like her. The only humans she loves unconditionally are Osman and my brother, Thad. So I'm enjoying the cuddles with my unofficial diabetes dog. So I sit here with Zoe on my knee and I'm trying to find that place of gratitud

Day 1: I am scared.  Day 2: I am on Day 2 of the Flu Saga 2018. I'm exhausted, to say the least. As they used to say on MTV's True Life, "you think you know but you have no idea" that is where I am at right now. My day consists of thinking about doing a lot of things, like walking to the kitchen to get some water or letting the dogs out. It takes a solid 20 minutes to execute any given action. Keep in mind y'all my house is 1800 square feet. My Apple watch has been great at reminding me how sluggish I have been. This morning, it sent a nice, little note "Meagan, your move and exercise goals were way off target yesterday." You think Apple? If only you knew it is like running a marathon to go 10 feet. I definitely haven't been speed walking anywhere. It has been more of a shuffle. I was outside for a solid 30 minutes in my knock off from Amazon, a "zero gravity, relax your back chair." I had my bright red blanket, hair a mess and a

So if you remember from my older posts, going to the pharmacy sent me down a dark alleyway full of pity parties and despair. Now, it is like rolling up, seeing old friends. Heck, it is kind of fun to see all the new Pharmacy students and how overly friendly and excited they are about life. Not too long ago it was that wonderful time where I needed to buy insulin. It is always a hit to the wallet but beggars can't be choosers. I'm just thankful it is readily available. I don't calculate all the "fun" things I would rather buy. Let's face it, that is not a helpful practice when I'm trying to be all "yay life!". Well, I get home and start unloading my goodies, when I noticed the quick jot "may get manufacture's coupon on line." It was obviously written with haste but I am so thankful to whoever that angel was, who took the time to write those few words. It makes me wonder how many missed opportunities I've had because I was &q

Over the years, I have seemed to be plagued with clumsiness. Although, looking back, it was obvious I missed those subtle signs to slow down. So here I peck away at the computer with a janky finger because Mama was rushing to make dinner and didn’t take the two seconds I needed to wash the avocado slime off before moving on to the next. I’m a chronic power walker and cannot handle strolling. I must finish a to-do list at all costs. I think that is what people consider a little high strung?  These past couple of “snow” days have given me that gift of slowing down. Just when I feel myself trying to do too much, the stitches in my finger pull just a little bit. I’ve been reflecting on my life in my 20’s, and boy was it a blur. From nursing school, marriage, graduation, new jobs, buying homes, selling a home, having puppy children and a human child, moving half way across the country, sickness and health, it is no wonder we always feel a little busier than what we can handle.  So h