Tuesday 29 April 2014

On a roll....

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I've just woken up to my third day in a row with perfect BSLs. It seems thr change to my correction factor is working like a charm :)

Mon: 6.1
Tues: 6.6
Weds: 6.4

To give some context, the night before these tests I ranged from 8-15mmol/l.

Win! I think my issue now is making sure my carb to insulin factor is right... getting there!

Wednesday 23 April 2014

Pharmac and Insulin Pump Funding concerns

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I'm worried about the funding for my insulin pump, or more specifically the pump consumables. As far as I am aware, an application for funding was sent off in July/August last year. The application listed the last three of my HBA1cs, the lowest of which was 73 in the new units, or 8.8%. I received 9 months of funding for pump consumables in August and started the pump in October.

In the middle of last month (March) I had an appointment with my CDE. My A1c was 64 - or 8% in the old units. It was actually the lowest it had been in my 8 years with my current District Health Board. I haven't always been so intensive with my management. It was interesting to look back on those results, there was a couple of results that were so cringe worthy that I didn't want to see but for the most part my control has stayed in the 70s for the past 8 years. I hadn't realised that so seeing that 64 was even more of a win. What's more, is that I knew I could do better than this. In February the average on my meter was about 12.5 mmol/l, I had a couple of unfortunate experiences where my site or tubing pulled out so I woke up in the 20s with ketones. I was also using teflon cannulas with my Animas Vibe pump and found that on the 2 or 3rd day I would sky rocket in my BSLs and it would take so much insulin to bring them back down. When I switched to metal cannulas, the results were amazing. The March Average on my meter was 8.5 mmol/l - which would equate to about a 53 HbA1c. So at that meeting, my CDE was a bit puzzled at what she could do to bring down the 64 lower, based on a few days worth of records that indicated I was running pretty good averages. I explained that I'd changed cannulas and was certain that the month of February would be artificially putting my Hba1c higher than it was. She was happy with this, I was happy and I left feeling positive and overwhelmingly happy at the pump. We organised I would get an A1c test done in yjr beginning of May and that my CDE would put through the application for continued funding in Mid May.

And now we come to the month of April. The average on my meter is 11.1 mmol/l - which would equate to an Hba1c of 70 or 8 %. To qualify for continued funding I need to show a 10 mmol/l drop to a 63 I was on track for this in March but now? I'm scared. I'm been trying to figure out the reasons for the increased Bsls - I had been extremely busy at work, I had a family bereavement, I thought I might be getting a bladder infection...many things which could contribute. Freaking stress. So I'm scared I'm not going to qualify for funding.

So my plan of attack is:
- Increased exercise
- Recording BSLs and sending them to my CDE
- Healthier eating

It looks easy when I put it like that. I think it's been working though, I tweaked my Insulin Sensitivity factor a couple of days ago and I am noticing lower morning BSLs. I feel a lot better writing this all out and there is another thing that could be helpful to me. I received funding in August last year but didn't actual start on an insulin pump until October, so in theory I haven't actually had 9 months of treatment on a pump. My CDE has said that will be enough to get an extension, so I imagine that's the next step.

It's nerve wracking thinking about all of this and it has been on my mind a lot. Writing it down has been cathartic for me. If there is any one else having trouble with continuing their pump funding I would love to hear from you.

S x

Tuesday 15 April 2014

Cooking! And doing some food prep for the week.

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I'm not quite sure how it happened but somehow I have become obsessed with food. I can spend hours pouring over recipe blogs, pinterest and websites like tastespotting. Being a diabetic, food plays a big part in my day to day life - I try to weigh my food as much as possible to ensure that I am carb counting correctly. Because I am reliant on a "good A1C" for continued pump funding it is important I am eating healthy food! I'm not someone who is big on restricting food or treats. I find that if my meals are home cooked,  they are in general healthier. I try to limit carbs but I am in no way a "Low Carber" - my meals tend to range between 40-70 carbs a meal. More if I'm having pasta or take aways.

More recently, I've been looking into  the idea of freezing cooking, food preparation and cooking in general. A few weekends ago I did the following food prep!

Saturday:
I made two meals of Lasagna. One I put in a foil container with the intention of freezing it. The other I put in my regular dish and made it that night. I also froze two portions of Saturday Nights meal and popped them in the freezer. I defrosted one of  the portions by putting it in the fridge the night before. Then at work I popped it in the microwave and it was delicious! The other portion I forgot to defrost, so left it out while I was at work, when it came to lunch time I put it on defrost for awhile and then on high but unfortunately there was one bit in the middle that was still cold.


Sunday:
At the beginning of the day I put my Corned Beef in the slow cooker, then did two batches of spicy paprika wedges. I seasoned and put them in the oven for about 25-35 mins. Then I waited for them to cool and I popped them into freezer bags. I made up two chicken dishes, one was a satay chicken and the other honey sesame chicken. I didn't really follow any particular recipe, just took inspiration from 3-4 different ones.

So there you have it!


Saturday:
2 X Lasagna

Sunday:
Corned Beef in slow cooker
Satay chicken
Honey Sesame Chicken
Wedges
My kitchen looked a little a tornado had run through it!




I think prepping food is easy and fun. It can be time consuming but it means I have a whole bunch of healthy food on hand and stops me straying to those tempting fast food options!