Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Medicine and Technology

The Boy and I watched an interesting demo today on a device that monitors blood sugar continuously for 72 hours. I was a little disappointed by it, because I thought it was going to be something like a watch you could look at to see your blood sugar at any time. Instead, it doesn't transmit the information at all. After the 72 hours you remove it and a computer reads the data.

How positively medieval.

This is all a come-on for an insulin pump. If I had known that, I probably wouldn't have bothered. Two extra trips downtown (one for the demo and sensor insertion, one to drop off the sensor later) for something I don't think we'll be using, but it was kind of interesting. The basic premise is simple enough: You wear an external device that acts sort of as a pancreas.

The pancreas does more than produce insulin but, hey, it's a start.

Anyway, the boy raked the rep--who was, of course, cute and hot, as all such reps seem to be--and the doctors over the coals: What were the bugs? What could go wrong with the system? His syringes sometimes leak, what if that happened? What if his blood sugar dropped too low at night? How would he know what his blood sugar was at any given moment?

The technology is pretty good, though, and delivers small amounts of insulin over time rather than big loads, and apparently can actually do so based on blood sugar readings from the sensor. (Via wireless bluetooth! Now we're talking! The rep said one guy had the readings hooked to his car GPS.)

Part of the appeal of this is that you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want.

But, you know, what if that's how you got into the mess you're in in the first place?

The Boy's numbers are looking good anyway. In the two months since we started the diet his scores have dropped 20% (lower is better), and he's started lowering his insulin again. (This time, theoretically, he should be able to keep the insulin lowered.)

The outlook for me is not so rosy, unfortunately. My numbers are rather dire and getting worse, and despite a checkout from a doctor, I'll be having X-rays and bloodwork done tomorrow. So wish me luck. (Again.)

13 comments:

  1. Good luck man. I will say a prayer for you. I am sure everything will be allright.

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  2. Thanks, pal.

    I think it's just some side-effects of the antibiotics. I hope. But we'll see.

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  3. Luck's being wished as I type this, watch out rabbits, I'm coming after your feet, and in the morning I'll scour my yard for any mutant clovers.

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  4. 'preciate it!! I'll take what I can get.

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  5. Good luck, Blake. I hope...erm, a lot of bunnies will have lost their little footsies for nothin'. :)

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  6. Don't know if you knew this, but some antibiotics render the anovulatory pill ineffective. Just warning you.

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  7. My numbers are rather dire and getting worse

    Geez, I wasn't too worried before. What in the world? Well, I don't want to ask any inappropriately detailed questions. So just, good luck. I fucking HATE health scares.

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  8. Thanks, Knox. 'preciate it.

    I think Ruth Anne's nailed it: I'm pregnant!!

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  9. Good luck and prayers, Blake. I hope what's wrong is speedily determined and addressed.

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  10. Keep us posted Blake. I hope it's not something seriously wrong.

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  11. Wait a second. Are you taking the same stuff as Manny Rameriez. Jeesh you people in Calornia are weirdo's.

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  12. Good luck with that. May all your drugs be legal and inexpensive.

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  13. Thanks for the well-wishes, guys.

    So far it's 2:1 in my favor, but it's all guess work. Real results tomorrow, I hope, otherwise Monday.

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Grab an umbrella. Unleash hell. Your mileage may vary. Results not typical. If swelling continues past four hours, consult a physician.