Today marks the close of Week One wearing the new DexCom STS wireless continuous monitor. I’m still enthusiastic, of course, but I’ve learned a few things, mostly about managing expectations. Or more specifically: Lessons in How CGM Can Help Us Now.

WHAT IT ISN’T:

Back in April, a communications consultancy called Envision Solutions released the first-ever formal analysis of the healthcare blogosphere, a thoroughly researched 110-page report on who’s blogging, why, and what it all means. Founder and blogger Fard Johnmar was at the helm. DiabetesMine (that’s me!) was fortunate enough to correspond with Mr. Johnmar during the research phase, and caught up with him again recently to “pick his brains” on the project and what it divulged.

Thank you all kindly for your tips — and empathy — on my test strip woes. I learned something extremely useful (which may not be news to the savvy long-timers out there) that constitutes quite the paradigm shift for me: you can buy test strips for cheap(er) at places like Costco, eBay and supply websites like DiabetesMall.net without a prescription! So you don’t have to rely on your insurance to cough up coverage for more of these essential supplies. Whew, what a relief. Where have I been?

You know, Diabetes Forecast, that slick full-color monthly magazine you get when you become a member of the American Diabetes Association? You read it? Well, read the latest issue, mailed out this week! For me, OK? Because they’ve *finally* gotten around to publishing my article on Continuous Glucose Monitoring! (see page 52 of the August issue; I’ll post the link once it’s up)

A number of you have written to me asking about the Glucoband (next-gen armband non-invasive continuous monitor): did I see the prototype at the ADA Conference? Are they for real? All I can tell you now is Nope, and I Don’t Know, respectively.

This is the 11th Commandment, is it not? Especially when you have diabetes and are dropping below 50 fast and just spent your last dime but need something sugary RIGHT NOW. Know what I mean?

Oooh, here’s one I hadn’t heard of before: EndoTool Glucose Management System, “a solution to the problem of how to effectively and safely control blood glucose for critically ill patients after surgery” — from a company called MD Scientific.

Glucose control for hospitalized patients is apparently notoriously bad, which (as you can imagine) leads to all sorts of problems:

It’s just like I was saying the other day: elderly folks with medical conditions have social lives, too. And they have their pride. They also want med gadgets with zippy features and a cool look they can show off to friends and family. Hey, they’re with it.

It’s down-to-earth practical and articulate as well! No surprise if you’re familiar with Kassie’s “Noncompliant” style.

Amy’s picks from last week’s ADA Conference:

* Viagra marketing slogan: affirmative
(displayed complete with bold emphasis)

* Quilt for Life - the big exhibition on the National Mall in DC, which was a great success — and a helluva lotta work for organizer Jeff Hitchcock. Thank you, Jeff! (Ooh, also check the DiabetesMine quilt, and make my daughters proud.)