They say if you do something 36 times, it becomes a habit. In that case, BG testing ought to be hard-wired by now. But it isn’t… Why do I still have to force myself to do it?
I mean, before meals I’m like Pavlov’s dogs: trained to take a certain action in order to get my treat. And the physical motions of glucose testing have certainly become habitual. I could do it with my eyes closed! (Not really, but you know what I mean.)
It’s just that I ought be testing A LOT MORE. There’s that busy, busy patch between breakfast and lunch when I’m buzzing around and just can’t be bothered to stop for anything, unless I’m feeling low. And then there’s that horrendously long stretch between lunch and dinner, which is my complete downfall. The hours just seem to melt away; suddenly it’s 4:45pm, and I haven’t tested in, what…? 4.5 hours? Gads!
Then there are Tuesdays. Last time my endo looked over my records, she said: “What the heck is happening on Tuesdays?” I could almost feel my cheeks turning red. “Um, you mean that string of 200-300′s?” {I cleared my throat}
“Well, I usually work out pretty hard Tuesday mornings and I’m a bit low after. And I’m S-T-A-R-V-I-N-G. But I’m also afraid to dose too high after all that exercise.”
“Well, you need to do it,” she said.
Yeah, just do it.
What a great slogan! Someone ought to use that commercially! Oh, right…
Anyway, I guess what we’re all struggling with is how to turn “the right diabetes moves” into simple habits, that we’ll do constantly without needing reminders. Meanwhile, we’re pushing away the normal habitual human behaviors, like snacking on salty and sweet and spending our time on activities we enjoy instead of those that make us bleed. Go figure.
During a recent video shoot I did for Stanford (promo for their upcoming Medicine 2.0 event), the camera crew wanted to film me doing a glucose test, “just to show what that’s like.” The room got very quiet as I unpacked my test strip and lancet — as if there were some mysterious medical procedure about to happen, for which everyone needed to hush. When the blood drop appeared, they all leaned in. I don’t mind
admitting that I felt like a complete freak. The stupid test strip seemed to take forever to absorb enough to get a beep. It was pure agony, with everyone holding their breath.
“That was fast!” said a young student. I had the urge to punch her in the nose, although I know that was totally uncalled-for and completely uncouth for me to even think.
Instead I said: “Naw, that one was slow. You should see me at a stoplight!”
Awkward laughter.
A bad habit, testing in the car? Who’s to judge? At least I’m making an effort.
I have been writing about this very thing.
lol, I test at stoplights, too.
During my more irresponsible days..many years ago…I even tested and gave insulin shots while driving 70 miles per hour on our 55 mph highway…it made me feel talented, I think. Now I cringe in horror at the thought!
Oh good, I’m not the only one who has moments where I want to punch someone in the nose.
Thanks for the laugh this morning!
I often want to punch someone in the nose. I need to get back into the frequent testing habit. gahhh
Testing in the car is certainly better than driving while hypoglycemic. Yeah, I know I’m supposed to test before I turn the key, but what if the numbers good then and then drops. My daughter still hasn’t forgiven me for that drive into the Loop a few years ago, cars whizzing around us on the expressway, looking for our exit while she pricked my finger, dabbed the test strip, and handed me the glucose tablets. I did buy her a cello.
The point is that we try really hard all day, every day to do everything right, and we come up short. And it’s very easy for people who only deal with this In Theory to judge us harshly when we fail. Easy to find fault, hard to find solutions. Especially as a premenopausal woman with LADA, which means we’re trying to hit a moving target.
On a practical note, my latest DE suggested a temp basal of 1% starting one hour before exercise, bolus for carbs unless they are to raise BG, and test, test, test, before, during, and after. I’m still trying to get this right, but yesterday, I came closer.
Testing while driving is better than driving while hypoglycemic. Yeah, I know I’m supposed to test before I put the car in gear, but sometimes that number is good only to precipitously drop once I’m on the road.
Also, it’s easy for people who deal with diabetes only In Theory to judge. Harder to come up with solutions. My latest DE suggested a temp basal of 1% starting one hour before exercise and extending to an hour afterwards. The nutritionist suggested bolusing unless the carbs are meant to raise BG. I am still trying to get this to work perfectly, but yesterday I came a bit closer. Being a premenopausal female with LADA means I never get a permanent solution because everything changes so.
Loved this!!! Thanks for adding humor to diabetes issues. It can be overwhelming without it. I too test at stoplights (occasionally) and I’m darn good at it!!!
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Great post, Amy! Glad to hear I’m in good company as a testing-while-driving PWD, especially at stop signs and lights. Of course, that’s usually when too little blood gets sucked into the strip or some other error happens, forcing another test that never seems to be possible in the time before it’s your turn to start driving again. Oh well. Yes, punching little kids probably isn’t the best thing. But, at least we can use our imaginations…
As a PWD who was diagnosed back in the old days (1972) … I am happy to report that I do not ever neglect to test. It was SO scary not be able to test back then that I’d rather feel safe from lows and highs. I guess that’s the only advantage I can think of to having been diagnosed way back then!
This is great, thank you! I’m going to forward this to my dad who’s a diabetic…
@Michael H – that “young student” was in college, btw. So far I’ve not stooped to having the urge to punch anyone underage
Amy – I totally chuckled at the urge to sock someone. Isn’t it funny when and where our pent up frustrations can jump up at us?