I had my meeting with the Internal Medicine doc today and there is some good news and some bad news. Bad news first.
It really doesn't look like I'll be getting a pump here in Okinawa. There is no Endocrinologist here, and that would be the guy who would get that taken care of. But, on my next visit to the States, I can go to an Endo and get it all started. We'll see.
The good news?
Not only were all of my tests super spectacular, my HbA1C test came back at 5.8%. To put it in perspective for my non-Diebos: The American Diabetes Association suggests that diabetics keep their A1C around 7%. Non-diabetics would have an A1C of between 3.5% and 5.5%. I'm not sure I've ever been so proud of myself. Even more of a reason to have a real blow out of a party this year at my 5th DiaBirthday. I'm pretty ecstatic, even with the non-pump news. Wooo!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Auction!
Today we went to an auction. It was amazing. I guess Phai's House of Jade has an auction every two months (maybe more frequently, maybe less) and sells great stuff for dirt cheap. Ridiculously dirt cheap. Our friends got a $1500 dresser for $15. It had some minor scratches on it, but still! That's a penny on the dollar (right? Am I doing my math right?) Craziness! We got a large vase for five bucks and an Amber pendant and earrings for ten. We could have gotten more but there was a lull in the good stuff. I think next time we'll go earlier. Guess where Christmas presents are coming from??
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
So little to report.
I've been sitting here, fingers poised over my key board, for nearly ten minutes trying to decide what to write about. Matt is enjoying his new job. I am looking for a job.
Really, there isn't much to say. We are having a good time here, doing a bit of exploring, keeping busy. I will let you know when something exciting happens.
Really, there isn't much to say. We are having a good time here, doing a bit of exploring, keeping busy. I will let you know when something exciting happens.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Fourth of July Weekend
Of course my first big holiday out of the States would be the holiday that celebrates everything about the States. Of course. That crankiness said, it was a pretty good holiday weekend -- four days off for Matt. Woohoo!
We spent Thursday doodling around and snorkeling. We learned that I am not a good swimmer and thus not a good snorkeler. When I wasn't afraid of dying in the East China Sea, I did observe some very lovely fish. The colors on those guys are amazing. At the end of the snorkel adventure, we decided it was best to purchase a life vest to prevent the whole Andrea dying and being eaten by pretty fish scenario.
On July Fourth, we gathered our dear friends and took a trip north to the Okinawa Ocean Expo. We were surprised to find most of the Sea World-like park was free. We watched a couple dolphin shows and saw sea turtles, manatees and a gargle fountain. Much like a water fountain, the gargle fountain dispensed Listerine and was used by all six Americans with much enthusiasm. As always, photos are here: http://picasaweb.google.com/never.dexter/IndependenceDay
Matt and I took Molly over to Kadena Air Force Base that evening for the fireworks show. She wasn't scared one bit, but was more interested in the kids around us than the fireworks. One little guy spotted a bat flying around and when his mom told him it was "bat-san," he got super excited that he was seeing "Batman" flying around. It was way cute.
Saturday, Matt and I went down to American Village for some shopping and my first Starbucks since Tucson. There are Okinawa mugs and tumblers for sale that have little Shisa dogs on them. I will have to get one before we leave. For lunch, I had the very Okinawan meal of Taco Rice: taco meat and fix'ns on rice. It's pretty good, actually. And it's served at almost every restaurant.
Well... I'm not sure how to wrap this up smoothly, so I will just say that I love hearing from you and I hope you all have lovely days today. Fin.
We spent Thursday doodling around and snorkeling. We learned that I am not a good swimmer and thus not a good snorkeler. When I wasn't afraid of dying in the East China Sea, I did observe some very lovely fish. The colors on those guys are amazing. At the end of the snorkel adventure, we decided it was best to purchase a life vest to prevent the whole Andrea dying and being eaten by pretty fish scenario.
On July Fourth, we gathered our dear friends and took a trip north to the Okinawa Ocean Expo. We were surprised to find most of the Sea World-like park was free. We watched a couple dolphin shows and saw sea turtles, manatees and a gargle fountain. Much like a water fountain, the gargle fountain dispensed Listerine and was used by all six Americans with much enthusiasm. As always, photos are here: http://picasaweb.google.com/never.dexter/IndependenceDay
Matt and I took Molly over to Kadena Air Force Base that evening for the fireworks show. She wasn't scared one bit, but was more interested in the kids around us than the fireworks. One little guy spotted a bat flying around and when his mom told him it was "bat-san," he got super excited that he was seeing "Batman" flying around. It was way cute.
Saturday, Matt and I went down to American Village for some shopping and my first Starbucks since Tucson. There are Okinawa mugs and tumblers for sale that have little Shisa dogs on them. I will have to get one before we leave. For lunch, I had the very Okinawan meal of Taco Rice: taco meat and fix'ns on rice. It's pretty good, actually. And it's served at almost every restaurant.
Well... I'm not sure how to wrap this up smoothly, so I will just say that I love hearing from you and I hope you all have lovely days today. Fin.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Minor Housekeeping.
All right. First off, check out the picture site http://picasaweb.google.com/never.dexter for newly added photos of our house and the stuff in our house.
Next, to everyone: if you want to let me know how you feel about something in the blog, you can click right below an entry where it says "Comments" and leave a little love note. For everyone with an LJ, or other OpenID username: you can also use that to leave comments. This is the only time I will say this (so as not to be a comment monger) Please leave me comments. Please, please, pretty please with sugar on top.
Lastly, as of tomorrow around noon, I will own a car. My first "my own" car. I am excited, even though it is not a pretty color. You can bet photos will be posted ASAP.
Next, to everyone: if you want to let me know how you feel about something in the blog, you can click right below an entry where it says "Comments" and leave a little love note. For everyone with an LJ, or other OpenID username: you can also use that to leave comments. This is the only time I will say this (so as not to be a comment monger) Please leave me comments. Please, please, pretty please with sugar on top.
Lastly, as of tomorrow around noon, I will own a car. My first "my own" car. I am excited, even though it is not a pretty color. You can bet photos will be posted ASAP.
Doctor, doctor, gimme the news...
I told Matt I was giving the Naval Clinic here two chances to get it right before I went off-base to get my medical help. My first appointment was yesterday and so far, so good.
After several less than enjoyable, less than helpful, and just plain terrible visits to military doctors, I have developed hypertension and a heightened pulse. Hmm... interesting. I am generally healthy (minus the inoperative pancreas) but when that nurse goes to take my blood pressure, things get a little crazy.
This time, to my surprise, the doctor (we'll call him Dr. Nice) actually asked me about it. Huh. I told him, "I just don't like military doctors. My last one suggested I try to get Lipo."
Dr. Nice was incredulous at such a suggestion! He could not believe a doctor would say such a thing! He wanted to know where this happened and who it was... Finally, I felt as though my prior indignation was not unwarranted. I felt vindicated. Dr. Not-Nice really was wrong. Cue sigh of relief.
To top it all off, Dr. Nice told me what labs he was going to have run on me, rather than asking me "So, what tests do you want?"
July 25, I will go in to get a follow up on my tests. I will have a meeting with a CDE (Certified Diabetic Educator) and hopefully we can get a recommendation for an Insulin pump. I know God can and will come through on this, so keep it in your prayers.
After several less than enjoyable, less than helpful, and just plain terrible visits to military doctors, I have developed hypertension and a heightened pulse. Hmm... interesting. I am generally healthy (minus the inoperative pancreas) but when that nurse goes to take my blood pressure, things get a little crazy.
This time, to my surprise, the doctor (we'll call him Dr. Nice) actually asked me about it. Huh. I told him, "I just don't like military doctors. My last one suggested I try to get Lipo."
Dr. Nice was incredulous at such a suggestion! He could not believe a doctor would say such a thing! He wanted to know where this happened and who it was... Finally, I felt as though my prior indignation was not unwarranted. I felt vindicated. Dr. Not-Nice really was wrong. Cue sigh of relief.
To top it all off, Dr. Nice told me what labs he was going to have run on me, rather than asking me "So, what tests do you want?"
July 25, I will go in to get a follow up on my tests. I will have a meeting with a CDE (Certified Diabetic Educator) and hopefully we can get a recommendation for an Insulin pump. I know God can and will come through on this, so keep it in your prayers.
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