Amazing Improvement in 2 Weeks!

I'm amazed...simply blown away.  God has shown me such kindness by placing me with a Nurse Practitioner who truly knows her stuff.  She doesn't just tell me what to do - she listens to me and suggests things based on what I know about how my body responds.

It's been 2 weeks since my appointment with Carrie and right from the start I noticed a difference in my numbers.  After 2 weeks, I'm truly excited about what I'm seeing - it's not just a fluke or a one time deal...it's real, actual improvement!  After years of struggling with a seemingly hopeless roller coaster, a recent attitude change on my part, and a slight insulin tweak, I'm seeing a huge difference in my numbers for the better!  See for yourself! 

Here are the stats:

• From January 10-16 (Week 1), my average blood sugar was 197.  The red line shows my average number for this week.
• From January 17-23 (Week 2), my average blood sugar was 156.  The blue line shows my average number for this week.
• There is a 21% average blood sugar improvement between Week 1 & 2. 
• Week 1 has 33% in target.
• Week 2 has 47% in target!

Thank you all for following my Diabetic Journey, and for walking with me as I continue to take steps to improve my blood sugar numbers.  Achieving a normal A1C has always seemed like an impossible feat, but as I press on toward the goal and rest in Jesus's strength and power I see the impossible become possible.

Stay on Target

I went in for fasting labs on Monday morning.  They were quick and painless...3 tubes full of blood and I was done.   

On Wednesday, I got an email saying that my transmitter had finally been shipped...and what's more, it had already been delivered!  I ran out of the bedroom to find that it was laying on the kitchen floor in the FedEx box, which DP had brought in before he left for work.  I opened it up and praised God for its timely delivery (it had been over-nighted to me before I knew it had even been shipped!).  I would've put it on right then and there but I was delayed by a family emergency.  ;)

Today, I went in for my 3pm appointment.  After the nurse went over the usual questions and medicine doses, Carrie came in to discuss my numbers and lab work.  The first thing she pointed out was my A1C.  It had dropped a whole percentage from 11.1 to 10.1!!  I was so thrilled!  I reached my goal for August!

She then went on to say that both my HDL & LDL cholesterol levels were normal and the rest of my lab work came back normal.  Even my thyroid is where it should be!  I couldn't believe it!  Even though my A1C is still high, I found it to be a very good health report card!

She suggested that I start my Dexcom today and set my low at 70 and not to set my high alert so that I wouldn't get annoyed at it right off the bat for going off all the time.  Every week or two I'll set it 50 points lower until I get it down to about 200.  I'll be coming back in 6 weeks so they can see how my Dexcom is doing.

I told her I'd be pressing on toward my next goal...9%!!  And 7% by the year's end.  She smiled and said, "Then you can start baby-making."  Yup!   

After watching the tutorial video, I now have my Dexcom sensor and transmitter in place.  My receiver is all set up and ready for action.  At 6:45pm, I'll do my first calibration session.  Until then, I've got a yummy dinner to make in celebration of this wonderful news and God's goodness!

My Dexcom Finally Arrived!

Yesterday, my Dexcom finally arrived in the mail. It came with a box of 4 sensors, too, but the transmitter was not included in the order. It is still being processed. There was a hiccup with the insurance company and Dexcom. They thought that I had ordered 2 transmitters and so they weren't going to cover the 2nd one. However, someone misread or misunderstood and thought that that meant BOTH transmitters were denied...so Dexcom didn't send me ANY. 

I'm still waiting to hear from Dexcom about the status of the transmitter. I tried to see if the problem originated in my endo's office but I couldn't get through in time. Thankfully I am going in on Monday and Thursday next week for labs and an appointment so I'll be able to talk to them then. Sadly, until my transmitter comes, I can't start using my Dexcom. It is a pretty cool looking device though, and it's so nice to finally have it in my hands.

Awaiting Their Decision and More Good Numbers!

I decided to call the insurance company today to check on the status of my Dexcom authorization.  They are still in process of making the decision and probably won't have it made until next week.  *sigh*  I'm depressed. 

Thankfully, my numbers have continued to remain in my target range for the past 3 days.  I'm so happy to finally be on a positive roll with them.  I don't remember them ever being so good for so long.  That's sad, but also encouraging.  I am getting closer to my endo appointment on the 28th and I'm really hopeful about my A1C.  I'm pretty sure it will be much better than May's A1C at 11.1%.  If it dips down into the 10% range, I'll have met my first goal.
 
A1C Goals:
August - 10%
September - 9%
October - 8 %
November - 7%
December 31, 2014 - 7% or lower

Of course, I won't be able to check my A1C every month (only every 3 months, I think) so my next check should be November sometime. 

Today, my numbers have all been between 166 and 127! 
12:30am - 127
1:15am - 143 (bedtime)
10:45am - 144 (wake up - it stayed perfect all night!!)
11:25am - 166 (Basal insulin given)
12:50pm - 165
4:45pm - 152

Average BG so far - 149.5!

My Personal Goals

Since my next appointment is on August 28 at 3pm, I figured it would be a good idea to set some goals to meet by then.  I have 33 days from now.

By August 28, I am going to try to get my A1C down into the 10% range.  My A1C in May was 11.1%, so anything in the 10% range would be an improvement.  

My big goal after that is to get my A1C down to 7% by December 31, 2014 (year’s end).  That puts me at a little over 1% per month.  I will accomplish this in several ways:

• Stay on top of correcting high blood sugars and giving accurate food boluses.

• Use the Dexcom (whenever I get it) to track my blood sugar patterns and trajectories. 

• Use my secret weapon – namely, GC Control from Melaleuca – whenever I am able to order it.  
  
  

I think blogging about these goals and my progress will help me stay accountable and diligent.  If you are a diabetic, I hope I can help you in some way.  Likewise, I would appreciate help from you!  Thank you for joining me on my journey!