Five Random Musings, November 14

1. Today is Sir Frederick Grant Banting's 125th birthday. He was a Canadian medical scientist, physician, painter, and Nobel laureate, noted as the first person to use insulin on humans.

That means today is celebrated as World Diabetes Day!

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and I usually blog more about Type 1 Diabetes, to raise awareness, during the month of November. This month, though, we've been kind of "thrown for a loop" around here. If you regularly read my blog, you have caught occasional glimpses of what's been happening.

2. My Lovely Girl has been battling a staph infection in one of her fingers. We are not even certain how she contracted the infection, but we have our suspicions.

She woke up one morning, with pain in her finger. There was no sign of a wound, at all. She complained of it hurting for a few days; we pretty much just ignored it...until it began developing pus under the skin. Actually, it looked like a developing blister.

We attempted an urgent care clinic in town, but the copay was going to be higher than she could pay. So the next day we went to the county health department. The nurse sent her to a clinic to be seen by a nurse practioner, who took a photo and sent it to a wound specialist. He ordered Jen to go to ER immediately.

They started her on oral antibiotic, and wanted her back 24 hours later, then 48 hours after the second visit. Jen's BFF (who is Tim's girlfriend), took Jen both to the initial ER visit, and the final ER visit; Tim and the girlfriend took her to the middle visit; all three visits were late in the day, involving driving after dark, which I can no longer do.

The final ER visit, they decided they wanted to keep her over night, to get her on antibiotic IV. They also did an MRI, which showed the infection had gotten in to the bone. They wanted to do surgery, to clean out the infection, the next morning. Jen wanted her mother there with her. So, that night after Tim got off work, he drove me to the hospital.

When they did the procedure, they took cultures, of course. We had to wait a couple days for the results. Those results showed a staph infection, but it was not MRSA...praise the Lord. Treatment for the staph infection? They put in a PICC line, to administer long-term antibiotic. All totalled, she will be on the IV antibiotics for 6 weeks.

She was discharged from the hospital on Election Day.

Now we daily change the bandaging on her finger, and change the "ball" of antibiotic. And, naturally, she is missing work. All total, she will be out of work a minimum of 3-4 weeks.

3. What caused this staph infection?

We aren't sure. We have our suspicions. Jen's first thought was possibly a spider bite in the night. Most likely, it was a finger poke, from checking blood sugars, that got infected...quite possibly at work (handling germy money).

(I am not allowed, by the daughter, to publicly post any more pictures of her finger. There are a couple over on my Instagram, but none from after the procedure on her finger, with the drain, nor after the drain was removed)

4. In order to change my driver's license from the previous state to the current state, I needed to have a certified birth certificate. It finally arrived in the mail last Thursday, eight weeks before my fifty-fifth birthday. It's official! I was born!

5. I am toying with the idea of changing my blog name. I don't know what that will entail yet. Just changing the name? Will I be able to change the name portion of the blog address as well? Or will I need to create a whole new blog?

I'll keep you posted!

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Wordless Wednesday, May 25 {with link up}

Our church sponsored a 5K, to raise diabetes awareness. My daughter and I completed it together. My youngest and another young boy from church, along with the lady who, along with her husband, organized the walk, were the first to complete the run/walk.

We were almost last, but at least we completed it! 

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A is for Awareness

Every year in November I try to write at least one post about diabetes awareness. While I am no longer involved in the day to day diabetes care with Jen, I am still very aware that it is a daily battle she fights.

Her battle is intensified, because she cannot afford the supplies she needs. The cost of insulin is outrageously astronomical. Even the cost of testing supplies can be daunting. Neither can she afford the cost of the doctor visits, even when she visits a clinic with a sliding scale fee. Her last A1C, a month or so ago, was the highest it has ever been in her life!

Changes need to be made. Insulin shouldn't cost so much; it's a life or death matter!

I also recently learned that at work, not all of the managers know enough to provide her with reasonable  accommodations for her diabetes care. They don't allow her to have her lunch break at a reasonable length of time after her breakfast or before her supper. I don't know whether they allow breaks for her to check her blood sugars, either...but she tends to keep her levels running on the high side, anyway.

Awareness needs to be raised, regarding diabetes, especially Type 1. The American Diabetes Association attempts to do that. Also jdrf.org.

If you enjoy bicycling, maybe you'd consider joining a JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes, or the Tour de Cure by the American Diabetes Association. Or find a walk, with JDRF or ADA. Jen and I have joined the walk for the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi in the past. These past couple years, I've missed doing it with her.

Would you also please keep my precious girl in your prayers? And if you have a loved one with diabetes, please comment below, so I can pray for him/her. Praying for a cure. Looking forward to heaven, when there will be nor more diabetes, or any other illness.

Blogging Through the Alphabet 

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Things Diabetics Say

(find video here)

Posted in honor of the 11th anniversary of my girl's diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes.

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NEW START

N is for NEW START

I really have been slack in this round of Blogging Through the Alphabet! I guess in November, I just felt like I was on "blogging overload;" then we were dealing with the holidays, as well. Hopefully I can "get back in to it" now, though.

Now, you could look at that phrase, NEW START, in a couple different ways, I suppose. For one, it's the start of a new year. For me, both the start of a new calendar year, but also a new chronological year (since I just had a birthday a few days ago). And usually at the beginning of a new year, people tend to make resolutions, etc.

In this case, NEW START is an acronym.
Nutrition
Exercise
Water
Sunshine
Temperance
Air
Rest
Trust in God

Nutrition 
And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. Genesis 1:29,30, NKJV.

This tells me that God is interested in what we eat, and wants us to eat what is best for our bodies; He is the Creator of our bodies! He created our bodies to consume a plant-based diet. (Notice, He even created all the animals to eat a plant-based diet!)

The American Dietetic Association has finally conceded—a vegetarian diet can supply all the necessary dietary ingredients to maintain health. The prestigious Mayo Clinic endorses a plant-based diet.

Eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts will prevent many diseases and cause others to disappear, largely through anti-inflammatory properties.

A plant-based diet assures one of getting the most antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, and minerals with the least amount of calories. (source)

Exercise
Regular exercise is important, both aerobic and weight-bearing. Weight-bearing exercises will help to keep your muscles toned, which benefits posture as well.

I enjoy watching the Body & Spirit and Body & Spirit Aerobics episodes on 3ABN each morning, and participating along as much as I am able.

Water
Pure water is important.

Our bodies are made up of mostly water. Our brains especially need water. It is important to drink at least 5-8, or more, glasses of water a day. (And, no, substituting any of those glasses with soda, tea, coffee, fruit juice, won’t be as beneficial as plain water!)

We need water to cleanse the outside of our bodies, as well.

Sunlight
Sunlight improves immunity, strengthens bones, and promotes a sense of well-being.

Ten or fifteen minutes in noontime summer sun leads to the production of 10,000 IU (International Units) of Vitamin D, which has proven to decrease the risk for many cancers.

Sunshine also helps ward off heart disease, hypertension, and autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile Diabetes, MS, and even obesity.

Temperance
Abstemiousness. Avoiding those foods and substances that are not healthy, as well as not over-doing those that are healthy. In other words: don’t overeat.

It is also important to have a regular schedule for eating and sleeping, at least. Try to eat at nearly the same times every day as possible. Try going to bed, and getting up, at nearly the same time every day, too.

Air
Fresh, outdoor air. Breathe deeply. Hopefully you don’t live in a smoggy city! ;)

Just think, if you take a walk each day, outdoors, you not only get exercise, but sunshine and fresh air as well.

Rest
You need adequate rest each day. God has also given us a rest day each week! (Genesis 2:2,3) Isn’t He good?!

You know the saying: Early to bed, and early to rise… Make sure you get your sleep (says the one who suffers from insomnia…).

Trust in God
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5,6.

“Casting all your anxiety upon Him for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10.

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 1:2.

If you'd like to read more about NEW START, go to Weimar Institute.

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2013 Gratitude Challenge/Diabetes Awareness Month

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Today is World Diabetes Day.

I am grateful for the progress that has been made in diabetes care. I am also thankful for the continuing research being done, and the search for a cure. It would be wonderful for a cure to be found in Jen's lifetime.

I'll admit, we really didn't do anything here to "celebrate" World Diabetes Day. Ah, well.

What are you grateful for today? Stop by and share on Brenda's blog, and follow along through the month.

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Endocrine system

E is for Endocrine system

What is the Endocrine System?

Although we rarely think about the endocrine system, it influences almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. The endocrine system is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism.

The endocrine system is in charge of body processes that happen slowly, such as cell growth. The foundations of the endocrine system are the hormones and glands. These glands release more than 20 major hormones directly into the bloodstream where they can be transported to cells in other parts of the body.

Some of the major glands that make up the endocrine system include:

• hypothalamus
• pituitary gland
• thyroid
• parathyroids
• adrenal glands
• pancreas

Which brings us to why we are discussing the endocrine system in relation to diabetes. The pancreas is part of the endocrine system, and secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon to control blood sugar levels throughout the day. (Information source: KidsHealth )

How Does the Pancreas Relate to Diabetes?

Simply put, diabetes is the result of a deficiency of insulin, which is found in the endocrine tissue of the pancreas. In people with type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin but the body is not able to use it. Muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond to insulin properly. This is a condition known as insulin resistance. People with insulin resistance need more insulin to help glucose enter the cells. The pancreas tries to keep up with the increased demand for insulin, but eventually fails to produce enough to do so. This causes excess glucose to build up in the bloodstream. Over time, the effects of repeated high blood glucose levels will damage beta cells, further reducing the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin. (dLife)

For a person with Type 1 Diabetes, the pancreas no longer produces any insulin. We pray every day that a cure will be found, for Jen and everyone else who has Type 1 Diabetes.

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Diabetes Awareness Month, November 8

It seems I am moving back and forth between the Diabetes Month Photo a Day, and writing about various diabetes-related topics.

“Friends & Family Friday”--Who in your family or circle of friends has diabetes?

Of course, we already know my daughter, Jen, has Type 1 Diabetes. Also her paternal grandmother has what is referred to as Type 1 1/2.

My father has Type 2. I know he is now taking insulin, so maybe it has become Type 1?

My brother's wife has Diabetes, as did/do her parents.

I know one of my high school classmates has Diabetes, as well.

It seems like there are a few extended-family members who have/had diabetes, also.

Are there any members is in your family who deal with diabetes?

I hope you'll join us throughout the month, as we continue talking about diabetes and diabetes awareness.

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Diabetes Awareness Month Photo a Day

Day 6--Relationship

 We're in this together on a much deeper level now.

I hope you'll join us throughout the month, as we continue talking about diabetes and diabetes awareness.

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Diabetes Awareness Month Photo a Day

Day 5: Advocate

Diabetes Walk, McComb, Mississippi, 2010

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Diabetes Awareness Month Photo a Day/Beauty Captured--Day 96

Again, not necessarily beauty captured, but it is going to become a new aspect of the "every day life" around here. This A1C is definitely lower than the self-check test I did week before last, but it still puts me in the diabetic range. Which means, I have "joined the ranks."

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Diabetes Awareness Month Photo a Day

Day 3: Snacks

Here are a few of our favorite snack items.

I hope you'll join us throughout the month, as we continue talking about diabetes and diabetes awareness.

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Beauty Captured--Day 94

I don't know if this can really be considered beauty captured...but it definitely is something from the "every day life" around here. (November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and I will be posting about it every day--or attempting to!--throughout the month, to help increase awareness)

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Diabetes Awareness Month Photo a Day

Hey! I found a meme to participate in for Diabetes Awareness Month! Kerri, over at Six Until Me is hosting Photo a Day. Using #dmpad

Day 1: Past

This is Jen, about 8 years before she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. It was also shortly after I became a single mom (the first time). I had no car, so we had to walk all over town. I used to load several bags of groceries in the stroller, behind Jen. All that walking kept me in pretty good shape. But can you imagine pushing that stroller in temperatures in the 20s to below 0, with a few inches of snow and ice on the sidewalks?

Day 2: Check

This picture could also fit under the "past" category. Little Bit used to love helping his sister with her blood sugar checks, and even with her insulin injections!

For the past nearly-ten years, she has to check her blood sugar  a minimum of 5 times a day. She has tough finger tips now!

I hope you'll join us throughout the month, as we continue talking about diabetes and diabetes awareness.

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Diabetes Awarness Month

D is for Diabetes Awareness Month

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, did you know that?

This is the month the American Diabetes Association uses to raise awareness of diabetes, and diabetes prevention. Diabetes is a challenging chronic disease which affects the entire family in many ways.

Here are just a few of the recent statistics on diabetes:

• Nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.
• Another 79 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
• The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $245 billion.

JDRF is kicking off National Diabetes Awareness Month by turning the Empire State Building blue! On the evening of November 1—T1Day—New York’s iconic landmark will blaze blue to promote diabetes awareness and show support for the 366 million people worldwide living with both type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes.


If you live in New York City, go out and take a look at the Empire State Building for me tonight, would you please?

A few resources you might want to check out:
American Diabetes Association
National Diabetes Education Program
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
International Diabetes Federation

Three years ago, I posted about diabetes each day through November. I'll be trying to do that again this year...or at least most days throughout the month.

I hope you'll join us throughout the month, as we continue talking about diabetes and diabetes awareness. I also hope you'll continue joining us for this round of Blogging Through the Alphabet.

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B and C {Blogging Through the Alphabet}

Well, I missed last week; and if I don't watch out, I am about to miss this week...because today is the last day to link up for "C"! I'll be doing both "B" and "C" this time.

B is for Blood Sugar

The blood sugar concentration or blood glucose level is the amount of glucose (sugar) present in the blood of a human or animal. The body naturally tightly regulates blood glucose levels as a part of metabolic homeostasis. (Wikipedia)

Another method of checking blood sugar/blood glucose levels is with the A1C. Since I didn't discuss this under the letter "A," I will do that now.

What is a hemoglobin A1c (A1c)?

To explain what an A1c is, think in simple terms. Sugar sticks, and when it's around for a long time, it's harder to get it off. In the body, sugar sticks too, particularly to proteins. The red blood cells that circulate in the body live for about three months before they die. When sugar sticks to these cells, it gives us an idea of how much sugar has been around for the preceding three months. In most labs, the normal range is 4-5.9 %. In poorly controlled diabetes, its 8.0% or above, and in well controlled patients it's less than 7.0%. The benefits of measuring A1c is that is gives a more reasonable view of what's happening over the course of time (3 months), and the value does not bounce as much as finger stick blood sugar measurements. (MedicineNet.com)

So, just what are normal blood sugar and A1C levels supposed to be? Normal fasting blood sugar levels should be below 100 mg/dl. And a normal A1C should be below 5.7%.

As I mentioned last time, the boys and I were participating in the Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet, at the University of Florida, when we lived in Florida. And at that time, I was prediabetes, or at least on the verge of being prediabetes. But lately I've been feeling like symptoms have been increasing (I'll discuss symptoms later).

Friday I really wasn't feeling too well after lunch. I checked my blood pressure first. It was a little high. Then I used Jen's glucometer; my blood sugar was 155, which was about 2 hours after we'd eaten.

Then I sent Jen to see if the store here in town had a selfcheck A1C kit. They did. So she brought one home for me. Now, it may or may not be accurate. For one, it is beyond the use-by date. For two, this video indicates it may be off a little bit. So, for what it's worth:

This morning I asked Jen to use her meter again, for a fasting blood sugar.

Now, it could be a little skewed, because I am currently fighting a cold. Still, I think it's definitely time for me to try coming up with the money to go see a doctor. What do you think?

B is also for Bolus

Bolus: The amount of insulin used to cover the carbohydrates you are eating or to correct for a high blood glucose. You usually bolus before a meal or snack. (Planet D)

Which brings us to:
C is for Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates (AKA Carbs): Another word for sugars. The main source of energy for the body. Carbs get digested quickly and easily into glucose. Carbs are the foods that affect blood glucose the most. Examples of carbs are fruits, starchy vegetables, breads, pastas, rice, sugar, syrup and honey. (Planet D) 

C is also for Counting Carbs

Because carbs are what affect blood glucose the most, one of the main things a person with diabetes must do is keep track of how many carbs are taken in, so one knows how much insulin to take.

One serving size of carbs is usually 15 grams. You should aim for about 45-60 grams of carbs per meal. Here is more information on carb counting. The Diabetes Carbohydrate & Fat Gram Guide, 4th Edition, is an excellent tool in helping to figure carb intake. You'll find other useful books here, as well.

I hope you'll continue following along on this round of Blogging Through the Alphabet! In the meantime, have a great week!

 Be sure to join the others who are Blogging Through the Alphabet. You'll find "B" here; and "C" here.

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A is for Autoimmune

Welcome to round 4 of Blogging Through the Alphabet! I've been trying to decide on a general theme for this round, or if I even wanted to have a theme or not. I think this round, we'll discuss diabetes, particularly Type 1, since it has such a major impact upon our family.

Just what is autoimmunity?

Autoimmunity is the failure of an organism in recognizing its own constituent parts as self, thus leading to an immune response against its own cells and tissues. Any disease that results from such an aberrant immune response is termed an autoimmune disease. (Wikipedia)

True, Type 1 Diabetes is not the only autoimmune disease. Here is a List of Autoimmune and Autoimmune-Related Diseases.

Particular autoimmune disorders are frequently classified into organ-specific disorders and non-organ-specific types. Autoimmune processes can have various results, for example, slow destruction of a specific type of cells or tissue, stimulation of an organ into excessive growth, or interference in its function. Organs and tissues frequently affected include the endocrine gland, such as thyroid, pancreas, and adrenal glands; components of the blood, such as red blood cells; and the connective tissues, skin, muscles, and joints. Some autoimmune diseases fall between the two types. Patients may experience several organ-specific diseases at the same time. There is, however little overlap between the two ends of the spectrum.

In organ-specific disorders, the autoimmune process is directed mostly against one organ. Examples, with the organ affected, include Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (thyroid gland), pernicious anemia (stomach), Addison’s disease (adrenal glands), and type 1 diabetes (pancreas).

In non-organ-specific disorders, autoimmune activity is widely spread throughout the body. Examples include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), and dermatomyositis. (American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.)

As you know, if you've been following my blog for awhile, that Jen has Type 1 Diabetes. This coming January it will be ten years ago when she was diagnosed. While we lived in Florida, her brothers and I participated in a study to help determine family connection. The boys always tested negative for any of the antibodies, but I tested positive for two or three antibodies connected with diabetes.

Unfortunately the testing ended when we moved here to Mississippi. It's really time for me to have some blood work done again! I'll let you know what I find out, when/if I am able to get that blood work done. ;-)

I hope you'll continue following along on this round of Blogging Through the Alphabet! In the meantime, have a great week!

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The Roller Coaster. Again.

About a year ago, Jen had her final doctor's appointment before being kicked off Medicaid, because she was turning 19. (Now, in less than two weeks she will be 20!)

She has spent the past year uninsured, because she can't find a job in this tiny, rinky-dink town. Yes, she did have a part-time job for a few months, until she was fired because she wouldn't work on the Sabbath (Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Genesis 2:1-3. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:8-11.). That job did not offer insurance, nor would it have been affordable to her, on what little she was earning.

At that doctor's appointment approximately a year ago, we asked the medical care provider what options, what assistance, there might be for Jen to be able to get her insulin and other diabetes supplies.

Well, she gave us information for applying to an assistance program. Jen filled out the application, sent in the $15.00 processing fee, then waited, for months, and months, and months. In January, she received a letter stating the Lantus (long-acting insulin) would be sent to the doctor's office shortly, and she'd be able to pick it up there. So, we waited some more.

She applied through another program for Novolog (fast acting insulin), and has never heard back from them.

In the mean time, how was she to be getting the insulin she needed? Not to mention pen needles/syringes, test strips, lancets?

Fortunately, an online friend sent us a box with test strips, syringes, and lancets. I think my father gave her some syringes.

As for insulin, she has spent the past 9 months or more basically going on samples of insulin the doctor's office might just happen to have on hand. Talk about stressful! She never knows if, when she actually needs more insulin, they will have some on hand!

And it stresses me, because often (too often) she waits until she has maybe only 2 or 3 doses left on hand!

Three or four weeks ago, when she went in to the doctor's office to see if the had any samples available, they informed her that before she could ask for more samples, she'd have to make a doctor's appointment, and have an A1C done, and have a new prescription written up.

If you've been a regular reader of my blog, you may remember that I went about 2 months or so without receiving any child support. So I had no money on hand to be able to pay for her doctor's visit. Hubby's checks are always stretched to the limit, so there was no way he could help out, either. So as soon as I finally received some money, we immediately made an appointment for her.

We will not share what her A1C was! So, don't even ask! ;-) But I guess her medical care provider finally realized how hard the past year had been, as far as Jen being able to get her insulin and supplies.

So, this year, she told us what we need to do is go straight to the company, to request free medication...instead of going through a prescription assistance program. You see, going through an assistance program, you have to pay something (even though it may seem minimal to most people). But going straight to the drug company, you should be able to receive the medication for free.

One question I have is: Why didn't she tell us this a year ago, when Jen and I had specifically asked what programs, assistance, or resources were available for Jen in her situation.

She told us to go to the website, find the application and fill it out. When we went to the website for Lantus, we found that the medical care provider has to fill out the application, not the patient. So we had to call back to the doctor's office to tell her that.

Finally, today, the application for Lantus, as well as one for Novolog, are on their way.

But this morning Jen used her last dose of Lantus (or maybe it was Lavamir this time, which is also a long-acting insulin, but is not as effective for Jen as Lantus is). So off we went to the doctor's office, to see if they had samples, as well as pick up the paperwork to send in for her insulin.

This time, they did not have any samples. This time, the medical care provider had to write up a prescription. This time we were going to have to "bite the bullet" and pay the mega-bucks to buy one vial of insulin (which will last only about 2 weeks).

We checked the cost at Fred's here in town. Then I got on the phone and called Walgreens, Winn Dixie, and WalMart in Zachary, Louisiana, and Walgreens, CVS, and WalMart in McComb, to compare prices. We also went to the other pharmacy here in town. Prices ranged from $164.00 at the Walgreens in Zachary, to $200.00 at Fred's here in town. The other pharmacy here cost $186.00.

By this time, it was after 3:00 in the afternoon. Neither Tim nor I wanted to drive the 30+ miles to Zachary. And with the cost of gas, we might only save about $10-15, anyway!

Now I don't know if I'll be able to buy groceries for the next week or so! <rolls eyes>

The point I want to make, if you find yourself without insurance (like all four adults in this household are), tell your medical care provider that you need for them to check in to the possibility of getting your medication for free from the drug company. I think in most cases, the medical provider has to be the one to initiate the application process, not the patient.

Second, if you do need to purchase medication, shop around!

And now I have a request: would you please pray with us that the process with the Lantus will be expedited, so she will have her first 3-month supply on hand before this vial of insulin is all gone? We would appreciate your prayers extremely.

Thank you very much.

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X is for Xylose {Blogging Through the Alphabet}

X is for Xylose

How on earth did I come up with that word? Well, I was trying to come up with a word that starts with "X" for this post, so I went hunting! ;-)

What in the world is Xylose?

A white or colorless, crystalline pentose sugar, derived from xylan (the pentosan occurring in woody tissue that hydrolyzes to xylose), straw, corncobs, etc., by treating with heated dilute sulfuric acid, and dehydrating to furfural if stronger acid is used. It is extracted by hydrolysis with acids and used in dyeing, tanning, and in foods as a substitute for sucrose in diabetic diets.

Have you heard of Xylitol? This is a sweet white crystalline alcohol derived from xylose and used as a sugar substitute.

Mercy! I don't know about anyone else, but I certainly don't think that is something I want in my daughter's diet! I guess we'll be reading labels even more closely.

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Different Sugars Have Different Effects on Brain - ABC News

Different Sugars Have Different Effects on Brain - ABC News Pin It Now!