Re: Introduction

[Guest guest]

---Hi Harold !

I hope that you are doing well and healing quickly.

You have such a wonderful attitude, I give you so much credit.

Glaucoma is very painful. I have glaucoma in my left eye (my blind

eye) and I have had surgery to place a maltino tube into the duct in

this eye to keep the pressure down. The surgery was successful in

keeping the pressure down but my eye waters non stop and it is very

painful. My only options, since I have no vision in this eye due to

having retinopathy, is to have my eye removed and fitted with a glass

eye or to just deal with the pain. the latter is what Iam opting to

do at this point. It beats the alternative.

Iam going on an insulin pump today and my pump trainer will be here

in about an hour...yikes am I nervous !

I would love to chat with you on AOL anytime. My name on instant

messenger is Lilkat1263. You can write to me and tell me your name

on AOL and I will put you on my buddy list

Have a Great day and Be Well,

Diane

In blind-diabetics@y..., HGPhibbs@a... wrote:

> Hi Diane,

>

> Thanks for the welcome. ::smiles: I know what you have been

through. I

> started having vision problem in January of 1999, and after several

laser

> surgeries, I lost sight in the right eye. I was in alot of pain

from glocoma,

> and underwent several cryo operations to stop the pain, and to save

what

> vision I had left, but, we ultimately lost that fight. I am not

bitter, and,

> for some reason that surprises people. We fought, and tried as hard

as we

> could, so I could accept it with that knowledge, and start over.

>

> There is still alot that I have to learn about getting about, but,

each day

> is alittle further, and a little closer to my goal. ::smiles::

>

> I notice that you're on AOL. Perhaps we could chat sometime. I'm

not to bad

> at the whole Instant Messenge thing. ::grins::

>

> Hope you are well,

>

>

> Harold

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

Has your doctor ever talked to you about a pure alcohol injection into the

eye socket? That was a last option that my doctor gave me before the last

surgery. It kills the nerve, and that also kills the pain.

I finally got rid of the majority of the pain. I only have an occational

light headache now, but, when it all started, in the right eye, it was all I

could do to keep from curling up in a ball. I have a high pain thresh hold,

and once we got the right eye settled down, the left eye picked both the

glocoma, and retenopothy.

The injection is usually a last resort, since, I think that it also rules out

any form of transplant, when, the procedure is finally worked out.

The last that I heard, a " cybernetic " eye is only a few years away. although,

I wouldn't call it that. The technology for the imaging is avialible now,

but, the images are less than 20 300 in quality.

Anyway, I have added you to the buddy list. my screen name is hgphibbs, and

hphibbs. I jump between the two. heh

Harold

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I am a client of the North Carolina Division for the Blind. They have

councilors, and give some instruction on independent living, but, they are

more concerned with getting the blind back into the work place. I have

inquired about attending the state rehab center, but, the few people that I

have talked to, wwho have attended it, have given me conflicting reports that

range from horror stories about the way that they treat the attendees, to

saint like handling. THe councilor is reluctant to look into the issues, and

very pushy to get me there.

I'm just alittle wary about attending when the councilors don't want to

discuss it very much, but, really want to put into it in a heart beat.

Harold

[Guest guest]

Let us know it is going with the pump, Diane. I have had both my eyes

removed. One was because it was so painful and watery. It was not a bad

surgery and the eye looks and feels much better. The other eye, although

blind, was cut in a car accident. The only thing I really remeber about

that day is my ophthalmologist saying to me in the E R, was, " I can try to

sew it up or remove it. I told him to remove it since I could n't see with

it anyway. So now I have 2 beautiful blue-green eyes!

Re: Introduction

---Hi Harold !

I hope that you are doing well and healing quickly.

You have such a wonderful attitude, I give you so much credit.

Glaucoma is very painful. I have glaucoma in my left eye (my blind

eye) and I have had surgery to place a maltino tube into the duct in

this eye to keep the pressure down. The surgery was successful in

keeping the pressure down but my eye waters non stop and it is very

painful. My only options, since I have no vision in this eye due to

having retinopathy, is to have my eye removed and fitted with a glass

eye or to just deal with the pain. the latter is what Iam opting to

do at this point. It beats the alternative.

Iam going on an insulin pump today and my pump trainer will be here

in about an hour...yikes am I nervous !

I would love to chat with you on AOL anytime. My name on instant

messenger is Lilkat1263. You can write to me and tell me your name

on AOL and I will put you on my buddy list

Have a Great day and Be Well,

Diane

In blind-diabetics@y..., HGPhibbs@a... wrote:

> Hi Diane,

>

> Thanks for the welcome. ::smiles: I know what you have been

through. I

> started having vision problem in January of 1999, and after several

laser

> surgeries, I lost sight in the right eye. I was in alot of pain

from glocoma,

> and underwent several cryo operations to stop the pain, and to save

what

> vision I had left, but, we ultimately lost that fight. I am not

bitter, and,

> for some reason that surprises people. We fought, and tried as hard

as we

> could, so I could accept it with that knowledge, and start over.

>

> There is still alot that I have to learn about getting about, but,

each day

> is alittle further, and a little closer to my goal. ::smiles::

>

> I notice that you're on AOL. Perhaps we could chat sometime. I'm

not to bad

> at the whole Instant Messenge thing. ::grins::

>

> Hope you are well,

>

>

> Harold

[Guest guest]

Harold, Have you been a client with the Department of Rehabilitation. Every

State has a counselor-teacher program which provides such services as

mobility and independent lving skills training. I don't know where yu live,

but this program, also called the home teacher program, is required in every

state. Good luck. it sounds like you have a great attitude.

Re: Re: Introduction

Hi Diane,

Thanks for the welcome. ::smiles: I know what you have been through. I

started having vision problem in January of 1999, and after several laser

surgeries, I lost sight in the right eye. I was in alot of pain from

glocoma,

and underwent several cryo operations to stop the pain, and to save what

vision I had left, but, we ultimately lost that fight. I am not bitter, and,

for some reason that surprises people. We fought, and tried as hard as we

could, so I could accept it with that knowledge, and start over.

There is still alot that I have to learn about getting about, but, each day

is alittle further, and a little closer to my goal. ::smiles::

I notice that you're on AOL. Perhaps we could chat sometime. I'm not to bad

at the whole Instant Messenge thing. ::grins::

Hope you are well,

Harold

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the information, I'll look into it in the morning. ::smiles::

harold

[Guest guest]

Harold, I know of a couple of diabetics who have made, with the initial help

of sighted relatives, thin strips of carboard that are differant lenghts for

differing amounts of insulin. You put the one of the strip under the wing

of the plunger and pul back until the other end is against the top of the

barrel of the syringe. This is not as accurate as a count-a-dose, but

worked for these people wntil they got either the novalin pen or

count-a-dose,. If you are on coverage, you make lengths of these and always

keep them in order so you can find a 5 unit lenght, 10 unit length-or

whatever length yu want. Another thing to do is call your pharmacy abbout

2 weeks before you are going to need your next order of syringes and tell

them they need to orde them for you so they will be there when you need

them. Most pharmacists are pretty accommadating that way. Good luck. What

kind of syringes do you need for your device?

Re: Introduction

Hello Pat,

Thank you for the welcome. ::smiles:: My glucose levels are slowly coming

down. For the first time since the operation, they stayed under 200 all day,

yesterday, and this morning, they were " normal. " Atleast for the moment. It

will take time, but, we will get it worked out. I do have a general question

though. I have found a device to fill my insoline shots, but, I'm having a

hell of a time finding the right needles for the thing. One month, the

pharmacy has them, and then, they will have everything under the sun, except

for the one's I need. Any advice on how to get the things filled without the

device? This is one of the real pains, since I am determined to do it

myself,

and can't seem to get control of it.

Harold

[Guest guest]

Yes, Maxi Aids does sell the count-a-dose for about $45. Here is the

number for Maxi Aids .

Re: Introduction

Harold, if you are talking about the Count-a-dose, I think that Maxi-Aids

sells it. I don't know for sure because they stock it at the Kaiser

pharmacy where I get my drugs. LaWanda At 08:25 PM 10/9/2002 -0400, you

wrote:

>Where do you get that?

>

>I'm looking for alternatives, since I can't get the right stuff for the

thing

>I have.

>

>Harold

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Harold, I found a number that makes insulin measuring devices availabe for

blind diabetic. It sounds like you have the Load-matic, which uses BD brand

syringes. Her is the number: Science Products (1-. I got this

off the internet. Hope this is helpful.)

Re: Introduction

Filling Surrenges Hi ,

I don't know what's it called anymore. I got it from a mail order catalog

that the school had for people with diasabilities. The thing is really a bar

with a clamp like cup on one end to hold the bottle, and a set of mounts

that

you place the needle into. the bar is notched, and you also have a dial for

filling 1 to 10 units with.

Basically, you put the needle into the mounts, and slide the bottle down

inside the cup, and the needle is inserted. THen, the rear part of the bar

can be pulled back for 10 unit increments, and the dial for 1 to 10 units.

THe device can fill up to 100 units, but, it takes a specif size surrenge,

and I have been having trouble getting the right size on a regular basis. I

was filling my own for about a month, and I felt much better about my

situation, but, since then, I have family members do it.

Now that the doctors have me on a sliding scale, I need the things even more

then ever. I really don't want to have people coming by in the middle of the

day to fill the things.

Hope this helps. I can see if I can get the company name for you. They have

a

web site.

Harold

[Guest guest]

That's unfortunate about your N.C. Rehab Center. We are lucky here in

California. There are 4 (!) blind rehab centers to choose from and all of

them are pretty good. Every client I have sent to them over the last 14

years have been happy with the results. They all seem to have the problems

of personalities who have never met learning to get along with others, but

the training is great.

Re: Re: Introduction

Hi,

I am a client of the North Carolina Division for the Blind. They have

councilors, and give some instruction on independent living, but, they are

more concerned with getting the blind back into the work place. I have

inquired about attending the state rehab center, but, the few people that I

have talked to, wwho have attended it, have given me conflicting reports

that

range from horror stories about the way that they treat the attendees, to

saint like handling. THe councilor is reluctant to look into the issues, and

very pushy to get me there.

I'm just alittle wary about attending when the councilors don't want to

discuss it very much, but, really want to put into it in a heart beat.

Harold

[Guest guest]

---Hi Harold and Hi everybody !

Harold, thanks for mentioning the injection. I have an appointment

on Monday to see my Glaucoma doc and I will be sure to mention it to

him. the last time that I saw him he gave me some eye drops to try

and said that if they didnt help that, " There are a few other things

that we could try " to aleviate the pain. He didnt tell me what

those " Things " were at the time. Needless to say, the drops didnt

help so I will be anxious to see what the next step is.

Thank you again,

Diane

In blind-diabetics@y..., HGPhibbs@a... wrote:

> Hi Diane,

>

> Has your doctor ever talked to you about a pure alcohol injection

into the

> eye socket? That was a last option that my doctor gave me before

the last

> surgery. It kills the nerve, and that also kills the pain.

>

> I finally got rid of the majority of the pain. I only have an

occational

> light headache now, but, when it all started, in the right eye, it

was all I

> could do to keep from curling up in a ball. I have a high pain

thresh hold,

> and once we got the right eye settled down, the left eye picked

both the

> glocoma, and retenopothy.

>

> The injection is usually a last resort, since, I think that it also

rules out

> any form of transplant, when, the procedure is finally worked out.

>

> The last that I heard, a " cybernetic " eye is only a few years away.

although,

> I wouldn't call it that. The technology for the imaging is

avialible now,

> but, the images are less than 20 300 in quality.

>

> Anyway, I have added you to the buddy list. my screen name is

hgphibbs, and

> hphibbs. I jump between the two. heh

>

> Harold

[Guest guest]

---Hi !

Was the pain and watering of your eye caused by Glaucoma?

You certainly have been through an awful lot also.

today was my first full day on the pump and it is going pretty well.

Remember, Iam used to having blood sugar numbers in the 40 - 60 range

all of the time. These " Normal " numbers in the 100 - 125 range feel

awfully high to me. Iam feeling the affects of having high blood

sugar even though, my sugar is not technically high. I guess that my

body will take time to re adjust to this change.

Im glad that you gave me the info that you did about the pump, you

really did help me a great deal when it came to asking my trainer

questions. My real test will be on Sunday when I change sites.

Have a Great night and Thank you again,

Diane

In blind-diabetics@y..., " LaFrance Wolf " <plawolf@e...>

wrote:

> Let us know it is going with the pump, Diane. I have had both my

eyes

> removed. One was because it was so painful and watery. It was not

a bad

> surgery and the eye looks and feels much better. The other eye,

although

> blind, was cut in a car accident. The only thing I really remeber

about

> that day is my ophthalmologist saying to me in the E R, was, " I can

try to

> sew it up or remove it. I told him to remove it since I could n't

see with

> it anyway. So now I have 2 beautiful blue-green eyes!

>

> Re: Introduction

>

>

> ---Hi Harold !

> I hope that you are doing well and healing quickly.

> You have such a wonderful attitude, I give you so much credit.

> Glaucoma is very painful. I have glaucoma in my left eye (my blind

> eye) and I have had surgery to place a maltino tube into the duct in

> this eye to keep the pressure down. The surgery was successful in

> keeping the pressure down but my eye waters non stop and it is very

> painful. My only options, since I have no vision in this eye due to

> having retinopathy, is to have my eye removed and fitted with a

glass

> eye or to just deal with the pain. the latter is what Iam opting to

> do at this point. It beats the alternative.

> Iam going on an insulin pump today and my pump trainer will be here

> in about an hour...yikes am I nervous !

> I would love to chat with you on AOL anytime. My name on instant

> messenger is Lilkat1263. You can write to me and tell me your name

> on AOL and I will put you on my buddy list

> Have a Great day and Be Well,

> Diane

> In blind-diabetics@y..., HGPhibbs@a... wrote:

> > Hi Diane,

> >

> > Thanks for the welcome. ::smiles: I know what you have been

> through. I

> > started having vision problem in January of 1999, and after

several

> laser

> > surgeries, I lost sight in the right eye. I was in alot of pain

> from glocoma,

> > and underwent several cryo operations to stop the pain, and to

save

> what

> > vision I had left, but, we ultimately lost that fight. I am not

> bitter, and,

> > for some reason that surprises people. We fought, and tried as

hard

> as we

> > could, so I could accept it with that knowledge, and start over.

> >

> > There is still alot that I have to learn about getting about, but,

> each day

> > is alittle further, and a little closer to my goal. ::smiles::

> >

> > I notice that you're on AOL. Perhaps we could chat sometime. I'm

> not to bad

> > at the whole Instant Messenge thing. ::grins::

> >

> > Hope you are well,

> >

> >

> > Harold

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

You mentioned that your doctors put in a drain to try to relieve the

preassure? My doctor ultimately did a cryo... something... that involved

freezing the eye, and using a higher powered laser, and somehow restricting

the amount of fluids entering the eye, so, the preassure dropped. He also

" scrapped " The growing viens inside the eyes, and that took some of the

preassure off. I don't remember the exact porcedures, or exactly what they

did, but, it did help me.

The drops never did anything for me at all. It waas like a complete waste of

effort. I hated the itching of stitches, but, the relief of pain was worth

it. Perhaps you could discuss the cryo options, and see what his opinion is.

There are risk involved, including loosing the eye, but, they are relatively

small.

I hope that your appointment goes well, and I'm glad that I could offer a

suggestion.

harold

[Guest guest]

My blood sugars have stayed in the high 200 to nearly 400 since the

transplant. We finally got them to 104 twice in the morning this week, and

for the first time Thursday, they stayed in the 100's all day!! I felt sick

when we finally got my sugars l in the " normal " range. I had gotten adapted

to the high numbers. You will get use to the " normal " range fairly quickly

Diane. ::smiles:: I thought about a pump, but, I'm not sure that I could

handle it. But, then, I don't know very much about it.

Harold

[Guest guest]

Hi Lawanda,

I was thrilled to death to not have to take a insolin shot all day, and that

my sugars were behaving themselves.

Unfortunately, I had a meatball sub for lunch yesterday, and my sugars shot

up to nearly 300 again, and didn''t come back down anywhere near what they

have been this morning. Still, just a few minutes ago, the test came up 170,

and, I will accept that.

Harold

[Guest guest]

Congratulations on gettting your blood sugar down as much as you

have! Happy to hear thath you finally had a day where they were in the

normal range. LaWanda

[Guest guest]

Good luck with the pump changing! I was a wreck the first time I did it.

It ets " old hat " quickly as you become expert at it. Your body will adjust

tot he new " normal " blood sugars and you will feel better because you will

not have as many lows. I'm glad to hear the training went so well. I'm sure

they have a support system where you can call if there are problems too.My

husband calls me " bionic woman " since t I got the pump-now you too are

bionic!

Re: Introduction

>

>

> ---Hi Harold !

> I hope that you are doing well and healing quickly.

> You have such a wonderful attitude, I give you so much credit.

> Glaucoma is very painful. I have glaucoma in my left eye (my blind

> eye) and I have had surgery to place a maltino tube into the duct in

> this eye to keep the pressure down. The surgery was successful in

> keeping the pressure down but my eye waters non stop and it is very

> painful. My only options, since I have no vision in this eye due to

> having retinopathy, is to have my eye removed and fitted with a

glass

> eye or to just deal with the pain. the latter is what Iam opting to

> do at this point. It beats the alternative.

> Iam going on an insulin pump today and my pump trainer will be here

> in about an hour...yikes am I nervous !

> I would love to chat with you on AOL anytime. My name on instant

> messenger is Lilkat1263. You can write to me and tell me your name

> on AOL and I will put you on my buddy list

> Have a Great day and Be Well,

> Diane

> In blind-diabetics@y..., HGPhibbs@a... wrote:

> > Hi Diane,

> >

> > Thanks for the welcome. ::smiles: I know what you have been

> through. I

> > started having vision problem in January of 1999, and after

several

> laser

> > surgeries, I lost sight in the right eye. I was in alot of pain

> from glocoma,

> > and underwent several cryo operations to stop the pain, and to

save

> what

> > vision I had left, but, we ultimately lost that fight. I am not

> bitter, and,

> > for some reason that surprises people. We fought, and tried as

hard

> as we

> > could, so I could accept it with that knowledge, and start over.

> >

> > There is still alot that I have to learn about getting about, but,

> each day

> > is alittle further, and a little closer to my goal. ::smiles::

> >

> > I notice that you're on AOL. Perhaps we could chat sometime. I'm

> not to bad

> > at the whole Instant Messenge thing. ::grins::

> >

> > Hope you are well,

> >

> >

> > Harold

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have been a type II diabetic for a year now on oral medication but, since

about the first six weeks I have been averaging blood sugars around 90 about

95% of the time and when they are high (never higher than 150) I usually

know what I ate to cause it. I have co-workers who keep asking me if I am

sick because I have been keeping mine so low. Only time I felt sick was one

morning when I had a 34 for no reason that we could find, then I felt like I

had a blizzard going on inside me, I don't think I have ever been that cold,

and I live in Arizona where it was about 110 outside at the time.

Rose Combs

rosecombs@...

Re: Re: Introduction

Hi Lawanda,

I was thrilled to death to not have to take a insolin shot all day, and that

my sugars were behaving themselves.

Unfortunately, I had a meatball sub for lunch yesterday, and my sugars shot

up to nearly 300 again, and didn''t come back down anywhere near what they

have been this morning. Still, just a few minutes ago, the test came up 170,

and, I will accept that.

Harold

[Guest guest]

No, Harold, that is not true. At least with the Disetronics pump, and I

think the Mini-Med ( or whatever company bought them out), they have

disconnects on the tubing that is attched between you and your pump. You

can disconnect for as long as an hur without upsetting the applecart. I

think that may have been true witht he original ones, but they have been

been brought up to date.

Re: Re: Introduction

I have heard, although, I don't know, that you can no longer take a " bath " ,

as in, relaxing in a nice tub of warm water, swim, or use a whirlpool after

getting the pump,

Is that true?

harold

[Guest guest]

If it is, forget the pump! I love my jacuzzi! LaWanda At 05:14 PM

10/15/2002 -0400, you wrote:

>I have heard, although, I don't know, that you can no longer take a " bath " ,

>as in, relaxing in a nice tub of warm water, swim, or use a whirlpool after

>getting the pump,

>

>Is that true?

>

>harold

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I recall that it was a big no no when we were talking about periteneum

Dialysis, because of the potential of leakage and infection along the tube.

I suppose that, since it doesn't go to the same places that it is a different

situation, and the person talking about it was mistaken.

harold

[Guest guest]

---Hi Harold !

No, that is not true. I take a shower every day and I just

disconnect from the pump for a short time while showering. I also

have a swimming pool and I was told that some pumps are actually

waterproof, while others are not . The variety that is not

waterproof has to be temporarily disconnected while a person is

swimming, taking a bath or relaxing in a hot tub. Disconnecting

takes me all of about 10 seconds to do without looking, its not a big

deal.

Im learning more and more everyday

Have a Great day,

Diane

In blind-diabetics@y..., HGPhibbs@a... wrote:

> I have heard, although, I don't know, that you can no longer take

a " bath " ,

> as in, relaxing in a nice tub of warm water, swim, or use a

whirlpool after

> getting the pump,

>

> Is that true?

>

> harold

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen Jen and welcome to the list. I am a type II diabetic, also blind

since birth due to Retinitis pigmentosa, I think, or at least that's the

latest diagnosis for me. I live in California with my husband, Dan, and we

have no children. I hope you'll enjoy the list as much as I do, we are a

pretty helpful and supportive group. LaWanda 12:25 AM 8/2/03 +0000, you

wrote:

>Hello, I am new to this list. I joined about two weeks ago, but

>haven't gotten around to introducing myself until now.

>

>My name is Jen, and I'm a 21-year-old college student from BC,

>Canada. I've had type 1 diabetes for almost 12 years now. I am

>in " okay " control--it's not horrible, but it could definately be

>better if I put more energy into it. I am also visually impaired, of

>course, and have been since I was born from retinopathy of

>prematurity. I have minimal usable vision and recently recieved my

>guide dog, a female yellow Lab named Hula.

>

>I've been following the various discussions so far with a lot of

>interest, and look forward to participating on this list!

>

>Jen and Guide Dog Hula

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Lyn

Yes, it does take energy and determination to be in control. I am 60 and

have been diabetic almost 59 years. My doctor told me the other day he has

never met anyone who is so determined to stay in good health. I just told

him that I know toomany diabetics who did not take care of themselves and

passed away at a too early age. I did not want to be one of them. I have 2

grown children and my 3 guide dog, . good luck to you at school-it

can be tough!

Introduction

Hello, I am new to this list. I joined about two weeks ago, but

haven't gotten around to introducing myself until now.

My name is Jen, and I'm a 21-year-old college student from BC,

Canada. I've had type 1 diabetes for almost 12 years now. I am

in " okay " control--it's not horrible, but it could definately be

better if I put more energy into it. I am also visually impaired, of

course, and have been since I was born from retinopathy of

prematurity. I have minimal usable vision and recently recieved my

guide dog, a female yellow Lab named Hula.

I've been following the various discussions so far with a lot of

interest, and look forward to participating on this list!

Jen and Guide Dog Hula

[Guest guest]

Hi Jenn and welcome! It's nice to see another new list member here. I've

been doing a lot of research on carb counting with type 1 diabetes and am

finding it to be a great way to maintain good sugar control. I'm also

looking into getting an insulin pump since I've been type 1 for 25 years and

am wanting my a1c to run 5.0 to 5.4 and I know the only way I can do that,

others may differ, is to get an insulin pump. Do you use one? If so, how do

you like it? If not, have you ever considered getting one?

warm regards,

Introduction

> Hello, I am new to this list. I joined about two weeks ago, but

> haven't gotten around to introducing myself until now.

>

> My name is Jen, and I'm a 21-year-old college student from BC,

> Canada. I've had type 1 diabetes for almost 12 years now. I am

> in " okay " control--it's not horrible, but it could definately be

> better if I put more energy into it. I am also visually impaired, of

> course, and have been since I was born from retinopathy of

> prematurity. I have minimal usable vision and recently recieved my

> guide dog, a female yellow Lab named Hula.

>

> I've been following the various discussions so far with a lot of

> interest, and look forward to participating on this list!

>

> Jen and Guide Dog Hula

>

>