Re: still no luck with voicemate

[Guest guest]

Vicky,

The first thing is to turn the meter so that the curve is facing up-it is

much easier to find the curve that way. Second, when you stick and squeeze

your finger, don't feel it, just assume there is blood there and with the

opposite hand, push the strip from the end toward the machine (not hard-just

enough so that you will not let the strip move as you are applying blood),

then wipe your stuck finger from right to left along the curve. That way,

almost always you will get enough blood in the little notch. Only if your

finger does not have enough blood will it fail. I often have to stick my

finger several times to get enough blood. Always make sure your finger is

warm.

still no luck with voicemate

Guys, I " m getting frustrated, I need some more help here. I have gotten a

reading once with a sighted person putting my finger where it should go. I

called the customer service people with my son doing the checks of the meter

and everything is fine. it seems that I am doing something wrong. I have

been diligent, a couple of nights ago pricking my fingers 12 times to get

the thing right. I certainly don't want to live that that! Last night I

had a friend watch me, and he said I was smearing my blood. Well, after I

stick it I often feel it on my finger to make sure there is really blood,

the quickly go to the voicemate and put it right on that little spot in the

curve, where there is a finger nail notch. I move it back and forth a bit,

but leave it there. Someone whowed me how to push my finger without feeling

it. So, palm up as the tape says, here I am. It's a nightmare, and I feel

tht it is probably a little thing. Can someone think of something, please?

I'd appreciate it. Sorry this was so long.

Vicki

" For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring

with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. Then we who are alive and

remain

will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the

air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. " (1 Thessalonians 4:14 & 17)

[Guest guest]

Vicki:

As with much else in life, the key is: practice, practice, practice. I

suspect your sighted advisor is correct; you are smearing the blood.

Feeling for the blood with the other hand (or a different finger on the

same hand, for that matter) is not a good idea; the bllod will have

smeared and/or dried by the time you get the stuck finger to the strip.

A better notion is to feel the curve with the slot within it with the

finger that is to be pricked. Then move the finger away slightly and

prick. Squeeze the finger two or three seconds with the thumb of the

*same* hand as the pricked finger, taking care not to move the pricked

finger. Now touch it to the slot in the curve on the strip, holding the

finger flat. There should be a drop of blood that will be sucked up into

the slot. This takes some doing and practice. But the worst thing you

can do is make it harder than it needs to be. Don't take more than two

seconds after the prick to touch the strip. And you'll acquiare the

coordination to get the blood in the right spot. Cultivate the skill of

remembering where you pricked the finger so you can aim properly.

I know it seems hard; I was terribly frustrated when I started. But keep

at it. You'll get there. You'll eventually develop your own technique.

Then after about a month, reread the tape. It makes even more sense the

second time around.

Good luck! Hang in there!

Mike Freeman

> Guys, I " m getting frustrated, I need some more help here. I have gotten a

reading once with a sighted person putting my finger where it should go. I

called the customer service people with my son doing the checks of the meter and

everything is fine. it seems that I am doing something wrong. I have been

diligent, a couple of nights ago pricking my fingers 12 times to get the thing

right. I certainly don't want to live that that! Last night I had a friend

watch me, and he said I was smearing my blood. Well, after I stick it I often

feel it on my finger to make sure there is really blood, the quickly go to the

voicemate and put it right on that little spot in the curve, where there is a

finger nail notch. I move it back and forth a bit, but leave it there. Someone

whowed me how to push my finger without feeling it. So, palm up as the tape

says, here I am. It's a nightmare, and I feel tht it is probably a little

thing. Can someone think of something, please? I'd apprec

ia

> te it. Sorry this was so long.

> Vicki

> " For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with

Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. Then we who are alive and remain

> will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the

air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. " (1 Thessalonians 4:14 & 17)

>

>

[Guest guest]

Vicki:

As with much else in life, the key is: practice, practice, practice. I

suspect your sighted advisor is correct; you are smearing the blood.

Feeling for the blood with the other hand (or a different finger on the

same hand, for that matter) is not a good idea; the bllod will have

smeared and/or dried by the time you get the stuck finger to the strip.

A better notion is to feel the curve with the slot within it with the

finger that is to be pricked. Then move the finger away slightly and

prick. Squeeze the finger two or three seconds with the thumb of the

*same* hand as the pricked finger, taking care not to move the pricked

finger. Now touch it to the slot in the curve on the strip, holding the

finger flat. There should be a drop of blood that will be sucked up into

the slot. This takes some doing and practice. But the worst thing you

can do is make it harder than it needs to be. Don't take more than two

seconds after the prick to touch the strip. And you'll acquiare the

coordination to get the blood in the right spot. Cultivate the skill of

remembering where you pricked the finger so you can aim properly.

I know it seems hard; I was terribly frustrated when I started. But keep

at it. You'll get there. You'll eventually develop your own technique.

Then after about a month, reread the tape. It makes even more sense the

second time around.

Good luck! Hang in there!

Mike Freeman

> Guys, I " m getting frustrated, I need some more help here. I have gotten a

reading once with a sighted person putting my finger where it should go. I

called the customer service people with my son doing the checks of the meter and

everything is fine. it seems that I am doing something wrong. I have been

diligent, a couple of nights ago pricking my fingers 12 times to get the thing

right. I certainly don't want to live that that! Last night I had a friend

watch me, and he said I was smearing my blood. Well, after I stick it I often

feel it on my finger to make sure there is really blood, the quickly go to the

voicemate and put it right on that little spot in the curve, where there is a

finger nail notch. I move it back and forth a bit, but leave it there. Someone

whowed me how to push my finger without feeling it. So, palm up as the tape

says, here I am. It's a nightmare, and I feel tht it is probably a little

thing. Can someone think of something, please? I'd apprec

ia

> te it. Sorry this was so long.

> Vicki

> " For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with

Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. Then we who are alive and remain

> will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the

air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. " (1 Thessalonians 4:14 & 17)

>

>

[Guest guest]

See what I mean about slightly different methods? I don't like the strip

" up " as one can no longer hold the finger flat and blood may drip.

But is right; run your finger/hands under warm water for a

couple minutes. that helps.

Mike

> Vicky,

> The first thing is to turn the meter so that the curve is facing up-it is

> much easier to find the curve that way. Second, when you stick and squeeze

> your finger, don't feel it, just assume there is blood there and with the

> opposite hand, push the strip from the end toward the machine (not hard-just

> enough so that you will not let the strip move as you are applying blood),

> then wipe your stuck finger from right to left along the curve. That way,

> almost always you will get enough blood in the little notch. Only if your

> finger does not have enough blood will it fail. I often have to stick my

> finger several times to get enough blood. Always make sure your finger is

> warm.

>

> still no luck with voicemate

>

> Guys, I " m getting frustrated, I need some more help here. I have gotten a

> reading once with a sighted person putting my finger where it should go. I

> called the customer service people with my son doing the checks of the meter

> and everything is fine. it seems that I am doing something wrong. I have

> been diligent, a couple of nights ago pricking my fingers 12 times to get

> the thing right. I certainly don't want to live that that! Last night I

> had a friend watch me, and he said I was smearing my blood. Well, after I

> stick it I often feel it on my finger to make sure there is really blood,

> the quickly go to the voicemate and put it right on that little spot in the

> curve, where there is a finger nail notch. I move it back and forth a bit,

> but leave it there. Someone whowed me how to push my finger without feeling

> it. So, palm up as the tape says, here I am. It's a nightmare, and I feel

> tht it is probably a little thing. Can someone think of something, please?

> I'd appreciate it. Sorry this was so long.

> Vicki

> " For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring

> with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. Then we who are alive and

> remain

> will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the

> air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. " (1 Thessalonians 4:14 & 17)

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicki,

When I first got my Voice Mate I had the same problems. I wasn't aware at

that time that there was a list such as this. It takes a while to know

exactly how to do this right. However, once you learn it, Harry Bates is

right. This monitor is your best friend. Don't touch the blood on your

finger to see if it's there. Just put your finger on the notch in the

curve. The reason is because if you touch your finger the blood will smear.

If I can help[ you in any other way you may mail me off list at:

rainbow1@...

I hope this helps.

Sharon

still no luck with voicemate

> Guys, I " m getting frustrated, I need some more help here. I have gotten a

> reading once with a sighted person putting my finger where it should go.

> I called the customer service people with my son doing the checks of the

> meter and everything is fine. it seems that I am doing something wrong. I

> have been diligent, a couple of nights ago pricking my fingers 12 times to

> get the thing right. I certainly don't want to live that that! Last

> night I had a friend watch me, and he said I was smearing my blood. Well,

> after I stick it I often feel it on my finger to make sure there is really

> blood, the quickly go to the voicemate and put it right on that little

> spot in the curve, where there is a finger nail notch. I move it back and

> forth a bit, but leave it there. Someone whowed me how to push my finger

> without feeling it. So, palm up as the tape says, here I am. It's a

> nightmare, and I feel tht it is probably a little thing. Can someone

> think of something, please? I'd appreciate it. Sorry this was so long.

> Vicki

> " For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring

> with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. Then we who are alive and

> remain

> will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the

> air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. " (1 Thessalonians 4:14 & 17)

>

>

[Guest guest]

If you wrap a rubber band tight around your finger, that will also help get

more blood too.

Arlene

still no luck with voicemate

Guys, I " m getting frustrated, I need some more help here. I have gotten a

reading once with a sighted person putting my finger where it should go. I

called the customer service people with my son doing the checks of the meter

and everything is fine. it seems that I am doing something wrong. I have

been diligent, a couple of nights ago pricking my fingers 12 times to get

the thing right. I certainly don't want to live that that! Last night I

had a friend watch me, and he said I was smearing my blood. Well, after I

stick it I often feel it on my finger to make sure there is really blood,

the quickly go to the voicemate and put it right on that little spot in the

curve, where there is a finger nail notch. I move it back and forth a bit,

but leave it there. Someone whowed me how to push my finger without feeling

it. So, palm up as the tape says, here I am. It's a nightmare, and I feel

tht it is probably a little thing. Can someone think of something, please?

I'd appreciate it. Sorry this was so long.

Vicki

" For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring

with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. Then we who are alive and

remain

will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the

air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. " (1 Thessalonians 4:14 & 17)

[Guest guest]

Dear Vickie,

Sharon, Mike and Pat have given you excellent advice. As a person who used to

jab 2 or 3 times or once, even 7 times to get a juicy drop for the strip, I

understand your frustration. The rubber band and warm water make it worlds

easier.

Mike was also right when he said you would develop your own technique with

practice. You or the group might get a chuckle out of my method. I can't see the

strip or blood either and do my checking completely by touch. Well, I actually

can see the blood, but if I put my finger close enough to see the blood, I smear

it with my nose!!! I hold the pricked finger still, pointed away from me,

parallel with the floor. I pick the machine up with the other hand and bump the

strip against my finger. I can't explain this, but I just have a sense for where

to aim, and this did get better with practice. Probably as part of my struggle

with denial, I didn't listen to the tape so I didn't know how I was supposed to

match the strip and drop of blood. Picking up the acu check is just what came

naturally and it works smoothly for me.

One of the very crucial points Mike made is to be quick. I've learned from

experience that when I get nervous and unsure of myself and doodle around, the

blood gets smeared or dries up. Doing it quick is wonderful. The machine likes

absolutely fresh blood, ahahhahahahah, and it's a relief to get it over with.

some of the people on this list are quite stoic and don't mind the jabs, but I

think they are a pain, literally and the quicker I do the test, the easier it is

on my feelings and nerves...again, literally.

Good luck, Vickie. Let us know how it is going today, tomorrow and the next day

and don't feel embarrassed if it takes a while for the process to become

reliable and automatic for you. It was an ordeal for me longer than for many

people. I think I improved to spare myself the dread and jitters. One day you'll

feel very in charge and know before you start that you'll hit the mark and get

your results. When I open up my flower covered wooden box and grab a couple

wipes and a lancet and test strip, I think, OK, you guys, you are not

implements of torture. You are just little objects who will do what I want you

to do. In a couple of seconds you'll help me to hear my numbers which, if they

are low enough, are a big reward!

Always With Love,

Lissi

still no luck with voicemate

Guys, I " m getting frustrated, I need some more help here. I have gotten a

reading once with a sighted person putting my finger where it should go. I

called the customer service people with my son doing the checks of the meter and

everything is fine. it seems that I am doing something wrong. I have been

diligent, a couple of nights ago pricking my fingers 12 times to get the thing

right. I certainly don't want to live that that! Last night I had a friend

watch me, and he said I was smearing my blood. Well, after I stick it I often

feel it on my finger to make sure there is really blood, the quickly go to the

voicemate and put it right on that little spot in the curve, where there is a

finger nail notch. I move it back and forth a bit, but leave it there. Someone

whowed me how to push my finger without feeling it. So, palm up as the tape

says, here I am. It's a nightmare, and I feel tht it is probably a little

thing. Can someone think of something, please? I'd appreciate it. Sorry this

was so long.

Vicki

" For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with

Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. Then we who are alive and remain

will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the

air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. " (1 Thessalonians 4:14 & 17)

[Guest guest]

You've been getting all kinds of good advice. Just another point or two. If

you have ever had sight, you will recall how a bubble or bead of blood looks.

Well, don't ever touch your finger because you flatten this bead, which is the

key to having a relatively easy time of satisfying the meter's requirements for

a good sample. AS Mike said, practice, practice, practice. What seems very

awkward now will be second nature in a very short time. I can get a good sense

if I have a good sample by how the strip feels when I touch my finger to it. If

the strip feels dry, it's usually because I don't have a good sample of blood,

but when it feels wet as I run my finger along the inside part of the curve, it

usually means I have a good sample. If the meter beeps right away, that of

course means it was a good sample, and conversely, if it doesn't beep, it means

it isn't getting blood. Just stick with it, it will come to you, all of us will

testify to that.

Dave

still no luck with voicemate

Guys, I " m getting frustrated, I need some more help here. I have gotten a

reading once with a sighted person putting my finger where it should go. I

called the customer service people with my son doing the checks of the meter and

everything is fine. it seems that I am doing something wrong. I have been

diligent, a couple of nights ago pricking my fingers 12 times to get the thing

right. I certainly don't want to live that that! Last night I had a friend

watch me, and he said I was smearing my blood. Well, after I stick it I often

feel it on my finger to make sure there is really blood, the quickly go to the

voicemate and put it right on that little spot in the curve, where there is a

finger nail notch. I move it back and forth a bit, but leave it there. Someone

whowed me how to push my finger without feeling it. So, palm up as the tape

says, here I am. It's a nightmare, and I feel tht it is probably a little

thing. Can someone think of something, please? I'd apprecia

te it. Sorry this was so long.

Vicki

" For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with

Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. Then we who are alive and remain

will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the

air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. " (1 Thessalonians 4:14 & 17)