Apidra (Insulin) Bottles

After having a bout with “insulin sensitivity” – another one of those confounding and numerous ‘sicknesses’ involved with diabetes, my endocrinologist gave me Apidra.  Due to using a buffered insulin called Novolog in my insulin pump for the last eight years, I felt it was time for a change.   I mean,  I physically could feel it was time for a change.  My  Novolog use had no longer fulfilled my expectations: blood sugar balancing.  It was just not working the way I wanted it to work!  My blood sugars were crazily sporadic for years until I went through a ‘bottoming-out period.’  After a reading of 512 with ketones, I was angry. 

As a pro-active and busy individual, my personal research into this quandary was self-convincing.  Sure, I was sick.  I blamed it on being ‘insulin sensitive.’  When my diabetes is out of control, not only is my body internally and outwardly ill, but my mind and spirit follow suit.  I can feel it.  My soul hurt.  I had to strongly convince this latest doctor that my insulin be changed.

As mentioned in “My Diabetic Soul – An Autobiography,” a partial and personal belief to this conundrum involves the flippant hormone changes during menopause.  Through personal research once again, scientific research into this phase of a diabetic (woman’s) life is non-existent. You see, too many juvenile diabetics die before having the opportunity to experience this particular ‘adventure.’ 

The Apidra was a miracle solution!  After the first three hours of use, my blood sugar level not only dropped 200 points, but my self – inner and outer – became totally rejuvenated!  Amazing!  I could be happy once again!  Just a meagre three hours of use remedied months – months! – of issued fatigued and wearying fright.

After the initial focus of getting and maintaining wellness, I realized that storing and carrying this little vial of liquid preciousness was unexplainable. Throughout my life with this disease, insulin changes have occurred. No big deal.  But those vials were always the same shape and size, fitting perfectly into a necessary cold (refrigerate -able) carrying and storage case. However, Apridra vials are unique in shape and size.  They do not fit comfortably in any of the three carrying cases in my possession.

What to do?  Well, of course I researched wholesale and retail medical suppliers.  I even contacted the Apidra manufacturers. I was told “I know. I’m sorry.  We do not have a carrying case for that shape vial.”
Hmm.  As a Business major, my mind went to the learned topics of “marketing,” “forecasting,” “[consumer] forethought,” and [better] “product sales and distribution.”

Nothing has changed.  My requests go unheeded.  After four months of using this product, a much desired carrying case remains unavailable.
The design I have in mind is simple: expand the vial spaces in the existing case(s) specifically for the Apidra bottle.  Any takers?

Ahh, science.  Thank you for listening.

50-Year Medal

I am happy to share with you that I have been “awarded a 50-year Bronze Medal and Certificate to recognize the remarkable achievement of a successful life with insulin-dependent diabetes for half a century or more” from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Massachusetts.  How many people do you know that have done that?  I hope to be an inspiration to every diabetic as well as every person that has to deal with a life-threatening, terminal, disease.

Everyone knows someone with diabetes.

But everyone does NOT know about the Joslin Diabetes Center.   This fact continues to amaze me since the organization was founded in 1952.  The only one of its kind at the time, other organizations have repeatedly bloomed with the same underlying goal – raise money toward research for a cure of diabetes.

With that being said (written), here “are some facts about Joslin Diabetes Center’s Medal Program.  The awards are presented on an ongoing basis to people with diabetes who have been insulin-dependent continuously for at least 25 years.”

“* To date there have been approximately 2,663 50-Year Medals awarded by Joslin Diabetes Center since the program started in 1970.”

“* Since the program began, in addition to the above, over 648 certificates have been awarded to people who have been insulin-dependent for 25 to 49 years.”

“* Joslin Diabetes Center has awarded 50-Yeart medals medals to recipients throughout the world, including individuals from Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Hungary, Japan, Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, South America, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.”  I like to include myself here, as a representative of the United States — California distinctly.

“* [The Joslin Diabetes Center] has awarded 26 distinctive 75-Year medals.  Recipients of this special honor include the following people in the United States: a man from Massachusetts in 1996; a man from Rhode Island  in 1999; a Florida woman in 2001; a Connecticut woman and a Washington state man — both in 2002; a Pennsylvania woman, a Georgia man, a Wisconsin woman, a Virginian man, Indiana woman and New York man in 2003; a New Zealand woman also in 2003; men from Ohio, Massachusetts, New York,and Pennsylvania in 2004; and a woman from Maryland in 2005; men from Massachusetts, New York and a woman from Washington state in 2006.”

You see, there is hope for a long, successful and progressive life with this disease.  But work has to be done.  A commitment to ones’ self has to be made.  The inspiration is you!

For more information about the medal/certificate program, contact:

Joslin Diabetes Center, Medalist Study, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA, 02215

Phone: (617) 713-3481; Fax: (617) 713-3483; E-mail: medalist@joslin.harvard.edu.

Good Luck!

 

50-Year Bronze Medal!

Strategizing with diabetes and life for half a century, I am proud to announce that I have been awarded a Bronze Medal and Certificate. Short of boasting, this honor confirms that I have been recognized for a remarkable achievement of a successful life with insulin-dependent diabetes. This fact, along with the life-saving and scientific development of oncoming facts concerning this disease, has inspired a prelude to another book. My brief biography may be found at www.MyDiabeticSoul.com.  I would like to commend all diabetics and their families for coping with this disease.  It certainly has been a challenge, but a blessed one.

Holiday Dinners

Who is having what for Christmas Eve AND Christmas Day Dinners?  In our house, we celebrate the Polish Wilia (the “w” is pronounced as a “v”) that consists of an odd number of courses – seven, nine or eleven.  Christmas Day is prime rib (when affordable), easy on the carbohydrates, big on vegetables and fresh fruits.   Shopping is not done until I get the shrimp!  God bless America, always!  A. K. Buckroth

Welcome to my world!

An e-mail friend of mine, Karen, just had her third kidney transplant.  Due to diabetes complications, this happened.  It is one of the facts of life with diabetes.  My kid-sister, Judy, awaits her third kidney.  All this to stay alive.  Judy has been on ‘the [kidney donor] list’ for four years now.  I think because her blood type is O-, which rare in itself, donors are scarce.