Outpatient Diabetes

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning I sat in on a three hour diabetes class. A nurse and a dietitian taught the class and covered various topics about what diabetes is, medications, blood sugar monitoring, insulin, weight loss, carbohydrate counting, and making healthy diet choices. It was a nice refresher class for me. In the afternoons I sat in on outpatient diabetes counseling assessments and follow-ups. For lunch on Thursday, a representative from Omni-Pod came in to teach the dietitian and two nurses how to use it. The Omni-Pod is a tubing-free insulin pump that is wireless and waterproof. It can be used by Type 1 diabetics instead of giving themselves several insulin shots a day. I turned down the offer to wear one for the day, but I still got a better idea of what diabetics go through for their insulin therapy. Thursday was also the day I followed a consistent carbohydrate diet, one like a diabetic would follow to help control their blood sugar. First I had to figure out how many calories I needed to consume in one day. I got 2100 calories. Then I calculated the amount of carbohydrate, protein, and fat I could have. I got 195 grams of carbohydrate, 77 grams of protein, and 30 grams of fat. Next I had to plan a menu for the day, one that includes a variety of foods from every food group. My consistent carbohydrate diet is as follows.

Breakfast: 60 grams
AM snack: 15 grams

Lunch: 45 grams

PM snack: 15 grams

Dinner: 45 grams

Bedtime snack: 15 grams

I would have followed my menu perfectly if I wouldn't have had the lunch that the Omni-Pod guy brought in from Panera Bread. I accidentally had 75 grams of carbohydrate. Oooops. This exercise helped me understand how difficult it can be for a diabetic to plan meals and feel uncomfortable at restaurants. Now I find myself counting carbs at every meal I eat. On Friday morning I got to check my own blood sugar--I was scared. My fasting blood sugar was 93 mg/dl, which is normal. I went with my preceptor to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas for an employee health fair. The security was crazy, like an airport. We talked to people about diabetes. I participated in some of the fun things that the health fair was offering. I wore a stress dot for the day...it was black all day, which meant I was very stressed. Go figure. I also had my blood pressure checked...that was not so good either, but I think I was just anxious for Dan's arrival. At least my Bone Density scores are good. Our gift for participating in the health fair was $80 in destroyed money in a little baggy. Federal Reserve Banks are responsible for the destruction of unfit currency and destroy several million dollars each business day.

Dan's Visit

Dan flew in from South Carolina Friday night. Saturday we had an amazing dinner at Suze with intern Megan and her fiance Ryan. We enjoyed lots of delicious food and wine! After dinner we went boot scootin' at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. Buddy Guy was the main event. We learned how to two-step and country swing dance. I need lots of practice. The country swing dance made me dizzy. There's lots of spins! I had one fall, but I blamed it on my boots because they are slippery. My goal is to master these dances!