HMOs pump unfriendly?

2006-02-21T19:12:00.000-08:00

"Why do American HMO's consider pump supplies Durable Medical Equipment when they are not durable? And why after paying so much money for HMO coverage, do we have to pay so much still for our co=pay on supplies ?(this after all my doctors insisted I get a pump)." ---Laura

Dumb Diabetes at Second Cup Cafe

2005-11-03T23:24:00.000-08:00

Dear Dumb Diabetes

I thought of you in the most unusual place today - the coffee shop. Pardon moi - the cafe. This is where the whole event took place.

You see - I'm warming up to this new addiction of mine - lattes. Decaf Lattes. (Yup. I'm living on the edge. I'm dancing with an addiction to coffee flavored hot milk. If I master self-control I might progress to asking for it with caffeine.) Anyway, I stood for 60 seconds in front of a cashier at Second Cup who seemed not to be able to drag herself from the task of stacking 10 packs of individually wrapped cookies beside the till. Eight inches from me. She scowled, she grunted, and yes, she huffed. None of it at me, I think. All of it was at the damn cookies. (I can call them "damn" cookies because they weren't a variety I liked. You'd never hear me say that about a chocolate chip cookie. Never.)

In any case, after waiting 60 seconds and not having her take my order, I ordered anyway. She was right in front of me. I even put a "please" in there. I figured she must have heard because she range something up on the till and stuck her hand out to me. Quick as I am I figured she wasn't asking for a low five, a high five or a handshake so I gave the five I figured she wanted. Five bucks. I included a sweet "Here you go." She said nothing in return. She did hand me my change (wasn't much - I'm such a sucker for paying almost 5 bucks for this foamy milk and the opportunity to spend 60 seconds with such a flashy morning personality). Okay. I'm being trite. But as a customer I don't appreciate being denied the free perks - you know - the social niceties of "please" "thank you" and the response of "you too" when I politely wish someone a nice day.

Yes, yes. I'm getting to why I thought of you today Dear Dumb Diabetes. Patience.

So the thought crossed my mind during this transaction that perhaps the cashier was mute, deaf, miserably shy or spoke another language. But when her co-worker broke into a quick conversation and she answered quickly, with no accent but plenty of attitude (I think it soured the milk in my latte as she made it) , I clued in.

So THIS is where I thought of you, Dear Dumb Diabetes.

I thought, suppose this wench was diagnosed with diabetes - say -today. Suppose she was sitting across from my desk today (cause I teach about diabetes, I don't just have diabetes)instead of just across from the cafe counter. So I supposed this. And strangely enough, I realized I wouldn't think of her as a wench if she were my patient. I'd think of her as a person who needed help.

No, no. I'm not wishing diabetes on her. Especially not her. Some people just can't handle life. It's a chore, It's mean. It's nasty. it's overwhelming. But I coudn't help but think how much more nasty her life would be if this poor wench. . . err, woman. . . got diabetes. . Wouldn't it be like the straw that broke the poor camel's back, or in the case, the coffee woman's back? And wouldn't I want to help lift the weight of all that straw?

So today, my unpleasant morning start reminded me of you, Dear Dumb Diabetes. And when I saw patients who had you, Dear Dumb Diabetes, as an unwanted companion I tried to keep in mind my miserable coffee cashier. I tried to recognize how miserable or tedious or unpleasant other parts of these people's day might be. And I tried to offer ways to make life - with or without diabetes - more pleasant. I tried to smile sympathetically when they told me the stress of their daily complaints. Some smiled back.

I spoke more of stress management today. About the effects of stress on the body and blood sugars. About how the mind affects the body. I even discussed the research on relaxation strategies reducing blood sugars, reducing stress, improving well being. I discussed the role of stress in heart disease but mostly, the role of stress in messing with our abilities to manage day to day tasks. Like talking civilly to our spouses; like testing our sugars ; like making coffee for people when it's your job.

So, Dear Dumb Diabetes, I told my patients today to take a break from you and to ignore you - or to downgrade your importance. I told them to focus on feeling good because hey - that could help their diabetes. I did the same for my diabetes. As you already know since you got no "poor me" thoughts out of me today.

My words of wisdom today were this: Take a break and relax. Enjoy what you can enjoy. Have a coffee. (Just not at the Second Cup near my place).

Good luck, Good Health . . .and what the heck - tell me what peaved you off today about your Dear Dumb Diabetes.

Bev

(This blog is a companion site to www.diabetes-blood-sugar-solutions.com. Expert solutions for everyday life with diabetes.)