Inception Spoilers (25:20 – 40:00)

Just Talking – Episode 41: Remember When

Part Two of my epic conversation with Film Tangent’s Parris Lilly is now available for your listening pleasure. Last week I gave you the video game side of things, now we get the film and tv side. We break down Remember When, the podcast that started out as a joke, but became an blockbuster. And as mentioned many times, we have a lengthy talk about the star of 2010, Inception. If you’ve never listened to an episode of Remember When, this podcast will give you a nice introduction into how he and his co-host Jay do things. Enjoy.

Inception Spoilers (25:20 – 40:00)

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15,000 steps yesterday. This pedometer was provided through a work-related program that, I’m sure you can guess, revolves around walking each day. Since I’ve started using it I’ve really noticed that I spend a lot of time sitting down. Not in motion. Considering the types and quantities of food I’m eating this week, every step counts.

WordPress…just one more thing Droid Does.

Is all it took to find pieces of the beach that barely look touched. At least I managed to wake up early enough to get on my bike before the masses arrived.

Technically bikes are prohibited on the boardwalk after 10:00am, but even at 9:15 it feels like you’re in an evil video game trying to bob and weave between bikers not sharing the space, families trying to get primetime placement on the sand, runners, and families in those bikes things made for 4. What the heck are those things?

WordPress…just one more thing Droid Does.

As it turns out, I’ve published over 400 posts to date. I found out about this little trick that links to a random post from a blog a few months ago so I figured I’d include that link in each of my posts next week.

Click this guy for a link to a random post in this blog’s past. You might like what you find.

I’ve mentioned my “catch-all” Google Reader query for “diabetes” before, right? Right. As you can guess, most of the stories over the past couple of weeks have dealth with the FDA and Avandia. There’s been a lot of talk about the FDA’s ruling, and subsequent actions, but that’s not what this is about. Although, it does involve the FDA.

Today’s Google Reader overload included some mentions of a little company called “Abbott Diabetes Care.” Check this out (and I quote):

“This inspection revealed that these devices are adulterated within the meaning of section 501(h) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. 351(h), in that the methods used in, or the facilities or controls used for, their manufacture, packing, storage, or installation are not in conformity with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) requirements of the Quality System (QS) regulation found at 21 CFR Part 820. We received your response dated March 26, 2010, in addition to responses dated April 23, 2010 and May 25, 2010 from Mary C. Getz, Division Vice President Quality Assurance and Compliance, concerning our investigator’s observations noted on the Form FDA 483, List of Inspectional Observations that was issued to you. We address your March 26, 2010 response below, in relation to each of the noted violations. These violations include, but are not limited to, the following:”

Key words to focus on are “not in conformity” and “violations”. In a nutshell, the FDA isn’t too pleased with how Abbott is manufacturing its glucose meters. Aside from the part where I have a FreeStyle Flash (Bart Allen), my concern is that the average, unassuming person with Diabetes may never hear about this. The full text of the letter can be found at FDA.gov, but I can’t imagine this is something Abbott would actively promote. Hey everyone! Look what we got in the mail today! For the less informed, they will never hear about this, they will never know this ever happened and they could carry on, using a potentially faulty device that is supposed to be the primary technology responsible for their Diabetes management.

Here’s another nugget: “Please notify this office in writing within 15 working days from the date you receive this letter of the specific steps you have taken to correct the noted violations, which may include notification of your current and past customers. Your response should also include an explanation of how you plan to prevent these violations, or similar violations, from occurring again.  Include documentation of the corrective action you have taken.  If your planned corrections will occur over time, please include a timetable for implementation of those corrections.  If corrective action cannot be completed within 15 working days, state the reason for the delay and the time within which the corrections will be completed.”

I don’t ever recall registering my meter with Abbott or any other entity. How can they possibly reach every customer of their devices? I fear for those who lack the resources or ability to stay informed. I fear for those who are just trying to get through the day without a hassle, and don’t have the time to look up and assess a situation. I’m talking about this on a blog that will be read by people who have just as much if not more access to this kind of information than I do, what about everyone else?

Also, on a lighter note, I fear that if I have to replace Bart Allen for a new meter I wont be able to think of a clever name to keep with my super hero theme. It really is perfect: FreeStyle Flash…The Flash…Bart Allen. I’m telling you, it was fate.

Also. Ludacris….Diabetes Advocate? That’s ludicrous!

Just Talking – Episode 40: UncleGamer Radio

While familiar, there’s a lot that’s new and exciting about this episode of Just Talking. I welcome back Parris from TalkingAboutGames and FilmTangent in what became a lengthy discussion about all things Parris. This episode is part one, focusing on the video game aspect of his life. Curious about the status of UncleGamer Radio? Parris opens up about why he hasn’t felt like recording in a long while. Curious about how relationships with PR work? Parris also opens up, in great detail, about the good, bad and ugly side of being a ‘little guy’ trying to get access. Next week will be part two of our conversation focusing on film and television. Until then, here is your first dose of The Mind of Parris. Enjoy.

Podcaster’s Note: This podcast is edited to remove references to games, companies or other individuals that do not need to be explicitly named. The stories are real, as are the lessons, but those specifics aren’t essential.

Run Time – 1:00:15

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I have been using 10 units on both sides as a baseline dose to see where things need to change. Of course, I kinda fell into a rut and accepted that 10 was the perfect number for a few weeks, but lately I’ve been noticing that I need a little more. Now the challenge is to figure out how much is just right. Since I know that Lantus is not a 24-hour insulin as advertised, I feel like a little bit of overlap would be ideal. Inject the next round of awesome while the current dose is tailing off. Or something like that.

My hope is that I can figure out where the right level of Lantus is and in turn, reduce the amount of Humalog I take during a typical day. I know corrections happen and some days are straight up insulin resistant, but that’s natural when it comes to living with diabetes, right? If I can figure this out, I feel like I will be adding some stability to my diabetes management. Until now, I haven’t really felt too confident in Lantus’ ability to do whatever it is that it’s supposed to do, but maybe that’s because I haven’t tried to work with it.

You’ll have to forgive my slow-to-act nature with this, changing my insulin needs on my own is still kind of new to me. For so long my insulin regimen was set in stone, or at least that’s how I saw it. Now that I’m becoming more flexible (read “realistic”) with what I need to properly manage this disease, I am hopeful that Lantus will be able to play a significant and meaningful role in keeping me healthy.

Is it wrong that it feels like I’ve been doing all of this without reading the instruction manual? Without really thinking about what I’m putting into my body? Until recently, without questioning what I am doing and why? Slow and steady, I’m starting to figure out this balancing act. Let’s just hope I don’t do a face-plant any time soon. That would suck on so many levels.

I understand that relying on this technology has the potential to be my metaphorical downfall but Diabetes management is only as good as the tools used to assist in that management. My blood glucose meter determines how much insulin I need to take at a given moment, factored in with any food I’m eating, if the number I start my mental-math with is inaccurate then the rest of my calculations are flawed. And while the Dexcom is no substitute for my blood glucose meter, the additional information it provides is valuable. Trends help anticipate lows and highs. Seeing a straight line over a 3 or 6 hour period can generate an instant smile. Of course, things are never that simple.

Multiple times over the weekend I saw straight lines that were wrong. Way wrong. An hour hovering around 80 turned out to be 150. Waking up with a steady climb to, and above 200..after correcting…twice…was really 95. I don’t worry that I have a bad sensor or that this technology is unreliable, using this device is a constant game of adjustment and readjustment. My fear is that even if all things Dexcom are working properly, it could still be misinterpreting its readings. I don’t drive my car if I’m below 80, but if Hal Jordan doesn’t show any signs of concern and I put too much trust in it’s abilities, what happens if it and I am wrong? There aren’t too many options for treating a low when you are sitting in bumper-to-bumper awesomeness on the Beltway.

I’m not really sure where all of this text is supposed to go. I apologize for my ramblings today. I guess I just get frustrated when I try to put a little faith in this technology and it doesn’t return the favor as often as I would like. I’ve become so obsessed with ‘the line’ that I can’t really stop or slow down my desire to keep a constant watch on things. Dexcom is an addiction to data unlike any other. I just hope that this addiction doesn’t end with me in rehab. Is something like that even possible?

PS. If you haven’t yet, go see Inception. It’s fantastic.

If you’re on twitter, give her a follow. If you’re reading this blog, chances are you like reading blogs about Diabetes so you should check out her blog too. Finally, I’m hoping you’ll consider supporting “The D Team”. All of the information you need can be found at this handy-dandy landing page.

I’m not trying to pressure you into doing anything you don’t want to, but we speak so strongly about the bond between members of the Diabetes Online Community, this feels like the perfect opportunity to show what we are capable of.

Get Some!

Have a nice day.