I'm not fat I have lipohypertrophy

So it turns out I wass right I have lipohypertrophy in my stomach as shown in the above picture (that is not my stomach btw). What is this you may ask? Well here is the formal definition below:

"lipohypertrophy (LIP-oh-hy-PER-truh-fee):
buildup of fat below the surface of the skin, causing lumps. Lipohypertrophy may be caused by repeated injections of insulin in the same spot"

Basically, an area gets larger from the fat deposits and hard from repeatedly stabbing yourself with a needle day after day, or hour after hour in my case. This is not the first time I've had this. About 10 years ago I also developed this in my thighs and basically it got so hard that the needle would not even pierce through my skin. I was in the hospital at the time and volunteered to be the medical students dummy so they could feel both of my legs.

Well, the last couple of months I had noticed the same thing with my abdominal area and this is when I knew for sure it was lipohypertrophy and not just too much food. There are many rotations to give an injection you think so why would a person let this happen. Well, although to the well layed out diagram they show you in school your body may just look like a wonderful pin cushion with an array of possibilities you still run out of space even when you are rotating frequently and diligently. Think about it I am taking 5 needles a day x 7 days which equals 35 needles per week, that's approximately 1820 needles per year. Then you have to consider that it isn't always convenient to say pull down your pants in school so you can give an injection in your leg, well not for me anyways. So I give it in my stomach because it's quick, private, and most people don't even see me administer it. I could go to a washroom I guess but if you were a patient and I came to you as a nurse and said "ok, Mrs. Fagan let's go to the bathroom so I can give you your injection" what kind of look would you give me. I personally do not think that an area where urine and feces are located and microorganisms are at an all time high is the appropriate place to pierce your skin with a sharp object. In fact, I have to sit to administer the injection so where would I do this?? on the toilet?

The good news is that these fat desposits will go away if I give my stomach a little break. The bad news is that other injection sites now are getting over used. Anyways, this post is meant to be informative so that before you simply say to a patient or a friend why don't you just rotate that it is not always as easy as it sounds or maybe they are but the pin cushion is getting poked too many times.

From a person with Type I diabetes not a diabetic!

Let the Picture do the Talking

Well, I've had an epiphany so I thought I'd enlighten you on my recent revelations. I have reached a point that I thought was long past - the era of yet again more bullshit. Ironically, as we near the end of what has been a trying two years of biting my lip and swallowing hard I have to endure the most trying semester yet...the semester of detailed, gruelling, unorganized bullshit.

Where do these people receive there letters after their name. I have a high suspicion that the paper hanging on their wall looks a little like the one above. Apparently, attendance to this school is quite high. As a soon to be nurse I wish that this was curable and I could adminster medication or perhaps an enema would be more fitting. Unfortunately, it appears that symptoms of this condition only get worse with time and perception becomes blurred. In fact, most people don't even realize they have the condition which is quite sad.

I do hope that this condition is not contagious as it appears that it is rampant in such a small geographical area. How do they live with the smell?

Well, as I practice my coping skills you will probably notice me with my lips curled up inside my mouth as I desparately try to mute my vocal cords. An occasional eye rolling may be seen as well.

My adventure with the little people in the box

For the last three weeks I have been planted in front of the TV for prolonged periods of time. Sometimes I get dressed and sometimes I just stay in my pj's until Glenn gets home from work and questions my sanity. However, despite not having cable and occasionally green faces I have gotten myself on a daily schedule of watching the same ole shows day after day and I will miss them dearly after this weekend. Here's the list and PLEASE keep in mind that I DO NOT HAVE CABLE at this point so you gotta take what you can get.
1. Live with Regis and Kelly - I never really watched them before but they are pretty funny and work very well together and check out those guests - HOT
2. The View - I can now watch this that Star is gone and what's better than bitching yourself? well, watching other people bitch of course. This is not bad and the whole thing with Rosie and Donald is kind of amusing but getting desperate.
3. Degrassi High - best show ever. When did Joey Jeramiah grow up and where is that cool hat of his? Ahhh...I miss the good ole days and the band "The Zit Remedy" with Wheels and Snake..." Everybody needs something they'll never give up....everybody needs something they'll take ya money and never give up"

4. Sue Thomas F.B. Eye - I know, sounds pathetic but again not a bad show and MacGuiver gets a lot of amusement watching the dog so that works
5. House and Home - I watch this because I can't stand the soaps. Yes, I hate em because seems like the same ole, same ole. This is usually the time when I surf the web/ watch TV
6. Oprah - nuff said. She's the best. She taught me what size bra I needed at 29 years old...need I say more.
7. Dr. Phil - This man used to really get on me nerves but he has a point and usually I agree with him so yeah I'm kinda into him now.

That usually brings me up to 5pm then it's supper and more TV or whatever after that but everyday it's the samething and the scariest part is "I like it, I like it a lot" (Christmas, Lloyd (1994), Dumb and Dumber.) I will miss my gruelling daily routine after tomorrow as I hear distant voices in the background while my face is glued to the computer screen once again. I'm probably just pissing away time but still...goodbye my TV friends and I hope to see you in TV land very soon.

Miss you already,
Eener

Things to Ponder??

1. Where is the parachute? and why did they only bring it to gym class once a year? That thing was frigin fun.
2. When a tree falls in the woods does it really make a noise if no one is there??
3. Why do you loose your memory when you drink alcohol?
4. Why do actors playing doctor's and nurse's get paid more then the real deal?
5. Why do drug users get free needle exchange and diabetics have to pay for their needles?
6. Who's the idiot that confirms Murphy's Law?
7. Why is the "Greatest American Hero" forgotten so easily?
8. why are we not shown how to measure our own bra sizes earlier in life besides on Oprah?
9. Why wasn't Strawberry Shortcake 500lbs?
10. Why didn't She-ra and He-man hook up?

Just some things that I was thinking about tonight.....

Eener