I attended the TCOYD conference November 22, 2008. Although it was a perfectly acceptable conference, I did notice a major absence of smaller companies at the event. All the big guys were there, the drug companies, the pump companies, the meter companies, the well funded companies. I was really looking forward to seeing pump clothing, pump accessories and case manufacturers. Not a single company was there offering anything close to what I was looking for. There were more than 2,000 pancreatic-ally challenged folk there, it was disappointing. Am I seeing the financial situation impacting who could attend and who could not make the investment to travel to the event? Its interesting to think how widely the economy affects everything we do.

There were a handful of people with animals in the lead. I love to see the hard working dogs guiding their owners. One in particular had ‘passed out’ in anticipation of working harder later, Skip we were told, knows exactly when to catch a quick nap in between events.

A gorgeous sunset greeted us as we left my daughter’s Julian wedding tonight. A wonderful closing to a beautiful wedding.

I can’t tell if my fever is due to the flu shot or the intestinal flu bug that the family is passing around that the flu shot doesn’t protect me from. It only protects me from respiratory types of bugs. If you don’t get a regular shot, consider getting one if you:

1. Are over 50
2. Have a chronic disease
3. Someone in your family has a chronic disease.
4. You work in the health care field

As a chronic disease sufferer, even consider a flu shot if you work with someone who has a chronic disease. Think about how many times you’ve gone to work sick or someone else has exposed you to a nasty virus.

One year ago tonight, my husband and i tearfully loaded up our vehicles with clothing and pictures and children and animals. We drove over to see if we could get to my mother’s house on the other side of where we live, thinking that the fire hadn’t reached her as well. We watched in horror as the fire raced down the mountain toward my mom’s house and were told that we couldn’t get to her.

Tearfully, we headed down the hill toward safety without her. She said she would be fine and thank goodness she was. She stayed on fought the fire at her house, more than likely saving it. The firemen had given up, there was nothing they could do except make a stand at key points and hope for the best.

As we sat in a hotel for several days, mom stayed waterless and without electricity with her horses and cats. The town was empty, save for a few other brave souls. Some of them stopped by and made sure she was ok, made sure she had food for the horses. The house across the street from her burned, the house behind her burned, the house three doors down burned. Hers was saved. Ours was saved. The fire burned within a mile of our house, we had damage but no losses of property.

One year later and I’m so thankful for the fact that my mom is still here, that my kids, my house and my husband are all safe. We are so lucky. Only 9% of those who lost their homes have rebuilt. Some may never rebuild, they were underinsured and don’t have the money to replace their homes.

I was hoping I’d have my new insulin pump by my birthday – a 50th birthday gift to myself. I called the insurance company on Monday and they said they had the paperwork, it was in process, probably 10 days to 14 days for approval.

Whine. No birthday pump for me.

Friday. I call the minimed guy and leave a message. Oh, typical Friday. I guess I won’t hear back today. Later, I call him again on a whim. He says all has been approved and it will be on its way, possibly arriving Wednesday next week. Eeek! Now I have to think about all the things that have to go with it. I’m not talking about the IV3000 transparent dressing or deciding what inserter to use, I’m talking about the case and the pajamas with the pocket. Now I’m nervous, but I skip into the hallway anyway. ‘I’m getting a pump, I’m getting a pump.’

My driver’s license was up for renewal this year. I didn’t receive a renewal notice, so I headed to the DMV and waited in line for my turn.

An hour later it was my turn at one of the windows. She asks for my license, looks at me, gets up and leaves. She discusses my ‘issue’ with her supervisor and returns to her desk. In a hushed tone with a piece of paper in hand, she calmly tells me its been suspended. Its been what? I ask.

Suspended. You had an accident in April of 2007 and it was suspended because you had no insurance. Huh? I still don’t get it. I have insurance, I had an accident – it was the other person’s fault and their insurance company paid for it. You need to provide proof of insurance during the time of the accident and it will all be resolved. My proof of insurance is online at home. Up the hill and back down and 24 hours later I’m back at the same window with my proof of insurance.

Oh, I really feel bad she tells me. Apparently since it was suspended you need a letter from your insurance company, not just the proof of insurance. My husband stands next to me with his arms flapping about and complaining. Years of dealing with health issues has given me mountains of patience. I calmly get what we need faxed over with a phone call outside. As I wait for the fax, I get nervous about a whole new issue. I can’t see the eye chart behind the counter. My one eye is great – no problem, the other is shot to hell. I cover one eye then the other. Nope, I’m screwed, they’ll flunk me.

I make a realization as I sit there. I’m already 20 feet from the desk and that’s an additional 20 feet from the sign – 40 feet altogether. No biggie – I can see fine if I’m at the desk, I think, I hope. She calls me over, my heart goes pitter pat as she waives the suspension and has me sign the various forms. Your all set she says – meet me at the picture booth to get your new photo. No eye test I ask. Um, did you need one. Oh, no, not me, I can see fine, I don’t wear glasses. I take the photo and practically skip out the door with my temporary license in hand.

They’re going to get me next time. I know it.