Spin Cycle Once Again.
Too much going on. Must let these thoughts escape before I lose track of them:
Baby turtles are back! "The Food and Drug Administration banned virtually all sales of tiny turtles in 1975 after the animals were linked to salmonella infections in children. But a bill passed by the Senate last week includes an amendment that would lift that ban," according to NPR. Do you think Bush will bother vetoing this one?
Also, I had my first plate of Thai food in the fantastic company of F.R. Jana last night, in a little restaurant near the NYC campus. The food was tasty but difficult on my blood sugars - one plate of pad thai sent me up to 268 mg/dl, but I landed safely an hour later at 103 mg/dl. The conversation was about travel and work and college, lightly laced with diabetes anecdotes.
On a much more serious note, the fatal crash in San Jose last summer has brought about a lawsuit now. The article, on the San Jose Mercury News site, was sent to me by F.R. Nancy. (Thanks for the head's up, Nancy!) This is a very tricky case indeed, far less cut-and-dried ridiculous than the bit about the police officer and his pump controversy. This article compares a low blood sugar to being under the influence. In my opinion, driving should be relatively unchaotic for many diabetics, so long as blood sugars are monitored and snacks are at the ready. And insulin should NOT be compared to drinking or illegal drug use. However, people's lives were lost as a result of this situation. It's confusing on a number of different levels. I mean, what about the people who are on their cell phones and reading the paper and ON THEIR LAPTOPS while driving, for crying out loud? That's true negligence.
And finally, it's off to the races time after work, climbing on a train and heading to RI for the weekend. I plan on sleeping for the entire train ride. And, judging by the bags under my eyes and the empty coffee mugs strewn about my desk, that's not a bad idea.
Have a good weekend!
Comments
Man, that article sure touched a nerve with me... This statement in particular:
"He didn't have a heart attack or a stroke. He had a medical condition that he could have controlled."
As if diabetes is easy to control. I don't know if people understand just how challenging it can be. It is complicated, though, isn't it? I just feel terribly for everyone involved.
Have a good weekend.
Posted by: Nicolep | May 18, 2007 11:03 AM
Have a great weekend Kerri.
Posted by: George | May 18, 2007 11:32 AM
"Too much of any drug, even if it's a prescribed drug, can cause a person to be under the influence," said prosecutor Peter Waite. "That's the case here. He was an unsafe driver because he took too much insulin."
Insulin is a hormone, not a drug. I don't believe anyone would intentionally overdose on insulin, like they might on a drug. I guess that in this context, the outcome was just as tragic.
This is a really unfortunate situation. We don't know if that man's diabetes was well-controlled or not. It could be that it was, and that he just had a very quick low that resulted in a very sad outcome.
Posted by: SarahN | May 18, 2007 12:39 PM
Nicole said: "I don't know if people understand just how challenging it can be." The answer to that is, no - people don't understand.
I'm not diabetic and it wasn't until my cat became diabetic that I started to understand that diabetes is a zillion miles removed from simple. I considered myself fairly well informed - and trust me - I knew nothing. The cat and Kerri have taught me everything.
Joe Average assumes that diabetes is easy to control with insulin. The decision of the District Attorney to prosecute this case, to me, is a classic example of that assumption. I hope the defense blows them out of the water.
Posted by: Nancy | May 18, 2007 02:07 PM
It seems so easy for a prosecutor to define diabetes, and how it is used by the diabetic. What rarely is inserted into the mix is the very volatile, sometimes unpredictable nature of the insulins U.S. diabetics must consume. Additionally, very few lay people can speak to the impact that stress, fatigue, and of course, diet plays in "control."
I am only familiar with one similar case--in Florida--where the diabetic was convicted and is now in jail. (His "treatment" in jail would provide another, much lengthier post.) Despite testimony from a eminent Swiss diabetologist--who offered scientific studies revealing the numerous problems associated with fast-acting rDNA insulins--the jury (and the judge, on appeal) decided that society would be best served by locking Gary away for 10-15 years.
Posted by: Melody | May 18, 2007 03:07 PM
I was actually working as a waiter in a Thai restaurant before I was diagnosed.
Perhaps it was all that pad thai and rice that sent me over the edge..
Posted by: Travis | May 19, 2007 12:43 AM