Diabetic Redemption

I am limiting these top five examples to products that already exist.  Otherwise, it would be very easy to write about a cure for diabetes, the secret to everlasting youth, an inexhaustible supply of energy.  But I think it best that I “keep it real.”

1. A new laptop:  I have my sister S. and her husband B. to thank for having a computer at all — three times, I inherited S.’ computer when she upgraded.  I will always be grateful for the generosity with which the two of them have treated me, and the computer situation is only one tiny part.  But, just once, I’d like to own an up-to-the-minute laptop, with WiFi, and new software, and the incredible speed at which new computers work.  Still, if it weren’t for this laptop, I would not have a blog.  I think I can probably be a little less grandiose in my wishes.
2. A Continuous Glucose Monitor:  I love my insulin pump.  No doubt about that.  But even with the pump, I am always playing catch up with my blood sugars; a CGM would allow me to have more real-time control.  Medicare, however, refuses to fund CGMs for those of us who depend on Medicare.  The fact that a CGM would help me maintain greater and tighter control and cost Medicare less in the long run for emergency care does not make a lick of difference to them.  It’s like MaineCare refusing to cover preventative dental visits — they’d rather a patient wait until the problem is an emergency, and then they will pay.  Not a smart system.  While I am grateful for all the help I receive from Medicare and MaineCare, I’d like to have one weekend with their procedural manuals.  I could save them a fortune, and make the lives of so many people better.
3. Trips:  I would love to have a series of trips, including one back to Turkey and Greece.  I’d like to see more of the Yucatan, some of Belize and Guatemala.  I’d also love to spend some time in Costa Rica.  I have been very lucky in my life — I’ve been able to travel much more than some of my friends.  I’ve seen some very exotic places, and enjoyed the opportunity to meet people from around the world.  I would love to be able to continue this enjoyable practice.  Still, thanks to Mom, I am leaving in a day and a half for Disney World, and we are planning to spend most of our time in Epcot, much of it at the various international pavilions.  I can’t wait.
4. I’d love to have a car.  Of course, I would also have to wish for enough money to keep the car insured, in good running shape, and full of gas. Since I don’t think that would be possible, I will continue to depend on taxis, busses, my friends, and especially my Mom, who takes me almost everywhere I want to go.  Thanks, E., G., and Mom!
5. Scuba Gear, and access to warm blue water to dive in:  I would love to be able to obtain my SCUBA license, and to spend day after day diving in the Mediterranean, especially in the Aegean Sea.  I know how beautiful that water is — I’ve never forgotten, although the last time I was there, I was ten years old.  If I could swim just once more in that water, I would die a happy woman.  But I’m going to be a happy woman, anyway;  that is my plan and my hope, and the way I have decided to live my life.