I have the best doctor ever and other exciting stories

Strangely enough, this was one of the pictures that came up when I searched google images for "best doctor ever."

Stories of the day:
1. My new doctor at the Student Health Center, Dr. Fors, is amazing.  Today she sent me an email about my blood test results, telling me the results and explaining them.  She told me that I needed to work on one (my A1C, which was 7.0).  She also CALLED me, asking if I'd gotten the email and telling me to call her back if I needed anything.  How awesome is that?  My doctor last year got mad at me for not scheduling two appointments in a row to give him enough time, and then gave me the nurse manager's card to call if I wanted to know my lab results.  What a difference.

2. I would like to brag for a minute.  I got the 2nd-highest score on my physiology test.  Out of two classes.  I feel pretty awesome.  What am I doing in the political science department?  Anyways...  I also did fairly well on the scantron portion of my OB test, which was exciting.  However, I'm not sure about the written portion.  We'll see.

3. I am becoming way more popular as the first exam approaches in Intro to International Relations.  I'm getting emails all the time from anxious students.  And then tearful thank-yous for reassuring them they'll do fine.  It's pretty cool to be able to help them out!

4. I went to the farmer's market again today and got cherry tomatoes and the ingredients for jalapeno jelly.  Probably my favorite part, though, was the huge number of samples available.  I got half a peach, honey butter, raspberry jam, jalapeno jelly (2 samples because I love it!), and half of a turkey burger with apple-dried cherry chutney, because dining services sends a chef over to demonstrate cooking (but he mostly just gives out samples :)  Kristin went with me and it was awesome.  We've really bonded this week, especially since we've had a common enemy (the flu!).

5. The flu.  We (Kristin and I) have determined that if we haven't got it by tomorrow morning, we're home free.  However, we both think that we aren't going to get it, because we cleaned so much and because if we were going to get it, we should have gotten it already!

6. Dinner tonight: grilled cheese sandwich with muenster cheese, caramelized sweet onions, corn, tomatoes, cooked red pepper (in the microwave, is that even allowed?!), and a final layer of pepper cheddar.  YUM.  I was going to take a picture, but I couldn't find my camera and I wasn't about to let it get cold while I looked for a camera.  So you'll just have to dream about it... :)

I love you all tons!  Talk to you later.

<3
Eliza

P.S. do this: go to physics.byu.edu.  Then press your keys in this order: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, b, a.  This cracked me up.

The Doctor's Office

As I am down to my last bottle of insulin, I thought it would be expedient to arrange a visit to the doctor's office so I could get my prescription renewed before I was completely out.  I set it up for today, at 4:40.  At 4:10, I got home and found out that three of my roommates had the stomach flu.  Oh great.

Kristin drove me to the doctor's office on her way to pick up gatorade for our hypovolemic roommates to drink.  I got there and found out that their vaccinations office had already closed, so I couldn't get a last-minute flu shot.  Darn.  But I had a great appointment with my new favorite doctor, Dr. Fors.  She is awesome, and got everything taken care of (prescription, lab recommendations, and a referral to the podiatrist) in record time.  Then I got to go over to the lab and have some tests done.  I thought I just had to get some blood drawn - no biggie.  I arrived there and was handed the dreaded microalbumen cup.  Joy.  Much to my chagrin, I just couldn't do it.  So I got the take-home version of the test.  The blood test afterwards was a relief.  AND I got a bugs bunny bandaid.  Clearly worth the prick just for that.

I returned home and settled down to wait for the arrival of my own flu virus.  I'm not entirely sure I'm going to get it though, after Kristin cleaned everything down with disinfectant (thanks Kristin!  You're the bomb!).  Anyways, my method was this: I would make something so delicious that I would refuse to throw it up, and then I wouldn't get sick.  Creative, huh?  Well, the delicious part worked.  I am officially addicted to pan-fried tofu with spicy peanut sauce.  It's amazing.  I would suggest you go make it right now.  Go ahead.  I'll wait.

...okay, back now?  That was delicious, wasn't it?  All of my roommates were too sick to try it, so I ate two servings all by myself.  Ha!  Since that point, we've just been lazing about, the sick ones sleeping and the healthy ones studying.  We're all keeping buckets by our bedside though.

<3
Eliza


P.S. Look what I did!  I created these two pages, and I'm very proud of them:
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Eggplant-Pasta-Sauce
http://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-the-Flu-when-You-Have-Type-One-Diabetes
Plus, I've been marked a "rising star" by wikihow editors.  I feel so cool.

P.P.S. Kristin is pretty much the most awesome person ever.  She is taking care of everyone who is sick and has disinfected everything so I won't get sick (diabetes and junk, ya know?).  Isn't she amazing?

Dear Dad

Dear Dad,

I was thinking about Ivy League colleges, and that led me to think about you, and all the sacrifices you’ve made for me.  I don’t believe you’ve ever told me much about living in Chicago and going to school there, but I’m sure it was hard.  I just wanted to say thank you, after all these years, for taking the less prestigious university and staying home to take care of me.  There were probably other considerations involved in your choice, but it makes me feel really blessed that you chose to stay with me instead of sending me to daycare 24/7.  The times I did have a babysitter were offset by time with you.  And I’m glad that things have turned out the way they have.  I’m happy with our moves and with the decisions you made about work and schools and houses.  I’m humbled by the sacrifices you’ve made for my well-being, and I’m grateful for your patience in dealing with the bureaucratic stuff you have to do at work to keep our family going and to allow mom to be home with us.  In short, you are amazing.  I am inspired by you, and I hope I can be half as good a parent as you have been.  I was listening to a career lecture in my topics in politics class a couple weeks ago where the speaker told us that his career success had come at the expense of his family, and he warned us not to do the same.  I remembered the David O. McKay quote you told me about a few weeks ago, the one that you’ve striven to live up to: “No success can compensate for failure in the home.”  I just wanted you to know that I think you’ve made home a success.  I don’t think there is a better dad anywhere.  You’ve made home my favorite place to be, and my family my favorite people in the whole wide world.  Thank you, dad, for all you’ve done for me.    I love you.

<3

Eliza

Holla!

Hey guys, I know my last couple of posts have been in a kind of morose late-night maundering style, so I decided to inject some reality into this blog.  My classes are going relatively well - I'm only 2 weeks behind on my econ reading, I got a B+ on my Spanish test (ouch!  Who knows the difference between que and cual anyways?), I have a physiology test that I need to take tomorrow, an organizational behavior test that I have to do before Thursday, and life is good.

Last week I had a busy time studying until Friday evening, when I didn't do anything productive.  At about 10:30, I got a call from Heidi, and I went over to Katheryn's to eat chocolate chocolate chip cookie dough and watch Treasure Planet.  It was great.  Saturday morning I got up and did my cleaning checks, and then I went to take a practice LSAT.  It was quite entertaining.  I went to Target, returned a shirt, came back and got my results, and went to eat ice cream at the Creamery instead of going to the football game (It's okay; we lost terribly anyways).  I found out that if the ice cream server likes your choice of ice cream, she will give you more ice cream.  I ordered a child-sized ice cream scoop, but got enough ice cream for a double-scoop. This was opposed to Heidi and Katheryn, who got the right size.  Ahahahahaha.  Then I went and babysat Jared for Ken and Kelsey.  I had a marvelous time.  When I got home, the old roommate (she moved out a semester or two ago) Sarah was here (apparently she'd been here all day, but I wasn't here...)  She was sick and couldn't drive home, so we convinced her to stay here for the night.  Luckily, she decided 15 minutes before the corner store closed, so we went and got Saltines, Sprite, and Pepto.  It was an adventure.

Today I made this baked omelet for our ward break-the-fast brinner.  It was gone by the time I got to that end of the table.  I ate lots of good food, and got an awesome vanilla syrup recipe.  When I got home (I was the only one from the apartment who'd gone), I watched President Monson's talk from the RS broadcast last night that I didn't see.  I'd hoped to watch the whole broadcast, but apparently it started at 6:00 central time, not mountain time.  I loved his talk, though.  It chagrined and inspired me.  Next time I say something judgmental on this blog, please reprimand me.  Actually, scratch that.  I'm going to try not to say anything judgmental on this blog anymore.  We'll see how far I get with that...

Speaking of future plans, I'd better go to bed.  So much for no more late-night maundering :)  I'm looking forward to several things this week, though: teaching water polo to my FHE group tomorrow night, playing my second intramural bball game on Tuesday night, going to the farmer's market again, and Conference!  So exciting :D  I'm going to make kugen if mom will send me the recipe.  Also, I'm going to try and invite my home teachers over for dinner on Sunday, hopefully with Kristin and Megan's help.  What a great idea, right? Well, I can't take credit; it was mom's.  Here's hoping you all have a fabulous week!

<3
Eliza

The flu

In spite of what you might think based upon that post title, I do not have the flu.  And hopefully I won't get it.  But, since there's a sick person in the apartment, I have been exposed and so I looked up some information on what diabetics have to do if they get the flu.  I am writing this down now so that the next time I am threatened with influenza, I will not have to google "stomach flu with diabetes" again.  Anyways, now that that's explained...


Things that a diabetic needs to do if she gets the stomach flu:

1. Keep on drinking.  Whether the drink is sugared or not depends on what your blood sugar is.  Unsugared beverages if the flu is one that increases stress hormones and blood sugar, and sugared drinks if it doesn't.  Because diabetics tend to lose fluid more easily due to fluctuating osmolarity of the blood, we need a buffer.  Even if it'll just get thrown up five minutes later, the American diabetes association recommends at least one cup of fluid every hour.
(My recommendations: diet sprite/ginger ale or G2 gatorade for unsugared beverages, and gatorade/sprite/ginger ale for sugared drinks.  NOT orange juice or other fruit juices, as they will significantly increase the acidity in your stomach and make your throat hurt.)

2. Keep on eating.  Same kind of blood chemistry thing but it also has to do with ketoacidosis.  See, ketoacidosis means that the pH of the blood will decrease, which can be deadly if it fluctuates by so much as .5 on the pH scale.  Insulin gets rid of ketones, but you go low and have seizures if you give yourself insulin without having sugar in your blood.  Even if you throw up, if you have a low blood sugar you need to keep on eating.  Not particularly pleasant, but...
(I recommend: jello, yogurt, toast if you can keep it down, chicken broth, etc.)

3. Check, check, check.  Blood sugar every 3-4 hours at LEAST.  If you have ketostix (I don't...), you need to check for ketones every time you urinate.  If you don't, check for ketones by watching for fruity breath, shortness of breath, and disorientation.  If any of those symptoms manifest, or the ketone level on ketostix is high, get to the ER immediately.

My personal recommendations for dealing with the flu, for everyone:
1. Don't get the flu.  This from the girl who has a phobia of throwing up.  Yeah, seriously something to avoid.
2. Sleep on the couch while you have the flu.  That way you can get up faster to bolt to the toilet.  Plus you don't have to have a ton of sheets hanging all over you.  (Note: Put a sheet  under you on the couch.  Please.)
3. As noted above, don't drink acidic juices, especially citrus juices.  It makes the whole experience more painful.
4. After throwing up, rinse your mouth out with a mixture of baking soda and water.  My dad taught me this one, and I just make up the ratios every time.  Something like a teaspoon per cup?  Whatever helps you out.  It helps to neutralize the acid remaining in your mouth and the top of your throat, making you feel better and protecting your teeth.
5. Saltines and Campbell's chicken noodle soup.  Period.
6. Get a good book - one that's easy to understand and has short words and an engaging plotline.  It will distract you and won't make you even sicker like the TV can sometimes do.
7. Be willing to accept whatever help other people offer.  They will really feel bad for you, and helping you out will make them feel less guilty for not being sick.  Not to mention that you'll probably need all the help you can get.
8. Keep a bowl or small garbage ban right next to your bedside (or couchside) for emergencies.  It is also helpful to keep one by the beds of each other person in the house, in case one of them comes down with the bug in the middle of the night.

I hope this was illuminating for everyone.  Maybe someone will google "diabetes + stomach flu" someday and come across this.  That would be awesome.


<3
Eliza

Oh genie of the lamp

So, as my birthday is coming up, I feel that I am justified in posting a wish list.  This is what I would ask a genie for if I had one.  Also a little hint hint for mom and dad, eh? ;)

Mini loaf pans - I'm not sure whether these are the same size Mom has, but I love the size of her mini loaf pans.
Jesus the Christ - now this one's serious.
Laundry drying rack - We've already discussed this, but I think it's important enough to mention again.  After all, look at this:

Isn't that ridiculous?

A time turner - P.S. did you notice that this link goes to the Harry Potter version of wikipedia?  Awesome.
A food thermometer - awesome, no?
A waffle iron - Mine isn't working :'(
A planner - yes, I admit that I have too much going on to carry it all around in my head.  Sigh.
An immersion blender - does this even need explaining?  I like to make soup :)
A new pillow - seriously, I've had mine since 7th grade
A million dollars
A book about choosing a college major - by Henry B. Eyring, no less
An ipod - I know, so cliche.  But I just haven't gotten over the theft of my last one, I guess....
A cure for this annoying eye allergy thing I have that makes me wear glasses all the time
While we're on that topic, a cure for diabetes would be nice too
Also, a cure for procrastination
A cure for world violence?
A Josh Groban CD
Hard shoes for Irish dance (tap shoes work)
Fun spices from Penzey's
A pair of TOMS shoes
A 9x13 pan
A personal assistant
These

I obviously need to stop late-night posting.  I'm babbling on and not making any sense even to myself.  So I will talk to you all later.  If you happen to see a tarnished brass lamp with a genie inside, let me know.  That would be nice.

<3
Eliza

P.S. I have physiology and organizational behavior tests that I need to get done in the next few days.  I also have a spanish quiz and the practice LSAT on Saturday.  What have I gotten myself into?  I also signed up to be a part of the Honors Student Advisory Council, on the Public Relations committee (as soon as I told them that I knew how to work CS InDesign, I got shunted into that committee.  I don't object.  All the other members are of the male persuasion ;).  And I'm going to host a chick flick night next week for my intramural basketball team.  No word yet on whether any of the boys will actually attend, although Ian says he will if I make popcorn.

Famous last words

It's only a fifteen-minute walk from my front door, after all.

You know that Dr. Seuss quote about love?  The one where he says "You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams"?  Well, I am obviously not in love.  I long for 11 o'clock every night, when I can stop doing homework and snuggle in bed to read my scriptures and drift off to dreamland.  I've never valued sleep this much in my life.  Without it I can't function.  I am stressed out by my homework, and so my escape is sleep.  I guess without books in my life, I have to find some method... :)


But thinking of that quote reminds me that I am at BYU, where the social pressures to be in a relationship, one that is going somewhere, and to be married, are huge.  I just found out that one of the girls in my freshman academy from last year got married a month ago!  A couple of other friends have also gotten married or engaged recently.  What is this?  I am so not ready for marriage.  But at the same time, largely because of those social pressures, I tend to look at all guys as potential eternal companions.  Weird.  I guess I'm just lamenting the lack of any kind of interaction with guys, largely because of those pressures.  


Okay, I'll be honest.  I'm boy-hungry.  Does that sound too aggressive?  Oh well.  It's true.  But in spite of all the dating opportunities at BYU, I'm not encountering a lot of guys to date.  I know, I know.  I'm hardly a spinster yet.  But sometimes at this college, it feels like it!


Anyways, I'm too tired to even read through all that I just wrote, so I hope you'll forgive any sleep-deprived ravings (I only got 6 1/2 hours last night, less than I've gotten in weeks, but more than I got all through high school... hm...).  I'll leave you with this one parting tidbit.  


Kristin, Stacey, and I were talking about marriage; specifically, about who is going to get married first.  Kristin is going on a mission in January, so she ruled herself out at the beginning.  Megan's missionary is leaving soon, so she has another two+ years.  Stacey's missionary (she says he's not really her missionary, but we all know the truth... ) is getting home in March, so we bet on her.  Then Kristin looked at me and raised her eyebrows.  I told her my normal excuse (which just happens to be true, thank you very much!), which is that I'm going on a mission, and besides, I'm only 18!  She shook her head, chuckled, and muttered, "famous last words.  Famous last words."  Hmmph!


<3
Eliza