I have had a couple trips to Phoenix, AZ during August as a result of landing a new job. (Picture me doing goofy endzone celebration dance celebrating that I finally found an awesome firm to join, and am feeling the support of a sound infrastructure to enable me to better serve clients.) It's been a very exciting end to summer 2011, and if it weren't for the 10lbs I packed on I'd probably be angst free at least until the fall rains come.
As a result of wearing my pump through security, I have had TSA guards coppin feels. Even though the device doesn't trigger the metal alarm, the pager look-alike triggers much suspicion. Maybe, just maybe this chubby white girl is carrying a bomb with a tiny tube that goes to her belly, and she is going to blow up her belly and the plane. Sure, I'd love to blow some fat away, but I'm not your suicide bomber. I really do wish TSA wouldn't have to be so damned politically correct, and COULD racially and/or demographically profile the folks that are actually a threat. I don't buy into this bull shit that EVERYONE is a threat to our flights. No, no, no...there is a very specific subset of the population that is likely to blow themselves up with a plane. Your frequent business flyer is not part of this subset. Yes, I'm annoyed that my pump is triggering this slowdown, but even more annoyed that I have to undress and pull out my laptop for this waste of time procedure in the first place. I don't feel any safer, but I suppose I should be glad that the useless jobs are employing folks.
On a less angsty note, this last weekend the sun showed bright in Seattle and the temperatures rose. I headed east to Lake Kachess, and went up to Box Canyon Creek for some swimming. I decided to take some Lantus long acting insulin, and not wear my pump for about 8 hours. There is some concern that river water could get into the port and cause infections so I had a good reason to choose not to infuse. When I detached for a few hours, and got to wear my bathing suit without the port I realized how much I was resenting having to wear the thing.
I am starting to see some improvements in control with the clunky device, but the annoyance of the size of the machine and the itching from the tape and port is causing me to long for breaks. I suppose the one benefit of having health challenges in life is that they make you REALLY appreciate the most simple moments of feeling okay, and being machine free, even if only for a couple hours.
Yeah, I am doing injections when I go to Maui for sure, the pump is staying home.....no TSA pat down, or open port holes in the ocean, on that trip.
For as much angst as your pump may cause you, I'm very glad it's keeping you healthy. I would be quite put out had I never met you. Keep strong m'dear! <3
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