Chapter 3 “There are Others.” Page 54

“…The St. Jude’s Hospital [monetary collection] went on for many years during most, if not all, of my elementary school days with the inclusion of [my] siblings once they were old enough to walk.  Always in a cold, New England fall, mom bundled us up after supper, remaining in our school uniforms, to accomplish this task.  Not only did we represent St. Mary’s [School], but we represented the onslaught of diabetes.  I knew the nuns at school would be happy with our booty.  Praise was appreciated and well heard, incentive enough for me to do it again.  Simple.

“Well, the neighbors, all of them on that street [where I grew up], got to know us pretty well.  It wasn’t long before doors were opened in welcome and dollars and change poured into our manila collection envelopes.  Surprisingly, we never did receive a gift, a prize, some type of incentive that is offered these days to children in their elementary schools when they collect a certain amount of money, the most money of their peers.  Collections were done out of the goodness of our hearts with a Christian attitude.  We did it because it was a good thing – a pain in the neck – but a good thing nonetheless.  It brought hope to this disease.  Hope of a cure.

Novena to St. Jude:
“Most Holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of.  Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.  Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help.  Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and suffering, particularly with diabetes.  And that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever.  I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.  Amen.‘

“To this day, St. Jude Children’s Hospital is a thriving enterprise affecting [and effecting] childhood illnesses and diseases of all kinds with effervescent hope!  St Jude is a spiritual and personal ally.  I faithfully wear a medallion of St. Jude, patron saint of the hopeless, a saint acknowledged for terminal cases, along with my Medic Alert medallion. After all, I am terminal.  I wear both medallions with pride as an acceptance to myself of myself, but to allow others some peace of mind.

“Managing diabetes in school had not become a headline until October 8, 2003, to be exact.  The keyword is “managing.”  In California, Assembly Bill 942 was passed to allow diabetic students to be able to use their managing supplies (e. g., glucose meters) and medications (insulin injections, glucose tablets) anywhere on school grounds as opposed to having to go the nurses’ office and/or principal’s office.  Of course, this depends upon the comprehension level of the diabetic student regarding his/her knowledge of self-care.  Self-care is very important and gained through knowledge, grown through experience.

“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they wer great and noble.” – Helen Keller.”

More information is available at mydiabeticsoul.com.  Thank you.  A. K. Buckroth, Author.

Inspired, once again, to participate in anything to promote a cure for diabetes, I have conceded and registered for this event. I have always enjoyed liesurely bike rides and parttake in many during good weather days.  However, I am now on a mission – another one –  and need your help!

My goal is to ride 20 miles. Why only twenty miles?  Because I have another Diabetes Speaking Engagement to participate in later that same morning.

Sure, I know I can physically ride longer, but that won’t happen – this time.

So, I need your hlep.  I need your help to raise money.  After the $25.00 registration fee per participant, a minimum of $150.00 is required per order of the American Diabetes Association. They are hosting this event.  They make the rules. 

Here’s what I figured: 20 miles at ten cents a mile = $2.00; 20 miles at 25 cents per mile = $5.00; 20 miles at fifty cents per mile = $10.00; and 20 miles at one dollar per mile = $20.00.  I’ll accept whatever you can contribute.

I am requesting that you make a donation, whatever the amount, through me and my biking efforts.  Yep, I’m asking you to sponsor me, it’s just as simple as that!  Another positive for you is that this is a “contributory” tax write-off!  I like those myself!

Checks must be made out to “The American Diabetes Association” and sent to my attention at P. O. Box 601013, Sacramento, CA 95608.

See, short and sweet. I thank you in advance for your considerations, honest!

Best regards….A. K. Buckroth, mydiabeticsoul.com.

I fell in love with this summer camp for girls as a child many years ago at the age of six.  Having been diagnosed with diabetes at the age of two, a diabetologist doctor (Charles A. Graham) at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Massachusetts, highly suggested my camp attendance.  My mother did not have to hear this twice.  She trusted the word of Dr. Graham.  I did as well. 

So, it was agreed.  Off to camp I went for my first  two weeks.  Never did I think that I would be able to go back every summer for the next nine summers!  I remained elated every year and robustly looked forward to the adventure!   

Originally known as “The Clara Barton Birthplace Camp,” the history behind this particular camp is short but succinct, beginning in 1932.  “Clara Barton, a well-acknowledged Civil War nurse, was born at the camps’ present site in 1821 in North Oxford, Massachusetts.  Ms. Barton’s claim to fame was her founding the American Red Cross organization through her compassionate humanitarianism.  Being a Universalist by faith, her Church purchased the 96 acres of land for use for inner-city youths.  With Dr. Elliott P. Joslin’s dedication to diabetic children as far back as 1921, these combined efforts and knowledge led to the creation of “The Clara Barton Birthplace Camp,” now known as “The Center for Diabetes Education (CDE).”

Since the CDE’s founding, many summer camps across the United States have followed suit for the care of children with diabetes.   At this writing, I am saddened to have not been able to locate such an organization among other countries.   CDE is known internationally, giving me the opportunity to meet diabetic children from other countries. 

Through my experiences at CDE those many years past, I thoroughly encourage the caregivers – parents, grandparents, guardians, family member and friends - of diabetic children to allow them to go to such a specific camp.  Their learning experiences will not only be delightful, but their social skills with diabetes, their learning how to take care of themselves is and will be priceless!

My high appraisal of CDE may be read in my book called “My Diabetic Soul – An Autobiography.” 

To date, partial proceeds from the sale of my book go toward CDE: its operations and maintenance, its infirmary medical supplies, sports equipment for the children, sleeping bags and camping necessities, etc.  Their ‘wish list’ never changes!  This can be found at their website as noted.  And “My Diabetic Soul…” is often sold at a discount through this website: mydiabeticsoul.com!   

In retrospect, when purchasing a copy whether it be as an E-book, a Paperback, or an Audio Book, consider the purchase as a tax write-off!  This is something to keep in mind with all of your purchases, especially if you consider yourself an entrepreneur or a small business owner.

To briefly conclude, this is one way you can help educate youngsters effected and affected with and by diabetes.  This is a family disease.  Therefor, you will be assisting families and their constant learning efforts regarding the bafflement and confusion of diabetes.  Your help is appreciated.

Truly…A. K. Buckroth

mydiabeticsoul.com

I use a version of that line when promoting my book during a Book Speak/Book Signing.  As an Independent Author, marketing this item is not only constant but quite difficult with little tangible reward.  I do it alone.  I do not have a team of people routing for me and selling the item nor collecting payments.  I do that.  As a sole-proprietor, I do it all, down to cleaning the toilet.  That is just the way it is.  I am cost-effective and efficient, personable and candid; a realist and an idealist; humorous and sarcastic.  

An upcoming speaking engagement needs your review.  I am to present myself and the book in front of 20 – 30 other published or unpublished authors.  The setting is literally in a local IHOP restaurant.  It’s  a writers club.  This certain club has been in existence for over 90 years, having obtained elite and highly respected credentials.  I am honored to have been invited.

I am not naive to public speaking engagements.  I have participated in many over a course of seventeen years.  However, this particular scope of concern is not the topic of my purpose - diabetes – but presenting the subject matter to people while they are eating some of the most highly carbed and saturated fats available to mankind.  Visualize this: while the 20 – 30 people in the audience conference room literally eat breakfast, I’ll be standing at the head of the table discussing the whats, wheres, whys, whos, hows, how tos, and how muches that is involved with this disease.

I’m nervous.  The date for this event is two days away.  After a self-introduction, I’ll begin with a brief definition of diabetes: “In the plainest and  simplest of difinitions, diabetes means a person cannot digest food.  I am not a medical professional in any way, means, shape or form.  I am a diabetic.  I am proud to report that I have successfully lived with this disease for over fifty years.  I need to stress to you that diabetes does not have to be a death sentence.  It is up to you – non-diabetics and diabetics alike – to learn about the intricasies of your bodies.  This book is a blueprint for not only your health, but for everyone around you.  It is full of knowledge, references, and hints for your well-being.” 

Sound good?  I don’t know. 

The demographics of the audience are middle-aged and older.

Yes, as a lifetime diabetic – 50+ years and counting – the collection of medical supplies continues.  Compared with the cost of living, juggling a salary with necessary medical supply costs causes anxiety.  Anxiety, also known as stress, is one ingredient that is useless in the life of a diabetic.  Plainly, stress causes the rise of blood sugar and blood pressure.  Not good for anyone.

“Increasing Cost of Diabetes Places Strain on Healthcare Funds Medical expenses for diabetics are, on average, approximately 2.3 times higher than for those people who do not have diabetes, with approximately 10% of healthcare dollars spent on the condition and its complications. The expanding diabetes epidemic and resultant rise in the cost of diabetes is placing increasing burden on healthcare funds, which is already facing the strain from costs associated with the advancing age of the baby boomer generation.

“… study shows that significant changes in both public and private strategies are needed in order to help stem the rise in prevalence of diabetes, which is expected to fuel this rise in healthcare costs.

“The Rising Cost of Diabetes for Healthcare: Surge in Medical Diabetes Costs Predicted as Epidemic Expands in USA http://www.suite101.com/content/the-rising-cost-of-diabetes-a176175#ixzz1I0Q13nHU“

Never mind “the strain on healthcare funds,” what about the strain on the diabetic individual and his/her caregivers!! 

Heres’ a list of what I need and use on a daily basis in order to survive: 2 types of insulin, syringes, refrigerator to keep them cool, as required, a generator for emergency purposes for when the power goes out, insulin pump which requires infusion sets, cartridges, and an adhesive skin tape.

This list does not look too bad, as it is in words, does it?  However, as one box of anything gets used, I find it wise for me to order at least three boxes of each item.  These items are housed/kept/stored in various places such as a closet, a drawer, the top quarter of a kitchen cupboard, a purse, an emergency home kit, and an emergency car kit.  They are everywhere I am!  They have to be.  In a sense, I buy myself peace of mind and store it in a closet, drawer, box, bag, etc.  You get the picture.

Visualize, or try to at least, mounds of such supplies in one of your closets?  Do you have the space?  Do you have the money to keep this closet full?  Do you have peace of mind for yourself or a loved one whose beautiful body is assailed by this disease? 

The expense of each and every item is astronomical, truly, to say the least.   

“Why Does Insulin Cost More than Ever?”  http://www.diabeteshealth.com/“  I found this link to be beneficial. 

The items I personally require to function, to live, on a daily basis, with their respective approximated  prices, are as follows:

1. Apidra Insulin: $64.00 per vial (dependent on other factors such as shipping costs and suppliers discounts). One vial of any type/brand of insulin lasts me 4 (four) weeks.
2. Levemere Insulin: $80.00 per vial (10 ml, to be used 28 days after opening” as stated with other insulin brands).
3. Box of 100 Syringes: $15.00 http://www.totaldiabetessupply.com/insulin-syringes-and-pen-needles
4. Insulin Pump: $7,322.00.
5. Pump Infusion sets (needles):  $129.99 per box of 10 that can last approximately 30 days; http://www.americandiabeteswholesale.com/product/animas-comfort-infusion-set.
6. Pump Cartridges: $36.50 for a box of 10 cartridges to last 30 days  https://estore.animascorp.com/ProductDetail.
7. Adhesive Skin Tape: $51.75 per box of 100 can last a healthy time;  http://www.metromedicalonline.com
8. Lithium Batteries for Insulin Pump: $6.00/2-pak; http://www.megabatteries.com.
9. Refrigerator (the one I would like to have): $2,500.00.
10. Home/House Generator: $350.00.
11. Insulin and Syringe Cold Carrier: $69.99.

And it does not stop here, believe me! 

To conclude, I am sure you get the picture – in more ways than one.  This disease is costing these United States of America a tremendous monetary burden.  Imagine the cost for the world!  Diabetes needs to be cured.  The esteemed Dr. Elliott Proctor Joslin of Oxford Massachusetts foresaw this disease as an epidemic before 1946 (see www.mydiabetic soul.com, Chapter 5, page 84) and reported his findings to the Surgeon General of the U. S. Public Health Service at the time.  Therefore, “the” cure must be released.  I would like to see a cure in my lifetime.  I believe in research and researchers.  I have researched and I like researching.  However, appeals for public funding is not only necessary, but presently a bottomless pit.  Contradictory to each other.  So, I pray.

Thank you for reading me.  Please leave your remarks, they are actually a requirement!  My future blogs will be forthwith and available at “mydiabeticsoul.com.”  Link others to it!

Andrea K. Roth (aka:A. K. Buckroth) – MA, CA Notary Public, Author, Speaker, etc.

As a ‘cradle’ Roman Catholic, meaning that I was born into and brought up as a Roman Catholic person, dictates of this religion were and remain ever-present.  They are not bad things by any means.  They are fundamentally Christian.  Christianity is a good thing, right?   I have always held it as a fact in good standing, at least for myself.

As I choose to observe ”Ash Wednesday,” strangers always ask me to explain what this is: what is the purpose of having a thumb print of literal ashes placed upon my forehead?  This day, Ash Wednesday,  March 9, 2011, sightings of thousands upon thousands of people will now label themselves as Catholics due to this mark, this brand, in honor of  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Father.  Furthermore, this essay will attempt to clarify Ash Wednesday and answer your similar question/inquiry.

With goodness in mind, the dictionary definition of Lent, as a noun, is: “the period of forty weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter [Sunday] observed in Christian Churches [and homes] through fasting and penitence to commemorate Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness.” *  

This is a period of  “giving up something” as in making a small sacrifice.  Be it coffee, chocolate, cigarettes, an attitude, or a personal characteristic (e.g., controlling, badgering, bullying, cussing), Lent reminds people who each person has the God-given strength and responsibility to want to give up something, as menial as it may seem, to show respect.  THis is respect of self and respect of spiritual nurturing in preparation for the stairway to heaven. 

Catholic masses are scheduled each year to celebrate this holy opportunity as a reminder of Jesus’ life.  Before I get too far, let me share with you that a ‘Mass’ is “the celebration or service of the Eucharist, a sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church, consisting of a series of prayers and ceremonies.” *

“What’s a sacrament?” you ask. ”What is the Eucharist?”  I’ll let you look those up on your own!

Back to the topic of Lent, this Catholic observance “prepares the faithful to celebrate the mystery of Jesus Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection.  It is a time for reflection and spiritual renewal, a time to examine one’s relationship(s) with God and with others, other humans.  The Church also calls Catholics to a spirit of penance, above all to practice the “Acts of Religion”: fasting, prayer and almsgiving, which express conversion about oneself, to God, and to others.”**  Overall, it is a reminder to be good, to be Christian-like, to keep your soul clean in order to go to heaven, just as simple as that! 

My foundations for this religious belief among so so many others, have become easily understood – respected - since my infancy and upbringing.   This is comfortable for me with its familiarity, helping me to discern right from wrong, good from evil.  And the concept is maintained for at least ninety days out of any year: Ash Wednesday to that last day of Easter.

The ash print on the forehead?  That’s a reminder to each of us that we will die, that we will die as Christians, that we are good people and have striven to follow in the example of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Savior of Mankind, the Redeemer, the Lord of Man, etcetera, etcetera.

I hope this essay helps discern your quandary.  The attached photo display pertains to the Roman Catholic Calendar.  Hopefully this will help you to further understand certain observances and Holy Days.

Happy Easter!  A. K. Buckroth www.mydiabeticsoul.com

* Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, copyright 1983, Dorset & Baber,

** http://www.osv.com/, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish newsletter.

I began conveniently storing them in my bedroom closet for easy access some many, many, years ago.  Somehow or another, more supplies ended up in a kitchen cupboard at the other end of the house if only because there was room. 

You see, I am a diabetic and have been for almost 52 years (August, 2011 anniversary date).  Having been trained as such to keep my life in and on a  tight schedule with a tightly controlled (militaristic), regimented daily routine, the present overbearing sight of unused medical supplies gave me a sense of un-ease with this disease.   Also, as these items began collecting dust, the fact of keeping them, hanging on to them ”just-in-case,” became unbearable, analytically unnecessary.  As with many facets of this, my life as a diabetic, the addition of dust compounded unacceptance.   I have rationalized the ‘collective’ matter and put it into perspective (reality).  Simply, if this stuff is literally collecting a fine layer of dust and I haven’t used this, that or the other for an obvious long time, get rid of it!   Phew!  I am a realist.

During the past sixteen years I have used four different brands of an infamous invention known as ‘the insulin pump.’  Sure, it’s a great BIG deal while strategizing life with this disease.  But this essay is not specifically about or limited to such mechanisms.  Admittedly being a cyborg, such machines have allowed me disconcerting flexibility.    Also keep in mind that none of the pumps that I have used are or were fool-proof.   While helping me to maintain an acceptable HbA1C level (see definition further on) when working properly (key words), all of them stopped working at one point or another.  Therefore, another supply or another was given, purchased, suggested, forced on me to troubleshoot this expensive ($6.5K+) machine.  I am not cheap.  Therefore, my medical supply collection is not as well.

“HbA1c levels depend on the blood glucose concentration. That is, the higher the glucose concentration in blood, the higher the level of HbA1c.   Levels of HbA1c are not influenced by daily fluctuations in the blood glucose concentration but reflect the average glucose levels over the prior six to eight weeks. Therefore, HbA1c is a useful indicator of how well the blood glucose level has been controlled in the recent past and may be used to monitor the effects of diet, exercise, and drug therapy on blood glucose in diabetic patients.

“In healthy, non-diabetic patients the HbA1c level is less than 7% of total hemoglobin. It has been demonstrated that the complications of diabetes can be delayed or prevented if the HbA1c level can be kept close to 7%. In general, values should be kept below 8%.”

Okay, with that important information aside, it is still time to clean out the closet!   No procrastinating now!  I’m on a roll!  And, as joyously anticipated, the closet looks so much better!  There’s room - open, cleared, cleaned out and cleaned off; room enough for seven hats, or many books, or blankets and pillows or board games.  Good heavens, knowing that I can’t decide, I decided to leave it empty.  Gosh, that was a simple decision.

The supplies?  Well, the inventory holds: 1 (one) Link Assist; 3 (three) boxes of cartridges, 2 (two) of these are unopened; 8 (eight) boxes of infusion sets, 3 (three) of which have been opened; 1 (one) software CD; 1 (one) “Quick Reference Guide;” 1 (one) “Pocket Guide;” 1 (one) battery cover; 4 (four) hard plastic battery removers; 1 (one) hand-held device; 2 (two) hard plastic insulin pump shipping cases; 3 (three) glucometers without strips; 4 (four) unopened boxes of lancets; and menial additions of sundry medical supplies.  Now, on to what to do with this stuff…

To pause, let me address readers that are totally unfamiliar with what I am writing on about.  Non-diabetics are granted my utmost respect when caring for a diabetic which involves constant learning.  It’s all tiring, fatiguing, boring and such.  But facts is facts.  Interested parties can easily, very easily, look up this stuff.  And so…  

Of course I telephoned each of the responsible manufacturing companies to inquire about ‘this stuff.’  You know what I was told?  Of course not, but I will tell you: “Throw it away.”  T H R O W   I T   A W A Y.   Throw it away??!!! As this repeated phrase was and is not only unacceptable to me but flabbergasting in itself, I was still on a pride-driven roll with a curve: give it to a person in need.  Heck, it’s all paid for!  With that in mind, I contacted my doctor.  She told me to “put it [the inventory] on Craig’s list and give it away that way.”  Wow.  I was and remain floored, stunned, with her remark. 

In my attempts to become someone’s anonymous heroine, to give away, to donate packaged, clean, necessary and expensive medical supplies is presently for naught.   Lovingly packed and organized, these boxes have since been carried and tenderly placed in another room.  Once again, I know what I must do but I cannot get myself to do it – post it all on Craig’s list.  It doesn’t seem right; such an action makes me uncomfortable.  I have also thought of contacting the American Red Cross, thinking – hoping – that, perhaps, a medical facility in Croatia, Poland, Greenland, Romania, Wherever would be excitedly appreciative of such items.  Or is diabetes non-existent over there?! 

Summarily, I consider this matter to be an undecided conundrum with the addition of insult.  I’m also sure that I am not alone and not the first to have faced this challenge.  Things that make you go “hmm.”

A. K. Buckroth, Author, www.mydiabeticsoul.com, www.GlobalDiabetesAwareness.com.

This article introduces you to a successful life of a diabetic.  Through the publication of  My Diabetic Soul - An Autobiography by A. K. Buckroth, I share my life with you while enduring over fifty years with diabetes.  The book joyfully begins with my birth in 1957 following with the medical diagnosis of diabetes in 1959.  At the age of two years old, I was tagged – labeled – and presently remain acknowledged as a juvenile diabetic.  At the age of twelve, I was told I would be dead before I reached thirty-one years.  Zealousness took over after I heard that.  It was important for me to get things done: travel, graduate, have a family, etc. before my term was up!  This book may even be considered as a historical process in the life of any successful diabetic.  

As mentioned, this book travels through a half-century of my life beginning with necessary growing tumults of childhood due to this disease; on through adolescence; living through peer pressures; one marriage with three miscarriages; single-motherhood; college graduations; world travels; and careers all while fighting to stay alive on a daily basis.  Learning maturity along with self-respect, self-discipline and having to succumb to norms of societal conformity have thus far resulted in a progressive and happy life.  That always was the ultimate goal.   With a soaring spirit, my story is told.

Through nine summers spent at the Clara Barton Birthplace Camp for Girls  (now known as The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc.), I recall being flabbergasted and relieved that there were other girls like me.  Incredibly awesome!  Serious fun through sharing, learning, singing, laughing, playing, and more learning had been instilled in my soul to the present day, my diabetic soul.  The numerous and knowledgeable camp staffers not only guided and directed me towards living healthy, it set the foundation of my life, to be able to live my life.  I continue to live responsibly and successfully under that guidance.  Once you accept to know right from wrong, nothing can be so bad.  Through the grace of being able to go to camp, I learned how to figure it all out properly with diligence.

With that in mind, proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the ongoing endeavors of The Barton Center.  That statement is plainly stated in the book along with the address of The Barton Center just in case a reader or more would like to make a separate donation.

Everyone needs a heroine and a miracle – maybe just a good example.  Five decades of living with diabetes has been an honor, a divine gift.  Sound corny?  Once you read this autobiography, you will not only know what I mean, but you will believe in your strengths. You can maintain a balanced busy life!  I am proof that diabetes is not a death threat.   Accomplishments and encumbrances happen with or without strategizing one’s lifestyle.  ”My Diabetic Soul - An Autobiography,” is a reality redeemer for all readers. 

My website, www.Mydiabeticsoul, is available for further information with access to the first two chapters of the book and a Contact Me section, my favorite part.  I like to hear your thoughts and opinions.  The Simplie Indie Online Store is presently taking orders for paperback  and e-book versions.  Enjoy and take care – important words to live by!

 A. K. Buckroth, www.mydiabeticsoul.com, www.SimplieIndie.com, www.GlobalDiabetesAwareness.com.

Travel preparedness for and with  this equipment alone takes anywhere from many weeks to a few days.  As a lifetime diabetic, traveling has been possible, however an encumbrance.  For instance, if and when I need to order supplies for this particular machine, I make sure I have the funds to pay for the supplies.  When an order is placed, it arrives within four days (e.g., infusion sets, cartridges, IV 3000s, alcohol preps, batteries, etc.).  Other necessary diabetes-care supplies takes two weeks to arrive after an order is placed (e..g, glucose meter strips and lancets, insulin(s), ketone strips, glucagon, Ace-Inhibitor pills, syringes, etc.).  This chore does not include clothes packing, weather charting, dog sitter arrangements, having someone post my soon-to-be-due bills, etc.  It is what waits for me at any airport that I find uncomfortable and uneasy. 

Approaching the security checkpoint is extremely unnerving.  

After removing my laced sneakers as required (I insist on wearing closed-toe shoes to avoid feet harm), I place them in the available large rectangular bucket as is compulsory.  Another bucket will hold by medical-carry-on bag, my stand-alone wallet and a book.  Sure, everything scans out wonderfully well – so far.   I always wondered why the security agents have never ever questioned me about carrying syringes on board!

Okay, so my stuff is going through.  Now it’s my turn, my physical turn to pass through. 

Embarrassment #1: I no longer attach my insulin pump to the front of my bra because I quickly learned from another flying experience not do so in order to avoid tremendous self-embarrassment and humiliation!  So, I always clip it to the waist band of my pants or skirt.

As I walk through the security doorway screening thingy, it beeps.  The screening thingy has always beeped since wearing an insulin pump.  It’s been fifteen years now, and it still causes the security doorway screening thingy to beep.  I understand why.  Its metal computer components set it off.

  Embarrassment #2:  “Step over here, ma’am,” a guard says politely.  I do what he or she says.  “Female attendant required,” is always the next statement from the available guard.

As a uniformed female security guard approaches my holding area (off to the side in open and plain view of all the security guards and all other travelers = embarrassment #3), she explains what she will be doing.  “It’s my insulin pump that set it off,” I explain.  “I’m sure it is,” she replies.  “Now empty your pockets.”  Having empty pockets to begin with, I turn them out.  With bright blue rubber examination gloves covering both of her hands, she begins the slow process of touching my body – all over: head, neck, shoulders, breasts, rib cage, hips, inside waist band, buttocks, crotch, thighs, calves, ankles, feet.  Then it is done again.  She also swabs the palms of my hands with a round cloth, approximately four inches in diameter.  This is to check for incendiary powder.  My feet bottoms have also been wiped on other flight occasions, but not always.

After at least fifteen minutes, I am cleared to go.  This happens all the time!  Due to this process, my flight dreams have become eluded.  I do not want to travel by airplane.  The only choice I have is not to go – anywhere – by airplane.   However, that is often times impossible, especially on a moment’s notice.  

In retrospect, I respect what has to be done but I don’t like it.

Does anyone else out there feel the same way?  It would be nice to know that I am not the only one.  I can’t be.  Not with 90 million diabetics in this country, one-third of whom use an insulin pump.   

I still dream about being cured.  In the meantime, I endure as I am sure you do.  I look forward to hearing from you!

A. K. Buckroth  www.mydiabeticsoul.com; www.GlobalDiabetesAwareness.com.

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• Borders Bookstore, 2765 East Bidwell Street, Folsom, CA  95630  (916) 984-5900;

NOTE: Orders are convenient.  Through Borders Bookstores, use your “Borders Rewards Card” with an updated coupon – www.BordersCoupons.com – for special savings!

• Placerville News, 409 Main Street, Placerville, CA  95667  (530) 622-4510;
• Hein & Co. Bookstore, 204 Main Street, Jackson, CA  95642 (209) 223-9076;
• Book Lovers Bookstore, 5800 Madison Avenue, Sacramento, CA  95841 (916) 332-3133;
• Ghost Mountain Ranch General Store, 5560 Badger Hill Road, Pollock Pines, CA  95726  (530) 644-7643;
• The most convenient and easiest way to obtain your copy is here, at www.SimplieIndieOnlineStore.  This is the publisher.  CEO Bill Walker, who will satisfy your inquiry at (916) 474-9292.  http://bit.ly/SIAKBuckroth
• The Market Place, 11395 Folsom Blvd., Rancho Cordova, CA  95742.

Library Availabilities/Locations:

• El Dorado County Library, 345 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA  95726  (530) 621-5540;
• Pollock Pines Public Library, 6210 Pony Express Trail, Pollock Pines, CA  95726  (530) 644-2498;
• Roseville Public Library, 1530 Maidu Drive, Roseville, CA  95661 (916) 774-5915;
• Carmichael Public Library, 5605 Marconi Avenue, Carmichael, CA  95608 (916) 264-2700.

Updates will be available as they happen.  Good Luck, Good Reading, Good Days!

A. K. Buckroth, Author