A Constant Glucose Meter Update

Back in August I wrote about how wearing a constant glucose meter (CGM) is a game changer in helping me manage my diabetes. I still believe that a CGM should be standard issue when someone receives a diabetes diagnosis but in this post I want to talk about one downside that I have experienced over the last several months. While the commercials for CGMs talk about getting away from finger sticks, in my experience it is prudent to keep the old lancet and standard glucose meter nearby.

Recently, after attaching a new CGM, I began to get numbers that did not make any sense. I woke up the next morning to an unusually high reading and just couldn’t seem to get the number back down. Over the next 48 hours I did what I would usually do when my readings are high but  nothing seemed to work. And then it hit me. I needed to get my old meter out to verify what the CGM was telling me. After a quick finger prick, I had my reading and it was significantly lower than what I was seeing on my CGM. Fortunately the Dexcom G7 that I wear has a function that allows for recalibration and within 5 minutes my CGM was back into agreement with my old fashion glucose meter.

The instructions for the Dexcom G7 warn that during the first 24 hours after inserting a new unit, there might be some readings that are off and on their website Dexcom advises taking a finger stick reading any time that the CGM readings don’t make sense or don’t match what you are feeling. While most of the time my CGMs are on target, there are times when I need to recalibrate. So while I wish I could get rid of my old lancet, I still need it and am thankful for the ability to verify the information that I use in managing my glucose levels.

Maybe one day we will have a CGM that does not need any recalibration or any other kind of back up reading. But for now, if you are thinking about getting a CGM, remember that you need to keep your old lancet and glucose meter, and yes you will still need to do the occasional finger stick. That being said, a good constant glucose meter is still the way to go when managing diabetes.

See Also: Continuous Glucose Monitors Are Game Changers

Book Reviewed: The Golden 13

 Prior to World War II the Navy’s record when it came to race relations was…well…dismal. Opportunities for blacks within the service were very limited in part due to a major written report that warned of what might happen if African-Americans were allowed to serve onboard a Navy vessel alongside a white crew. These attitudes were a reflection of what was going on in the nation outside of the service. So as the nation fought for freedom overseas, blacks were not afforded the same here at home.

The Golden 13 describes a major change within the Navy. Under pressure to change, this branch of the military would create a test program in which 13 men would become the Navy’s first black officers. Based in part on personal interviews, this book tells why these men joined the service in the first place and describes what they faced as they worked their way up the ranks. Dan C. Goldberg gives us a good mix of historical background along with the personal stories of these men, leaving the reader with a view of what was at stake and why these men were the right group to face the challenge.

The Golden 13 is well written and fun to read. The writing is unbiased, a simple telling of a story that should not be forgotten. The narrative covers a topic that must be acknowledged as we cannot run away from the fact that racism is a part of our history and in some areas is still an issue today. But in acknowledging the problem we must also acknowledge situations where people of both races worked towards change. This book is a record of just such a situation, revealing a major step towards this nation fulfilling its promise.

I give The Golden 13 two thumbs up, recommending it to anyone who enjoys history and to those who are interested in learning about where the United States used to be and how we got to where we are today.

The Golden 13: How Black Men Won The Right to Wear Navy Gold by Dan C. Goldberg. Published by Beacon Press Books.

Which is More Important? God’s Love or God’s Glory?

I wrote the following in my personal journal about six years ago. Let me know what you think? Do you agree? Contact me on Twitter  (@denniswcoleman) or via email (dcwriter1@hotmail.com) and yes I know it’s no longer called Twitter.

Which is More Important? God’s Love or God’s Glory?

God spoke to my heart this morning, correcting an error I have long carried. I have always seen Him as about His glory first, me second. God challenged me to reconcile this with Christ. Christ gave up what He had in Heaven, taking on human flesh which clothed His glory. The creator made himself like the created. He endured humiliation and pain even though He could call an army of angels to His side for battle. He died on the cross that I might live. These are not the actions of someone Who puts His own glory first. My erroneous view cannot be reconciled with Christ.

God is love. This is what was demonstrated in Christ, especially at the cross. This is the truth. This is God, who loves me. Yes He is to be glorified but somehow He can do so while putting His children (including me) first. He loved me first, making it easy to set aside His glory for the cross. That love is still strong. I must learn to live as if God loves me, not as if He puts His glory first.