Too Fast - Too Complicated?!

"My Middle Kid and Chuck. Note No Technology"

Hello DOC and DOC stumblers, I wrote this over a month ago, and didn't post it. Better late then never I guess.  Oh, and it has absolutely nothing to do with Diabetes.

Today is what I would refer to as a free thought post.  Meaning no planned topic. Just what's on the Melon.

I have touched on the concept before of Making Things Too complicated.

Life being a Race, Hamster Stuck on a Wheel, type theme.

Cell Phones, Computers, iPads, TV, Video Games.  These are all great things in their own right, but at what expense. 

A few months ago, I was at the mall in a food court. At a nearby table sat a teen and his two parents. The father was talking to his son.  During this conversation the Boy never made eye contact, and continued to use his iPhone.  The crazy thing is, the father continued the conversation as if it were a normal thing. Now my wife and I commented afterwards how we would have taken the phone and had a serious discussion regarding proper communication.

I see people everywhere, driving, walking, in line ups, movies, you name it, they are on their gadgets, everywhere, all the time. Kids don't call each other anymore, they text or Facebook. To the point that doctors are seeing younger people with posture pain from looking down too much, crazy!

I can't help to ask, at what expense. Now before I proceed, I am not saying I don't agree with using technology, hell I use it all the time. I am just reflecting on what I observe and the potential social implications.

What I observe in the workplace for example is an increase in social avoidance and often more passive aggressive behavior. Professionally I rarely communicate directly anymore, its Voice Mail, Email, Text, and if that fails, Phone. Which is never really a good thing. People misinterpret  written emails the wrong way, because unlike verbal interaction there is no instant feedback loop and zero body language which is 70-80% of all communication. I find it cowardly to email an issue when you are in the same building, and was a little shocked at how often this happens. I feel people are getting worse in some cases at communicating as a result of all the other non-face-to-face options. Just my opinion of course.

I know this is a huge topic, that entails, email and FB bullying, online dating, gambling, and car accidents related to cell phone use. I am more concerned about one thing.

It is said that technology increases connectivity, but I also see it actually increasing social disconnectivity(I know it's not a word)

Instead of shutting off the TV, Cell, Computer, Video game, and going out to socialize, we are spending more and more time having our minds sucked into the technological realm and distracted from real life.

I guess this whole post stems from my more frequent walks and bike rides over lunch instead of spending it at my desk in front of my computer.

There is really something to be said when you hear a person's voice, see their expression, here their laughter.

I am once again not discouraging use of computers, or cells, but think we need to be aware of the social, physical and emotional ramifications of letting them overtake our every waking moment.

Sorry for the deep post. Not really diabetes related. Just stuff on the ole Melon.

Trev

Wanted - Diabetic Child to Feel Low

"Our baby"

Now if you read this and don't have Diabetes the title looks really bad, and please don't call the authorities.

I am not referring to a mood state of low. I have posted many a times regarding the same issue (my kids hypo unawareness) and here we go again.

We pick her up from the park (she was with her two older sisters) and load them into the van. We perform a routine check and........

Ready for this 1.2 mmol.  If you live in the US multiply by 18.  Yes I know, I gasped, as my wife scrambled for a juice box which she inhaled. I peeled into a 7-11 to grab more juice.

I was so disturbed, and shaken by this low that we just sat in front of the store in shock, of course,  nursing the sugar back up into a safe range.

Like no sign at all.  She did not look sweaty, she wasn't shaky, didn't feel hungry, actually told us she felt fine. Her natural complexion could land her a roll in a vampire movie, but what the hell. And yes we double checked the reading.

Then my wife turned to me and said, "I am so glad we picked her up when we did." If we were 10-15 minutes later the outcome makes me nauseous to ponder.

"Medtronic Sensor"

I went to the pharmacy this weekend and they now stock medtronic sensors,  $220 for 4 of them.  I think it's time. But those cannulas, which I've sampled are like the ones they use for tissue biopsies, BIG MO FO's.  I did read online that they are coming out with smaller ones in the USA so maybe by the time Rowan's my age we may get them. Also still waiting on the Dex for goodness sake.

Once again we had a very close encounter with a potentially deadly outcome.

Just needed to air this and get it off my chest. Just checked her she is 10 mmol and I am okay to sleep now.

I feel selfish complaining, when people are fleeing their countries for fear of being shot or poisoned by radiation. It does keep me humble, but nevertheless it doesn't make my worry any less.

I love my kid, more then myself, and the thought of not having the technology due to financial reasons, or because it is not child friendly, really chews me up inside.

I have started to prey again and I hope and prey that she soon starts to feel and sense when she is low. Please GOD, help me out here.

Trev