Organizing for Type 2 Diabetes With Simple Things

by Cynthia H

4 Materials

15 Minutes

Easy

A year ago, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I'm an RN who still had to learn more about my condition, and deal with the extra items now in my life to manage this disease. Suddenly I had new pills to worry about, a machine to check my blood levels of glucose, sharp little needles to pick my finger with (and then to dispose of), test strips and a diary to track my numbers. There is also lab work to keep track of. That and new diet considerations and I felt a bit overwhelmed. I think that's a pretty normal feeling. What always makes me feel better is having something under control. So I decided to organize my supplies in a way that made them easy to use.

organizing for type 2 diabetes with simple things

This is what it looks like with everything in place. Let me give you a tour.

There are three levels to the tote. This is the top tray where I keep my "needles" for my glucose testing. Sometimes I don't keep this many in it, but, decided to try it out to see how many it holds. My answer was a month's supply.

The second tray holds my little gizmos for my finger sticks.

The case for my testing meter, containing the meter. When I go somewhere overnight, I pack all supplies in it, and just take the case. A smaller pill bottle is easier to pack for sharps at times like that.

Here is the bottom tray with everything in it. I keep my calendar with my documentation of my finger sticks, a pen, my labels from my pharmacy, my sharps container, my test strips and my glucose tester. There is also room for test solution if you want to keep it in here.

I bought this daily calendar at the dollar store. Each day has a block and I write in what my glucose reading was, and what time it was taken, if it was before or after a meal. I normally do mine first thing in the morning unless I'm going to the gym that day, or have symptoms I need a reading for.

In Pennsylvania (you can look up state regulations online) sharps only need to be contained to prevent accidental injury. Some people use old detergent containers, coffee cans, etc. Most people don't have access to a professional sharps container which requires special handling and disposal. I found another use for old prescription bottles, especially the big fat ones!

The inside of the sharps container. I like using containers like this because they are small enough to throw out when full, can be placed inside another container, and no one gets an accidental stick. I know I'm healthy without any communicable diseases, but, who wants to get stuck by a needle?

My test strips.

You can see my sharps, my tool for the finger sticks, my case with glucose testing machine, my calendar, pen, my prescriptions, and my hand drawing all nice and neat in the bottom.

A simple trick to track your finger testing so you don't get sore fingers. I keep track of which finger I do the check on by which side of the finger I use, going through the three fingers on one hand, then doing the same on the other, then switch sides and rotate through again. Visual aids, especially before morning coffee are a big help for me. The date matches my calendar. Many people use the pad of their finger, and all five fingers. My thumb and little finger get sore when I use them, so I don't. The pad of your finger is very sensitive and will get sore if used, at least for me, so I use the fleshy part on the side. After a year of self testing, I still have good skin on my fingers, and no thickened areas. I've seen how painful fingers have been for patients in the past, so I do this, which has worked for me. I mark which hand it is (I know you can tell by the thumb , but, when you're sleepy, it helps). Outline them once, one hand on each side, make copies (or keep outlining them) and each sheet with both hands on it will last you12 days (or longer if you use all fingers).

This is what the closed container looks like. I have some paint on the lid from when I was painting one day, but, the contents were protected. It could be decorated, if someone wanted it decorated! I just like keeping everything together. It is a discreet way to make me feel in control. My prescription medication is kept with my other prescriptions and over the counter medications. I keep a day's supply of pills in my purse, in a childproof bottle for a day I might forget to take something.