Tidbits
There are a few things I want to write about today, but they’re not really interconnected. So, I’m going to just jump from topic to topic. Try to keep up 
Today, I see Dr. S. I’m not looking forward to getting my A1c because I know it’s going to be higher than last time. I just hope it’s under 7% so that the baby progress can continue. I’m strongly considering going back on Symlin. I took it once before and had awful nausea, but I didn’t really give it a chance. I stopped after a few days – mostly because we decided to start “actively trying to conceive,” which meant no Symlin. Frankly, I wasn’t sorry to see it go.
But now, I’m really trying to lose weight. It’s my primary goal and I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle. I’ve got HUGE genetic factors working against me. On my father’s side, which is the side I take after, there is not a single person under 200lbs. I’ve always had to fight my body’s natural inclination to be heavy, but now I need a little extra help.
The other benefit of Symlin is that it will help to reduce those spikes I get after meals AND reduce my TDD. So, if I can handle a couple of weeks of nausea, I think it would probably help me. I’m not looking forward to a form of MDI again, but I’ll deal.
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Next, I want to talk about Roddy Pippin. We had some good news in our fight last week. The Warden of the Jester III prison granted Roddy a few considerations:
- He would be allowed to attend Sunday worship services – something he’s been denied since December.
- He would have access to a telephone.
- He would be allowed to change channels on the television in the infirmary (this one isn’t all that big of a deal since Roddy isn’t a TV watcher).
Unfortunately, these considerations were short-lived. The prison P.A. said No more – “No more worship service for Pippin! And no recreation, no law library, etc.” The P.A. also said “Pippin is NOT allowed to leave the prison solitary confinement for the next 3 years and 8 months!” This is not a disciplinary case issue. So, we know that the prison P.A. is in cahoots with the D.A., but the question I have is this: Does the P.A. have more power than the Warden? Evidently, she does.
There was a recent AP article done on Roddy. While I initially liked the tone of the article, I don’t like what various publications did with it. One, in particular, was the Dallas Morning News. They created a headline that was not at all relevant to the article. They did this to incite anger in their readers, and they succeeded. I spent some time trying to respond to the nasty comments that followed the article, but most people were content believing a bunch of lies and exaggerations. I’ve learned that it’s a losing battle with the press. Unless/until the story breaks out of Texas journalism, it will never be told truthfully.
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Last, I want to talk about the unbelievable liar my body is making me out to be. I sat in Dr. T.’s office last week (ironically the day my period was due) and told her how “regular” I am. Hell, I am more reliable than a calendar. Until this month. I am now officially one week late. I’m not-so-patiently waiting to have all of these tests done, which are dependent on my period. But my period is MIA. It’s so frustrating.
Themocracy
Not liking this news (or lack thereof) about Roddy. As before, I urge you to contact the Texas Lawyer about possible interest. It’s a legal newspaper, so might be a tougher sell, but I wonder if they might be interested in some intro like: prisoner access to law libraries; “cattle-thieves” working their way through appeals or what happens after the appeals; any changing nature of these types of crimes’ sentences in the state. A couple possibilities that might peak a legal paper’s interest, at least. But don’t really know. I’d go through all the regular contacts there – editor, managing, all reporters. http://www.law.com/jsp/tx/specials.jsp?p=contact
I have a Symlin pen in my bag and I told myself (last week after I was sick as heck) that I was giving up. But I need to give it a chance. I never stick with it so I can I know if my body will get used to it? I am going to take a shot now. Ugh,. I am so scared.
@Mike – The thing is, I really don’t want this story told in Texas any more. We are experiencing something of a backlash because of the press attention to Roddy. The people in Texas have a completely different way of thinking, and we’re not going to change their minds. My goal is to get this story told at a national level. I’ve got lots of contacts, but the TSCRA is a VERY powerful organization.
@George – I feel you. I’m scared, too. Being nauseas is probably the worst feeling for me, so I’m looking into idea to help. One thing I read indicates that meclizine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meclizine) might help. It’s OTC, so it might be worth a try during those initial few weeks. I’m going to talk to my endo about it today – I’ll let you know what he says. Hang in there!
I get that. Sadly, it’s not a surprise. Regular mainstream press is inadequate at most levels. My train of thought getting away from the “emotional” end of it, from both sides, would be to get at the legal system angles. The Texas Lawyer is owned by those at ALM who have Law.com and are attached to so many legal publications nationally. On many fronts, what niche publications do are later picked up and echoed by those for the general public.