Friday, June 15, 2007

Little Things

Typically, I'm pretty easy going when it comes to big changes. Starting a new job, moving to a new home. I go with the flow and roll with the punches (well, maybe there are small what-the-hell-am-I-doing? moments along the way).


But the little things... small changes to routines or alterations in products seem to irk me (unless it's a significant improvement). Can't explain it, they just do.


I started using the One Touch Ultra 2 back in April. It came with a much smaller lancet device than previous One Touch models.




It took a bit of getting used to, but being an improvement - I have tiny hands! - I welcomed the new little finger sticker.


Then three days ago, it went all funky on me.


When I was getting ready to do my post-lunch test at work, posed with the lancet pen against my right, index finger, I pressed the button and heard the lancet spring forward, but it didn't even graze my finger. I checked the dial to see if it somehow got changed to a lower setting, but it was at 3 where it always is.


I tried again with the dial set to 4. Same result.


I took the pen away from my finger and loaded and clicked the button a few times. I could hear it spring forward each time, so I was a bit confused as to why it wasn't hitting my finger.


I tried again at 5 and 6. No luck.


I finally pulled the cap off the pen and, biting my lower lip in preparation, stabbed myself with the lancet manually. More than enough blood sprang forward, and a nice, purple bruise followed seconds afterward.


Later when I was at home and prepared to test before dinner, I forgot about the malfunctioning pen. When the lancet didn't pierce my finger, I suddenly remembered the bruise from the forceful jab I gave myself on my index finger. Not wanting to repeat the same incident, I retrieved the pen - which is the same as the Ultra 2 pen - from my Ultra Mini case (as excited as I was to get it, I have decided to keep the Mini as a back up since it doesn't store much data).


I used the pen for that particular test, but I didn't want to permanently separate pen from meter because, as silly as it sounds, they go together. They're the Mini meter and mini pen. Like Ben & Jerry or Häag & (I mean, Häagen-) Dazs.


I went to my stash of old glucometer cases in the closet and dug out the pen from my One Touch Ultra.



The earlier generation of One Touch lancet device felt GI-NORMOUS! And after using the new-old pen for almost three days, it still feels very awkward in my hand.


So I may need to break up Mini meter and mini pen. I hope they don't miss each other too much.





Please forgive my pathetic photo-editing skills.

4 comments:

jill. said...

Yeah I don't like to switch up meter components either. But I couldn't stand the flash lancet device so I had to borrow devices from other meters.

As long as you're switching, have you tried the multiclix? I really like it and then you only have to change the lancet drum 1/6th as frequently!

(That works out to about every three years for me... only partially kidding :))

Caro said...

Reading this, I've only just realised that when I was sent a new Ultra 2 a few months back, it didn't come with a lancing device at all. Which is unusual. The mini one looks cool too.

Mind you, I don't actually use a One Touch meter at present, (preferring the Freestyle for its little light on the strip) and I'm a Multiclix devotee!

Don't think I've commented here before, but I like your blog!

Anonymous said...

I recently got a Mini and love the 'mini' lancet. Much prefer it to the bigger pen. I seem to have it set higher than the blue pen was set - I wonder what the difference is...

Wingman said...

I've been on the lookout for a decent lancet ever since my finger pricking career started. I use the flash meter but am constantly ripping the lancet cover off when I pull the triger back - I may have to check out this multiclix.