8/9 Ruby AMPS 285/+10 252/+11 197/PMPS 218/+2 181

[Katherine&Ruby]

Yesterday.

Today is DBF’s first day back at the office in 17 months and he will be going in intermittently for a while. I have a sitter/vet tech coming to test and feed Ruby between +3 and +4. He is only comfortable doing the paw pad poke and I’m not happy about this. I am hoping over time I can convince him to do the ear. He said it’s easier to control her this way so that she doesn’t bolt. I told Ruby this morning to be nice. DBF will be home by +10 to test her again.

Surf safely today, kitties!

 

[carfurby (GA)]

I hope things go well with the vet tech. Surf safely Ruby.

 

[Pamela & Amethyst]

 

[tiffmaxee]

Good luck today with the tech.

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Is he going to text you her BG numbers or something?

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

I hope all goes well with the vet tech ♥

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

Is he going to text you her BG numbers or something?

He doesn’t text. He called me to let me know he kept getting errors when he tried testing her. This is a guy who said he was diabetic and has fostered a diabetic cat! I told him to go home and meet me after I get home from work to figure out what went wrong. Not an auspicious way for us to start our working relationship. And Ruby has had NO tests all day for the first time since joining the FDMB. I’m so upset!

 

[Liz & Minnie]

He doesn’t text. He called me to let me know he kept getting errors when he tried testing her. This is a guy who said he was diabetic and has fostered a diabetic cat! I told him to go home and meet me after I get home from work to figure out what went wrong. Not an auspicious way for us to start our working relationship. And Ruby has had NO tests all day for the first time since joining the FDMB. I’m so upset!

Hmmm. Either you're going to train him well or find someone who works. On the plus side, once you have done either you should be GOLDEN if you want to go away! Be good, Roobs!!

 

[Jay Dee]

Ahhh I understand the stress! I hope all works out and you and ruby have a safe day!

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Boy oh boy Katherine, can't anything go easy
Like you said this sitter/vet tech said he's a diabetic and has fostered a diabetic cat
and kept getting errors I'm glad he's going to come by after you get home from work so you can see what the problem is , please let us know

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

He doesn’t text. He called me to let me know he kept getting errors when he tried testing her. This is a guy who said he was diabetic and has fostered a diabetic cat! I told him to go home and meet me after I get home from work to figure out what went wrong. Not an auspicious way for us to start our working relationship. And Ruby has had NO tests all day for the first time since joining the FDMB. I’m so upset!

I keep thinking about this! Does the guy not ever test himself? Or does he wear a monitor or have an insulin pump or something? I don’t get it. And the poor diabetic cat he fostered!!

 

[Hercule's mum]

I have gotten away one night since hercs has been diagnosed. Like you I was psyched I got a vet tech to come and check on him and shoot him. I get a call saying hercs was 1.6 (lime), and had given HC and he wasn't going up. I freaked out, but after a few minutes of conversation it turn out that he was 33, and tech was doing some sort of incorrect conversion.... so he was 33 9black) and getting loads of HC !

What can I say... out kitties trained us well, and there aren't as many die hards as us!
A little training will hopefully sort it out! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

 

[Marina & Chico]

we can’t even imagine finding someone who would be able to do anything like testing/shooting insulin, finding someone willing to learn is golden already, I really hope it works out

I have gotten away one night since hercs has been diagnosed. Like you I was psyched I got a vet tech to come and check on him and shoot him. I get a call saying hercs was 1.6 (lime), and had given HC and he wasn't going up. I freaked out, but after a few minutes of conversation it turn out that he was 33, and tech was doing some sort of incorrect conversion.... so he was 33 9black) and getting loads of HC !

From one extreme of stress to the other

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

I rarely ever test at +11, but the vet tech came back and I watched him poke Ruby and try to get blood. He was not drawing enough blood into the test strip and it kept timing out and giving him an error. Then I showed him how I did it, and it worked. I told him not to feel bad, it took me weeks to get it right myself and I have been doing it at least 5 times a day for the last 11 months so I have had a lot of practice. He refused my money today, didn't want to get paid because he didn't get the job done, which made me feel a little bad for him. Ruby was a champ and totally calm through all of his poking.

So we try again tomorrow.

On the plus side, once you have done either you should be GOLDEN if you want to go away!

This is what I am hoping. This guy is super weird, socially awkward, but he clearly loves animals so much and I think he needs the work. If he is able to do it well it could be a long term gig for him so let's hope it works for all of us!

I keep thinking about this! Does the guy not ever test himself? Or does he wear a monitor or have an insulin pump or something? I don’t get it. And the poor diabetic cat he fostered!!

In order for him to understand what he needed to do, he poked himself and tested. He said he neglects his own diabetes but he's pretty well regulated--he got a 99! He also said he doesn't mind poking Ruby or using needles on animals but is a "wuss" about doing it on himself. He had no problem testing the foster cat, he said, so I dunno.

we can’t even imagine finding someone who would be able to do anything like testing/shooting insulin

We haven't gotten him to do the insulin yet, Marina. I showed him my whole caliper set up and I think his eyes crossed. Hopefully when he does have to do it, the dose will be at a half or whole unit.

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

I have gotten away one night since hercs has been diagnosed. Like you I was psyched I got a vet tech to come and check on him and shoot him. I get a call saying hercs was 1.6 (lime), and had given HC and he wasn't going up. I freaked out, but after a few minutes of conversation it turn out that he was 33, and tech was doing some sort of incorrect conversion.... so he was 33 9black) and getting loads of HC !

What can I say... out kitties trained us well, and there aren't as many die hards as us!
A little training will hopefully sort it out! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Karen, I don't understand...what kind of conversion did he need to do? HC isn't the worst thing to happen to Hercs, but imagine if he was low and the tech thought he was high! That would be my nightmare pet sitting scenario.

It's true that our kitties have us well trained. I told the tech that I have had loads of practice and reassured him over and over that he will get it right. I could probably get someone else to come, but it's another stranger for Ruby to get used to, and this guy is not charging me much more than a regular cat sitter who comes to throw kibble in a bowl and scoop some litter, so I have to count my blessings there. Plus he seems to genuinely love animals. He is awkward and gruff but was very gentle and tender with Ruby, more so than even me. We shall see how it all goes!

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Maybe he will turn out to be a diamond in the rough. He just had a tough first day today.

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

Maybe he will turn out to be a diamond in the rough. He just had a tough first day today.

Agreed. He was so worried that Ruby was going to go low and he couldn't test her but I wasn't concerned. Thankfully Miss Ruby likes the yellows a lot these days.

 

[Liz & Minnie]

Ugh. Good luck! At least he is concerned, a very good sign. You want someone who is more cautious, right?

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Good luck for tomorrow, I'm glad after you showed him he was successful with his next poke. Did he use the paw or the ear?
I hope he works out for you, good to know he truly loves animals
Good girl Ruby for being such a champ
Keeping my fingers crossed that tomorrow will be a good day ♥

 

[Our Dolly Girl (GA)]

I hope all goes well tomorrow Katherine. Maybe he will spend some time watching YouTube videos on testing cats tonight. Maybe he will get brave and use himself as a pin cushion to practice Good luck tomorrow. Ruby, put on your patience pants.

 

[Butters & Lyla]

I told him not to feel bad, it took me weeks to get it right myself and I have been doing it at least 5 times a day for the last 11 months so I have had a lot of practice.

This.
It took me weeks to get comfortable with each new thing: BG testing, shooting insulin, and then using calipers. He actually really sounds promising because he seems to have the right attitude and a willingness to learn, plus a vet tech background is a huge plus. I think with time and practice that he could be great! I'm actually really excited that you found him and I can't wait for the next update on how he is doing.