Diabetes Blog Week day 3 - Clean it Out

"Yesterday we kept stuff in, so today let's clear stuff out.  What is in your diabetic closet that needs to be cleaned out?  This can be an actual physical belonging, or it can be something you're mentally or emotionally  hanging on to.  Why are you keeping it and why do you need to get rid of it?"

This is the clean shelf of my dia-stuff.  All of it in expiration date order.

It's true.  I keep stuff that doesn't necessarily need to be kept.

• I still have the meter case that came with my meter, but I use a small makeup bag instead. 
• I still have the belt case that came with my first Dexcom G4, but I started using a TallyGear case almost right away.
• I still have the Dexcom transmitters that have dead batteries.
• I still have the complete box my first pump came in, but I've received a new pump since then.

This doesn't only apply to diabetes supplies.

• I still have all the glasses and their cases my daughter got as she was growing up.  There are 4 pair in the bottom drawer of my bathroom.
• I still have the shoe boxes from the last 4 pair of shoes I bought.
• I still have the cookie tin from a box of cookies I received at Christmas time.

I don't really need to keep all of these things.  Some are useful for other things though.  The cookie tine is a rather nice rectangular red metal box.  I used it this weekend to hold my clothespins while I washed their normal container.  The belt case for my Dexcom G4 is nice as a backup for when I wash the TallyGear case.  For the most part though, this stuff is unnecessary.

The problem is, I can't get rid of it.

The meter case is a perfect example.  It is designed especially for my meter.  It has a nice plastic holder in it and an elastic slip to hold a test strip bottle.  I can't use it for anything else, but here's the problem - it came with  my meter.  I still use my meter.  I can't get rid of the case.

The same goes for dresses, books, pajamas, or anything that comes together.  I have a mental block about separating them.  It doesn't matter that I don't wear half of the pajamas because they don't fit, I can't get rid of it until I get rid of the half that does fit.  Does that make sense?

The Dexcom transmitters are a different story.  I know they don't work.  I know I could never use them again (no matter how much weight I lose).  I still keep them.  There is a mental block against just throwing something away that cost so much.  I just can't do it. 

What do YOU do with your old transmitters?