Lots of stuff going on here...Received my new CGM (just calling her Dexie at the moment...DexCom being the name of the company that makes it) I also got information on possibly getting a new pump, and I might end up switching companies. Currently, I use a pump by Medtronic (Minimed), so her name is Minnie. If I switch, it'll be to a company called Animas, so the new pump would be named Annie. We shall see...
And, please note...I am NOT sponsored or endorsed by ANY of these companies. Just stating facts of which I am using, or might use, but I am not saying that one is better than another.
This CGM is really cool. My husband and I keep checking out the trend charts. They show all your sugar levels for the last 1 hr, 3 hrs, 6 hrs, 12 hrs and 24 hrs. Kinda too much information, yet kinda cool to watch. When it wakes me up during the night because I am either high or low, it's okay the first time...but the second time in one night that it wakes me up, I get kinda cranky. OK...moderately cranky. I have had it for 2 weeks now, and I think I'm adjusting to it alright. Sometimes, the logistics of where to put it, both the sensor on my tummy, and where to carry the receiver, can be interesting. The sensor has to be 3 inches from my pump insertion site, the sensor and the pump insertion site both have to be at least 1-2 inches from the belly button, and frankly, that just seems overwhelming sometimes. :) So, currently I have Minnie on the right side and Dexie on the left. But, I need to switch them this next time. It's probably a good thing that I don't have anything remotely resembling a bikini body, because my tummy looks interesting. :) As for the receiver, I think it needs a pager button on the sensor. I have misplaced it a few times, and I run around the house in a panic trying to figure out where I set it down last. If I could page it, and follow the beep, that would be fantastic. Like when you have to call your cell phone from the land line, or someone else's phone to find out where it is. (You know you've done it too!!)
On a totally different note...I saw on Facebook the other day that Medtronic contacted people in the areas that were expected to be hit by Hurricane Irene, and reminded them to take their pump supplies if they had to evacuate, and also gave them their emergency supply number, so they could contact them if necessary. Great move, Medtronic!!
I remember a few years ago, we had a pretty ugly ice storm here (probably no biggie for other parts of the country, but here in the NW, we don't do that extreme weather too often!) Power went off, we didn't have a generator. Had to keep the insulin cold. And, had just filled my prescription, and had quite a bit of it. I was afraid to keep it outside, since it was SO cold, and it's not supposed to freeze. Probably could've put it in the garage, but we ended up getting to a friend's house, who had a generator that allowed them to keep their refrigerator going. One of those weird things I had never thought of before. Never think Mother Nature is going to have much to do with your diabetes, and yet...of course it does. EVERYTHING is affected by diabetes. Even your bikini body. :)
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Getting closer...
OK, well, just a couple of days til I start on the CGM. Quite a few of you helped me with ideas on names, mostly on Facebook. Some very original, funny ones too!! Thank you so much! Still haven't decided on one, (well, okay, two...) but we shall see how it goes. Might have to live with it for awhile...Update later.
So, for some reason, I am now getting nervous about this whole thing. The logistics of it are stressing me out. So, I have the pump attached to my tummy, which lives in my pocket or clipped onto my belt or waistband. Possibly, in a thigh strap with a dress, or occasionally in my bra. I already have to make that decision daily, sometimes multiple times a day, depending on what I am doing and how many times I have to change my clothes.
Then, when I go to bed, I have to clip it on my jammies, and try not to roll onto it while I'm sleeping. Don't misunderstand me, I DO roll onto it, and it briefly wakes me up, til I move it or I move, and go back to sleep. Seriously, I don't think I have slept through an entire night since I got it.
THEN, I am about to add another piece of machinery to my gadget collection. It will be attached to me, but it's wireless. However, it will still need to be near me...like in my purse, pocket, on my nightstand, etc. So, not QUITE as much of a pain, but still a pain. Not to mention that I have to carry my monitor, test strips, and poke-er thingee with me, plus glucose tablets, at all times. I used to like little to medium sized purses. Now, I require medium to large. Mostly large. (Partly because of my gorgeous, luxurious, big ol' wallet that my son gave me for my birthday...super cute, non-diabetic story) Anyway, this whole electronic aspect of diabetes has changed life in ways both big and small. Some involuntary, some voluntary. This next step is voluntary. Recommended and encouraged by my doctor. But still my choice. Sometimes I wonder why I am excited about it.
I am quite a control freak about lots of things. My doctor says that diabetes is a great disease to have if you are a control freak. And, this new gadget will help me get it under really tight control. Which is cool. Really cool. :) So, I have been chatting with God about this, and realizing that He has a plan. And, that it will be okay. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13) I believe this is a step that God wants me to take. I understand that it might not be easy. But it will be good for me, and will help me to be healthy, and to take care of this imperfect body that God gave me, until I get to heaven for that awesome, perfect heavenly body. (I am just assuming that if it is "perfect" that it will include a functioning pancreas. Yay God!) Yes, I still have to make healthier choices in eating and choose to exercise more often (okay, at all!) But still..."'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to bring you hope and a future.'" (Jer. 29:11) Oh, that gives me such peace when I just remember to remember it!!
So, for some reason, I am now getting nervous about this whole thing. The logistics of it are stressing me out. So, I have the pump attached to my tummy, which lives in my pocket or clipped onto my belt or waistband. Possibly, in a thigh strap with a dress, or occasionally in my bra. I already have to make that decision daily, sometimes multiple times a day, depending on what I am doing and how many times I have to change my clothes.
Then, when I go to bed, I have to clip it on my jammies, and try not to roll onto it while I'm sleeping. Don't misunderstand me, I DO roll onto it, and it briefly wakes me up, til I move it or I move, and go back to sleep. Seriously, I don't think I have slept through an entire night since I got it.
THEN, I am about to add another piece of machinery to my gadget collection. It will be attached to me, but it's wireless. However, it will still need to be near me...like in my purse, pocket, on my nightstand, etc. So, not QUITE as much of a pain, but still a pain. Not to mention that I have to carry my monitor, test strips, and poke-er thingee with me, plus glucose tablets, at all times. I used to like little to medium sized purses. Now, I require medium to large. Mostly large. (Partly because of my gorgeous, luxurious, big ol' wallet that my son gave me for my birthday...super cute, non-diabetic story) Anyway, this whole electronic aspect of diabetes has changed life in ways both big and small. Some involuntary, some voluntary. This next step is voluntary. Recommended and encouraged by my doctor. But still my choice. Sometimes I wonder why I am excited about it.
I am quite a control freak about lots of things. My doctor says that diabetes is a great disease to have if you are a control freak. And, this new gadget will help me get it under really tight control. Which is cool. Really cool. :) So, I have been chatting with God about this, and realizing that He has a plan. And, that it will be okay. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13) I believe this is a step that God wants me to take. I understand that it might not be easy. But it will be good for me, and will help me to be healthy, and to take care of this imperfect body that God gave me, until I get to heaven for that awesome, perfect heavenly body. (I am just assuming that if it is "perfect" that it will include a functioning pancreas. Yay God!) Yes, I still have to make healthier choices in eating and choose to exercise more often (okay, at all!) But still..."'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to bring you hope and a future.'" (Jer. 29:11) Oh, that gives me such peace when I just remember to remember it!!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Name those appendages!
So, last Friday (early!!!) I received my Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) in the mail. Very exciting for a geek like me. Unfortunately, I couldn't get an appointment with my Diabetes Educator until next week to learn how to use the silly thing. So, it sits. In the box(es). Not that I didn't open it. I did. And, I took out each part, and stared, intimidated, at the thing that you insert it with. Very wicked looking. And, I mean wicked in the old person way...you know, negative. Not the young person, cool way. Eek!! Not that I am afraid of needles...but that's really not the point. And, I looked at the super thick instruction manual. And held the tutorial disc. And the accompanying software discs. Oh dear! SO much information. And technical stuff. The geek side of me thinks it is SO COOL...and the other, less geeky side of me is intimidated and a little overwhelmed.
Now, if I haven't explained this to you, and you don't already know, the CGM is a machine-type thing that has a little attachment that goes on/in my tummy (a little bigger than the size of a quarter) that stays there for a week, then I move it. It checks my sugar levels from the tissue fluid, which is just a little behind the blood sugar levels. So, quite accurate, just a bit behind. It checks every 5 minutes, then sends the info (wirelessly) to a receiver, which hangs out on or near me. I can program it for certain high numbers and low numbers, and as my sugar levels approach those parameters, an alarm will go off and let me know, so I can correct it, however that needs to be done (insulin or glucose). It'll also let me know whether my sugar levels are trending up or down, or steady or what. For control freak-type people like me, this is potentially awesome! Or, overwhelming. We shall see which. Most likely both...depending on the situation...or the day...hour....minute.
I was reading another diabetic blog and checking out a new diabetic website and I realized that another girl had named her CGM (Dexter). Same brand as mine, so logical name. Well, I was thinking about naming mine. And, it'll have to be a name that goes with my pump, which isn't yet named either. I am thinking that they should go together somehow...you know, rhyme or something clever. However, I am not feeling clever, and need help. (I do have a ganglion cyst on my left hand that has been coming and going for years which I have named Fred. So, that name is taken.) Since they are (or will be...) attached to me, I am thinking that I want them to have girl names.
Any ideas? Unfortunately, I don't have anything fun to raffle off to the winner or anything like that, so you'll just have to do it for the fun of it, and for the great gratification of knowing that you helped me name my newest appendages. :)
Let the names begin!!!
Now, if I haven't explained this to you, and you don't already know, the CGM is a machine-type thing that has a little attachment that goes on/in my tummy (a little bigger than the size of a quarter) that stays there for a week, then I move it. It checks my sugar levels from the tissue fluid, which is just a little behind the blood sugar levels. So, quite accurate, just a bit behind. It checks every 5 minutes, then sends the info (wirelessly) to a receiver, which hangs out on or near me. I can program it for certain high numbers and low numbers, and as my sugar levels approach those parameters, an alarm will go off and let me know, so I can correct it, however that needs to be done (insulin or glucose). It'll also let me know whether my sugar levels are trending up or down, or steady or what. For control freak-type people like me, this is potentially awesome! Or, overwhelming. We shall see which. Most likely both...depending on the situation...or the day...hour....minute.
I was reading another diabetic blog and checking out a new diabetic website and I realized that another girl had named her CGM (Dexter). Same brand as mine, so logical name. Well, I was thinking about naming mine. And, it'll have to be a name that goes with my pump, which isn't yet named either. I am thinking that they should go together somehow...you know, rhyme or something clever. However, I am not feeling clever, and need help. (I do have a ganglion cyst on my left hand that has been coming and going for years which I have named Fred. So, that name is taken.) Since they are (or will be...) attached to me, I am thinking that I want them to have girl names.
Any ideas? Unfortunately, I don't have anything fun to raffle off to the winner or anything like that, so you'll just have to do it for the fun of it, and for the great gratification of knowing that you helped me name my newest appendages. :)
Let the names begin!!!
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