First Pump Post

So it is official, I am a pumper as of 6:15 PST. Crazy!

My Minimed rep was totally cool and we hit it off right off the bat. We went over all the basal and bolus options and how everything works. It was great and I am totally excited about this. I do have some questions that I forgot to ask so I am counting on you OC for some help.

1. If my infusion set comes out early (which I expect happens) do I have to fill a new reservior and dump that insulin or what?

2. I went with a 23" tubing and I am wondering what you guys use and why. I already had a lot of fun changing into my pajama's! The other option I have is 43"

3. Do I need to keep an infusion set and reservoir with me at all times?

I am sure I will have more questions soon but let's start with these shall we?

I guess I should join the Insulin Pump web ring now right? I am so amped right now!

My wife and kids gave me a pump birthday present. It's a t-shirt that says "Change happens, courage reacts" (which was that sweet little saying that has stuck with me since I heard it) on the front and "One 'bete' at a time" on the back. Sweet.

Thursday's the Day

After receiving my pump two weeks ago and following 3 phone calls to the corporate offices, I finally received a call from a person at Medtronic and have an appointment to finally get going on this pump. I have read the manual a couple of times and went through the handy dandy CD-Rom twice. I purchased a food scale, carb counting book, new measuring cups and spoons, and have also read the manual on the BG machine that comes with the pump.

I am so excited, nervous, scared, and a bunch of other feelings that I cannot quite understand.

Do you guys have any suggestions about questions I should ask or other things I should do prior to the appointment? I would love to hear your thoughts about this. I am prepared to be extra patient during the adjustment period since you all have stressed that it will be difficult. Any suggestions will be appreciated!

Thanks OC!

Proud Dad

I had to share this with you all. This is my son George at his very first band concert. He just started playing Saxophone this year and he signed up to play a solo. Check it out!

Basal & Bolus & Carbs! OH MY!

I have just emerged from the sea of pump information. I spent the last 5 days in and out of different manuals, books, and pamphlets attempting to learn how to use my new Paradigm Insulin Pump.

I first read through all of the manuals on it and took these sweet little tests that I aced! I wonder if mom will give me 10 bucks per “A” like I used to get in grade school? I then read through the book about the Blood Glucose monitor that comes with it and that was interesting. It’s cool because it transmits my blood sugar right to the pump and in case you didn’t know, I am a sucker for technology. I am a total geek so wireless technology makes me smile.

After all of the reading I sat down in front of my PC and went through a CD-Rom with my pump in hand. I got to practice setting Basal rates, Boluses, square wave and dual wave boluses, temporary basals, corrective boluses, and a bunch of other stuff that I cannot even remember! It was very extensive but I think I figured most of it out. I am hoping that I will receive a call from my Medtronic sales dude soon so we can meet up and he can school me some more. All in all, it was very good I just want to keep this ball rolling.

The sort of annoying part of all of this information is that this training included the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System that will be available very soon with this pump. After seeing how it works and how easy it seems, I want one badly! I know that with the dinero I am dishing out for the pump, there is no way I can drop another couple grand on the sensor when it comes out. I can only pray (and believe me I will) that my insurance will hop on the band wagon and cover the sensors too.

I am in desperate need of help when it comes to carb counting. I just cannot get it down. Any tricks or tips you guys can clue me in on? I am just not getting how to figure this out. Maybe I should wait and see what my Endo tells me but you know I want to try and impress him with my knowledge so when he tells me stuff I can just nod my head in approval! Yes, I am not only a geek, I am a dork too! ROCK ON!

Stay tuned y’all! I can see cool stuff coming around the corner for this B.A.D. guy!

After the Threat

My mother used to work at a grocery store. She once told me a story about a time that the store was robbed. 3 guys came in and held up the store at gun point. One of the robbers went up to my mom and stuck a sawed off shot gun in her cheek and told her to empty her drawer. She complied and gave them all the money. After they left she was told to go home for the rest of the day. She left her work and went to visit my father at work. When he saw her, he was confused and asked why she was there. It was at the moment that the incident caught up with her and she lost it. All the fear of losing her life, who would help Dad take care of us kids, and what if they hurt me badly all came to her. At the time, she did what she had to do and held it all together. After the threat was gone, the reality of it all set in.

I finally understand.

I just got off the phone with my Endo and my A1C is a 7.9

Just 6 months ago it was a 12.5 and ever since then, I have been living in fear. I finally pulled myself together enough to sit down at my desk and type this but tears are still welling up in my eyes making it difficult to see. I am so happy but cannot stop crying. I feel as if the major threat and fear that I never really paid attention to is hitting me hard. I don’t want to go into the lunch room because I am sure I will get a million questions as to what is wrong and frankly, I don’t feel like talking about it since I probably will not be able to talk.

I also just received word that my pump was approved by insurance and I should have it tomorrow.

It feels like I am a child again the night before Christmas. I cannot wait.