tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78601268426263435552024-02-09T02:03:29.513-06:00Texting My Pancreastype 1 diabetes, robot parts, and other shenanigans.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.comBlogger764125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-44072234283395238922017-04-04T10:35:00.000-05:002017-04-04T10:35:13.800-05:00Update: The Pump Break Continues.If you were to ask me what sort of insulin therapy routine I'm using these days, I would likely tell you I'm on MDIIIII... may never wear my t:slim again.<br />
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I'm just really, really loving not being tethered to a machine right now.<br />
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Before I first started on an insulin pump 11 years ago, I had been using Lantus for my basal (long-acting) insulin. My insulin resistance while sleeping, combined with some lovely <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/dawn-effect/faq-20057937">dawn phenomenon</a>, made for quite the challenge; one that Lantus never really met head-on for me - which had made me a little hesitant about ditching therapy that could be so easily tailored with custom basal rate patterns.<br />
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Tresiba, on the other hand, has been working really well for me. And when I mean "working really well", I don't mean that my blood sugars are always in range - they aren't. It does mean, however, that they seem to swing a little less violently than I remember in my pre-pump days.<br />
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<li>My overnight readings don't see that gradual rise in the early mornings; if I'm in range, when I go to bed, I generally stay there (high-fat foods and/or alcohol still in my system, pending). If I'm high when I go to bed, I stay just that high. I marvel when reviewing my Dexcom graphs each morning. WHAT IS THIS WITCHCRAFT.</li>
<li>Previously when eating a higher fat meal, I'd use the <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/search?q=extended+bolus">extended bolus</a> feature on my insulin pump to deliver a larger percentage up front, with the remaining dose spread out over a large period of time (two or three hours). On MDI, there are really just two options: give all of your dose at once up front and cross your fingers, or split up the dose and take it in two parts (one now, one later). Previously, I would have had to do the two-dose method... but on Tresiba, I've been just taking all of it up front, and somehow... it just works out. I don't know how. It just does. <a href="http://www.ydmv.net/">YDMV</a>.</li>
<li>I'm not chained to the clock with my basal insulin, which had always been a struggle for me to remember (and then take the time to actually dose it). Because of some version of sorcery, Tresiba doesn't have to be dosed exactly 24 hours apart. <a href="https://www.tresiba.com/about-tresiba/frequently-asked-questions.html">They claim you can actually go up to 42 hours between doses</a>... a claim I haven't fully tested, but I've certainly gone 28 hours in between, and didn't notice any ill effects from the delay.</li>
<li>And after 31 years of T1D and approximately 67,000 needle pokes, a few more each day really doesn't faze me. </li>
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Insulin pumps work really well for some people - and they did for me at one time. I've always been a fan of "do what works for you", and not everyone with diabetes can (or should) use the same treatment. Options are healthy - both physically and mentally. :)</div>
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com205tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-36019014218456275182016-12-05T15:02:00.003-06:002016-12-05T20:31:35.687-06:00Taking A Break From My Insulin Pump.I really don't know how to start this, because I have these very strongly juxtaposed feelings of "I am so over my insulin pump and all of its needs <i>and now I'm having a blog name existential crisis</i>" and "I am so lucky to even <i>have</i> an insulin pump and why am I complaining about this". So let's just start right off the bat with me saying that I recognize how #firstworldproblems it is to be tired of such an amazing, and for some inaccessible, medical device. I get it. Privilege, checked.<br />
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2005 was the last time I was on MDI (multiple daily injections), which means I continuously wore some version of an insulin pump for 11 years before taking my first pump break. There were a few things that contributed to my decision to shelve <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2014/01/review-tandem-tslim-insulin-pump.html">my t:slim</a> after almost 3 years of use, and those reasons gradually began piling one on top of the other so that I eventually found myself smothered under an irritating, itchy dogpile of "UGH" that I could not help but shimmy myself out from under.</div>
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I'll also preface all of the explain-y business by saying that I made this move on my own. (Thoughts and opinions are all my own, blah blah blah, see <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/p/disclosure-policy.html">disclosure policy</a>.) I did attend Novo Nordisk's "<a href="http://www.ourdiabeticlife.com/2016/04/my-novo-nordisk-summit-overview.html">Future of Diabetes</a>" summit thing in April, and they did talk about Tresiba a bit then. At the time, I had zero interest in MDI so I think I just sort of put the conversation in my back pocket like "oh, that's nice"... but I'm glad to have had that little bit of a reference point to inform my recent choice.</div>
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I imagine all of this <i>::gestures grandly:: </i>brings up a few questions, probably.<br />
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<b>Are you still wearing your CGM, or have all robot parts banished from the land?</b></div>
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I am definitely still wearing my Dexcom G5. I think the safety net my CGM data provides me is why I feel so comfortable going back to MDI for a while. </div>
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<b>So what happened? Did something break, or...</b></div>
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I think just got reeeeeeeal tired of... everything? about pumping. </div>
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The tri-weekly cartridge and infusion site changes that always seemed to need to happen at the most inopportune times, which had me like</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5po7d6xM9Z6jSnMssVSVAgObFUNTSYQDYamUbjhN4NJLsRwONV1QSd3bTzUldAASZ2Wn_ggssSMwz8N8JiYiXGx2UUM2N21BFILh02dRPw5ggB5XojLGPKzNz7srLKk8y8UWzAhzp-HwL/s1600/raw.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5po7d6xM9Z6jSnMssVSVAgObFUNTSYQDYamUbjhN4NJLsRwONV1QSd3bTzUldAASZ2Wn_ggssSMwz8N8JiYiXGx2UUM2N21BFILh02dRPw5ggB5XojLGPKzNz7srLKk8y8UWzAhzp-HwL/s320/raw.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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...the <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2014/09/exasperation-station.html">too-frequent-for-me infusion site malfunctions</a>, all of that wasted insulin (seriously... how is it that I would draw up 300 units in the syringe, fill the reservoir with those 300 units, prime 22 units through the tubing to get all of the air bubbles out... but I'd then have barely more than 240 units to start with? That's shamefully wasteful, and was never a problem with my previous insulin pumps), <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2014/04/the-tslim-air-bubble-dilemma.html">all of those goddamn air bubbles</a>, the way I'd always manage to have it uncomfortably stuck under me when trying to sleep, the need to always have it in my bra if no pockets were available, how expensive insulin pump therapy is...</div>
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Like, one annoying thing would happen, and I'd say "oh, fine, it's just this one thing and I can handle that", but then something else would happen, and I'd be all, "well, nothing is perfect, I just need to deal with this", and then more things, and "okay this is pretty irritating, but what other choice do I have", until one day it just sort of dawned on me that I do have another choice. I don't have to just live with this part of my life with diabetes; I could opt out of wearing a pancreas made of metal and science on my hip. I could say that this isn't good enough for me anymore. I could eliminate a lot of <i>this</i> headache, even if it opens the door for other ones. I could go off the grid, as it were. It felt... liberating.</div>
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This can be my tiny act of diabetes rebellion. (My pen needles are my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_spikes">liberty spikes</a>?)</div>
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<b>What are you using now?</b></div>
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Three things! A few people I know and trust have been using Novo Nordisk's Tresiba and really like it. I knew Lantus didn't work all that well for me back in the day, so truthfully I don't think I would have been so "jump in with both feet" about all this if I didn't have a better long-acting insulin option. </div>
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Additionally, I noticed that our new insurance plan has Tresiba on their formulary list, so the cost is manageable for me.<br />
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So I guess you could say I was... (sing it with me now) <a href="https://www.tresiba.com/programs-and-resources/watch-videos.html#tresibaready">Tresiba REEEAADAAAAY</a>! (Don't worry, I'm cringing at myself too.)<br />
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Secondly, I switched from Humalog to Novolog. (<i>"Novolog REEEADAAAAY!" doesn't have quite the same ring</i>.) This was 100% because of the aforementioned insurance plan switch - I would have had to put up a fight to stay on Humalog. I had never tried Novolog, so I thought I'd give it a go and see if the fight was worth it. So far, hasn't hasn't caused any adverse effects. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6GWo0gPh6JJkqdWljRo4i6hQpl2s4s79pczYbxdDX9eqJlcLHTrPG6wMHmL01on4NvXoBjh79FX1pGaL-weUcBehUEhh9D46DYrXnb01ctfMoxkYJrHBtQpj_3IkfT4jjrgJGZ_UonQQ/s1600/Tresiba+Novlog.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6GWo0gPh6JJkqdWljRo4i6hQpl2s4s79pczYbxdDX9eqJlcLHTrPG6wMHmL01on4NvXoBjh79FX1pGaL-weUcBehUEhh9D46DYrXnb01ctfMoxkYJrHBtQpj_3IkfT4jjrgJGZ_UonQQ/s400/Tresiba+Novlog.PNG" width="398" /></a></div>
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And third, I'm using an app to keep track of everything. Part of the appeal of an insulin pump originally was that it would do a lot of the logging for me, and also remember all of the math-y things specific to that time of day, which I'm bad at doing when left to my own devices of not wearing...devices. </div>
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I know I know; I'm sorry. Still cringing at myself.</div>
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Enter, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/rapidcalc-diabetes-manager/id400469609?mt=8">RapidCalc</a> <i>::imagines singing angels and floods of sunlight::</i> which came as a recommendation from an insulin pen-using <a href="https://twitter.com/saraknic">friend</a> since I had never, until last week, heard of it before. It manages a lot of the paperwork that my insulin pump was responsible for:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Knows what my I:C ratios, correction factors, and target BGs are for different times of day,</li>
<li>Suggests a bolus after entering a BG and carb intake (can set different ratios for different times of day),</li>
<li>Keeps an exportable to .cvs history of BGs, basal delivery, and bolus calculations, so I can email it to a healthcare provider</li>
<li>Keeps track of IOB (insulin on board) based on the settings I dictate</li>
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It also has a lock screen push notification to remind me to take my basal insulin, which is gold. Full list of features <a href="http://www.menarinidiagnostics.com/Products/Home-Glucose-Testing/RapidCalc-Bolus-Calcolator">here</a>. Seriously, I am loving this app. It's easily the most expensive app I've ever purchased, but it has been money well spent.</div>
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<b>How's it working out so far?</b></div>
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I took my first Tresiba dose last week, and so far... it's been working surprisingly well. I've always needed an amount of insulin overnight that can be best described as "a truckload", so I was worried about running higher on Tresiba while sleeping, but so far... not the case. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZ8zoH-HyUdBd32IJBbYTuE4L_IvX26LA72coSS365WlTRKPLV1ycypfJI4yCKrdI98F2dvN3RzlQ3gMx4z-5cbFc4LYPN8wMquNUWVIPwyr3sUVKPoylQ2LuxGWA2tzGkmXv01mcRt15/s1600/CGM+Graph+1216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZ8zoH-HyUdBd32IJBbYTuE4L_IvX26LA72coSS365WlTRKPLV1ycypfJI4yCKrdI98F2dvN3RzlQ3gMx4z-5cbFc4LYPN8wMquNUWVIPwyr3sUVKPoylQ2LuxGWA2tzGkmXv01mcRt15/s400/CGM+Graph+1216.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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(Ignore the first hour of the above graph... that was a me-forgetting-to-bolus-for-a-midnight-snack thing, not a long-acting insulin thing.) I am pleasantly surprised. Even my post-breakfast spikes have been pummeled into submission. Whaaaaa?</div>
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<b>How long will this pump break last? </b></div>
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I honestly have no idea. I just know that I'm really enjoying being untethered... at least until something better comes along.</div>
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com127tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-4263420640875707812016-11-01T10:18:00.001-05:002016-11-01T10:19:18.025-05:00Diabetes Awareness Month: My T1D Footprint.November is Diabetes Awareness Month (or some variation of that moniker), and JDRF created an easy-to-use tool that helps you calculate some of your personal T1D stats. How much of a footprint has T1D made in my last 30 years of life? Here's a small sample:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pC-swwJIdeAbArDaDlAJoBSMFD7loIU7M7u6lw6OtGz1xIbkwWXuCqHgBtTnLEWt2gzOIAqRQVyc_WbQ1TM9mfvxjcytXFRzwoA0UMW2061xLfRi0w5lQGyXi6ON00f8X7wB-wQ17irs/s1600/14915267_10102716696695013_7066741478970450159_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pC-swwJIdeAbArDaDlAJoBSMFD7loIU7M7u6lw6OtGz1xIbkwWXuCqHgBtTnLEWt2gzOIAqRQVyc_WbQ1TM9mfvxjcytXFRzwoA0UMW2061xLfRi0w5lQGyXi6ON00f8X7wB-wQ17irs/s400/14915267_10102716696695013_7066741478970450159_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can calculate your own at <a href="http://jdrf.org/T1DLooksLikeMe">jdrf.org/T1DLooksLikeMe</a>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com128tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-74511907552637453932016-04-07T20:18:00.000-05:002016-04-07T20:34:41.179-05:00Bear's Arrival.Say hello to Vlasnik kiddo #2, who shall on the internet be referred to as "Bear":<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9EXLMC2myHsROnLR2AKb-EfNm5UtOtFCunpyXc6vK-1ZEWyrI4SlYl31w7YtkScZN7AAXgGMDOllFhFvyeci0Lj3lxgGeC8e8tQpohxWL6QSTJnr8X9sfVg6N5ucg3p4-e7bGIM_yBkt/s1600/Vlasnik211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9EXLMC2myHsROnLR2AKb-EfNm5UtOtFCunpyXc6vK-1ZEWyrI4SlYl31w7YtkScZN7AAXgGMDOllFhFvyeci0Lj3lxgGeC8e8tQpohxWL6QSTJnr8X9sfVg6N5ucg3p4-e7bGIM_yBkt/s400/Vlasnik211.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BCx6os8JPUH/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Naaaaaaaaps. #babybear</a></div>
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A photo posted by Kim (@textingmypancreas) on <time datetime="2016-03-10T16:54:11+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 10, 2016 at 8:54am PST</time></div>
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I'm a mom of two. That's... wow.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDezwltJPSE/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Easter!</a></div>
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A photo posted by Kim (@textingmypancreas) on <time datetime="2016-03-28T03:19:55+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 27, 2016 at 8:19pm PDT</time></div>
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As it turns out, I didn't get the <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2016/02/38-weeks.html">seven more days of pregnancy that I was hoping for</a>. I got two.<br />
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The last <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/biophysical-profile/basics/definition/prc-20020015">biophysical profile</a> ("BPP" if you like acronyms) I received suggested that my amniotic fluid level had gone slightly north of the normal range. I found out this is not cool because that means that when your pregnancy is already technically full-term and you are dealing with crazy insulin resistance and trying to keep your blood pressure down, your delivering OB leaves you a voicemail after consulting with your high-risk one which essentially says "hey, just wondering what you thought about having a baby today" and then you frantically find childcare for your toddler, grab your bags, and go have a c-section that very night even though you weren't mentally prepared for it just yet.<br />
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Or, you know, that was my experience.<br />
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With Rabbit, <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2013/08/rabbits-arrival-part-one.html">we tried</a> inducing labor. When that didn't work, <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2013/08/rabbits-arrival-part-two.html">we went the route</a> of emergency c-section. I think the hours of labor prior to surgery were a large part of why that surgery was so hard for me to recover from, so I wasn't really looking to relive that scenario this time around. I knew that the result would likely be the same - this baby was measuring larger than my first had been, plus I was one more week pregnant when I delivered. I'm not a big risk-taker on matters like these, so I was totally fine with scheduling a c-section (and so were my doctors).<br />
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A photo posted by Kim (@textingmypancreas) on <time datetime="2016-02-12T00:25:33+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 11, 2016 at 4:25pm PST</time></div>
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The whole process was way less stressful than the first time - I guess because it wasn't an "emergency"? It helps to know how the whole thing goes down already.<br />
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As for diabetes, I opted to keep my insulin pump connected to me, rather than have an IV for insulin. I did the insulin IV option with Rabbit since we didn't know how long labor would last and I didn't want to be worrying about pump settings while having contractions - but with a scheduled surgery, I knew I'd be back "on" in a few hours and didn't want to hassle with an extra IV line. I wish I could say that I stayed totally in range throughout the whole procedure, but that's a big ol' bucket of nope. We had to administer a couple of partial doses of IV glucose as we prepped me for surgery - the last delivered a few minutes before my son was.<br />
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There have been lots of good things:<br />
<ul>
<li>I didn't throw up after surgery this time! ::high fives self::</li>
<li>Bear didn't have the low blood sugar issues in the first 24 hours of life that his sister did. His BG was low right after delivery, but resolved itself within a few hours.</li>
<li>I was somehow able to stand up within 24 hours of surgery and was walking around within 48 hours, which, what, how.</li>
<li>I didn't need to take pain meds for as long after this surgery, as I did with the first. And most importantly, to me:</li>
<li>This recovery has been SO MUCH BETTER than my first. It has not taken nearly as long to be able to move around without pain, and I actually feel about 80% of the way to the "normal" I felt prior to this pregnancy, now that I'm two months out. Again, what.</li>
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I hope you'll forgive me that I'll continue to write less here. I'm not disappearing, but I am absolutely reallocating my time. Diabetes continues to challenge me, but it isn't my focus in my life right now.</div>
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You can probably guess what is.</div>
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(FYI, my diabetes turns 30 years old this month. I can't think of a better way to celebrate it than to, instead, spend that time with my kids.) :)</div>
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com193tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-80151309587606131932016-02-09T22:43:00.000-06:002016-02-09T22:43:10.027-06:0038 Weeks.Hi. I'm probably having a baby in 7 days.<br />
<br />
Before the chaos of life with a newborn hits again, I wanted to note a few things that have been different about Pregnancy #2 vs. Pregnancy #1 for me:<br />
<ul>
<li>First pregnancy: <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2013/01/week-eleven.html">relentless lows</a>. Second pregnancy: "wtf is even happening right now" highs and insulin resistance. All the time, even in the beginning. Current insulin pump infusion speed can best be described as "fire hose", but at least things have evened out significantly. My current insulin needs are very similar to what I experienced with Rabbit at the end of the third trimester; the ratios and rates are RIDICULOUS (like, you guys, my insulin-to-carb ratio during part of the day is 1:1 and that is not a typo), but they work, so do what you gotta do right?</li>
<li>First pregnancy: mild pre-eclampsia showed up during week 36, putting me on modified bedrest for the last week and a half of my pregnancy. Second pregnancy: no sign of it. I've had a few errant BP readings, but when they recheck me I've been "back in range", so maybe they should just let me sit and breathe for a second, instead of strapping the BP cuff on as soon as I sit down? I've never understood the logic of that strategy. "I know you just told me that you get short of breath with any kind of activity and I just had you walk down a couple of hallways after several minutes of hospital navigating, but let's go ahead and check your blood pressure right now and be surprised when it reads higher than normal".</li>
<li>First pregnancy: <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/search/label/Pregnancy">blogged a lot</a>. Second pregnancy: mostly just <a href="https://www.instagram.com/textingmypancreas/">Instagrammed</a> because it's a much quicker/lazier solution for wanting to document things. :)</li>
<li>First pregnancy: my doctor offices were all over the literal map, with some appointments requiring a couple of hours of drive time to attend. Second pregnancy: every doctor is in the SAME HOSPITAL BUILDING HALLELUJAH THANK YOU JESUS. Now I just drive to the same place for everything and it's so freaking easy I could cry.</li>
<li>Speaking of locations, we also moved last November to a new house that could better accommodate our growing family. I was around 6 months pregnant and apparently still had energy and could move around like a normal human being... I hardly remember feeling that way now, but it seems to have worked out.</li>
<li>First pregnancy: delivered at 37 weeks, 4 days. Second pregnancy: still hanging on at 38 weeks, and unless the little dude has other ideas, we'll make it to 39 weeks. Fingers crossed.</li>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BBgBSTDpPTJ/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Well little dude, we've made it. Today marks the most pregnant I've ever been. (Rabbit had to be delivered early because of mild pre eclampsia... but no sign of it this time around.) As long as we both stay healthy, you get another 10 days. Also, I am not good at taking selfies in this house yet. #37weeks #pregnancy #T1D</a></div>
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A photo posted by Kim (@textingmypancreas) on <time datetime="2016-02-07T21:34:34+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 7, 2016 at 1:34pm PST</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com201tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-58532672143293981542015-08-31T16:03:00.001-05:002016-04-07T19:26:20.356-05:00Round Two.<script>
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<a href="http://www.linkwithin.com/"><img alt="Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..." src="http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png" style="border: 0;" /></a>::blows dust off of blog::<br />
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I've been taking a bit of a bloggy hiatus. Although it felt weird at first to not be blogging every day/week, it's actually become pretty freeing. I've been able to spend more time with family, focus more at work, and the nights I would have stayed up late to write on my own site or keep up on other blogs, I've been going to bed earlier. All of those are pluses for me, sitting squarely in the "good for my health" column.<br />
<br />
But...<br />
<br />
I do miss connecting with this community in the ways I used to. I miss knowing what my friends are up to. I miss the random connections and uplifting camaraderie. I miss being up-to-date on every FDA filing and <a href="http://diatribe.org/dexcoms-gen-5-cgm-launch-end-year-along-new-data-platform">approval</a>; every piece of <a href="http://theperfectd.com/2015/08/17/5-things-i-learned-from-meeting-with-my-congressman-about-diabetes/">diabetes legislation</a>; every <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23dsma&src=tyah">#dsma</a> conversation. I miss the impromptu, softly spoken <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1Qa2k2MNSU">calls to action</a> that morphed into something much bigger. I miss you guys, period.<br />
<br />
But...<br />
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I don't think I'll be returning to my former participation level; at least not soon. I'm juggling a lot of responsibilities at the moment, and this part of my life is where I can "opt out" for a while. I want to especially blog during these next six months, but we'll see what time and energy allows.<br />
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Why the next six months?<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/6Il7URpPTP/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Our superhero is getting a sidekick.</a></div>
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A video posted by Kim (@textingmypancreas) on <time datetime="2015-08-08T19:33:13+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Aug 8, 2015 at 12:33pm PDT</time></div>
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Baby Vlasnik #2 is due in February.<br />
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:D<br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com870tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-67414441400029277692015-05-22T08:05:00.000-05:002015-05-22T08:05:01.643-05:00Adventures in Foot Pain.<i>Disclosure right up front: the shoe company Vionic contacted me a few weeks back and instead of me immediately deleting their email like I do with most PR pitches, I was excited - I really love the two pairs of Vionic shoes I already own. They asked if they could send me a pair of their orthotic support shoes or sandals, and I picked out <a href="http://www.vionicshoes.com/women/sandals/bella-toe-post-sandal.html">these</a> sandals to try out. They also asked that I review them here, though they did not ask me to link back to their site or say anything specific. This is that review. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Here's a fun thing that has happened to me: sometime in late 2013, I started having some really wicked pain in the arch/heel area of my right foot. Like, out of nowhere, shooting pain, OMG, what is wrong with my foot kind of stuff. I would get out of bed in the morning and have to limp my way around until my foot "warmed up", which (I realized later) magically happened shortly after I put shoes on for the day.<br />
<br />
I Googled things, like one does, and terms lik<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">e "<span style="color: #111111; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-fasciitis/basics/definition/con-20025664">Plantar fasciitis</a></span><span style="color: #111111; line-height: 22px;">" </span></span>came up. I'm not saying that's what I have for sure - because I'm not a doctor, nor have I seen one for this specific issue (though when I told my endocrinologist about my symptoms, she was all "Yeah, it's probably that") - but I am saying that it could kind of maybe be that because my situation seems to fit all of the criteria.<br />
<br />
It took me several months to really do anything differently, but at the end of last summer I finally decided I should probably stop wearing shoes with zero legit arch support (<a href="https://instagram.com/p/dIynktJPW0/?taken-by=textingmypancreas">cough</a>) and see if some more supportive shoes would do anything. I asked my Facebook friends what they'd recommend, and <a href="http://www.lifeont1.com/">Alanna</a> came through with a solid recommendation for Vionic shoes. I ordered a pair of <a href="http://www.vionicshoes.com/women/flats/allora-flat.html">ballet flats</a> and you guys, it was like a revelation. They have orthotic support! They aren't ugly! I now have three pairs (<a href="http://www.vionicshoes.com/women/flats/allora-flat.html">oh</a> <a href="http://www.vionicshoes.com/women/flats/petaluma-loafer.html">hai</a>) and my foot is so much happier!<br />
<br />
(My normal inclination right now would be to make some sort of self-deprecating joke about being a middle-aged mom who drives a Subaru and wears orthotic shoes and <i>how did this happen</i>, but you know what? I'm not going to do that this time. All of those things are <i>me</i> right now, and I'm a fan of me. <i>Me</i> doesn't need those self-imposed digs. Me also hates the grammar of that last sentence. Me go with it anyway!)<br />
<br />
I've never been a big fan of high heels or really any kind of shoe I can't just slip on... but as it turns out, wearing something with good arch support needs to be one of my criteria going forward, too. Aside from a little bit of itchiness caused by the underside of the straps on these, they're really comfortable for me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I swear I'm not really this translucent</td></tr>
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So, hooray for responsible adult footwear that can still look cute, is my point.<br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com123tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-28220896846010036892015-04-16T08:36:00.001-05:002015-04-16T22:15:44.903-05:00Health e-Voices Conference.I want to disclose in a more formal way, rather than a what-does-that-hashtag-mean sort of way, that this weekend I will be attending a conference in Jersey City hosted by Janssen (a Johnson & Johnson company) and Everyday Health. Here's the conference description:<br />
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<i>Health<b>e</b>voices is a first-ever conference created specifically for online health advocates and focus(es) on strengthening online communities; providing valuable insights and education that will lead to stronger networks and empowered health communities.</i></blockquote>
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That's pretty ambitious (how do they know their insights are valuable to me?), but I'm hoping it's mostly true. I'm looking forward to reconnecting with friends and meeting new ones, and learning some things along the way.<br />
<br />
I'm also looking forward to the first time, because of the lack of capitalization, that someone mistakes the event's hashtag for a laryngitis fundraiser. ("Heal the Voices!")<br />
<br />
Additionally, I want to disclose that my costs to attend this conference are being covered by Janssen. That means hotel costs, flights, most of the meals, and transportation between the airport and the hotel are all being covered for all attendees.<br />
<br />
So, that's a thing. And I'll be using the event's hashtag, #HealthEVoices15, for the next few days, in case you got curious.<br />
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-30135360486787051482015-03-31T22:42:00.000-05:002015-04-01T08:10:38.242-05:00Dexcom Share Receiver + Share2 App + iPhone Health App.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DOqQ8rojVzYeI6q63zrNBHcO8jY9HVllbVaAybAbIDlzaQA1U7BEUYj9MuhZg3nnH7CgANmxEOEakSK3HpSEMC-Qb0q2ldPc4NeSDjtF0xetAGvAjUtuZt0Eywx8-YkHnSiI-QIESs80/s1600/ShareKV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DOqQ8rojVzYeI6q63zrNBHcO8jY9HVllbVaAybAbIDlzaQA1U7BEUYj9MuhZg3nnH7CgANmxEOEakSK3HpSEMC-Qb0q2ldPc4NeSDjtF0xetAGvAjUtuZt0Eywx8-YkHnSiI-QIESs80/s1600/ShareKV.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a>You know that thing where you start a new job and you also have a toddler and you just aren't making time to blog much anymore because any free time you have, you don't want to spend in front of a computer? That! That thing!<br />
<br />
And also the thing were you find a <a href="http://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/2014/06/15/simple-girls-sundress-flutter-sleeves-sewing-tutorial.html">free dress pattern</a> linked on Pinterest and you get addicted to <a href="https://instagram.com/p/zyyXeIpPdq/?taken-by=textingmypancreas">making the same dress</a> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/zuk8MXJPX2/?taken-by=textingmypancreas">over</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/p/01B7z3pPXE/?taken-by=textingmypancreas">over</a> for said toddler, and do that instead of blogging? Also that thing!<br />
<br />
For a change of pace, I thought I'd check in here and share (insert cymbal crash here) an update of sorts. I've been using the Dexcom Share receiver and corresponding Share2 app on my iPhone for the past couple of weeks. (If you don't know what any of those things are, that's okay - <a href="http://www.dexcom.com/">here'</a>s where you can get up to speed.)<br />
<br />
Let me back up a bit. I've been using some version of the Dexcom CGM since 2009 (holler, <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2010/12/what.html">Seven Plus</a>) and the information, education, and confidence that this technology gives me is incredible. (Super serious side note: has anyone else seen the Sesame Street <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py2f38iPBeI">video with Adam Sandler</a>? Every time I see the word "incredible" now, I think "incredib-ELMO!" #toddlerlife) But seriously... if I had to pick between a CGM or an insulin pump, I'd pick CGM every time. More data about what my BGs are doing equals less risk for me when it comes to sleep, exercise, alcohol, uncharted food adventures... everything that's part of living a LIFE is on the list, so this little device has become pretty important to me.<br />
<br />
Which makes it even more baffling that for the past... a long time... I haven't been on top of my diabetes management game. I've been wearing my insulin pump, but I'm not making the incremental adjustments to basal rates on my own in between endo appointments, like I'd done in the past. I hadn't been testing more than a couple of times a day, even though I had all of the equipment with which to do that a lot more often. And even though I still wear my CGM constantly, I haven't been checking the receiver as frequently as I historically have. I was finding myself going through a whole morning at work and realizing once I left for lunch that my receiver had been in my purse, untouched, for that whole time.<br />
<br />
Yikes.<br />
<br />
So when the word came out that Dexcom's bluetooth-enabled receiver (which corresponds with <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dexcom-share2/id834775275?mt=8">an iPhone app</a>) had been FDA-approved, I placed an order. Maybe a change of "scenery" would help. And even though I wouldn't be using its namesake feature - actually <i>sharing</i> my CGM data with other people, through the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dexcom-follow/id649569564?mt=8">Follow</a> app - I thought I might find value in the ability to check my BG from my phone, because <i>how cool is that, </i>and I am absolutely a fan of any little incremental improvement that makes me feel better about doing something I hate.<br />
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The novelty works for me.<br />
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(I'll put the thought in there that I'm aware of the wonderful work and awesome resource that is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/cgminthecloud/">Nightscout</a> - that rig/system/thing isn't as good of a fit for me right now, but I am so, so thankful for the hard work that's happening there.)<br />
<br />
Now that my CGM data is available on my phone, I'm paying a lot more attention to it again. Which means I'm paying more attention to <i>diabetes</i> again, and that's a really good thing.<br />
<br />
But you know what I just discovered today after a co-worker showed me what she was tracking with the Health app, and it got my brain ticking? The Dexcom Share2 app can share data with the iPhone Health app.<br />
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Which means I can see multiple days, weeks, or months worth of Dexcom data in one tap.<br />
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WHAAAAAAAAT, WHOLE NEW LEVEL.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/06BhX_pPfs/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">Dexcom Share data feeding into my iPhone's Health app. I like being able to see more than 24 hours of data at a time! #diabetes</a></div>
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A photo posted by Kim (@textingmypancreas) on <time datetime="2015-03-31T21:08:46+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 31, 2015 at 2:08pm PDT</time></div>
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Here's what I had to start with, and here's how I got it to "go". I don't work for Dexcom (my disclaimer policy as it relates to Dexcom is <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/p/disclosure-policy.html">here</a>), so I don't really know which of these things is required and which isn't, so I'm just going to tell you everything and hopefully it works for you. I also couldn't find any information on Dexcom's website on how to do this sync, which I think is totally weird, so in the interest of collective knowledge I'll share what I did here. I'm calling this tutorial Montell Jordan because ::sings:: THIS IS HOW WE DO IT.<br />
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<b>What I already had: T</b>he Dexcom G4 continuous glucose monitoring system with the adult version of the Share receiver (there's a pediatric version, and I can't confirm how/if this still works with that one), the Dexcom Share2 app, an iPhone with the <a href="https://www.apple.com/ios/whats-new/health/">Health app</a> installed and bluetooth enabled, and a sandwich.<br />
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<b>What you don't actually need: T</b>he sandwich, unless you're hungry and then you should totally get a sandwich.<br />
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<b>What I did: </b>I installed the Share2 app on my phone a couple of weeks ago, so that was already all synced up.<br />
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I went into the Health app, and if I'm remembering my steps right (it all happened so fast!) I tapped "<b>Health Data</b>", then "<b>All</b>", then "<b>Blood Glucose</b>". At some point I also was in the "<b>Sources</b>" tab on the bottom and Dexcom was a choice I could select. Then I chose "<b>Allow Dexcom to Write Data</b>". I really have no memory of the order in which I did these steps - this is why I'm not a technology writer, you guys.</div>
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I also added it to my dashboard within the Health app on this screen: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFh6brBh9CYe0DO9hquUZA44B32skHcX4Ys5Fx7gIF7nqA1cUuC2H-VUyDF3t_Q7LyNyZ2sqs9ThYy_ureCTkXtOKN0EeezEtaynAax4hptf_BKpcz8viy5bbDijkP9iikU8ILeQ2OaORK/s1600/IMG_8184.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFh6brBh9CYe0DO9hquUZA44B32skHcX4Ys5Fx7gIF7nqA1cUuC2H-VUyDF3t_Q7LyNyZ2sqs9ThYy_ureCTkXtOKN0EeezEtaynAax4hptf_BKpcz8viy5bbDijkP9iikU8ILeQ2OaORK/s1600/IMG_8184.PNG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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And discovered that you can look at every reading your Dexcom Share receiver is recording:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDF2lXWjgeZoX8hp0r9FR1wAlijn_6EsrXi0hoTt36Q67sdyGaKfAhjwM3_0EKQ84swpV35o_go0yyBa_ezffpKhGaJGaVtrV3EZU6ubiVb-8_ux8r3c7hCxSvGir2c-S0Rk_r4RpYBgL/s1600/IMG_8194.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDF2lXWjgeZoX8hp0r9FR1wAlijn_6EsrXi0hoTt36Q67sdyGaKfAhjwM3_0EKQ84swpV35o_go0yyBa_ezffpKhGaJGaVtrV3EZU6ubiVb-8_ux8r3c7hCxSvGir2c-S0Rk_r4RpYBgL/s1600/IMG_8194.PNG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Whoa.</div>
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And if you figure out the right order of steps and want to share them below in the comments, that would be - wait for it - incredib-ELMO.</div>
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<b>UPDATE: </b>From reader Chris: <span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.7999992370605px; text-align: justify;"><i>The missing steps: </i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.7999992370605px; text-align: justify;"><i>In the Share 2 app, go to "Account" and then click on "Health". This will take you to a screen where you can enable the Health app to access Dexcom data. After enabling, the data will appear in the Health app as you describe.</i></span>"</div>
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com115tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-6405398229424063162015-01-29T14:17:00.000-06:002015-01-29T14:17:58.131-06:00Stress + Diabetes.In case anyone wondered if stress has an impact on BG levels.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/ycbaSUpPR7/" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_top">NO IT'S NOT A STRESSFUL DAY AT WORK WHY DO YOU ASK PLEASE SEND MORE COFFEE</a></div>
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A photo posted by Kim (@textingmypancreas) on <time datetime="2015-01-29T16:14:59+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 29, 2015 at 8:14am PST</time></div>
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com141tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-68583310569524022512015-01-26T11:16:00.001-06:002015-01-26T11:23:08.302-06:00FDA Approves Dexcom Mobile App and New Bluetooth Receiver.Cue the confetti cannons!<br />
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From <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150126005269/en/FDA-Approves-Dexcom-G4-Platinum-Continuous-Glucose#.VMZ0b0fF_VU">the press release</a>:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">"The Dexcom Share receiver uses a secure wireless connection via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) between a patient’s receiver and an app on the patient’s smartphone to transmit glucose information to apps on the mobile devices of up to five designated recipients, or “followers,” </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">without </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">the need for a dedicated docking cradle. These followers can remotely monitor a patient’s glucose information and receive alert notifications from almost anywhere, initially via their Apple</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">®</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> iPhone</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">®</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> or iPod</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">®</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> touch and in the future on Android devices, giving them peace of mind and reassurance when they are apart. The “Share” and “Follower” apps will be available on the Apple App Store at no charge."</span></span></blockquote>
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From what I've surmised, but please contact Dexcom directly for better info: <br />
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<ul>
<li>So there is now a new <b>receiver</b> called Share (which is confusing since the docking station is also called Share) that does the Bluetooth transmitting to Dexcom's apps.</li>
<li>If you already have a Share docking station, it sounds like you get a free upgrade.</li>
<li>If you have the G4 Platinum system but no Share docking station, there will be a "small cash upgrade" and they start shipping in March.</li>
<li>If you have ordered a new G4 Platinum regular receiver since January 1 2015, you get upgraded to the new Share receiver for free.</li>
<li>The "Follow) app lets the follower set their own alert parameters, ringtones, etc. independent of what the patient has for settings on the physical receiver.</li>
<li>The Share receiver is available to patients age 2 and up - no waiting for separate pediatric approval. YAY.</li>
</ul>
Dexcom held a conference call today to explain more about FDA's approval and the new system, and when that transcript is published I'll link to it.<br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-85794328460904728662015-01-23T08:07:00.003-06:002015-01-23T08:07:53.978-06:00Giveaway: Lilly Diabetes/Disney Books and L.L. Bean Backpacks.I have some things to give away!<br />
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Lilly Diabetes sent me a big ol' box of neon green backpacks filled with their collaborative Lilly/Disney books and publications, and I'm splitting them up between you all and my local JDRF chapter (minus the one that my daughter gets to keep, because <i>books</i>).<br />
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From Lilly Diabetes: "<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">T</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">he durable, high quality backpacks are specially designed by Lilly Diabetes and L.L.Bean® with a customized emergency tag sewn inside."</span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Like so:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn6Lw-5oWBZ17-rK4eflEFd6JOtyXXZM2tc1ebp8ygSzdN4uVpI7LNNWlQ8S35wR9gZCt2aTaaf-a3AF31XTZk0hyCXK5HvClcc0CNqSM_wNNN2ZI3EeATbuhfvMsRSPjcvVcT9oEimEM/s1600/LillyBackpack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn6Lw-5oWBZ17-rK4eflEFd6JOtyXXZM2tc1ebp8ygSzdN4uVpI7LNNWlQ8S35wR9gZCt2aTaaf-a3AF31XTZk0hyCXK5HvClcc0CNqSM_wNNN2ZI3EeATbuhfvMsRSPjcvVcT9oEimEM/s1600/LillyBackpack.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">And yes, the backpacks are BRIGHT GREEN EVERYONE PLEASE LOOK AT THIS BACKPACK. I think they are <a href="http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/62852?feat=818-GN1&page=l-l-bean-deluxe-book-pack">these</a>, or at least really really similar to them. They seem enjoyable to wear, or so I was led to believe by this lovely backpack model:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Descriptions of the included books can be found here: </span><a href="http://www.t1everydaymagic.com/lilly-and-disneys-type-1-diabetes-bookshelf/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.t1everydaymagic.<wbr></wbr>com/lilly-and-disneys-type-1-<wbr></wbr>diabetes-bookshelf/</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, interested? I'll pick 6 winners on Monday morning, so get your entries in before midnight (Central time) Sunday. To enter yourself to win, follow the directions in the Rafflecopter widget below. (Spoiler: you'll need to leave a comment on this blog post.) I can only ship to U.S. addresses, so keep that in mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Good luck!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="b744d08d31" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b744d08d31/" id="rcwidget_ge06a64z" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-45616677372591215522015-01-19T21:15:00.004-06:002015-01-19T21:15:49.959-06:00Low-gic.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZsb8xcAa6kAvynPCmWJyyn1TOb1aqitNZsmeWPn82e2BkpHBIvgGRlvvXM1WdIL_kmSxuJ3nie8w3orunWusz0DCqiMqd4w7plC4ZWKhJ9FToCJ5KGxNGAnKj_oAY7QJKBgfHVLa1Jz0/s1600/IMG_4525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZsb8xcAa6kAvynPCmWJyyn1TOb1aqitNZsmeWPn82e2BkpHBIvgGRlvvXM1WdIL_kmSxuJ3nie8w3orunWusz0DCqiMqd4w7plC4ZWKhJ9FToCJ5KGxNGAnKj_oAY7QJKBgfHVLa1Jz0/s1600/IMG_4525.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>If I ignore the buzzing, the arrows will magically change direction. Look at me, laying here in bed defiantly! Ha HA!<br />
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Can I wish it away? Like, really, really wish? Or just pretend I didn't hear it? This will totally work this time.<br />
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Absolutely, I should eat peanut butter straight out of the jar. And these cookies. And a glass of almond milk. And more cookies. And bread with butter. Is butter a carb?<br />
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I can totally finish vacuuming this room, first. Now I'll go... oooo, that spill on the counter. I forgot about that. Gotta wipe that up. Now, where was... the window! It still has smears on it! First things first.<br />
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That conversation I half-remember having with my husband earlier today was clearly about how he shouldn't trust my judgement when I'm low, which means that he will obviously wake out of a deep sleep just because my CGM beeped once and will know, without speaking, that he needs to procure some quick-acting carbs for me RIGHT NOW. Wait.. still snoring. NOW. I'll just lay here a bit more. He'll wake up. Didn't we just talk about this? I'm pretty sure it was about me being low. So he'll wake up..... <i>now. </i><br />
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It's not logic. It's low-gic.<br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-86385317997560778352014-12-15T08:11:00.003-06:002014-12-15T08:11:51.135-06:00Video: Children Diagnosed With T1D Under 2 Years Old.We interrupt this not actually scheduled blog break to tell you that there's a new group video today from the <a href="http://youcandothisproject.com/">You Can Do This Project</a>.<br />
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In case you need a reason to watch it, here are a few.<br />
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"<i>We went in [to the pediatrician's office] and I told him that I thought my son had diabetes, and they told me that he did not - that <b>children that young don't get diabetes</b>. They checked him for strep and flu and both came back negative. They tried to send me home, telling me that he had just a virus and that the drainage was making him thirsty, but I knew there was something wrong."</i><br />
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<i>"The doctor did a urine test [at her one year Well Child appointment] because she had a history of UTIs. Fortunately there wasn't any bacteria in her urine, but they did find sugar. The doctor thought this was an error, so they did a repeat test and again found sugar. <b>There were really no symptoms.</b>"</i><br />
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<i>"He had started breathing kind of funny, so my husband and I took him to the emergency room. <b>We were told he had Bronchitis and he would get better.</b> By Thursday of that week he was not able to stand on his own anymore, and he really could not stay awake. We took him to a children's hospital and he was finally correctly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. His blood sugar was around 500." </i><br />
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<i><br /></i>You'll hear from five parents whose children were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before they turned two years old. My hope is that if you are already a parent of a young child with diabetes, you'll find some comfort in knowing you aren't alone. I hope the road seems less bumpy over time as your fellow travelers point you to the less turbulent parts of it. I hope that feeling of "me, too" relieves even the slightest bit of the anxiety, fear, and discouragement you may know.<br />
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My other hope is that conversations like this one help spread the word on what the symptoms of type 1 diabetes are. As these parents explain, <i>babies can't tell you how they're feeling</i>. It becomes very, very important to know the signs - it could save a child's life. If a child you know is experiencing any combination of the list below, please consult with a doctor <b>immediately</b>.<br />
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<li>excessive thirst</li>
<li>frequent urination; soaked diapers</li>
<li>drowsiness and lethargy</li>
<li>increased appetite</li>
<li>sudden weight loss</li>
<li>fruity, sweet odor to breath</li>
<li>heavy, labored breathing <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://jdrf.org/life-with-t1d/type-1-diabetes-information/symptoms-warning-signs/">from JDRF.org</a></i></span></li>
</ul>
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<i><br /></i>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-22215724909830522422014-10-06T20:38:00.000-05:002014-10-06T20:41:15.168-05:00A Minute.Oh. Hey. Right. Blogging.<br />
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Things have been quiet around here (and by here, I mean "me on social media") lately, for a few reasons.<br />
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This is one:<br />
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Because when you say things on a stage that you had tucked away so deep inside yourself and had planned to just let collect dust; when you are so honest and earnest on that stage that moments after leaving it you have to escape the conference for a safe place to cry and shake and vibrate and then somehow collect yourself to finish out the day; when you invite the world into your head and your heart and know that it will live on the internet <b>forever and ever...</b><br />
<br />
you need a minute.<br />
<br />
I'm taking several.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-81244395012130050992014-09-12T09:26:00.004-05:002014-09-12T10:26:11.225-05:00Exasperation Station.Some days I really love my medical devices.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can we talk about how terrifyingly Riddler-like that face is?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Today is not one of those days.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
While my basal has been delivering just fine (I was shocked to see a mostly-straight line from overnight, hovering around 95), my bolusing ability has been stunted by some fault within my insulin pump's lineup. Ever since putting this cartridge in on Wedneday night, my pump has not been able to <b>fully deliver</b> a single bolus. Not of 10 units, not of 5 units, not of 2 units. No boluses.<br />
<br />
WHY CAN'T YOU JUST WORK YOU EXPENSIVE LITTLE MACHINE.<br />
<br />
I called Tandem's tech support, and their troubleshooting protocol asks me to disconnect at the leur lock to see if insulin is delivering before it gets to the tubing.<br />
<br />
Here's the kicker: I see why they want to know this, but if I do this process I lose not only the 23 units of insulin in my tubing (I use the really long tubing), but also will have to prime all of those airbubbles that will be introduced into the tubing again, out. That's easily 53 units of insulin I'll be wasting, and I feel very uncomfortable with that thought. I don't like wasting such a precious resource. 53 units is more than a day's worth of insulin for a lot of people.<br />
<br />
<b>If the design of your medical device requires me to squander my limited supply of the only drug that can keep me alive, you may want to rethink that design.</b><br />
<br />
So I guess I'll be over here injecting for each meal and snack until this cartridge runs out.<br />
<br />
Hashtag first world problem.<br />
<br />
<b>UPDATE: </b>According to the customer service rep I've been working with, Tandem Diabetes Care is sending me a new "goodwill" box of cartridges and a prepaid shipping label so I can mail back the faulty cartridge for "investigation purposes". Good on ya, Tandem. Let's hope these work.<br />
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-19094473432127975422014-09-11T08:30:00.002-05:002014-09-11T08:30:52.828-05:00Lightning Speed.Just a wee little update on the wee little Rabbit:<br />
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<br /></div>
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<br />
Who in the span of a few days has become more "kid" than "baby", to my eyes.<br />
<br />
(Also, please ignore all of the stuff on my kitchen counter. Cleaning hasn't been a priority.)</div>
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-75363383528349578362014-09-10T16:33:00.003-05:002014-09-10T16:33:28.679-05:00Medicine X 2014: People.I spent four days on the Stanford University campus in Palo Alto, CA for <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/">the Medicine X conference</a>, and what, now I'm just supposed to go back to "real life"?<br />
<br />
Emotions, energy, and spirits ran as high as my blood sugar. The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MedXHangover?src=hash">#MedXHangover</a> is real.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every conference. Every time.</td></tr>
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<br />
So much to say, so little time to blog.<br />
<br />
What stands out to me most, in this moment of reflection:<br />
<ul>
<li>The swift manner in which handshakes gave way to hugs</li>
<li>A purposeful and welcome focus this year on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qn7EGMzggQ">mental health</a></li>
<li>The epitome of a "powerful patient story", <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htXqh689qTc">this Ignite talk</a> from epatient and fellow T1D <a href="https://twitter.com/GilmerHealthLaw">Erin Gilmer</a> - seriously some of the most gut-wrenching three minutes of the conference, and <i>she wasn't even there in person </i>which speaks to how much weight her words had/have</li>
<li>How grateful I was to see <a href="http://strangelydiabetic.com/">Scott Strange</a> in the hallway immediately after I left the stage to bolt to a safe place to "come down", and for the huge bear hug he gave me before I erupted in tears</li>
<li>My ah-may-zing roommate <a href="https://twitter.com/CarlyRM">Carly</a>, who is a large part of the reason I had such a positive experience</li>
<li>Finally meeting super-human <a href="http://susannahfox.com/">Susannah Fox</a> in person</li>
<li>Seeing our diabetes community represented so well in sessions like <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/conference/event/235">Dana's (and Scott's) #DIYPS</a> and <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/conference/speaker/297">Doug's Databetes</a> project</li>
<li>How truly valuable the <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/2014-stanford-medicine-x-epatient-advisory-board/">ePatient Advisory Board</a> was to the ePatient delegates/scholars, and how generous they were with their time, their hearts, and their energy (to the point that I'm concerned that they all need a week-long debrief/spa vacation/nap to recover properly)</li>
</ul>
<div>
The common denominator that made this year's MedX so great? <b>People</b>. Their stories. The way "diabetes patient" and "arthritis patient" and "crohn's patient" all just became "patients" in one community. The way patients and physicians and students alike voiced their concerns, thoughts, questions, and visions. I saw so much respect; so much curiosity; so much drive.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm still processing it all, but <a href="https://soundcloud.com/iam_spartacus/just-talking-about-medicine-x-2014">this Just Talking podcast</a> does a great job of capturing some ePatients' thoughts on the conference in a more crowdsourced kind of way.</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
</blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-64604757894594980062014-08-31T22:18:00.002-05:002016-11-07T09:09:26.317-06:00What Diabetes Awareness Month Feels Like to a PWD.Also answers to "American Diabetes Month", "National Diabetes Month", "National Diabetes Awareness Month", and "November".<br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-55293909199893789742014-08-27T08:09:00.005-05:002014-08-31T21:24:16.996-05:00Diabetes Stigma on Mashable.When I think about what we can do to improve the psychosocial health of people living with diabetes it always comes back to this, for me: <b>share your story</b>. Even when it feels like you're saying the same things again and again, keep sharing. Keep talking. Keep showing. Keep living. Don't give up.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is how we change the world for the better.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://mashable.com/2014/08/27/diabetes-stigma/">http://mashable.com/2014/08/27/diabetes-stigma/</a></div>
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-11449395427959454022014-08-26T08:07:00.001-05:002014-08-28T12:10:50.055-05:00Giveaway: N-Style ID.<b>UPDATED: </b><i>Congratulations to the winner - April! This contest is now closed.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
When I was a CWD (child with diabetes) in the late 80's/early 90's, I had two options: I could wear the clunky, thick, stretchy metal bracelet whose links always seemed to trap my arm hair (and then rip it out when the bracelet shifted on my wrist), or I could sport a large (to a child) medallion around my neck that announced by way of bright red caduceus: OH HAI I HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION!<br />
<br />
And when I was a CSWD (college student with diabetes) (that's not a real acronym), I wore no external indication of my diabetes whatsoever. This continued into adulthood until <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2011/07/cwd-ffl-that-feeling.html">I attended</a> the Friends For Life conference for the first time few years ago, where it seemed that so many of the people I'd befriended and respected in the diabetes online community were being the sort of responsible adult that I merely pretended I was - they wore ID bracelets! And there were stylish options! Alright, alright,<i> fine,</i> I'll get one.<br />
<br />
Or <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2012/03/beads-and-beetus.html">make one</a>! (A medical ID joins my insulin pump and Dexcom CGM as Things I Didn't Want To Wear But Then I Saw My Friends With Diabetes Wear Them So I Guess I'll Try It.)<br />
<br />
I still have that original bracelet; the engraved nameplate often switched between bracelet options. I thought I'd be annoyed with making my diabetes "visible" by wearing medical jewelry, but I'm not. It actually feels nice to know there's a little bit of "here's what's up" hanging out on my wrist in case I get into a situation where I can't speak for myself. And while I once believed that wearing an insulin pump would serve as a pseudo-medical ID in case of an emergency, that isn't actually the case - an EMT will look for medical ID jewelry; they're not necessarily going to look for an insulin pump. (And what would that have told them, anyway? No name or medical condition specifics on that puppy!)<br />
<br />
In the spirit of "I'm glad I started wearing medical IDs again", I'm looking to share the love. <a href="http://www.n-styleid.com/">N-Style ID</a> (whose founder has a daughter with T1D, and coincidentally the same company I bought that first "medical ID as an adult" bracelet from) contacted me, asking if they could send me one of their bracelets - but since my N-Style ID is working just fine I'd rather pass this gift onto one of you.<br />
<br />
You can win one of the three designs I have pictured below ("<a href="http://www.n-styleid.com/hoot-medical-id-bracelet.html">Hoot</a>", "<a href="http://www.n-styleid.com/light-sky-blue-rubber-medic-bracelets.html">Light Blue Rubber</a>", or "<a href="http://www.n-styleid.com/camo-medical-id-bands.html">Camo</a>"):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEo1ndysN0PHQP62ddOZvmKr40F-Ez8yLFqi5c9GQm8WseweuQMjCwPSmql6ta6Hsn6xWnXC3t6kI6dhUZaLBC0SsbtKSpU2XqCJmeMGM0_H_AUW5_3enhNKIrW_BaJPKiVjaLXESBXEs/s1600/NStyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEo1ndysN0PHQP62ddOZvmKr40F-Ez8yLFqi5c9GQm8WseweuQMjCwPSmql6ta6Hsn6xWnXC3t6kI6dhUZaLBC0SsbtKSpU2XqCJmeMGM0_H_AUW5_3enhNKIrW_BaJPKiVjaLXESBXEs/s1600/NStyle.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
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There will be one winner, and your bracelet's ID plate will be engraved however you wish. Your bracelet will be shipped directly to you from N-Style ID.<br />
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Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter this contest and make sure to leave a comment on this blog post answering the following questions: <i style="font-weight: bold;">Do you normally wear medical ID jewelry? If so - what do you wear? If not - why not? </i>Bonus entries may be earned by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NStyleID">liking</a> the N-Style ID Facebook page and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/NStyleID">following them</a> on Twitter!<br />
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This contest will be be open for 48 hours; I will pick a winner Friday morning. This is not limited to U.S. residents - all are encouraged to enter.<br />
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GOOD LUCK!<br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-76898541595928365142014-08-19T10:38:00.001-05:002014-08-19T10:38:53.963-05:00"Keep Going."The minutiae of my diabetes life is looking pretty blurry lately - it's less "paying close attention" and more "auto-pilot".<br />
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I dipped my pinky toe into the CGM in the Cloud waters last week by downloading <a href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chromadex/ffjaahelelfakhdpphligimoibajjlhl">Chromadex</a>, and thereby downloading (for the first time, at home) my Dexcom G4 CGM data onto my Macbook. It's hard to believe I'm doing well when <a href="https://bigfootchildhavediabetes.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/photo-2.jpg">those pie charts</a> are predominantly lemon.<br />
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But, as a famous fish once said, I need to just keep swimming. It may not feel comfortable or look pretty or get me very far, but it's worth doing.<br />
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Or, another way: just <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YouCanDoThisProject/photos/a.906607789353680.1073741830.223472931000506/906609569353502/?type=1&permPage=1">keep going</a>.<br />
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(You can find the photo set for these "Words of Hope" on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.906607789353680.1073741830.223472931000506&type=1">You Can Do This Project Facebook page</a>.)Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-19481790808229894092014-08-05T10:27:00.004-05:002014-08-05T10:27:38.273-05:00#MedX Global Access Program; Ignite Talk.<script>
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<a href="http://tobesugarfree.com/">Chris</a> was the reason I applied in 2012. I had never heard of <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/">Stanford's Medicine X</a> conference before, nor had I known they were looking specifically for patients to attend their conference. "You should apply for this", he said - which baffled me. Me? Stanford? Medical conference? I wouldn't fit what they were looking for, surely. No, this was for someone else more official; more visible; more involved; more professional. Thank you, though.<br />
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The last possible date in the application period came and I realized that there was no harm in applying. I raced through the application. I was so certain that they would not pick me, but at least I could say I tried. No regrets.<br />
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But then, <b>plot twist!</b> I was selected for their ePatient program (and offered a scholarship that would cover the costs of my attendance, which was the only way I could attend, financially). My nerves on the flight there and throughout the first day were so intense that my whole body felt like one big vibrating lump because STANFORD and patients sitting in the<i> front of the room</i> and so many important people that I only knew through the internet and what am I doing here. I felt like an impostor. <i>What am I doing here?</i><br />
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But then the conference began, and I increasingly began to understand.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image courtesy of <a href="http://kerriontheprairies.com/">Kerri</a></td></tr>
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This conference that focused on "the intersection of medicine and emerging technologies" brought together every stakeholder in healthcare - but most especially, it brought together<b> patients </b>from a plethora of different conditions and communities. I felt so moved by the stories of my fellow patients; those <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWIrCndjhuYvOg-sOV8QDnqEyqtxIp-pA">ePatient Ignite talks</a> were by far my favorite aspect of the conference.<br />
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And now, I get to <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/2014/02/03/2014-stanford-medicine-x-epatient-selections-announced/">return to Medicine X</a> this fall (with limited scholarship help, this time) and <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/conference/speaker/291">deliver one of those talks</a> myself. It may come to <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2012/10/the-antidote-to-fear.html">no surprise to you</a> that the focus of my Ignite talk will center around the emotional impact of living with a chronic illness.<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MedX?src=hash">#MedX</a>'s Ignite! pt speakers: <a href="https://twitter.com/chroniccurve">@chroniccurve</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dudleyHUHS">@dudleyHUHS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JBBC">@JBBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ProstheticMedic">@ProstheticMedic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Nisha_Pradhan">@Nisha_Pradhan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/marvincalderon">@marvincalderon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JFreemanDaily">@JFreemanDaily</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/txtngmypancreas">@txtngmypancreas</a><br />
— Stanford Medicine X (@StanfordMedX) <a href="https://twitter.com/StanfordMedX/statuses/486087309792931840">July 7, 2014</a></blockquote>
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You can <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/2014-schedule/">check out the 2014 schedule here</a> (and for those of you in the diabetes community, <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/conference/speaker/124">you'll be</a> <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/conference/speaker/212">pleased</a> <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/conference/speaker/341">to know</a> <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/conference/event/232">that we are</a> <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/conference/event/236">well</a> <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/conference/event/235">represented</a> <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/conference/event/206">on stage</a> <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/conference/event/375">and</a> <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/conf/conference/event/416">in the</a> <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/2014/02/03/2014-stanford-medicine-x-epatient-selections-announced/">ePatient program</a>).<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you'd like to watch the conference but can't make the trip to Stanford's campus, you are in luck: you can virtually "attend" the conference by using the <a href="http://medicinex.stanford.edu/2014/08/04/announcing-global-access-program-2014/">Global Access Program</a>. It is <b>free to use</b>, but <b>you have to register for it, </b>so go do that.</span><br />
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-16370027755190909592014-07-31T09:09:00.000-05:002014-07-31T12:28:12.747-05:00Results: The Emotional Impact of Wearing an Insulin Pump.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00oGv7USBHDU2GCs2xbLm8oJJtDaB18XufbYlZ2XiwFcPBY5b73CxiNDLIPwxW2dZpbXU_FIdKg2SiWP2GG6HuLDHzOVuS809MuBlSKKHRt0NnIaVEkpCmYZKdcWt_w3NryR_YmPDCbbB/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00oGv7USBHDU2GCs2xbLm8oJJtDaB18XufbYlZ2XiwFcPBY5b73CxiNDLIPwxW2dZpbXU_FIdKg2SiWP2GG6HuLDHzOVuS809MuBlSKKHRt0NnIaVEkpCmYZKdcWt_w3NryR_YmPDCbbB/s1600/photo.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
A week ago, I asked those of you who wear one to tell me <a href="http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2014/07/the-emotions-of-insulin-pumping.html">what you wish someone had told you about how insulin pumping affects you emotionally</a>, and the responses were just as diverse, thorough, and sometimes surprising as I'd hoped they would be. Thank you, everyone!<br />
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Sifting through all of the responses, I noticed some common themes.<br />
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<u>If you're thinking of trying an insulin pump, you might want to know that:</u><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">You may encounter misconceptions from others.</span></b><br />
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<i>"I wish someone had warned me that I would [...] get frustrated with people assuming that I don't have to do anything anymore because the pump 'just does it.'" - Rachel</i><br />
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<i>"I think it's a good idea to have a child practice answering 'What is that?' kinds of questions in a confident and concise manner. B. once overheard someone saying (about him) 'I HATE that kid. He thinks he's so great because they let him use an iPod during school.' One of B's friends told the hater it wasn't an iPod, but a medical thing. 'It's for his diabetes!' But since there's not always a nice friend around, some practice would be great!" - Katy</i></div>
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<i>"While I don't think there has been a huge emotional impact on me directly related to wearing my pump, I would say that one thing I didn't consider was that I was making my invisible disease visible. I get a lot more questions about diabetes while wearing a pump than I do when I'm not wearing it or when it is not visible. I don't mind this though, as it is an opportunity to dispel myths and address people's curiosity." - Whiniest</i></div>
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<i>"I always have people ask me what is that. Always seem to happen mid sentence of a conversation. "So we are going to shoot at this loca... what is that?" That can be very jarring and embarrassing if you don't want your diabetes to be announced. Preparing for that eventual discovery can be a good idea. That way your emotions are not shaken and you can have a witty comeback or little speech about what it is." - Jillian</i><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Wearing an external medical device may take some getting used to.</span></b><br />
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<i>"People should be prepared for the odd feelings - at first - of having something attached to their body ALL THE TIME, and that they will have to accommodate with clothing, etc. The benefits far outweigh this, and I pretty much forget it's there so it doesn't bother me any more, but it did take some getting used to!" - Anonymous</i></div>
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<i>"I don't know about the emotional impact, but learning more about the practicality issues being attached to something 24/7 would have been helpful. (E.G - sleeping, how to wear dresses or clothes without pockets, intimacy, swimming, etc.)." - Jen</i></div>
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<i>"The frustration of having to plan out your wardrobe for the week based off where your infusion set is. Also, being told how to spot a leak would be good." - Anonymous</i></div>
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<i>"I'm not sure the emotional side of pump-wearing is different from any method of tight control. However, I do hate the weight & bulk, constantly shifting it according to an activity, and catching loose tubing on doorknobs, etc. OK, on second thought, there IS more stress. If it didn't provide more flexibility adjusting insulin to activity & better control in conjunction with CGM (also another stressor), I would return to the pen in a heartbeat." - Cat</i><br />
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<i>"I've gone through pump hiatuses that are a direct result of just being burned out and frustrated with</i><br />
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9roaldSfTY3x_974PqTLxzCzzsv9mYunr1Pf6DvzRJykqwcLuQMKEp-UevtlizWR2AZSivywIUNkAHnH5PNJme9sZxYh3XLzWQWEro_LA8clxQ-HmB5vFWIoOrcUkvXL2tIDhWt-1Zqp/s1600/Pump+Site+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9roaldSfTY3x_974PqTLxzCzzsv9mYunr1Pf6DvzRJykqwcLuQMKEp-UevtlizWR2AZSivywIUNkAHnH5PNJme9sZxYh3XLzWQWEro_LA8clxQ-HmB5vFWIoOrcUkvXL2tIDhWt-1Zqp/s1600/Pump+Site+1.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></i></div>
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the process of changing my infusion sites. The ordeal of having to switch sites, even when I don't want to, and sometimes hitting bad spots or wondering if it will hit a nerve or muscle (shudder)... I've taken breaks because it got to the point where I just couldn't do it anymore." - Mike H.</i><br />
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"I wish someone had warned me that I would be constantly concerned about my pump coming detached from me." - Rachel</i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">You need to give it time.</span></b></div>
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<i><i>"I would to tell someone considering a pump to know about the how difficult it can be to be patient and wait for the changes to kick in before saying I give up. It's not easy even though this little gizmo attached to us can make life easier sometimes it makes it harder." - Maria</i></i><br />
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<i>"The pump is not magical. It won't cure all your problems and lower your a1c overnight. It takes work: basal and bolus rate adjusting, and is only as good as the time and effort you've put into programming it. (eek..is that mean?) I think we put such high expectations on a pump, and we get so excited that it'll make our lives all perfect. But it's still us trying to control numbers. Just with a little computer." - Holly</i></div>
<i><br />"Things that I would have liked to have known is that you don't have to deal with all of the advanced settings of the pump on Day 1, and some of them not ever, depending on how you choose to manage your life on insulin. I remember when I first went through orientation with the pump, I got really overwhelmed by the information overload and had to say, "Look, can we just set the basal rates and you show me how to do a single bolus and see insulin on board? And turn the alarm off? I'll figure out the rest later." And I did, in my own time, as I needed it. There are still features on my pump today that I don't use, and I've been pumping for... doing math on my fingers... 10 years? Holy cow. Anyway, it is good to know now that I can make the pump fit my diabetes style, and what works for me. And that's okay. Even if it doesn't necessarily take advantage of every feature on the device." - Martin</i></div>
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<i>"Some stuff I had read made the transition seem like a breeze, and while I got to grips with the basics/general attachment thing pretty quickly, I reckon it was at least a full *year* before I really felt comfortable with my little android appendage and began to see what all the fuss was about in terms of improving BGs. Some of those first 12 months were not the easiest and I know I'm not the only one who has been tempted to lob my pump out of the window in the early days." - Mike K.</i></div>
<i><br />"I've only been pumping a little over 5 months after 3 yrs on MDI. I wasn't prepared for the lack of </i><br />
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgple3kPnqQ12ZJBc8Y6u_ZQH6t039sYtiIFRK93SwfLbUD6ydocQeifIn1igRjOQrXXCzZfLXh10c7LF2sXaSqXGZ6mdz7p9455h32cKfwi7dgnuWcZDaRJ-8mi8BBzVxb6r2mplfP55cc/s1600/tslim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgple3kPnqQ12ZJBc8Y6u_ZQH6t039sYtiIFRK93SwfLbUD6ydocQeifIn1igRjOQrXXCzZfLXh10c7LF2sXaSqXGZ6mdz7p9455h32cKfwi7dgnuWcZDaRJ-8mi8BBzVxb6r2mplfP55cc/s1600/tslim.jpg" height="138" width="200" /></a></i></div>
<i>
sleep getting my night basals set and adjusting. Fast acting insulin as your basal acts differently than Lantus. It seems to take longer for high numbers to come down with all fast acting (YDMV) my first a1c was no different, [...] but I tend to be a little conservative with insulin because it is a little scary, I used to be afraid of it, now I say I have a healthy respect for it." - Debra</i><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">You might experience some "data overload".</span></b></div>
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<i>"I think what was emotional for me was getting too obsessed about always checking numbers. When using a CGM with the pump, I found I was testing MORE because I wanted to be sure I could really trust it. I guess you eventually move past that." - Rachael</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<i>"After almost 20 years of injections I knew what that felt like, but early on with a pump I just had no idea whether this, that or the other thing 'felt right' or what to do about it if things were going a bit off kilter. How aggressively to correct... How long to leave it... When to wait and see... That would have been a lot more difficult if I'd not known it was coming as part of the package." - Mike K.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>You might really dislike it - or, it might not bother you at all.</b></span></div>
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<i>"It's okay to hate your pump some days because the pump clip is such a PIA." - Anonymous</i></div>
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<i>"Less hugs from husband and kids , cause they're afraid of ripping out my site." - Anonymous</i><br />
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<i>"I think it depends on your age. The transition was much easier for me because I was older (48). But... I think any kind of follow up with a new pumper (after a month, two months max), with answers tailored to that individual's circumstances, would be extremely helpful. Wish I had that." - Stephen</i></div>
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<i>"Honestly, I was so excited to be off the 12-15 injections a day I was doing on MDI that my emotions upon getting the pump can be adequately described as 'OHEMGEE THIS IS AWESOOOOOMMMMMEEEEEEEEE!!' After coming off the pump for a few years due to losing my insurance and getting back on it after getting insurance again, my thoughts are still the same." - pavedsilverroads</i><br />
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<i>"I resent when people tell me how I might feel, how I should feel, or how I should behave in response to a change in my life - especially when such things haven't happened yet! The stuff that goes through my head -- nobody knows it better than me, and nobody is qualified to predict how I might feel about a given circumstance. I don't think that emotional counseling, preparation, or whatever should be mandatory. Emotions are a sensitive issue, and if someone wants to discuss them or not discuss them, it should be their own choice, by their own initiation, and on their own terms." - Scott </i></div>
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<i>"[...] Getting a pump helped me become more open and comfortable with my diabetes." - Laddie</i><br />
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<i>"It's okay to be frustrated with it. Just because it's new and shiny doesn't mean that you have to love it immediately. If you decide it's not for you after giving it a fair shot (and that changes from person to person and doc to doc), it's okay to go back to shots/pens/inhaling/whatever-delivery-method-you-prefer." - Maria</i><br />
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If you have any additional thoughts that weren't covered above - please leave them in the comments!<br />
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860126842626343555.post-19411556807026356762014-07-30T10:09:00.000-05:002014-07-30T10:09:00.312-05:00Wordless Wednesday: HBD, Rabbit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqsexbuuo6wZxafZUvjxRcu5XPa0UCS-VefKE0XfVZgcKqwwFJV1IGqfLgb5XphE0ds7rS-OhemNaUGmMXhnwNVz2PDsb3RpId2xL7QMoMUXz3NVIP0S4tp4XbGErDzIWG7YG6MJvwFDm/s1600/HBD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqsexbuuo6wZxafZUvjxRcu5XPa0UCS-VefKE0XfVZgcKqwwFJV1IGqfLgb5XphE0ds7rS-OhemNaUGmMXhnwNVz2PDsb3RpId2xL7QMoMUXz3NVIP0S4tp4XbGErDzIWG7YG6MJvwFDm/s1600/HBD.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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