It took me years to use an insulin pump. Actual years. I was on multiple daily injections for 17 years before deciding to take the cyborg plunge, and honestly, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made in terms of making sense of my diabetes. I use an insulin pump because it keeps me from having blood sugar bumps in…
“Could I please have a medium iced hazelnut coffee with extra ice and some half and half?” BEEEEEEP BEEEEEEP The barista stopped keying in my coffee order and looked behind her. “I’ve never heard them make that noise before,” she said, tipping her head towards the wall of brewing coffee machines. Shrugging, she continues with my order. BEEEEEEP BEEEEEEP “Okay,…
Clinical Trials of the Diabetes Kind: A Guest Post
Dexcom, Diabetes Products, Diabetes Tech, Psychosocial Support, Pumping Insulin, Robot LifeI’m very excited for the future of diabetes technology, and today’s guest post is a glimpse into what the Tandem Diabetes Care’s Control IQ experience might be like once it’s released into the wild. Big thanks to Celia for reaching out to excitedly share her experiences as part of a clinical trial for Control IQ. This post is to…
Sometimes it’s too easy to just light up like a festive ol’ Christmas tree. (Original post.) You might also like: Rockin’ Them Disco Boobs LEGO Easter Robot. ‘Tis the Season for Blogging. Taste Test.
Is There Another Way to Open These Boxes?
Diabetes Products, Diabetes Tech, Pumping Insulin, Real Life DiabetesI tend to be very organized when it comes to my diabetes supplies, but there are marked exceptions: For some reason I always tear into a new box of reservoirs or infusion sets like a caffeinated squirrel. I mean, is there another way to open these boxes? You might also like: Open the Door. I Heart Insurance. Open Windows An…
I love free showers. They are rare bird moments, but pulling off due-to-be changed pump infusion sets and ratty CGM sensors, then stepping into a hot shower and being able to scrub skin with reckless abandon is AMAZING. Free showers. See also: yaaaaaas. You might also like: Free Shower. Free Shower. Opening a Can of Gluten-Free Pumpkin Whoop Ass….
This morning, it took me a few extra seconds to forage for my insulin pump, which was stuck in my bra. I was reminded that the holidays are coming, and that I’m always festive, after a fashion. Which made me want to share this way old post about the disco boobs. * * * Over the holidays,…
Non-Medical Switching
Diabetes Advocacy, Diabetes Online Community, Diabetes Tech, Diabetes Videos, Pumping Insulin, Real Life Diabetes“From the Alliance for Patient Access YouTube page: People with diabetes describe non-medical switching, where an insurer has pushed them to change insulin, pumps, meters or other medical necessities.” Being told to switch medications because the insurance company says so, not because the medical team recommends the switch, is a messed up situation. Clinicians and patients should be making those…
Garage door opener. Beeper. Control panel? TV remote control. What’s the strangest thing your insulin pump has been mistaken for? (image from @sixuntilme on Instagram) You might also like: Open the Door. That Clip, Though. Guest Post: How the MiniMed 530G Changed My Diabetes Management (Without Ever Even Seeing it in Person) t:slim with a Twist.
An Initial Review of Basal IQ
Dexcom, Diabetes Products, Diabetes Tech, Pumping Insulin, Real Life Diabetes, Robot LifeDisclosure: I have a sponsorship agreement with Tandem Diabetes Care – details are on my disclosure page. This post is written with that bias in place. Tandem did not ask me to write this post. Neither did my pancreas, because that thing doesn’t do much. The hardest part about the Basal IQ update was waiting for my endo to sign…
Some diabetes concerns feel normal – worrying about low blood sugars or diabetes related complications. But worrying graphically and incessantly about my insulin pump being catapulted through me in the event of airbags deploying feels like a bit much. … and then again, it seems kind of normal to worry about weird shit like this. You might also like: Not…
It’s a picnic. I’m wearing a maxi dress with pockets and my infusion set is on my arm, the tubing snaking discreetly into the body of the dress, disappearing. “Hi, nice to meet you.” “Nice to meet you, too!” I don’t know everyone but that’s okay; kids are running everywhere, it’s a beautiful day, sunshine like whoa. “Do you mind…
“Hewwo? Hewwo?” My little Guy thinks my insulin pump is a phone. A phone that I casually keep in my bra. You might also like: OMG MY PHONE. Emergency Plan. Phone Call Shuffle. Site Change
“I’m going to change my pump really quickly while you’re finishing up in the tub,” I said to Birdy after rinsing the shampoo out of her hair. “Is that cool?” “Yeah,” she replied, grabbing a toy whale, plastic dinosaur, and Han Solo figurine out of the bath toy bin. “That’s cool.” “Glad I have your approval, Birdzone.” I took a…
508 mg/dL. What? No way. 488 mg/dL. 501 mg/dL. Dexcom was just saying HIGH to me. I made some really dumb decisions. I should have pulled that site out and replaced it last night at 9 pm when it became obvious that my blood sugar was not responding to the insulin from my boluses. Instead, the thick and sticky pudding…
Designing for Diabetes: An Interview with Natalie Balmain
Diabetes Advocacy, Diabetes Community, Diabetes Online Community, Diabetes Products, Psychosocial Support, Pumping Insulin, Real Life DiabetesNatalie Balmain is a fashion designer from England, and the creative force behind Type 1 Clothing. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 20, and this was ultimately her inspiration behind her debut line, designed to help people manage their multiple daily injections more easily and wear insulin pumps more comfortably. Natalie has raised money for…