Insulin Pump Demystified

Helpful new read

2007-01-25T10:53:00.000-05:00

Hi Friends--

Whether you are recently diagnosed or a diabetes veteran, pick up a very helpful book: "The Ultimate Guide To Accurate Carb Counting" (The Marlowe Diabetes Library). Written by CDE and diabetes author Gary Scheiner (who wrote the forward to my "Insulin Pump Therapy Demystified"), this guide breaks down the nuances of carb counting with clear explanations that will benefit us all. From how to accurately read lables (did you know to subtract the Fiber listed from the total carb count?)to understanding the glycemic index, Gary Scheiner gives us true guidance to tighten up our carb counting and so improve our diabetes control, while actually giving us a few laughs along the way. Spread the word and add "The Ultimate Guide To Accurate Carb Counting" to your bookshelf. For more info on the Marlowe Diabetes Library, go to www.marlowepub.com/diabeteslibrary.

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It's been a busy time in my kitchen, as I've been eliminating gluten and casein from all of my cooking because of allergies that my son is having. That means no wheat/white flour, oats, barley and rye...as well as no dairy. It's actually been a healthy way to eat--I'm using more brown rice, corn tortialls, lots of fresh vegetables, protein and fruit. My son is still going through withdrawl from bread products and not all of the gluten-free substitutes do it for him. But we're committed and are experimenting to see what works. The best news is that this new approach to cooking and eating is helping my bloos sugars to stay more stable--brown rice pasta, for example, works much better for me than white pasta. And it's actually good! If white flours cause your BG to spike, it might be worth trying the gluten-free path...

Peace,
Gabrielle

January 2, 1982

2007-01-01T19:23:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of my Type 1 diagnosis; it came on the day just after New Year's when I was ten years old. I can still remember everything about that morning in clear detail...peeing into a cup at home, my Dad (a doctor) taking it with him to work, getting into the car with my mom and riding to the hospital, meeting my dad in the cafeteria where my parents explained what was going on before we went upstairs to the pediatrics ward.

Of course, I couldn't grasp that morning the dramatic effect that diagnosis would have on my life to come. But I do remember just wondering, in the midst of learning about insulin and practicing injections on an oragne, if my life would ever be "normal" again. What did it mean to have a disease? Was I going to grow up and be healthy and go to college and fall in love and have kids and all of the other things that my 10-year-old self dreamed of?

I wish I knew then what I know now--that in fact, my life has been better than normal, that the challenge and hurt of living with diabetes has opened my heart and I think has largely made me into the sensitive, compassionate person that I am. I wish I knew that growing up not taking mortality for granted could be an incredible gift--that because I had a sense that life is not a given, I have always been open to living fully, taking chances, and loving freely with all of my heart.

On the other side, I'm glad I didn't know about my struggles, about my years of rebellion, of not eating well, of being like every other college student and drinking too much, of ignoring my diabetes. I'm glad I didn't know how often I would be struck with pure terror during my pregnancies, desparately afraid that my children wouldn't make it out of my womb alive.

But in the end, living with diabetes for me has been all of the above and I can't imagine what my life would look like now if I hadn't received that diagnosis that day. But I do know that I am ready, fully open to record that other day, the day yet to come, when I recover, the day that I am cured of diabetes, do not need to take insulin by pump or injection ever again. What a day that will be. And it's coming. I don't know when. But I believe it is...

A happy, healthy New Year to you--
Gabrielle

And a Happy New Year...

2006-12-25T10:57:00.000-05:00

Wow...Chanukah is over, New Year's Eve is just around the corner, friends are celebrating Christmas today, and I felt a great sigh of relief. The holidays were too hectic this year. Every time that I thought my buying was over, I forgot about one more gift...between my children's teachers, the whole family's health care practictioners, and my husband and my colleagues, as well as our family and friends, my list was longer than ever. I love the spirit of giving but need to find some way to make my shopping more manageable next year.

In the midst of it all, my little family gathered each night of the eight that make up Chanukah to light our Hanukkiyot, the menorahs that are special for Chanukah. One really creative one was made by my almost four-year-old son, George, in preschool. He was so excited to light the candles each night that during our short ritual of singing the blessings and lighting the candles, the stress around me did seem to slip away. George held onto the shamash, the helper candle used to light the other candles, with my help and lit the candles on his very own Hannukiyah. Fred, George, June and I danced around the kutchen to Chanukah songs.

It was a small, simple moment but in the darkness of this winter season and in the stress driving at all of us in our daily lives, I will hold onto the memory of lighting the candles and singing with my small children.

The new year is coming and I will try and once again focus harder on making my health and well-being a priority.

Wishinh each one of you moments of light in the new year--
Gabrielle

Check out my interview...

2006-12-04T22:57:00.000-05:00

with Pittsburgh Stter Kendall Simmons at:

http://www.diabeteshealth.com/browse,1038.html

Hope he inspires you as he did me!

All best,
Gabrielle

Moderation actually worked!

2006-11-29T10:33:00.000-05:00

Yes, I freely admit that I ate until my pants felt tight on Thanksgiving. But unlike over indulgence in past years, I actually ate mostly healthy foods on my plate--lots of roasted vegetables, turkey, some mashed potatoes and stuffing, small amounts of the candied sweets. We took our usual break for dessert and then I bolused more insulin and enjoyed a moderate slice of both pumpkin and pecan pie, smothered in a layer of non-dairy whipped topping. It all felt so good, and an hour after it was over, I tested in at 236. Could have been worse--a few more units and I was down to 146 before bed.

The next few days, I went easy on the leftovers and didn't beat myself up about eating such a good, extra-large meal. I really enjoyed dinner and left it at that. I went through the Thanksgiving weekend with my family not worrying about the scale, but just focusing on the experience of it all.

I heard a bit of my favorite cooking show, "A Chef's Table" on NPR today and the guest, a dietician, talked about the way our bodies all cycle into a carb-craving mode this time of year. It all connects to the darker nights and the way we instinctly tucker down and preserve our energy.

It's helpful to know, since I so often go into the November--March weight gain cycle. This year, I'm going to focus on low-glycemic index carbs and try and keep the moderate approach that worked so well on Thanksgiving going. It's only December 2nd, so I feel a bit premature in feeling optimistic, but awareness is the first step.

Wishing you all energy and vitality as winter approaches--
Gabrielle

Slowing Down

2006-11-18T21:40:00.000-05:00

It's been a strange fall here weather-wise--lots of rains, dips into the 40s and rises back up to the 70s. Now Thanksgiving week is approaching and the weather is settling into the 50s. It feels like deep fall now, with winter weather just around the corner.

My rhythm really slows down this time of year; I feel it happening. I know it's natural, but I resist it. I want to stay inside, curled up, I'm less eager to get out for the walks that I need. I'm in a bit of a lazy rut and I feel it in my body. I've maintained my weight for the last two months, but haven't dropped a pound. And now the holidays are coming and I really want to be mindful of what I'm eating so that all of my weight loss efforts from last spring and summer don't go for naught. Not to mention that my blood sugars often go bouncy-bounce throughout the holiday season...and I'd like to bring a bit more attention and control to that arena this year.

I feel all of this intellectually, while my body is saying "sit on the couch, eat, forget it." Maybe the first step is paying attention to this tendency, to just being aware. Maybe I can work with my body this year, find some way to kick it into high gear, maybe doing some more yoga, maybe just putting on an extra sweater and making myself get up and go walk.

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner though, I must admit.

Wishing you blessings,
Gabrielle

Halloween: Crash and Burn

2006-11-02T11:09:00.000-05:00

GROSS. That is how I feel after too many days of yes, eating Halloween candy. It started innocently enough a couple of weeks ago when I saw big bags of candy on sale at the grocery store. Who puts candy on sale before Halloween? Being the bargain shopper that I am, I bought three bags.

Then the question was: where to store them that my 3-yr-old son wouldn't find the? He's pretty good at finding secret places, that kid. So I figured I'd just leave them in a bag in the car, under the passneger seat. Big mistake! I don't usually eat candy, not Halloween type of candy, anyway. I try to be conscious of what I put into my body and if I do eat chocolate now and again, I'd rather do the really good stuff, a Lindt bar or something along that line.

But having bags of Tootsie rolls and snickers and butterfingers and twix in the car with me all the time pushed me into a bit of a fetish state. You know, at a red light, I knew the bag was there, waiting for me to dip in. What fun! I'd take a little twix, bolus, and enjoy.

Let's just say that by Tuesday night, I had to go out and buy more candy to replace that car candy, the fetish candy, and then there I was, hours after taking my kids around the neighborhood for Trick or Treat, faced with more bags of extra candy since this year's turn-out of ghosts and goblins was on the light side.

Gross. I can feel those little packets of m&m's around my waist. It's over now. I am way done. I haven't been on the scale in a week bu ttomorrow morning I am getting back on. Halloween begins my annual cycle of "weakness"--indulging more than I should through November and December. I know many of us do it, but i don't want to get sucked in once again. I've worked hard to lose weight and even if I can bolus to manage the extra carbs, I know that eating junk does nothing to help my overall health.

Fortunately my kids are young enough not to notice if their treats suddenly get put in the trash. George was more excited about calling out "Trick or Treat" than actually eating the candy. No more snickers for me!

Really inspiring!

2006-10-20T19:56:00.000-04:00

I had the real pleasure of interviewing Pittsburgh Steeler Kendall Simmons a few days ago--Kendall was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes a few years ago and is going on a campaign to raise public awareness about diabetes. I interviewed him for "Diabetes Health" magazine--look for the article in an upcoming issue. Now, I must disclose that I was a little bit intimidated to talk with Kendall because I am basically football--illiterate. This admission comes with the disclaimer that I grew up with a Dad who is a die-hard fan (especially of the Steelers & Eagles) and married a man who may be an even bigger fan (Eagles specifically, with respect for the Steelers). Yet all of those Sunday afternoon and Monday night games pretty much washed over me, just specks on the screen, as I went about my business. Yeah, I've paid a little bit of attention during the Super Bowl, but that's a national holiday, after all.

So Fred prepped me a bit for the interview and my Dad assured me that the Pittsburgh steelers are all stand-up guys, and in the end, Kendall was probably one of the nicest, most down-to-earth people I've interviewed. He talked about what it was like to go from feeling at the top of his game, having won "Rookie of the Year" to getting extremely sick during training camp before his Type 1 diagnosis came. He talked about needing to change his eating habits from basically eaiting whatever he wanted (Kendall is 315 pounds) to learning how to count carbs. He talked about how he needs to manage his insulin so that he can go out and block 400 lbs of weight as an offensive lineman, without worrying about being too high or too low sugar-wise.

But mostly what inspired me was his attitude that he had simpley worked too hard in his career to let his Type 1 diagnosis get the best of him. And that is what he is out there in the world talking about.

His message brought me back to thinking about, though I don't need to go out and tackle anyone (barring my 3 and 1/2 year-old from time to time) on a daily basis, I do need to keep my diabetes management at the top of its game so that I have the strength to manage whatever comes at me in life. Stress at work, at home, parenting, financial pressures, worries about the state of the world...I have a lot on my plate, as each one of us does. It's too easy sometimes to just give in to it all, to lose motivation, to feel a little self-pity, to let your sugars swing out of control.

Talking with Kendall gave me a good shot in the arm, no pun intended, and I'm watching myself a little more closely this week. And--not a word to my husband or Dad--I think I'm going to follow the Steelers for the rest of the season.

Peace to you,
Gabrielle

Getting closer to a new pump...

2006-10-11T10:30:00.000-04:00

Last week I had an appointment with my endo, the fabulous Dr. Levetan (see her web site www.curedm.com) and her equally fabulous diabetes educator, Susan, and took a step closer to choosing a new pump. I actually listened to Susan's insights and experiences with all of the new pumps that are out there and took home literature to read about the Animas and Deltec pumps and the MiniMed pump with continous glucose sensor. It's a big decision but I am feeling ready to take advantage of the new advances in pump therapy--and am relaizing how much easier it will be to have a pump that does the math for you in terms of carb counting and how much insulin is in your body, as opposed to using my D-tron plus, which doesn't include those features. In my heart of hearts, I want to get a pump with a sensor...it's the best technology there is, and right now, I'm going through some big hormonal shifts connected to my cycle and it would be great to have a sensor giving me a heads-up about my sugars suddenly going too high. I really need it...last night, I was 140 an hour after dinner...then was 276 two hours later, having eaten nothing else. This is the kind of crazy, sudden blood sugar spikes that I've been experiencing. Even as a I write this, it's feeling apparent that I should do for the sensor. I'm just bummed out that insurance is not covering it, but I think I'll just have to suck up paying for it out of pocket.

Susan mentioned that Deltec will be coming out with a pump/sesnor combo, too--maybe within a few months--so I may want to wait for that and see which company will give me a better deal. It stinks, but you have to act like a smart consumer when it comes to diabetes supply decisions. I am still feeling stung that my husband's new health insurance plan only pays for the cost of 70% of my strips.
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Did you see the AP newswire in yesterday's paper about a man with Type 1 diabetes who was in a major car accident and survived for four days in his car, with a fractured leg, before someone found him? It was all because he kept a box of crackers in his car, he ate them and was able to grab his insulin. Amazing story. This morning I made sure to put extra snacks in the glove compartment. It's horrible to think about the possibility of such an experience, but stupid not to be prepared.
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Wishing you all much safety and good health!
Gabrielle

A sweet new year...

2006-09-26T21:39:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the celebration of the creation of the world. It is one of my favorite holidays. I love the opportunity to think of starting the new year with a clean slate, with a fresh start. In Jewish tradition, we perform the act of "Teshuvah" which translates into repentance. We go to people whom we have hurt, and ask forgiveness. We go to God and pray for forgiveness for sins that we have committed against the Holy One. It is a time of introspection and reflection. Now we are in what are called the "Ten Days of Awe" which come between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Much is on my mind. I use this time to look inward as much as possible, and try to do an honest accounting of where I am falling short, in both my deeds and intentions.

One of the themes and rituals for Rosh Hashanah is about a "sweet new year." We dip apples into honey and make a blessing over them. We wish friends and family members to have a sweet new year, we cook apple cakes and honey cakes to serve on our holiday tables. This metaphor pushes a button in me, someone living with Type 1 diabetes for over 25 years now. What does "sweetness" really mean to me?

Yes--now with the pump I can eat my apples and honey, and even my honeycake and rugalech and all kinds of goodies, and still keep my blood sugar under control. But the idea of "sweetness" is still a complicated one for me. I think about the sweetness that was denied to me after my diabetes diagnosis and the bitterness that filled inside me in its place. I think about the way people have often used the adjective "sweet" to describe me, only to be shocked when they discover the tough-as-nails part of my personality that lies beneath the surface.

"Sugar works better than vinegar" my Grandmother used to tell me and I watched as she used sweet talk to get things done. I've often modeled that tactic and been successful as a result, laughing coyly as she used to do, once the mission's been accomplished.

I am wishing for a sweet new year, though the word "joyous" feels better to me than "sweet" because of the baggage that I've just described. A joyous year for my family, for my friends, for everyone. A year of sweetness and joy and hope and peace and also, especially, for health--without which, we don't have very much of anything at all.

L'shana Tovah--a sweet New Year--to each of you (Jewish or not!)--
Gabrielle

Stress & my sugars

2006-09-17T20:51:00.000-04:00

My life is a little bit crazy at the moment, but a lot of the craziness is good. My husband and I just found a lovely little home in a neighborhood that we desire--one with excellent public schools--in a suburb of Philadelphia. The price was right, so we made a bid and our offer was accepted. Now we have to sell our current home, in this not exactly seller's market. I'm confidant that we will, but keeping a home perfectly clean and uncluttered with a 3 and 1/2-year-old and 1-year-old in the midst is a challenge, to say the least.

So over the last couple of weeks, I have to say that the stress of it all has been having me ride the blood sugar rollercoaster. You know that one? My bg is fine at one reading and then shoots way up high at the next. What's happened in between? Just a few major adrenaline rushes as the phone rings and I find out that a potential buyer is on the way. This weekend has been the worst. We spent Friday and Saturday preparing for today's Open House and I'be had more lows in the last 48 hours than I think I have all summer long.

Which reminds me that no matter what is happening in my life--whether it is a stressful or relatively peaceful time--I have to make blood sugar management a key priority. I don't want to be riding this rollercoaster througout the selling process and move...

Wishing you peace in your life!
Gabrielle

PS: Philadelphia area readers--you can check out a link to my house at http://www.mlsfinder.com/nj_trend/neilkugelman/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=4809467&searchkey=bda38d42-ce07-aa67-0b8a-6564aad30349&npp=10&sr=1

One year ago...

2006-09-01T19:50:00.001-04:00

...I was 37 weeks pregnant and watching CNN obsessively, trying to understand what was happening to Hurricane Katrina victims. Granted, I couldn't sleep so well because of my size and getting sucked into the Katrina drama held me at a safe distance from the anxiety around the fact that I was going to give birth very soon, but my obsessive watching came from a deeper place than just needing to escape. As someone living with Type 1 diabetes, I'm pretty damn grateful to be living in a more or less safe environment, in which I can depend on getting the insulin, medical supplies, food and water that I need to live. I can't imagine having my very life (including pump supplies and strips) swept away in flood waters like that or being one amongst the thousands horded into the Superdome, desparate for insulin. Seeing scenes of horror like that on our very own US soil threw my sense of security compeletly out of whack. Add being so very pregnant into the mix and forget it. Every time a couple came on TV talking about being separated from their baby who was being held in the NICU of a Lousiania hospital, I became a total and complete wreck.

But Katrina was very far from Philadelphia and my daughter June Elizabeth was born, healthy and pretty happy, in a lovely, suburban hospital where we both recived the best of care, on the 6th day of September, 2005. When we sent an email to our friends and family, Fred & I requested that people send in donations to benefit Katrina victims in lieu of gifts for June, who was truly already so rich in so many ways. It was a small gesture, but feeling so helpless in the face of such great devastation, I took comfort from it and felt it gave June's life a beautiful karcmic beginning.

And now I am here, getting ready for June's birthday this week, watching Spike Lee's brilliant documentary on HBO "When the Levees Broke", remembering exactly the feelings that I was holding just one year ago. The word that comes closest to describing the feeling is "vulnerability." To depend on insulin to live is to be vulnerable. To be 37 weeks pregnant is to be vulnerable. To have faith and hope and trust is to be vulnerable.

I am still holding onto small measures in my daily practice of trying to show humanity and compassion. It feels like there are so many forces in the world right now that are about war, violence, greed and destruction. I look at my small children and want to make a better world for them. It sounds cliche, I know, but it is real for me.

With peace to you,
Gabrielle

The time is coming...

2006-08-25T21:35:00.000-04:00

The time is coming...I've set an appointment for early October to meet with Susan, the diabetes educator who works with Dr. Levetan to discuss getting a new pump. Susan herself has Type 1 and has tried almost every pump out there. It's truly amazing what has come out on the market in the four years since I've written "Insulin Pump Therapy Demystified." I realize that my Disetronic D-Tron Plus is way behind technologically in what's available (besides the fact that its products and accessories continue to be recalled...), but again, I'm at a "comfort" place in knowing how it works and now I need to push myself beyond this zone to find the best pump out there that will help me manage my diabetes. Setting the date to meet with Susan was the first step and I won't be able to stay immobilized after that.

Meanwhile, I'm not happy that summer is ending...I want to hold on to my afternoons at the pool with my kids, the light evenings, sitting on our deck, my less frantic work schedule. But the time is coming and I will remember this summer fondly in many ways.

With peace to you--
Gabrielle

Get inspired!

2006-08-13T21:53:00.000-04:00

I've gone a long time since posting--sorry.

I have a decent excuse: I've been busy doing nothing. My family and I took a week away and enjoyed the beautiful beach and town of Chincoteague, VA. Now by doing nothing, I mean that I was still taking care of my young ones--June, 11 mos, was very interested in eating sand and George, 3 and 1/2, was not always sure what he made of the ocean and frequently asked to go to the swimming pool, instead. Still, for my husband and I, the week away meant taking time away from everything work-related...which felt truly refreshing. Now that I'm home and have pretty much cleaned the sand out of all of our clothes, car and luggage, I'm trying to hold onto that "in the moment" energey that I felt during vacation even as I catch up with emails and work deadlines. At least I can try...

But I have been wanting blog about some very inspiring news--the day before our vacation, I had an appointment with my truly wonderful endocrinologist Dr. Claresa Levetan. Dr. Levetan, whom I've written about in other postings, is the phsyician who helped me to manage my blood sugars during my second pregnancy and for that, I am eternally grateful. But besides being a wise practioner, Dr. Levetan is a well-known research scientist and the work she is doing towards finding a cure for diabetes is absolutely inspiring...please read all about it at her web site: www.curedm.com.

Her research involves the discovery of a novel human peptide and a receptor associated with islet regeneration. Called Human proIslet Peptide (HIP), it stimulates the differentiation of adult pancreatic progenitor cells into insulin producing islets. The CureDM approach is to restore, maintain and protect new insulin producing islet cells in patients with diabetes...meaning that we would never have to rely on taking insulin on a daily basis again.

Please read about it...get inspired...spread the word...support her work. My fingers are crossed.

In peace,
Gabrielle

In the news

2006-07-26T21:51:00.000-04:00

I don't pay as close attention to the daily news as I should. I don't want to be a stereotypical mom of young children who can only talk about diapers and feeding, but some days, that's mostly what's going on in my world. I do try to watch the news at least once a day and listen to NPR when I'm driving, but some days I fall asleep with the TV on and some days there's fussing or whining from the back seat that makes it kind of hard to pay attention to NPR.

But in the last week or so, I've been paying very close attention to the crisis unfolding in the Middle East...so much so, that I barely have had a chance to process Bush's veto last week of the bill that would give more funding to embryonic stem cell research. I'm just now catching up on the news item. And reading about the veto, and the politics leading up to it, just makes me compelety pissed.

You might like the President. You might respect him, think he's doing a decent job. I don't, and not only because I disagree with his foreign policy. I can not tolerate his stance on this stem cell issue. It is just mind-blowing to me, as someone living with Type 1 diabetes, that any human being is standing in the way of supporting research that will ultimately save millions, millions, millions of lives.

I don't know about you, but I want the Type 1 cure to come soon, and I know that researchers are really close, and I know that those stem cells could help them out. And this is all selfish, yes, for my own benefit--but I also speak this way because as someone living with Type 1, I feel like I have a sense of empathy and urgency for anyone living with a chronic illness.

I understand the President's perspective that the 5-day-old embryos have the potential to become human lives (or maybe he considers that they are lives); but a recent poll by USA Today shows that 61% of American disagree with this idea. Who is representing us? The majority of Americans want to save the lives of people suffering from chronic illnesses. Which, by the way, will help people all over the world. Woudln't it be awesome for an American scienetist to cure alzheimers or diabetes?

Sigh.
**********

On a more uplifting note, here's a news item that hasn't gotten much press:

World-class aviator and diabetes patient advocate Douglas Cairns has recently flown his plane to Orlando as part of a national tour to help raise awareness of diabetes and to inspire the 20 million Americans living with diabetes to take control of their condition.

In 1989, Douglas, then a Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot in the UK, was no longer permitted to fly fast-jets after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. But now his determination and love for flying has inspired him to prove that diabetes need not limit the scope of people's dreams and ambitions.

Learn more about his flight at http://www.diabetesworldflight.com/index.html

In peace,
Gabrielle

Product happiness, Product disappointment...

2006-07-19T20:20:00.000-04:00

Part of living with diabetes means living with paraphenilia. Diabetes paraphenilia. Whether you are a pumper or not, you've still got to shlep around a meter, glucose tabs, insulin or meds...the list goes on.

So, like many people living with diabetes, I've become a bit obsessed with my paraphenilia. It's amazing how something as little as a new meter case can improve your outlook--and even your management.

I'm happy to report that I just discovered one of the coolest pumping products ever: groovy patches. Go now--check them out at www.groovypatches.com. Designer Dina Klavon has created a very fun way to make sure your pump stays in place (I'm feeling that now in the heat of the summer!) while also making the pump into part of your fashion statement. How cool is it for kids who are into sports to have a sports patch? For teen girls to switch patches with outfits? Discovering Dina's patches brought a smile to my face...and reminded me that a sense of play can go a long way in dealing with the drudgery of diabetes.

But on the other side of diabetes paraphenilia-ville, I was surprised to come home the other day and find a fedex envelope from Disetronic at my door. My order for my D-tron plus supplies wasn't due to arrive yet. When I opened the envelope I discovered an "Urgent Product Recall" for Disetronic D-TRONplus Power Packs (batteries)--seems that when the batteries' design was recently changed by the manufacturer, the result is that now the pump does not have time to recognize the power supply decrease and the pump may shut down before the alarm is triggered. That's nicee. All I need in my rather hectic life (two young kids, writing assignments, part-time job, attemps at cleaning my house and talking to my husband) is for my pump to shut down with no warning.

Up until now, I've been 100% loyal to Disetronic, even after the DTRONplus was recalled shortly after I started using it. I've felt that, despite its underdod status in the pump companies, that Disetronic has been reliable and that their customer service has been there for me. Frankly, I really can't handle anything else from them being recalled. That's it. I'm done. I'm due for a new pump next year--and whether I go with the Omnipod or a traditional pump, I've just decided that Disetronic is no longer part of the decision.

Hope that you are well--and enjoying the summer--
Peace,
Gabrielle

Symlin Pen?

2006-07-09T20:41:00.000-04:00

I've written several posts about my experiences with taking Symlin, and I must say that I'm still feeling like I'm in process of mastering how to use it with my insulin. I'm not overbolusing and getting low anymore, but I still sometimes fail to extend my bolus enough to cover the two-hours after eating and taking symlin when some insulin is needed. But all that being said--my blood sugar control, post-meal, is absolutely better since starting symlin. I'm due for an A1c next month--my first since starting symlin--and I'm curious to see where my levels are.

But one thing I haven't been able to get over--having been on the pump for seven years now, I just can't bring myself to carry around a vial and syringe with me. Many days I'm on the road around lunchtime and might have dinner out (at a restaurant or eating with friends) 1-2 nights a week. At those times, I would rather push a few buttons and bolus rather than bolusing and shooting up with symlin...even if my post-meal blood sugars may not stay as even. Carrying a vial and excusing myself to the restroom (I could never bring myself to take out a syringe at a table)brings back memories of the old days, and I don't like it. Just thinking about backing up the symlin and a syringe makes me more grateful than ever for my pump.

But I've heard good news...that the makers of symlin are coming out with a pen. That I can deal with: one thing, convenient to carry, dial it up, shoot, done. I will carry a pen. As I continue to get better working with symlin and insulin, I am looking more and more forward to that pen coming out.

Are any of you working with symlin? How's it going for you?

In peace,
Gabrielle

The Omnipod is looking better...

2006-07-04T19:24:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July, everyone! Hope you've had a long weekend to enjoy cook-outs and fireworks. It's been a real treat for my husband and I to have four days off together. We spent two of them at my brother-in-law's beautiful home in Connecticut, which has a big inground pool in the backyard. It was great having the convenience of a pool in the backyard--if it was nap time for one kid, one of us could still swim with the other. The weather was mostly sunny, just a few clouds, a real treat.

But by the middle of the afternoon yesterday, I found myself getting tired of my on-and-off routine with my pump. The D-tron Plus is definitely not waterproof, so I test and bolus as needed before getting in the pool, and leave my pump in a cooler before getting in.

It's not a bad routine, but with little kids getting in and out of the water more frequently than I would if I were swimming on my own, it can get old. I had just spoken to someone who switched from a pump to the Omnipod about a week ago, and she really loved that the Omnipod stays on, during showers and swimming. I'm still worried that I'll lose the Omnipod's PDAS system, but after this weekend's pool and pump routine, I'm willing to give the Omnipod more serious consideration.
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I made a really big mistake yesterday: after nearly 20 years of not eating a hamburger, I decided to try two. And they were good! I became a vegetarian at age 15 for moral reasons (those of you who were into "The Smiths" circa 1986 can relate to my "Meat is Murder" inspiration), but then lost my certainty about the evils of being a carnivore during my 20s, and returned to eating fish (which I really love) and poultry. Wanting to eat as healthy as possible, I decided to avoid red meat altogether(which I was never that crazy about, anyway). But yesterday, those burgers on the grill smelled so good and flooded me with childhood memories of summer barbeques. I ate one (on just half a roll), then went for a second (you know, to finish the other half). This morning, my stomach was not happy with that choice. I don't think my body knew what I put inside of it. So, that's it for now for me for hamburgers. Maybe I'll try again in another 20 years...

Happy 4th!
Gabrielle

Just a little high...

2006-06-22T21:15:00.000-04:00

Summer's here and I love it! Granted, we're running our a/c when it's really humid out, but I still prefer this weather to the cold. We spent a lot of last weekend at the pool and it's a lot of fun to see our baby (9 mos) discover the water and to see my three-year-old son get stronger at kicking and paddling.

One drag about the summer is that because of the heat, this is the season when I usually get more low blood sugars than at any other time of the year. Does that happen to anyone else? The heat and humidity--I guess really the sweating that goes with them--can cause my sugars to drop quickly. Even when I'm testing more, I'm not always able to adjust my insulin correctly for really hot, outdoor days.

So my tendency is to want to run a little bit on the higher side, so that I won't get low. Not high-high, just "a little high." Let's say I'd rather test at 160 than at 80. At 160, I know I have somewhere to fall. At 80, a low could come on quickly and take me really low.

But I realize that this kind of thinking--clinging to the higher side--has its consequences. When I was pregnant, I got over my fear of lows, for the baby's sake. I knew what was expected, and I made my best effort to get my numbers there. I did get low sometimes, and fortunately I always kept juice or glucose tabs with me, and I was testing so much that I always caught the low before it got really low.

So now...I need to keep reminding myself that I have done it, I can overcome my fear of lows. I should not spend this summer clinging to the high side. It's simply not the healthiest way to live.

Easier said than done. Summer is here, more humid days are ahead. I am going to try and keep my fear in the open, acknowledge it so it won't get the best of me. My tendency when I test on the low side of normal is to lower my basal rates or eat a few crackers--do something to push the number up. Just a little.

But now I'm pledging not to do that...so that when I look back on the summer from the vantage point of the fall, I can say it was a great summer. In terms of my blood sugar control and maybe more importantly, in terms of facing my fear. That could have benefits for creating wonderful summer memories, for years ahead.

Wishing you peace,
Gabrielle

Diabetes everywhere...

2006-06-12T20:55:00.000-04:00

Do you ever have one of those days when it's just diabetes, diabetes, diabetes everywhere? I'm having one of those days. It actually began last night when my Disetronic D-tron plus clip case broke. I am so utterly dependent on my clip case--the way I like to wear my pump is clipped onto my bra, that's it. I used to sometimes put it on my belt or even in a "thigh thing", but for the last few years I prefer to keep it clipped where I know it's safe and secure. Sure, it means sometimes reaching down my shirt in public to bolus, but what can you do?

So my clip case broke and I had to tear apart my closet to find the leather back-up case that I hate. Not wearing my pump the way I prefer made me keep noticing it...thinking about it...becoming annoyed by it. I started realizing how most of my days as I go about the business of my life, I barely notice that it's there. Anyway, the kids were already asleep last night when I decided to catch the last half-hour of "60 Minutes," a favorite Sunday evening ritual. When I turned on TV, a new epidsode of "dlife" was being Tivoed (my husband has set it to tape for me), so I decided to watch that instead. Did anyone ctach it? The show was focusing on the way diabetes is portrayed in tv and film--an issue I find very compelling. Having been totally depressed as a teenager when I saw "Steel Magnolias," I was delighted to see some discourse about how popular media can educate or misinform the public about diabetes.

And then several times today when I caught the news, I heard stories about the ever-growing diabetes epidemic...and it's great that the media is putting attention n how Type 2 diabetes is growing in this country...but when I see those kinds of reports, I must admit I feel a bit of a tug. I worry that all of the public health focus on Type 2 will only mean less education, awareness and research dollars for Type 1.

But then...I remembered that this week is the week of the American Diabetes Association's 66th Scientific sessions, a gathering of physicians, educators, researchers and companies sharing the latest innovations and updates in diabetes research and care. This is news that I want to hear. Bring it on! If you want to follow the Scientific sessions, check out the blog of Dr. Richard Kahn at http://www.diabetes.org/blog/index.html.

In peace,
Gabrielle

35 and feeling good

2006-06-07T22:54:00.000-04:00

Today I turned 35. It's going to take me a little while to grow into this number. In my mind, I've still been around 30 these last five years. I know it's just a number and that age is all relative to how you feel physically/spiritually/intellectually/emotionally...but somehow being closer to 30 than 40 felt nice. Easier. 35 sounds really grown up to me. Which I guess I am.

It's been a really nice birthday. Fred and I went out last weekend to celebrate, friends threw me a birthday lunch yesterday and today I've gotten phone calls and emails from friends near and far. That has been the best gift. A friend that I went to college with, whom I haven't seen since 1994, who's a filmmaker living in England, sent me the most beautiful, inspiring message over email. My brother called from Western Kenya. My cousin in Chicago whom I've been playing phone tag with for months made sure to call. And that's the beginning. It's just hitting me now, how sweet it is to be connected to all of these lives, to just be alive and to be living in the consiousness of all of these wonderful people. People who hold me and remembered me today.

Is there a way to express the gratitude that I am feeling in this moment through the actions of my life? I hope that I do. I think that for those of us living with Type 1 diabetes, the awareness of the gift of life can be that much more ever-present. Living with the awareness that but for insulin you wouldn't be here can give a sense of urgency and immediacy. It does for me, at least. I mean, mostly, that awareness is tucked away in some recess of my mind, but when I stop and refelct on the big picture, I recognize that the awareness of life's preciousness is always there, driving me.

What I am learning, at 35, is that the drive doesn't have to be to succeed in an external way, to show the world that "I am someone." Someone important and cool. That used to be so important to me, to be someone who impressed people. Now, I don't really give a shit about that. What I want to be is someone who is patient, a humble person, someone open to learning and growing. Someone who gives and recieves love easily. This kind of success is not always easy for me to achieve, but I'm working at it one day at a time.

I got on the scale this morning and I was two pounds above where I had set my birthday goal. But I felt happy--it was closer than I'd come so far. My weight loss goal is symbolic of where I hope to be in all of my growth--and it felt fitting that I wasn't quite there today. It made me remember that life is a process...in every way.

Happy Birthday to me. 35 years old, 25 years living with Type 1 diabetes. I am so very happy to be here, to be alive. I read a beautiful peom once--I wish that I had kept it--about how each of us marks the day of our birth, but that the day we die on goes by us as we live, unmarked. How would we live differently, if we knew that day?

Wishing you peace,
Gabrielle

Elliott, my crush is growing...

2006-06-01T21:02:00.000-04:00

This is all very embarressing. I just have not been able to stop thinking about Elliott Yamin. And it's not at all like my crush American Idol Season 4 heartthrob Constantine, no, this is a crush of total spirit. What can I say, the more I read about this guy, learning about his struggles and how out there he's been about his diabetes, hoping to educate the public, I just melt. He is moving me! One celeb speaking out about the benefits of insulin pump therapy has the potential to improve millions of lives.

Sigh. This is not a physical thing, I swear. But I am smitten. Really. Read some of these links and let me know if you get hooked on this "Idol" too:

http://ourworld.cs.com/jonienfp/Elliott.htm

http://www.yaminmachine.com/

http://www.styleweekly.com/article.asp?idarticle=12371

In peace, Gabrielle

Pumping "Idols"

2006-05-28T20:00:00.000-04:00

I've been an American Idol fan since season 1, but this year, I never got completely connected to any of top 12 finalists. Blame it on my crush on last season's sultry Constantine, but I never felt like any of the 12 really grabbed me in the same way.

Now the season's over, Taylor Hicks is our Idol and when I watched both him and runner-up Kathryn McPhee being interviewed by Ryan Seacrest on the Larry King show Friday night, I drifted off to sleep.

But now--now that it's over--I realize that I was actually watching the most exciting season of American Idol yet! How embarressing--I just found out, in the last few days, that two contestants--Elliott Yamin and Kevin Couvais--have Type 1 diabetes and are pump users!

Actually, I was into Elliott's voice, I just never fell in love with him completely. But now, I am crazy for him--Elliott is out there, speaking about living with Type 1 and hopes to use his new-found celebrity (for those of you who don't watch, he made it to number three) to educate people about diabetes. Go Elliott!

Kevin is a high school student, clearly not on the same kind of career path as Elliott at the moment, but you've got to give him props for both competing with much more mature talent and also being open about his diabetes and pump.

In our celebrity-worshipping culture, having celebs speak out about the pump and and about diabetes in general is now doubt an important strategy for educating the general public. I can tell you that when Nicole Johnson (Baker) became Miss America in 1998, it was the first time that I really considered switching to a pump. Elliott--and Kevin to a lesser degree--could make wearing a pump into a cool thing for the millions of kids out there living with Type 1.

Elliott, I'm so sorry I didn't jump on your boat when my voting would have helped you, but let me praise you now: You rock! (BTW, read more about Elliott at http://www.idolonfox.com/contestants/elliott_yamin/).

Happy Memorial day--
Gabrielle

The Allure of "Omnipod"...at least on film

2006-05-24T19:42:00.000-04:00

Some time ago I posted a blog entry about how I'm always losing my blood glucose meter and so I know I would never make a good candidate for the new Omnipod insulin delivery device, with its non-attached insulin delivery/meter device. How could I possibly consider the Pod when I can guarantee that I'll lose the device completely essential for operating it?

But...I signed up to be on Omnipod's email list and I'll have you know that their marketing people are good. Really good. I just got off their web site (www.MyOmniPod.com) where I watched a little movie clip (go to the "Products" heading)all about the Omnipod, and now I'm convinced that it's for me. I won't lose that device...the sleek-looking people in the movie clip aren't running around losing it. In fact, they're just mostly running--what with being free of tubing, free of pain from manual insertions and even being free of pain from blood sugar testing (does anyone actually consider pricking yoru finger "pain?"). That's what the movie clip promises, at least.

Omnipod's marketing people are so good that I'm honestly torn between viewing it with complete "there must be a catch somewhere" cynicism and forgetting my legit concerns because who among us wouldn't mind being free of tubing and wearing an insulin delivery system that is a bit more discreet? This feeling of being torn tells me it's time to get out from behind the computer screen and start talking to some real people who've tried the Omnipod to see what their experiences have been like. Just as when I started researching pump therapy--which lead to writing my book--I began by talking to pump users to hear the true story, right from the source.

So with my apologies to everyone in the advertising/marketing world, I promise to share the true scoop with you all. And if you are using the Omnipod--or know someone else who is--please get in touch! Is it really all that?

In peace,
Gabrielle

People are reading...

2006-05-18T20:09:00.000-04:00

I must admit, it was pretty exciting to open up "The New York Times" Style section this morning and see my blog quoted by reporter Ruth LaFerla:

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/fashion/

In fact, Ruth had called me last week--she came across my blog entry about shopping for a bathing suit while doing research for today's article about women ordering from "Land's End." We had a long talk about why tankinis are excellent choices for women wearing the pump and I explained some of the fashion dilemmas that pump wearers face to her. None of that made it in, which kind of bummed me out.

Our pool opens Memorial Day...and I've backslid a bit this week in terms of my weight loss goal, seeing a couple of punds creep back up on the scale. Now the countdown is on and I'm going to use it as an excuse to really watch what I eat.

Peace,
Gabrielle