Stuck in the Mountains With No Infusion Sets or Reservoirs.
For the first time in 5 years as a Diabetic, I have made a costly mistake, and I have to try to figure out an innovative way to correct it. I drove to the mountains of north Georgia yesterday with a couple friends to attend a Bible Seminar. I got up this morning and went through my usual Diabetic routine, and suddenly, like someone hit me in the head with a hammer, I realized I brought everything but an infusion set and a reservoir. My pump is warning LOW RESERVOIR as we speak. I go home tomorrow, but it will be tomorrow evening before I get home. If I were in my truck, I keep spare parts in my glove box for just such a time as this. Now I can remove the top off my insulin bottle where I can poor it into the reservoir, but to do that I'm going to have pull the plunger out the bottom of the reservoir. Then I could poor the insulin into the reservoir, and then put the plunger back in. Will it work? That's the only thing I know to do. I'm miles from a Pharmacy where I could maybe get some syringes. I cannot believe I did this. How do you forget the one thing you can't do without? Any ideas?
Tags: Forgot, Infusion, Reservoirs, Sets, Supplies
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by saundra barragan on -
Prayers are with you Bobby. Please be careful
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Permalink Reply by Denise Bevard on -
If the resevoir didn't leak when you primed it it probably won't...however I know that even if they do leak--a pump can conitune to work..and work after you clean it out...
make sure ya change as soon as you get home and ut some neoporin on the set site..you mopst probably will be just fine, althoughn surprised no other D people at the Seminar--is it a small one (seminar)?
Any way--let us all now how it worked for ya--inquiring moinds want to know--and you just never know what circumstances might arise that someone else would need to use this McGiver :-)
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Permalink Reply by Kristin on -
Hope that you are doing alright Bobby!
I thought I was crazy, but you win. We must add the disclaimer:
"Kids, don't try this at home." (or anywhere else for that matter).
Let us know when you are home with a fresh resevoir and infusion set!!
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Permalink Reply by Bobby on -
I know, I'm a nut. But I really had no other choice. I'm here with two other people in one of their vehicles and they were counting on being here. I didn't even say anything to them. For me to have gone home, I would have had to pull them out of this seminar too. And I know it sounded crazy, but I was very careful when I did what I did. It's nearly 24 hours later, and everything is working fine. I just woke up, and got up and checked the pump delivery and it seems to be fine. The infusion site seems to be fine. You know, I think this has been a hard lesson learned for me, that I will not soon forget. It has emabarrassed me because I know none of you would try what I just did. In fact none of you would have ever left town without your supplies, but leave it to me to be the guinea pig. I can just about bet that I won't be leaving home without my parts and pieces again whether I'm in my own vehicle or someone else's. I'm going to purchase one of those Diabetic totes of some kind. I've actually been looking at Wal-Mart and those kind of places, but they don't have what I'm looking for. Even the Medical Supply stores in Statesboro don't stock them. How crazy is that? So I'll have to order something on-line without having even seen it and hope I get the right thing.
Well folks, this has been a really weird weekend. I have attended the whole seminar, except for what's left this morning, and I will do that too, in a few hours, and then I shall drive Jacob's Gigantic Ford Excursion 320 miles back home. So far, me and my pump seem to be no worse for the wear. Thank you Lord!
And you know what? I'm really not just a wreckless dim-wit that makes idiotic decisions, even though that's what it sounded like. I really am a fairly intelligent human being. I found myself between a rock and a hard place, and I just weighed my options, and did the only thing I felt like I could do, and so far it seems to be working. Gotta go back to bed now. You guys are great. Thanks again for all your love, concern, and support. You are the best friends I have ever had!
Peace Ya'll,
Bobby
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Permalink Reply by Kristin on
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Bobby, I actually don't really think you are that crazy-- you found a solution and it worked for you!
And please don't think you are the only one who forgets supplies at home!!! I put a big sign saying "INSULIN" on the door when I am preparing for a trip! I can't tell you how many times I have forgetten to bring insulin!! The other day, I ate lunch without bolusing. You think that I would be used to it by now, but...
Another recommendation is to keep a syringe in EVERY bag. Hide them all over the place. I like having syringes with me in case my pump ever failed or I was in a jam. I have them in every purse, bag, drawer, etc.
Glad that you had a meaningful weekend! Have a good trip back!
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Permalink Reply by Denise Bevard on
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I ditto the syringe thing---everywhere...even though they make my heart skip a beat eveytime I run across one (needle phobic-yeah great match with diabetes)
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Permalink Reply by Denise Bevard on
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Try the weekender Jr by moda( in the cosmetics aisle--comes in basic black or current "in" colors)--$8 this is what I have in mine:
2 or 3 infusion sets and resevoir, quickserter, precsision meter for keytone testing, 2 or 3 vails of insulin, 1 or 2 insulin pens, gel pack, syringes, sm sharps container, scissors, tape, IV 300, neosporin, gauze, calculator,batteries,pen needles, lancets,alchohol wipes, some other stuff I know I am forgetting...
I sew, but by the time I but cordura or such, zipper, and my time--was cheaper to buy than to amke.Mine has lasted over a year and I use it daily.
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Permalink Reply by Lois on -
Oh Bobby:
I'm so disappointed in you!!! How could you forget? Would you forget your own head if it weren't attached? KIDDING! Like I said in my previous comments (and others did too), you need not kick yourself too hard for forgetting. Everyone has done something similar. How could I forget to bolus even when my pump is right on my body!!! Ewwwwwww! Boy, do I have a brain with mold on it!!
I am surprised that you were unable to find another diabetic at the conference, but that's the way life is sometimes. In any event, you made it through and, hopefully, you were greatly blessed by the weekend.
Just don't do it again!!! :-)
Luv & Hugs.
Lois La Rose
Milwaukee, WI
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Permalink Reply by Bobby on
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Greetings From South Georgia,
I am finally home, safe in my chair with a new infusion set, new Reservoir, new Insulin. I removed the old set and cleaned it with alcohol. Looks ok, itches a little, but that's because it's been there for about 6 days now. Doesn't appear to be infected. Praise the Lord the O-Rings didn't leak into the pump. Never-the-less, I cleaned the pump and blew it out with a little compressed air I use on my pc. I feel so much better just being here where all my stuff is. When I get paid I am buying one of those cooler tote thing-a-ma-jigs that keeps your insulin cool on one side and has the space to carry all your other stuff too. I just never bought one because I didn't want to spend 50 bucks. I have learned my lesson the hard way--which is sorta the story of my life--kinda what got me into my current occupation. I have taken way too many chances in life, and for some reason God has continued to keep me around.
I attended the entire seminar, and then drove the 3 of us over 5 hours back to south Georgia. I still feel kinda stupid, because its usually not my Diabetic supplies I forget, its other stuff, but never my parts and pieces. Those things are sorta my life line. Well I guess I smoked too much pot back in the 70's. : )
I am glad to be home, and glad you all have supported me in something that never should have happened. You really make me feel as if you would miss me if I were gone, and that in itself is priceless. I sort of expected some of you to be angry with me, and I wasn't sure I should have shared this ordeal--and that is what it was. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I think I'm in the clear now.
Thanks, Ya'll, for being there when I needed you. Your all the best!!!
Peace Out!
Bobby
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Permalink Reply by saundra barragan on
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Congratulations. You made it home okay. I want you to know you scared the stuffing out of us.
Don't do it again. Seriously, be safe. I am thinking about a shake first, but am sending you a hug anyway.
I thought we already agreed my friend that you can't be gone. I don't understand why you think you would not be missed.
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Permalink Reply by Manny Hernandez on -
SUPER!! This is definitely a story worth sharing and a great lesson learned!
Glad you are back home, safe and healthy, Bobby.
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Permalink Reply by Denise Bevard on
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Glad you are home safely--but check out the bag at Walmart before you shellout $50 for something so close to the same...
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