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Comment by MelissaBL on November 6, 2009 at 3:32pm

I'm also amazed by how attached I get to my pumps. Whenever I have switched from one to the next, retiring the little device is actually an emotional experience for me - like getting rid of a car you've had a lot of memories in. I'm on my 7th pump, technically (4 MMs, 1 Cozmo, 2 Omnipod PDMs). You go about your day, like Cathy said, just doing your thing, but when it's time to put it in a box and try something new... I don't know. I just always feel guilty!

Comment by Cathy on November 6, 2009 at 2:42pm

Melissa you made such good points. I know before my pump my life was conducted around my injections, now my insulin is conducted around my life. I go about my business just like everybody else I just bolus when I eat. And change my sites every 2-3 days. I am so use to it that it is a part of me now. I have been on my pump for 7 months. I love it. I have a ping. Pumps are a great thing.

Comment by Marsha Krueger on November 5, 2009 at 7:11pm

Melissa -Since Steven's death, the family has received calls from other families who have lost children to the same situation- malfunction of pumps. It is lucky we are Canadian in the since that the government pays for alot of the hospital fees. One father in Buffalo has a daughter who is virtually brain dead and he has alot of bills to pay. Anyways.

My meeting went well today, I feel reassured and comfortable with the idea of going on the pump. In Canada there are three pumps to choose from. I am choosing to go with PING (the Aniamas pump). I start pump therapy on January 12. That will be a big day in my world. I want to thank everyone for your support, it is refreshing.

Comment by Marsha Krueger on November 5, 2009 at 7:06pm

Thanks for all your support. Melissa you were asking about the what if's and they are generally about Steven and the malfunction of the pump.

Comment by Marie B on November 5, 2009 at 11:32am

and remember, you can always go back to shots. I think we have one member here that did.

We'll be here to help and support you with your decision, Marsha.

Comment by Kelly Rawlings on November 5, 2009 at 10:46am

Pumps don't GIVE us better blood sugars. But they are a great tool to achieve better blood sugars. But they are more work in terms of learning curve, technology, and needing attention to finetune doses.

My biggest pre-pump fear: being tethered 24/7. Does that bother me one single bit now? No, plus two pumps on the market have no tubing. OK, full disclosure: the tubing did bother me twice in the past 48 hours, when I accidentally ripped out two consecutive infusion sets when I dropped my pants to pee and got tangled up!

I would never go back to shots. The two biggest reasons: 1. I can set basal rates by the hour to deal with blood sugar ups and downs, hormones, etc. As Melissa points, out, that's really important for tightening control. 2. I always have my insulin on me, when I need to bolus.

Best wishes as you work through this decision-making process!

Comment by Cara Bauer on November 5, 2009 at 10:26am

I was a diabetic for nearly 2 years before I went on the pump. I managed my first pregnancy with shots and when Lily was 6 months old, I finally went on the pump. I couldn't handle all the roller coaster of blood sugars anymore. Best decision I ever made. Sure, I've had my issues with the pump, but in the long run, I'll never go back.

My only advice is to stay on the pump a good 6 months before you make a decision to stay on it or go back to shots.

Sometimes you just have to jump in with both feet.

Good luck!

Comment by Sidney Partridge smile on November 5, 2009 at 10:13am

I would say go for the pump. I am 59 years old and pumping for 5 months. Diabetic type 1 for twenty years. I will never go back to manual injections. You are not going into an unknown area. There are lots and lots of trained people with all of your answers. Just realize that pumping is different and you will be doing things differently. Don't let this scare you. It's just better. You can always go back to manual injections. I can say that once you get the hang of pumping you will not go back. Good luck. Sid

Comment by MelissaBL on November 5, 2009 at 9:17am

What a great analogy and perspective, Moe. Wow!

Comment by Moe on November 5, 2009 at 9:03am

There is no way to undo the past or the apprehensions you have but you can move forward. Remember this, as sad an event as it was, tragic even, there are millions more people using the pump with few problems. It's technology, designed by mere mortals and so there will be problems. However, you will have the control. Remember that and keep saying to yourself, "I am in control".

My daughter has a pump and was reluctant at first. She was 16 when we decided it was the right step to take in getting her blood sugars leveled out. After the first morning she could sleep in she was sold on it and has never looked back.

The downside is that first month is very much like the first month after being diagnosed...a huge learning curve but this time around you know what insulin does, you know what carbs are and you know what high blood sugars/low blood sugars feel like. There are more things here that you know than you don't know...if that makes sense. It's like diving into a new swimming pool...you already know how to swim: it's the same water, just a different diving board & maybe a new swimsuit.

It sounds like you have a great support network on the sidelines to cheer you on. Good luck, Marsha, keep me posted...

moe
“Fairy Tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” G.K. Chesterton

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