Living With Type 1 Diabetes

Insulin Pump Effectiveness

2011-12-29T19:41:00.000-08:00

I saw this video from the BBC News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-16355299) where "Diabetes patients have joined a trial to assess the effectiveness of pumps which deliver insulin directly into the body. Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge has recruited 1,000 diabetics to assess whether the pumps are more effective than daily multiple injections." I have been on insulin pump therapy for around 8 years and have found it to be extremely convenient. I was so disgusted with excusing myself from the restaurant dinner table to go into the men's room to give myself an insulin injection. The men's room is THE WORST place to go when you need to inject yourself. With the pump, I just pull it out of my pocket and dial in the dose, then put it back in my pocket - DONE. Post some comments on your pump experience.

On the lighter side, came this article where the parents of a 5 year old who uses an insulin pump got insulin pump tattoos so that their child would not feel "alone" being the only kid with a pump (http://medgadget.com/2011/12/insulin-pump-tattoos-make-a-perfect-christmas-gift-for-diabetic-kid.html). I am not personally into tattoos, but this is a creative idea. Maybe my mom and dad could have gotten syringe tattoos when I was diagnosed with diabetes ~30 years ago...

Health Insurance

2011-12-28T18:39:00.000-08:00

I had company sponsored medical, dental and vision insurance up until 2008. The company I worked for laid me off (along with 40% of the company) and since then I have had to go through the maize to find adequate insurance for me and my family.

Right after the lay off, I went onto COBRA so I kept my policy as was, but it cost ~$2,500 a month for a family of 4. We found private insurance (HealthNet) for my family, but not for me. Health Net would not insure me due to my pre-existing condition. I called up my COBRA insurance company (Aetna) and asked if they would offer me an insurance policy, being a type one diabetic. They said that there was NO policy they would offer due to my pre-existing condition. So I stayed on COBRA with Aetna for ~$800 a month. After 36 months, Aetna told me that my COBRA insurance would end.

I am looking into my options right now and am looking for advice. Send me your comments.

30 Years Living with Diabetes

2011-04-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

I have been blessed with having great health my whole life, even though I was diagnosed with diabetes almost 30 years ago. Diabetes has helped keep my health on track. Seems like the previous statements are contradictatory with mainstream media coverage, but I do believe that having diabetes has made me knowledgeable about keeping my health in top shape.

In the morning, while I brew my coffee, I check my bloodsugar reading. This is followed by breakfast. Just these two actions has increased my sense of how I feel, think and act throughout my day. By checking my bloodsugar, I am figuring out what is happening inside my body and at the same time I get to test how I am feeling to start my day. It becomes my baseline on my body feelings for my day. Having breakfast allows my body the much needed fuel to grow and repair itself. Many of my non-diabetic friends (NDF's) think that if they skip breakfast they save themselves time and calories. I believe that both of these are wrong. At mid-morning, my NDF's are looking like they want to go back to sleep, while I am testing my bloodsugar again. A snack helps fuel me through to lunch. I pack my lunch almost every day. It helps me keep track of what I am eating and allows me to put healthy and tasty foods in my lunch. My NDF's are by now grumpy and heading out to get a high fat, high calorie lunch at a local fast-food restaurant. I have set myself up for success during my day by starting it our on the right path (testing bloodsugar and eating breakfast).

After 30 years of living with diabetes, I am amazed at how regular and routine it has become for me. Diabetes is a part of me and I grateful that I have learned as much as I can about the disease over all these years. Treatments have changed. My bodies response to food, insluin, exercise, and sickness has changed. I learn something new almost every day about diabetes, my body and what it takes for each to be managed together.

One of my biggest issues is trying to get regular exercise each day. I try working out at the Y, I try to ride my bike, I try to walk at lunch or after dinner. Too many days, I get less exercise than I would like. I would love to hear some ways that you accomplish getting exercise in on your days.