Insulin Pump Users

Gail,
I am so thankful the Lord gave me a sense of humor because it’s so easy to cry.
I’m a Toastmaster (highest level they bestow) and have a humorous speech I
entered in a contest and have won a few trophies on, called "Tolerating the
Sweet Life." I make fun of living with this *condition.*

On June 3 the director of the Perinatal Exposure Prevention Project of the
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence organization of our area
wrote a letter to the Voice of the People stating: If we’re going to make any
progress with this population (chemically-dependent pregnant women) we need
torecognize that they suffer from a chronic disease not so different from
diabetes or hypertension.

My 21" rebuttal to that ridiculousness was printed in the paper today. How dare
she compare this *affliction* with druggies who chose their lifestyle. I have
(more…)

Zack is so fortunate to have the love and support of those who are supposed to
love and care for him. Don’t treat him too differently, but encourage and
support him — and give him praise for the good things.

I can attest to how a child grows without that love and support of family. It’s
difficult to make friends because of fear of rejection. (I’m 60 now, diab.coma
at 11 — pumping now for 16 years). My father left when I was 6 mos. old and my
brother and I were raised by a bitter unforgiving mother. I was never taken to
the doctor for anything (boils, carbuncles, styes for 8 1/2 years; foot caught
on fire; got other foot out of place; immunizations; etc.) until 4 days before
the coma — BUT they took the dog to the doctor because she wasn’t feeling good.
I wasn’t praised so I wouldn’t "Get the big head." I was fed, fed, fed because
I would die anyway and might as well enjoy life. My pump is an inconvenience and
embarassment — it tells people something is wrong with me. ETC, ETC. We have no
relationship whatever now. I’m sorry I’ve been such a disappointment to her.
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Thanks

Frank

Hello all,
Thank you for your past help. Zack has been pumping for about two
weeks now and we couldn’t be happier with his contol. So far he has
canoed, water-tubed, swam, and camped with his pump. Our biggest
challenge had been sleeping…nothing seemed to please him until I sewed
some pump sized pockets onto his boxers. I know…nothing new…but I
used his "athlete sister’s" worn out sports bras for the fabic. The
spandex keeps his pump snug without a top…it makes it easy for his dad
or I to access it during the night it we need to, also.
Thanks for your previous help,
Patty

Anyone remember when I complained that MiniMed was keeping my $285 in
THEIR company instead of crediting my VISA on a pump trade in? Well, after I
complained to them and I guess a *head honcho* got in on it, today I received a
check for $495 - the FULL amount. 8^-)

I told them I’d put this list back in their good graces. Thank you, Jack Joy!

Jan

Hey, Catie, you can sleep in on Saturday mornings with the pump, too :^ D

Jan

Thanks

Frank

Since the message is *gone*, I forgot whom this is for: I think Gail or Catie ?-
]

I read your message about getting the Sof-sets but no instructions and ruined 3
of them. Here’s my story today :- )

While I was changing my set, I pretended you were standing beside me and I was
teaching you. I mentally went through the steps with you, completed the
insertion and removed the introducer needle. I felt like something was wrong.
There I stood holding the syringe and tubing with the Sof-set taped down.

What was wrong? I forgot to put the syringe in the pump and prime it !!! Well,
needles(s) to say, the Sof-set and 4575 Op-Site tape were ruined. I’ve only been
doing this 16 years. (4th pump)

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I have gotten my samples of the soft sets and the inserter. I am going to
order them. I wasted 3 of them because I didn’t get any instructions and it
took me a while to get it right.

I am thinking of starting my infusion set at night but I don’t understand
the problems. I have severe dawn effect and waiting for the insulin to kick
in causes me to go very high. I thought that starting at night would stop
that problem. What if I started it in the evening, a couple of hours before
bed???

Catie

We had a meeting today and we were informed to stay off e-mail during
working hours. If anyone sends an e-mail I’ll only be able to answer any
non-work related mail during breaks and lunch. So I’m not going to be
stuck up, just want to keep my job! But I’ll try to answer you either
before/after work or during my breaks and lunch.

Later!
Bre