Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Looking at Pumps
We all know that feeling of looking at technology, like a TV, DVD, Computer or Cellphone and having a whole lot of technical terms being thrown at us - it is difficult at the best of time.
That is what I am going through, except it is not something as simple as a consumer item - but the device that is responsible for keeping my son safe - we are looking at insulin pumps.
I am currently reading through all the brochures and talking to the reps about what pump to buy - but it is hard, really hard.
There is a lot technical terms that I am coming to grips with, each of the pumps push their own 'features' and it's hard to know what is important, the internet is filled with both good and bad stories about the support people are getting from their reps and in this day of informed consent no-one really wants to give a recommendation.
Our diabetes team is really good, and our dietitian, sensibly, said 'They are all very good pumps, any of which will make a huge difference to your life' - which has taken the pressure off a little.
But this is still difficult, in New Zealand pumps are not covered by insurance - so the money comes out of our pocket and once the decision is made we are stuck with that pump for the next 4 years.
On top of all of this, the thought of weighing all the meals and doing boluses for every meal is scary too.
Wish me luck and any stories - good or bad - about your pump would be appreciated.
That is what I am going through, except it is not something as simple as a consumer item - but the device that is responsible for keeping my son safe - we are looking at insulin pumps.
I am currently reading through all the brochures and talking to the reps about what pump to buy - but it is hard, really hard.
There is a lot technical terms that I am coming to grips with, each of the pumps push their own 'features' and it's hard to know what is important, the internet is filled with both good and bad stories about the support people are getting from their reps and in this day of informed consent no-one really wants to give a recommendation.
Our diabetes team is really good, and our dietitian, sensibly, said 'They are all very good pumps, any of which will make a huge difference to your life' - which has taken the pressure off a little.
But this is still difficult, in New Zealand pumps are not covered by insurance - so the money comes out of our pocket and once the decision is made we are stuck with that pump for the next 4 years.
On top of all of this, the thought of weighing all the meals and doing boluses for every meal is scary too.
Wish me luck and any stories - good or bad - about your pump would be appreciated.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
4 1/2 thoughts on diabetes
We have been talking with Cade and trying to get him to tell people what he needs if he is low. Cade wears a medic alert bracelet and we had this conversation after his bath tonight.
Me: Cade why do you wear that bracelet?
Cade: Because I have diabetes.
Me: What is diabetes?
Cade: It means I have an insulin injection in my tummy and a blood checks on my finger.
Got to love a 4 1/2 year's old definition of diabetes, but the nice thing about this is that he does not feel it's a burden - to him it is just 'normal', which is great. I really want all my children to have a 'normal' life - and I especially want Cade to be as normal as possible while keeping good control on his diabetes. (Sounds crazy I know - but we can only dream)
Me: Cade why do you wear that bracelet?
Cade: Because I have diabetes.
Me: What is diabetes?
Cade: It means I have an insulin injection in my tummy and a blood checks on my finger.
Got to love a 4 1/2 year's old definition of diabetes, but the nice thing about this is that he does not feel it's a burden - to him it is just 'normal', which is great. I really want all my children to have a 'normal' life - and I especially want Cade to be as normal as possible while keeping good control on his diabetes. (Sounds crazy I know - but we can only dream)
Going to School
I just read Penny's post on sending her son to school for the first time. Well my boy turns 5 in a couple of months, so we will be doing the same.
It's weird because I know that sending your first child to school is supposed to give you mixed feelings - excitement that they are starting a phase in their life, and fear that they won't get on with the children, they will have trouble adjusting, they will not like it.
I have spoken to other friends of mine who have felt exactly that way.
But having a child with diabetes just makes it so much worse, currently it scares me half to death. We are on the waiting list for a pump and hoping to get one before he started school - but that is looking less and less likely.
Auckland, which is the city we live in, has an exceptionally good paediatrics diabetes team - so they will provide all the training and things like that to school.
But I am still scared. I wonder how parents managed child with diabetes 30 years ago, before the invention of the cell phone?
It's weird because I know that sending your first child to school is supposed to give you mixed feelings - excitement that they are starting a phase in their life, and fear that they won't get on with the children, they will have trouble adjusting, they will not like it.
I have spoken to other friends of mine who have felt exactly that way.
But having a child with diabetes just makes it so much worse, currently it scares me half to death. We are on the waiting list for a pump and hoping to get one before he started school - but that is looking less and less likely.
Auckland, which is the city we live in, has an exceptionally good paediatrics diabetes team - so they will provide all the training and things like that to school.
But I am still scared. I wonder how parents managed child with diabetes 30 years ago, before the invention of the cell phone?
