Sugar & Spice

I met with Ms Minimed yesterday and it went very well. She showed me the three pumps they have available and the different features of them. She also showed me the CGMS - OMG that needle!!! (Apparently this needle does not hurt...) We spoke about diabetes control, the pump etc. and I asked her a few questions. We also discussed the pricing and how to go about motivating to the medical scheme. I have my doubts... Not so much about them paying for the pump itself, but the monthly consumables. These are very expensive. I did some calculations on the amount the Scheme is currently spending on me on average on insulin, needles, glucose strips, and then made an estimate on what insulin would costs should I change and added all the others. The amount they would have to pay is considerably larger. I will try contacting them today to see what they would cover. I would not mind a co-payment of say 10 - 20% on the pump consumables per month, but I doubt I would be able to afford paying the full amount every month...

She also gave me contact details of a pumper working close by. So we met for coffee in the afternoon. I have never really contacted somebody I don't know and invited them for coffee, so I was actually a bit nervous about the meeting, but excited too. This was the first time I have actually met another Type 1 face to face (that I know of...). We spoke about the pump, she showed it to me, where it was inserted etc. She had done a site change in the morning, so I could actually see where the previous site was too. We spoke more about diabetes, and also about things other than diabetes. It was great meeting with somebody who is actually wearing it!

My next step is to contact the Scheme to find out there policy on the monthly pump consumables. Hopefully by Monday afternoon I will meet with a rep from Roche to see the Spirit. I want to read up more about the differences between these two. It would really be great to be able to contact somebody who has actually used both..

I must say, I am quite excited about it now! Still a bit apprehensive, but I really think that moving to the pump would be a good thing. In my chat with fellow Type 1 yesterday, we spoke about controlling thing now to the best of your abilities, and not trying to fix the problems and complications later in life that could have been prevented. And I think the pump is probably a very good start!

Labels: diabetes, pump

Posted by justme at 08:52 | Permalink | Comments

Had my most scary Hypo experience this weekend. I had been lying on the couch watching TV or something and must have dozed off. He wakes me telling me to get up and go to bed. Within a few seconds a sort of familiar feeling sweeps across me. Only I was feeling much weaker than normal. I can hardly move. Grab my meter from the coffee table and test (with some difficulty). 5...4...3...2...1.... LO - Now feeling confused. I had not felt this coming... What does LO mean??? Take out the little explanation guide I have in my meter pouch - 1.1mmol/l is the lowest the meter reads. I ask for juice, I am starving, and I want something more. He brings juice, energade, a chocolate. I feel as though I am passing out - not fainting, but slowly "fading away". I am not really sure how to explain it. I ask him if he remembers how the glucagon works (have never needed it, tell him to use it should I pass out), and to call the ambulance should I pass out. I drink, eat, and he then makes me a sandwich. By then I am feeling 100% better, but he insists that I finish the sandwich too. I do.

I never want to feel like that again.

Labels: hypo

Posted by justme at 17:23 | Permalink | Comments

That is when I am meeting the pump rep! I spoke to her this week and made an appointment. I am really excited about seeing all the different components to the pump, and of course the pump itself. Hopefully things will then fall into place in the next few weeks - I will decide whether or not I want to go through with it, then arrange to maybe try it out before making my final decision, trying to get the medical aid to pay for it (which I think is going to be near impossible), and then maybe finally getting my own one.

Friday has come along (again) - they seem to come so quick! This weekend we are having a BBQ for his birthday (tomorrow). A friend who is in the process of relocating to another city may be here and able to come to the party (with my god daughter, who has apparently grown a lot since I last saw her!).

Labels: pump

Posted by justme at 13:25 | Permalink | Comments

I need to take control.... I am still having difficulty with my gym routine. A few months ago this was all so easy for some reason, but now I have problems getting up in the morning to go. I still manage a few times a week - but sometimes I get there too late to be able to do anything worthwhile. Yesterday morning was a good session, and I pushed myself a little harder - and it felt good. I guess I just need to find the motivation again...

My one year appointment is coming up soon. I have not yet made it. I am still considering changing endo's. I need to see someone in March - as my chronic medication will expire then (it needs to be renewed annually). I am a bit nervous about this appointment, as I know that my control has not been that good lately. I guess I have finally exiting the honeymoon period and it is time for some adjustments. It has been like this on and off since about November last year. So needless to say I am fearing the A1C the most... But this is also what is making me consider the pump even more. I have not called the rep again - hope to do that either today or early next week. I want to meet with her before my next endo appointment - so I can kind of know what I want and the questions I want to ask. I still doubt that my medical scheme will pay for the pump - but I guess if I can pay for it I should... The only other thing I am concerned about is that if I do get it (and pay for it myself), if the Scheme will cover all the monthly consumables. But first things first - I need to call her!! (I sometimes tend to put these things off....).

This morning we woke up to a very cool city - it must have been raining most of the night, and there was still a slight drizzle. Still the temperatures are okay (minimum temperature of 17 degrees Celsius).

Been having a problem with fruit lately - they seem to ripen way to quickly. Bananas are going completely mushy within 3 days, apples are too soft... I have tried buying at various different shops, but it is all pretty much the same. So tomorrow I am going to try out an organic market that is open every Saturday (at least this is the plan...). I am hoping that the fruit will be of better quality! I am dying for nice apples and bananas...

but - so glad it is Friday!!

Labels: diabetes, Endo, fruit, gym, pump

Posted by justme at 10:10 | Permalink | Comments

I don;t really have much to say..

Went out with a friend for dinner and drinks last night. Had so much fun, as we have not seen each other in ages. I tend to loose touch with people easily - just getting wrapped up in work etc. I really need to make more of an effort to get out more!

Nothing else planned for the rest of the week. As always looking forward to the weekend. No plans for that either, but hoping that it will be a cooler weekend! I cannot wait for summer to be over.....

Got his birthday coming up soon. I have no idea what to get! So have been searching around online. Hopefully something will come to mind soon!

Pasta for dinner tonight yummmm, have not had in ages...

Posted by justme at 13:52 | Permalink | Comments