Continuous Glucose Monitor

Imagine the following is possible...
A little tiny sensor device is inserted under the skin. It then transmits to another device. Portraying a graph with a dot for every blood sugar reading taken every five minutes. Not only is it portrayal of current blood sugars, it lets you know if your following a trend, going up or down. Not only that, but it will beep and warn you if you are going low and high.

Sounds to good to be true right?

WRONG.

I'm talking about a continuous glucose monitor, or CGM for short. This device has been on the market through two major companies, for years. At one point in my life, I had talked to my doctor about getting one of these, but the misconception was and still is, that this device is only for people who are unable to tell when they are going low, and even for uncontrolled type 1 diabetic students living away from parents or alone (such as at college). So that was the end of the conversation about this life changing device.

Well, when I received my Insulin pump in November, in the package, although I never talked to my doctor about it, was the Dexcom G4 CGM. I was very surprised to see that with my shipment, but excited none-the-less. Since being more attuned to the diabetes circuit I had seen the growing use of the CGM device, and was excited to start it up as well.

I started my CGM and my insulin pump on the same day. So I have no comparison of what my blood sugars were like 24/7 before I had the pump.

Now I am on information OVERLOAD!

My first day using my Insulin Pump and CGM (receiver pictured). 

The top is the Dexcom Sensor Site. 

My CGM receiver.  Using a graph of my blood sugars. Not too bad!

My second day using my CGM and pump. I was a perfect 100 (and going down)

It was days like this that I was thankful for having my CGM. 

And Nights like this that look so awesome to see!

Glucose Meter and CGM represent!!! 

If I didn't have this awesome device, I would never see what my blood sugars would do at night!

Some days look like a Roller Coaster. 

Some days are perfect. 

Good thing my Dexcom was there to warn me of those lows!

A Comparison of Blood sugars between my devices. 

I was so Low, that my CGM only registered low. 

A roller coaster for sure. 

Sometimes the sites look bad afterwards..bruised, and irritated. 

Red site, mixed with a little peeling of the adhesive. 

The amazing capabilities of technology. 

I cannot imagine life without the CGM. His name is Dex for short. I am thankful for the moment that I have such great insurance that helps covers the cost of supplies to keep Dex running. Although, the new year is having me apply everything towards my deductible. One month of sensors for Mr. Dex cost me over $300.... ouch. It costs to live..literally!

Children

Children. That's suchba descriptive title that could mean so many things...

Well this post is about the two beautiful girls who I am currently living with. 

When I was little, I had this "plan." It included, mostly, becoming a teacher and having my own family. Well that "plan" has changed drastically. I am not a teacher, and although I am not single, I have no immediate plans to start a family. 

That being said, I feel I don't have time in my plans to actually be able to do that part of the "plan."

But I'm getting a great dose of what that might look like in the future. I can confidently say though, I'm getting the best form of birth control there is. 

Now this is all fine and dandy, talking about kids, but what does it have to do with diabetes?! Well I'm getting there.

When I first moved into my cousins house where she lives with her 2.5 children and husband, I just passed off my diabetes care. It got put into the back burner. There was so much stuff all happening at once that diabetes and my management of it, unfortunately, had a little set back. I didn't want the 4 and 2 year old to see me do my diabetic care routine, so I hid that part of me away...that is until a perfectly times conference (the students with diabetes one) came into hand and reminded me to not be ashamed, and to take myself for now and the future. 

That being said, I've started to check my blood sugar and insulin no matter who is watching. Well little did I know that the two little "buzzereds" as I call them, would be completely intrigued. Every meal time, they ask me, can we watch you do that finger thing, and the pokey thing? At first I explained to them why I'm doing what I'm doing, and although they don't completely understand, they know it's medicine I have to have everytime I eat a meal. I try to keep them involved by asking them to guess my number, and then to read it off. Yes this also forces my number to be read out loud for anyone else to hear. This and their constant viligence in making sure I test is bringing me out of the diabetes slump I was in. 

So my fear about trying to explain what I'm doing wasn't needed. I can also see that oldest child becoming a doctor someday even. It's her favorite game to play. She's also very demanding that I check myself! 

However great having these children around is, it's not all rainbows and sunshine. We won't go into the screaming, crying, or butt wiping, but I will say that diabetes does get in the way. Last night, I was going to go push them on the swings before dinner, before I walk out the door and head to swings where the two girls were not very patiently waiting for me to help them on and push them, I decided to take a check. I didn't feel 100% I thought maybe I was about 70 or something. What I saw on my meter made my heart drop. It read 37! So before the kids would ask why I had fruit snack before dinner and they didn't, I shoved the whole thing in my mouth. Good thing my cousin was around because the look on my face after I read the number told her that there would be no swinging then, and that we should eat supper first. I'm thankful she was around and could handle the very pouty children as they were forced to come back inside.its situations like this that I wonder if I could ever have children without a constant feer or worry that I can't take care of myself first when needed. 

Children of my own is something pretty far down in my future. For now, I'll stick being the favorite cousin, who gets to play all day and doesn't have to do bath time! 

#SWD2014 part 2

So the rest of my Students With Diabetes Conference Experience was right up there with top diabetes experiences I've ever had. 

(Diabetics were everywhere!)

On Saturday I made sure to get some exercise in with Zumba! This conference reminded me that I need to get back into taking care of other aspects of my health, not just diabetes. I need to get out and move more!  (More on that later!) 

(Gotta use those awesome Level products for those lows!)

The day started out with a few sessions which reminded me that we have been given this disease, and it's how we choose to see it that matters. So we can laugh or not, choose to take a vacation from it, ignore it, or embrace it! Diabetes is a part of me, it is engrained into my system. It is a part of me that makes me different, unique, and gives me motivation for life. 

(The bionic pancreas!) 

Someday though, a cure may be upon us, and as we heard...the bionic pancreas might be released to the public in 39months! We saw the technology, heard first hand how how it changed peoples lives for 5 days, and in ready to embrace this new technology. I might have a semi-positive diabetes outlook most of te time, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't jump upon the chance to use this new technology as soon as I can. Everyone goes through the diabetes burnout, myself totally included. 

(A1C was 7.2!) 

The day ended with some Chinese food, Chinese food insulin dosage guessing, a walk on the beach, and lastly a luau by the pool.! 

(After Chinese food at P.F Changs!)

(On the beach with some of this years upcoming JDRF interns in NYC!)

(Loving the beach weather!)

(At the luau with The beautiful and inspiring Nicole Johnson!) 

(With Nicole Johnson before we say goodbye!) 

(Paige and I!)

(The most awesome quidditch player ever Jeremy!) 

(These girls are going to rock it in NYC this summer! I wish them all the luck with JDRF! Jenni, Me, Amy, and Hannah!)

(Chilling on the beach!)

(Jenni and I!)

(Luau party!)

Whenever I feel down because of my diabetes, I have to remember that I am not alone.