Our insulin pump is the best!

We are approaching our six month mark since starting on the pump.  I have to tell you that getting used to the pump did take some time, but I honestly feel it was the best decision we could have made.  Alyssa has adjusted nicely and honestly knows how to work it better than I do.  Site changes have become much easier and we have had little problems.  I still get up and check her blood sugar between 2 and 3 am, depending on what time she went to bed.  She sleeps right through this check and this makes me sleep much better.  This has helped me catch a couple of lows as well as make corrections for any night time highs. 

In our case the pump has also helped with lows that are the result of exercise.  We disconnect during cheer practice and performances and have had only 2 or 3 lows.  This is because with the pump, Alyssa no longer needs her long lasting insulin that's peak can be unpredictable.  We check blood sugar levels before and after and correct accordingly.

Type 1 Diabetes Research

My posts have been few and far between lately….mainly because I am a full-time wife, mother, business owner, and student… This semester three of my classes all require extensive paper writing so honestly I haven’t had much time to blog. I have really missed it, so I have decided I will at least try to blog twice a month.

I want to begin with how EXCITED I am about the recent FDA approval for testing the artificial pancreas. This study is already under way in other countries. Although I know it will take some time for testing and for it to be made available to patients suffering with Type 1 Diabetes, at least we are on the road!!

Now, for the naysayers who say JDRF is wasting valuable funds researching this artificial pancreas that could be used towards finding a cure~~ WTH!?! JDRF’s mission is also to fund research that improves the lives of those living with this disease. Without research there never would have been insulin, meters, insulin pumps, medication ect…. All of these discoveries keep our Type 1 loved ones healthy and ALIVE! There is still much research going on about beta cell replacement….which if it works…will help the pancreas make insulin on its own. Research takes time and new developments are happening all the time. I do not claim to be a ‘diabetes expert’, however, I love and am the primary care giver of a child who lives with Type 1 and I make it my business to support, advocate for, and research anything that will make her life a little bit easier.

Ultimately, Diabetes SUCKS!! And when I sit and think about what lies ahead for my daughter~ I cry, I get angry, I even scream sometimes…my job is to protect her and there are times I feel helpless. But then I remember there are so many other diseases out there and many other parents who’s children are suffering with untreatable, incurable diseases and I’m thankful that at least we can somewhat control diabetes and I believe we will see a cure. And we are blessed that more and more options are on the horizon.

JDRF First Outpatient Artificial Pancreas Trial Approval