[Diabetes-talk] Pump question

Sat Oct 22 16:45:05 UTC 2011

I did it at home, never had to be in the hospital.

Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com

Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Superior Travel, located in 
Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 12:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pump question

> Cheryl,
>
> I use my pump in a similar way. The buttons are not raised like an
> old-fashioned mobile, but they are distinct enough to feel especially
> once use to working with it. Every time a button is pressed, it beeps.
> My bolus button is very raised and on the side of my pump. It takes a
> little more pressure to hit it whereas the four buttons on the front are
> a bit more sensitive, but not like a touch-screen or anything.
>
> Regardless of what button is pressed, the first time it just wakes the
> pump up so no actual function is happening. Because of the beeping, I
> have certain simple menu functions either memorized or written down that
> I can follow by pressing the buttons and following the beeps. Like
> setting a temporary increase or decrease which I use when exercising or
> menstruation.
>
> I have various rates set throughout the day, and I have two basal
> patterns I can run. Depending on the pattern, I start off around 0.6 to
> 0.85 in the mornings. My mid-morning and afternoon rates usually are
> between 0.6 and 0.75, but tend to go up in the evening to around 0.8 to
> 0.95. Adjusting my basal rates is something I know how to do, but have a
> sighted person do the actual setting since this is more complicated and
> can't do just by following beeps.
>
> My bolus is set to deliver 1/2 unit of insulin per each time I press it.
> Like yours, it beeps each time so I can count the beeps. Before
> delivering, it beeps back what I just dialed so I can double check
> before pressing it a final time to deliver. I do 1/2 unit to 1 unit per
> 15 grams of carbs when eating. I've been diabetic for 27 years so like
> you, I have been doing a lot of this stuff, and know about carb
> counting, but I like to be as precise as possible. I've been using
> Directions For Me.com to double check carbs and calories on food, and I
> discovered the Weight Watchers website has a resource for checking
> nutritional info for foods at different restaurants, which is helpful
> when eating out like for my mom's b-day this past week.
>
> My husband knows how to use my pump as well. He helps with some of the
> functions when I need it, but since he has RP, his vision gets worse
> each year. I do have family and friends who help when needed, but I also
> have a fantastic nurse educator at my diabetes clinic who I've been
> working with for almost eight years, and she's a family friend too. She
> will make house calls if necessary to help change anything I can't do on
> my own.
>
> I went through a whole process before actually using the pump. I learned
> how to use it and operate it before even wearing it. Once acclimated, I
> wore it for a week using saline so I could practice with it safely. Once
> I started, I had to stay in hospital for two days to make sure all was
> good. My doctor had done test after test to make sure my initial basal
> and bolus rates were good and safe. It wasn't something I just jumped
> into.
>
> I know a pump isn't for everyone, but I love it. Having been through so
> many insulin treatments now, the pump is my favorite. I did like using
> Lantis and Novolog before, but now that I've been on the pump, I don't
> think I'd go back to manual injections.
>
> It's about finding what works for us as individuals though, and finding
> a doctor who will find the best pump, and pump plan, for you, should you
> choose to use a pump.
>
> Sincerely,
> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Read my blog at:
> http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>
> "History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
> The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of cheryl echevarria
> Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 6:28 AM
> To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pump question
>
>
> Mine isn't accessible, but the buttons are raised on it.
>
> Once stuff is set by my doctor on it, I only have to push to button, one
> to
> give myself the amount of dosage, it only allows to give myself 10 units
> at
> a time, so I don't overdose, it makes a beep for every unit I want, then
> I
> click to give myself the insulin, that button will repeat the number of
> units.
>
> example: If I am giving myself 8 units, I press the up button 8 times,
> each
> time it beeps. then I Press the other button for it to give me the
> insulin,
> I should here 8 beeps in reply, but if I do not press the button again,
> it
> will not give me the amount, and it will stop and then I would have to
> do it
> again.
>
> So there are safety measures in place for all.
>
> The Dr. decided how much I get per hour, right now I am on 2.8 units
> every
> hour, and then when I check my blood sugar I will give myself the
> additional
> amount.
>
> That is why it is important that you check your blood sugar, now how you
>
> feel when you are high or low, and always let you Dr. if you are running
> to
> high or to low, because he can either have the pump service rep come to
> your
> home and set the different settings for you, or a visiting nurse, or
> like
> myself, when I was trained to use it, my husband was taught how to do
> it,
> should we have to.
>
> Nelson has done it 3 times since I have been on the pump since Feb.
>
> Now this is my own opinion, and if my travel and tourism meeting isn't
> at
> the same time as it is with DAN at the Dallas convention, I am willing
> to
> show you how it works.
>
> But, if feel it does the job for me, it doesn't talk but it does make
> noise,
> it has safety features on it.
>
> Right now, it is tell me that the Cannula is empty because it keep
> beeping,
> so I know it is, and then I will remove it, doesn't hurt, and is
> attached to
> a little tape so it doesn't fall off, and if you need to take a shower,
> there is a way to remove it, put a little clip on it that they provide,
> and
> then when I am done showering just take off the clip, and put the pump
> back
> on.
>
> It took awhile to learn, just like anything.
>
> But I like it very much.
>
> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com
> 631-456-5394
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Superior Travel, located in
>
> Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
> To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 1:52 AM
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pump question
>
>
> > I use a Cosmo DelTech, which is no longer available. The only
> > complaint I've ever had is that it's not fully accessible. My sets are
>
> > UltraFlex, and I don't have complaints about these. I've not,
> > personally, experienced major problems with my pump or sets.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> > Read my blog at: http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
> >
> > "History is not what happened; history is what was written down." The
> > Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> > [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dr. Denise M
> > Robinson
> > Sent: Friday, October 21, 2011 2:37 PM
> > To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
> > Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Pump question
> >
> >
> > So what type of pump is everyone using? What type of inserts--pros and
>
> > cons of them? Thanks
> >
> > --
> > Denise
> >
> > Denise M. Robinson, TVI, Ph.D.
> > CEO, TechVision
> > Specialist in blind technology/teaching/training
> > Email:  yourtechvision at gmail.com <deniserob at gmail.com> Website with
> > hundreds of lessons: yourtechvision.com
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/diabetes-talk_nfbnet.org
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> > 40
> > hotmail.com
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
>
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