[Diabetes-talk] Pump question

Sun Oct 23 00:22:56 UTC 2011

Since I have a tendancy to run low, they wanted to observe me over night
for two days in a controlled environment. I was able to do most of the
same things I did at home like exercise and move about, but I had a
sleep-over of sorts at hospital. If anything happened, obviously medical
care was nearby, and they could adjust my rates based on what was
happening right then and there.

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 11:45 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Pump question

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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> > for
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> > 40
> > hotmail.com
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> xx
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> >
>
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