[Diabetes-talk] Subject: Re: Insulin Pumps, and Scar Tissue from Years of Syringes

Wed Nov 16 20:41:38 UTC 2016

I've met a lot of diabetics who've been told they can't manage their
diabetes alone. One woman was told her ten-year-old son had to help her. The
poor kid had to take on this major responsibility. She was shocked when she
met me and discovered I not only manage it independently but was on a pump.

A lot of blind people also don't have the confidence to think they can do it
on their own. Education is needed on both sides.

I've been so fortunate. My endocrine, internal med, OBGYN and gyno have
never thought I can't take care of myself. When I was pregnant with my first
son, no one questioned my husband and mines ability to parent. Everyone was
very supportive and encouraging. When Declan had to spend 6 weeks in the
NICU, we were never treated differently. They did everything the way they
did with other parents. When he had to go home with a G-button feeding tube,
the educator who taught us how to use the feeding pump tried to work out how
to do it nonvisually before she even met us. She didn't think we were
incapable. Equally, Declan's pediatrician has been amazing and never
questioned us. Now that we are expecting another, we are seeing the same
team, and everyone is so kind and supportive. My endocrine is also great and
believes in my ability to treat my diabetes. They expect me to manage it,
making changes on my own if necessary.

Because of all this, I've been involved in our Nebraska Medical Center's PR
campaigns through the years. Doing radio and TV commercials, YouTube videos,
blogs and articles for their publication. When our Med Center opened up its
new diabetes clinic, I was the only patient asked to participate in ads and
interviews, being there the day it opened, speaking alongside its director.

Everyone as been so fantastic, not making my blindness a big deal. I've had
a few nurses during hospital stays who got a little weird, but the doctors
and staff I see on a regular basis have not treated me differently.

It also helps that my husband is also blind. People can't really say, "Oh,
your husband can do that for you." Though some try because he has partial
vision, LOL! But when you're both blind, it can throw people for a loop. I
mean, who does stuff for you, right? Smile.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2016 1:18 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Subject: Re: Insulin Pumps, and Scar Tissue
from Years of Syringes

Back when I was diagnosed with Type 1, and already blind, I ran into a wall
of, can't your husband do it for you? Most doctors had no knowledge of any
blind person using a pump and let's face it. They were terrified at the
thought of us going out our own front doors, at least mine were. It's good
to see some advances in attitudes over 30 years. I'll take that one for
sure. 
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on
iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2016 10:56 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Subject: Re: Insulin Pumps, and Scar Tissue
from Years of Syringes

Yes, I am lucky. It was my endocrine who suggested I switch to a pump years
ago while I was in the process of losing my vision. He never thought it was
impossible or dangerous for me. I know of another blind patient of his who
also was encouraged to use a pump. He no longer practices at my clinic,
unfortunately, but so far, no one has doubted my ability to use it. I also
have 12 years in the hat of effectively managing my diabetes with it, so
they would be crazy to suggest now I can't do it, grin. At my clinic, the
nurse educators are trained on various pumps, so they are quite
knowledgeable. I've never had interactions with the pump reps.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2016 12:48 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Subject: Re: Insulin Pumps, and Scar Tissue
from Years of Syringes

Wow, Bridgit! You have a good clinic. Back in 1990 when I first started on
the pump, I kept running into doctors who wouldn't allow a blind person to
go on a pump. It was Disetronic who really supported me. They helped me find
an endocrinologist who would back me. They sent two trainers out and we came
up with work-arounds where we needed them and ended up writing some hints
and tips for blind pump users. When I switched to the Cozmo, the company was
excited enough and sent their head trainer out to visit me. When I was
looking at pumps, I made appointments with several companies and they came
out to visit. That's how I set up my three-day trial with the Omnipod.
Sitting in my home, one on one with someone who really knows that specific
pump allowed me to do some serious exploration of what I could and could not
do. I did try to make use of our diabetes educator when I first wanted to
check out the Snap pump. They had a demo unit there but I couldn't play with
it because it wasn't set up. I knew more about the pump from reading online
than she knew after wearing it for a month. When I had something go goofy
with my Cozmo years ago, the company people said, hold your pump near the
phone and we'll count beeps with you. It's the same story with the Dexcom.
Most of the time, these companies are hiring some really good people and I
make use of them.
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on
iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2016 6:38 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Subject: Re: Insulin Pumps, and Scar Tissue
from Years of Syringes

I only use my tummy and llower back. I rotate around my tummy, lower and
higher, on the sides and then my lower back. I have yet to try any other
location on my body, but I know a lot of people use their inner thighs and
back of the arms. I know women who carry their pump in their bra, but I
personally do not know any woman who places the site anywhere in their
breast, but I'm sure you can.

I've never had trainings with the pump companies themselves. I've always
worked with diabetes educators at my endocrine clinic for trainings. And
they never came to my home. I have great educators. If I have questions or
issues, I now first go to my endo's nurse, who is also a diabetic, before
calling the company, unless late at night. Although, in 12 years, I've only
had to call about my pump maybe 3 or 4 times.

But I've never workd with the companies at all. Even when looking at various
pumps, it was my nurse educator who showed a variety to me and went over how
each works.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Everett Gavel via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2016 8:22 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Everett Gavel <everett at everettgavel.com>
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Subject: Re: Insulin Pumps, and Scar Tissue from
Years of Syringes

Hi Denise,

Well, it's working well for me at the moment.
Also, two Medtronic reps here, the one for Colorado Springs and one for
Denver, both came to my home a couple/few years ago when I first got the
pump and they showed me how to use it. They both mentioned how they
sometimes stick it, well, forgive me but I don't remember exactly where, but
basically on their breast. I assume somewhere where a bra would not be
abrasive against it constantly. They said that when using the shorter tubing
they sometimes just stuck the pump in the cleavage area of their bras. So,
yes, they both put the pump site sometimes at least, up there. 

HTH,
Everett

,
----- original message -----
I have extreme scar tissue all over--diabetic for about 37 yrs so injecting
10+ times a day over that has given me huge scar
tissue with adsorption
issues using those long 1 inch needles for so long. ...and so agree...why is
there not research on this.
But the big question is--wow, never thought of the area between the nipple
and arm pit--never thought I had enough fat there (and of course no doctor
has ever suggested it but we all know if you are a diabetic we have
different tricks up our sleeves), but you are saying this is a great area
for you and have not run into issues?
Thanks

*Dr Denise M Robinson*
Denise M. Robinson, TVI, Ph.D.

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