[Diabetes-Talk] Artificial pancreas

Veronica Elsea veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com
Tue Jan 3 18:04:07 UTC 2017 

Bridgit, you have the Ping? Wow! So how in the world do you do a correction
bolus. In order to get around the Medtronic law suit that killed the Cozmo,
if you enter your blood sugar manually, when the Ping shows the amount it
thinks you need, which we can't read of course, you then have to start
hitting the up-arrow until the number matches. Then you hit the okay button
a couple of times. On the Vibe, when you enter your blood sugar manually,
hitting the up-arrow will make the insulin amount match. So while we won't
know what that is, at least we can take advantage of what the pump offers. I
find the pump slow to respond to button pushes and the Ping remote is even
slower. Also, with the audio bolus button, on the Ping, you hit the button
the number of times you need, then it beeps back at you to confirm, then
goes right on to deliver the insulin. With the Vibe, you push the button for
the amount you want, it beeps back at you, then you push the button again.
This gives you a chance to back out if you miscounted or goofed. 
Jamie, to your questions, I just don't plan to use the Dexcom feature on the
pump because it's the G4 anyway and I already own the G5 Mobile. So for us,
it's a cute button. <grin> 
But I'm happy to have a learning buddy. And here's my take on these pumps.
There are some things we can do with our pumps if we're willing to count,
memorize, pray a bit, etc. <grin> I handle my Dexcom myself. I fill
cartridges. I'll have to see how the basal settings work in real life on the
Animas. I could set everything on my Cozmo and boy will I miss that. Most
trainers assume that the only thing we'll do is to use the audio bolus
button.
If you send me an email off list, veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com we can
exchange phone numbers.
And Bridgit, I too am wondering about the adjustment to the smaller
cartridge. 
My other concern about the Animas is that they are the furthest behind in
hardware so I'm afraid that everyone else will have an iPhone app before
they do. 
But if something valuable comes out, I'm more than willing to fight with
insurance to get it at that time. 
But I just wish I felt as excited about going on this pump as I did when I
went on that first Disetronic H-tron and then on my Cozmo.
The other thing that disappoints me a bit in Animas is that they don't count
meal bolusses in the insulin on board. Ummm, hello? 
I didn't realize that Roche stopped selling its pumps. Oh man! And Bridgit,
you may be hearing from us too. <grin>
Thanks again, everyone.
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: Tuesday, January 03, 2017 9:25 AM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Artificial pancreas

Veronica,

The artificial pancreas has already gone through rounds of beta testing.
It's finally being released on the market for wide-spread use within the
year. My endo is very excited and has nothing but good things to say about
it, and he's yet to steer me in the wrong direction, especially in regards
to technology, grin. Of course, as we know, even once released on the
market, changes will be inevitable and necessary, but so far, it all sounds
very promising.

Even though little interaction will be necessary for any user, I still am
concerned with accessibility. I don't have a lot of people in my life I can
turn to on a daily basis for sighted assistance, so accessibility is a huge
factor for me with anything, but particularly when it comes to my diabetes
management. There will inevitably need to be some way to access info from
the device, and I'm sure at times, human interaction will be necessary, so
how easy will this be for nonvisual users; it's yet to be determined. Sad
that the lack of accessibility has to hamper the excitement of nonvisual
users.

As mentioned before, I switched to the Animas Ping a few years ago after I
had to sadly stop using my Cosmo. It’s not the same but close. I've not had
any major problems with my Animas. However, now being pregnant, it's been
annoying because the Animas cartridge holds 100 units less of insulin than
the Cosmo cartridge did, and being in my final 2 months, we have had to up
my basal ates quite a bit, so I'm going through cartridges every 3 to 4 days
as opposed to weekly when I'm not pregnant. Last time I was pregnant, I
still had my Cosmo so wasn't expecting this. But this is not a common
exception, grin, just pointing out.

Otherwise, my Animas has been comparable and I'm happy with it. But I agree,
the Cosmo was the best.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2017 6:11 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Your new president...

Bern, I echo the bitter-sweet congratulations. I assure you that we do not
expect you to be Mike. <grin> I look forward to seeing how this list and
organization will grow under your leadership. And yes, a definite group
effort. 
I also look forward to seeing what the new technology will do. In the
meantime, I am checking out the current pumps as my beloved Cozmo finally
shrieked out its last system fault alarm. Yikes! Someone here mentioned
awhile back that there was a blind person using an OmniPod with some sort of
app. I found out that he was actually using a KNFB reader to try and read
the screen. I'll probably end up with the Animas Vibe but I'm struggling to
get around that notion of how much I'm losing compared to what I had. 
As for the artificial pancreas, I hope the technology it's based on is more
accurate than what we have now. Eventually it would be nice to have to
interact less with stuff, but I'm not so sure I want to be in the first
round. <grin> Never say never though. 
In the meantime, boy do I appreciate having a place to share knowledge, to
vent, to brag, to whine and to help each other. I really do appreciate all
of you and look forward to accomplishing as much as we can together. Onward,
onward! Count me in!
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
Bernadette Jacobs via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2017 8:45 AM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Bernadette Jacobs
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Your new president...

Oh Bridgit!

Thank you so kindly for your vote of confidence!! You're like a breath of
fresh air!

Only trouble is, for Medicare patients, I think that these things are so
hard, as a matter of fact, too hard to get. You shouldn't have to go through
denials and appeals and denials and appeals. Too bad the system is so
broken!! We should not have to fight this hard to survive. Just makes me
sick!! However, I will be anxious to hear more about the artificial
pancreas.  I'm always anxious to hear more when it comes. Talk very soon.

Bern



Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 2, 2017, at 9:50 AM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via 
> Diabetes-Talk
<diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Bernie,
> 
> Congrats, even though it's a bittersweet congratulations. You will do 
> a fantastic job.
> 
> On a sidenote, speaking of sharing and learning from each other, I 
> just
want
> to say that my doctor continues to bring up the artificial pancreas 
> and
how
> it will be available on the market within the year to all diabetics. 
> He believes this will revolutionize diabetes even more than insulin 
> pumps
have.
> He's eager and excited for the technology and for me to have the
opportunity
> to transition to one. Of course, I'm concerned about accessibility, 
> but nonetheless, this is exciting news, and I'm sure many of us are 
> excited about this technology.
> 
> The device will use a CGM to constantly monitor blood sugars. As it 
> does this, it will automatically adjust insulin as needed. Little 
> interaction will be necessary for the device.
> 
> More info about this is available online, but as I learn more, I will 
> continue to share.
> 
> Happy New Year; may 2017 be fruitful for everyone.
> 
> Bridgit
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of Bernadette Jacobs via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2017 1:26 PM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Bernadette Jacobs <bernienfb75 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Your new president...
> 
> Good Afternoon Everyone!!!
> 
> Happy New Year!!!
> 
> Firstly, I'd like to begin by telling you a little bit about myself 
> for those of you who don't know me.  I'm aware, however that most of you
do.
I
> am Bernadette Jacobs, formerly, about 18 years ago, Bernadette Krajewski.
I
> have been first vice-president now since, I believe, about 2007.  
> Don't hesitate to correct me if somebody out there finds me to be 
> wrong.  At any rate, I did have a one-year break while Sandy Ryan 
> served just last year--2015-2016.  Thank you Sandy.
> Since the unfortunate passing of our illustrious and fearless leader 
> Mike Freeman's passing, I will do my best to serve you as our Diabetes 
> Action Network's president and your list moderator.
> 
> I will warn you.  I can't do this all alone, however.  I need all of 
> you
to
> work with me and teach me as you have done about our conditions for 
> the
past
> so many years.  Most of what I have learned about my own diabetes, 
> I've learned from all of you.  You've been so gracious.  But that's 
> what we're
in
> this thing for.  Right????  Helping each other and taking care of each 
> other.  So, I'd like to say, Welcome home and Happy New Year!!!
> 
> I was diagnosed as a type II diabetic in about March of 1985.  This, 
> of course, was before the age of "pre-diabetes."  I have been insulin
dependent
> since 1999 when My husband Bill and I were first married and I became 
> pregnant with the baby we lost in miscarriage.  I have been a member 
> of
the
> Diabetes Action Network, (DAN) since its inception in 1985.
> 
> My mother was a diabetic and I lost my mother to complications of 
> diabetes at the tender age of 13.  She, herself was only 47.  She had 
> three heart attacks, the third of which, resulted in her passing.  I 
> remember it as if were Yesterday.  When I came into DAN, I told it's 
> then president, Ed Bryant, that my mother was a diabetic and died of 
> complications.  He gave
me
> that gentle kick in the seat of the pants, "And you are diabetic too..."
Of
> course, he also recognized I was in that old familiar river, "Denial???"
Ed
> Bryant, the gentle man he was, took me under his fatherly wing and we
worked
> together up until his passing.  Mike came in and we all continued on.  
> I must say, that his passing on December 24, shocked and deeply 
> saddened me just as it has everyone else.
> 
> Now, everyone, I'd like to take this time to thank you!!  For, it's 
> all of you who've taught me so much about the conditions that we share
together.
> Taught me about insulin pumps, complications, and the heartaches we've 
> suffered together as well as foo the positive bits of news.  There are 
> so many of you that I simply can't wait to hear about something new 
> you've learned, discovered and/or whatever else.  It simply warms my 
> heart to the moon and back to hear from you as I feel like we're such 
> a great big
family.
> Isn't it wonderful???  I think it's phantabulous!!!  SQUEEEEEZE!!!!!  
> i DO hope that all of you will continue to write in with all your 
> things, both good and bad so that we can all continue to share, learn, 
> and work
together.
> I'll miss you if you don't!!
> 
> Until next time, take care and have a great day!!!
> 
> Below, I'll be posting my Email, so that you can write me offlist for 
> anything strictly confidential you might need help with.  I will then
share
> my cell phone with you that we may continue our work together.
> 
> Very Warmly,
> 
> Bernadette M. Jacobs, (Bernie, Bern).
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> 
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