[Diabetes-Talk] A cool triumph.

Tue Jul 4 11:43:56 UTC 2017

Veronica,

  I am still having similar problems with my Vibe.  I think I have the
sequence down for a cartridge change, and then it alarms me that my pump is
not primed.  Of course it isn't, because I am holding the almost empty one
in my hand and trying to rewind the darn thing!  I let it time out and try
again, but it often alarms me again.  I finally give in and ask one of my
kids for help.  The other day, my son said that I was in the status menu.
Go figure!  I am hesitant to change my cartridge or battery if no one
sighted is around for assistance.  Every once in a while, I succeed on my
own.  It frustrates me to no end, because I independently managed my Spirit
pump for 18 years.  And, it never fails that I do it correctly when my
daughter watches me to see what I am doing wrong!  I do know that I have to
push the buttons slowly, so I'm wondering if I just push it too fast at
times and end  up somewhere lost in menu land.  

Your husband is quite a genious to figure out that jig.  He should market
it!  I don't seem to have issues with my tubing catching the tape.  It is my
undies!  

Also, I've been meaning to tell you that my niece goes to UC Santa Cruz.
When we were together last month for my dad's funeral, I showed her your
picture.  She has seen you on campus.    Small world!  

Glad to hear that I am not the only one frustrated with the Vibe.  But, it
was the best choice for a pump in my opinion.  

				Jamie

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, July 03, 2017 10:18 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] A cool triumph.

Hi everyone.
First, a little update on my life with various bits of diabetes gear. 
The Dexcom G5: I'm doing better with the tape, although once in awhile I
wrinkle it in a spot or two. Here's what does get me though. I wear my pump
around my waist on the left side of my body. This means that when the
cannula is in the right side of my abdomen and the Dexcom sensor is in the
left, the pump tubing tends to rub on the Dexcom tape and can pull up on the
edges. So I've been using this tape called Mepore. We do have to cut a hole
in it so it will go over the transmitter. Then you pull the backing off,
place it on top of the Dexcom tape and then pull the paper off of the front.
It works quite well but boy has it been a source of drama for me. My hubby
made a template to use when cutting the hole in the tape. But when I'd pull
the backing off, the tape was so extremely thin and often in the act of
trying to line it up, I'd goof and accidentally cover an edge of the sensor.
Well, after watching enough of my drama, <grin>, my hubby has now made me
the coolest, cutest little jig. I take the tape and place it on this jig
with the backing facing up. I peel off the backing, flip the little jig over
and it fits right over the whole transmitter and lands the tape perfectly.
I'm sure he has just probably added hours to my life. <laughing!> Boy am I a
happy girl right now. Guess I owe him dinner or something.

As or the Animas Vibe, I'm doing okay with it although I'm not in love here.
Sometimes on my pump, the okay button doesn't take. A few times I thought I
was entering a manual BG reading and surprise! I suspended my pump. At least
that beeps so I can then fix it and start over. I still don't quite have
confidence in the battery changing routine since I've only done it once but
I'm going to do it again this week before heading off to guide dog class so
we'll see. Cartridge changing is getting better but wow! Here's what gets
me. Every once in awhile it comes up with the alarm right as I'm starting to
go into the cartridge menu and then I forget who wins so I have to just wait
it out. Then there's priming. I'm getting to kind of know the sound when
holding down the button to prime and figuring out when to let go. The
trouble is that there's such a lag between when I let go and when insulin
actually comes out that I can feel, that if I wait till I feel insulin on my
finger, I've lost a bunch of insulin. For a pump that claims to hold 200
units of insulin, by the time I prime a 25-inch tubing, the most I've had
left is 176 units. With 31-inch I've been down as low as 161 units. Good
thing I can read that home screen because I never know the pattern to
determine how long it will last. Sometimes I prime a bit, stop and wait a
few seconds, up-arrow and prime again, hope it doesn't time out and then
repeat the steps till I know it's primed. Boy do I miss my Cozmo. And the
first time I had to change the battery, it gave me no warning. I was
traveling and wouldn't you know it! I had filled a new cartridge the day
before. So I lost a bunch more insulin. What a dumb design. But for the most
part, as long as I move slowly when pressing buttons, I do what I intended
to do. And yes, my hubby did build the first draft of a stand to help line
up the pump and the iPhone for more consistant readings by the KNFB reader,
but the lighting still has to be just right. So even if it takes a couple of
tries, I'm grateful to be able to read that screen because it has really
saved me. Too bad it can't read the battery level. Although it's not that
accurate or helpful as mine said two bars on the day it died. 

But boy, for those of you who use the Dexcom, I sure wish I could show you
this cute little gadget. Anyway, just thought I'd share the celebration.
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

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