[Diabetes-Talk] A cool triumph.
Jamie Gurganus
jamielgurganus at gmail.com
Thu Jul 6 23:04:55 UTC 2017
I totally agree with that! Today, I did my cartridge change without a problem, but I did have my daughter watching my every move beside me! When she is not there, then I mess it up! Figures, right?
Jamie
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jul 6, 2017, at 5:47 PM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Jamie,
>
> Technology wise, the Animas may be a better pump, but accessibility wise, I
> say it's medium. Keep at it; you'll eventually get into a groove.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2017 9:34 AM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Jamie Gurganus <jamielgurganus at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] A cool triumph.
>
> Bridgit,
>
> I've been using the Vibe since the end of January, so one would think I
> would have it down by now. I did for a while, and now it is not doing what
> I want it to do for some reason.
>
> For the battery change, my trainer said that the date and time will erase if
> you take too long to switch batteries. I've only changed batteries once,
> and I did it with my daughter watching me. It wasn't hard, but I did have
> to read through my notes first.
>
> I just don't understand why the cartridge change is being so difficult.
> Even though this pump frustrates me, my doctor said that it is a much better
> pump than my old one.
>
> Jamie
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2017 3:47 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter <bkpollpeter at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] A cool triumph.
>
> Jamie and Veronica,
>
> I have the Ping, which is pretty much the same thing. Trust me, changing the
> battery and cartridge is easy, and you'll get it, smile. I usually push the
> buttons pretty fast, and (knock on wood) have yet to have a problem in the
> last 4 years. With practice, it will come easy.
>
> What I have problems with is when I use the temp basal. But this is more a
> problem with memory than the pump itself. I forget which direction comes
> next and have to refer to my written directions.
>
> A couple of times, my pump needed a new battery and it suspended itself,
> which I did not know, so when trying to change it, it wasn't working because
> I needed to unsuspend first. I had to get sighted help for this because I
> had no clue why my pump was not doing what it should. But this doesn't
> always happen when the battery needs changed.
>
> Also, not sure if either of you have experienced this, but after a battery
> change, my pump tends to change the time and date, so I often ask for
> sighted help to verify the time and date.
>
> Good luck. Sure do miss that Cosmo though, smile.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2017 6:44 AM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Jamie Gurganus <jamielgurganus at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] A cool triumph.
>
> 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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