[Diabetes-Talk] A cool triumph.
Jamie Gurganus
jamielgurganus at gmail.com
Sat Jul 8 19:11:38 UTC 2017
I'll be watching the news! That invention sounds very interesting. Why
don't you get a Prodigy? I think it is pretty accurate, especially since
mine tells me when I don't have enough blood on the strip. My husband's
doesn't do that, and I'm not sure why. It sure looks like mine.
Congrats on the successful battery change. I don't care for the priming on
the Vibe myself. On my Spirit, I could program the prime to fill just the
right amount for the length of tubing that I used. The only way to not
waste much insulin with the Vibe is to hold the end of the tubing in one
hand while working the buttons with the other. Then, you are left with wet,
insulin-smelling fingers, but I can at least let up on the button as soon as
I feel it wetting my fingers.
Good luck flying. I didn't have any issues with my sensors or putting my
phone on airplane mode for my flights in June. You just have to remember
to turn blue tooth back on though once you turn on airplane mode.
Jamie
-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2017 12:27 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] A cool triumph.
First, I made it through the process last night. Yay! When I put the new
battery in, I heard two little musical patterns. Then I hit the down-arrow,
then the okay. I guessed that I had landed on the home screen and continued
with the new cartridge process from there. I managed to succeed with no
messes. Well, I ended up using up too much insulin when I primed because it
was so slow to drip out so I started out with 169 units of insulin. Sheesh!
But I'll find some convenient day to change the cartridge that isn't right
on dog day or something.
And Jamie, I have had several good dogs from The Seeing Eye and this time
I'm going to Guide Dogs of America. This will be my first time flying with
sensors. Not to mention, my home-made speech box for my FreeStyle Lite
meter. Hmmm, let's see, it's a home-made box with the battery attached to
the end of it and a wire sticking out of the other. So I can connect my
meter, of course. Here's hoping I don't make the news tomorrow. I'm flying
out of San Francisco, just so you'll know. <grin> 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
Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2017 2:21 PM
To: Diabetes Talk for the Blind
Cc: Jamie Gurganus
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] A cool triumph.
Thanks for the explanation. I did get a warning when my battery was about to
die, but it was the faintest musical sound. If I hadn't been in my house, I
probably wouldn't have even heard it.
Where do you go for your guide dogs? I just had to get my fifth one in
September. All of my have been from the Seeing Eye, but I am sure you
probably go to the one right in your own backyard! Can't wait to hear about
your new partner. I was matched with a beautiful golden retriever named
Wishes.
Jamie
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jul 7, 2017, at 3:37 PM, Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
<diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Jamie, you're right. There is no way to know. And when mine did run
> out in May, I got no warning. Even the screen, according to my sighted
> hubby still showed two bars. We're supposed to get a 30 minute
> warning. Big deal! But I didn't even get that. I was sure spoiled by
> the
Cozmo's 12 hour warning.
> So I'm just changing it because I'm about to head off to guide dog
> class and figure that I could make it three weeks without anything
> dying. They told me six to eight weeks on this battery. But I just
> pick some convenient point when I feel like doing it so I don't get
> surprised. So since I leave on Sunday and I have to do a new cartridge
today, it's as good a time as any.
> <grin>
> 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 Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Friday, July 07, 2017 12:39 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Cc: Jamie Gurganus
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] A cool triumph.
>
> Veronica,
>
> How do you know the exact day that your battery needs to be
> changed? I know it is about six weeks from when it was last changed,
> but I didn't think there was a definite way of knowing when it would
> run
out.
>
> Jamie
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Veronica Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2017 1:55 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] A cool triumph.
>
> Well, I started in March and am mostly surviving the change. I'm about
> a day away from doing my second battery change so we'll see what
> happens there. I do find that my okay button sometimes just doesn't
> take or pushes twice when I swear I hit it once. I've also discovered
> that when going into the menus, I do kind of have to pause for a
> second between button pushes to increase the likelihood that it's
> doing what I want. The thing that still gets me sometimes is the
> inconsistency of sometimes you push just once and you're in the place
> to enter what you want and sometimes having to push twice. That bites
> me for some reason if I enter a high BG reading. As I said, the thing
> I dislike the most is the priming process. And I sure hate wasting
> insulin
if my battery change doesn't match up with a cartridge change.
> But Jamie, just pay attention to how you hit that okay button and that
> may help straighten out the craziness. But I'm about to buy myself a
> small timer that I can set for one minute because I'm getting tired of
> waiting and guessing as to when it's timed out and I can start over.
> <grin> 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 Jamie Gurganus via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2017 7:34 AM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Cc: Jamie Gurganus
> 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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> laurel
> creekmusic.com
>
>
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> laurel
> creekmusic.com
>
>
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