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Ashley's Insulin Pump
The Minimed 508 Insulin pump
Ashley is finally pumping. We started 9-24-01. This is something we have discussed for at least 2 years. Ashley was not ready for it for some time. I know she really feared it. Having something like this attached to you all the time is pretty scary. Especially for a child. But, after alot of research & really serious discussions Ashley was ready to take it on. I think she was very brave!!! We have only been pumping for four months but, already we feel like pro's. LOL Ashley handles it all so well. Just like she has always been pumping. We were already prepared for the first couple of weeks to not be perfect. Which they have not been. It has been alot of work & many adjustments. The first week I got very little sleep. Partly from getting up to check blood sugar readings & from just plain worry. Which as a parent you can not help but do.
Ashley with her pump
You have to realize that getting on the pump is not easy. It takes alot of work & dedication. But, I truely believe it is worth it. I am willing to do what ever it takes to make sure that my daughters chances of getting complications later in life are reduced or totally wiped out. As a parent I have to do what I can to keep her healthy. There are those who believe the pump is a luxury item. I truely do not believe that to be so. How can good health be called a luxury. I think the pump helps a diabetic to have as close to a normal healthy life as possible. Don't all diabetics deserve that? I know they do!!!
Here are some of the supplies that you need for pumping. Silhouette Infusion set, Reservoir, extra battery, Minimed 508 insulin pump, used Sof-set Infusion set, packaged Sof-set Infusion set, remote control for pump & Sof-set inserter. This is just to give you an idea of what they look like.
This is what the insertion site looks like.
Here is Ashley inserting the infusion set which is Sof-set Micro. You need to select an insertion site & use aseptic (like IVprep or skin prep) to cleanse the site. The preferred method of inserting the Sof-set is with the Sof-serter. The sof-set can also be manually inserted. Load set into the Sof-serter. Retract the Sof-set & carrier down until it clicks. Remove the needle guard very carefully. Place index finger on one peel tabe & remove the other peel tab by peeling away from the needle. Remove the second white peel tab slowly & carefully. You don't want to pull the sof-set Micro away from the serter. Put the Sof-serter over your desired site & depress the white button on the end. Carefully remove the Sof-set from the Sof-serter. Take one hand & hold the flaps down while gently removing the needle. Then place the tape with a hole in it over the top.
The infusion set is inserted.
This is the canula on the Sof-set infusion set. It is a small teflon canula.
We have found that Ashley has an allergy to several different things. First she broke out with a rash from the infusion set itself. A way to keep the infusion set away from the skin is to use the sandwhich method. Before you insert the set you put down a piece of tape & then insert the set directly over the tape. This way the set is not touching the skin. She also can not use the IV3000 tape. So we are now using the TegadermHP which she does not get a rash from. She also can not use the IVprep so they have another kind called Skinprep. The rash problem was a major frustration but, once we figured out what was causing it things were much better!! We just had Ashley's A1C checked & it went from 7.4 to 6.6. This is awesome!!! I am so happy with the pump. It has given us a new control over Ashleys diabetes.
I hope this site has helped you a little bit. I plan to add any bits & pieces of information I can to help others pumping. If you are new to pumping & are finding it harder then you thought it would be just know that it does get easier. But, you have to be willing to work hard to learn everything you can to be a better pumper. You need to count the carbohydrates of everything that goes in your mouth. Once you have done this for a while it will be totally natural for you to do it all the time. This is the most important part of getting your numbers under control. You have to realize that you will probably have to bolus for every single thing you eat. There are free things out there but, most everything has carbs in it.
If you need some help counting carbs check out my diet pages. Also check out the Restaurant Nutritional Information pages.
If you have any questions or just need someone to talk to about your diabetes please email me.
This is an awesome book. I learned so much about Insulin Pumping from it.
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Pumping Insulin: Everything You Need for Success with An Insulin Pump Revised Edition
John T. Walsh/ Hardcover/ 288 pages/ 2000
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Kimberly Advent Site Owner
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