Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Pump It Up

Yesterday my mom, Helen and I took Nate to Children's Hospital to attend an insulin pump training class called Pump It Up.  Before Children's will let you order this mega expensive medical device they want to make sure that the young patient will actually tolerate and wear the device.  So, before the class got started the CDE showed us how to do two site insertions on Nate.  We had not at that time decided which insulin pump he would wear so she showed us how to do the insertions with our top two (the Ping and the OmniPod). 

There really are no words for me to properly describe the heartbreak that goes along with this disease.  I have said it over and over parenting a child with a chronic disease is like a roller coaster ride.  We have our ups and our downs. Sometimes we want to scream with delight and other times we want to scream from fear.  Yesterday was a little of both. 

 
  
Click Here to see all of the photos.

After the trauma of the site insertions was over, my sweet friend, Helen took Nate home so that my mom and I could focus on the pump class.   The class was very informative.  The CDE spoke for about an hour, we did some problem solving and then the reps from each of the three major pump companies came in and spoke about their products.  I had narrowed it down to 2 before the class started but was very impressed with all 3 pumps.  I then had to rethink my entire decision.  I actually had the OmniPod inserted into my arm and the MiniMed into my tummy and left the hospital with both. In the end I went with the one that I have been drawn to since the very beginning.  

Today I filled out the paperwork to order Nate's insulin pump.  We are going with the OmniPod. I think that all 3 pumps have great features and there are things that I love about all of them but in the end I went with the one that I believe is the best fit for Nate and for our family.  We hope to be pumping by March 1st.  

Your continued thoughts and prayers are appreciated as we face the rough days to come in this long journey.  An insulin pump is not a cure for Nate's T1 diabetes but I hope it makes his journey easier and his life more exceptional.  There is nothing that this little boy cannot accomplish and we will do everything in our power to make sure he has every opportunity to succeed. 



15 comments:

Nicole said...

Oh man I lost it as soon as I saw your face in the picture. So sad, but happy that you guys are moving on to the next steps of managing Nate T1. Congrats....but the tear hurt!!

Meri said...

I feel a lot like Nate did when you took those pictures after a LONG day at the Endo.

I know it is going to take a little time to get used to, but I know, in time, this pump will make things easier for all of you!

Joanne said...

Oh my... the tears started rolling at pic #1. I really don't think I could do that, seriously, you are sooooooo strong!

AjsMommy82 said...

Kinda wishing I didn't read this tonigh, I'm scared for our class tomorrow now :(
Glad you got your pump ordered! Hopefully only a few more weeks of shots for Super Nate!

Yay! I'm so happy for you! I know it's scary - but you will LOVE it! I know you will! In no time at all you'll look back and wonder how you functioned before the pump! I know it hurts. Your pics look so much like our pump start- same room, same tears... But, at least for us, giving Ave 6 shots a day was pure HELL and anything was better than that! And you must know- the feeling I had the first time she ate a meal and we bolused with the pump instead of giving a shot.... Pure JOY! It brought me to my knees with tears. Such freedom, no pain...priceless! I wish this for you, my
friend, and I can't wait for you to experience it yourself!!!

As difficult as it is to actually take the plunge to start pumping, you've made the right decision Laura. I agree that it's far from a cure, but you'll appreciate it more and more as Nate gets older.

My wife was terrified of the pump. We got Adele's first pump when she was 3 because of me pushing for it. My wife really thanked me after a few months once she saw that all the work was worth it.

It will be all good in the end !!

phonelady said...

Yeah i started bawling at pic number 1 , just remember that if this does not work then it is just not for you and not anything you did and love your new page dear .

Wendy said...

I couldn't take this step until it had been 18 months after her dx. D CHANGE SCARES ME!!!!

Our transition wasn't easy, but it was an incredible learning experience and I'm so thankful we stuck with it.

Congrats on this new journey and I can't wait to hear all about it!!!!

:) Tracie said...

Flash back to Jessi being diagnosed!

Poor little guy, two sites inserted....owie!

As frightening as it is, the difference in treatment will be incredible. I think the pod is a great choice, especially because there's no tubing to pull on for his age.

Jessi was dx @ 18 months and did injections for 6 years. She's now 9 and has had the pump for almost 2 years. Change was hard, but once you get your groove, things really will settle down. You will look back and think 'what was the big deal?'.

Deep breath momma!

Ok the pics break my heart! They remind me of Syd's pump insertion. We both cried. Blah. Anyway I'm SOOOOO FREAKING excited for you guys! You will LOVE pumping! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! I can't wait for you to start on this new journey!

Hi,
Thanks so much for your post. My son just turned 2, dx at 14 months. By sharing your experience, you're making our upcoming attempt to transition to the pump a little less scary. The nurse just did an omnipod site insertion on him and me on Wednesday. We both have had the omnipod on our arms since then. I finally removed the omnipod this afternoon and am ready to order one. I love the omnipod because there isn't any tubing. I wish you and Nate the best!

Penny said...

Oh it's so hard, all of this, isn't it? I know that look on your face and on Nate's face. I have been there. Just so damned hard most of the time. Our kiddos are so little have all this to deal with.

Please post how it goes with the OmniPod. We are looking into it for Grace. Good luck with Nate. You are a strong mama and can do this. You are a great mama for Nate. Hang in there and hang on.

Wendy said...

Im so excited for you guys to start using a pump! It really does make a world of difference. Those pictures brought tears to my eyes :( Big brave boy!

Jen said...

You are all so brave! We are still on shots but I have been thinking more and more about looking into a pump for Addison. I can't wait to hear more about how this goes for Nate!

Look at your face in that first picture. I feel it. I'm there with you. Not fun.

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Just a Mom

I am NOT a doctor, nor do I play one on this blog.

I AM a wife.
I AM the mom of 3 wonderful children.
I AM my son's pancreas.

The information provided on this blog is from our personal experiences with Type 1 diabetes. Because something works for us does not mean it will work for you.

Please consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your health care options.

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