Small World

Kelly, Arden and Cole went to a movie the other day while I stayed home to write. They were gone just a little over an hour when I received a text from Kelly, she was concerned that Arden's canula had become dislodged. Arden's BG was rocketing in the darkened theater and Kelly thought that I should bring some insulin and a needle.

With two syringes and a vial of Apidra in my pocket, I approached the customer service counter at our local multiplex expecting to find someone who wouldn't understand why I needed to enter the building without buying a ticket. When it was my turn a young lady asked if she could help me and I said, "My daughter is in theater fourteen, her insulin pump isn't working and I'm here to give her an injection". Before I could tell her that I would only be in the building for a few moments she said, "No problem, go right in". I have to admit that I thought her lack of resistance was because she heard some "medical words" and didn't want to get involved.

I texted Arden, she came into the lobby to meet me, we tested and shot right there on the bench. Our entire interaction lasted maybe four minutes.

On my way out I waved to the girl so she would know I was leaving. To my surprise she called to me and asked which pump Arden uses. I told her OmniPod and she responded, "Oh, the one without the tubing... how do you like it?". Now this girl was perhaps nineteen and I could only think of one way that she would know that so I said, "How old were you?".

The lovely CSR told me that she was diagnosed when she was nine and then asked about Arden. "Just after her second birthday", I answered. The girl smiled and said, "She has me beat!".

We exchanged pleasantries before I said, "Small world". Turns out that the pod was delivering insulin just fine though Arden did need the insulin that we injected. I think maybe the entire trip was just the universe's way of letting me meet a happy, polite and thoughtful young girl who has type I diabetes. I smiled all the way to my car.

New OmniPod Training Site has been UPDATED

Insulet has launched MyOmnipodTraining.com, a site for new and current OmniPod users. The site has a video (bottom of this page) that speaks about the new smaller pods, a FAQ section, tutorials and a rich resource section that houses a bunch of information including this CareGiver Guide.

Just added to the Resource section of the site today, June 4, links to the New OmniPod Interactive Training Module online and PDF version.

Also just added, this New OmniPod Training Video: The New OmniPod System: Quick Start Training

I don't have any official knowledge, but I'd bet my car that this is it... It's coming people!

Super Bolus, I Fear You No More

I just couldn't take it anymore. I'd count the carbs perfectly, pre-bolus at exactly the right time and still there are certain foods that require another bolus an hour later. On the surface you would think that I wasn't administering enough insulin but that couldn't be because every once and a while the bolus would work - but not usually.

Example: Movie theater

Arden is a nacho and popcorn lover at a movie, and we see our fair share of movies. Most times, I measure, count carbs and bolus only to watch her DexCom G4 point it's arrows to the sky before the second act is over. Then I spend the rest of the afternoon dropping random measurements of insulin on the number in an effort to get things back to a desired level without going too low. Sounds like a bad Price Is Right game, doesn't it?

Then it just hit me a few weeks ago, we have a CGM, why am I erring on the side of caution and chasing highs when I could be living on the edge of glory with Arden's DexCom G4. Suddenly, I felt stupid. All of this time I was playing scared when I know that's how you get hurt. Time to put my head down and run through a few wood be tacklers. (Sorry, my metaphors are all over the place today)

So I looked at that food on Arden's lap, counted carbs and then added every drop of extra insulin that I ended up given her at the last movie. My new thought, "What's the worst that could happen... she starts to get low, the DexCom catches it and we throw back a fast juice box and catch the fall".

That's exactly what happened

We watched Star Trek, Arden munched on her snacks and about an hour into the movie Arden's DexCom line had never wavered, her BG was 118 and steady. This was either going to be the perfect amount of insulin or too much. About fifteen minutes later, "Beep, Beep, Beep", 92 one arrow straight down. No big deal I thought - then I leaned over and said, "Here Arden, drink this juice". Twenty minutes later the CGM line was steady at 88, Arden was able to graze her remaining popcorn without worrying about bolusing and her BG never fluctuated, even hours after the movie had ended.

All of these fancy diabetes gadgets and I was using them to chase numbers instead of staving them off. I know that this sounds scary to many of you and I know that it takes time to find your comfort level, but please believe that on the day that you gain that level of comfort... this is all going to seem so much easier. Sadly, you can't rush that day to come, but it's so worth getting to and it makes me incredibly happy to know that you will all be there one day with me - kicking type I diabetes in it's annoying ass.

New OmniPod Wherefore Art Thou?

I can remember bugging my parents unmercifully one Christmas for the Omnibot robot from Tomy. I couldn't think of anything else in the months leading up to December 25th. I was hooked the very first time that I saw the Omnibot commercial on television... my wildest dreams were about to come true!

I feel like that little kid again today as I patiently wait for the new OmniPod to arrive at our front door.

Insulet's phone message: It's not super cool like the commercial you just watched but Insulet has recorded an audio message for their customers. You can hear the message at my link or by dialing (888)-7-GET-POD.

Questions about the new OmniPod

I'm sure you've noticed that some people are beginning to receive the new OmniPod. Arden hasn't received hers yet, but as soon as she does I'll begin to make notes about our experience so that I can pass my thoughts on to you.

Until that time, and let's hope it's soon... if you have any questions about the new OmniPod that you would like me to address please leave them in this discussion thread. Hopefully, I'll be answering them before Christmas.

Wierd side note: I knew that I wanted to write about my desire to own the Omnibot robot as a child. When I began to consider this post I, no lie, I couldn't remember the name of the robot - only what it looked like. After some Googling I found an image and couldn't believe that my robot, from all of those years ago, was called the Omnibot. That's the kind of stuff Alanis Morissette writes songs about, don't cha think?

Update on Monday, March 18, 2013 at 9:40PM by Scott Benner

My new book, "Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal' is available now - Amazon/Kindle - Barnes&Noble/Nook 

Video: Behind the New OmniPod System

Insulet has released a promotional video describing their new OmniPod.

I hope that Arden's arrive soon, I can't wait to see her with a smaller pod.