A Great (saline) Start

Today Arden started using her OmniPod, though it doesn’t have insulin in it just yet.  We will spend seven days using the pump as we would normally but instead of insulin, saline will be pumped under Arden’s skin.  This “practice” time is meant to get me aquatinted with the pump’s operation before I begin using it to administer Arden’s insulin.  If you’re interested, you can read more about our appointment in Daddy’s Blog. 

Check back here throughout the week for updates as I’ll be trying to keep this information fresh for not just you the reader but also for me.  I think that this blog will be a fantastic resource for people considering a pump.  I also expect it to serve as a referable diary for me.  

Seven days till ‘No more needles’!

The OmniPod arrives

Arden’s new insulin pump has arrived.  This pump will decrease Arden’s shot frequency from twenty-one times or more every three days down to once every three days! 

It should also help keep her blood glucose more stable and allow her to eat more frequently and with much more freedom!  

We have an appointment tomorrow at CHOP to attach the OmniPod (with saline, not insulin) so that we can begin a seven day training period. We will begin to use the pump exclusively on February 12th as long as everything progresses according to plan.

You can view the video on our site in a larger format here

and here on YouTube...

FedEx is here!

The FedEx driver just delivered Arden’s first supply of OmniPods today at 2:45 pm.  Arden is very excited!  Now begins our 45 day trial period.  Over the next 45 days we have to make ourselves comfortable with the pump and do a live 7 day test with saline (in place of insulin) to make sure that this pump will work for Arden.  

Please join us over the next 45 days as we figure out if we’ve made the correct choice when we picked the OmniPod.  Check back soon for pictures, video and descriptions of this very exciting process. 

Paperwork has been submitted

Well not 100% no more needles - but pretty close.  Arden will still have to take the occasional injection after we get her pump up and running smoothly.  

Kelly and I completed the test that CHOP administers to make sure that you are ready for a pump (we got a 98%) then all of the necessary information was faxed to Insulet (they makers of the OmniPod) today.  Less then 90 minutes later Insulethad verified Arden’s information, contacted our insurance provider and set up our shipment of OmniPods - they arrive early next week.  

Wow, that was fast!  Be back soon with more...

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The following are archived comments from this post. You can post new comments below.

Scott

So far the company that makes the OmniPod has been fantastic!  They were fast and friendly.  It only took them 3 hours after they received our application to verify it, contact our insurance provider and arrange for Arden to begin using the pump.  I was told that the pumps would arrive on Monday at 3pm and they were 15 minutes early.  Great first impression!

Monday, February 2, 2009 - 03:01 PM

Why the OmniPod?

We chose the OmniPod for a few reasons.  First, it is tubeless so Arden (we hope) will not feel attached to a machine.  As you can see in the picture above the pump is self contained and not attached to the handheld device that controls it.  If you look below you’ll see an example of how all of the other pumps on the market are configured.

All other pump options have an infusion site that is connected to the pump by a tube.  This makes it necessary for the wearer to attach the pump to their clothing or carry it in a pocket or fanny pack.

The OmniPod attaches to Arden and communicates with the controller wirelessly.  The controller is only necessary when you deliver insulin and can be kept in a purse, backpack or other such places when not in use.  

The Omni is also water proof allowing the wearer to swim or bath with it on.  All of the other pumps are only water resistant and must be disconnected during those activities causing a stoppage in insulin delivery until they are reconnected.  

Other pumps have gadgets that inject the infusion site into the wearer - the OmniPod self inserts with a push of a button.  You apply the pod and then tell the controller to insert the tube that delivers the insulin.  Not extra “stuff” to keep track of.

There are many more reason why we picked the Omni that I’ll get into later.  For now I hope that I’ve peaked your interest and that you’ll stop back and track our progress.

Our goal is to be 100% comfortable with the pump before Arden starts kindergarten in the fall.