The Three Little Pumps

Once upon a 2018, a Type 1 like myself had three pump choices...

Pump A: Tubeless. Doesn't hold enough for my insulin needs. A big no.

Pump B: My current brand. I like it, but I've never loved it. I may have lied and told someone that I loved it. It has some physical problems that have happened to me consistently, causing me to have traded my pump in at least 3 times before my warranty expired. The physical issue means that I have to have assistance with changing my cartridge. My hands are not strong enough to slide the cartridge on or take it off by myself--I usually have Matt do it for me. I want to avoid this problem in the future (and will blog more of the specifics at a later date).

Pump C: The brand I first used when I got my first pump in 2000. I don't have anything against them. Have I loved everything they've made? Meh. But I am ready for a change, and I know their CGM is no longer inferior to the other one I've used. I didn't expect to get static from my insurance company in trying to get this pump approved, mostly because I've gotten other pumps through the same insurance since Matt has been working at the same company for 10 years. I remember needing some pre-auth stuff, but I did not expect my insurance to go through 2 rounds of pre-auth and a consultation with my endocrinologist to prove my pump was "medically necessary".

Am I trying to prove a point here? Is this one of those "idle chatter" types of blog posts? Maybe a little of both. I have Type 1 Diabetes. I think that is enough of a medical necessity to acquire an insulin pump. The end. 

We used to have what, 5 or 6 choices of pumps at one point in history? And we all need insulin to survive, and studies show many people have tighter glucose control on pumps. I wish I understood more about the nonsense that dictates the behavior of insurance companies. That's all I have to say for today.

Goodbye, 2013.

Out with the old; in with the new.  Sounds like a good plan to me.

In 2013, I didn't blog as much as I wanted.  I renewed my URL, but never quite got it applied because of the hassle I was going through and a lack of time.  I allowed aspects of my struggling work life to interfere with the life I enjoy, but at the same time, I made a lot of changes for the better.  What happened that was notable?

I was a reader on Live from the Kelly Writers' House on WXPN fm.

I had a couple of poetry features in different places.

I was published in APIARY Magazine, then later ended up joining their staff as Coordinator of Outreach and PR.  I met a lot of really great people by doing this, and my life is better for it.

I celebrated my 31st trip around the sun, and my 23rd year with Type 1.

I moved into the City of Philadelphia proper.  I am still learning the ways to make it my home, but it's coming along nicely.  I like it here.

Despite the anxiety and stress I've been under on the job, I still get up, I still come in, I still do my work.  2014 is the year the daily grind is going to stop grinding me down.  I will find something new.  The "daily grind" will be more like some fresh-ground espresso--exciting, energizing...good-smelling?

I made plans to get myself in gear after a really awful A1C.

I got a new insulin pump!  (Tandem T-Slim)

I decided on a potential name for my Dexcom G4: Jadzia.  If you ever watched Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, you will hopefully find this as amusing as I do.

Here in December, I began experimenting on Victoza.  I took a little break for the holidays, but I plan on being back on it by Thursday.  I am definitely going to share some experiences with you all.

I didn't write enough blog posts.

I got to be a guest on DSMA Live!

I dressed an insulin vial up for Halloween.

I wrote some new poems, but I definitely didn't write enough of those either.

I wrote one short-short story, and that felt pretty good.  I think I need to do more of that.

I changed my hair color a couple of times.

I discovered how much I love brightly colored and bold lipsticks.

I let my inner girly-girl win out and got subscriptions to Ipsy, Birchbox, and Julep.  (If anybody else out there would be interested, I think I have referral links you can use that benefit both of us in the end.)

I met Scott J!  And Cherise!  And Sara K!  And Mike Lawson!  And Hannah and Aaron and Jerry the Bear!  And Chris Snider!  And Colleen!  And I saw Allison and Kerri and Manny and others!  What a kickass year for DOC hugging!!  It deserves more exclamation points than I can comfortably continue to fit in this little line break.

Most of all, I am happy I made it through another year in relative good health and high spirits.  May we all learn something from 2013, may we all reflect fondly on the good things.  Happy New Year, Dorkabetic readers!  See you in 2014!

What's the T, girl?

beep boop

The T:Slim from Tandem Diabetes!  It's mine, all mine, and I'm up and running!  I anticipate the next several weeks of techno-joy.  At least I hope so.  I'm looking forward to telling everyone about it.