There's That Ode to Joy Again

No talk about pumps today...although I do have the Animas Ping now. Updates on that to come:)

I received the best gift ever for my birthday back in August...the Swimman!! The time just fly's by having music in the pool. This if actually very funny to me, because I when I run with my iPod I'm trying to do the same thing. But I came to the realization that I need to run without it because you aren't allowed to use headsets during races. You need to dig deep inside for your motivation to keep moving....and that takes practice in training your mind. But having music in the pool has been great and interesting to say the least. Not only do I have my pump attached to me...now I have the Shuffle clipped to my goggles and the headset sticking out of my ears. It sure attracts some questions, and I'm always happy to oblige.

I have very eclectic taste in music, there is no doubt about that. I have a rather mellow mix, for me, on the Shuffle right now. My swims are all about form right now, and not so much speed, so there is no need for ass kicking, get your heart pumping music. I cleverly put the Ode to Joy and the end for the cool down. The clip below is how I felt during. (Not the beginning, mind you, but near the end. By the way...one of my favorite scenes from this movie!)

Amazing how a piece of music can change you.

Do It!!!

It's The Bomb!

So far, Omnipod is great! I've had tape issues, which I have never had with my Minimed infusion sets, so that's frustrating. I really had to tape it up!! Too much tape for my liking, which I'm sure insurance wouldn't cover. I did have a lot of water and sweat going on.....I swam for an hour or so on Wednesday, ran for an hour on Thursday, 1.5 hrs. of spinning this morning plus 4 showers. Not insane for my life, but maybe that's just insane for the Pod. Again, I've never had issues before with all the activity...just a different product. I used a heavy duty adhesive on my second Pod this morning, so we'll see how that goes. I'm keeping an open mind....there are pros and cons with any pump of choice. It's just how much certain things will bother you. I don't think the tape is a deal breaker...for now. I do have to say this whole tubeless thing was appealing and was a big draw for me, but not necessary because the long tubing really didn't bother me.....but now...now I'm beginning to wonder where this has been all my diabetic life!:) Pretty cool stuff!

I have decided they...meaning the pump manufacturers...need to custom make pumps! Wouldn't it be great if you could add on what features you want...i.e....size, color, functions, waterproof, infusion sets, continuous monitor...etc. Al la carte if you will....AND have it be totally covered my insurance. For that matter...can it be my phone and iPod too???? That's the world I want to live in!

Mums the Word

Yep...that's what I did. "How are things going?", he says. I say, as soon as he walks in...." You know what? I don't want to know what the download of my meter looks like...I don't want to know my A1C. And I actually don't want to talk about any of it, and you are lucky I didn't cancel my appointment!!" He laughed out loud for like 5 minutes on that one, and then realized I was somewhat serious about what I just threw out at him. So now Doc and I are both in uncharted waters. He's never seen me like this, and I have NEVER been like this since my diagnosis....or for that matter ever. I then proceeded to ask him all about his life because I feel he's more like a friend then a doctor, and I'm scheming to try and change the subject. I think he actually "gets" me, and saw right through this. Any good Doc would right? He and I both know that this will pass....he even assured me that everyone gets in this rut. Comforting? Not so much for me....I'm much too hard on myself to let that comfort me! Come on now!

So I've figured a few things out in all of this. I was SO incredibly disciplined at the beginning! Then for years after, it was more of the same. All good right? Wrong....I didn't practice what I preach to all the newbies that ask me questions. When you are incredibly meticulous about managing diabetes, and you don't take a "holiday", you will burn out. And when you fall of the wagon, you don't just fall off...you get thrown off!!! This is where I think I'm at now....off the wagon, and have been for awhile. (How did I get through that Half IM???) A major derailment, but the tracks are in sight and I'm headed back to them! Enough of this already. No more pity parties, because no one is coming to them anyway! :0

Now here I am testing out new pumps, with a new attitude. Focus is the goal for the season. I know I have said that before...but I'm going to focus on a lot of different things. So, stay focused and don't get derailed by the small stuff. Stick to the plan. I figure if I type it out, I have to commit to it. Besides...all my friends that read this...you know who you are...will make me accountable for all of it! I'm asking for it now...ooohhhh I better watch it!

Don't Want to Go

Have any of you ever experienced not wanting to go to the doctor? I usually don't care, but this time....this time I don't want to go. Love the Doc, just hate what the blood work will show! Yes, I already know, and I'm still going. I'm so anal that I won't cancel. This is probably a good thing, I really do recognize that! They will weigh me...yikes...they will do an A1C...double yikes! The only good thing about tomorrow is they will sign my pump demo forms....for that, I'm happy to go.

Ok then.....until tomorrow.

Shopping Update

So...pump shopping is painfully time consuming! When you buy your first one, deciding isn't hard because your Doc usually suggests one. Mine did. I really didn't know much about Minimed when I went with the 512 model. I knew that they were the biggest and the best at the time, so I just went for it. Waterproofness wasn't a priority at the time, and the features on the Paradigm 512 were just fine for me. Now I know more about the technology and what I really need and want in a pump. Not that they make it yet, but what features best fit my lifestyle....waterproof!!!

A pump, is a pump, is a pump, in my eyes. They all do the same thing. They infuse insulin as much like a pancreas as they can. The only difference would be the features they all have. Food lists, insulin on board, infusion sets, size, easy display...the list can go on. Waterproof is my high priority this time around. There are only 3 models out there saying they are.

The Cozmo pump was the first demo. I went for a swim with it on the first day and was elated at my blood sugars during and after!! Having insulin while swimming is going to be a big plus. I got to the shower after and the screen was filled with water and fog. I seemed to be working still, but I knew it would conk out soon....which it did...FAILURE!!!! I was pretty disappointed and called the rep as soon as I could. She told me that the pump demo's are pretty banged up and that she wasn't surprised. To which I said..."So, everytime I drop it, it may fail in the water?".....to which she says...."It might. But we will replace it overnight at no charge." That's great, but I'm pretty sure mine will get beat up, and don't want to have the inconvenience of getting a new one....probably more then once! She was great and met up with me to give me another. I didn't swim with it because I didn't want to ruin another one. I really did feel bad about that. The other features on it were great. I played around with the "extras", but really felt that I didn't need them. Although I really liked having the Cozmonitor (glucose meter) attached to the pump. No need to worry about carrying my meter with me. I just had to carry the strips. But now the kicker....with the Cozmonitor attached it made the unit very big for me!!! The only clip it has is a case with a clip on it, which makes it even bigger. I'm sure for men this is not a big deal, but to wear this on my hip it sticks out like crazy! I still say it's in the running, but I have my questions about it.

The next trial will be the Omnipod. I'm going to meet up with the rep on Tuesday. I'm skeptical about the size and bulkiness, but really want to give this one a shot. And then after that one...I'm set to meet the rep from Animas to try out the Ping! This one is very promising. They are integrating with Dexcom, which I don't like, but I like the Ping technology!










Ok, that's the update. More to come....

Tomorrow is the Day

Oh my gosh.....this scene is how I feel right now....pump trial starts tomorrow..10AM sharp. I'll say it again...hope I love it and it meets all my expectations!

Inspiration

The 2008 Triabetes team finished the Wisconsin Ironman back in September. Here is a preview of the documentary that Andiamo Productions is filming. Brings me to tears.
My DiabetesSisters Triathlon team will do the same in 2009!!!!!


Diabetes and Athletes: The Triabetes Project from Andiamo Productions on Vimeo.

Frustrations

Why is it that things I want to get done go at a snails pace? Obviously people don't want to "work" to sell me anything. In this economy, no less! I'm not sure if it's the doctors office, or the actual pump company. Either way....my pump is dying...and I want a new one soon!
So how do I actually know if its dying...well here are the 5 stages of death...not to be morbid or anything, just amusing I thought.

1. Denial-Yes, my pump and I are both past this stage. The buttons really don't work well. I did think they would miraculously start working better...HA! I waited it out, thinking it would happen.
2. Anger-I'm past being pissed about it.(Accept for trying to get the new one)
   
3. Bargaining- "If you keep up the good work, I promise never to drop you again!"
   
4. Depression-Yep..went through this....really didn't want to shop, and deal with my insurance company and whatever pump company I choose. I hate red tape!
5. Acceptance-Pretty much there....

So...the wait continues....

Pump Shopping

It's finally dying. The pump I've had for 5+ years is dying a slow death. The buttons are not working too well, so before it completely goes, I have decided to start the process of getting a new one. The process is long and painful for an impatient person. In order to just demo one, I have to get a prescription for a "trial" from my doc. He usually gets back to me in a timely manner, but no peeps out of him yet. I'd love to get this demo going this week. The demo is with Cozmo. Tony, my fellow Type1Rider teammate, has been loving his. Lots of great features on it. My interest is that it's waterproof!!! No more disconnecting for the swim!! All the Levimir trial and error was great, and worked well....but for all training and racing this coming year, a waterproof pump is sounding better and better!!

Soooo, the wait begins. I hate the wait. I hope I like it. If not, I will demo the next one....Omnipod.

Who Are These People???!!

Alright...I don't care who you vote for, but this just isn't right! I think either side of the Presidential ticket would agree.
I was driving up to the Renaissance Festival, which is in the middle of no where, and some yahoo had this on his car. I don't know any other way to take it, but I was like a deer in headlights because I couldn't believe what I was seeing! I hope you see it too and it's not just me. I was so upset that Brent had to talk me down...especially when I had to park next to him when we got there. I couldn't even make eye contact with the jerks...I was afraid I would say something and then, with the "Dueling Banjos" playing, they would get their shotgun out of the back and shoot me. I should have left the license plate number in...but let's just say it was a vanity plate!

Look at the trunk!