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Taking A Shower With An Insulin Pump

March 6th, 2010 by KerriSparling in Better Health Network, True Stories
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I love “free shower” – which, if you’re diabetic and using an insulin pump or a CGM, you know that means “the shower when you’re changing sites and you don’t have any hubs connected to you.”

It’s nice to lather up and not worry about catching on an infusion set or a sensor edge.  Thing is, this is what’s waiting for me when I’m done getting all cleaned up:

The potlock o’ diabetes crap

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*This blog post was originally published at Six Until Me.*

Diabetes: Just Like The Rest Of Them

December 12th, 2009 by KerriSparling in Better Health Network, True Stories
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Today, I’m revisiting a post from 2006 (writing that makes me realize I’ve been blogging for a while now!), when I met a little boy at a Rhode Island JDRF event who warmed my heart – which I needed on this snowy, New England morning.

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I’d guess about ten years old.  Spikey blonde hair, pale blue eyes, chubby little kid face.

His mother stopped by the table we were manning at the School Health Fair, mussing with the pamphlets strewn about the blue plastic tablecloth.  The tri-fold cardboard display announced “Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation” in bright blue letters.  Myself and another volunteer from the RI JDRF stood vigil at the table, handing out trinkets and informational packets, answering questions, and enjoying the sights.

“Hey buddy.  Would you like a t-shirt?”  My fellow volunteer leaned in towards the little blonde boy. Read more »

*This blog post was originally published at Six Until Me.*

The Diabetes Things I Like

June 8th, 2009 by KerriSparling in Better Health Network, Patient Interviews
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Even though I do not like the disease, there are some diabetes-related simple pleasures that make me smile:

• I like when I change the battery and the insulin reservoir at the same time.  Having my Medtronic 522 “full” on both sides makes me happy.
• I like when the carb count on something is exactly 10 grams of carbs because it matches my insulin to carb ration precisely.  One snack, one unit, one oddly happy Kerri.
• I like the sound of the pump counting up a bolus.  Boop boop beep!
• I like when the sound of the bolus is caught by Chris and he ends up whistling it back to me, almost without thinking.  It’s a little soundtrack snippet of our life.
• I like when the cats wait patiently for me to remove the pump tubing from my body before they lunge for it.
• I like when new boxes of diabetes supplies show up and I can organize them in my little OCD supply closet.
• I like when the number on my meter is two digits, but higher than 89 mg/dl.  It’s a tight range, I’m not usually in it, but it brings me weird joy.
• I like when the Dexcom beeps and my coworker (who works a wall away from me) IMs me quietly to check, “Low?” because she’s ready to get juice if necessary.
• I like not having to wear a watch.
• I like when I get to dump all the used test strips that have piled up throughout the day.  Knowing I’ve tested a bunch makes me feel like I really stayed tuned in.
• I like the smell of white glucose tabs.
• I like when the new infusion set doesn’t sting at all.
• I like having someone in my life who is willing to get their hands covered in SkinTac in an attempt to stick a Dexcom sensor to random places on my body.
• I like that the hope of the parents of kids with diabetes rubs off on me, and makes me feel good for even just a few minutes.
• I like that diabetes gives two people, who wouldn’t otherwise have a thing to say to one another, a whole dinner’s worth of conversation.
• I like having coworkers who understand but don’t push.
• I like when my best friend clinks her beer to mine and says, “Bolus, baby.”
• I like when the cat licks my hand after I test.
• I like “free shower:”  a shower without a pump site or a CGM sensor attached.
• I like having a whole network of people who understand – and do not judge – my diabetes life.

I like when I can focus on the silly, simple things when I feel a little overwhelmed by the tough stuff.

*This blog post was originally published at Six Until Me.*