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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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.
Change
We are just beginning the transition from constant injections to an insulin pump. Arden has attended two preliminary pump classes over the last few months. Now it’s time to send the necessary forms to the pump company. Once everything is received and verified the pump should arrive in a few weeks.
I am going to track our progress here to create a reference tool for those with interest. I anticipate some bumps in the road but am mostly hopeful that this change will be both a relief for Arden as well as a way to gain an even tighter control of her blood glucose.
Wish us luck!
Alberta Update
You may know that Arden has lent her cute face to the Alberta DIabetes Foundation to use for some of their fund raising efforts. Here is a quick update on what’s been happening in Canada.
The mail campaign featuring Arden has raised over$123,000 at last count!
Arden is also featured on the main page of the ADF’s website. Scroll down to see her - https://www.afdr.ab.ca
Arden has been included in a calendar that has just been printed.
The ADF will be holding a charity golf outing this year. A child will be featured at each hole along with a brief synopsis of how diabetes effects them. Arden will be featured at one of the holes.
We are very proud of our relationship with Alberta and the money that we’ve been able to help generate for type I research.
Bowl to Cure Diabetes
The bowling fundraiser organized by Stu&Stew Promotionsstuandstew@gmail.com was a wonderful successes! Over 140 people gathered to support the JDRF. We bowled, ate and had a great time. When the day ended $1,360 was raised to support type I diabetes research.
We want to thank everyone that attended with a special thanks going out to Dan (pictured on right) and Chris (left) for all of their efforts.
There are pictures from the event in our photo gallery.
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