The Pump!!!

GREAT Diabetes Support Group on Tuesday!!!!!
We met Matt, MOLLY'S BROTHER!!! (remember we met Molly months ago in a previous blog??? See April 20th.)

He's the rep for the Medtronic Insulin Pump, and he's not only the rep, but he's got a personal connection to helping those with Diabetes - his sister, Molly!

He's amazing, and despite having a 22 month old and a 6 month old at home, he gave us such an amazing piece of himself in the demonstration of the pump! We felt as though we had already known him and he took the time to show Jimmy whatever he wanted to see - answered all of his questions, and let him try all of the pieces of equipment - Matt was just awesome, and Jimmy seemed to make a connection with him! Even though there were other families there, it was as though we were the only ones that mattered to him!! (I suspect the other families felt a personal connection as well, but it was like we had him all to ourselves!)

I just can't believe how potentially beneficial this will be for Jimmy. He still doesn't like the shots, and always wants it in his arms (but can't have it there because of scarring from too many shots...) He'll take it in the thigh, but NEVER in the belly or backside... The pump would be one shot to insert it every 2-3 days. That's it. No more Levemir in the morning, and no more novolog shots!!!!!!!!! We still need to learn more about it, but Jimmy says when he's 6 he'll be ready for it!

Here's information from the Medtronic plus a video link to see what the pump is all about...

Why is an Insulin Pump Better Than Injections?

Why It Works Better
Pump therapy is simple. It's based on what your body does naturally - deliver small amounts of insulin all the time - and then when you eat, you deliver a little extra to cover that food (whether a single cookie or Thanksgiving Dinner!)
Here's why pumps are better than injections
No. 1: The Pump Uses Fast-Acting Insulin
If you're on injections, long-acting insulin is usually what you'll give yourself first thing in the morning. Absorption of injected long-acting insulin is extremely unpredictable. In fact, it has a variability of up to 52%.1 This is a key reason your blood sugar can vary so much from one day to the next. That single factor probably accounts for why most people on injections can't control their blood sugars well.
Pumps use fast-acting insulin which is much more predictable than long-acting insulin. It's variability is less than 3%.1 Quite a difference. And it works. That's why a pancreas only puts out fast-acting insulin. That's why pumps use fast-acting insulin.
No. 2: The Pump Delivers Insulin in micro-drops, that are continuous and accurate.
With injections, the insulin just sits there... in a little pool. Your level of activity directly affects when that insulin goes into your bloodstream. If you're just sitting at a desk, it will go into your system more slowly. But if you go for a walk or a run, it will go into your system much more quickly. This makes blood sugars even harder to control with injections!
Pumps continuously send a little bit of insulin every few minutes (like a pancreas) so you don't have this inconsistency problem. And it's a different insulin - fast-acting, predictable insulin!
No. 3: You can eat when you want.
Because you can control your insulin on a pump, YOU (not your injections) get to decide when you want to eat. You can eat when you are hungry - or not - delay or skip a meal. Have that extra piece of pie if you like - on a pump you can handle it - no problem.
No. 4: Live a more normal life
No more injections, no rigid meal scheduling, no more unpredictable insulin... this all adds up to is a more normal life.
http://www.minimed.com/products/insulinpumps/index.html

Oh, and he can even get a "Yankees" skin, or covering, for the his pump!!! I think that was what truly sold him on it!!! Say a prayer that we can begin before the new year - hoping to start over Thanksgiving - but that might be wishful thinking...
Peace,
June