Oh my goodness, where do I begin??? We started the sensor (CGM, or continuous glucose monitoring system) a few weeks ago. It's an awesome thing in that I can look at Jimmy's pump and I know about where Jimmy's Blood Glucose level is (or at least as of 15 minutes ago.) You see, a true Blood Glucose reading is done with the finger stick and his meter. The sensor sits just under his skin, and not directly in his blood. It's called interstitial fluid, and what it comes from the blood into the layer under the skin - or somehting like that... Here's a picture of a medtronic sensor...
That's the "sensor" that looks like a horseshoe crab's "stinger". That's what sits underneath his skin. It's about 3/8 to 1/2 inch long, and actually, the needle is longer. Poor kid. My heart breaks on a continuous basis for him and what he has had to endure. I tried it myself, and although you can feel it (I've actually tried it twice), it doesn't really "hurt". But the sound of the click as it goes in is enough for your brain to tell you that it is going to hurt, which in turn really does make it hurt.... power of suggestion...
Here's what the sensor looks like when you're wearing it... keep in mind Jimmy doesn't wear it on his stomach as of yet... not enough meat there. He'll only wear it on the back of his arm - but here's what it looks like:
Here's a video of how to insert the GCM. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdWZ9AC9CY0 It's a 12 minute video, but it actually takes us longer to insert... we're getting there...
Here's an email we sent to our sensor trainor nurse... She was wonderful! She's a medtronic nurse who works with one of our angels, Matt (Molly's brother). And, I think she might be an angel herself!!
Hi! We're definitely hanging in there with the sensor!! We definitely see the benefits that it will give over the long run...
A slight set back tonight... we fear that Jimmy may have "relocated" the insertion mechanism for the sensor... He's a good kid, but even in a deep sleep, he wakes up in pain just as I've inserted the sensor. He agrees that he likes knowing his number and if he's heading up or down with the arrows (and we like that, too) but he hates the insertion...
So, the sensor is off for tonight (we've looked everywhere - when it's normally where we keep everything related to his care). We fully intend to get it up and running once it's located, but what if we can't find it - is there a back up insertion we can get?
Also, I've uploaded his latest data to carelink - we had a decent day today (even in the 200's, but better than it's been. Maybe you can make more sense than we can... I'm sure you can make sense of it... It's quite difficult to get the sensor, pump, carbs, exercise, allergies, and Jimmy all on the same page... any input you have would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much for your call/email... Pump is working great!!
Thanks so much in advance!
June
More later,
Peace,
June
That's the "sensor" that looks like a horseshoe crab's "stinger". That's what sits underneath his skin. It's about 3/8 to 1/2 inch long, and actually, the needle is longer. Poor kid. My heart breaks on a continuous basis for him and what he has had to endure. I tried it myself, and although you can feel it (I've actually tried it twice), it doesn't really "hurt". But the sound of the click as it goes in is enough for your brain to tell you that it is going to hurt, which in turn really does make it hurt.... power of suggestion...Here's what the sensor looks like when you're wearing it... keep in mind Jimmy doesn't wear it on his stomach as of yet... not enough meat there. He'll only wear it on the back of his arm - but here's what it looks like:
Here's a video of how to insert the GCM. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdWZ9AC9CY0 It's a 12 minute video, but it actually takes us longer to insert... we're getting there...
Here's an email we sent to our sensor trainor nurse... She was wonderful! She's a medtronic nurse who works with one of our angels, Matt (Molly's brother). And, I think she might be an angel herself!!
Hi! We're definitely hanging in there with the sensor!! We definitely see the benefits that it will give over the long run...
A slight set back tonight... we fear that Jimmy may have "relocated" the insertion mechanism for the sensor... He's a good kid, but even in a deep sleep, he wakes up in pain just as I've inserted the sensor. He agrees that he likes knowing his number and if he's heading up or down with the arrows (and we like that, too) but he hates the insertion...
So, the sensor is off for tonight (we've looked everywhere - when it's normally where we keep everything related to his care). We fully intend to get it up and running once it's located, but what if we can't find it - is there a back up insertion we can get?
Also, I've uploaded his latest data to carelink - we had a decent day today (even in the 200's, but better than it's been. Maybe you can make more sense than we can... I'm sure you can make sense of it... It's quite difficult to get the sensor, pump, carbs, exercise, allergies, and Jimmy all on the same page... any input you have would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much for your call/email... Pump is working great!!
Thanks so much in advance!
June
More later,
Peace,
June
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