For the past decade, I’ve been a loyal customer of Medtronic. To my non-diabetics, that would be the company that distributes my insulin pump and the numerous supplies it entails. Their mechanical pancreas has been by my side for over half of my diagnosis. It’s not a cure, by any means, and some days I’m not even sure if it’s making life easier. However, the latest technology is proving that we may see something pretty damn close in my lifetime.
For the last few years, a CGM seemed like enough of a miracle. A CGM is a device that monitors blood glucose continuously (Continuous Glucose Monitor). It attaches in a similar way as a pump and displays blood glucose readings either on the pump’s screen, on another device, or- get this- on an app.
What?! I can see my blood sugar without drawing blood?!?
I assure you that this seemingly small advancement is quite the game changer. It’s especially significant as these devices are quickly evolving and advancing with such efficiency that one may no longer need to check their blood at all. With most CGMs requiring multiple and inconveniently timed calibrations for accuracy, such independence seems pretty nuts.
Now, I got my first CGM, the Enlite* put out by Medtronic, a few years ago, and I was ecstatic. It was like a diabetic’s dream Christmas gift directly from the Universe (and/or one’s higher power of choice). That lasted a few short moments. Little did I know, there was something better out there. However, I accepted the pitfalls with gratitude for the small benefits from living this disease almost blindly in comparison. To my frustration, the pitfalls accumulated each time until wearing the device wasn’t worth the effort.
To name a few:
It took the first couple of days after connecting the device to get the numbers read by the sensor and displayed on my pump screen to get into the ballpark of the actual blood drawn readings.
So, the information was somewhat accurate for maybe two days out of the five I could wear each sensor.
The insertion became a nightmare of blood, wasted ($100 sensors) and needles not even breaking the skin.
I couldn’t even get this thing on my body let alone make it stay on. I was frustrated, disappointed and worried about the money wasted on the hope of this tiny step towards “normal.”
Medtronic- you let me, and many others that I’d come to find out, down.
But, wait. What is this Dexcom thing everyone is praising? And, why was it never presented to me?
A couple of years after giving up the Enlite entirely and running on low motivation for the full time job that caring for myself always is, I sat there at my first diabetes focused appointment in a year. A week later, I was getting hooked up with Dexcom‘s G4 model** that the office has available for patients to test drive for a week. After giving me the lowdown and letting me press all of the buttons on the receiver (where my numbers appear as a graph throughout the day), it was time to insert the sensor. When I stood up, my legs were shaking and weak as I broke into a sweat while remembering the dreaded Enlite experience. Not to mention, the nurse was about to do the insertion and had already picked a spot I was kind of unsure of comfort wise.
To my surprise – and profound relief- the process was completely painless. The sensor was securely on my abdomen in the first try, and the insertion device was easily removed. In that initial moment, it was true love.
For the following seven days, I watched as my body reacted to everything I put in it. A perk of this disease, without a doubt, is the ability to see the miracle of the human body in action as it converts numerous substances into energy.
By day two, I already felt like I had better control than I’d had in years. I was more conscious of my choices and actions. What I’d decide to eat and what I’d forgo. Whether I got up and moved or not. A new found awareness and sense of some control with this disease that often makes control seem elusive.
All week, I made better choices in relation to my health (i.e. not to have the ice cream if my number was on the rise indicated by the arrows or to add more insulin into the mix if my numbers weren’t where I wanted them). I also reflected on a lot of choices I’d made lately that hadn’t led me to living my best life with this illness. I’m a diabetic, first and foremost. It’s not just a label, I don’t care about the stigma, and I don’t have a normal life. I make a commitment every damn day when I wake up. My quality of life is in my hands (ok, mostly in my pocket) 100% of the time. And, I knew I deserved better than what I’d been doing.
On day eight, I went back to my doctor’s office to return the device, and I asked, with insurance paperwork completed in hand, how long it would be until Dex was mine. Dexcom has since contacted me and the process of cost and what not is being worked out. Soon, I’ll be the proud owner of their G5 model since, with a potential pump change coming up, this was the best fit for now.
Guys, I’m over the moon. I’ll be able to view my blood sugars from my phone at any time making all of the highs and lows (literal and figurative) that much easier. I can’t wait to sport this little babe in public. To become that much more part machine. To be unapologetically proud of owning this disease and experiencing advancements in medicine first hand.
If you’re type one and thinking of going with Dexcom – DO. IT. Jump in with both feet.
I can’t wait to share more of my experience with you soon. Please, come to me with any questions. My email is below, and I’ll be happy to offer advice to anyone looking for it.
trainliketaylor@gmail.com
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