CGM on track

 

When my CGM and meter are the exact same there is not better feeling of being in control of my diabetes! Especially when your blood sugar is a number in target!

 

It hasn't happen often for me but truly makes me feel appreciative for how far technology has come to create such amazing devices to keep me alive and healthy. 

Naked!

When I had switched to pump... I loved every 3rd day, because that meant I would be able to take a bath NAKED! (Funny the little things you start to appreciate in life being diabetic!) In between site changes I was free, well free for about 30 mins.

So when I started using a CGM a few weeks ago, (I have become obsessed with watching my sugar levels rise and fall) those days were over. Don't get me wrong the benefits of wearing the CGM are amazing, and I don't think I will ever go a few days without one, but I sure missed my free 30 mins!

So last week on day 3 there was not much insulin left in the bottle, and when I filled my reservoir I noticed I  maybe had enough insulin for 2 and 1/2 days, when I remembered Medtroinc had sent me a sample of the Sure-T infusion set (which is recommend for 2 day use) PERFECT!!!

But it wasn't until last night when I realized OMG! I get to take a bath tonight CGM and infusion site FREE!! I get to take a bath NAKED!! I guess the 2 day Sure-T infusion set was exactly what I needed to get on track, which also lend me to realize if I change my infusion set every 3 days and my CGM every 6 days that means 2 infusion sets per CGM!!

So now every 6th day means a long hot bath NAKED! I am as excited as a pig in shit! Seriously, I love 2 things in life naps and baths!

A1c below 7

I feel like I am on cloud 9 this morning! I went for an A1c test yesterday and got the results this morning and WOW does hard work pay off!

Results- 6.8%, something I have been trying to do for the past 9 months and I am very proud I have achieved my goal! I set a new years resolution to take charge of my diabetes and not let it control my life. I hope to maintain this goal my whole life. I achieved an A1c below 7% because of the support system I have created for myself. I faced my fear of wearing an insulin pump and also added a CGM into the mix which was something I wish I had known about so much sooner.

Woohoo!!

My CGM



 

 

Two weeks ago I started blogging again, and I am so happy I did. I shared that I had made the switch to the pump, I really don't know why I didn't make the switch sooner. Last week I took the next step and added a CGM into my world. It hasn't even been a week but I am so happy to share my results after the past few days Saturday August 15th was a picture perfect day and I am overjoyed that this little sensor can provide this information. Sure it will take a little more time to get use to, and I am not going to lie its a little uncomfortable to wear an other device on my stomach, and I will probably never were a bikini again! But if it helps maintaining an A1C below 7 and living a healthier longer life I will take it!

CGM stands for continuous glucose monitoring switch is way to measure glucose levels during the day and night. An electrode called a glucose sensor is inserted under the skin and measures your glucose levels in your tissue fluid. The results are sent directly to my pump, which is awesome!

Here's what's posted on the Medtronic website on how to calibrate-

"Calibration is important for sensor performance. Calibrating 3-4 times per day can optimize sensor performance.

 

To calibrate, you must use a fingerstick blood sample to test your blood glucose (BG) on your meter and then enter that value into your pump. The pump will accept BG meter readings between 40 mg/dL to 400 mg/dL. And the minimum number of calibrations required is once every 12 hours (after the first day), but calibrating three to four times a day can optimize sensor accuracy.

When calibrating your sensors, remember to:

• Wash your hands before taking a fingerstick test.
• Enter the BG (blood glucose) readings into the pump/monitor right away.
• Don’t use old meter BG readings or previous sensor readings as a calibration.
• Wait at least 15 minutes between calibration entries. "

However I was also told that you should have no active insulin! Which I thought would make it difficult to calibrate the sensor 2- 4 times daily, but I have be able to calibrate most days so far 3 times a day which is awesome.

Here are my results

Prefect Blood Sugars

Last night I rushed home after work to walk the dogs before going to the 42nd Annual Potatoe Festival Parade. Alliston is potatoe land and we sure are proud of it! Since I was rushed and my sister in law mentioned they would be grabbing something to eat at the parade and that they were walking into town I decided to do the same.  I am so proud that I had a good blood sugar after walking the pups and walking into town (somethings after walking my sugar tends to drop since making the switch to the pump)  so when I checked before eating I was very happy to see 7.3,  I was even happier to see 4.6 when I got home.  I wasn't comfortable going to bed at 4.6. Especially with all the walking I had done and I ended up racing my nephews home,  I had a snack... I knew it might mean waking up a bit higher but a bit higher is better then a low in my books any day.  So waking up at 6.8 was an amazing feeling! There is nothing like spending time with my family and eating out and having perfect readings!  Something I wish happened more often!

Pregnancy

So over the past few weeks 3 people at work have asked me if I was pregnant. I totally understand that yes I got married last year and bought a house and of course my husband and I have discussed starting a family. Making the switch to a pump was the first step to starting that process but a long with that came a few extra pounds, and I mean just a few (less than 10 for sure)... so the fact that 3 people asked if I was expecting was a little offensive. Did they NOT get the memo that its not okay to ask that??

My pancreas runs on AAA batteries!

As most of my family and friends know I made the switch from needles to the pump back in June, but what they don't know is now its truly created a quality of life I never expected after being diagnosed back in 2008.

Back in December I decided to get my life back and control my illness and not let it control me.
I was terrified to do my first A1C test is over a year a half because I knew how bad it was going to be and how hard the doctors would be on me for not taking care of myself. For those who do not know an A1C test is a common blood test used to show how well you're managing your diabetes. It's basically a test to see what you average blood sugar if over the past 3 months.

The first doctor I seen at the clinic I am going to was awful and yes my A1C was very high at 9.9%, but I do not feel that was any reason to tell someone that pregnancy was not on option and that I would have to conceder abortion when I didn't even say anything about trying to or wanting to get pregnant. Then I meet Laura the RD I see at the clinic who has really helped guide me in the right direction. She offered for me switch doctors and I do so. I am so happy with the support system I have the LMC clinic. I did my second A1C test in April and the results were 8.3% must better than 9.9% but not exactly something to celebrate. Then the decision was made to make the switch to the pump which meant I would need to do one more A1C test the following month with hopes for better results, and that's exactly what I go 7.6% which was a number I had never seen and when Laura told me the results I think she was just as happy as I was which was seriously exactly what I needed!

After being on the pump for just over a month I had a follow up appointment with my endocrinologist and got the best news of all my A1C was 7.1% something I never thought possible. I can not tell you how hard I worked to achieve this goal and will continue to work to make sure I maintain and A1C below 7% (the goal for all Type 1 Diabetics).

The feeling of achieving a good A1C result is unbelievable.

 

Wow! Its been almost 3 months since my last post... what happen?

Wow! Its been almost 3 months since my last post... what happen? I started my blog to help keep myself connected and motivated to live a healthy life with Type 1 Diabetes and to share my story in hopes to help others and  seriously help myself.

So why did I stop? I guess I found it time consuming and maybe a bit intimidating since some bloggers have been doing it for years and write so well. but if I give up then I will never become better. I missed the little community I felt I was becoming a part of.

Time to break down those walls of fear of not being a good blogger and become one!
Time to get back on track!