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Sunday, April 15, 2007

Day Four--Minimed Real-Time CGM--Darned glad I have it!

Happy News regarding the Minimed Real-Time Minilink--I am wearing the sensor past the three day "Sensor End." I just started a “new sensor” without actually connecting a new one and it is working fine. Calibrations have been normal and the required two hour calibration was actually prompted within the hour of reconnecting the old sensor (I’ll post more on process later).

I still haven’t tried the software, but it is web-based and I’m not sure how I feel about that yet. It would be nice to look at the data collected, but I just don’t have the time to figure it out right now.
We are having some interesting dialogue in the comments of my previous post. I’d love to hear more from you lurkers out there.

Buying this tool brings up lots of issues for me. It is expensive, it is cutting edge (for the moment) and I can’t afford it right now. My parents, however, can afford it and I have accepted their offer to buy this thing.

I have danced and danced around whether or not to BUY and I have had a list of excuses why I shouldn’t: the technology will be outdated in a matter of months; it just costs too much; the insurance won’t pay for it; I don't want to put this on a credit card,; what if I regret it; or what if it doesn’t live up to my expectations?

Each excuse I made in my head and with my husband seemed very valid, but I have come to realize that each excuse said the same thing, “I am not worth it.”


This shines through for a lot of women, especially around areas of self-care. Each time I ignore what my body tells me I need: more rest; a big spinach salad for lunch; a break from the computer and my work; a long walk; or ten minutes in my hammock; I am really saying to myself that I don't deserve these luxuries.

My father is thrilled when he hears I am avoiding lows and that I have only had two high warnings in four days. It feels so good to accept this without strings; this was a challenge. It took me weeks to think of this as a gift from them and not a burden to them. I am fairly pleased with myself right now and my body is thanking my every day!

Photo from www.freefoto.com

4 comments:

Scott K. Johnson said...

I think it is great that you are able to accept your parents gifts without feeling burdonsome to them. I'm sure it is making them very happy as well.

And we are also benefiting from all that you are sharing with us.

So, thank you, and thank your parents!

Noel said...

You don't have to physically disconnect the transmitter at the end of day 3, just say "New Sensor" and it'll ask for a calibration within 15 minutes. The 2nd "Sensor End" at day 6 is where you physically disconnect, charge it, and reconnect it and do a "New Sensor" procedure.
By the way, if you hate IV3000 as much as I, try a few of the tegaderm's. They last much longer than IV3000 and don't gum up in the shower.

Wendy Morgan said...

I really prefer the tegaderm, I used it when I was in the Navigator study, but I need to order some.

Scott, thanks for your commetns!

:)

Anonymous said...

You are a parent yourself so you should realize just how much of a gift to them it is to wear the continuous monitor, keeping yourself in the best health possible. Most parents would gladly take on the disease themselves, if they could spare their child. Undoubtedly, they worry about you constantly (no matter what your age) and, believe me, you are giving your parents much peace of mind and a freedom from worry they probably haven't felt in years. I would love to get a continuous monitor on my 10-year old daughter but she refuses to go through another site change, with or without EMLA. Money is tight, but we would find a way to pay for it, particularly since you can recharge them and wear them for longer periods. Any thoughts on how a young child with little fat would tolerate these devices? I had heard the Minimed device had a long insertion needle, am awaiting the advent of the Navigator.