Category Archives: Education

New and Improved.

June 8, 2013Education, Insulin pumps, OmniPodStacey D.

So it has been almost 3 weeks and a full box of pods since I have been using the new OmniPod system and thought I’d get a review out there for those who may be interested. The first users that I know of were Melissa and Sarah that provided reviews as well. I did start with a failed pod on my first try. And I admit I was a bit concerned after that happened. However it must have been a fluke since the rest have worked just fine.

The biggest difference, in my opinion, are the pods. They are significantly smaller, thinner and lighter as advertised to be. Are they still somewhat bulky? Sure. You cannot compare it to an infusion set. However, compared to the original pods, there is a noticeable difference.

Keep in mind that the original pods never bothered me in terms of getting in the way or showing through clothes. But who doesn’t want a smaller, lighter pod to wear? There is a new pink insert on the top of the pod that should be noticeable if the cannula is inserted properly. They also changed the cannula color to light blue to be more visible after being inserted. I however, find the blue cannula to be no more visible than the clear on the original pods since they also changed the housing edge of the pod to black. Maybe it’s my vision but also not a big deal.

The PDM also went through a makeover. It looks different on first glance since it’s black and not blue. Other than that, it’s the same size with the same buttons on the front to operate it. Nothing new to learn there. There were many additional confirmation screens added to various functions of the PDM. The main one you will notice immediately is the PDM ID screen.

You must set a name and color for that screen and this will come up every time you turn the PDM on or enter a test strip for a BG test. It can be a small pain in the rear to do this constantly but I have gotten mostly used to it. I did not see the need for a safety feature like this however after viewing the training video, I can understand the need for it in say families that have multiple pod users.

There is a reminder an hour and a half after a new pod is activated to test your BG.

The IOB (insulin on board) calculation has not only changed but is also now visible on the status screen, something I am extremely happy with. There are times when this information is invaluable and one should not have to scroll through various menus or screens to find it. Readily available – the way it should be.

In the original system, IOB was calculated only with correction boluses. With the new system, when the suggested bolus calculator is turned on, it will account for both correction and meal boluses for insulin on board.

There are also two new screens during the pod change process. One showing more explicitly how to remove the pod’s needle cap and one showing how to properly apply the new pod.

There is a new vibration mode for alerts. I have most of the alerts/reminders turned off so the beeping of the PDM was never a bother to me. But I still appreciate having this new option. The functionality of the new PDM is not totally different. And I think that can be a good thing for many. Mainly a few new steps to get accustomed to, which I have already.

Overall I think the changes made by Insulet to the OmniPod system were good ones. And I look forward to more positive changes to their system in the future. Although hopefully the next ones will not take so long for us to see.

*Please note that since I am a current user of the OmniPod, I have not yet been upgraded by Insulet but instead purchased the new PDM out of pocket from a diabetes supply distributor. I expect to still be officially transitioned at some point.

An Amazing Weekend.

May 31, 2013Advocacy, Community, Education, Emotions, Events, Fun, TravelingStacey D.

I am way overdue in posting this. I finally had some downtime (see also: being sick. again.) and figured it was about time I wrote about my time at the Diabetes Sisters Weekend for Women conference at the beginning of this month. This was my third year attending and you can find my posts about previous years here and here.

Like the past conferences, I had a wonderful time. I don’t think you can find any more solidarity than being surrounded by about 100 other women with diabetes. It doesn’t get much better than that 🙂 There were sessions about learning to love exercise from the fabulous Ginger Vieira, how to ignite your diabetes power from the legendary Riva Greenberg, information on dietary supplements and how they affect or do not affect diabetes, the down low on diabetes technology from Amy Tenderich of Diabetes Mine, unlocking the secrets of a long, happy life with diabetes, creating better relationships marriages which was a very open, intimate conversation with the likes of Kerri Sparling. Our keynote speaker for the weekend was Mother Love. I admit, I didn’t know much about her before meeting her there. But let me tell you, she is one funny woman. She also brought to light for all of us how it is important for us to take care of ourselves. Something that all of the attendees were doing by attending the conference! There was also the annual Orange Will walk to start the day on Saturday. It’s always nice to see a group of people walking for a cause.

Something new this year were offsite field trips – one option was a tour of the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Teaching Farm in Raleigh and the other option was the Novo Nordisk insulin manufacturing facility in Clayton. I opted for the Novo Nordisk plant and was so glad I did! It was phenomenal to see how they manufacture something like insulin, that is a life saving medication used by so many people. Talk about a high standard of sterility! It gave me a new appreciation for the people who take their job very seriously to give us that life juice 😉

I honestly think the most valuable thing about this conference is the relationships that are built. The friendships that are made. The deep camaraderie that is felt. The entire weekend concentrates on how to make you better. How to make your life as a woman with diabetes more manageable. How to help you feel less alone. And living with diabetes, who doesn’t need that?

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In case you missed the conference in Raleigh, or live closer to the west coast, there is also a conference coming up in October in San Francisco. Check it out for more details.

Day Four of Diabetes Blog Week, 2013.

May 17, 2013Advocacy, Community, Complications, Education, Events, MilestonesStacey D.

A day behind but here is my post for day four of Diabetes Blog Week.

We don’t always realize it, but each one of us had come a long way since diabetes first came into our life. It doesn’t matter if it’s been 5 weeks, 5 years or 50 years, you’ve done something outstanding diabetes-wise. So today let’s share the greatest accomplishment you’ve made in terms of dealing with your (or your loved one’s) diabetes. No accomplishment is too big or too small – think about self-acceptance, something you’ve mastered (pump / exercise / diet / etc.), making a tough care decision (finding a new endo or support group / choosing to use or not use a technology / etc.).

I’ve given this topic some thought over the past few days. So much has changed over the past 31 years, mostly for the better, with accomplishments along the way. I found it hard to pick just one thing. The first thing that came to mind was my more recent A1c track record of being under 7%. Then there is my retinopathy not progressing over the past 18 months. Or walking about 3 miles with excruciating pain in your legs and numbness in your feet from neuropathy seems like quite an accomplishment at the moment. Even exercising 4 times in one week can seem like something to be proud of for me. There are even the graphs of 24 hour no hitters on my Dexcom. I certainly celebrate all of those!

What I came to realize is that all of these things together is what my accomplishment truly is. Living with diabetes for 11,452 days and doing pretty well. Going through the motion of checking BG, dosing insulin, counting carbs multiple times a day, every single day. Forcing juice down my throat when I feel like I’m going to puke to keep myself alive. Moving along with my day when my blood sugar is high and all I want to do is drink, pee or sleep. Keeping up with routine endocrinologist appointments. CDE appointments. Eye doctor appointments. All the other diabetes health related appointments. Picking up prescriptions every few weeks or month. Keeping tabs on insurance coverage for said appointments and prescriptions. And doing all these things for so long without losing my mind. Even finding happiness between the lines. Not to mention making tons of great friends along the way. This is what I have accomplished and it feels pretty darn good.

Day Two of Diabetes Blog Week, 2013.

May 14, 2013Advocacy, Community, Education, EventsStacey D.

Recently various petitions have been circulating the Diabetes Online Community, so today let’s pretend to write our own. Tell us who you would write the petition to – a person, an organization, even an object (animate or inanimate) – get creative!! What are you trying to change and what have you experienced that makes you want this change?

Diabetes is freaking expensive. Those of us living with it, know that. Even if you have insurance, it can still be costly. Insulin, test strips, needles, insulin pump supplies, ketone testing products, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists or Biguanides, adhesive products, lancets, glucose goods, CGM sensors, office visit co pays, the list seems to go on and on. I have been *extremely* fortunate to have good health insurance both under my parents and since I’ve been working on my own. I know some people with diabetes who do not have health insurance at all. And I cannot even imagine the financial burden that can cause.

For about 16% or more of the population in the US that are uninsured and those who have insurance but still carry a hefty bill every month, I would love to start a petition that would establish a statute that provides affordable diabetes supplies to everyone without any restrictions. I know this would be a tremendously daunting and complex effort. I know there needs to be money in order to make this happen. I know some of this could be addressed with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which began in 2010. But I wish something like this could seriously be implemented. None of us asked for this disease. None of us could have avoided having diabetes. None of us planned for a certain (large) percentage of our earnings to be spent on diabetes. None of us want to be stuck in a job strictly for the benefits. None of us want to be told how many times per day we can test our blood sugar. To live a healthy life with diabetes, there are many tools needed and those tools cost money. And I wish for so many people that wasn’t such a hardship to them.

Best of April ‘Betes.

May 1, 2013Advocacy, Community, Education, Events, FunStacey D.

Happy May everyone! (where on earth is this year going??)

So today is the day. I have the honor of announcing the diabetes blog warriors for the month of April. I had quite a bit of reading to do in order to pick the warriors! And some tough decisions to make. But the pleasure was mine in having to read it all. This community rocks. That is all. Now onto what you’ve all come here to find out 😉

Best Use of Humor – Jacquie

Best Use of Photography – Heidi

Best Advocacy – Reva

Best Reference to a D-Celebrity – George

Best Story of a D Meet-up – Briley

Best non-D Related Post – Jeff

Best Post by a Type 1 – Shannon

Best Post by a Type 2 – Sir Bob

Best Post by a Type Awesome – Moira

Best story of a D-mistake – Katy

Best Motivational Post – Nikki

Best Diabetes Art – Meri

There were no nominations for Best Vlog, Best Recipe or Best Post by a LADA/ Type 1.5/ Not otherwise specified.

In all honesty, all of these posts were fantastic. And I got to learn of a few new blogs that I haven’t read much of before. (time to update the blogroll!) A huge thank you to those who nominated as well as those who had submissions. Without our stories and participation, our advocacy would not exist!

For those who would like to add the Best of the ‘Betes Blogs button to their own blogs, please use this script: <div align=”center”><a href=”http://www.bestofthebetesblogs.com” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://momentsofwonderful.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/bbblogo-final-e1309479808835.png”></a></div>

Extra Care.

March 12, 2013Advocacy, Community, EducationStacey D.

Has it really been this long since I’ve written?? I’ve got lots going on it seems. This particular post is overdue but I’m finally getting to it!

A few weeks ago, some folks from media relations at CVS Pharmacy reached out to me to see if I was interested in receiving more information on their ExtraCare Advantage for Diabetes savings program. Being that I do use my local CVS as my primary pharmacy for both prescriptions and over the counter items, as well as being a regular ExtraCare member of theirs already, I agreed.

A short time later, I received a package full of stuff. I mean full.

Sugar free cough drops, sugar free candy, toothpaste, a toothbrush, healing lotion, sugar free cough medicine, glucose tablets, socks, sugar free aspirin (did you know that existed? I didn’t!), needle collector, etc. I particularly liked the socks – I sometimes have an issue with my socks being too tight at the top, creating a mark which I would imagine is not so good for my legs. I will certainly be on the look out to buy some more of these. I also appreciated being able to try the Diabetic Tussin cough medicine. I use cough medicine more than when I’m sick due to the severe allergies I have. I find myself waking up during the night coughing a lot so I keep a bottle on my nightstand. I typically use Robitussin and never thought it was bad for me using that type of product. However, if I had the option to use one that is sugar and alcohol free, I could gather it would be better for me, despite how horrible it tastes. All of these products, even some you wouldn’t think of, specifically cater to people with diabetes. I think this is something that can be very beneficial to a lot of people.

Being a member of the diabetes program, you are eligible for double ExtraBucks rewards (which if you receive ExtraBucks already, you know they are pretty generous with rewards), special offers and savings as well as a newsletter delivered via email that includes information, recipes and offers. All it takes is a minute or two to sign up. I think it’s a great program to help with the expense diabetes supplies can cost us. And we all know, diabetes ain’t cheap!

The feedback on the items sent to me and the ExtraCare Advantage program is strictly my own opinion and I want to thank CVS for taking the time to share with me their products and for offering a program designed to help people with diabetes.

Flying With Diabetes.

February 12, 2013Community, Education, Fun, Guest Post, TravelingStacey D.

I love to travel. I by no means travel more than some of my PWD (people with diabetes) friends but I have to been numerous locations abroad in recent years. (Usually nice, warm, sunny locations!) Lucky for me, the great people over at Sanofi Diabetes asked if I was willing to share some advice or tips if you will, on traveling with diabetes. I am very honored to be featured over there today 🙂

Flying with Diabetes: Tips from Stacey Divone

World Diabetes Day 2012.

November 14, 2012Advocacy, Community, Education, EventsStacey D.

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 59 years after insulin was discovered. And here we are just about 31 years later and although the tools to oversee one’s glucose levels have improved significantly, we still rely on insulin to live. Without insulin, the rest is useless.

So on this day, World Diabetes Day 2012, I say thank you to Banting and Best. I owe you both my life, literally. Oh and happy birthday Sir Frederick Grant Banting! 🙂

I’m going to try and pass by the Empire State Building tonight to see it lit up in blue. Let’s hope it’s not a big fat fail like last year!

Faces of Diabetes.

October 22, 2012Advocacy, Community, Education, EventsStacey D.

November is right around the corner. Which is Diabetes Awareness Month. In other words, a very busy month for diabetes advocates and organizations everywhere. There will be movements and efforts throughout the month, especially on World Diabetes Day, to promote education on the facts of diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association, launched a social initiative a couple of weeks ago to illustrate what a day in the life of diabetes means to you. I like initiatives like this a lot. It gives diabetes a face (or in this case, many faces) It shows the world that as grueling as diabetes can be, we can look just like anyone else. It gives it life. It shows strength. And hope. To help spread this initiative, the ADA will create a larger-than-life outdoor projection of the photos in Washington D.C. on World Diabetes Day. That is pretty cool. Also, for every photo uploaded to the Association’s Facebook page, CVS pharmacy will donate $1 to the Association, up to $25,000.

Please visit the Facebook page for the A Day in the Life of Diabetes campaign. Take a look at what diabetes means to tons of people. And upload your own pictures! (if you search by name, you should see two of my own entries 😉 )

Roche Summit Part 3. Advocacy.

August 7, 2012Advocacy, Community, Education, Events, RocheStacey D.

This post is probably the most difficult to write and I think the most important – finding the right words to describe something as elaborate and essential as diabetes advocacy can be challenging.

First off, being among some of my diabetes family on the 9th anniversary of my father’s passing (due to diabetes complications) was surreal. Here I was, in a room full of 30+ others whose lives are touched by diabetes and representatives of a company whose aim is to make those lives easier. A connection that I didn’t know existed just 9 years ago. Something that was totally unimaginable during his time I’m sure. I couldn’t help but reflect on how things could have turned out differently for him had support like this existed.

Rob and Todd presented to us the Welcome to Type 1 video. If you have not yet seen this video, watch it. It so precisely portrays how attitude has everything to do with how to best cope with living with something like diabetes. It also illustrates how diabetes, unlike other chronic health conditions, leaves most of the care to the patients and not the healthcare providers. For this very reason, it becomes crucial for the patients themselves to advocate for the rights and well being of people living with diabetes. What is advocacy? By definition, health advocacy supports and promotes patient’s health care rights as well as enhances community health and policy initiatives that focus on the availability, safety and quality of care. I don’t see myself as an innovator in the diabetes community. I do not come up with the exceptional ideas that others do or write remarkable books. But I do love to help collaborate on initiatives, provide my extra supplies to those who need it more than me, spread the word of current or future events, connect people, fundraise and donate to diabetes organizations, help introduce new products, share my own story and of course retweet 😉 By doing these things I can achieve forms of advocacy.

Hearing Josh say that “everyone has a bomb in their life that goes off at some point” and “it’s therapeutic to give back” couldn’t have been said better. For most of us, the bombs are the daily struggles of diabetes. For a lot of us, we consider social media a form of therapy. He thanked us for what we do. For providing advice on the little daily things of living with diabetes to people who have questions. For letting others know that normal may not be what you think. For showing that living with diabetes is hard but moving forward is important. When I get emails or comments from readers thanking me for a particular post or telling me that my father would be proud of me for my actions, it touches my heart with a sense of accomplishment. I reached someone and hopefully made a difference to them.

Yes, Roche initiated a gathering of diabetes online community members to discuss how to fill the gap between patient needs and their own company’s contributions. Did they do it lavishly? Sure. Were all the extras completely necessary? Of course not. But regardless of how lavish the locations are, these opportunities are invaluable to help us communicate what is important as a strong group. However, even without these summits, we are still needed to tell the public just what diabetes is all about. To bust the myths that are endless. To fight for more affordable supplies. To let people all over the world know that they are not alone and you can do this. We are the experts.