Pump Training

Amanda just switched over to a new pump which also has a 24 hour monitoring system that is available. We had our initial pump training last week and the continuous glucose training today. It's pretty cool how the two systems communicate with each other.

The new pump system, is an integrated system, and incorporates features including predictive alerts that warn us of oncoming lows or highs so we can take needed steps sooner to gain greater control of Amanda's blood glucose levels. With the new pump and the integrated continued glucose monitoring technology, the new pump will give us extra peace of mind...especially at night. 

Continuous Glucose Monitoring 

Predictive Alerts: Predictive Alerts can be set to warn us up to 30 minutes before Amanda's low or high glucose limits are reached.  

Rate of Change Alerts - Notify us when Amanda's glucose levels are changing rapidly for different times of day or night. 

Time Trend Graphs - 3, 6, 12 and 24 hour graphs give us a clear picture of Amanda's glucose levels over time. This has software so John can print the graphs so we can see trends and make needed changes. Her doctors really like this feature.

Finger-sticks are like watching only a few scenes of a movie and the continuous glucose monitoring is like watching the entire movie. We get the full story.

A finger-stick can only tell us what Amanda's glucose level is at that moment. A high or low that happens between finger-sticks can easily be missed.

With the new system, we will always know what Amanda's glucose level is, which way it's heading, and how fast she is heading there. And, as she approaches her glucose limits, we will be warned in plenty of time to take care of it.

We will not use the 24 hour monitoring all the time, as it requires two sites in her abdomen and since she is so lean we need to utilize the space for her pump site. She can wear it once a month for a week, so we can make needed adjustments to her insulin therapy. It's  addicting looking to see what her glucose levels are all the time. It's really too bad she can't wear it all the time...maybe when she starts driving. That gives us time plump her up a little!