Update…
Hello everyone,
I have been away for the last two weeks and I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS to Mary and baby Josef. I am so glad that you both are happy and healthy.
Also to Stephanie and Madelyn, the insulin pump is a very challenging device. I have only been using the pump since June 3, 2005 and I have learned that you have to be very precise, dedicated and aware of blood glucose testing, exercise, carbohydrate counting, glycemic index of various food items (fast or slow release of sugar), insulin to carbohydrate ratios, bolus amounts and basal rates.
You should be testing Madelyn before each meal and two hours after each meal. If her blood glucose is high two hours after a meal, then her insulin to carbohydrate ratio needs to be adjusted for that meal. If her blood glucose is high before a meal, then her basal rates needs to be adjusted. These adjustments should be made by you based on Madelyn’s blood glucose readings. Your pump trainer, doctor, nurse, etc. are there for initial setup, training, support, etc. of the pump, but diabetes is a self managed disease that should be managed by you and Madelyn. You and Madelyn need to take full control of everything she does concerning her diabetes. You might also want to read up on the Glycemic index of different food items.
My pump trainer, doctor, nurse and dietician did the same thing with me as they have done with you and Madelyn. I heard the “it will get better” and “just give it some time” speaches too. By the time my pump trainer said it was time for me to fly solo, I was already making suggestions to her about my basal and bolus rates. She told me to make adjustments as I see fit, just be careful to do them one at a time in small amounts and monitor them closely.
After two months of wearing this pump, I am in complete control of my pump and my diabetes. I have five different basal rates throughout a twenty four hour period and four different carbohydrate ratios for each of my meal boluses. My blood glucose readings are very good and my lows are getting better.
Stephanie, you and Madelyn can do this. Take control and use your best judgement. Count everything that Madelyn ingests and make adjustments accordingly. As Judith would say “Don’t let the buzzard win!!!”
Good luck…
Steve
Diabetic - June 1980
Cozmo Pump - June 2005