PixiSugar

Our Decision to Switch to Medtronic Minimed 630G Insulin Pump – Part 1

A few months ago, I was at home with the kids, and didn’t feel quite right. After a quick fingerstick, I saw that I was in the 20’s. In a panic, I couldn’t get anyone on the phone to talk with me until my sugars came up. I began to “eat the kitchen”, as it were. I finally reached my sister-in-law, who came to sit with the kids until I could get back to myself again.

After that day, I was scared…

Hey, look, I’m Alive!

Holy moly, it’s been a terribly long time since I blogged.

I’ve been so caught up with everything going on that I seem to have neglected things over here. I swear it’s not on purpose though.  I didn’t realize how much harder it would be to maintain a blog after having a second kid… especially when that kid is very active and into everything.

I haven’t not been writing, though. I’ve just been…

Decorating the Contour Next USB Meter with Pump Peelz!

It’s no secret that I love PumpPeelz. Scott and Emily have successfully created a business that allows a diabetic to, if they wish, decorate and customize their diabetes management devices in fun prints and patterns. Now, this may not seem like a big deal to many, and down right ridiculous to some, but to a lot of people, it’s a godsend. Why? Because diabetes is depressing enough – if seeing…

Glooko, t:slim, and Dexcom = My Dream d-Data System. @GlookoInc @TandemDiabetes #dblog #diabetes

I remember using Glooko way back when I had the old iPhone 4s cable (I actually found it in one of my supply boxes yesterday) that connected to my freestyle meter. I honestly don’t know how long I’ve had that account, but I’m glad that I do.

When I first had my t:slim, Glooko and mySugr were the two apps I kept my data in before t:connect was approved by the FDA. In a way, I hated it because I…

What I've Learned In 27 Years with #Diabetes. #dblog

Okay, so the end of last year was a blur to say the least. I only blogged once in November, and that was to say that I was determined to put diabetes back into my life. And I am. It’s taking a bit longer than usual, but I’m learning to balance all the things in my life that is going on while trying my best to keep from putting my diabetes on the back burner and leaving it there.

On the 22nd of…

Dexcom G5 - A Month Later.. and a few other rambley things.

So, I’m finally getting to write some of my thoughts around the Dexcom G5 Mobile system. While I do see it as an upgrade to the G4, I don’t see it as a must-have.

Unlike when we went from the Seven+ to the G4, there wasn’t a huge hardware change other than the transmitter is now Bluetooth and can talk to a phone without the constant need of a receiver. However, notice I said “constant” need.…

Not impressed at ALL with #Dexcom's Clarity reports, and here's why.

I have always been one who, when analyzing my diabetes data reports, I like to see everything. The overview, the snippets and the nitty-gritty of the matter. I don’t know about you, but my diabetes is not always crappy, nor is it sunshine and rainbows, so I need to be able to look at the whole picture together as well as be able to zoom in and identify the things I did right verses the things I…

Putting Diabetes Back Into My Life

Wow. It’s been 3 months since I blogged?! What?!?! I guess that’s how things go when you’re stretched at every end it seems between a baby, toddler, and a house to keep up with. I’m busy, but happily so. I’ve not had much time to think about blogging as it seems my day is full from the moment I get up to the moment I go back to bed. Some days are overwhelming but most are just full and things…

Long time, no blog... The big update (with a shout-out to NightScout!)

I promise it has not been intentional to not be consistent or to be absent in blogging. Things were becoming increasingly busy near the end of my pregnancy trying to prepare for the baby, which proved to be a needed thing because I actually went into labor on Father’s Day weekend.

Yep. Totally unexpected. I even had an OB check-up the Thursday before and there was absolutely NO sign of her coming…

It’s been a while since I posted, I know. It’s not purposeful at all – I’m just either super busy or super exhausted most of the time now.

We are in the last month of this pregnancy (pretty much, anyway) finally and things are beginning to get “real”, if ya know what I mean. I’m so ready for her to be here, but not so much because I know this is the last time I’ll be pregnant, so it’s sort of…

Sharing for Life. #diabetes #dblog #dexcom #dexcomshare

When Dexcom introduced their new Share receiver, it was an answered prayer for me. I know that the Nightscout project had been around long before and was, and still is, a great setup for those who want to use it. As a matter of fact, I still do use it with the help of the Nightscout Share2Bridge extension. But the old way that Nightscout worked required too much for me personally as we could not…

Third and Twice. #dblog #diabetes and #pregnancy

For most of the pregnancy calendars I’ve looked at, this week ( number 27) marks the beginning of my third trimester… or either the last week of the second. I’m going with the first of the third because of simple math reasons (40/3=13.3, so TECHNICALLY 26w6d would be the shifting point). Either way, I’m now in what they call “the home stretch” and I’m very happy to be.

Don’t get me wrong, the…

Getting Closer To A Decision. #dblog #diabetes

It’s no secret that I am someone who can’t seem to make up their mind when it comes to diabetes devices. Granted, I have (according to my Countdown app) 19 more months until my current t:slim pump warranty expires, so I do have some time to mull over this – which is a good thing. I don’t think that choosing a pump should be a quick decision for anyone, nor should it be one that a doctor should…

One Year. #dblog #diabetes #overcomer

Today marks one year since possibly the scariest day I’ve ever faced in my life of living with diabetes. It has been an emotional week leading up to it and I’m sure I may catch myself having moments today as well. As I look back, I remember and feel the fear and the feeling of failure that I faced that day just as raw as ever.

It was the day I woke up and couldn’t see anything but light and…

Coordinating Devices with PumpPeelz. #dblog #diabetes

One little thing I like to do is design graphics. I piddle with it, mostly, so it’s not a big thing, but it gets my creative juices flowing and takes my mind off of other things that may be stressing me out.

So, I wanted to make a design to get a custom PumpPeelz made so that my Dexcom and Medtronic pump matched and looked cute. Crazy, I know, but that little bit of color and art makes having the…

Conflicted. #dblog #diabetes #Medtronic #Dexcom

I am one of MANY people who choose to use the Medtronic pump system with the the Dexcom CGM system. Since my endo took me off of my t:slim, the biggest thing I have been irritated by is how I cannot get all of my information into one report. I was finally SO happy to have that ability with Diasend for the t:slim and the Dexcom, and now I don’t. I know Medtronic has their own CGM system and I do…

The D50W Experience. #diabetes #dblog

In a way, it’s sort of funny how the medication used to bring up a low if you ever have to go there is labeled D50W… sort of makes me think of the metal lubricant WD40 in a way – though it has no connection whatsoever other than the letters are the same and in different spots and one number is off.

BUT, that’s not what this post is about. It’s about actually having to go to the ER to get it.

Most…