Today Arden had an appointment at CHOP to begin using her new OmniPod insulin pump.  We went in for what is called a ‘saline start’.  The pump is loaded with saline instead of insulin so that I can practice using the device - the saline start helps avoid any unpleasant on the job training mistakes.  

Cheryl, from CHOP’s Insulin Pump Team was fantastic!  I left with a firm day one understanding of the pump, it’s PDM (Personal Diabetes Manager) and the calculations that they require.  There is plenty more to learn but Cheryl did an excellent job of acclimating me with this new and different way of managing Arden’s BG.

The pump should add a level of control to Arden’s management that doesn’t exist when you inject the insulin.  If you’re interested in following Arden’s progress with the pump please visit our new OmniPod blog (link at top of page), there you’ll find photos, videos and accounts of the process and changes in management. 

Today was for a great day for Arden and her health.  I took a moment before the appointment to reflect on the last two and a half years and what it has taken to manage Arden’s moment to moment health needs.  It has been difficult and exhausting but I wouldn’t change anything about how we handled the situation.  The level of attention that it takes to manage type I diabetes in a person as young and as small as Arden is high - but the rewards are irreplaceable.  Now with a bit of luck, Arden’s pump can take over a few of the mental responsibilities that I currently have.  

Today was a great day for us but sad at the same time.  Sad because what sometimes passes for great when you have type I diabetes would be considered disastrous for someone without it.  Today I am celebrating that Arden will have a small device taped to her every moment of every day until type I is cured.  Please don’t lose sight of the fact that Arden’s diabetes is sill moving her towards the end of her life faster then she should be going and consider the JDRF when you make a charitable donation.  This pump is not a cure, it and the insulin inside are merely keeping Arden alive until a cure is found.  

As always, we appreciate your support and interest.