Dexcom and Apple Watch are here and they bring iPad support
The Apple Watch arrives today and Dexcom has updated their apps to do more than just work on the watch...
This blog post is rather preliminary but important never-the-less because in addition to updating the Dexcom Share and Dexcom Follow apps to work with the new Apple Watch... Dexcom has also added iPad support - however you may not be able to find the apps on the app store without knowing this simple trick.
When you navigate, on your iPad, to the app store and search for Dexcom you won't receive any results - see below.
But if you change the drop down menu on the top left from iPad Only to iPhone Only you will - see below. This is because while the Dexcom Share2 and Follow apps do now work on iPad, they aren't designed (I hope Dexcom does eventually) for iPad. Meaning you will have to use the X2 button on the lower left of your iPad to upscale/enlarge the app to fit your iPad screen. Not the biggest problem, Instagram and many other apps are the same. Basically you are installing the iPhone app onto your iPad, a possibility that was blocked until the update happened.
So even if you aren't one of the people who are sitting by the front door waiting for their shiny new Apple Watch (Mine arrives in a few weeks and I will do a full review of the Dexcom app) this app update still brings some much needed iPad usability joy to your diabetes day.
Be badass
What do you do when your Dexcom Share alarms because your BG is falling while you're hitting?
Follow these simple tips...
You can be at your best even when diabetes tries to get the best of you...
Congratulations to Arden and each of her teammates for winning the 10u Lincoln Park Tournament this weekend. They played six games in two days, winning the last after 9pm on Sunday night. Sure it took a few juice boxes and a couple of 2 am bananas to get to the trophy but it wasn't anything that a badass girl couldn't accomplish.
Be badass today!
This blog entry came up in episode 12 of the Juicebox Podcast... So I added the episode here.
Four Minute Podcast Tutorial
If you have been wondering about my podcast but unsure of how to access it... these quick how-to videos are what you've been waiting for!
The first video explains how to listen via a web browser...
A brief how-to for people interested in listening to my type 1 diabetes podcast via their web browser.
The second video explains how to listen via a podcast app on your smartphone (iPhone, Android and all of them really)...
That's pretty much all there is to it. If you have any questions please post them here and I'll answer them as soon as possible. Thanks for reading and listening!
Links you need:
The Juicebox Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher
Apple's Podcast app for iOS on the App Store
Stitcher App for iOS
A list of Android on Google play
Inspired by Conversation
I enjoyed having Kristina and Greg on my podcast so much that I asked them if they'd be interested in contributing a blog post to Arden's Day. It suffices to say that the topic Greg chose to write about warmed my heart! After you read his piece you can listen to their episode with the link below on iTunes, Stitcher or via the player that I've placed at the end of the blog post. Enjoy! - Scott
Time to Get More Aggressive!
Last week, my wife, Kristina, and I had the great pleasure of being featured on the 9th episode of the Juicebox podcast. It was a lot of fun and we both loved listening to it!
For parents of a child with type one diabetes, it’s fairly common for one parent to assume the majority of the diabetes management responsibilities. In our case, we pretty much split the duties (although, in full transparency, my wife does way more than I do!). We thought this would make for an interesting and entertaining discussion. When Kristina pitched the idea of an interview to Scott Benner at the Juicebox Podcast, it went like this….
“We'd love to be a part of one of your upcoming podcasts! Not sure if you've had any D-mom/D-dads reach out as a team to chat with you but we thought it might be fun. We have VERY different styles of managing Isabella's diabetes but it works.”
But, I’ll be honest; the podcast was completely Kristina’s idea and I really didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. My wife is extremely outgoing (understatement?) and jumps at the chance to speak in public forums. I, on the other hand, have always been a bit more reserved and would prefer to avoid being the center of attention, if possible.
So, for me, the thought of being interviewed is somewhat anxiety-inducing from the start and more so when my wife informs me that the interview very well may include some “newlywed style” questions to see how well we know each other. While I think know my wife very well (for years she has been preparing me for the off chance that we might someday appear on a famous live TV game show….I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard ”honey, remember this for when we’re on the game show!”), needless to say I started to get slightly nervous.
Kristina went first while I sat in the other room pretending as if I was completely calm, cool and collected and not at all anxious about the interview. All I could hear was Kristina’s muffled voice followed by her seemingly uncontrollable laughter, most likely telling one of her favorite “Greg stories.” Oh boy. Here we go…
It was finally my turn to join in on the fun. Scott immediately made me feel at ease; my nerves started to melt away and I actually started to enjoy myself. We spent quite a bit of time talking about the team-based approach that Kristina and I use for managing diabetes, which works very well for us.
While Kristina and I do act as a team, we have quite different approaches in the way we prefer to manage Isabella’s diabetes. Kristina tends to have a heavier hand with insulin (often generously “rounding up” carb counts), which helps to avoid highs. I, however, prefer to take a more conservative approach with insulin to avoid very low lows, especially overnight. The thought of what could happen to Isabella as a result of too much insulin absolutely terrifies me.
Scott seemed to be intrigued by the fact that we work as a team but with very different approaches. As a veteran type one diabetes parent, Scott shared some stories about his approach to managing diabetes. He talked about how technology, especially Arden’s Dexcom CGM, has enabled him to get comfortable with taking a very aggressive approach to insulin. This approach has led to very tight control (I still can’t believe Arden’s last A1C!).
This part of our talk really hit home.
While I’ve known that getting a bit more aggressive with insulin is likely to lead to better outcomes, I am completely terrified that I might kill my daughter with too much insulin. Our conversation helped me realize that I need to get over this fear. We have amazing technology at our disposal (including Isabella’s brand new Dexcom Share2, which is an amazing game-changer in my book!) that I can more fully leverage to help me get comfortable with becoming more aggressive with insulin, which will ultimately result in lower A1Cs, better overall control and a healthier little girl.
After finishing the interview, I believe one of the first things I said to Kristina was, “I’m gonna get more aggressive!”
It’s time to get over my fear. Thanks, Scott, for pushing me over the edge.
Greg Dooley
InspiredByIsabella.com
Arden's 504 Plan for Download
504 Plan
Over the past few months I've received numerous requests for Arden's current 504 plan, I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to get it to you! This plan has been used at the fourth and fifth grade levels and I hope that it serves as a guide for you when you are crafting/creating/editing your child's 504.
Please remember that a good 504 plan is no replacement for a great relationship with your school and that sometimes those relationships take a lot of time to cultivate. I hope you can take a moment to read a past blog post about that subject.
Episode 65 of the Juicebox Podcast is all about 504 plans... you can listen here but the cool kids use: Apple Podcasts/iOS - Spotify - Amazon Alexa- google play/android - iheart radio - or their favorite podcast app.
The Word file is available here. Arden's name and all personal information has been removed. Please feel free to use this document in anyway that will benefit your child. Please also remember that nothing that you read on Arden's Day is to be considered advice, my disclaimer says more. Decisions should always be made with he help of a physician.
