response from Sandy ???

[petronella peach]

Sandy ,

we ( I ) , blog user( s ) have not heard from you for a long time ....how is pumping working for you ???
Nel P.

[Sandy]

Hi everyone,

Pumping has been nothing short of a miracle for me in terms of lifestyle flexibility and the ability to adjust insulin to what I eat and when I exercise.

Particularly helpful has been the ability to turn down the basal rate when exercising (I seldom experience lows anymore), and the ability to micro-dose and do multiple small injections to correct as needed after meals. I was never able to fine-tune as much on injections before.

Sebastien Sasseville and Nicole Marcelin in our office (Animas shares office space with LifeScan) went up to Everest Base Camp with their pumps earlier this year and everything held up beautifully. Nicole and I chat frequently about our diabetes and are both new to pumping - and neither one of us could imagine going back to injections again.

I'm heading to Mexico soon for my first vacation in 5 years, and it will be my first time heading to a foreign country with my pump, so I've got tons of back-up supplies and a back-up vacation loaner pump with me just in case, along with syringes and lots of extra insulin. My suitcase is already looking a bit like a pharmacy with all of this stuff! Will be sure to have those glucose tabs handy on the flight over just in case, although I've learned that when I fly now - I prefer not to eat and run a bit higher so as not to run the risk of going low.

I've done lots of flights within Canada with no problem whatsoever. I tell them right upfront about the pump, and everyone knows what it is and they simply do the little "swab test" and I'm on my way. Have never been hassled about it, although it does prompt questions and is a great opportunity to educate!

Funny story: I once had one of the young airport officials start to walk away with my pump - while it was still attached! - he thought it was a cell phone. It was great for a laugh and the poor guy was completely mortified, but I thought it was hysterical. The new pump I have is so sleek and 'sexy' that you could easily mistake it for a cell phone. Love it, love it, love it!!!!!

That's it for now. I feel like part of the 'pumpers club' now!!!

Cheers and a Smile,
Sandy