Just checking… are you using one of those silicon jar openers or potholders to unscrew the g7 cap? Slice the little seal tape with a letter opener or fingernail, set the g7 cap-side down on the silicon, press and twist. That lets the table do half the work.
P.S. So sorry to vent here, but I have no one else to ask about this stuff! T1D for 54 years and I don't personally know a single other T1D. That in itself really sucks. I really miss the days of support groups.
Kerri, you pointed out something that I am wrestling with right now (and need help figuring out, dammit). Over the course of time, I am 1 whole box of infusion sets down, so constantly scrambling to make them last, which results in me not changing them out as often as I probably should.....I called Byram to ask about getting an extra box, which I was perfectly willing to pay oop for (well, not really but figured that was the only way). I ended up GETTING FUCKING LECTURED by the unhelpful person on the other end of the line, who in no way understood what I was trying to explain to her. She actually suggested that I have my CDE "re-visit" pump training with me, after which I just hung up. So frustrating. But meanwhile, does anyone have an idea of how I can get an extra box of infusion sets?? I've tried searching online but no luck.
I do a couple of things re: runaway infusion sets. First, I document every one that fails. How long it was in, how did the cannula look (bent, maybe?), placement (always abdomen for reporting purposes), lot #. Then, when I get to some number like four, I call Tandem. They send replacements, and depending on how long it’s been since they last sent replacements, I will sometimes be “rewarded” with a box of 10. Really helps with #HiAnxiet_D
Thanks YOGA_O! Appreciate the suggestions very much. Actually the main problem with Tandem's infusion sets is ME, yanking them out unexpectedly. But I will definitely keep track now!
T1D for 33 years here... You're not wrong about the business of aging with it! I remember once when I was a little kid watching my mom put on her make-up in the mirror and she turned around to say "I'm still really good looking, it just takes longer to look like it." As I'm nearling 60, I feel exactly this way only it's about my T1D control - not my looks. So quaint, Mom. But good training for future me. LOVE THIS POST!
Boy, I hear ya. I'm not saying my life is like yours; I'm just saying I hear ya, because you're an elegant effing communicator. (I'm too "senior" to say it like you, in public, even in your public.)
Hungry Hungry Hippo!
I'm pretty sure you won't be puttin' in false teeth, because that only happens to people who can't learn to brush and floss, which I'm PRETTY sure you're better at than me (because you're better controlled than me at EVERYthing except your potty mouth). And at age 75 now (hi Colleen!), I've got no false teeth.
FWIW, a few months ago I got to experience my first low, one that caused me to develop full-on double vision *while driving*, as well as the "What happened to my thinking powers" desperation. I'd never had anything of the sort in my life. I was involved in a metabolic health program that was screwing with my carb intake, and much to my surprise this hit me one afternoon.
I immediately and carrrrefully pulled into the first fast food place (a Wendys) and bought their chocolate chip cookies and ate them fast as I sat in the car. I was legit worried that in the store I might have looked like a junkie but they gave me what I wanted.
The following week I decided to buy a Lingo, the over-the-counter CGM, then a few weeks later also got a Dexcom Stelo, because I'm a data nerd and because I wanted to COMPARE them because I was LEARNING about my body, in a way I hadn't done in 60 years, except this time it's not puberty, but in both cases my body was doing weird shit I'd never experienced and never asked for. So now I empathy you, a bit.
I used them both for a couple months then decided I'd learned what I was going to learn about this non-T1D body, especially how to sense a low coming on. And BELIEVE me I can now relate to what "you people" talk about.
p.s. With or without diabetes, single level living is superb! OTOH, when a college classmate retired and built his forever house (literally to die in someday), he installed a legit elevator, because he wanted more sf of living space than the lot allowed.
And then last week a *younger* friend (with no diabetes) fell down the stairs in her house, putting her in MGH with 7 broken ribs and Many Ow. So now I think that everyone should plan ahead (as your low-brain gifted you) on this issue, because SOME twists in the road can be *anticipated*.
The reason for old people falling is called sarcopenia, in which the body loses 10-15% of muscle mass per decade, like a slow leak. The remedy for that is resistance training: weights, squats, etc. I'm happy to say a little bit of it works and I don't hate it!
(See what you get for launching this post when I'm lazing on the deck? You do communicate.)
p.s. I already know what MF means but thanks. I believe *we* invented that term, in *our* generation, because I certainly never heard it from my parents or grands.
I am really proud of the way you handled the whole messed up entire day of living in the life of T1D!! YOU will be so amazing when you are in your older years! You will still have your teeth and bananas too!
It's not so bad... says a 75 year old. Hardest part is opening the G7s.
Thanks for the smiles.
You give me all the hope, my friend.
Just checking… are you using one of those silicon jar openers or potholders to unscrew the g7 cap? Slice the little seal tape with a letter opener or fingernail, set the g7 cap-side down on the silicon, press and twist. That lets the table do half the work.
Tom, your comment is why I love the diabetes community so much -- people are always willing to help.
Thanks, Tom! I'll try that.
P.S. So sorry to vent here, but I have no one else to ask about this stuff! T1D for 54 years and I don't personally know a single other T1D. That in itself really sucks. I really miss the days of support groups.
Here to help if I can!
Kerri, you pointed out something that I am wrestling with right now (and need help figuring out, dammit). Over the course of time, I am 1 whole box of infusion sets down, so constantly scrambling to make them last, which results in me not changing them out as often as I probably should.....I called Byram to ask about getting an extra box, which I was perfectly willing to pay oop for (well, not really but figured that was the only way). I ended up GETTING FUCKING LECTURED by the unhelpful person on the other end of the line, who in no way understood what I was trying to explain to her. She actually suggested that I have my CDE "re-visit" pump training with me, after which I just hung up. So frustrating. But meanwhile, does anyone have an idea of how I can get an extra box of infusion sets?? I've tried searching online but no luck.
I honestly am not sure. What infusion sets do you use? Can you ring the manufacturer and see if you can pay for a single box?
I hadn't considered that - will definitely give it a try.
Once again, I apologize for the rant. Somedays are just....trying 😠. Better today!
I get that. Let me know how it goes!!
I do a couple of things re: runaway infusion sets. First, I document every one that fails. How long it was in, how did the cannula look (bent, maybe?), placement (always abdomen for reporting purposes), lot #. Then, when I get to some number like four, I call Tandem. They send replacements, and depending on how long it’s been since they last sent replacements, I will sometimes be “rewarded” with a box of 10. Really helps with #HiAnxiet_D
Thanks YOGA_O! Appreciate the suggestions very much. Actually the main problem with Tandem's infusion sets is ME, yanking them out unexpectedly. But I will definitely keep track now!
Do we all get to live in Willy Wonka houses with low snacks on the wall for easy snozberry lickin?
The SNOZZBERRIES taste like SNOZZBERRIES!
T1D for 33 years here... You're not wrong about the business of aging with it! I remember once when I was a little kid watching my mom put on her make-up in the mirror and she turned around to say "I'm still really good looking, it just takes longer to look like it." As I'm nearling 60, I feel exactly this way only it's about my T1D control - not my looks. So quaint, Mom. But good training for future me. LOVE THIS POST!
Boy, I hear ya. I'm not saying my life is like yours; I'm just saying I hear ya, because you're an elegant effing communicator. (I'm too "senior" to say it like you, in public, even in your public.)
Hungry Hungry Hippo!
I'm pretty sure you won't be puttin' in false teeth, because that only happens to people who can't learn to brush and floss, which I'm PRETTY sure you're better at than me (because you're better controlled than me at EVERYthing except your potty mouth). And at age 75 now (hi Colleen!), I've got no false teeth.
FWIW, a few months ago I got to experience my first low, one that caused me to develop full-on double vision *while driving*, as well as the "What happened to my thinking powers" desperation. I'd never had anything of the sort in my life. I was involved in a metabolic health program that was screwing with my carb intake, and much to my surprise this hit me one afternoon.
I immediately and carrrrefully pulled into the first fast food place (a Wendys) and bought their chocolate chip cookies and ate them fast as I sat in the car. I was legit worried that in the store I might have looked like a junkie but they gave me what I wanted.
The following week I decided to buy a Lingo, the over-the-counter CGM, then a few weeks later also got a Dexcom Stelo, because I'm a data nerd and because I wanted to COMPARE them because I was LEARNING about my body, in a way I hadn't done in 60 years, except this time it's not puberty, but in both cases my body was doing weird shit I'd never experienced and never asked for. So now I empathy you, a bit.
I used them both for a couple months then decided I'd learned what I was going to learn about this non-T1D body, especially how to sense a low coming on. And BELIEVE me I can now relate to what "you people" talk about.
p.s. With or without diabetes, single level living is superb! OTOH, when a college classmate retired and built his forever house (literally to die in someday), he installed a legit elevator, because he wanted more sf of living space than the lot allowed.
And then last week a *younger* friend (with no diabetes) fell down the stairs in her house, putting her in MGH with 7 broken ribs and Many Ow. So now I think that everyone should plan ahead (as your low-brain gifted you) on this issue, because SOME twists in the road can be *anticipated*.
The reason for old people falling is called sarcopenia, in which the body loses 10-15% of muscle mass per decade, like a slow leak. The remedy for that is resistance training: weights, squats, etc. I'm happy to say a little bit of it works and I don't hate it!
(See what you get for launching this post when I'm lazing on the deck? You do communicate.)
p.s. I already know what MF means but thanks. I believe *we* invented that term, in *our* generation, because I certainly never heard it from my parents or grands.
I am really proud of the way you handled the whole messed up entire day of living in the life of T1D!! YOU will be so amazing when you are in your older years! You will still have your teeth and bananas too!