Very worried and scared when I went into the room. Guess the assistant is able to sense my fear from the questions I asked and my worried look. She told me that she is going to insert a needle to the stomach which will be taken out soon. So meaning to say, the thick long needle will not stay in my stomach. Instead it will be another so called "tube" that will be there. She explained to me what will be attached to my body will be a little device which you see in the picture which I took.
It's indeed small but still will be obvious if you wear tight clothes. So for the time being, I will avoid wearing these clothes. Then there will be another device which looks like a pager (in fact, I think it's bigger than a pager) which I need to carry it along with me all the time because it will be sensing the blood level from the small device. The distance between this small and big device cannot be too far apart. Even when I shower or sleep, I need to have this close to me. Sigh! Then I need to have this thing strapped to me coz I tend to move around all the time and might forgot to bring this along.
Finally, the time came when she is going to poke the needle to my stomach. Gosh! The pen is so huge and I kind of worried. Before she click on the pen, she told me not to look at her. So I took a deep breathe and within seconds, it's done. Ok, not that painful afterall. Just like my usual injection. To answer my question on how to shower with this thing? Well, she pasted a plastic over it to ensure that the device is well protected. After some instructions and explanation on the use of this device, I will be on my own.
Actually, I am kind of worried about using this device again. Why? Because they teach me basics only. What if there is any "out of the blue" condition that happens, what should I do? Guess I am more worried about spoiling the machine if I play around with it to get my problem fixed.
The first problem came for my first calibration. The device was not set to be in mmol. Gosh! How to input my readings? No choice, got to call the medical center in charge to help me. He has been very helpful and nice. Patient too coz I am a bit clumpsy with the buttons and he gave me step by step instructions. Phew.....done.
Second problem came for my third calibration. The device suddenly "beeped". Shit, what happened again. So, I got to call the medical rep again @ 9pm to ask him what happened? As usual, he is really patient and friendly. Explained to me not to worry about the CAL ERROR which I see on the device and how to fix this error.
Shower time! Hesitant to go shower coz not sure whether will it wet the device on my body. Ok, think i worry too much. Things went on fine. But I guess, I am sensitive to the plastic that is pasted on my stomach coz somehow I feel itchy.
Ok, me going to bed with this device and the "pager" is going to be near me under my pillow.
Tomorrow I will be back in the office and my jog. Might encounter something different again....
2 comments:
Check out TuDiabetes.com, I think there's a group there of Minimed CGM users that may offer some help and assistance. My biggest advice to all new CGM users is don't stack your insulin. When you see a curve that's going up and up, it's too easy to keep bolusing and then watch it plummet an hour or so later!
Hi Bernard, thanks for the advice :) I was told not to depend on the readings I see on the device. There might be some difference. I will still need to prick my fingers to check the sugar level.
Post a Comment