tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post1469316486608993879..comments2023-12-20T05:43:38.163-05:00Comments on The Princess and The Pump: A Type 1 Diabetes Blog: Learning from my NightmareHallie Addingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11331775099035220917noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-86287492510789602812011-06-03T17:49:08.825-04:002011-06-03T17:49:08.825-04:00Thanks for posting this. My son is about to be dia...Thanks for posting this. My son is about to be diagnosed and this helped. I've accepted it's gonna be a potentially scary ride, but seeing the level of support and understanding from others, as well as your own personal strength shows me it's gonna be okay. So thanks.Lissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12146512038469615700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-39865931297081754062011-05-07T21:24:50.658-04:002011-05-07T21:24:50.658-04:00THANK YOU so much for this post. A seizure is the...THANK YOU so much for this post. A seizure is the one thing I have feared the most since my 6-year old daughter's diagnosis almost 3 years ago. Reading your post made me realize that despite our best efforts, it isn't a matter of "if" it will happen, but "when." You helped me to understand how it may all play out, and to face my fears. I feel so much better just knowing what to do and how to best be prepared. I had my husband and mom read your post as well so we could all be reminded of what we need to know and be prepared to do. My heart broke for your beautiful little Sweets, and for you and your husband as well. But here you are on the other side, having made it through the scariest thing, and sharing it with others to help our own little ones. Thank you again - you will be in our thoughts and prayers. <br /><br />Also - another Glucagon ordered, syringes rubber banded, juice boxes ready to go on an ambulance ride if needed, and our brand new Dexie up and running tonight. :)Abbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07563222971637603001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-72669537373809876072011-05-07T09:41:16.080-04:002011-05-07T09:41:16.080-04:00Hallie,
I'm sorry it's taken me so long t...Hallie,<br /><br />I'm sorry it's taken me so long to comment and send hugs. I'm so sorry you guys went through this. I can only imagine the horror.<br /><br />I'm equally glad that you are on the other side of it and are sharing your story and giving others information and confidence should they ever experience the same.<br /><br />Hugs to you, hubs and sweatpea.Lorraine of "This is Caleb..."https://www.blogger.com/profile/09315834486942916744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-73791182023123807002011-05-06T21:52:37.268-04:002011-05-06T21:52:37.268-04:00After reading your post again, I do want to mentio...After reading your post again, I do want to mention that you have no need to feel guilty over not removing the pump after a NO PRIME NO DELIVERY message. All our Animas pumps were quite prone to deliver this error message and it is very common with the Animas pump. Minimed, too, will give us this error message and it can mean she is sitting on her tubing in a certain way or it is a bad site. Heck, if I sent back Animas every time I got that message, I would have been sending the pumps back once a month. And, Animas would not accept the pump back for just that error message. The fact that a loose cap can deliver all the insulin from the pump into your body, and the fact that Animas is so prone to loose caps that they sent a letter requesting you to change out the cap every six months to a year.... you know, after reading your post, I no longer think this is an acceptable risk and no longer think I would want to keep on top of the cap situation. The stakes are too high. She wore Animas this summer with no issues. Animas has had problems with the FDA in the past, as we found not three months after purchasing their pump. However, Minimed may have as well. But their blase attitude and refusal to immediately take back and examine the pump leads me to conclude that they no longer belong in the business of supplying children with pumps. I hope you run, not walk, to another pump company.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-9531383830882163212011-05-06T10:43:24.199-04:002011-05-06T10:43:24.199-04:00I'm glad she's ok. I am glad you shared yo...I'm glad she's ok. I am glad you shared your story too. We are doing a family training tonight on glucagon here with expired kits and I now have 3 new kits available for any emergency. Hugs and lots of Love to all of you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-2680841107083096892011-05-05T20:17:10.890-04:002011-05-05T20:17:10.890-04:00You sharing this nightmare and lessons you have le...You sharing this nightmare and lessons you have learned will save the life of a child one day I feel certin. THANK YOU for sharing. You should ware your cape proudly to your little one you are her superhero! Lots of loveShannon@ The New Normal Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01279602870904163459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-85589524093201251352011-05-05T18:02:20.756-04:002011-05-05T18:02:20.756-04:00Your willingness to share what you learned from th...Your willingness to share what you learned from that horrible experience is what makes you a superhero, Hallie - because it couldn't have been easy to write, but you knew it was the "right" thing to do. It will help more people than you'll ever know.<br /><br />You rock.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04857046266371772742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-45559592634091356532011-05-05T16:07:53.991-04:002011-05-05T16:07:53.991-04:00I have learned so many things from your honest pos...I have learned so many things from your honest posts. I now have juice in the closet upstairs (a tip I learned from you) and last night I got the extra glucogon, rubber banded an extra syringe around it, and put it in the closet with the juice. I would not have thought to have an extra needle handy. Good tip. I had my husband read these posts too and the first thing he said was that you guys did a good job. I agree. I do want to comment on what you said you would do differently next time and it stems from the conversation my husband and I had about your posts. It goes along with many of us being afraid of the glucogon. So many people are also afraid to call 911...not knowing if what is happening is a worthy emergency. I want your readers to know, PLEASE do not be afraid to call 911. My husband is a firefighter and an EMT and you can't imagine the kinds of "emergencies" they get dispatched to...things that are nothing compared to this. I promise that the EMT's and paramedics are happy to come...especially for a child. If you have any concern that you need extra help call and get them on their way because it will take a few minutes. If everything is under control by the time they arrive you can decline being transported...and if that's the case you don't even get charged. Anyway, thanks so much for sharing your story. It makes me feel a little bit mre prepared.Aprilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16212307850429497496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-80580000821402701732011-05-05T15:25:45.126-04:002011-05-05T15:25:45.126-04:00Thank you for the tips. I sent your blog to my lov...Thank you for the tips. I sent your blog to my loved ones and roommate in order for them to be better educated on how to handle me if something were to happen to me. I am sorry once again you had to deal with this, but this is now a lesson we all can learn from. Thank youThe DLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02476096244926870488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-30253602055119361582011-05-05T14:52:16.918-04:002011-05-05T14:52:16.918-04:00Thank God absolutely!
Though I was scared reading...Thank God absolutely!<br /><br />Though I was scared reading the first post, thank you for sharing it. If ever we're in that place with Jessi...I now have something in the back of my mind to help us through it. I can't imagine...<br /><br />So thankful things are alright now. I don't think I'd be sleeping for awhile either. But what great parents you guys are, not to mention rescue team!:) Traciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01007765987473563241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-63891627111486291512011-05-05T14:16:02.928-04:002011-05-05T14:16:02.928-04:00I just came back from my son's endo appointmen...I just came back from my son's endo appointment this morning. I talked over what a seizure looks like and the use of glucagon - because YOU SHARED this! Thank you for this! My son has had lows in the night that I never would have suspected to be a seizure until you wrote. I don't know if they were or not. I just know that now I will be more prepared because you opened up with us! I am grateful for that! Endo told me today, "you can't overdose with glucagon." I have to say that took a lot of fear out of using it for me.Lori- The Incredible Mr. Sweetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10972375123511046705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-30751741614440940762011-05-05T13:46:52.281-04:002011-05-05T13:46:52.281-04:00It's been five plus years and never a seizure ...It's been five plus years and never a seizure even though she has been scarey low at times. Thanks for posting; we have become very complacent as far as using Glucagon is concerned. It's in the upstairs and downstairs fridge and I have practiced. The "Wet to Dry in the Thigh" rhyme, I just saw on one of the blogs; and it is very useful. We do tape an insulin syringe to the glucs (and I will tape 2). But we do not carry them with us. Big mistake, I can see. At this point, I don't expect to use it... complacency. If using Glucagon, I know I would use the whole dose.... that's IF I had the Glucagon on me! So, again, thanks. Here's what you did right. You had ditched the Glucagon, yes, but you were smart enough to have another one upstairs nearby. When you don't have a backup pump, you are much more apt to forgive a pump error message. After all, we are used to seeing error messages sometimes and starting up the pump again. And it is traumatic to go back to MDI until the replacement pump arrives. Animas..... I was not happy with them either. But the fact they were going to integrate with Dex is such a plus. Yet, the cartridge recalls (which, by the way, explain the ridiculous highs we had on that pump years ago).... I am not sold on the mechanical piston mechanism of the pump. And that fact that Animas did not RUSH to send you a replacement pump and, particularly, investigate and take apart the malfunctioning pump to test it... well, that is not the Animas we knew. We are going to stick with Minimed. And, I would not hesitate to call them or one of the other pump companies to see if you can get a deal and change pumps (if you wish to). If you are not happy and do not feel safe with Animas, I believe one of the pump companies will cut you some type of deal. I am most concerned with the fact that a possibly malfunctioning medical device possibly delivered excess insulin into a CHILD, and the company did not demand the pump back so they could take it apart and look for defects. Again, that does not sound like the Animas I knew. Animas had superior customer service, but I did not think their pump was good at delivering small increments of insulin (we had so many highs which disappeared with Minimed).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-55482624511267610592011-05-05T12:23:31.703-04:002011-05-05T12:23:31.703-04:00I haven't stopped thinking about you and Sweet...I haven't stopped thinking about you and Sweetpea, we had a scare last Monday night, a low while asleep and I could not get Jack to wake up and drink. Lights on, TV blaring, sitting him straight up, wouldn't open his eyes. Daniel even took him outside. I grabbed the icing (didn't know you needed scissors to open the damn thing) and as soon as it hit his gums he woke up, pissed off, but drank the juice. Of course later, we were 487, so I spent all night chasing numbers. Then I read your post. It occurred to me how either of our stories could have played out the opposite way, why does it happen? IDK. Damn diabetes doesn't fight fair. I just wanted you to know that I have been thinking about you guys, praying for you, and I am so thankful that you are posting this info. It may very well mean the difference between lighting a blue candle and not. Preach on girl! keep fighting for your gorgeous sweetpea! Hugs to you all, jaclynJaclynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15078047971225225224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-21516628439168839472011-05-05T10:57:48.228-04:002011-05-05T10:57:48.228-04:00I'm going to buy you a cape, Hallie. Because y...I'm going to buy you a cape, Hallie. Because you are a superhero and so deserve one.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your nightmare story. It makes me scary crazy, sad, and mad all at the same time.<br /><br />We have frosting/icing tubes in our home and use them in most Low situations (it also helps they're wicked cheap!). That usually works, but on occasion it doesn't and the glucagon is needed. But I had one on had for YEARS without ever using, and so it's a good idea to have at least one or two up to date just in case.<br /><br />One thing I've come to expect: pumps and technology will fail. No matter what.<br /><br />But Animas' response on this... I'm now clenched-fist mad. I think it's time to find a number and call them up, and scold them myself. Not that I have one. But if I ever thought about switching from MM to them, FORGET THAT. Not when that is the kind of response you get after a horribly scary situation. These people are about the face the D-Mob...<br /><br />Anyhow, I'm sorry you all had to endure this. But as Scott and others have said: You done good girl. A big hug to Sweets.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-53810519605119740962011-05-05T10:29:20.222-04:002011-05-05T10:29:20.222-04:00Your post helped me understand what other's ar...Your post helped me understand what other's are going through while I am seizing. Being a T1 for over 30 years, I knew it was traumatic, but I did'nt really have any idea until I read your post. <br /> Just remeber that unfortunately it is going to happen again, so you have learned how to handle the future seizures better! Lesson learned. <br /> Thank you for all of your insight.Damonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15067644768787997379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-39086531876661628232011-05-05T08:57:33.347-04:002011-05-05T08:57:33.347-04:00Thanks for sharing this Hallie. There are so many ...Thanks for sharing this Hallie. There are so many ppl that want to know and learn. Who better to learn from than eachother. <br /><br />HUGS!!!Lorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07192247387107228743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-18476302774459672312011-05-05T06:14:36.456-04:002011-05-05T06:14:36.456-04:00I totally agree on the Glucs. I carry one with us...I totally agree on the Glucs. I carry one with us all the time. You never know when you will need a mini-dose. <br /><br />Thank you for sharing your experience and what you learned from it. You are helping so many by being so open.<br /><br />Like Scott said, "you done good Girl!"Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00895126112651188056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-4702807116081443492011-05-05T01:58:03.322-04:002011-05-05T01:58:03.322-04:00You say it so clearly! When we first came home fr...You say it so clearly! When we first came home from diagnosis, no one even thought to tell us about seizures. What a horrible way for us to learn how to treat even the smaller initial seizure a couple days out of the hospitalization, but as a panicked mom on the phone to them. We learned quickly what we needed to do and are grateful because it's happened multiple times and it never gets less scary.<br />Season changes always bring extra blood sugar craziness for us, lots of lows, and we keep reducing insulin all around. Our dr's actually prescribe 2 glucagons on one prescription in case we need more than one for the initial time or to have one in her bag and one in her room. I would highly recommend the two kits as well, and check the dates on them often. I think sharing your experience helps others who haven't dealt with this, and to remind those of us who have, how important it is to prepare for the worst and hope for the best! So happy that you are getting some rest, even if it is in shifts and that your little girl is doing better.jcarrierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14258680090565835933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-42376585329201130302011-05-05T00:47:03.979-04:002011-05-05T00:47:03.979-04:00I suspect this post and your previous post will he...I suspect this post and your previous post will help a lot of people. Thanks for sharing!Heidi / D-Taleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16203534776909805264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-18634618616930804232011-05-05T00:46:10.446-04:002011-05-05T00:46:10.446-04:00We are all learning from your experience; thank yo...We are all learning from your experience; thank you so much for sharing it. I'm sure it's still extremely raw and the healing will take a while but know that you are continually lifted up!<br />I love the 'wet to dry, in the thigh' rhyme...so catchy and easy to remember!! Thanks for sharing that, AJsMommy.<br />We only have one glucagon...well, two, but one is at school. I will be looking into getting more, that's for sure!Denise aka Mom of Beanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05726979027850619807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-63716208967651553912011-05-04T23:59:21.340-04:002011-05-04T23:59:21.340-04:00Thanks so much for sharing what you've learned...Thanks so much for sharing what you've learned through your experiences!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05076913678173752057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-75483320092679462352011-05-04T23:45:00.004-04:002011-05-04T23:45:00.004-04:00I had a hard time reading your other post, but I&#...I had a hard time reading your other post, but I'm so glad you DID write about it and share your experience with all of us. So glad everything worked out OK...I carry the gluc with me everywhere, but I'm embarrassed to admit I have no idea how to use it! I keep meaning to go over using it with my roommates and boyfriend, but I keep putting it off...I won't any longer though!Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17032040751678678327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-73473946338555442742011-05-04T23:12:58.288-04:002011-05-04T23:12:58.288-04:00Thanks for sharing Hallie! I can see why all the u...Thanks for sharing Hallie! I can see why all the uplifting would make you feel uncomfortable...but everyone is just hoping you dont beat yourselves up about all the should have's and could have's :)Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17009502794324247532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-78804685272965566012011-05-04T23:04:44.871-04:002011-05-04T23:04:44.871-04:00New pump & battery caps ordered!
I am bummed...New pump & battery caps ordered! <br /><br />I am bummed that Animas has handled this poorly for you. There was obviously SOMETHING wrong with the pump or pump parts...and they need to realize that we are entrusting our children's lives with their product. <br /><br />I do just want to thank you SO SO much for sharing all of this. It helps so much to read all of this and mentally prepare...in the event we need this info. ((Hugs)) and thank you for being so brave in sharing!Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05703099150939801754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3255735347955921173.post-75351544803687203082011-05-04T22:30:51.078-04:002011-05-04T22:30:51.078-04:00Hallie,
I'm proud of you. Not only did you l...Hallie,<br /><br />I'm proud of you. Not only did you learn from you experience what you could have done differently (notice I didn't say "mistakes"); you are sharing that knowledge with all of us and all of those that care for us.<br /><br />You done good, girl!<br />ScottScott Strangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05631349520282171319noreply@blogger.com