The Pump
An insulin pump certainly isn't a cure, and it doesn't mean we can stop checking Benny's blood sugar with those finger pricks. In fact, we may have to check him even more, especially at first. But the big advantage of the pump is that it gives you much better blood sugar control. You can use much smaller and more precise doses and instead of a shot every time Benny eats 15 carbs or more, we'll be able to just press a button.
They've only been recommending pumps for children as young as Benny for a few years. One of the biggest studies on preschoolers was published in 2006.
I'm curious about so many aspects of this. How will he wear it? Most adults I know wear their pumps like a pager, clipped onto a belt or waistband. I've seen little kids with a kind of fanny pack to hold it on. I can't imagine my very active 2 year old will tolerate that - but maybe he will. The infusion site looks sort of like a nicotine patch to me once it's in. Benny doesn't even like band-aids (Off, Mommy!) so we'll see how he takes to that.
I just feel like this would be easier if Benny could really comprehend the advantages of the pump. At two years old, I can't tell him "no more shots" because he'll still get one every three days as we change the infusion site. Our Diabetes Educator, Linnet, was very reassuring. She says there are plenty of little kids running around Charlotte with these pumps and it works out just fine. We think we've decided on which brand to use (there are six companies that make different models). We'll get to see it up close, touch it, press all the buttons and figure out if it's really the one we want to go with. (It's not why we chose them but I like their tagline.. "takes a thumpin' and keeps on pumping.) Our insurance only pays for a new pump once every four years so it's a big decision we'll live with until Benny's six. Six? Now I'm thinking about my little guy going to kindergarten with a pump. That's a whole other set of worry!
3 Comments:
I played golf with a fellow just the other day that had a pump. He said it was a life saver and let him live a near normal life.
I have two other friends with the pump too. It is fantastic. They never forget they have the disease, but it allows them to control it much better and live normal lives.
By Reggie Hunnicutt, At 5/25/2007 07:12:00 AM
Thank you so much. I have yet to meet anyone who switched to a pump who then went back to injections. I love hearing success stories!
By Stacey, At 5/30/2007 06:38:00 AM
Stacey, my daughter was diagnosed with "Juvenile" last October at age 3. We have also looked into getting a pump but are hesitant only because our daughter is very active and likes to run around changing clothes and taking them off! I still go through my stages of getting angry and then thankfull it isnt something worse but everyone I have met or heard is leading a productive life. I'm happy about that. I'll be curious to read how the pump works for you. Thanks,
By Shane, At 6/01/2007 09:57:00 AM
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home