Snapshots of Diabetes

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Today the theme for Diabetes Blog Week is Saturday Snapshops, pictures of what diabetes looks like. To help create a visual image of what it’s like to live as a person with diabetes. A fellow diabetes writer, Riva Greenburg, wrote an awesome piece in the Huffington Post a few months back about what it’s like to live life between the lines. As in, between the lines on the Dexcom G4 continuous glucose monitor. The goal being to balance insulin, carbohydrates, exercise, sleep, and stress perfectly, in order to stay in the perfect blood sugar range, which is 70 to 130 or so. (130 is on the high side for someone who doesn’t have diabetes.)

With that in mind, some of my pictures are photos of my Dexcom G4 continuous glucose monitor, which reads my blood sugar in my interstitial fluid about every five minutes and graphs the results in a cool image that is fun to take pictures of. I also like to take pictures of my blood glucose meter when I’m out on a bike ride. Plus, I’ve taken a few other pictures of my diabetes reality.

And I found a few of my old devices. An old Dexcom device and a really old insulin pump!!! Have fun with the pictures! And please, sign up for my newsletter! I am upbeat and only send notices now and then.

This is my first insulin pump, the MiniMed 506. I got it in 1994. I've been wearing a pump for 20 years.
This is my first insulin pump, the MiniMed 506. I got it in 1994. I’ve been wearing a pump for 20 years.
My first Dexcom continuous glucose monitor (cgm) I got it in 2006. Notice the date on the sensor!
My first Dexcom continuous glucose monitor (cgm) I got it in 2006. Notice the date on the sensor!
Before wearing an insulin pump, I gave myself shots 5 to 8 times a day. I always carry needles and a bottle of insulin in my purse, in case my pump fails.
Before wearing an insulin pump, I gave myself shots 5 to 8 times a day. I always carry needles and a bottle of insulin in my purse, in case my pump fails.

 

Collection of old finger prickers. I've pricked my fingers about 109,500 times in my life.
Collection of old finger prickers. I’ve pricked my fingers about 109,500 times in my life.

 

I test my blood sugar 8 to 12 times a day. Can you see the calluses on my fingertips?
I test my blood sugar 8 to 12 times a day. Can you see the calluses on my fingertips?

 

Test strips. This is about a 3 month supply.
Test strips. This is about a 3 month supply.

 

I've had a lot of models of pumps. And they come with a variety of pump covers.
I’ve had a lot of models of pumps. And they come with a variety of pump covers.
I change my pump infusion site every 3 days. This is where it is on me today.
I change my pump infusion site every 3 days. This is where it is on me today.

 

My current Dexcom G4 and Animas pump supplies.
My current Dexcom G4 and Animas pump supplies.
Riding in a Tour de Cure!
Riding in a Tour de Cure!

 

It's awesome when they match!
It’s awesome when they match!
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9 thoughts on “Snapshots of Diabetes”

  1. Pingback: My Best of Seven (Days) | inDpendence

    • Hi Kyle!
      It is pretty fun to remember what it used to be like! Before Medtronic purchased MiniMed!! The olden days for sure!
      Mari

    • Hi Briley!
      Yes, it was a long time ago!!! My endocrinologist in the Bay Area was a fan of them, he was an early adopter, so I decided to do it! Brought my A1c from a 12.8 down to below 8 in no time at all!
      Mari

    • Hi Karen!
      Yes, I started pumping a very long time ago! If they ever come up with an internal pump that lots of us could get, sign me up!!

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