New Beginnings

I haven't posted on my blog in what looks to be like over a year. 

Today is Wednesday, October 13, 2010.  Today marks officially two weeks since starting a Continous Glucose Monitor.  I have to change the sensor today.  I have since changed it twice, each time with so much anxiety.  I tremble, my hands shake and I cry.  I dont know what it is that makes me cry the most.  Shear frustration with myself, the realization that this is my life forever or just the start.

Start, as in the sensor is linked to my insulin pump, which I am to start using this FRIDAY.  I have to go to UPenn and sit with the trainers and doctors for probably 3 hours, while I learn to inject myself with an infusion site for insulin. 



I have to inject these glucose sensors in every 3-5 days....each time I get so upset.....only to know that this isnt the end.  I still have so much more to do.....just to survive. 









Step One:

Remove the old sensor, place into trash and the transmitter into the charger.

Clean the site.  I chose to use my thighs.  Some people use their abdomen and stomach areas...but I am left with lots of stretched skin and battle wounds (otherwise know as stretch marks) that is makes it impossible to get a good site and  I failed three times....so I moved to the leg.  I have been switching from thigh to thigh, each time I change out the sensor.

Step Two:

Take the sensor out of the package and remove the protective cover from the needle.  Insert the sensor into the "applicator"  aka the GUN.  It gets loaded in and then placed against the skin and I have to push the top of it to shoot it into my leg.  This is where the nerves come in.  The button isnt just push and go, you have to PUSH it...so I cant get myself to do it...without getting nervous and upset....as I see this needle ready to inject itself into my leg.  I tell myself, "stop it Jenn, you can do this" yet....I shake, cry and try to breathe.  The shaking is what makes it the hardest.

Step Three:

Once I finally get the button pushed, my hands are shaking...and the sensor gets injected.  I remove the GUN and the needle is still in my skin.  So I have to grab the sensor by both sides and remove the needle as gently as I can.  This is the part that I get most upset about, because usually I am still shaking from all the anxiety and the needle doesnt always co-operate.  If the needle comes out ok, the less bleeding occurs.  I have to then use gauze to hold onto the sensor to keep the bleeding to a minimum.

Step Four:

Once the bleeding stops, I have to hold still and wait for the sensor to "soak" into my skin.  About 15 minutes or so.  I remove the CGM transmitter (the tick looking part) from its charger and attach it to the sensor I have injected.  It takes a small push and it clicks right in.  Then tape it down.

Green light means go.  Successfully connected.

All taped down.  Next step is to connect it to my insulin pump.

So there you have it. This process takes me about 45 minutes right now.  The pain today wasn't as bad as it was on Saturday.  Usually if I can keep the bleeding down, it hurts less.  I have to relax my leg, because it is very sore at the moment.  But after a day it subsides.  

Friday, October 15, 2010....I start on my pump.  With only saline to start, so I get used to injecting myself with the infusion sets and using the buttons. Then....on October 26, 2010....I start the insulin regimen.