Sunday, March 30, 2008

The Last Shot.




I can't believe we're here already.  March 30th, the eve of a very fresh start for Cadence.  We start insulin pump therapy with Cadence as of tomorrow morning.  From here till....well....who knows, Cadence will have the pink Animas 2020 saving her life everyday.  The pump will be attached to her 24/7 delivery micro amounts of insulin.  We can push buttons to deliver higher amounts for food or highs, suspend delivery if she's low or sick.  It's very exciting to have the potential for incredible control of her diabetes.  For the last 7 months, we give her a bunch of insulin and hope that she takes in enough carbs to cover the insulin and also that we've given her enough insulin to cover the breast feeds...let alone trying to figure out how many carbs are in the milk and how much she takes in.  Our A1C is really just an average of the highs and lows.

I  have 3 syringes left to give her, and then there's no more needles.  That point is just so valuable to me, I can't even describe it.  I came home the other night from work and she was happy to see me but ran away because she knew it was time for a needle.  I can't even tell you how hard that is for me as a dad.  Nic and I are so happy to be free of having to stick Cadence with 8 needles a day...for now.  I remember the first one I gave her last year and I almost broke down doing it, it's easier to do now, I'm better at it.  The hardest part is that she cries a bit, holds the injection site, and gives me the ultimate hairy eyeball.  So I say (to a baby) "sorry Buttons."  I'm sure she's saying "whatever dad, I'll get you when I'm 14."






The stomach bruises suck.





A quick calculation will show that Cadence has had diabetes for just over half of her life, she is now 17 months old.  She has endured approximately 1856 needles and nearly 4000 blood checks.  The little girl is tough as nails and she amazes me.



So, today is kind of like Christmas eve the anticipation is palpable but everyone in our house has a sense of confidence and anticipation for this next chapter in her life.  


Until tomorrow,
Brad.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Random question...



Why the heck is Diabetes plural?  I understand there are two types but couldn't me more opposite of each other. 
Perhaps Diabetes is plural because it is not only the patient that has to deal with it...it's everyone around them.  Parents of a diabetic become diabetic by association.

In other news, we have received the Pink Animas 2020 pump and the Guardian CGMS system is on order and we should have it early next week.  We're super excited to get started on things.

Also, all three of us are racing in the St. Paddy's Day 10km race tomorrow in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association.  I made some race shirts for Nic and I and designed a family team logo.  

Team Cadence is born:








Friday, March 14, 2008

Sales



What a decision Cadence's insulin pump was.  It would seem to be a simple choice when it comes down to 2 products:

1. Minimed 522 with CGMS
2. Animas 2020 with a standalone CGMS

Minimed was 1 unit for Cadence to carry, Animas would require 2.  Seems like an easy choice until you factor in who is involved with providing and servicing the device that will be attached to my daughter for the next 4 years 24/7 saving her life every moment she wears it.  It's a hard decision and I agonized over it.

In speaking with the different representatives of the pump companies it became abundantly clear that there are those who look at their job with passion and those that may not.  A BIG
 for instance:  I made a deal with the minimed rep, confirmed it with a handshake, that this company would provide Cadence with free CGMS sensors for a year if I was willing to become an educator/advocate for their products.  I let the rep know that we may not choose their pump, which is obviously the product they wish to sell (7000 dollars worth of reasons), but would most likely go with their CGMS product,  if we decided against their pump (2000 dollars).  The rep said that she that was no problem and just wanted what was best for Cadence, "the deal was still on".

So, we ended up choosing the Animas pump for  many, reasons, and more which were revealed this morning.  Unfortunately, Minimed's rep has pulled our "agreement" citing having to talk to the manager.  I said "so am I to assume the deal that you made with me on Cadence's sensors is dead now and I am to proceed on my own?" which was replied "I'm going to have to take a step back".

Good deals sometimes have hidden conditions.

We love our Animas pump and the people behind it.  Minimed in our experience is a big company with numbers of clients.  After my conversation today we are more than pleased with our decision.  That said, they have my money as I still bought Cadence the Guardian CGMS unit and sensors but it was based on the technology and its ability to help Cadence, not the pitch.  A word of advice to the Minimed rep don't use someone's health the most valuable commodity we have, as leverage to make a sale.  It's bad practice, it's bad business, it's bad ethics, you should know better.  

b.