Leighann Calentine's Blog, page 28

Caroline Carter Wears Her DexCom On The Miss New Hampshire Stage

Image courtesy Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program.

I think it is absolutely fabulous to see diabetes technology worn so publicly. First Sierra Sandison wore her insulin pump on the Miss Idaho stage and then on the Miss America stage and now newly crowned Miss New Hampshire Caroline Carter has worn her DexCom on stage.

These public appearances by d-tech help to normalize it for d-kids like ours. I know in the teen years some girls become self-conscious about wearing their pump or CGM where...

{Type 1 Tuesday} 04.12.16

Here are some tidbits that I have found interesting and wanted to share…

DexCom Receiver Recall

A couple of months ago I told you that DexCom was notifying customers that some receivers weren’t giving the audible alarms. My daughter’s receiver wasn’t working properly and it has been replaced by the company. This has been upgraded to a recall.

“The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Relying on this device may cause serious injuries or death”

All mode...

{Kids First, Diabetes Second} Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

When Q goes off to someone’s house and I give the parent a quick diabetes tutorial or I am training teachers, I usually tell them that knowing the signs of low blood sugar and how to treat it is the most important immediate concern. I often get questions because most people associate diabetes with high blood sugar. Insulin, activity, and a dozen other factors can make blood sugar go low.

This is an excerpt from the chapter called “Diabetes 101.” After this section on mild low blood sugar,...

The AAA’s of Diabetes Management

I was recently asked what I hope for in terms of diabetes management 10 years from now or when Q goes to college in (gah!) seven years.

I said that I hope diabetes management is less of a burden for her and less for us, as parents, to worry about, especially if she decides to go to college far away.

I am thankful that the Affordable Care Act means that she can stay on our health insurance plan until she is 26 years old. She will be able to have good coverage while in college and grad school,...

{Type 1 Tuesday} 03.21.16

Here are some tidbits that I have found interesting and wanted to share…

#BoobsForBernie…and diabetes, too

This photo of a mom breastfeeding her baby at a Bernie Sanders rally went viral with the hashtag #boobsforbernie, but if you look closely, it’s also a “diabetes in the wild” sighting. She has a DexCom sensor on her left arm and an insulin pump clipped to her right hip.

“Type One” YouTube Comedy Series

Here’s a new comedy series I came across a couple of months ago. Not for our kids to...

Easter 2016

Don’t fret about Easter…here are some posts that will help you get through it, especially if this is your first holiday with diabetes:

Counting Jelly Beans For Easter

50+ Non-Candy Easter Ideas

Kids First, Diabetes Second Book (There’s a chapter called “Less Stress, More Happiness” that talks A LOT about these types of issues.)

The Thrill of the Hunt (excerpt from Kids First, Diabetes Second)

More posts about candy alternatives

More posts about Easter and holidays

The information provided he...

{Kids First, Diabetes Second} Advantages and Disadvantages of the Insulin Pump

We decided to start using an insulin pump when Q was in kindergarten. Five-and-a-half years later and we have never looked back. It was one of the best decisions that we made for our child’s care. It is one of the pieces of technology that has given her more independence over the years. Pumping isn’t for everyone and there is a learning curve. If you are thinking about a pump, what follows is some of the pros and cons of using an insulin pump.

This is an excerpt from the chapter called “Di...

Daylight Savings Time

Spring Forward.
Fall Back.

Just a friendly reminder: Don’t forget to change the time on all of your diabetes devices this weekend including your insulin pump, continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and blood glucose meters.

Long-acting insulin should be taken within 30 minutes of the regular time each day. When we were on MDI, we took about a week to transition to the new time, changing it by 15 minutes every couple of days. Ask your medical team how you should handle the time change with regards...

{NEW!} Carb Counting Jelly Beans For Easter

Q: I’m having a bag of jelly beans. How many carbs?
Me: 15.
Q: Whoa! The Easter Bunny is good!

It’s no coincidence that the snack-sized bags with jelly beans that are in the eggs that the Easter Bunny hid in our house have 15 carbs each.

I could have just thrown some jelly beans into each egg, but I found that a few minutes of extra prep save me time and energy later. Fifteen is a number that’s drilled into our heads when it’s come to diabetes management (rule of 15’s: give 15 carbs, wait...

Dexcom Customer Notification

What follows is a notification that Dexcom currently has on their website. Some Dexcom receivers are not giving the audible alarms.

Our receiver is on this list and when I tested it, it did not have the audible alarm working. I asked Q if she’s been hearing the alarms lately and she said no and that it has only been vibrating, not beeping. I filled out the online form and Dexcom will send us a replacement receiver.

For more information, a list of affected receivers, instructions on how to tes...