After years of reading success stories by the hundreds about people with Type 1 converting to insulin pump therapy, I am so delighted to announce that finally, it’s Lance’s turn.
After our last round of blood tests, I decided that I can’t compete with mimicking a functioning pancreas any longer. Therefore, with an exchange of a few sentences each, our endocrinologist and I decided that it was a smart move to pass the job over to the Medtronic Paradigm Real Time Insulin Pump.
It took only a few phone calls before just like that, Lance found himself booked into hospital. His pump is waiting for him there. We have an appointment with a dietician, then plan to check into a lush hotel, and casually meander over to the hospital the following day.
However, it seems that Lance maybe a not quite as eager as I thought he might be.
I could instantly tell that something was bothering him late last week. Everytime I have mentioned the pump, he will either change the subject, or just switch off.
Over the weekend, I used some reverse psychology to get to the root of the problem.
“You know what, Lance? I’m a bit worried that you aren’t going to be able to have comfortable sleeps when you have the pump…do you think it will be annoying?” I asked, as innocently as possible.
“OH Yes, MUM! I have been worried about the exact same thing! I am scared that it will get tangled up and it will get ripped out and I will bleed all over the sheets!” he blurted out. He looked SO relieved to finally have heard himself say it.
“Well, I remember when you wrote to Brendon, and talked to him about the pump. He said that it isn’t uncomfortable at all. He would know, because he has had his pump for a long time now.” I said, grabbing my laptop to find Brendon’s email. (Brendon is Lance’s penpal who lives in America.)
“Oh yeah. That’s right. I forgot about that. What if the pumps in America are different to the ones in Australia?”
“Your pump is made in America, so it will be just like Brendon’s.” I could tell that Lance was feeling a little better.
“Mum?”
“Yes?”
“Is it okay if we don’t speak about the pump for a little while? I’m really over hearing about it. I just hope these nurses and doctors know what they are doing..” he said, complete with furrowed brow.
I held in stifled laughter, and assured him that that’s their job; to help people with their insulin pumps when they come to hospital, and make them feel safe enough so that they feel confident enough to return home.
I can totally understand where his worries lie.
From a lifetime of injections, to becoming attached to a machine that suddenly takes the place of the insulin pens we know so well, I put myself in Lance’s shoes, and I can understand that suddenly stopping insulin, and handing complete control over to a machine would be very daunting and frightening indeed.
Just because he comes across like a knowlegable and together 30 year old, doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have seven year old fears.
He is catching up with his good friend whom he travelled to Kids in the House with this week. She has been a pumper for almost four years, so she is an expert-and Lance adores her. I am hoping that talking with her will allay some of his fears. She is going to show him her site and pump, and explain how she doesn’t let it control her every minute.
When Lance was diagnosed, a handful of people had insulin pumps. Now, we are classified as old schoolers, as we are still administering insulin via injection.
He also hit me with another pearler tonight.
“Mum, HOW on earth am I supposed to know how many carbohydrates are in 5 grapes? Or even my dinner? I’m not going to be able to tell my pump what to do properly, because I don’t know about carboydrates properly yet..”
My poor precious boy.
I scooped him up in my arms, and told him that he needn’t be worrying about carbohydrates just yet. I made sure he understood that it would still be my job to make sure the right amounts were entered into his pump. I assured him that I knew that with his sharp mind, that it wouldn’t take long before he remembered and wanted to do it all himself. He half-smiled; he has an extraordinary memory.
It’s so easy to think that you are giving your child the most amazing gift in the world by starting them on insulin pump therapy, however, it did make me stop and think that little minds do tick over, and it’s very important that they have some pre-pump advice, from a fellow pumper, or even a child psychologist. (Most good diabetes clinics have one on staff.)
For now, I’m making sure he gets plenty of TLC and lots of hugs and extra love. (If that is at all possible!)
I realise now I probably did overdo the pre-pump hoopla.
Once he gets used to the idea, it is going to take ME a while to learning how to exist in the world again. We have both become institutionalised by living a life based around numerous daily injections.
Anyway, his steel grey pump is waiting for him with his name on it. I will be in raptures when the day arrives when he realises that he can be “just Lance”…. for the first time that he can remember.
Shannon said,
7 July, 2008 @ 3:59 am
I don’t blame Lance for being so nervous. I was too and I wasn’t even going to be the one wearing it!! Tell him he can do all the worrying he wants now, but once he’s gotten used to the pump, he’ll wonder what all the worrying was about
For mom too, just be prepared for the feeling of learning how to manage diabetes all over again!! There also were times when I wanted to throw the pump out the window because I had high and unrealistic expectations of what the pump was supposed to do for Brendon. Once I realized what to expect from the pump, my perspective changed a great deal
It’s been over 5 years since he started pumping and it’s like his arm or his eyes. It’s such a part of him now.
It might help Lance to list all of his worries and email them to Brendon so that he can reassure him or tell him how to solve particular problems.
Kate, I think you’re doing a great job in letting him lead the way in how to cope with this big change and being an incredible support to him
You’re such a good mum.
karend1 said,
7 July, 2008 @ 9:46 am
I too was very worried to go from 36 years of shots to changing over to the pump which I am now on my 5th year. The only difference is I was an adult!!
Really though the pump is such a simple concept, it is a big syringe with fishlike line under your skin delivering your insulin.
I was the biggest chicken in the world and now I wonder why I was so concerned and I don’t miss my 6-7 shots a day.
Still breaks my heart when I see children having to go through all of this, you are doing a wonderful job.
Rhonda said,
8 July, 2008 @ 10:09 am
Brendan was so worried as well! But with only 3 weeks under our belt–he is loving it so much. We have had some trouble with his site pulling out of the skin–when he has been really active, but have just put another one on and then off he goes. He loves the flexibility and no more shots! I know that you guys will love it too!
You are doing such an amazing job with Lance! He is so lucky to have a wonderful mum like you!
Blessings!
Cody said,
8 July, 2008 @ 2:50 pm
Have Lance think up names for his pump. Look at the website at all the cool skins you can buy for your pump. Make the pump a fun part of his life. n I keep mine clipped to my pajama pants at night and I don’t have to worry about rolling over on it at night.
Kezza said,
8 July, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
Okay – I have a few questions as I don’t know very much about pumps at all, Lance do you think you might be able to find out some of the answers for me?
First of all, I don’t even know what a pump looks like, or where it goes, do you carry it in your pocket or strap it to you elbow or does it come on a bag trolley?
I don’t understand how they deliver the insulin either – do you have to get a hose fitting installed in your side to plug it into? Do you charge it up at night or do you have to wind it to make it work.
Then what happens when you go to bed? I can’t lie still at night, I toss and turn and usually wake up with my feet where my head is supposed to be and my arms hanging out the side, what happens then?
And what about when I do things? I like to run around with my puppy, go for bikerides, sometimes I play tennis with my friends or run around in the park hunting each other with water pistols. Is it still okay to do all of this with a pump without worrying about what happens to it?
Or what about when you have a shower? Do you have to fill them? I have so many things I want to know that I just don’t know!
If you could find out for me Lance I’d love to hear all about it, and if you find aout any other interesting stuff be sure to tell me (and everyone else) all about it!