Site Failure

Trust.

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When I first started on an insulin pump two years ago, my diabetes educator prescribed me with insets. During those initial weeks, site changes were an awfully overwhelming experience, causing several hours of anxiety following each change.

The pressure from the ‘inset’ insertion device would often trigger bruising and bleeding on my very lean body. I would spend hours watching my site and my blood sugars like a hawk, just waiting for signs of failure. I could really feel the sites ‘digging’ in as I crashed on the couch watching a movie or laid in bed at night. It wasn’t uncommon to feel stinging when I administered mealtime insulin boluses, either.

Then there was one tumultuous night where I discovered a kinked cannula hours after a site change, as I was on the verge of DKA (when all I really wanted to do was kick back and watch Serena Williams play in Wimbledon).

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t question whether insulin pumping was the best option for me.

Thanks to the help of the diabetes online community, I eventually found an infusion set that went in on an angle, and was inserted manually with my own two hands and a needle. And it’s quite honestly the very reason that I am still able to use an insulin pump with confidence today.

Although I never believed it would be possible at the time, I now realise that I very rarely have infusion sets fail on me. I can place an infusion set with ease, alternating around the left and right sides of my stomach, and go about my day without giving it a second thought.

I guess I’ve been reminded of this in recent weeks as I’ve tried to reconnect to my YpsoPump, which does not have angled sets, on several occasions (more about the YpsoPump here and here).

The 90 degree sets simply don’t agree with me.

When I spend relentless hours of my life managing diabetes, the very last thing I have time for is tending to tethering issues with the devices that I use.

My Animas Vibe gives me the option that I trust the most to infuse insulin into my body 24 hours a day, and that’s why I’m happily sticking with it for the time being (although I wouldn’t say no to a #TslimForFrank, either…)

Lack of Back-Up.

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I was in the bathroom at work when I first noticed it. A small, deep purple bruise was forming beneath the clear plastic window of my infusion site.

I was a little surprised, given that it had already weathered 24 hours worth of insulin boluses and a good night’s sleep. But I was also not surprised, given it was placed smack bam in the centre of my stomach where I have the least meat on me.

My mind wandered to the pencil case sitting on my desk, however I soon realised that the spare infusion set sitting in there belonged to my YpsoPump. Not a match for the late Animas Vibe I had replaced it with three weeks ago.

My mind wandered to the demi pen and needles that I carry around with me. However, I soon realised that there was no insulin cartridge in there because I’ve been feeling a little paranoid about insulin going bad until recently.

My mind wandered to the Chemist outside, which would probably loan me some insulin if I presented my NDSS card and promised to return with a script. However, I soon realised that it would be wasteful given all of the insulin I had in my fridge at home.

My mind wandered to the low carb chicken salad that I had packed for lunch. However, I soon realised that there were also amazing croutons in there that I had baked with the chicken juices. Not to mention that my blood sugar might also be a little high if the site was failing.

My mind wandered to the needle that was contained in my YpsoPump infusion set. However, I soon realised that there was no way that I would be able to macgyver it to reapply my failing infusion set into a fresh spot.

My mind wandered to my lunch hour, where I would probably have enough time to drive home and come back. However, I soon realised that even though I lived close enough, I could not be bothered rushing there and back and wolfing my lunch down afterwards.

My mind wandered to my Dad, who I felt super guilty for bothering, but who I also knew wouldn’t ever complain about having to deliver an infusion set to me at work.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had an infusion site fail on me well after placing it. I guess in the back of my mind I’ve been putting off updating my travel kit, telling myself it won’t happen. 

I bring my pencil case carrying all of my diabetes back ups with me almost everywhere I go. I hardly ever need to fall back on it when I’m out and about. And yet the one time I do, I don’t have the right stuff in there!