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September 7th, 2008
Category:
Type 1Type 2Oral MedsInsulin & Pumps
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Rebecca Abma

What happens when a health writer develops a chronic illness? As Rebecca K. Abma can tell you, it turns into an obsession. Since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in December 2003, 90 percent of her non-work computer time is spent researching the disease and chatting with fellow diabetics.

Pregnant with her first child, due in October, her obsession has moved from just diabetes to pregnancy and diabetes—and of course, shopping for baby items. Frustrated with the lack of helpful information available about pregnancy and diabetes, she is currently writing a book on the subject.

Her writing has appeared in Fitness, First for women, GreatLife and Diabetes Self-Management magazines, among others as well as several websites, including Body1.com. This is her first foray into the world of blogging.

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A week into insulin pumping, I have to report that I absolutely love it. Love it, love it, love it. All of my worries and fears about it have completely been erased.

 

My blood sugar has never been better. I feel so much more stable and in control. And because I'm not dealing with the constant fluctuations, I'm not starving-hungry all the time.

 

I worried I'd have lots of lows, and knock wood, I haven't gone under 70 yet. I was also concerned about having a pump on me at all time. I thought the tubing would be annoying or the constant reminder of the pump would make it hard for me to sleep. I haven't experienced either.

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I hate to admit this, but I'll risk being unpopular and just say how I feel. I'm getting pretty sick of the Jonas brothers. It's like they are everywhere. In my Us Weekly, in Parenting magazine, on the Target commercials and now here on dLife.

 

I'm not sure exactly why I find them so annoying. It could be that we're from the same community. One of them went to my husband's alma mater, and my husband's cousins went to church where their dad was a pastor. I've been to the church too, and saw their dad preach and sing there (quite moving, I might add) long before they became famous.

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When it comes to high blood sugar, I tend to think there are two different types. Those unfair, random ones that leave you guessing what happened. And the other ones, the ones you deserve.

 

Last night, I had a high that I deserved. Without a doubt, I deserved it.

 

In preparation for the next pregnancy (the thought of which leaves me in alternating states of excitement and sheer panic), my blood sugar goals are tight: 80 to 120. Pretty sure I'm not pregnant yet, I won't freak out if I'm 130 or 140 or even 150. But when I hit 200 last night, I knew I had to correct it.

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I am shocked at how quickly it happened. The first Friday in August, I met with a new endo. A week later my pump arrived. No hassles. No paperwork. No out-of-pocket costs. Bing, bang, boom...it was on my door step.

 

Last week, I met with the diabetes educator who trained me with saline. And as of 12:14 this afternoon, I'm pumping with insulin. I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm giddy. I'm overwhelmed.

 

I picked the Minimed Paradigm 722, because I'm familiar with it (my friend Lizzy has one) and because I want the CGM to go with it. Currently, my insurance company is not covering CGM, but my diabetes educator is confident that I can get it approved once I am actually pregnant. I'm tempted to buy one out of pocket and try to get it approved later, but I'm not sure I can swing it if it's not approved. I was considering buying a used one, but frankly, I have no idea where to find one.

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 I met with a new endocrinologist last week. I decided as part of my pre-pregnancy planning to find a new diabetes care team. The maternal fetal medicine specialist I dealt with last pregnancy, who is also a diabetic, recommend this office. They aren't on my insurance plan, but we have a POS, so I can see whomever I want and get reimbursed 70 percent.

 

My old endo and I had a falling out earlier this year. I had problems with him throughout our year and a half long relationship and decided I needed to cut ties. I cannot believe what a difference a new office makes.

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I'm not sure I'm ready to admit to this. In the real world, I haven't told any more than a few very close girl friends. And if my mother asks, I will certainly deny it. I'm fairly confident that she doesn't read my blog, and the admission I'm about to make is central to my diabetes life, so I might as well come out with it.


My husband and I are talking about having another kid. I know I was the most miserable pregnant woman in the world and I swore never, never again. But it is a woman's perogotive to change her mind, isn't it?


When we first started talking about trying for #2, I thought we were going to wait a year. Give me the opportunity to shed the rest of the baby weight and have a year to enjoy being a threesome. But my husband suggested we aren't getting any younger, and wouldn't it be nice to have two close in age. So, we've agreed to start trying this fall. (READ MORE)



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George Simmons
George Simmons is a father and husband living with type 1 diabetes. A self proclaimed "born again diabetic," George began blogging as a way to meet other people living with diabetes and learn more about managing his disease. (Read More)

Latest Posts: Raging Against the Machine | It Will Probably Win | The Stress of Stress

Our Other Bloggers: Rebecca Abma, Lindsey Guerin, Michelle Kowalski, Carey Potash, Julia, Kim Doty, Nicole Purcell, Kerri Morrone, Andy BellScott Marvel,
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