SIMCOE COUNTY INSULIN PUMPERS MEETING # 1 April 13, 2002

Hello all,

This message is being distributed to all who left their email address on the
sign-in sheet.  A notice of the next meeting (which will probably be in June)
will follow shortly.  We hope you all will come again and in the meantime spread
the word about the group and bring another pumper or interested person(s) with
you.

Due to time limitations we did not get chance as a group to discuss where we
want OUR group to go in the future.  This is your group!  Paul and I just got
the first meeting organized.  In June we hope you will put forth your own
thoughts on what format and topics you want to floor in the future.  (With
pumping there is never any awkward silence) ;-/


Included below:

- a brief minutes of our first insulin pump support group meeting here in Simco
County.

- at the end of this message is a list of some example topics that we covered in
our pump group meetings in Halifax FYI.  Personally I would encourage more group
discussion and a much less formal format with fewer, if any speakers.  It is
your group.

- the URLs provided at the meeting.  Each contains a wealth of pumping
information:

http://www.pumps4kids.ca http://www.insulin-pumpers.org
http://barbchafe.tripod.com/PumpingInsulin




(Very brief) minutes:

SIMCOE COUNTY INSULIN PUMPERS MEETING # 1 April 13, 2002 New Zehrs (in the
community room up stairs) 472 Bayfield Street North


By my count we had 26 adults plus the sponsors show up!  18 of these people left
their phone numbers or email addresses in order to be informed of future
meetings.  There were a number of adult and child pumpers in attendance as well
as interested parties including a nurse who came to learn about pumps and
pumpers!

Paul Beckwith and myself would like to extend a sincere thanks to all the
participants and sponsors.  Please note the CDA kindly donated those wonderful
trays of sandwiches!  (Only the carb counts for them were missing). ;-/  I would
again like to thank Paul for all his diligent work in setting up this meeting.


Darrin Parker started the round of group introductions with and most in
attendance provided a background on their interest in pumping.

Paul Beckwith spoke about the necessity for a support group and the need for
everyone to have at least one "pump buddy".


Presenters:

Roche Diagnostics - Faye McNiel On the newer line of convenient meters from
Roche

Mini-Med - Jill Milliken Q & A on pumps and pumping in general.  One point of
interest here is that she made it clear that Insulin Dependent Diabetes
Management is NOT about diet!  It's about insulin.

Canadian Diabetes Assoc. - Deanna Clouthier On the many wonderful things the CDA
does (not only the sandwiches)!

Where Do We Go From Here? Darrin & Paul & the group (cut short due to time
limitations)

Draws and Giveaways - Roche Diagnostics - Mini Med

Much lingering, informative and fun conversation among those who stayed behind
the "formal meeting".

END Minutes.

***


IMPORTANT!

FOR FUTURE MEETINGS:

Group discussion (bring your questions)! Volunteers to share a few minor tasks
for meetings (like emailing notices or calling a few who don't have net access)
Where do we go from here?


Some suggested issues and topics:

* emotional health and diabetes management ("bad" tests and removing judgment
from DM) * medic alerts * other DM / pump organizations support systems? * Where
to obtain emergency supplies (phone tree / pump buddies)? * Life Insurance - get
it for them while young if you have D kids! * ER Letter (for your local hospital
since many practitioners do not know how to manage a pumper). * highs after site
change * driving and lows / Driver License. * traveling with the pump / air
travel * buying and selling used pumps and obtaining supplies if not covered by
insurance * scales for measuring carbs * disability tax credit for all parents
of D kids (Canada) * tips & tricks * infusion sets - there are many! *
accessories for pump wear * Novo Rapid Insulin (Novolog in US) * insurance
coverage to purchase pump * ***house insurance covering pump***  (List your pump
with your house insurance company)! * using the safety loop * excessive heat *
at the beach * batteries - where to buy, how to make your own to save money *
books and self help sites * gushers * using temp basals * kids and pumping *
alternating sites * dilution of insulin * topical freezing agents/ice * using
used test strips to test pop for sugar * counting carbs * glycemic index


***


Paul Beckwith: p.c.beckwith@sympatico.ca


Darrin Parker: darrinp@sympatico.ca