Simcoe County Insulin Pumpers' Minutes: December 8, 2003 See our (your) website for Simcoe County Insulin Pumpers for meeting information etc.: http://homepage.mac.com/dp66/SCIP Also see the National Insulin Pumpers Canada site: http://www.insulin-pumpers.ca +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ideas, topics, issues for future meetings? email me: insulinpumper@sympatico.ca +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SIMCOE COUNTY INSULIN PUMPERS MEETING # 15 December 8, 2003 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm We had a total of 11 people attend. As always there were refreshments and snacks.Ê Thanks once again to Zehr's for their kind use of their Community Room! We were all reminded of just what a battle diabetes management can be - especially when external factors, often unknown, cause diabetes to debilitate some of us, permanently, for days, weeks or months. This disorder is cruel sometimes. One can do everything right; spend hours a day managing the condition; know the bio-mechanical nature of insulin pump therapy inside and out and yet from time to time unknowns arise which nullify all our efforts. In past months some members have had 911 ambulance rides due to severe lows (which they stated would be much more frequent without the pump) and of late, one fine, young girl has ended up in hospital for an extended stay due to DKA caused not by any error in Diabetes Management nor pump therapy; but for totally unknown reasons. An Animas user, this girl's father reported to us and discussed with other members this terrible situation. We were told by him that after trying all the usual changes and procedures over the first several days to no avail; Animas sent a new pump to them overnight in order for them to eliminate any possible issue of pump failure. He was impressed with the service and support Animas provided in this crises. As it turns out it was not the pump; nor insulin; nor anything they did or did not do. It was just one of those mysteries of Diabetes which arises from time to time despite all efforts. Once again, Insulin Pump Therapy relies on self management and self knowledge and mutual support. A discussion of possible "bad insulin" arose form the above discussion. Why? The power outage of Northeastern North America this summer. What if insulin was in shipment or refrigeration failed for several days in the high summer temperatures? it may be prudent to keep this possibility in mind over the next months. +++ Paul gave out free CDA care kits and reminded us to renew our memberships in the CDA. +++ We had a free draw for "Christmas Goodies" including a cool neoprene sport pump case and belt; samples of several products including items to remove site goo and add stickiness to site adhesion. +++ FEATURE SPEAKER: Derek Blanco of LifeScan attended to show us their latest bg meter! The OneTouch¨ UltraSmartª Meter is the first combination meter and logbook which also displays detailed bg and DM information with different charts and graphs etc! In addition to the small, light Ultra FastTake meter which gives bg results in 5 seconds and uses a relatively small sample of blood. The new UltraSmart meter produces detailed graphs, statics, notes etc. without the need for a computer connection! There is a computer connection and software available if preferred but it's not necessary as the meter screen shows all information! The UltraSmart is indeed an all in one meter suited to the detailed statistics pumpers need to optimize control! Derek, very knowledgeable in the technical side of meters, explained specifics on meter error ranges (15% by law) and comparisons of meter to lab test results. Derek cited the importance of consistency in meter use. This means one meter should be used for all tests as different models and brands may yield slightly different results. One should always expect a slight difference between lab and meter results due to technical issues with the lab procedures. This meter has many features such as carb counting info, stores 3000 items (even if the battery is changed in the period) and can produce customized stats! You can learn more thru the links provided on the website under "meeting dates". Thanks, Derek for all your information and your patience with our questions! See you next year! +++ Discussions: - Pharmacies which stock pump supplies: There is a new one here in southern Ontario operated by a pharmacist who is also a pumper! His prices are great! Please see the website listing of Pharmacies supplying pump supplies for more information! - There is a new store in Barrie. This store: "Diabetes Dreams" is located off the Dunlop Street HWY 400 exit and visible from the highway. Sharon, the owner, started this store after her mom became a Type II diabetic. A link to info about this store is posted under our Pharmacies and Diabetes Stores" links on the website. Sharon invited members of SCIP to her grand opening on December 17th which some of us attended. Thanks, Sharon! As always much more was discussed and shared by all. See ya all in February! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NEXT MEETING: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD 2004! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ideas, topics, issues for future meetings? email me: insulinpumper@sympatico.ca +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thanks once again to Zehr's for their kind use of their Community Room! Please feel free to volunteer your own special talent to this growing group! Drop me or Paul an email if you want to help, out for a few minutes a month! Please spread the word about your group! CONTACTS: Paul Beckwith: p.c.beckwith@sympatico.ca Darrin Parker: insulinpumper@sympatico.ca Website: http://homepage.mac.com/dp66/SCIP Note: Simcoe County Insulin Pump Group and it's organizers makes no warranty nor implied warranty for any of the contents and information understood from it's meetings, speakers nor for anything contained within it's correspondence nor opinions expressed herein nor otherwise and does not intend for any information provided by it's presenters or participants at it's meetings and within it's correspondence to supercede in any way any advice from health care professionals. Simcoe County Insulin Pump Group does not endorse any brand, model nor manufacturer of Diabetes Management equipment nor supplies.