Reality Check : What's New

ADVANCED PUMPERS - Take 2

Advanced pumpers! WOW, a rare opportunity to sign myself up to the top stream of a subject. It was my most anticipated session for 'RC Live', so I was terribly frustrated not to learn anything new in the timetabled session which seemed to be useful for people considering pumping, but I wanted more! Not wanting to miss the opportunity, a few of us decided to hold our own session later that afternoon.

It was great! About 7 experienced pump users compared site scares, disaster stories and, of course, details on how and where to buy the cheapest consumables.

The two most valuable pieces of information that I gleaned from our ‘Take 2’ of Advanced Pumpers are as follows.

I can use the Disetronic infusion sets with my Minimed pump. This means that I will be able to buy the infusion sets that don't have the dangly tail (which reminds me that I've normally got a pump attached to me here, even when it's off). The sets also have a clever 'window' through which I will be able see exactly where the set enters my skin. This means that I will be able to see when my site is starting to look nasty and should be changed. When it needs changing, I won’t necessarily have to change the rest of the line that connects to the pump, saving time. This can be changed less often, although I will end up with a few spares of this part of the set, as you can't buy them separately.

The huge bonus is that it is possible to claim these Disetronic sets on private health insurance if you are admitted to hospital to order them. I'm still using my old sets but am looking forward to checking out this new option.

Pin the tail on the donkey! I have always inserted sets into my belly and have never considered inserting them anywhere else. Rumps! I learned that people insert them into the side of their bum - the top part of the bum, near the hip. It doesn't get in the way of jeans or belts and if I had a mid-riff worth flaunting, I could. I've been inserting the set into my rump since 'RC Live' and have found it fabulous to not see the irritating tail hanging from my tummy. It's out of site. The little marks on my belly from the old sites are even starting to fade. It's a good idea to get a little help for the first few insertions as it's not quite as easy as it is on your belly.

Overall the session was encouraging, reassuring and funny. We spent the whole time just swapping stories. Most of us hadn’t realised there was sooo much that wasn’t in the text book! A selection of highlights:
• the Disetronic pump lacks a light and gives very little notice when batteries are going flat
• I was the only person that primed my pump every time I disconnected
• everybody used the light in the pump as a torch at night
• if you used the 1 metre set you can let it drag behind you on the floor when you're starkers (rather than it occupying one hand and leaving you to struggle with one hand clutching the cup of tea whilst you let the dog in and answer the phone first thing in the morning)
• some people put the pump under their pillow to sleep
• everyone in the room had dropped their pump into the toilet at some stage!

It was a very valuable session. Thanks to those who attended (and made it happen!) and so willingly shared their knowledge and experience.

Kate, Melbourne