A Wedding with T1D

 So, in 2021, I got married. I honestly don't think my diabetes got in the way that much during the ceremony or reception except for one thing: my omnipod and phone (which had my CGM data on it).

My wedding dress had no pockets to put these things in. What did I do? My friend, and the altar server for the wedding, David, was made responsible for it! I remember, before the first dance, I handed my phone and Omnipod to him and said "Could you put these on the head table for me?" as I was whisked away to the dancefloor. 

If my first child had been a boy, I was planning on naming him David! (I ended up having a girl, but she and David adore each other as if she knows who she would have been otherwise.)

The wedding was perfect and the day was perfect, even when imperfections happened. It was more perfect because of the imperfections! So this is to any T1D who is worried that diabetes will ruin your big day, that on that particular day, I didn't even remember that I had it.

Why I Love My OmniPod

I know this is going to sound like an ad, but I promise that OmniPod isn't paying me to say this.

I've noticed that I've started to affectionately rub the OmniPod and say things like "What a good OmniPod! You're so good! I love you so much!" 

There was only one thing that I was really worried about when it came to getting a pump; would it hurt? I have a Dexcom and there's always a 50/50 chance that it's gonna hurt. 

The OmniPod isn't like that at all!

I never have to see the needle. I don't have to physically put in a needle. Everything is automatic.

I tell the OmniPod "I'm ready for the needle". There are six soft clicks and one loud click (that startles me) and then it's done. It's sore for a little while, but the soreness fades. 

And a little soreness is nothing compared to what I had to deal with before. 

My pen shots tended to bruise but with only one "shot" every three days, my bruises have had time to heal. 

There's less work to be done before I eat a meal now. I'm looking forward to going back to college and actually eating a hot meal instead of a lukewarm one. 

Even though the OmniPod is visible, I feel like my diabetes isn't front and center anymore. I could go diabetic incognito for a while if I so chose. 

Of course, I'm still learning how to use this new gadget, but I'm already so emotionally attached to it. If I had to go back to pen shots tomorrow, I would be devastated. The OmniPod isn't invasive, it's virtually painless, and I've actually started to go back to doing the stuff I did before I got diagnosed. I've got several art projects in the works and I'm reading some books for fun. 

But I'm not being paid for this page-long OmniPod ad. I just really love my OmniPod.

I Got A Pump

I have had an OmniPod for a few weeks now and I highly recommend it. It was a struggle to get it though.
My insurance made it very difficult.
I was denied the first time. Then they wanted proof that I was diabetic. So I had a blood draw (which the insurance didn't even pay for) to prove that -surprise, surprise- I am diabetic.
*DING DING DING* Give a prize to that insurance company for making me pay to find out something we all already know!!
But I'm getting bitter and we still have more denial to go!
I decided that I wasn't going to fight to get a pump anymore so it was quite a shock when I got the second denial letter. I thought that the endo office was trying to get it for me still, but in the end, it wasn't them.

So I survive finals week and begin the summer. My mother and I visit the town my grandparents live in (since I'm working at their local library this summer) and we get lunch at this little cafe. I'm getting my pen needles out and my meter and I see this guy looking at me. I expect him to say something rude, but instead, he tells me that his daughter is T1D and that, by chance, the girl sitting behind me is also T1D. We start to chat and he tells me his daughter has an OmniPod and he insists that it's worth the fight. It would make your life so much easier. Afterward, my mom asks me whether or not I want to start fighting for the pump again. I told her, only if we get a new insurance.

We come home to a letter from OmniPod.
The last rejection.
You only get three rejections.

My pump was approved.
OmniPod had kept fighting the insurance company and they won.
They told me that I had been doing everything right and that I really did deserve to have this.
That I deserved to have it just a little bit easier.

Everyone I've met from OmniPod has been so sweet and understanding.
10/10 for customer service!
But I have even more good things to say about OmniPod! Keep an eye out for more blog posts!