Behemoth Droppings

Humana has finally approved my continuous glucose monitor. I was pretty lucky. My doctor told me that Humana had started covering them, and she put the order through. Next thing I know Humana had approved it and it’s in the mail. I should be receiving it today.

A lot of diabetics are having trouble getting the insurance companies to approve their CGM. I can’t understand why! The insurance companies are arguing that there isn’t enough evidence to show that it can improve a diabetic’s lifestyle. Really?!? You don’t think getting a reading of your glucose level every 5 minutes, seeing the trend of your glucose level rising or falling, and being able to set an alarm if your glucose level gets too low or high would improve a lifestyle? It won’t just improve lifestyles, it WILL save lives. It amazes me how greedy these companies can be!

The main thing I am worried about, however, is sleep. Instead of having just the pump stuck into my stomach 24/7, I’ll now have the CGM transmitter stuck in me as well. Plus, it’ll have to be on the opposite side of my body. That poses a problem because I sleep on my side, and alternate sides based on where my pump is. I guess I’ll have to learn to sleep on my back from now on! Not only that, but every time I change my pump set out, I’ll have to change the CGM as well. Twice as many needles!

But keeping my glucose levels under control will help reduce the risk of diabetic complications later in life. It will not only help extend my life, but it will help me enjoy those extra years too. If it means being around to see my daughter graduate high school, college, and being able to walk her down the aisle someday…then it’s definitely worth it!!

Since I have been horrible about blogging lately (I said I was going to do better, didn’t I?), I figured I would just do a quick post with some updates.

First off, my brother is back from his second tour in Iraq. He’s currently at Fort Dix being debriefed. He just recently found his way into the world of Facebook, so I found out from one of his status updates that he received the Bronze Star Medal. I don’t know what he received it for yet, but I’ll pass along the info as soon as I have it.

On to the world of diabetes. At my most recent endocrinologist visit, I was informed that my insurance company (Humana) now covers continuous glucose monitors, so my doctor went ahead and put an order in for one. I haven’t received it yet…I’m still waiting on the insurance to really approve it and find out how much I’m going to have to pay. Hopefully it won’t be too much, but no matter what the cost it’ll probably be worth it. The model I’m getting works with my insulin pump, so I only have to wear the sensor. The reading will actually be displayed on my pump. Here is an article with an image of how it all works together. Yeah, more stuff to stick into my skin!!

So there is a quick update. I’ll try to post more later…