[judi t]

About a month ago, I met my new endocrinologist. (I'd been seeing my previous endo. for 26 years. He was brilliant for me, but unfortunately, he retired.) So, off to new endo who I immediately click with. She's very enthusiastic about pumping and encourages me to give it a try. So I spend an agonising month doing my research on line. I decide to go for a pump, reasoning that I have nothing to lose, and if it doesn't suit, I can easily revert to my MDI.

Here's the rub. The diabetes educator was the most negative, obstructionist personality I have ever encountered. So, the bright young endo is sending people off to deal with this difficult decision, to learn what they need to know, and they meet the health 'professional' from the dark side!

I was aghast at a couple of her comments.
Me, on the phone. First contact. "I'm considering using an insulin pump."
Her, in a flat-line tone: "It won't cure your diabetes." Well, hello, I think, having been on MDI and about ten finger pricks a day for 26 years.
Later, on the phone, me, having decided not to hang up: "Look, I don't want to go on the pump for the sake of an extra five years in the nursing home, I just thought it might improve the quality of my life now."
Her: "Well, if you have a stroke you'll be in a nursing home anyway." Me, thinking, where does this, dare I say, ***** get off?

Anyway, I mentioned it to my lovely endo who assured me that she wasn't normally like this. So I booked the appointment.

Today, I met the woman. She was negative, humourless and downright obstructive, just as I surmised she would be from our phone call. And I didn't go in looking for this. I was enthusiastic about getting into the pumping.

She had four pumps activated in front of her. When they buzzed or bleeped occasionally, she smacked her lips with impatience and finally, she removed all the batteries and flung them aside. "Imagine how annoying it would be wearing one," I suggested. "It won't happen when you're wearing one," she countered, crossly.

She seemed to be actively discouraging me from taking the plunge with the pump. How did I get her to concede that it might be a good idea for me?

Me: "Look. If you had diabetes, do you think you'd give it a try?"
Her, reluctantly: "Well, yes, I would."
Me: "Good. I'd like to go with the Animas." (Purely because I could read the screen better with my old eyes.)
Her: "All right then. I'll get the paper work."
Me, later: "How long will I have to wait now before I can go on the pump?"
Her: "It'll be a month. There are people who've been on the waiting list for much longer than you have."

Another hello, derr moment.

And I could go on. Needless to say, I rang the endo and apprised her of the situation.
Me: "Hi. I've worked out what's going to be the biggest problem for me with pumping."
Her: "Yeah? What's that?"
Me: "The diabetes educator."