Interesting Ad

[camjen1]

I was going through my Sunday paper and came across an ad for a local hospital that treats pediatric diabetes. I find it kind of odd and thought I would share

There is help and hope for children with diabetes.

When a child is ill, the lives of every member of the family changes. That's exactly what happened to the Bowl family when Jake, now 7, was diagnosed two years ago with Type 1. It started with sore throats - four in to weeks - and Jake was sleeping all the time. A visit to the doctor showed that Jake had a blood sugar level of 1200... 12 times the normal level!

"After Jake was released from the hospital we had to make trips for his treatment. On our first visit, we were there for ten minutes... and we didn't even see a doctor. We felt so alone and abandoned and didn't think that would ever change."

Then Michele, Jake's mom, met K. John, the nurse practitioner from NC Indiana Pediatric Center who specializes in diabetic care. She said that Jake can recieve treatment right here in my city.

"The first visit at the Pediatric Center, they took an hour with Jake and went over him head to toe," Michele says. "He was given an insulin pump and we were taught how to use it.

Now I'm not a genious but doesn't 1200 sound extremely high for a child? I have only seen a handful of adults get that high working in a hospital. Also since when does having a sore throat warrant a blood sugar test? The insulin pump thing has me laughing because who in the heck gets an insulin pump the day of the first visit? I guess anyone will say anythng these days to get business.

[spike]

Now I'm not a genious but doesn't 1200 sound extremely high for a child? I have only seen a handful of adults get that high working in a hospital. Also since when does having a sore throat warrant a blood sugar test? The insulin pump thing has me laughing because who in the heck gets an insulin pump the day of the first visit? I guess anyone will say anythng these days to get business.

My how times have changed! Nothing wrong with aggressive treatment for pedi patients, if the treatment doesn't kill them! I love to hear about kids going on the pump, as long as they or their parents/guardians know all there is to know about pumping. Pumps are only as good for the patients as the knowledge they have about using them.

[duck]

I was going to ask where in the world did you see this "ad"?

[camjen1]

I agree of all the people that children should be on pumps but how many of us have walked in our first visit and walk out with a pump all set up and going? The way she said it could also mean they were taught how to use it but didn't connect. Either way, does she take the pump home and if her insurance doesn't pay then she has to return it? I guess the article can have many scenerios but they made it seem as if it is just that easy to get a pump. I think that if someone was really to believe that and make an appointment they would be very disappointed that it isn't that simple.

[TvBabe]

I honestly believe that using MDI for a period of time prior to moving on to the pump makes a HUGE difference. Using MDI gave me experience under my belt so that I understood how insulin worked for me personally.

I've had a few people ask me about pumping (with their kids in mind) and I have highly recommended that they go the MDI route for a period of time before making the move. Then they will have a better understanding how everything works!

[JediSkipdogg]

When I was in elementary school (5th grade) I had a friend that was diagnosed type 1 with a BG reading in the 1100s I believe. Also in the 8th grade I spent my spring break in the hospital running 1000+ when I first went in. I had developed bronchitis that week and all the medicine I was taking drove my sugars up and caused massive insulin resistance.

As for getting a pump on the first day. I find that extremely hard to believe as it takes about a month to even get approved for one. So unless they happen to pay out of pocket for that pump, I find it extremely hard.

[seacomp]

He was given an insulin pump and we were taught how to use it.
And given a full workup (and got the lab results :deal: ) in an hour!

[Tatermom]

My endo said he has put lots of kids on pumps without MDI first. He is big on very intensive management. He believes that there is no sense in re-training if you can pump from dx. I don't agree. You gotta know both ways when you are pumping b/c pumps malfunction. Still a great endo though.

[spike]

When I was in elementary school (5th grade) I had a friend that was diagnosed type 1 with a BG reading in the 1100s I believe. Also in the 8th grade I spent my spring break in the hospital running 1000+ when I first went in. I had developed bronchitis that week and all the medicine I was taking drove my sugars up and caused massive insulin resistance.

As for getting a pump on the first day. I find that extremely hard to believe as it takes about a month to even get approved for one. So unless they happen to pay out of pocket for that pump, I find it extremely hard.

My insurance approved my first pump the day they were contacted by the doctor.

[JediSkipdogg]

My insurance approved my first pump the day they were contacted by the doctor.

BUt you talked for a few days with your doctor about your pump right? You didn't walk in one day, say I want a pump, and then walk out the same day with a pump in hand? You had to wait for it to be mailed to you? I can understand getting it approved the day they are contacted, but having the entire process done in 1 day seems too fast for me to believe.

[spike]

BUt you talked for a few days with your doctor about your pump right? You didn't walk in one day, say I want a pump, and then walk out the same day with a pump in hand? You had to wait for it to be mailed to you? I can understand getting it approved the day they are contacted, but having the entire process done in 1 day seems too fast for me to believe.

First I had to change endos.
I told him what I wanted to do, and within a couple of weeks, I got a second appointment, at which I showed him what I learned about the MM506 (I brought a detailed description of how I would transition from MDI to the pump). He was impressed enough to waive the requirement that I attend pump orientation. His office filled out the paperwork and called the insurance company. They agreed immediately to the pump and it was shipped out from back East, the next day from a company that handled MM pumps (I forget their name--they were FANTASTIC). My pump came overnight on a Saturday.

The MM trainer came out a few days later and I became a pumper!!!! My life changed from that day forward (May of 1996). I LOVE pumping. No more rigid schedule, no more 911 calls, no more Glucagon usage, better A1c's...