I Go on the Insulin Pump

At first, like many other diabetics, I did not want to go on the Insulin Pump.  I thought having a continuous tube in my body and the pump itself attached to me would feel weird.  I also thought that having the pump on me at all times would affect my performance in sports.  The idea of going on the pump just seemed like a bad decision to me.

            But then my sister, who is also a diabetic, decided to go on the Insulin Pump.  A few days after going on the pump my sister seemed to like it.  Now she could eat whatever and whenever she wanted.   While I on the other hand, still had to eat on a scheduled times since I was still on insulin syringes.  I also noticed that my sister still played soccer and other sports and the pump didn’t affect the way she played. 

             The Insulin Pump was designed so people could take it off if they felt like it could get damaged in the sport they were playing like football or hockey.  Then after the game or practice they could simply put it back on.  (Taking the pump “on” and “off” is different from changing the site.  Changing the site is when you take the insulin port out from your body every 3 days and place it in a different spot, like your leg or stomach.  Taking the pump “off” is when you detach the Insulin Pump from the port on your body without taking the entire port out of the spot.)

So with the encouragement of my family and the persuasion of the doctors I decided to go on the Insulin Pump.  It was hard and strange to get used to at first, but it paid off in the end.  Now I continue to play tennis and can eat anytime I want.  The Insulin Pump has made my life so much easier! I love the Insulin Pump and encourage anyone with diabetes who still uses syringes to switch to it!

This is a picture of the Insulin Port that can be attacked to your arms, legs, stomach, or butt.

This is a picture of me taking "off" the Insulin Pump.  The port itself stays in my body but the top cap can come off if you want to play a sport or swim in the water.  If i was going to change my pump i would take both parts out completely.  

This is a picture of my insulin pump.  As you can see it is small, looks like a cell phone, and can fit in your hand.