Category: Blog

I “installed” my first Dexcom Seven sensor. 

Hint:  I’m keeping the whole assembly at least this round until I know everything is working okay.  Makes it easier if you have a sensor failure to return things.

My last STS-3 sensor failed in the shower today.  It was working fine, and I think that the weatherproofing finally went away.  I could try drying everything out and resetting but I just don’t think it’s worth it.  This sensor did last more than a week.  And I do think it’s time to send the system back.  One less thing to keep up with.  I’m doing my last download of data now.

There lots to like about the Dexcom Seven.  One really big plus is the warm-up progress screen.  I was never really sure that the old system was warming up, and couldn’t remember when I started it exactly. 

Insertion is a bit harder.  I think that is to insure waterproofing.

Amy has been trying the DexCom SEVEN and writes about it: 

It’s just that I’m still a little disgruntled from my first experience. 

Diabetes Mine: Seven Days with DexCom SEVEN

Funny, but I’m had a completely opposite experience with the 3-day system.  In fact, this sensor I have in right now is working so well, I’m just not ready to go to SEVEN.

First, I haven’t needed the shower caps — I use them sometimes when I soak in the hot tub but haven’t needed to, in fact, I just got out of the shower, and while I missed the readings while I was in the shower, I am getting readings again, and they are within 5 points of the Dexcom.

I’ve even left a shower cover on over night — forgot to take it off, with no adverse results. 

The only reason I missed the readings in the shower, is because I left the receiver here in my office.

One other thing — i am just not as body conscious as Amy is.  I wear a one piece suit and get over it.  Occasionally someone else ask questions, and it’s often a good educational moment.  In fact, we had a lot of fun with it at my teacher workshop — but then we’re all computer teachers and are into geek things.

In other words, I still think Dexcom is very very cool.

I just can’t express how having the Dexcom made a difference this week.

I would not have been able to search for Marcie the way I did if I did not have the Dexcom to rely on. 

I really can’t wait to try the Seven system, as I really feel that it will be more accurate since the regular system has been.

The website that I used to find Marcie is http://www.petfinder.com — I would have found her the next morning because of the shelter, but I did get some peace of mind.

The dog listed in Petfinders WAS Marcie.  The good news is that the Farmers Branch Animal Control was trying to reach me while I was dealing with Carrollton AND let me know they sent her to Carrollton (Carrollton is a nicer, bigger facility — though they said we were getting a new one).

 Okay, I was diagnosed with restless leg during a sleep study and I thought the doctor made it up.  That’s what the leg electrodes are.  Oh, that and no one will sleep with me including my husband of 20 years (though is it the CPAP, the insulin pump, Dexcom OR the fact that I sleep totally different hours than he does).

“Often disregarded as a fake illness.”

Medpundit

I even went on Mirapex, even though the pharmacy inserts freaked me out since it said it was a Parkinson’s drug.  Funny, she just wrote how computer generated pharmacy notes freak out patients too ….

I didn’t believe until I went on Requip — and fortunately neither has made me gamble though I wonder about my husband….

Since I’ve been on Requip, I do sleep better, when my dog isn’t sleeping in jail.

Oh, and I almost forgot — I was listening to Dr Dean Udell (sp), and he told some idiot woman than her mother-in-law’s restless leg was all her mother-in-law’s head.

We got new telephone / Internet service today.

I am not going to blame anyone person, especially both my husband and I are also responsible.  As the U-Verse tech was leaving, the Orkin guy came by, so it could be him too.

After the install, I let the girls out and then back in.  Then I loaded up and took the boxes back to Time Warner.

Husband came in while I was out and let the girls out too.  When we let them back in, there were only two beagles.  The best beagle, oldest, best trained and most wonderful was missing.  Marcie.  http://www.kweaver.org/photos if anyone cares.

We walked up and down the street and through the neighborhood.  Couldn’t find her.  Finally at 8:00 pm I came home and looked her up on petfinders and found:

I found a sweet older female beagle playing on Josey Ln between Valwood & Valley View. The poor thing nearly got hit during 5:00 traffic, so I stopped & picked her up. I drove around trying to see if anyone was looking for her…no luck so I brought her home. She was wearing a yellow collar with a black & white checkered pattern on it. I had to take her to the Carrollton Shelter…I hope you find her!

That has to be her.  Just has to.   I’m going to bail her out of jail in the morning and probably can’t sleep until she’s in my bedroom.

This one IS working again!  I’m probably going to play some games with it later one, but I want to get at least three days out of it before I do.

I’ve already called tech support, and they had me give it two more blood drops and I’m waiting for it to restart.  Still not seeing any data.

This might mean that I get to use Dexcom 7 today.

First, I don’t really mind as I looking forward to using the Dexcom Seven.  I have my last sensor in.

However, the sensor I put in on Sunday failed on the reset.  It was working fine until I reset it. 

Several things about it, the adhesive was coming up early.  It was on the right side of my body, and the edges to the sensor were cutting into my skin.  Very strange.

The latest sensor is on the left side, where I prefer it.  I’m currently waiting for the calibration period.