Inserting a DexCom 7+ Sensor

I thought that your children may benifit from seeing how quick and simple it is to insert a DexCom 7+ sensor. Arden and I made this short video to help a friend feel less anxious about using a Continuous Glucose Monitor for the first time and we wanted to share it with everyone.

Once you see it done all of your concerns about being able to handle the "process" will melt away. By the time I inserted Arden's first sensor I had read and heard so much that I felt like I was preparing to launch the space shuttle. As you are about to see... this isn't quite that difficult. I even slowed down a little bit so you could follow along and it still took less then 20 seconds. Don't blink!

The images below are of Arden's SpiBelt, the belt/case she uses to keep her DexCom receiver around her waist.. Clicking on any of the photos will take you to SpiBelt's page for kid's sizes. 

Update on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 7:07PM by Scott Benner

SpiBelt is not a sponsor of Arden's Day. We purchased Arden's belts at full price. Arden's Day does not accept any ads or do reviews in exchange for payment or products.

DexCom and Tandem Diabetes Care Announce CGM Development and Commercialization Agreement

Breaking diabetes tech news!

DexCom and Tandem Diabetes to develop a "CGM-enabled insulin pump"

Read the blurb and then continue to the link for the rest... New diabetes tech innovations are always good news, I can't wait to hear more about this and other collaborations. 

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DexCom, Inc. (NASDAQ:DXCM), a leader in continuous glucose monitoring systems, announced today that it has entered into a Development and Commercialization Agreement with Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. to integrate a future generation of DexCom’s continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology with Tandem’s t:slim™ Insulin Delivery System, the first ever touch-screen insulin pump.

You can read the rest of the announcement at this link

Current Tandem Pump

Current DexCom Receiver

DexCom CGM: Buy 4 sensors get 1 free offer

DexCom is offering a free sensor with your next order of four. This buy 4 get 1 free promotion seems to be an effort to get customers introduced to their new online store. Looks like you just have to register and then place your order via that online store. The offer ends in March 31, 2012.

If you are an adult (users under 18 see below) DexCom user this is a no-brainer, we've all been waiting for the company to set up an easier way of placing an order. Now you'll be able to order online or set up a auto-reorder. You can visit the DexCom website and choose the link that looks like the image below (they banner rotates), it will take you to this link.

Now if you are the parent of a Dex user things get a little confusing but you can still easily take advantage of the offer and set up an auto-reorder (they call it 'Schedule Ship'). Since minors can't register to make purchases through their online store the form on the website is not going to help you. I had to call customer service, wait for a call back, etc. I asked my CSR if there was an easier way for the parents that read my site to take advantage of this offer, he and I came up with this...

Parents of minors that use DexCom can take advantage of the buy 4 get 1 free offer by simply calling...

Brian at 877-339-2664, extension 5561

Tell Brian that you were sent by Scott from Arden's Day, that you would like to set up a Schedule Ship and receive a free sensor as part of their offer. Brian will email you the 'Schedule Shipment' form, you send it back to him and you'll be finished signing up for their Schedule Ship program... getting your free sensor in the process.

Speaking of free stuff:

Apidra is free until 4/30/12 

I have a 3 year supply of Spring's Universal Infusion Sets to give away

Diabetes Tech News: Medtronic Launches First-Of-Its-Kind mySentry™ Remote Glucose Monitor

Medtronic announces mySentry and I rejoice. Their new innovation does sound familiar...

mySentry Allows Caregivers to See Real-Time Insulin Pump Information and Glucose Trends from Another Room

MINNEAPOLIS – January 4, 2012 – Today, Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and U.S. market launch of the first-of-its-kind mySentry™ Remote Glucose Monitor, which allows a parent or caregiver to monitor from another room a patient’s MiniMed Paradigm® REAL-Time Revel™ System. The remote glucose monitor also marks the launch of a new category of Connected Care solutions that will provide people with diabetes and their caregivers convenient options to access their diabetes management information.

Perhaps more then any other chronic dieses, management of day-to-day diabetes lends itself to cutting edge technology. While I'm always grateful for the advancements that have already been made, I'd like to see more and see it faster. 

Even if you don't use a Medtronic device (Arden uses a DexCom CGM) this news is fantastic. Wireless technology like this is sorely needed and Medtronic's announcement will serve us all well, spurning other manufacturers to move forward as quickly as possible so not to be left behind. It is also a signal to other companies that the FDA is allowing clearance for technology such as this. That knowledge will make it easier for smaller companies to get into the game. Many device manufacturers are smaller and less profitable then you may imagine and they can't afford to get trapped into a protracted submission process with the government.

I love the FDA saying yes, I love Medtronic trying and I look forward to finding out what is next - please just don't price us all out of when your products come to market.

Medtronic's complete press release is at this link.

ps. It's time to let Insulet give us their smaller pods FDA - I mean really... which ever device lobbyist has you holding this up (my supposition)... they've gotten their monies worth, time to think about the people again.

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Your opinion is needed: Insulin Pumps and Glucose Monitors

I am in the throws of launching a charitable foundation whose focus will be assisting diabetic children that want but can't afford insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.

The necessary paperwork to form the charitable entity is getting very close to being submitted. In the meantime, I am diligently working on ways to make the charity as successful and far reaching as it possibly can be. I will be involved in a number of meetings and presentations over the coming weeks and months and I was hoping that you could help me to better understand how the costs associated with managing diabetes effects your financial life. I am very interested in hearing from the parents of children with type I but if you are an adult with diabetes I am still very interested in your answers - you never what the future will bring.

If you would be kind enough to anonymously answer a few questions, I will be able to use the data you submit as I search for the funding necessary to make this fledgling dream a robust reality. You won't be asked anything that would identify you and none of your personal information is collected by this site.

The answers that you provide will help me to make a better presentation when speaking with potential donors, supporters and sponsors. None of the answers are 'required' by the form and you can skip any you like by choosing "left blank".

Your support is greatly appreciated!

The data collection form is located here. http://www.ardensday.com/anonymous