We’ve had some tough days with diabetes lately—there have been tears with every site change, and it’s been a lot to handle. Honestly, I thought we’d already been through the hardest parts, and that those moments had prepared me for anything. But I was wrong.
The other night, we had to do a double site change: both Kay’s continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and her insulin pump needed replacing. Kay usually handles the CGM change fairly well, but the insulin pump is a different story—it tends to be more painful for her.
I started with the CGM since it requires a 30-minute warm-up, hoping to get it going first. Then I moved on to the insulin pump. These pump changes are always hard, and having an extra set of hands helps a lot. Thankfully, my mom was with us and able to sit with Kay, comforting her while I handled the devices. It’s a delicate balance—trying to distract Kay from the discomfort, while also making sure she doesn’t interfere with the process.
After removing the old pump, I set up the new one and began the insertion process using the app on my phone. But as soon as it inserted, Kay immediately ripped it off. I wasn’t expecting that—but okay, deep breath. We paused, calmed her down as best we could, and tried again.
While I was prepping another pump, Kay suddenly pulled off her brand-new CGM, just moments before it finished warming up. I stopped everything, took another breath, and tried to figure out our next steps
I restarted the pump setup—worried it might time out—while my mom gently covered the area with a blanket to keep Kay from pulling at it again. Then I got another CGM, placed it on her, and started the warm-up all over. To keep it protected, I quickly got her into some footie pajamas. But while I was doing that, I noticed her insulin pump had started coming off. Sure enough, during all the wiggling and squirming under the blanket, she had managed to loosen it.
So—another pump. I got it ready, placed it on, and finished getting her zipped up in her pajamas. Thankfully, this time it worked. Kay calmed down, and she left both devices alone.
But I was left on high alert. That whole experience was so intense. I know this isn’t easy—for either of us. I have hard days managing it all, but Kay has them too. The difference is, while I’m doing everything I can to manage her care, she’s the one actually living it—feeling the symptoms, the discomfort, and all the side effects of Type 1 Diabetes.
She is my hero. And honestly, she handles more than most adults could, including me.