Author: Sunburnt Aloe

Life by Sunburnt Aloe My name is Elizabeth, and I am a Type 1 Diabetic, blogger, artist, cat mom, and wannabe plant mom. I live with my husband and two cats in the Midwest. Art is something that I have always enjoyed making. I even went to college and got a degree for it. I love anything cute and colorful. Outside of the art world, I enjoy spending time with family, the great outdoors, video games- animal crossing, assassins creed ( just to name a few), and reading. I also spend a lot of time keeping Betty the Diabetes in check, not that I fully enjoy that job or ever get a break but it needs to be done.

Diabetes Tech Review: Omnipod Dash Insulin Pump

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For 8 month or so I had been using the insulin pump, Omnipod Dash with Dexcom to manage my Type 1 Diabetes. I thought it was time to review this diabetes device. I have been a diabetic for 13 years soon to be 14 in March/April. Before going on a insulin pump I was using insulin pens for the longest time. That is another story its self.

 

What is Omnipod?

Omnipod Dash is a tubeless wearable insulin pump that send a consistent amount of basel (background) insulin for up to 3 days. The  PDM (Personal Diabetes Manager) is a dumb down android phone that only runs the software by Omnipod. The PDM then connects to the insulin pump pods by bluetooth. The pods are water proof, so that means no disconnecting for a shower or jumping in the pool. The PDM is NOT water proof. Also the Omnipod Dash does not commutate with a CGM, like Dexcom.  

The Process

For me it was super simple. I had gone to a endocrinologist app and talked to my Dr about going on a pump and talked about some of the different options. I was given a list of  insulin pumps and was told to research each one myself. I could ether tell him which one I was interested in, so he could start the paperwork. Or to go on the pumps website and fill out the contact forms and start the process that way.

By the end of the week I had filled out forms online for omnipod and was contacted within 3-4 days. I filled out eberything on a Friday and was contacted by Monday to go over questions, like for insurance and what not. By that Friday I was inform what the cost would be with my insurance. I gave them the go ahead and within a week my order was shipped. It was really quick and a easy process overall.

Shortly after I received my pump supplies I was then contacted my a Omnipod Rep/Trainer to setup training to setup my new pump. The pump trainer sat with me and set up the PDM with settings tailored to my insulin needs. Since then I have changed almost everything she had set, there was a lot of trial and error to find out what works better for me on the pump. Normally the dr sets you on the  lower side  on the pump when you start, to avoid low blood sauger.  My appointment took about a hour since I read everything before hand in the handbook.  

Things I liked

No tubing, I honestly would forget I had it on me, unless I placed it on my outer upper arm and hit every doorway. I loved that I could decorate the pods with different stickers. Very easy to use, basically fill the pod, confirm everything on the PDM and stick it on and go.
You can go swimming or shower without having to worry about disconnecting and remembering to reconnect. Your pods info shows on your phone as along as it nearby.
I never had a problem keeping the PDM with me, it was no different then carrying my phone with me. I hardly had a failed pod.

Things I did not liked

At times the design of the pods could be a little bulky. You only get one cannula length. Both Fat and protein hit me very hard, if I have a meal that’s high in both and end up with high blood sauger. The Omnipod Dash just couldn’t keep up with me and I would consistency be chasing high blood saugers.  

Final thoughts

 Its a great pump that’s for sure. I did exactly what it was programed to do, that is to delver  a constant supply of basel background of insulin 24/7. But since it does not talk to Dexcom it just doesn’t work for me. Now that the Omnipod 5 has been FDA approved and works with Dexcom it might work better for me.  But I have moved to a different system in November and LOVING it.  I will write more about that in another post. 
Omnipod Dash Insulin Pump

8 Summer Favorites

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Well summer has been officially over now, which is hard to believe. We are now entering cooler weather and in to fall. Over the summer I found some new hobbies and interests that I never thought I would have or try.
 
Pomifrea I fell in love earlier this year with Pomifera. The healing body oil is amazing and does so much for dry skin. I use it after every time I shower and after every Dexcom (Continuous Glucose Monitor) and Omnipod/insulin pump change. Since the Dexcom stays attached to me for a full 10 days reading my blood sugar and the insulin pump is only 3 days.
 
Biker shorts Super comfy with pockets on both legs! I wore these a lot this summer and was prefect to carry both my phone and insulin pump. Fits true to size. 
 
Rebel Gypsy Wigs I started wearing wigs this February. I am attempting to grow out my pixie again and find that this is  helping with the temptation of cutting it. As of right now I have 34 wigs from The Rebel Gypsy and I love every single one. They have amazing customer service and great quality products. Not only does she have wigs but wig products, clothing, shoes, makeup and  so much more. She also goes live twice a week on Facebook and gives away a ton of prizes! 
 
Twitch Yearly this year I started streaming Animal Crossing for fun and enjoy it. I started streaming more in the summer, I do dream tours or decorate my island. I also stream other games too, like The Sims 4 and others. I don’t have a set schedule yet but I will soon. Sometimes I will do dream tours on animal crossing with my niece while twitch. We have so much fun!
 
Dupe LV Checkered Bag Who doesn’t love a nice big bag to throw everything in? Well made and pretty good for a dupe to the real thing without the price tag. 
 
Omnipod & Dexcom Both have been a game changer better control of my blood sugar. I absolutely love the Dexcom and being able to see what my blood sugar is and where its going all on my phone. Love it! Omnipod is a great tool for better management. It does a great job helping me with that but there is a learning curve. I can not wait for Omnipod 5 comes out next year. It will be even better with the ability to micro manage in the background and talk to the Dexcom. It will be able to help fix high blood sugar’s and help prevent low blood sugar on its own. Instead of me doing all the micro managing, or trying to. 
 
4 Pieces Basic Crop Tank Tops This was a another staple this summer for clothing for me. They have many colors to pick from and loved how they fit. Fit’s true to size. 
 
8 Summer favorites

 

 
8 Summer Favorites

Level 13 as a Type 1 Diabetic

Published on by Sunburnt Aloe7 Comments

It’s not something I would always touch on much, but I’m a Type 1 Diabetic for the last 13 years. I  found out at 18  in March of 2008. I have struggled so much since then and it has taken me until now to make peace with it. In those years I didn’t always have the best control but I would do the very basics,  carb count-not always accurately, took insulin-not always on time, checked my blood sugar-only to eat and just winged it lot of times.  It was a mess. My A1C was always high, were talking 8-9 when we should be under 7-6. Right now it’s a 9.4. Yikes.

At my last endocrinologist appointment in march my Endo ask me if I was interested in an insulin pump or CGM and we please get you on a pump and cgm.   I told him yes I was interested. The only reason why I never did was because up until the last 3 years, I never had insurance. That is a whole other story. I was afraid to look into an insulin pump or cgm and be denied or have a crazy upfront cost. Because they are expensive.  My Endo gave me a list of insulin pumps and CGM’s (continuous glucose monitor)  to research and to tell him what I wanted so he could start the paperwork. Two weeks later on St. Patricks Day I had the Dexcom G6 CGM to monitor my blood sugar 24/7. The insulin pump, I pick the OmniPod, took about a month later to start.
I wish I had started so much sooner than later. But I wasn’t ready and it took me a long time to realize that there is a difference with accepting and embracing it. I am seeing much better numbers during the night and day. I still have some areas that I have to adjust but my nights are looking great and consistent. Days are a little trickier but we are slowly getting there. Instead of running in the 200-300’s all the time, I’m more like 160-180 which makes a huge difference.

August Favorites

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Hard to be live we are all ready in September! August was a good month for me, it was my birthday month. Can you believe I turned 31? Nope I can’t!  Here is a list of some of my favorites in August.

I drink this everyday, I fill up my 24oz reusable starbucks tumbler.  Each tablet is the  equivalent of one full serving of greens & veggies and 100% DV Vitamins B1, B12, C, E. This is a great way to get all of your greens, veggies and get that water in.

I have gotten so many people asking me me if I have eye lash extensions. I have to laugh when I tell them no. I absolutely love Flutter Habit. I can wear a set up to 5-7 days and reuse them at lest 3-4 times. The happy medium are my favorite style out of all of them. Not too dramatic but not too simple, they are just right.
Maskcara Beauty Solid Perfume Number 2

This smells divine with  citrus, sweet tuberose and sandalwood. It is a solid perfume and rose gold illuminator all in one. It give a beautiful glow and the scent lasts all day. I have been using it so much I’ve already hit pan with this one and excited to wear the other perfumes that Maskcara has.
August Favorites
The color that this bronzing water is perfect. Not orange at all, dries very quickly and doesn’t leave streaks and lasts a while in between applications.

I loved sailor moon as a kid. I had the toys and would watch everyday after school when it was on cartoon network. Over the summer I stumbled crossed it on Hulu. I have never been so excited for a cartoon. Slowly i have been making my way through the series and loving every bit of it.
Gel Nail Kit
For my birthday I received 2 Gellen Gel Nail Polish kits, one from my mom and the other from my aunt. The both gave me a amazon gift card and picked out the Pink Red Nudes Colors & Classic Elegance Collection. So far I’m really loving how long they wearing and how easy the whole process was.   This is the lamp I use for my gel polish.
August Favorites

My 6 Favorite Subscription Services

Published on by Sunburnt Aloe2 Comments
I wanted to share with you my  6 favorite subscription services that I really enjoy and thought you would too.  A few of them make our daily lives a little easier and a few are more fun in my mind. They are all affordable which is even better.
  • Kindle unlimited – If you are a big reader this is a must. They don’t have every single book available for unlimited but they do have a huge selection to choose from.  It’s like a library but without the due dates. You can only take 10 out at a time but it is so worth it.
  • Quip– Who would of thought a toothbrush subscription would be my favorite.  Honestly it’s one of the best one we have. Every three months we get new new brush heads for our toothbrush’s  in the mail and swap out the old for the new. I never have to guess when was the last time we changed our toothbrushes. It’s a really  great subscription.  I do have a referral code to save you some money and myself if you go through my link here.
  • Flutter Habit– I recently discovered flutter habit  about 4 months ago and have been wearing them since.  They are faux mink lashes that go under your natural lashes and they last for about 5 days and can be reused.  Flutter habit has a variety of styles to choose from,  short and natural, wispy, full and dramatic. You can either have a subscription or purchase as you want. I have had so many people asking where I get my lashes done, and I have to laugh when I tell them I do them my self. It blows their minds.
  • Chewy– Every month I have our order of cat food and litter delivered to my door and we never run out. It’s a great service.
  • Amazon Fresh– Another great service from amazon. I love that I can food shop with out leaving our apartment, since we only have the one car. So while my husband is at work and I have a day off, I will order our groceries and have them delivered within a few hours. It’s awesome.