In everyday normal life with diabetes we search for the meter-remote, a vial of test strips, new lancets, batteries, the Dexcom receiver, glucose tabs, juice, the Dexcom receiver, the phone/s to which the Dexcom Share data is downloaded. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Despite being organized (the up-cycled D-Bag aside), I’ve managed to run over a Dexcom receiver in the preschool parking lot (the up-cycled D-Bag’s fault). In the frantic moments when I’m searching for a needed medical device while fixing lunch or getting ready to run an errand, I’m overwhelmed with the impossibility of replicating a human organ, which is, of course, impossible. However, thanks to technology, T1D is getting easier to manage. Pumps, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), and hopefully closed loops systems will make management of T1D easier. We’ve certainly seen innovation since the first insulin pump in early 1970s.

model of first portable insulin pump, early 1970s

Our son is 4, so finding creative ways to carry his Animas pump, CGM receiver, and the iPod to which the data is downloaded is challenging. The challenge triples at the beach. Yesterday, the new Dexcom receiver took a *quick* dip in the kiddie pool. Now it’s spending some time in a bag of rice with an ocean view. If you’re not a member of the FB group Dexcom, consider joining this group as it offers great suggestions for using Dexcom, especially when it’s been swimming.

People with diabetes can do everything anyone else can; however, there’s more planning and worry involved. This is our first summer at the beach since diagnosis. We’re learning a lot about pumping in hot weather and conducing some experiments in regards to “waterproof” versus “water resistant.”

Our son has diabetes, but we’re lucky enough to be at the beach. We are at the beach. We are at the beach, but so is diabetes. We are at the beach.

diabetes at the beach in the foreground

diabetes at the beach with beach in background

Both are simultaneously true.