I’m Pumped About My New T-Slim Pump

Four years ago, I got my first insulin pump, the Medtronic 530G.

After four years, your pump goes out of warranty. At that time, you’re able to upgrade through insurance. So, back in July, I began the process of getting my new pump even though I wasn’t out of warranty until December. (Of course, the Tandem rep laughed at me in July because it was way too early to even start paperwork or anything).

After 3 weeks involving 37 phone calls (no joke!), I finally have my new insulin pump in hand: the Tandem T-Slim X2.

I’m so obsessed with this pump. It’s rechargeable so I don’t have to worry about always having spare AAA batteries on me. It syncs right with my Dexcom G5 so if my phone dies or gets misplaced, I can still monitor my blood sugar. It’s touch screen and doesn’t look like a damn pink pager.

After 2 days, here’s my impression so far:

The T-Slim’s more precise boluses are great, and although there are more steps for the bolus screens on the T-Slim and some people may find that irritating, I feel like it’s a good safeguard against accidental incorrect boluses

Medtronic’s menus are way more complicated and hard to navigate than the T-Slim’s are

T-Slim’s screen is bright and easy to read

The T-Slim primes so much slower than my old Medtronic pump did

Filling the reservoir/cartridge on the T-Slim feels more archaic than the Medtronic (since it uses a 2 piece syringe separate from the cartridge rather than Medtronic’s simple clip-it-on-the-vial setup)

Even with everything on vibrate, the T-Slim still audibly alarms when you’re starting a new cartridge, you’re below 55 mg/dL, and when you plug it in to charge (not so great when I’m at work in my quiet office) However the Medtronic also audibly alarms when you’re starting a new cartridge and also all the time when the battery is low, which happens after like 2 weeks and then you can run on a low battery for another 3 weeks-ish, so Tandem gets the point on this one

Tandem doesn’t have a Quickset equivalent so I have to use their Mio equivalent. I’m not a fan of Mios but I will get used to it eventually

The T-Slim’s case (and specifically the metal belt clip) feels so much more secure and heavy-duty than Medtronic’s flimsy plastic belt clip did. We will see how it holds up

Photo Swap

Facebook has been a wonderful way to meet people in different communities – I’ve met a ton of people through the DOC (Diabetic Online Community) through various Facebook groups, but I’ve also made connections with numerous photographers as well. Most of the photographers are very far away from me, however I met a lady named Sarah who lives only an hour and a half away from me.

Just recently, we were able to meet up (finally!) for a trade session – we took photos of Sarah and her husband, Chris, and she took photos of Allen and I.

Insulin Pump Fashion

It can be a challenge to wear cute clothes while attached to a pager-like device that keeps you alive. However, it is not impossible. So, ladies… here’s a peek into some of the ways I wear my pump and still feel cute!

1. Loud and Proud

On those days when I don’t care who sees my pump or what they think of it, I wear it facing outward, attached to my pocket or waistband. This is great for days when I am with close friends or family, or I am in a hurry and just don’t care. It’s also the best for days when I’m using the Enlite CGM and need quick access to my graph on my pump. (It can also be worn in the pocket with the clip hooked to the outside of the pocket, but this is less accessible).

2. Hidden in Plain View

My Flipbelt has made it where I can wear my pump in the belt over a dress and have many people not even realize it contains a medical device. This has been wonderful for photographing weddings. I can keep my pump on vibrate and feel it much more easily and consistently than if it were in a pocket.

3. Out of Sight, Out of Mind

This is the awesome part about being female and living in a place where it is cold for way too much of the year – I can attach my pump to my bra between the girls. Bustier women can get away with just doing that, but I have to wear a scarf over mine to hide the “pump bump.” This isn’t a very good solution for times when I’m using the CGM, or going out to eat in public, for obvious reasons, but it’s great for the days when I just want to look and feel “normal.”

Here are just a few of the ways to wear a pump and still look and feel great! Be confident and you can rock any style!