Pump Banquet....Pump Envy, & Performing

It's been a crazy week since my last post! Sorry for the delay but I am exhausted and looking at an incredibly hectic work/life schedule in the next two weeks. I have missed blogging terribly and promise not to let such a lapse go by – no matter how NUTZ my schedule might get!!

PUMP BANQUET
So, to recap: The Pump Club Banquet of Grater Philadelphia was quite a success. Gary Ssheiner/ Integrated Diabetes has been facilitating the meetings every 3 months, for the past 11 years. Basically it’s wonderful way for pump wears to congregate, learn about the latest and greatest in diabetes care, technology, and research, while having a face to face “Bitch Fest” for those of us who need to voice our frustrations regarding the Big D.

Gary had set up was also quite the history lesson/Torture Chamber in the form of a display of Diabetes aquotramont over the years. I’m talking glass syringes; fizzy pills in brown bottles, lancets made of metal and B.S machines the size of VHS tapes. God, those antiquated blood sugar machines brought back major memories of fighting with my parents. “Are you kidding, you want me to carry THAT in my backpack? NOWAY! That thing is actually bigger than my History book and just as heavy!! I won’t do it – YOU CAN’T MAKE ME! IT”S EMBARRASSING.” Ahhh...good times! What a pleasant child I was. My how times have changed – THANK GOD!

Back to the banquet: At least 100 people were in attendance (including my fellow dBlogville citizen & partner in D Crime, Hannah) and the dinner was sponsored by (and in no particular order but alphabetical) Animas, Deltec Cozmore, Insulet, & Minmed. Each company was there to answer questions and presented what we (the users) could expect in the very near future from their various companies.

PUMP ENVY
It’s wonderful to see that pump companies are taking note of what we, the consumer would like to see in our pumps design, function, durability, and usability.
While all Insulin Pumps do the same thing (deliver insulin in both a basal and bolus rate format) each pump company has it’s own unique bells and whistles regarding their brand.

What does the future of pumping hold? Miniaturization of the existing pump designs, blue tooth capabuilities, and accessories with a “MAC” influence, and customization for the individual user.

Before the dinner, I had narrowed my search for a new pump down to 2 models, now I want at least 4 different models! "THANKS GARY.'

Insulin Pump innovation makes me very excited, but also very nervous. Kind of like when u buy a new MAC Laptop. You really want to buy it, but you know the minute you purchase it, you know the next generation version of your MAC LT will be even greater.
Unlike an MAC or an Ipod, we who wear insulin pumps must wait 4 years to purchase the latest and greatest pump. "CAN YOU SAY PUMP ENVY?"

PERFORMING
As far as my performance. It was wonderful! People laughed in all the right places and afterwards I was able to dialogue with a lot of audience members, which is so important to me – just as important as the laughter. Talking with the audience after a set allows me to see what clicked with them and what situations they related to on a personal level.

This particular group really related to “The Diabetes Police,” dating issues, everything having to do with FOOD, and “Stupid People who think they know every thing about Diabetes!”

Fashion and accessories were a huge issue as well. My red and black Pump lace garter was quite the hit! Chronic disease does not equal a “Glamour Don’t" as far as I’m concerned. Diabetes can be sexy if you have the right accessories, an imagination - and alcohol helps.

All in all a great time was had by all !

CAKECAKECAKECAKECAKECAKECAKECAKECAKECAKECAKECAKE
OH YEAH _ THERE WAS A HUGE CAKE - WITH ICING AT LEAST 2 INCHES THICK, CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA CENTER - WITH A HUGE PUMP PIC ON TOP!
DELICIOUS - AND NON SUGAR FREE!!!

PICS to follow as soon as Gary sends them!

PS – Gary met almost all the demands of my Diabetesaliciousess Performance Rider…kind of.