NPR: Father Devises A 'Bionic Pancreas' To Help Son With Diabetes
So many times I tell people, "You'd have to live with us for a few days to really understand type I diabetes".
NPR posted a wonderful audio interview with Ed Damiano, the man who is working on the 'Bionic Pancreas' at Boston University. I've embedded Rob Stein's report here for you to listen to... after you're finished I encourage you to head over to NPR's site to read the entire interview.
Image by Ellen Webber for NPR
DexCom’s Forthcoming Mobile App Platform to Integrate Data from Insulet’s OmniPod System
Well, well... This sounds like a positive step!
From Market Watch...
SAN DIEGO, Jun 13, 2014 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Insulet Corporation and DexCom, Inc. announced today their intention to enable DexCom’s mobile App platform, which is currently under development, to integrate data from Insulet’s OmniPod System. This will be the first version of a mobile App that is capable of incorporating glucose and other diabetes-related data from patients’ devices and displaying the integrated data via a smartphone App. This event also marks the start of DexCom's open architecture approach to diabetes-related data which will include an “approved by DexCom” indication to validate the authenticity of devices and Apps integrating DexCom CGM data.
“Providing OmniPod users and their healthcare providers with easier access to their management data is another key step in making diabetes a smaller part of life,” said Duane DeSisto, President and Chief Executive Officer of Insulet. “Through DexCom’s mobile App platform, OmniPod users will have greater access to the data that is so essential for understanding and improving diabetes management. We are proud to help people with diabetes gain greater and easier control over their disease and we remain dedicated to providing advancements that further this mission.”
“More than ever, we believe that effective diabetes management depends on timely and accurate data. That is why we are excited to complete development of the App and integrate data from Insulet’s OmniPod system,” said Terry Gregg, DexCom’s CEO.
Read the entire announcement here.
21 Things I Learned Being a Stay-at-Home Dad
I don't know how to best say this, so I'm just going to blurt it out. If you have never seen, or had, a pelvic exam, let me tell you something -- it's not how you imagine it.
If you were just thinking that what this Father's Day really needs is an Internet post full of life lessons from a stay-at-home dad who wrote a book (that won a literary parenting award), boy, did you click on the right link. If that's not what you were thinking, I'd read this anyway because not only do I say vagina about halfway down the page, but also there's some meaningful stuff on this list. Let's face it, who would you rather take advice from, an award-winning author who says "vagina" or those stuffy expert types? Happy Father's Day!
21 Things I Learned Being a Stay At Home Dad for the Last 14 Years.
- Plainly, sorting the laundry, folding the laundry and putting away the laundry is the scourge of my existence.
- I'd always wanted to have children, but I was unprepared for how the news that I would soon be a father would affect me. I immediately began to imagine all the things that I would need to do and instantly felt the pressure of another person's life depending on me.
- Putting a baby in your wife's belly gets you an invitation to her OB/GYN appointments.
- I don't know how to best say this, so I'm just going to blurt it out. If you have never seen, or had, a pelvic exam, let me tell you something -- it's not how you imagine it.
- When your wife (or really any woman) asks for your opinion about baby accessories, she is just being polite. I may be overgeneralizing, but they don't care, even a little bit, what you think. And, to be honest, it's probably better that way.
- I didn't initially expect that I would become more emotional than I already was, but this job will change you.
- Don't eat Doritos before you coach your wife through childbirth and definitely don't forget to have your mother leave the room when the baby arrives... my wife is still annoyed that my mom saw her vagina.
- Once you've feel it, you'll never forget how warm and thick baby vomit is.
- You can drop a baby without hurting them -- if you get a lucky bounce.
- Everyone should watch a lion eat with their 2-year-old.
- Dangerous elements aside, don't try and control which experiences get to be part of the recipe that creates who your children will be one day.
- Endless decisions are made and carried out by our moms in homes all around the world. Each step holds the hope of survival, growth and prosperity, but as important and plentiful as these women and their work are, it goes unseen by most.
- You can't bank sleep, so enjoy it when you can.
- There is no such thing as gender specific tasks.
- When my children become adults and find themselves reflecting on our time together, I want the feeling to endure more than the words themselves. Like the difference between being told that you are loved and the feeling of being hugged by a person who loves you. I want them to feel my hug wrapping around them... always.
- Most guys wish that they had a closer relationship with their fathers. Break that cycle.
- Life really is about the pauses in between the moments.
- Being told that your child will require an infusion of man-made insulin multiple times throughout the day and night to stay alive is devastating.
- Don't stop and don't give up.
- I was estranged from my father for most of my life and only reconnected with him in his last few years... I wish we had found each other again much sooner.
- If you open your heart, your family will fill it with a glorious feeling that transcends description.
Excerpted (blurbed really) from LIFE IS SHORT, LAUNDRY IS ETERNAL by Scott Benner. Copyright © 2013 by Scott Benner. Excerpted with permission by Spry Publishing LLC.
Book Review and Giveaway: Dealing with Diabetes Burnout
Dealing with Diabetes Burnout: How to Recharge and Get Back on Track When You Feel Frustrated and Overwhelmed Living with Diabetes - A new book from Ginger Vieira
Ginger Vieira's latest book is geared mostly toward adults living with diabetes, but I found it to be a wonderful resource just the same. As the parent of a child living with type I diabetes, I often find myself wondering what it feels like to live with the disease. I do my best to imagine what Arden is thinking, feeling and experiencing, but I know that I'll never be able to fully comprehend. I'm happy to tell you that after reading 'Dealing with Diabetes Burnout' I'm closer to understanding than ever before.
The book is very well written and presented, Ginger's voice, humor and wisdom is apparent throughout. There's a wonderful section that offers advice to D-parents that I found helpful and tons of contributors from all over the diabetes community.
We can work, hope and pray that our children don't go through bouts of burnout, but lets face it, they probably will. Ginger's book helps to prepare you for those moments and gives sound advice on how to combat and live well through them.
You can enter below to win a copy from Arden's Day or if you can't wait... pick one up today in stores or online.
Winner of the book will be chosen at random. Book will be shipped directly from Ginger's publisher, DemosHEALTH. There are many ways to enter, just login to the Raffelcopter app for details (It's super easy). -- Buying through my link will help to support Arden's Day.
iHealth to launch smaller glucometer, drop test strip price
Interesting...
From: http://mobihealthnews.com
iHealth Labs, a San Francisco-based subsidiary of China’s Andon Health, has received FDA clearance for iHealth Align, a new smaller, smartphone-enabled glucometer. iHealth announced the product along with a new pricing strategy for diabetes care, dubbed Simple Savings.
Of course, the real cost to consumers for at-home blood glucose monitoring is in the test strips that must be continuously reordered. Under its Simple Savings program, iHealth will drop the cost of its test strips for both devices to $12.50 for a box of 50 strips ($0.25 a piece), about a quarter of the price of many name brand strips.
“It’s probably more of a known secret in the marketplace that the real margins is within the strips,” Lin said. “We just felt like, we want to pass on all that savings to the end users. It’s got to be simple to understand. You don’t have to go through all these issues for reimbursement. We brought it down to pretty much co-pay.”
Read the entire story here...