Monday, July 10, 2017

Running On Autopilot.......

“autopilot”Usually when I can do something on autopilot it’s a good thing.  It means it has become a part of my routine and I can quickly get the chore done without investing too much brainpower.

But sometimes?  Sometimes running on autopilot doesn’t work so well.  Like this morning when I did my site change.  I estimate that I’ve done well over 1,200 site changes in my years of pumping, so I most certainly run on autopilot when I do them.  Remove the old site.  Rewind the pump.  Disinfect both my skin and the insulin bottle.  Fill the new reservoir.  Tap out the bubbles.  Connect the tubing.  Prime and confirm that I see drops of insulin at the end of the needle.  Remove needle guard.  Insert site.

Oops!!  That’s right, I missed a step.  PEEL BACKING OFF OF ADHESIVE!!!  My fresh new site immediately fell out because I didn’t expose the “glue” that keeps it stuck to me for the next three days.

Just because I’ve done something more than 1,200 times doesn’t mean I shouldn’t continue to pay closer attention during the next 1,200 times.  Because autopilot apparently doesn’t always work out so well…..

4 comments:

  1. Hey if that is the only time you have fouled this up, you are miles ahead of me. My last major foul occurred when I stuck the needle in my hand. Ouch you ask? No this was way more than ouch.

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  2. Ha! It happens to the best of us. I have pregnancy brain right now and put my site in without priming the tubing the other day and I've been pumping 17 years. I laughed when I realized what I had done.

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  3. Been there!! I also have not only NOT peeled back the adhesive paper but I also forgot to take off the plastic covering on the needle. Guess we all need to pay a little more attention at times. Thanks for sharing your mistake cuz when I made my mistake, I was so embarrassed!!! I've never told anyone for fear of looking like an idiot!! After four years of putting this thing in every 3 days, one would think I wouldn't make such a silly error. LOL!!!!

    Karen, is there any chance you and Pete are available this coming September 9th, 2017???? Dr Stephen Ponder & his coauthor, Kevin McMahon, the master minds behind Sugar Surfing are presenting a workshop of their Sugar Surfing techniques in my hometown of Braintree Ma. I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE for you and Pete to come!!! We could even grab a bite to eat before you head back to Connecticut if you'd like.

    Let me know what you think. HUGS!!!

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    1. Oh yes, that's a Saturday, so that might be a possibility. I'll let you know as we get closer to the date!!

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