Tech-ed Out

So my diabetes gadgets were Out of Warranty and I had planned to keep it that way as I wait for better technology. Hope draws closer as people are actually being enrolled in the first tubeless artificial pancreas trials (wish one of the clinics were here in Cleveland!). But I’m halfway back under a warranty.

My Dexcom gave the dreaded, “transmitter battery low, reorder soon” message. So I called my medical supply company. After a slightly frustrating conversation where I had to repeat myself four times and spell the word “low” the lady said she’d get the paperwork in for me to get a new Dexcom G4 system. “Since I’m getting a whole new system, let’s put in paperwork for the Dexcom G5 please.” (Because who wants new-old technology?)

She put in the order and I anticipated full transmitter battery death was imminent and prepared to fly blind for a week or so without my CGM. Thankfully, that didn’t happen.

I got the call that I expected from the medical supply company.

I thought they’d want logs and signed statements and confirmation that I actually have diabetes, but instead they were calling to find out what color receiver I wanted.

“I can offer you black, pink or blue. Black is all I have in stock right now, the pink and blue are on back order,” she told me.

“I will gladly take black!” I responded. “I’m not going to wait just to get a fun color.”

“I’m sure they make skins for it that you could dress it up anyway,” she replied. I love it when medical supply people have a personality and at least sort of “get it.”

My brand new Dexcom G5 system arrived on the same day as my brand new iPhone 7. Which made me laugh because the G5 will talk directly to my phone without using the receiver as a relay like the G4 with Share did.

The warranty clock started ticking on my 1-year CGM warranty a couple of weeks ago. But I think I can last a year on this system, what I want won’t be on the market until after then, but I hope it will be within the next 4 years.

So far, I’m enjoying life with only 2 devices to carry rather than 3. I suspect my receiver is comfortable living in the glass on my bedside table.

My new phone works like a champ. It’s not significantly different than using the iPhone 6S, it feels the same and looks the same, and it talks to my Dexcom transmitter just fine. I know, I know, it’s doesn’t have an auxiliary headphone jack. But thus far, my life hasn’t been impacted by that. I use headphones when I travel and when I do yard work. Next time I need them, I’ll need to remember to use the adapter or new headphones that the iPhone sent me. I’ve had a waterproof resistant phone before, so that aspect isn’t a huge improvement for me.

I’m happy to be tech-ed out again, just wishing for some form of improvement to the clunky PDM for my insulin pump.

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