Houston . . . We have a Problem!: Death of Dexcom

Monday, October 24, 2011

Death of Dexcom

4:00 AM

I've given up hope.

Dexcom is dead.

It's sad really.

Last Monday, Nate's Dexcom literally SAVED HIS LIFE. Remember Low, Low and Even Lower --- that's the day Dexcom saved Nate's life and Nate killed Dex.

Nate was at school, sitting in circle time when Dexcom alarmed for a low. 30 MINUTES BEFORE HIS SCHEDULED BG CHECK. 30 MINUTES BEFORE HIS SCHEDULED BG CHECK. Yes, I meant to write that twice. He was 26. Then 27. 30 MINUTES BEFORE HIS SCHEDULED BG CHECK WITH NO SYMPTOMS. NONE.

Nate's teacher checked him twice, started the juice box and called the nurse down to the room. They checked him again once the juice was flowing and then the nurse took Nate to her office where he stayed (with no symptoms of a low) until his bg was 103 and we both felt like after a juice box and a GoGo Squeeze apple sauce and his regularly scheduled snack of a drinkable yogurt (45g total uncovered) he would be ok but his wonderful nurse stayed close. She checked before recess, during recess and when he came in from recess. She deserves her own blog post because she is so amazing!

Nate never rebounded with a high until later that evening when Pancake apparently ate Nate's pod. Well, that's Nate's story anyway. I don't know what really happened but Nate went without insulin for a few hours and ended up high at bed time.

I was tired so I put him in bed with me. It's easier. I gave a big correction. I would be checking him often. He went to sleep and I put his Dexcom receiver on my pillow. Once I got in bed I moved it a little closer to him but still on my side of the bed.

After a few glances at Dex throughout the night and his bg being back in range I settled in for some solid sleep. Only to be awoken by a strange buzzing noise around 3:00 AM. I was confused. Confused and wet.

Turns out Nate had snuggled up near the headboard and was laying right on top of the covers, 1/2 of my pillow and you guessed it . . . Dex. Sadly, Nate had wet the bed (damn high bg) and destroyed Dex.

UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could care less about being urine soaked, or the fact that my down pillow and comforter were soaked or even that my 3 year old son was soaked. I ran to the kitchen 1/2 asleep and searched the pantry for rice. Found it. Placed Dex in it and went back to handle the rest of the situation.

I'd heard from several people that putting it in rice would dry it out and it would be fine. Yea - not working over here at Houston . . . we have a problem. Insert curse word here. A big one. Probably the F word!

Our warranty expired in July. Boo!

Nate is now on Texas Medicaid and they do not cover Dexcom.

I have to say that I think that is total CRAP. The cash price for Dexcom is $1100. The sensors are expensive but how do you put a price on a life? I am not even for 1 minute kidding when I say that Dexcom saved Nate's life. I think every child should have this life saving device and it should be paid for my insurance, medicaid, CHIP . . . whatever. The cost of the hospital stay would have been far more than the cost of the Dexcom had Nate had a seizure, lost consciousness, or worse.

These small children cannot verbalize their lows. The technology is there to help them. Why not keep them safe?

I do everything in my power to keep him safe. I count carbs, measure insulin, try and make sure everything is right on but sometimes diabetes just doesn't play fair. Sometimes it attacks without warning. And sometimes your 3-year old hides his blueberry Leggo waffle in the guest bathroom even though he told you he ate it all.

Without Dex we were checking Nate's bg 16-18 times per day.

Thank you to my lovely friend, Kimberly for loaning us hers until our new-old one arrives sometime this week. A fantabulous member of the DOC (love, love, love Kim) is sending her old receiver for us to use (thank you, Lexi for making that happen) until we can figure out what we are going to do. Ours is/was 15-months old and now I am worried about the transmitter going out. Geeez - - - why can't these things last forever?

After 26 I cannot imagine not having Dexcom. Ever.

Severe hypoglycemia

The symptoms of severe low blood sugar develop when blood sugar falls below 35 mg/dL to 40 mg/dL and may include:

Seizures or convulsions.
Loss of consciousness, coma
Low body temperature (hypothermia).

Prolonged severe hypoglycemia can cause irreversible brain damage and heart problems, especially in people who already have coronary artery disease. If emergency medical treatment is not provided, severe hypoglycemia can be fatal.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Holy cow! I am so sorry about Dex...AND...so glad that the DOC pulled through for you Laura.

Love Nate's active imagination re: Pancake eating the POD and the waffle hiding. He sounds like a character and a half.

October 24, 2011 at 4:36 AM

Holly said...

Oh my gosh-I'm so sorry! After you learn to rely on something it sucks to lose it-I hope the Kim's works for you as long as you need! : ) That's so sweet of her to help you out. Hope it comes fast!

October 24, 2011 at 8:27 AM

Michelle said...

Wow! Dexie destroyed from an overnight potty accident. I knew it wasn't waterproof, but that's just crazy. Charlotte sleeps with her sister who sometimes still has overnight accidents so I'm thinking I may want to rig up some sort of overnight waterproof protection now...just in case.
I can't imagine not having Dexie as a back up. It hurts me when Charlotte takes her breaks every few weeks....can't hardly sleep at all those nights. We've caught several "bad" lows with Dexie's help...one of which I'm convinced could have been the one (can't bring myself to type it out, but you know what I mean).

October 24, 2011 at 8:58 AM

Alexis Nicole said...

I'm so glad we could make it happen, I know the security I feel from Dex and how could we not ensure you got that back?

Love you to pieces.

October 24, 2011 at 10:25 AM

Anna said...

So glad you are getting another one. The lows are scary. We can never live without it.

October 24, 2011 at 3:15 PM

Meri said...

I'm so thankful you were able to get a loaner. Your point that 1000$ is way less than a hospital visit is spot on. Get on board insurances!

So frustrating! Hugs to you dear Laura!

October 24, 2011 at 4:53 PM

Denise aka Mom of Bean said...

It's so frustrating what 'they' think should and shouldn't be covered. Life saving technology should be a no brainer...like you said, WAY less than a hospital stay!
Glad you have a loner!!

October 24, 2011 at 9:02 PM

Haley said...

Oh no! So sorry to hear that :(
I think dexcom should be covered by someone as well. We pay over 300 dollars of medical supplies out of pocket every month and most of that is for dex.
Good luck!

October 24, 2011 at 9:05 PM

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your situation. It's absolutely ridiculous that your insurance won't cover a reliable meter! It makes me sick that they put money before human life and well being.

October 26, 2011 at 4:45 PM