It’s a weird thing carrying around my pancreas.

Well, that’s what I call it. It’s a zippered case that contains my diabetes supplies – my Omnipod meter, my Dexcom PDM, needles, insulin, alcohol, an extra Pod.

I need this case near me at all times. Everywhere I go. It talks to my blue tooth device embedded in my body just under the skin, and reads my blood sugars 24/7. It alarms with highs or lows. I use the meter to input all the food I eat in carbs, and it calculates how much insulin to give me for that meal.

It is my pancreas.

It’s been eight months since I began using these technologies to help control my diabetes. According to the Dexcom my hemoglobin A1C – a blood test that tells you your average blood glucose over the last 3 months – should be 6.5-6.6. It was 8 when I was diagnosed a year ago, and 7 before I got on the electronics. Tomorrow I find out my latest lab work.

It’s a pain to carry this thing around, but I haven’t forgotten it in a while. Knock wood.

It takes planning to go anywhere – I also carry glucose tabs and skittles everywhere I go, in case I get a low blood sugar.

I took my pancreas for granted my whole life. Now I am mindful of everything I eat and drink, recording everything.

Diabetes is manageable- but it takes a lot of work and effort.

It beats the alternative.

Here’s to the next 50 years!