TD's (Teenage Daughter if you haven't been introduced yet) wonderful endocrinologist wanted more detailed analysis of TD's glucose levels and fitted a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) on her for ten days. TD has strong opinions about many things including, but not limited to, politics, music, sexism, gender labels, religion and CGMs. She strongly disliked wearing the device and tried to explain why to me. I think I got the gist of it. She says it feels as though it makes her less human, more machine. It has something to do with technology ruling her life. (This from a teenager with a hearty interest in Pintrest, Whatsapp and YouTube on a tablet and smartphone....) But she agreed to wear the device. Strangely, far from reassuring me that her glucose levels were being constantly monitored, I felt more anxious: FOMO in the World of Diabetes. Perhaps I felt the need to constantly check the device because it was a new and novel tech for us. It makes so much sense to have a CGM, and probably, an insulin pump. For some people, this is the best way of dealing with diabetes. Some people prefer manual injections and testing. It takes economic privilege to try all the new technology available - none of it comes cheap, and medical aids seem more than a bit reluctant to cough up. (Unless your experience is different - I would love to hear about it...)
I think TD might come round to the new neater, easier to use CGM that the endo has suggested. I am hoping so, to give her fingertips a chance to recover from the ten or so tests she currently does daily. TD has set some rules - she wants to have control of the reader, so that she can see what her body is doing before others know. It is the same rule we apply to manual testing, and makes complete sense to me. TD needs to be in control of her own health, and this small rule puts boundaries in place : It is her body and her glucose number. Respect, TD.
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