Hiding

Most of us get pretty psyched when we see someone wearing and insulin pump “in the wild” and dish out some education when people see our own robot gear. Diabetes may be an “invisible illness” but it manifests visually a lot more than others would think.

Honestly though, being loud, proud and pancreatically challenged all the time isn’t my cup of tea. On a normal day at the office, at home or with family the arm sites and visible Dexcom sensors are no big deal. Sometimes I just want to hide it all and look like the normal, healthy person that I am. Most of the time though, the attire for those occasions doesn’t make it easy.

My pancreas was still operational when Brad and I got married, so I didn’t need to worry about the mechanics behind wearing a wedding dress AND an insulin pump like many d-brides have to. On New Year’s Eve, I didn’t want anyone eying my robot parts so I shuffled my rotation and site change times to hide my pod on my thigh and my Dexcom sensor on my backside then made wardrobe adjustments to keep the delicate, clingy fabric of my dress from showing the bumps. I stashed my d-gear in a clutch and commandeered on of Brad’s pockets for my PDM (I bought the largest clutch I could and everything still didn’t fit!).

At Brad’s work Christmas party, I also hid my gear but it was much easier. A back pod was completely invisible in my ruched, festive top and a light-weight bolero easily hid my arm Dexcom. If anyone noticed me covertly testing, they were polite enough not to stare. I was found out at the end of the evening when I removed my bolero and Brad’s co-worker’s paramedic boyfriend asked what was on my arm.

As my friend’s wedding this summer approaches, I’ve been thinking about hiding my robot parts. I’m quite confident that I’ll be able to make my pod and sensor invisible, but here’s where it gets sticky. I will definitely need to keep my Dexcom receiver on/near me and I won’t be carrying a purse to the alter with me. I can’t very well stash it in my bouquet or even hold it through the ceremony since I’ll be juggling my own flowers and my friend’s. Hmm… I’m switching to the G4 soon so I’ll have more range. I could have Brad pocket it, but from his place with the groomsmen, how could he alert me to an alarm? I’m thinking my best option will be a garter/holster thing strapped to my leg. I’ve read about ladies with tubed insulin pumps strapping them on their leg with a garter.

Vanity, comfort, consistency and clumsiness are the main reasons I went with OmniPod. For situations like these, I’m even more glad that I did. It makes hiding the bionics much easier

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On another note, thank you to everyone for the kind words on yesterday’s post. On days like birthdays, it’s tough to not be able to celebrate another year of someone’s life.

 

(The lowdown on my outfit – Dress: Macy’s, Shoes: Target, Clutch: Charming Charlie, Necklace and earrings: Charming Charlie, Bracelet: DIY)