When it came time to change the sensor, I simply pushed the “started a new sensor” function on the CGM and off it went. I didn’t have to take the old sensor out or put a new sensor in.
But today, I have to take out the old one. It was within a few hours of being 6 days old. It has to be changed. So I started the process.
Remove the tape. I picked and picked and picked and picked at the tape. Pull a little bit and finally the outside tape covering the transmitter and the sensor came off.
Slide the transmitter out and stick it in the charger.
Pick at the sensor tape. Pick, pick, pick, pick, pick. Let me find the tweezers. Pick, pick, pick, pick and finally the tape is lose. I slide the sensor out and I am done with the removal process.
OK, I shave a little hair at the new sensor site and take a quick shower.
Load the sensor into the Injector. Remove the tape cover and remove the needle cover. Grit my teeth, take a deep breath, curl my toes and push the button. I am pushing the button and nothing is happening. OK, Breath. Remember to Breath. I am sweating again with anticipation of pain and agony when the needle is injected. I just know it is going to hurt. Worse then having a toe cut off or worse then bonking your head on a sharp pointy object.
Start over. Try to relax, I can’t. I grit my teeth, take a deep breath, curl my toes and push the button. Push a little harder. Push a little harder, and then swoosh, the sensor is in. No pain. It is all in my head. What a mind trip I am playing on myself. To much stress I am inflicting from my own thoughts. I will have to work on this. Mind over matter or maybe Mind over anticipation.
I remove the needle and wait for 5 minutes. I slide in the transmitter and push the “Start new sensor” function on the CGM. I have a signal and I am done. No wait. I have to apply the tape. I add the tape over the transmitter and the sensor. Now I am done.
I would like to remove the glue from the old tape. My shirt is going to stick to my belly all day if I don’t remove it. I use an alcohol wipe only to find out it doesn’t work. My wife finds the finger nail polish remover. It does not have any acetone in it. She finds another bottle with acetone. How many bottle of polish remover do we have? I live in a house of Women; I shouldn’t ask questions like that.
I am told we need another one for me to remove my tape glue. Oh boy, my own bottle of finger nail polish remover. This way I won’t use any of their finger nail polish remover. I can hardly wait. Another bottle to cram into my already over flowing medicine cabinet. Anyway the finger nail polish remover does not do a very good job of removing the tape glue. I will need to stop at the hardware store and look for something stronger. I had better check with MedTronic to make sure I don’t get anything that will eat away my transmitter or my skin.
A few hours later, I am working away and waiting for my two hours to expire, so I can do a BG and I notice the CGM has a weak signal. I have to pull the tape back from the sensor and unplug the transmitter from the sensor and then reconnect it. I now have a strong signal. Now the tape. I am trying to put it back the way it was. The tape is sticking to itself and me and every place else I don’t want it to. There, good enough. I will need to put a new piece of tape on when I get home, but I can make it through the day.
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