Since Maeve was put on a CGM last June, people always ask me if I can see her blood sugar numbers remotely, for example on my phone. It is a normal assumption, considering the level of technology we are currently at in today’s world . However, the answer is no. A “cloud” for the CGM has been in for FDA approval and has not been approved yet. If you know anything about FDA approval of medical devices, it is lengthy process. A savvy group of Type 1 parents decided they were not waiting for FDA approval anymore and they went rogue! And so began the #wearenotwaiting revolution. This group calls themselves CGM in the Cloud. They wrote and created a code, database and websites to allow you to view CGM data on your phone, computer, tablet, and a pebble watch on THEIR OWN – with no help from big pharma or investors. And they are sharing this information with the rest of us Type 1 parents at no charge – their only request is to pay it forward and help another person trying to set up CGM in the Cloud. Before now, Maeve’s CGM had to be within 25 feet of her and I had to follow her around to see her blood sugar. Even at night – when she would be upstairs in bed and I am downstairs I would run up several times and through the night I would have to physically get up out of bed multiple times to check it (often times just to put to rest a “funny feeling”. With this new system, I do not have to be in Maeve’s presence to see her blood sugar. I have been watching this group from a far for months now and I have just been too intimidated to try and set up this VERY complicated system. It wasn’t until a friend of mine (who doesn’t even have a Type 1 child!) read about CGM in the cloud and asked me why Maeve didn’t have it. She was like, “You are always ahead of the 8 ball? What is wrong!?” “I was like, I know!” I pride myself on saying 8 ball eat my dust! I was just too overwhelmed by the technological aspect of setting up the program. Well after buying all of the supplies I needed (an unlocked cell phone, a micro usb to micro usb cable, a pebble watch) and 40 hours of work speaking in a language I don’t even understand – (I was saying words like mongolab, github, collections, data strings, url – I was speaking in foreign tongues!). The kind people at CGM in the Cloud patiently and tirelessly walked me through the process. So now, this is Maeve in bed with her CGM/phone concoction and this is me in my bed with a pebble watch on and the last picture is Maeve’s #’s displayed on my cell phone. All I have to do now is peek at my wrist or my phone! I can also monitor her numbers from my computer or tablet. Can you say game changer? We are one of approximately 400 people in the ENTIRE world who are using this system. I slept for the first time – and I didn’t have to get up to check the CGM – I just looked at my wrist. I felt my bed beneath me for the first time in 2 years – every other night – I feel like I am sleeping just above the bed, ready to hop out at any given time. Don’t worry I am still ready to hop out – but I am resting just a little bit easier. The only drawback is the designated cell phone must be hooked up to the CGM with WiFi access in order for it to work. That is not possible at every moment of the day – but technology improves everyday – I am a patient person. What is my biggest complaint about this awesome system you may ask? When I show it to people and they reply, “Oh cool.” To them, it is just another piece of technology. I want to shake them and say “Don’t you understand the magnitude of this!” In theory, I can leave Maeve at a friend’s for a play date, a birthday party, and maybe even get crazy and use a babysitter. I can alert someone there is a problem and I can delegate from a distance instead of wondering and worrying what her numbers are. Sleep and feeling rested are actually going together instead of being mutually exclusive! I am so grateful for the trailblazers at CGM in the Cloud. I barely had the courage to set it up myself – I can’t imagine having the courage to set it up for the masses. I feel like my senses have been awakened. It is amazing what rest coupled with a little less worry yields! Do this Type 1 mom a huge favor – if you meet someone who has CGM in the Cloud and they show it to you or tell you about it – really shock them and scream with delight, do a cart wheel, shout – “that’s amazing!”, or just give them a hug and say “I am so happy for you!”. Tamlyn Willard CGM in the Cloud
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 00:20:34 +0000
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