I just realized that I have been using an insulin pump for over two years! I missed my Pump Anniversary!    

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Surely, I thought when Toohey beeped at me mid-morning, it was one of those random beeps that I couldn't explain. Maybe even a no-delivery message.

"LOW RESERVOIR" was not what I wanted to see. With my new job in a new city, my commute is no longer just four blocks. Now I'm an hour away from home. I can't just scoot out for a few minutes if I forget something.

I scrolled down; 7 units would barely get me through lunch. I kicked myself because this morning before I left for work I checked how many units I had and knew I wouldn't be able to make it through the day. I made a note to stick a reservoir and a bottle of Novolog in my purse so I could make the change this morning when I ran out.

Clearly, I forgot.

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"I want you to walk ahead of me in case I get stopped," I said to The Mr. We were standing in one of the "expert traveler" lines at the security checkpoint at LAX. Although I had been searched twice in my last three air travels, I thought I was free since I had gotten through security the last time without being searched.

It was particularly dark in this part of the airport. I was particularly emotional having dealt with a screaming No. 3 for about 45 minutes. We had been on vacation and she was completely off schedule and crabby. I had a feeling that I was going to get stopped coming through the security tent.

"I have an insulin pump," I said, holding my pump up for the screener to see. A mantra I had tried and not tried each time I went through security.

"OK, come on through," she said.

I beeped. I knew it. (READ MORE)

Kerri Morrone Sparling

I'm not always looking for evidence of diabetes, but sometimes I find it grinning back at me from the most obscure places. A few weeks ago, I found a bit of diabetes in an unexpected place - an infusion set cover in the change compartment of my car. It looked oddly medicinal, peering out from the bright red casing, hidden alongside a random house key and assorted bits of change. (READ MORE)

So last winter, I decided that since I was committed to MDI, I may as well be on the pump. I knew it would offer me superior management.

I called my insurance company to find out what kind of coverage we had so that I could decide which pump company to call. I understood nothing the rep told me, so I emailed HR to get a translation. Turns out we were changing insurance companies in January 2008 and unless it was urgent, I was encouraged to wait until January.

I started to obsess about going on the pump. Couldn't get the darn thing off my mind and I didn't even have it yet. I would look nearly every day at various pump web sites, compare products online and think about how much easier things would be if I just had the pump already!

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When to tell?

I have accepted a new job. It's in a new city (half way across the country!!). It's with new people. New people who don't know that I have diabetes.

It was during my four-year tenure at my current job that I was diagnosed. I had no problem telling just about everyone in my very small office about diabetes. I already knew them and their personalities.

It's different now. I have a problem with going in to the boss on my first day and saying, "Hey, guess what..." I also have a problem with waiting three months until my benefits kick in, or even longer when someone sees me checking my sugar (or doesn't know what to do if I pass out) to say, "Oh, yeah, maybe I should have told you sooner."

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