The last few months have seen a lot of transitions for my family. Back in May, we celebrated my daughter’s high school graduation. In August we took her to college and said goodbye. Just a few days after we got home, Benny started high school.
As I sit here in my now much-more-quiet house, I realize in four short years, Benny will be the one graduating from high school and getting ready to move out. In “real life” four years goes by in a flash, but in “diabetes life” four years can seem like an eternity. You know why, right? That’s the time we associate with being locked in an insulin pump warranty.
Benny started on an insulin pump when he was two, about six months after diagnosis. I remember hearing about big changes coming to that pump system and being very frustrated that we had to wait. We were actually pretty lucky to be on the tail end of our four year warranty, but it took more than a year to wait it out, process everything and get the new system mailed to us. That’s one reason why we switched to the t:slim X2 pump from Tandem Diabetes Care. It’s the only pump currently offering remote software updates. I loved the idea of getting new features as soon as they were available, and easily from home.
The timing worked out so that we did our first update about a month after we received our t:slim X2 pump in 2017. That’s when Tandem integrated the Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM. I plugged Benny’s pump into my computer, did the software download and handed it back to him; it took less than 15 minutes. Same thing with our Basal-IQ technology update a year later. Once we had the prescription from Benny’s doctor, it was a quick online training session, a download to the pump and we were finished. Even better, both updates were free to us, as in-warranty customers.
I was thrilled to hear that Tandem is continuing that free service; diabetes is expensive enough! All software updates released through 2020 are free to in-warranty t:slim X2 users in the United States.1
A lot can change in four years. In 2015, Lea was 14-years-old and just starting high school. Now she can drive and she can vote and she’s starting the newest adventure of her life 700 miles away. Four years ago, Benny was in fifth grade and was the shortest one in our family. Now he’s almost as tall as my 6’1” husband! I’m grateful to be with a pump company that can keep up with us.
As I look ahead, in 2023 Benny will be 18 and probably off on his own college adventure. I’d love to slow things down, but that’s not how it works. Honestly? I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Stacey Simms was compensated by Tandem Diabetes Care for her contribution on this topic. However, she created the content, and it is based on her personal knowledge, experiences, and observations.
1Additional feature updates are not currently available for the t:slim X2 pump with Basal-IQ technology and are subject to future FDA approvals. A prescription and additional training may be required to access certain future software updates. Offer only available to customers who reside in the United States, who are in warranty at the time they update their pump and who purchased a t:slim X2 insulin pump on or before December 31, 2020. Tandem may discontinue select software and features over time at its discretion. This is a limited time offer and Tandem reserves the right to discontinue this program at its discretion.
From time to time, we may pass along suggestions, tips, or information about our experiences or approaches to the management of diabetes. However, please note, individual symptoms, situations, circumstances, and results may vary. Please consult your physician or qualified health care provider regarding your condition and appropriate medical treatment.
Important Safety Information:
Federal (USA) law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. The t:slim X2 insulin pump with Basal-IQ technology (the System) consists of the t:slim X2 insulin pump, which contains Basal-IQ technology, and a compatible CGM. CGM sold separately. The t:slim X2 insulin pump is intended for the subcutaneous delivery of insulin, at set and variable rates, for the management of diabetes mellitus in persons requiring insulin. The t:slim X2 insulin pump can be used solely for continuous insulin delivery and as part of the System. When the System is used with a compatible iCGM, Basal-IQ technology can be used to suspend insulin delivery based on CGM sensor readings. The System is indicated for use in individuals 6 years of age and greater. The System is intended for single patient use and requires a prescription. The System is indicated for use with NovoLog/NovoRapid or Humalog U-100 insulin. The System is not approved for use in pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically ill patients. The pump is not intended for anyone unable or unwilling to: use the insulin pump, CGM, and all other system components in accordance with their respective instructions for use; test blood glucose levels as recommended by their healthcare provider; demonstrate adequate carb-counting skills; maintain sufficient diabetes self-care skills; see their healthcare provider regularly. The user must also have adequate vision and/or hearing to recognize all functions of the pump, including alerts. For detailed indications for use and safety information, visit tandemdiabetes.com/safetyinfo.
© 2019 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. All rights reserved. Tandem Diabetes Care and Basal-IQ are registered trademark and t:slim X2 is a trademark of Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Dexcom and Dexcom G5 are registered trademarks of Dexcom, Inc. CM-001097_A
