Hope

I've heard the term "artificial pancreas" since K's diagnosis, but it seemed too sci-fy and, frankly, discussed for so long that I never thought it would really happen. But of late, I'm reading more and more about the artificial pancreas being close to market!! Here was one recent article: an interview with a woman who wore an artificial pancreas for several days. It includes links to the blog she kept.

If what I'm reading is correct, K could be living almost normally before she's done with elementary school. She'd be wearing a bevy of devices, but she could eat without counting carbs! She could exercise and do normal kid activities without the constant fear of going low. She could go through her school day without nurse visit interruptions. She won't have to wait to eat carbs because the "pancreas" would keep her BG from going too high. And if her BG is kept in a normal range, the long term risks of diabetes would be substantially less likely to effect her! She could sleep through the night without getting her fingers pricked. Which means my husband and I could sleep through the night!! All of these concepts (and more) seem so foreign that it's hard to comprehend! 

We have hope.