We are in the process of trying to get Evelyn on insulin pump therapy. She knew before she was "officially" diagnosed that she would be getting a pink pump and a special pink skin to go with it. She had it all planned out! Unlike some kids you plan out what they will wear the next day or what they will major in for school my kid plans out her demise...if you will! Well, health insurance could possible be an issue for us. We haven't reached the mandatory six month waiting period but our pump company insurance liaison feels we have a shot since Nora is on a pump and has been since 2007. In order to get all our ducks in a row; we have letters from Evelyn's Endo, paperwork and more paperwork signed by the powers that be. In comes D Momma. The personal letter to the insurance company pleading our case. Why Evelyn wants to be on a pump. That we know what we are doing. I'm sure many of you have gone down this insurance road of hell! I just wrote the letter and wanted to share it with you! Fingers crossed, Blue Heels on, and a powerful letter will hopefully work. If not. It's okay...we wait till December 1st. But this D Momma likes a challenge. So look out Insurance Board of Approval...you have no idea what your up against!!
9/23/12
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to you on behalf of my daughter, Evelyn Loving. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, June 1, 2012. Just a week after she graduated High School and only 5 days before she celebrated her 18th birthday. Not only is this unfortunate for her but it has devastated our family. You see, our 11 year old daughter, Eleanore, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, June 13, 2005. She was 4 ½ years old. We KNOW diabetes. We LIVE diabetes. Every day. 24/7/365 x 7 years and counting.
The reason for my letter is for you to consider waiving the six month waiting period and allow my daughter, Evelyn, to be placed on insulin pump therapy. Her sister has been successfully pumping since 2007. She loves her pump and the convenience it allows her to live her life without the hassle of insulin syringe injections. Evelyn has seen the workings of the pump and how it has given her sister freedom. Freedom to be “normal”…to be discrete about her chronic condition.
Evelyn has been given herself 575 insulin injections JUST since June 1. That’s 575 different rotations of injections sites. Upper arms, inner/outer thighs, and belly. It doesn’t get any easier for her. She is a trooper but as a parent it rips my heart out with every injection she must endure. For every shot that hurts her; while it’s administering the life saving drug she needs, it’s hard to see her go through this. Having an insulin pump won’t cut down on the amount of insulin she will need. However, it will cut down on the amount of syringe piercings she will have to endure. To have a single pump site set that rotates with a new site set every 2 -3 days will save her skin from multiple injections, scars, and possible scar tissue. Not to mention the constant flow of insulin she will be receiving via her pump that will help her manage her diabetes more effectively. To get this constant flow of insulin gets rid of the peaks and valleys she sees when she takes her long lasting insulin. It’s just a better regime for her.
So please reflect on our specific case. We know insulin pumps. We are well educated on how a Minimed Revel Insulin Pump works. We know to call Minimed and/or Cincinnati Children’s Medical Hospital Center
Thank you for your time,
Jennifer Loving
Mom to Two Type 1 Diabetics
