Some days, I can’t believe I get paid for this: Quinn’s best life story

One great day

On June 10, 2021, 12-year-old Quinn stepped onto the sidewalk at the CHEO main entrance, paused on the sidewalk, turned his face to the sky, lifted his hands in the air, and let rip with a long, loud shout as he took of running with his parents Olivia and David: “Freeeedom!”

Moments before, CHEO Certified Diabetes Educator Liz Stevens had finished helping Quinn get started with his new insulin pump. Diagnosed with diabetes just before he turned two, Quinn’s sidewalk celebration was the perfect expression for how he was feeling in that long-awaited moment.

For Liz, it was a special day too.

“It’s always a happy day when I get to help a young person with an insulin pump,” said Liz. “But with Quinn, it was extra special. He was literally jumping up and down after training for his pump.”

Now, a little over a year later, Quinn is still thrilled, “I’m allowed to go places I couldn’t go before and do things I couldn’t do.”

How insulin pumps work

Youth with diabetes, like Quinn, need to carefully manage their blood sugars and insulin doses. For many, an insulin pump can improve their quality of life. There are different kinds, and one will be chosen depending on what each youth needs.

Most insulin pumps are like this one: 

A needle in placed just under the youth’s skin (in the subcutaneous tissue). This needle is held in place 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The pump is a small device, about the size of a deck of cards, attached to the needle with a short, flexible tube. A youth with diabetes carries their pump wherever they find convenient, usually clipped on their belt or tucked into a special waist pouch.

Quinn’s pump is a little different than most. He has an Omnipod DASH, which does not have an external tube. Instead, a canula with an attached pod has been inserted under Quinn’s skin. Every three days, he changes the pod to ensure insulin is delivered whenever he needs it. He carries a PDM (“personal diabetes manager”) which is similar to a small phone. Quinn uses his PDM to communicate with the pump.

Day and night, Quinn’s insulin pump delivers a slow, continuous dose of insulin. Prior to meals, Quinn enters his blood sugar and carbs into his PDM, and the pump automatically calculates how much insulin is needed to keep his blood sugar stable. His pump delivers the required dose, and Quinn dives into his meal: om nom nom. Quinn also wears a Dexcom G6 which checks his blood sugar every five minutes. He rarely has to prick his finger to test his blood. And, of course, he doesn’t need to give himself insulin injections, the pump does it for him. 

The right choice for you and your family

To start on an insulin pump, patients and families take part in three training sessions, one with a Registered Dietitian and two with a Certified Diabetes Educator, like Liz. Everyone learns how to operate the pump, how to insert the pod or infusion set, how to adjust for sports and illness, and everything else they need to know.

Choosing to use an insulin pump is a personal choice. Many youth, like Quinn, find pumps helpful; other youth and families prefer regular blood testing and self-injections. It’s a matter of considering all the options and choosing the one that works best for each youth and family.

“Giving young people and their families choices is so rewarding,” said Liz. “Every day I get to help young people live their best lives. Some days, I can’t believe I get paid for this.”

Peace of mind

“Before Quinn had his pump and monitor, we were constantly testing his blood sugar and giving him needles,” said Quinn’s mom Olivia. “It wasn’t always possible to go places the family wanted to go, but now we can. And with the technology, I can peak in on his blood sugar remotely to make sure he’s OK, which really helps with my peace of mind. I don’t worry like I used to.”

“And I get to go swimming,” said Quinn.