Floating in the Unknown

I will say up front that this story has a happy ending. I received my re-up of test strips, insulin pen needles, and insulin when I got home from work and immediately tested my blood glucose after relying on my Dexcom, and only my Dexcom for the entire day. For what it’s worth, my Dexcom was only 3 mg/dL off from my meter when I tested it after a day flying blind.

My concerns are still the same with all of this. My Dexcom is only as accurate as my meter is only as accurate is the technology is capable of calculating. Hardcore diabetes advocates know the FDA’s mandated accuracy for meters is nothing close to acceptable for the people that are directly impacted by these liberal data ranges. The result is a flimsy, but necessary, measure of trust that this technology will live up to the standards and can withstand the tremendous burden placed upon its metaphorical shoulders: keeping me alive.

But what happens when you take a cog out of that machine, and the machine still functions properly? Relying on a calibration from nearly 24 hours ago to be the beacon of accuracy for a day that could include any number of highs and lows isn’t exactly the safest course of action.

Do I feel relieved that my Dexcom remained faithful throughout the day? Do I consider the near spot-on calibration this evening a fluke and consider the whole day a wash? Now I’m not sure if I over-value my Dexcom or if I under-value my meter. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. But situations like this don’t do much to help me find any answers.

I believe in Santa Claus (even if he has a copay)