Ina Verdoold (60) has
lived with diabetes for almost her entire life. For years, she used Roche’s
Accu-Chek insulin pump. When she was told, she would have to switch, it
initially caused some panic. But now, just a few months later, she is
incredibly enthusiastic about her Kaleido pump. “I hardly have to think about
it anymore. It’s so much easier.”
Ina doesn’t remember
much about her diagnosis, but one image has stayed with her: her mother giving
her injections. That continued until Ina moved to a care home in Zeist at the
age of ten, where she learned to manage it herself. Diabetes has always been a
constant in her life, but switching to a pump in 1994 made a significant
difference. “You’re still constantly dealing with it, but a pump does give you
a certain level of freedom. You don’t always have to carry your syringe and
insulin with you.”
Nearly 25 years
with Roche
After a short period with the Dahedi pump, Ina used Roche insulin pumps for
many years—nearly 25 in total. She first heard that her trusted pump would no
longer be available early last year from her diabetes nurse. “Help!” was her
initial reaction. “I don’t get shaken easily, but that news really hit me.”
Choosing Kaleido
Ina’s diabetes nurse helped her choose a new pump. She was immediately drawn to
Kaleido. With this pump, she could wear it directly on her abdomen, without a
long tube. Until then, she had always worn her pump in her bra. “That worked
fine, but in warm weather it caused quite a bit of sweating. I don’t have that
anymore. And what’s also great is that I can keep my new pump on while
showering. In the first few weeks, I instinctively reached for my chest to
disconnect the pump—it had become such a habit. It’s nice that I can now just
leave it on. That gives you an extra bit of freedom.”
Quickly adjusted
Another major difference compared to her previous pump is filling the insulin
cartridge herself. With Roche, she used a prefilled cartridge. Now, changing it
involves a few more steps. But Ina takes it in stride. “I just sit down at the
kitchen table and do it all myself. Within ten minutes, everything is replaced.
I’ve scheduled fixed times during the week for it—Monday mornings and Thursday
evenings.”
Better values, more
peace of mind
Ina takes her diabetes very seriously and is quite strict with herself when it
comes to her glucose levels. Her doctor and diabetes nurse sometimes tell her
she can relax a bit more, but she prefers to stay below 10. The fact that her
values—especially during the day—have improved significantly is a big plus for
her. “I’m not exactly sure why, but it just feels right.”
Extra freedom
When asked what she likes most about her new pump, Ina doesn’t hesitate. “That
extra bit of freedom. You have to think about it much less.” And for other
Roche users who need to switch, she has a clear message: “I can recommend it to
everyone. Looking back, my panic really wasn’t necessary.”