Walking With the Dexcom G7: A Journey of Insight and Intuition
For a sacred journey spanning over ten weeks, I have worn the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor, a silent sentinel perched on my body, whispering its truths and revelations into the fabric of my daily existence. Now, it is time to share the wisdom of its workings, the light and shadow of its performance, and to ponder whether this shall be the talisman I continue to carry forward—or if the echoes of the Jackson Q6 will call me back.
The Odyssey of My Diabetes
Since 1997, I have walked the path of type 1 diabetes, navigating its trials and teachings. My pilgrimage with continuous glucose monitors began somewhat around 2015, starting with the Medtronic sensor, then the Dexcom T5 and T6, eventually bringing me to the threshold of the G7’s embrace. I cast my eyes upon this new device with high hopes for its 30-minute warm-up heralded as an evolution from its predecessors’ two-hour vigil, but alas, the reality was nuanced—its promise up to 30 minutes, occasionally revealing itself to be a mere moment.
The Art of Placement
The placement, this small act of anchoring the sensor to the body, matters more than we often acknowledge. The back of the arm, though ideal in its approval, found me restless, plagued by discomfort. The thigh, once a sacred ground with the T6, turned treacherous with the G7, as nights twisted the sensor from its mooring. But fear not, I prepare to explore anew—armed with steadfast overlay tape from Skin Grip, I march onward.
The Dance of Adhesion
Adhesion, some might say, is a mystical interplay between the sensor and one’s essence—a personal relationship. The G7 clings to me with devotion equaled by the T6, urging me, on the tenth day, to approach with reverence, lest I strip the sensor and with it, peace from my skin. But for those who find it less faithful, the wisdom lies in small rituals—embrace the alcohol swab, the barrier spray, the holy overlay tape, tools of persistence and partnership.
The Graphs’ Choreography
In its realm of readings, the G7 surprises with its jerky 24-hour graph, unlike the smooth cadence of its forebear. It leaps unexpectedly in blood sugar, a sudden revelation akin to a rapid insight. Yet I question—not anxious of false signals, but aware, I discern the truth from its erratic tales, the slope my oracle, guiding whether to heed the warning of rising sugars or to trust the slow ascent, a more natural course.
A Symphony of Alerts
The G7 carries the symphony of silence and the sonnet of vibration in its alerts—a feature divine in its discretion. In moments of deep meditation or shared silences, it allows the gentle nudge of a watchful eye on my wrist. Moreover, the delayed high alert—the wisdom to wait, to understand one’s rhythm before the chorus of correction begins. It teaches patience yet proclaims urgency for those with different needs.
Challenges Yet to Conquer
Still, the tether of technology shows its frailty. The signal loss, though diminished, speaks of an invisible cord shorter than tales of old—20 feet, a mere six meters. I persist, unplugging the past and nurturing this present, stripping the T6 app from my device, lightening the load to propitiate the gods of connection.
The Choice to Hold or Release
So I stand at the precipice, the decision before me clear. For now, the G7 remains my oracle, guiding my journey through its readiness and its rituals. Despite insurance webs unspun, I seek the path through Pharmacies and prescriptions, valuing its brevity of warm-up and its network of alerts.
Joining the Conversation
Yet I turn to you, fellow traveler. What are your experiences under its watchful eye? Do you seek its embrace, or hear another calling? I invite your reflections, your stories to join with mine in this quest for clarity.
As our journey continues, subscribe to this channel of shared wisdom and thought, and let the light of notification guide you to new content. Join me, dear seeker, and learn once again how to cut through life’s warm-ups to zero.
