Living with Type 2 Diabetes: Kathleen’s Journey with Omnipod

Kathleen Weaver has been living with type 2 diabetes since 2002. For her, managing diabetes has been a journey filled with challenges, but technology like the Omnipod  has made life easier.

From injections to pumps

After her diagnosis, Kathleen started with the typical treatment for type 2 diabetes: metformin, pamphlets on diet and exercise, and a prescription for a blood glucose meter and test strips.

However, her blood sugar levels remained inconsistent, and she began insulin therapy, injecting insulin five times a day for nearly two years.

In 2004, Kathleen’s doctor suggested she try an insulin pump.

She started with the now-discontinued Animas pump system, which was unusual for someone with type 2 diabetes at the time. Even today, insulin pump therapy is less common for type 2s, with barriers like limited access to diabetes specialists and a lack of marketing to this group.

Kathleen’s doctor’s encouragement was a pivotal moment in her diabetes management journey.

Choosing Omnipod DASH

Kathleen switched to the Omnipod system in 2019. She appreciated how inclusive the company was toward people with type 2 diabetes and how well they worked with her doctor’s office to streamline the process.

Kathleen also values the support she receives from Omnipod’s team, especially when addressing issues like pod malfunctions.

“I love not having to think about where my Omnipod is when I wake up in the morning,” Kathleen says. “It’s stuck to me, and that makes a huge difference.”

Life with Omnipod

For Kathleen, the Omnipod system has been a game-changer.

Before using it, her A1C was 7.5 percent; now, it’s around 6.5 percent.

She’s also experienced weight loss and uses less insulin as her diabetes management has improved.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology has played a key role in her success, helping her make real-time adjustments to her insulin needs.

Kathleen’s profession as a computer science teacher adds another layer to her diabetes management.

“If my blood sugar is too high, I have trouble thinking and retaining new information,” she explains. “And if it’s too low, I can’t think at all. Managing my blood sugar is crucial for teaching and staying sharp in an ever-evolving field.”

Freedom and flexibility

One of Kathleen’s favorite aspects of the Omnipod is the freedom it provides.

Unlike traditional pumps with tubing, Omnipod is tubeless and waterproof, allowing her to enjoy activities like relaxing in the hot tub without worrying about insulin delivery.

“For 20 years, I woke up tangled in tubing and had to think about where the pump was before getting out of bed,” Kathleen recalls. “Now, I don’t have that problem anymore.”

Looking ahead

Kathleen hopes more people with type 2 diabetes can experience the freedom and improved management that devices like Omnipod offer. She believes pump companies should do a better job of marketing to type 2s and addressing their unique needs.

“We’re out here, and we deserve devices that make diabetes easier to control,” Kathleen says. “A device like Omnipod can make a life-changing difference.”