Dramatic change attributed to two things: pumping and a wonderful endo
Before she was able to access insulin pumps, Kath de Haan was passing out during hypoglycaemia at least once every fortnight.
Her severe hypos were due to hypo unawareness and would be followed by extreme highs.
“14 years ago, my HbA1c was 14.9 and I had experienced many episodes
of hospital DKA,” Kath says.
“I had experienced retinopathy three times and required three surgeries on my eyes and a lot of laser treatments to close the blood vessels.
“My kidney function was extremely in the negative.
“I couldn’t keep down a job, I couldn’t get out of bed and was just in complete diabetes burnout.”
Kath almost died when she was unconscious for nine hours during a hypo, alone in her lounge room while her son was at school.
“When they found me, my tongue was ripped open and it took five hours to bring me back to,” she says.
“I couldn’t walk for months.”
Kath struggled with hypos, DKA and complications for years before she decided to access the private health system.
“Cost was the biggest barrier for me,” she says.
“In the public health system, I did not experience continuity of care and I felt blame from endos.
“I decided it was worth the investment to see someone privately and that’s when I was introduced to diabetes technology.”
12 years later, Kath’s HbA1c is steady at 6.4 and she has transformed her health – she now has zero complications.
She attributes her miracle turnaround to insulin pumps and her amazing endo, Nat.
“My endo cannot believe how I have managed to improve my kidney function completely, she advised this rarely happens,” Kath says.
“My optometrist was worried about my vision but not only has it been restored, my prescription has decreased significantly too.
“Since I started pumping, I have achieved three university degrees, while working and caring for my son full time!
“I have only gone unconscious from a hypo twice since starting on the pump in 2012 and that was only because CGM wasn’t affordable.”
Kath started using CGM in 2014 and her stable blood glucose levels allowed her to gain her long-awaited scuba diving license.
She says diabetes technology improved not only her quality of life, but her direction in life.
“Without an insulin pump, I would never have been able to complete my degrees,” she says.
“I was a HD student and I have honours in psychology, nutrition, and biochemistry.
“My end goal is to be a diabetes educator and promote behavioural change – I’m so passionate about diabetes.
“Right now, I’m a specialist NDIS Support Coordinator and I really enjoy my job.”
Kath was involved in a Medtronic pump trial after it was recommended to her by her endo.
“Nat is really up with the latest tech, and she connected me,” she explains.
“The pump trial was amazing, and the support Medtronic provided was next level.
“The pumping experience was almost seamless, and Medtronic loaned me a pump after the trial ended until my warranty ran out.
“They didn’t want to take the technology away!
“I’m still using Medtronic, since day one.
“If the pump breaks down, you are sent a new one within two days and the on-call help number is 24 hours.”
In the decade since she started insulin pumps and CGM together, Kath has only experienced one severe hypo.
“I have gone unconscious from a hypo only once since starting CGM,” she says.
“That was during my sleep and auto mode had switched off.
“My mum is now linked as a carer, and she often calls or checks in when she gets low alerts.
“Diabetes technology saved my life.”
If you're interested in finding out more about insulin pumps or are considering upgrading your device, book an appointment in the Diabetes Victoria Clinic and speak to our team who will support your diabetes journey.
