SUNS OUT, PUMPS OUT - Yep, my pump fell out right in front of my boss...

Is there even more to say here?? Because I’m already starting to feel my face reddening typing about it…

It happened. My pump. Fell out. Of my shirt. In front of MY BOSS. Let’s revisit this slightly embarrassing moment shall we?

So I had been working at my company for over a year. My boss knew I had something medical going on with me before I started. Before even accepting the job, I wanted to know all the details of their medical coverage (of course, wanted to see if my pump was covered because $$$) and even asked if it would be okay if I went to the doctor every 3 or so months. I wanted to be open and transparent, but obviously didn’t want to announce my ailments straight away before anyone even knew me. She didn’t know specifically what was up with me, or what my medical condition was, just knew I would have doctors appointments here and there, blah blah nothing crazy. I didn’t feel the need to tell her, didn’t want to bother her with my medical issues, and she really didn’t need to know. She wasn’t going to be the one stabbing me with my glucagon if I ever passed out so...why tell?

So one day I walk into my boss’ office to ask her a quick question. I’m standing there in front of her desk, chatting away, and I feel my pump getting a little loose in my bra strap, ya know, like it may fall out, but not immediately. I think to myself - okay, when you walk away, just like, shove it back up there -- I didn’t think the conversation would be going on that much longer so thought I definitely had time on my side. Well, unfortunately I didn’t. All of a sudden, it comes PLUNGING out, full speed ahead, right out of my shirt! Of course my shirt wasn’t tucked it so it came out full force, no tucked in shirt to stop it.

There went the tubing--alllll released, allll dangling. DANGLING at my side.

Just swaying away.

Did she notice you ask? OF COURSE SHE DID! Some random object just came swinging out of my shirt, which is certainly not something that happens everyday! I’m sure she wondered what else I was hiding in there! She did a little laugh - and then asked “what’s that?”. Rather than make a big deal, or try to make something up right on the spot, I grabbed the dangling pancreas and said,

“Oh that? That’s just my pump. I have type 1 diabetes and that’s attached to me all of the time to give me insulin, and it happened to want to make an appearance while I was here talking with you...but anyway”...

and shoved it back into my bra and just continued on with our original conversation like nothing happened. I wanted to die. I was so embarrassed and, to be honest, I don’t get embarrassed often. But I didn’t die, nothing exploded, the world didn’t end… I kept going. It was a moment, but it happened, and now she knows, which honestly, is for the best. Luckily she just brushed it off and didn't make a big deal of it at all, but it could have been a lot more awkward. Now that she knows what’s going on with me, I feel comfortable talking to her about it, which is actually really nice.

When things like this happen, I’ve learned to just go with it. Don’t be overly concerned, don’t stress -- I’ve learned diabetes isn’t something you should be ashamed of, or try to hide -- it’s a part of you. When things like this happen, because this of course wasn’t the only time something happened with my diabetes that made others question what’s going on, I use them as teachable moments. There are so many people who don’t know much about diabetes, so I’m always happy to shed a little light. So when your pump comes flying out of your shirt, just laugh about it, explain a little, and move on. There are more important things to worry about!