My pump trainer tapped a few buttons and the dark grey contraption began to whir in his hands. He handed it over to me and I navigated to the prime screen.

Even though I felt familiar with the concept of the pump, this was my first time actually picking it up and scrolling through the menus. It wasn't heavy, but heavier than I had thought. My apprehension grew as I glanced that the sterile-wrapped packages of infusion sets and reservoirs that were scattered on the table. After managing diabetes for a few years on vials of Lantus and Novolog pens, I didn't associate these tidy packages with diabetes management at all. Now the abstract words I had overheard about pump therapy were becoming much more tangible: prime, fixed prime, dual wave, temp basal, infusion set... It was both overwhelming and exciting.

While I knew that most people on the pump would never want to permanently go back to multiple daily injections, I had to know if I could handle being attached to a device while living my daily life. I needed to experience wearing it at work, during exercise, on a night out, and while I was sleeping. I wanted to be convinced before actually making a commitment to the pump.

Chad peeled open an infusion set and prepared to insert it into a foam abdomen used for training. He explained that I could remove it just like a Band-Aid after wearing it for three days. I fingered the plastic cannula and spaghetti shaped tubing. I felt ready to try it for myself. After filling the reservoir with saline, I swiped my abdomen with a prep wipe and waited for it to feel tacky. I clumsily placed the infusion set into the insertion device and exposed the introducer needle. I held it against my skin, counted to three in my head, and squeezed the release buttons. The set pounced forward with a spring-loaded thump.

I was officially tethered. Chad and I went over pump basics for another hour and then I was ready to get back to work. Although I still was on Lantus and Novolog for my "real" insulin, I practiced bolusing and correcting with the pump. Once I was alone back in my office, I held the pump up to my ear as it delivered a correction bolus. Each tenth of a unit sounded like a very slow, polite, ticking clock.

In the bathroom, I studied my reflection. Feeling slightly too bionic, I tucked the excess tubing into my pocket and allowed my flowy shirt to settle on top of my slacks to camouflage the medical-look of the pump. Before lunch, I practiced using the pump to calculate my insulin dose. I input my current blood sugar and carbs and the Bolus Wizard flashed 4.4 units. I bolused with the pump saline and then drew up the actual insulin. Holding my old-fashioned needle, I definitely understood the convenience of the precise dosing and discretion of the pump.

The pump might not be for everyone, but I am starting to think that it might be the best way for me to manage my diabetes. Although being tethered certainly has its drawbacks, the benefits of pumping are convincing me to try the real deal.

Coming soon – pumping for real.