My Hybrid Closed-Loop Journey: Lessons, Laughter, and Lifelong Gratitude

Omnipod Eros & Dexcom G6

Four months ago, I embarked on a hybrid closed-loop journey, armed with an Omnipod Eros, Omnipod Dash, Medtronic pump, Freestyle Libre 2, Dexcom one, and Dexcom G6, and the unwavering support of my closest friends in the diabetes DIY community. If you had told me a year ago that I’d be managing my diabetes with a fully integrated loop system, I probably would have laughed—partly in disbelief and partly because, let’s be honest, technology and I have had a complicated relationship.

Yet, here I am, looping away like a tech-savvy T1D warrior, all thanks to the relentless kindness, generosity, and “we’ll-make-it-happen” attitude of some truly incredible people.

From “Would You Wear a Pump?” to “Here’s Everything You Need”

Medtronic 754

It all started with a simple yet life-changing message:

"Hey Tino, if you’ll come to ISPAD, tell me what I can ‘collect’ for you that you are using for your personal T1D management. I’ll be happy to share what I can.”

Imagine receiving that message while navigating life with insulin pens, thinking pumps were a distant dream. Then came the next big question:

"Would you wear an insulin pump with supplies and some training if you had one?"

What kind of person would I be if I had said no to that? I replied without hesitation:

"Definitely, I would love to try it out. The knowledge I have now is all from conferences. I'm glad to have been fortunate to test some CGMs."

And just like that, the wheels were in motion.

The ISPAD 2024 Supply Mission: A Story of Trust, Luggage, and Last-Minute Miracles

Fast forward to ISPAD 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal—where the diabetes fairy godmothers (and godfathers) were hard at work. Supplies were gathered, plans were made, and suddenly, I had an entire system in the works: a Medtronic pump, Android APS, xDrip, RileyLink (OrangeLink, to be precise), and a brand-new phone, gifted to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Now, if you think this was a stress-free process, let me introduce you to the horror story of the missing suitcase. That’s right—the suitcase carrying my critical pump supplies decided to go on its own little European adventure before eventually making its way to Lisbon. Imagine the anxiety! But my friends, ever the problem-solvers, kept reassuring me, "We’ve got backup plans.” (Which, considering the amount of gear they managed to gather, I fully believe.)

Supplies arrived💪💃

Once everything arrived, it was full steam ahead. I was drowning in a sea of cables, apps, and configurations, yet these incredible people somehow had me fully set up in between conference sessions, social events, and, well, life. The dedication was unmatched.

How it started!

The Words That Brought Me to Tears

Throughout this journey, one message in particular stuck with me:

"I was impressed how impactful it was for Mia to see you using insulin pens when you all met in Florence… She made me reflect and find solutions for you. I was ‘worried’ you wouldn’t want to use the pump, and I was sooo pumped up when you said YES! Then it was all ‘easy’! 😉🥳 Now you have to live a looooong, healthy life, otherwise you’ll make me upset! 😜"

Featuring the baby Mia💙

If you ever needed proof that the diabetes community is built on pure, unfiltered love, here it is. This wasn’t just about getting access to a pump. This was about making sure I had the best possible chance at long-term health, surrounded by people who genuinely care.

DIY: It’s Not “Do It Alone”

There’s a phrase we live by in the DIY looping world:

Peer Support!

"It’s DIY, not Do It Alone."

I felt this truth deeply as I navigated every single hurdle, from setup frustrations to fine-tuning my settings. The community was always there. Every question I asked—whether it was about insulin delivery, loop adjustments, or technical errors—was met with guidance, support, and sometimes, much-needed humor.

So, as part of paying it forward, here are my Top 15 Key Learnings from this journey:

1. Looping is like a relationship: communication is key.

Ignoring alerts won’t make them go away—trust me, I’ve tried.

Omnipod & Dexcom

2. Your CGM will play mind games with you.

One moment, you’re coasting in range; the next, your sensor decides to have a dramatic breakdown. (Dexcom/Libre users, you know the pain.)

3. Always double-check that your pump is connected after a shower.

Unless you enjoy discovering later that your bolus went straight into your pocket instead of your body.

4. There’s no such thing as too many backup supplies.

I learned this when my suitcase played hide-and-seek in Lisbon.

5. Bolusing for coffee? Yes, it’s a thing.

Apparently, caffeine likes to act like carbs sometimes. Who knew?

Bolus for Coffee

6. Never assume your CGM is lying—unless it definitely is.

Because sometimes, it just throws out random numbers for fun.

7. Travel with diabetes tech is an extreme sport.

Security checks, spare batteries, backup plans—it’s basically an Olympic event.

8. “Failed to communicate” is a personal attack from your devices.

AAPS, RileyLink, xDrip—sometimes, they just stop talking to each other for no reason.

That awkward scenario

9. DIY looping means freedom—but also responsibility.

It’s amazing, but it’s not magic. You still need to understand how it works.

10. The diabetes community is the best tech support you’ll ever have.

Forget customer service hotlines—your fellow loopers will sort you out faster.

Coffee with Looper Community

11. Changing infusion sets is an art form.

Get it wrong, and you’ll spend the next few hours wondering why your numbers are climbing.

12. CGMs have a mind of their own.

They love to act up at the worst possible times—like when you’re trying to enjoy a meal.

13. The first few weeks of looping are chaos.

Expect unexpected highs, lows, and a lot of “What is happening?!” moments.

14. Patience is required.

Your loop needs time to learn you—don’t expect perfection overnight.

15. No one does this alone.

Whether it’s troubleshooting issues or just having someone to vent to, the community makes all the difference.

Final Thoughts

If this journey has taught me anything, it’s that access to diabetes technology should not be a privilege—it should be a right. The fact that I had to rely on the kindness of others to get started is both heartwarming and frustrating. Everyone living with diabetes deserves the opportunity to manage their condition with the best tools available.

To those who have been part of this experience—whether by sharing knowledge, donating supplies, or simply cheering me on—I see you, I appreciate you, and I will forever pay it forward.

And to anyone considering looping but feeling intimidated—jump in. The learning curve is real, but so is the support. Remember: it’s DIY, not do it alone.