The Corner Booth

Here we are, at the end of 2016. And with that, I've made a decision: No more insulin pumping for me. For most of this past year, I've been disconnected from my pump, which is unusual for me since I have pumped since the middle of 2001, taking only an occasional short break (or pump hiatus) over the years -- but always eventually reconnecting the device under my skin. That was even the case this past Spring when I decided to unplug, after becoming a disgruntled Medtronic customer and deciding to test the waters of Multiple Daily Dosing (MDD) once again. But over this year's Holiday season, I've been doing a lot of reflecting on how far we've come and where we are going in this world of diabetes technology. As we start 2017, I've made a decision that we are so close to the so-called Artificial Pancreas that I am not interested in finding another device to hold me over until the AP hits the market. Hell, we're going to be at that point inside of two years,...

We lost an icon this week in Alan Thicke. He's the Canadian actor best known for playing iconic TV dad Dr. Jason Seaver on the '80s sitcom " Growing Pains ." And hearing of his death seems like a punch to the gut for an entire generation (myself included) who grew up watching his congenial humor. Like many, I feel like I knew him based on his incredibly relatable public persona. At age 69, Alan Thicke suffered a heart attack and died suddenly on Tuesday of this week. Not only was he a star on the acting scene and in the hockey world, given his passion for the sport, but he also shined in the Diabetes Community. Alan's oldest son Brennan was diagnosed with type 1 at age 4 back in the late '70s, and now 37 years later, that diabetes diagnosis has been a huge part of the Thicke family's life script. (Yes, one of his other sons is pop music star Robin Thicke .) Over the years, Alan became a veteran on the diabetes advocacy circuit, particu...