“It really was life-changing.” 

PEI’s Glucose Sensor Program takes the pain out of diabetes management.

Will Gibbon just wasn’t interested in a glucose sensor to manage his diabetes. Now that he’s been using one for six months, he wonders what took him so long. 

“I can be pretty stubborn like that,” he joked. “My nurse Darlene told me it would be life-changing, but you get used to doing things in a particular way. I’m awfully glad I finally listened to her because she was right.” 

Gibbon was diagnosed twenty years ago with type 2 diabetes. Most of that time, he monitored his blood sugar by pricking his finger and testing the blood with test strips and a blood glucose meter. 

“Will is retired and is a very active guy,” said Darlene Howatt.  Darlene is a diabetes nurse educator with Health PEI and has recommended sensor technology to Gibbon in the past. “Because he’s so active and on medication that can cause low blood sugars, he needs to check his blood sugar levels frequently. He was doing capillary blood tests (by pricking his finger) between four and seven times a day. It made him a perfect candidate for a sensor.” 

“Really, I was doing the poke before every meal, a few hours after every meal, and then sporadically through the day if I was feeling out of whack,” said Gibbon. “You get used to it, but it really is a lot of poking!” 

 When Prince Edward Island began its Glucose Sensor Program in June 2022, Gibbon decided to give it a try. 

“The sensor isn’t cheap, so reducing the cost was the last hurdle for me,” he said. “It took me about a month to get used to the new way of doing things, but the sensor is pretty slick. I’ve compared the results to the finger-poke tests, and they align almost perfectly.” 

The PEI Glucose Sensor Program helps with the cost of approved sensors purchased at Island pharmacies. The out-of-pocket cost to users of the program varies depending on household income and the existence of private insurance. 

“I carry mine with me everywhere I go. The fact I can check as often as I want is a real comfort. Even better, I can look back at my data over the last three months. I can see where I’m doing well and where I need to tighten up. It’s a comfort to my wife as well, because she knows I’m keeping better track of my levels.” 

     – Will Gibbon

Gibbon also learned some things about how his choices impact his results. 

“My wife and I are healthy eaters,” he said, “but what I’ve found is it’s not what I’m eating, it’s the amount of what I’m eating that makes a difference. That's something I can adjust on my own.” 

Gibbon said he would recommend a glucose sensor to others. His nurse loves it too. 

“Now, when Will comes in for an appointment, I have a lot of glucose results and data to assess and review which assists me to provide safe recommendations for his care.” 

Find out if a glucose sensor is right for you! Learn more about the Glucose Sensor Program today.