Diabetes Diary - 1/12/15

I think most parents of children with diabetes can relate to me when I say that managing type 1 is a roller-coaster ride. Sometimes you’ll have those magical days and weeks when everything seems to be going beautifully. When Daniel’s in range after every meal, he stays stable through the night, and you pat yourself on the back for balancing on the diabetes roller coaster ride so well. Then just when you think you have it all figured out, something changes and the numbers start going haywire. Back to the drawing board — it’s time to make adjustments once again.

As we approach his 3rd DIA-birthday, we hope to be on an insulin pump this year. We are working closely with his doctor and nurses to help manage his blood sugars. We faithfully have been faxing in his blood sugars weekly for four months now as our insurance requires that we prove we are keeping logs of his daily numbers to consider our application for a pump. I had no idea when this adventure began on January 17, 2012 that we would be three years into this and still making adjustments. All the classes are informational, but I don't think you truly absorb the new lifestyle until you are living it. You learn the new normal. You learn as you go what your insurance will and will not cover. All are lessons you don't pay attention to when you have healthy children.

There always seems to be something happening that affects his blood sugar levels or insulin needs — a growth spurt, an illness, a change in exercise habits, emotional stress or who knows what else.
A couple of nights ago, on the menu was spaghetti with garlic bread and, of course, it's Daniel's favorite. Even though he was at his target range right before dinner, the carb-heavy meal threw his numbers way out of range. Before he went to bed, Daniel was very high and even with consistent checking and corrections, it took us all night to get him back in range.

These kinds of experiences are hard, but in the long run, I think it’s actually helping us become closer as a family. We’re all learning to be a little bit more flexible, a little more patient, a little less selfish, and a little more sensitive to what our Daniel goes through on those less than perfect days. Even our toddler understands his big brother needs to check his sugars often and will even ask for his turn to check his little fingers or for his insulin shot like his big brother.

We have decided this week to return to bringing lunches from home, skipping high carb meals, and ensuring he has plenty of options for free snacks to get him through the day. His numbers have been within his target range this weekend. Fingers crossed for a better week this week than last. He has been suffering lows at school which have just been difficult for us in the afternoons to get him back into target range after his corrections. His highs last week when he is home was very frustrating. It's a daily balancing act. But, I have hope this will be a better week.