ID for our Pump Bag

I recently learned the importance of keeping ID in EA's Pump Bag.  For some time, it's been in the back of my mind that I need to put our contact info in there, but since it's always with us, it didn't seem very important.  I mean, the bag is our life line...I am more conscious of it than my own purse!

The girls and I went into Manhattan to the Central Park zoo with a friend, and ended the day with dinner at Korea Town.  It was a long day and we were all exhausted and ready to get home.  We had schlepped quite a few bags all over the city and our dear friend graciously carried my heavy backpack for most of the day, which included EA's Diabetes supply bag.  We parted ways at the train station at Herald Square and I took back the back pack.  When our train finally came, we boarded and sat down.  Just as the doors were closing, my oldest daughter, EL jumped up and started banging on the train doors and yelling, "our bag, our bag!"  I jumped up in time to see our backpack still sitting on the train platform seat, while our train quickly gained speed.  Cue wailing children in a crowded train hysterical over the loss of their new summer sandals and EA's D-bag.  I was glad I had my morning Bible reading and prayer time, because I know God's grace helped me to stay calm during the next 2 hours.

We crossed over to the uptown train at the next stop, went back to the station, hoping the bag was still there.  However, I knew it might not be there, since it would look like a suspicious bag and be turned in to police, or it would be stolen.  The girls had calmed down, but when they realized the bag wasn't there, they started to wail again.  For my oldest, I think it was a taste of reality that not everyone does what is right and bad things do and can happen.  We found two very big and gruff looking NY Police Officers who were amazingly kind and helpful to us.  They spent over 30 minutes helping us look over the platform, in garbage cans for discarded items and tracking down the cleaning crew.  During this time, the children continued to cry and people slowed down to stare at us as we stood speaking with the policemen.  This might have been the only time I was glad EA had high Blood Glucose, because I had no testing supplies, no juice, sugar and was an hour away from home.  I was very very glad she was wearing the Dexcom on her body, yet another reason I'm glad I don't tuck it into my purse or backpack.

I did a detailed lost and found report with the NY transit, but the only identifying item in our backpack and Diabetes supply bag was the newest copy of Diabetes Forecast.  So, I am in the process of replacing the supplies in the bag and the bag itself and I will have a nice big ID within that new bag.  My children have calmed down and gotten over their aversion to riding the train.  Despite the inconvenience of losing the bag and supplies and shoes, it could have been much worse.  EL could have dashed out of the train and been separated from us or she could have been harmed in the train doors.  My purse, wallet and ID could have been stolen, or EA's BG dropped without sugar and glucagon to bring it up.  We are thankful for the blessings in the midst of the difficult night, including the kindly NY Police officers.  In the meantime, we continue to discuss ways to be safe in NYC and how to be careful with people but also kind and helpful to those who need help.  I now carry a spare juice in my purse should we be separated from our D-bag.

How do you prepare for emergency situations?  Here's to a safe summer for all D-families!  :)

Jessica

Growing Up...

It's been a long time since I last posted due to EA starting 2nd grade and a number of other family health concerns that have absorbed my time and energy.  This year I go to EA's school twice a day for a 10am BG check and another at lunch time.  I bring lunches to EA and her sister EL who appreciates the food being hot and fresh.  I do a BG check for EA, check the sensor and any trending arrows, then wait for her eat lunch and give a quick bolus.  We've worked out a routine for when her class goes outside after lunch.  If it's for about 15 minutes, I will give a smaller bolus to allow for the exercise.  When she is on the low side, I like to do a dual wave bolus, with 0% up front, and 100% 30 minutes later, or 60 minutes later, depending on the situation.  She carries her diabetes bag with her, and if Dexcom beeps low, she will tell the teacher and drink a juice box.

When the weather is very nice and the teacher plans to take the class to the park, I schedule my day so I can accompany the class.  I feel it's a safer situation for the class since I'm a second adult accompanying the class of 21 about 10 blocks through traffic lights and into the big Park nearby.  When EA is at the head of the line and I'm at the end of the line, and she feels low, or beeps low, she will raise her hand so I can see her and assist her.  At times I feel grumbly about lost time in my day, but I usually end up feeling better for the fresh air, sunshine and exercise.  I have the opportunity to see the children grow, and be a part of their 2nd grade lives.  They show me their loose teeth, or tell me about their families or whatever is on their mind as we walk over.  I point out squirrels and falling leaves, or new buds and I always feel thankful for the time.

Recently, I felt that I needed to start teaching EA more about her diabetes care.  Because we've had other more pressing matters than her Diabetes care, it's been in the back seat.  However, things have been stabilizing and I felt we should start afresh.  Two days later EA asked if she was allowed to go on sleepovers and how her friend wanted her to have a sleep-over in another part of the city (1.5 hours away by train!).  GULP!  I kept my face steady as I told her, we'd have to figure something out...maybe I could sleep over also!  Of course, I was half joking, but EA burst into tears and told me "It's not fair, I never get to go anywhere without you! Why can't I go anywhere alone?"  My heart ached, but I knew this was also a good sign of growing up and a greater desire for independence.  I've read a number of other D-Parents's accounts of how they  have dealt with sleepovers and how they have handled greater independence and Diabetes...so, I felt more prepared.  (I think).

I explained that I know it's not fair, and I wish I didn't have to follow her around, but that thus far, she hasn't been interested in doing her own BG check.  However, if she was interested, we could start to practice and create a plan.  She was very eager, so she did her first BG check last night, and against this morning and at the 10am BG check.  At the 10am check, I asked her if she felt she needed to do anything based on her numbers, the Dexcom trend arrows and insulin on board, and she said she thought she should have an applesauce.  Exactly what I would've done!  :)  I am writing out carb counts for the foods she eats, and for today's lunch, she added them up herself and we walked through my thought process before giving the bolus.

It's going to be a process and it's going to take time, but I'm excited to see my little girl growing into some of her D-responsibilities.  Not so much because I will have less to do, but because she will have greater freedom to do things without me sometimes, and to feel more normal.  I made clear to her though that I want her to tell me if she feels tired or if she needs a break.  The last thing I want to do is to burn her out before the tumultuous preteen and teen years.

How have you handled your child's growing independence and Diabetes?  I'm all ears!

Have a great day!

Jessica