Chapter Two: The Day They Turn You Loose

Okay, take a deep breath. You have all of the emergency phone numbers for the doctor on call. The direct line to your doctor, and probably a big box full of literature and information. If you're like me all of that information in the box will be invaluable, just not right now. You have enough to remember. The time will come for that. If they didn't give you one, ask your doctor for a second meter. The meter salesmen often give these things to the doctor for free. If they are able, they will gladly give you one. You'll want one for home and for school. If your child isn't in school yet store it at grandma's house for the day you forget to bring your regular one when you visit. Ask your doctor for a couple of vials of saline. It comes in the same type of vial as insulin. It's a great way to practice charging, drawing, and injecting insulin.

Practice on yourself and your spouse. Have other family members who may be responsible for watching your child practice with it. This will give you at least a tiny idea of what your child will be going through and it's a good way to get used to the type of addition you will need for figuring insulin doses. The first thing to remember is to take your meter and supplies with you everywhere you go! The first dosages of insulin that your doctor tells you to use are estimates based on your child's age and weight. I'm sure your doctor has told you this. He's not kidding. It takes a little while to get them as close to right as they are going to get. During this period your child's blood sugar levels may surprise you both high and low.

Another thing to remember. Listen to your child. It usually takes them no time at all to know what it feels like to be high or low. They are your best early warning system.

The body gives a warning when low blood sugar or insulin reaction is developing. DIFFERENT PEOPLE GET DIFFERENT WARNINGS. These signs are common warnings of low blood sugar:

  • Hunger: the person may either feel hungry or have an upset stomach (nausea)
  • Shakiness: the person's hands or body may feel shaky
  • Sweatiness: the person may sweat more than usual (often a "cold" sweat)
  • Color: the face may become pale or red
  • Weak, anxious feeling
  • Headache
  • Confusion: the person may feel or look "spacey" or may appear "dazed"
  • Drowsiness: the person may yawn, feel sleepy, or may have trouble thinking clearly; preschoolers frequently get sleepy
  • Behavioral changes: changes in behavior are quite common; often the person may cry, act intoxicated, or act angry
  • Double vision: the person may "see double" or the pupils may get bigger; the eyes may appear glassy
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizure or convulsion: both loss of consciousness and convulsions occur late in the reaction; they are the result of not treating a reaction quickly enough

These are some of the symptoms of high blood sugar:

  • Upset stomach and/or stomach pain
  • Vomiting
  • Sweet (fruity) odor to the breath
  • Thirst and frequent urination (if the blood sugar is high)
  • Drowsiness Deep breathing (indicates need to go to the emergency room)
  • If not treated, coma (loss of consciousness)

I don't know how many times we went somewhere for just a couple of minutes only to discover we had to go somewhere else and the timing was going to fall into "test time". Or we got invited to stay for lunch and couldn't because we didn't have Kari's insulin or syringes. This is the fastest way to allow diabetes to upset your family's normal lifestyle.

Put together a travel kit that includes a meter, lancets, test strips, ketostix, insulin, your daily log, some alcohol swabs, and at least a roll of glucose tablets. Glucose tablets taste like chalky candy and have 4 grams of carbohydrate each. They come in a fairly small package and you don't need to refrigerate them like orange juice. They're a great way to regulate emergency carbs when your child goes low, and they will go low. Buy a tube of "oral glucose gel". Buy several. Have one at home, one in your travel kit, one at grandma's, one at aunty's etc. they go under different trade names, we use Glutose 15. This tube looks like the stuff you use to write on birthday cakes. You can even use the birthday cake tubes. It is for emergencies.

We went for a year without having to use it but when we needed it, boy was I glad I had it. More on that later. You will also want to get at least one Medic Alert id. Notice I said at least one. The first one will get misplaced once in a while. There are a lot of different styles available. Some are actually cool enough that your child won't mind wearing it so much. The best way to keep your family life as normal as it can be is to be prepared.

Travel Kit Checklist:

  • Meter
  • Insulin
  • Syringes
  • Lancets
  • Test Strips
  • Ketostix
  • Daily Log
  • Glucose Tablets
  • Glutose 15 (or suitable substitute)
  • Alcohol Swabs


Next

Chapter Three: Regiment, We're In the Army Now!


 

Legal Statement

The Book "So Your Child Has Diabetes" A Step by Step Plan for You and Your Child , is Copyright © 2004 by Russell A. Turner.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any other means: electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright holders. This book is supplied for information purposes only and, as experienced in this subject matter as the contributors are, the material herein does not constitute professional medical advice. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher and contributors are not engaged in rendering medical, psychological, or other professional advice. If medical or other professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The reader is advised to consult with an appropriately qualified medical professional before making any medical decision. The publisher and contributors do not accept any responsibility for any liabilities resulting from decisions made by the purchasers of this book.

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