Sleepover - Kids First, Diabetes Second

I am writing this post on a beautiful Sunday morning at 8:07 a.m., while sipping my coffee and listening to the birds chirp.

At this moment, not only am I calm, but happy too.

Oldest daughter just successfully completed a slumber party at a house of one of HER friends (instead of mine). 

Which makes my heart soar to think that in this world, there continue to be families that are open and accepting of our lives.

My kids are going to be OK.

That realization isn't from just being invited or attending the sleepover.  It is from the mayhem leading up to the full sleepover.

The mayhem is really where this story begins.

Oldest daughter received her invitation to the party from a classmate that she has known for a few years.  While in school together this year, oldest daughter has gotten to know her even better and together, they have formed a nice friendship based on an eclectic mix of sports, make-up and funny stories that make them laugh.  I have met the mom a few times and knew that she was a level-headed and relaxed person in the way that only a mom of  many girls would be.  So although we haven't put together many play dates, I was comfortable with oldest daughter staying the night.

Plus, oldest daughter had her trusty cell phone. 

On the day of the sleepover, oldest daughter and I, set out to write a loose 'diabetes game plan' which would allow freedom to be just like everyone else but to keep mom (me) in the loop of what was going on.

Before I go further, I should mention that this party actually had a theme and it was candy.  Yes, candy.  As oldest daughter pointed out, "If I go low, at least they will have something for me!"

To keep those candy carbs in check, part of our strategy was to have oldest daughter text me with the food she was eating so together, we could count carbs and dose insulin appropriately.

Things went smoothly from 4:00 p.m. until around 9:30 p.m..  I was receiving a steady stream of texts from oldest daughter.


"We are eating pizza.  I am 128.  How much?"

"How big are the slices?"

"Little Caesar's circle pizza."

"Do 20 carbs for each.  We'll check in an hour."



Shortly, a second barrage of texts appeared.



"Having cake.  I am 109."

"A cupcake size is about 25 carbs."

"OK.  Thanks."


Then, around 9:30 p.m., my daughter texts me that she is eating a bedtime snack and is having something with protein.  And after that, I do not hear from her again.  By 10:00 p.m., I am completely asleep too.  Youngest daughter is home with us, but I know that my lovely husband will be on guard to do the late night check before he goes to sleep.

Now, to clarify why I could easily sleep - besides the fact that I am exhausted on a daily basis,  is due to part of the plan was to have the mom wake oldest daughter at 2:00 a.m. and check blood sugars.   Using foresight, we packed two juice boxes and two chocolate milk boxes as well as a bottle of glucose tabs just in case the middle of the night number required a few extra carbs.

At 1:30 a.m., I wake up and flip over my phone.  No calls, no messages from oldest daughter.  My body is apprehensive and so I walk into my youngest daughters room and do a quick check.  169.  Perfect.  I relax slightly but then, the realization falls over me that my oldest daughter is not in her bedroom and I can not check her to ensure that she is safe as well.

And that moment of realization that this is out of my control is horrible.  I swear that this is one of the things that I will need therapy for when the girls are in college. 

2:00 a.m., no text or phone call.  I will my body to relax and repeatedly remind myself that oldest daughter is fine. 

Sleep does come but restlessly. 

By 6:30 a.m., I am unable to contain myself  with one sided conversations and I start texting oldest daughter.  No answer. 

My heart beats a little faster and I realize that the only thing that will help this situation is to hear her voice.

My husband is now aware that our oldest daughter hasn't texted or called throughout the night and we are both starting to show a little concern.  So I bite the bullet and at 7:30 a.m., I call the house and wake up one very tired parent.  She is kind and says she will check on Reece and have her call me back.

The phone rings in less than five minutes, but it is not my oldest daughter's cell phone number.  Instead, it is  her friend's phone.  A very teary oldest daughter explains that she left the phone at the landing (the girls were outside playing tag in the dark) near the house and realized it after she was in bed.  She didn't want to wake everyone up and risk making them upset, so she just dealt with it herself.  She did test at 2:00 a.m., but also at 11:30 p.m. and 3:00 a.m..  She had one low 63 and ate a couple of tabs to help.  At 3:00 a.m., she said she felt "weird" and tested but she was 130, so she didn't understand why that happened. 

After calming down, oldest daughter and the other girls went outside to retrieve the phone (thankfully, no rain overnight) and I received a second phone call from a very relieved daughter.

And  by overcoming the mayhem and staying on track (and let's face it - WITHOUT MOM)  well, this is why, I am confident, that she and one day her sister, are going to be fine.