The Learning Curve ( Always More with Diabetes)

I do not profess to know everything there is to know about type 1 diabetes.

First, I do not actually have type 1 diabetes and secondly, my kids are still growing and hitting new stages of living with type 1 diabetes.

What we dealt with at age 3 is very different than what we will be dealing with at age 13 or 33 or 83. 

Our life with type 1 diabetes changes hourly sometimes.  Nothing like a new infusion site at 10:00 p.m., only to realize that it failed at 3:00 a.m., to remind you that type 1 diabetes is fickle at best.

I am also careful in not getting caught in that trap of perfection with managing type 1 diabetes.  This is a journey and we live a real life that centers around raising two little girls and incorporating type 1 diabetes into our life (not the other way around).  Kids first, diabetes second.

We try our best but it will always be an art, not a science.

This mentality helps me when it comes to things like the A1c appointment (or that dreaded Parent Report Card).

At our appointment yesterday, as I listened to advice that our Endocrinologist provided regarding options for better type 1 diabetes care, I had to resist the urge to defend myself.  The conversation went a little bit like this:

"Are you pre-bolusing before meals?"

We (our family) nod in unison and explain that the girls bolus and then eat.

"But you don't wait 15 minutes?  That might help."

I wasn't even sure why I felt defensive in the first place.  It wasn't as though we were doing anything wrong.  I actually had to remind myself that we are at the A1c appointments for suggestions just like this.  Helpful suggestions like waiting a little bit longer before eating.  Why did a simple suggestion bother me so much?

There is nothing wrong with getting opinions and I know it would be foolish to suddenly start rejecting new ideas just because I felt defensive. 

Instead, I got my thoughts in order and realized what I really needed was an idea on how to make pre-bolusing 15 or even 10 minutes ahead happen. 

I asked our Endocrinologist, "How do you tell two very hungry children that before they can eat, they must sit at the table and wait for 15 minutes?  This is a real life family after all.  When they are hungry, they are hungry and it is difficult to say wait."

In turn, she nodded her head and agreed with us. 

This question sparked up a very helpful brainstorming session between all of us; our Endo, the girls and myself.  It also helped to remind our doctor that sometimes things aren't as simple as they seem.  Yes, waiting for 15 minutes is a great idea, fantastic even.  Truthfully though, it is difficult.  When someone is hungry without diabetes, they just dive right in.  No waiting is necessary. 

We ended the conversation by solving it with mom (me) making an announcement in the morning.  We decided that when I wake them, to put in their breakfast carbs while they are still upstairs in their beds.  Forgetting lunch altogether and dealing with it best as we can.  At dinner, mom making another announcement for what dinner will be and asking the girls to pre-bolus before even stepping foot in the kitchen.

It's not perfect, but it works.  Most importantly it is a helpful suggestion and one that I know will improve our girls care at this age of type 1 diabetes life.

Thank you Ms. Endo!  We'll let you know how it goes.... to be continued!