He's Resilient

Perhaps one of the most difficult things to explain to persons not intimately familiar with t1d is the unpredictability of our day-in-the-life.

This week...

Joe participated in a power skating camp.  The camp was two hours long.  It took place from 6:50 to 8:50 pm.  Now, this is one of those experiences where I might choose fiery hot pokers to be jabbed into each eyeball over the the planning, the anxiety, and the blood sugar carnage the camp could potentially cause.

The management of d' went something to the tune of reducing the basal rate by 80% for 3 hours; this was initiated an hour and a half prior to camp.  Joe would eat two peanut butter and honey sandwiches (100 grams CHO) with no coverage prior to camp.  Additionally, two Gatorades (60-ish grams CHO) were consumed during the camp.  I would drop Joe off at the rink.  He would get on his hockey gear to skate.  Meanwhile, I'd run an errand.  Afterwards, I'd drop by the rink to check on Joe; to check on his blood glucose.  Then I'd drive home; a 20 minute drive.

The first three days of camp went smoothly.  Blood glucose levels stayed between 120 to the mid 200s during and after camp.  Then last night happened.  I left Joe at the rink with Dexcom reading "High" (just over 250).  When I arrived home...

We've spent so much time on lows... teaching about lows, avoiding lows, treating lows, not being alone during lows, etc.  Highs are there.  Sure.  But, they don't typically pose imminent danger.  Joe wasn't feeling well at all with his blood sugar level at 471.  I think what happened was his site was failing.  The uncovered carbs, the decreased basal rate on a POD that was in the process of failing, well...I think that is what must have lead to the high.  When Dave arrived to the rink, this is what he saw...

Joe on the ice, trying his best to finish out his camp.  He's the skater closest to the camera; the one in the white jersey.  With his high and probable ketones he should have sat out.  I admire his "try". 

When he arrived home he was "HIGH".  His site was changed.  About 75% of a correction was given.  His blood sugar proceeded to go down to 40 within a couple of hours.  The basal rate was turned off, sugar was dispensed to a sleeping Joe... who then woke up about 15 minutes later due to the discomfort caused by the hypoglycemia.  This occurred around 2 am. 

Managing t1d is unpredictable.  Yes, there are days or even weeks where it seamlessly folds into our days and nights; this wasn't one of those weeks.  While I am grateful beyond your imagination of my gratefulness for the technology involved in t1d management, I am all-to-aware of it's limitations.

A resilient Joe living a day-in-the-life with t1d.