Changing

The intake questions were directed to Joe.

Do you use Apidra in your pump?'

'Yes'

'Are you on any other medications?'

'No'

'Have you been to the hospital for diabetes since your last appointment?'

'Yes'

'Were you admitted?'

'No.'

'Have you had your flu shot'

'No, not yet.'

'When was your last dilated eye exam?'

Joe's eyes darted to me.  I answered.

A couple of days ago, we visited the Endocrinologist.  Joe's A1C was 7.1.  The usual things were discussed and assessed.  The unusual part of the visit was Joe was now an integral participant in the visit. 

More questions were directed to Joe, by the endocrinologist.

'How's the carbohydrate counting, the blood sugar checking, and the bolusing going?'

'I'm asking you these things, not because you are going to get in trouble, but because these are the things you  are in control of ...I don't want to recommend changes to your settings if you are missing boluses or if your carb counting is off.'

My mouth twitched.  I wanted to talk.  I didn't.  It's Joe's turn now.  He's 12. 

Joe responded, confirming he was good with the carb counting.  He is.  Joe responded, confirming he checks his blood sugar regularly.  He does.  Joe responded, admitting he forgets to bolus for afternoon snacks.  He has a few times over the past few months.

Overall, Joe is doing well.  The basal rates need adjusting.  Apparently I've kept him on little boy settings and need to boost them up to more "teenager-y" settings.

He's changed so much.

He's grown over 3 inches in the last several months.

His toes frequently grow out the front of his sneakers.

His face has thinned.

His legs have thickened.

His total daily insulin dose is now over 40 units; it used to be in the low teens.


As we drove away from the hospital, Joe asked if he could start to help me with adjusting his pump settings.  'I need to start being a part of that Mom... someday I'll need to do it on my own.'

A changing day-in-the-life.

#Children with Diabetes Halloween Problems

"Mom!  I need help with getting the share going...my phone won't work with the Morph Suit!"  Joe then drummed his red, fabric covered fingers on the counter, to solidify his point.

Joe - as Obama in a red Morph Suit (Halloween 2015)

It's the first year I have not gone with him to trick-or-treat.

Let me explain something to you.  Trick-or-treating is a form of sport to Joe.  He did not want to go with a big group of friends for fear the candy-hander-outers would not give him as much candy if he was associated with a large group.  He also declined an invitation to go with a friend, who is a girl, who is dressing up as a "hot dog", due to the perception the costume would hold back her door-to-door speed.

You know what all of this means, Joe is gonna be out there running door-to-door, in the dark, in a red morph suit, with an Obama mask on, driving his blood sugar down.

Thank goodness for the candy, the Dexcom, and the share.

Not sure the share is gonna do anything but make me stroke out.

He was 86 (diagonal down) before he left...

Don't worry.  He drank 15 grams CHO of apple cider and ate 3 fun-sized Nestle Crunches before he left.

A spooooooky day-in-the-life.

The Use Of the CAPS LOCK Comforted Me

Facilitating independence with diabetes management in the pre-teen years is causing me much anxiety.

Joe was at an overnight hockey camp last weekend.  Camp involved multiple on-ice sessions, a water park visit, and foods Joe does not typically eat.  He spent the night in a condo with 4 of his hockey peers and a "condo" (chaperone) dad.  I stayed in a hotel close by.  I slumbered with my phone in my hand and a watchful eye on the Dexcom Share.

Here is a texting sequence that went down on the first night of camp.  His ability to use the CAPS LOCK button was comforting.

Heart pounding and mind racing...I threw on my clothes, ran through the hotel, ran to my car, drove to the condo and found Joe sprawled out on a bed, surrounded by his peers and the "condo" dad.  My eyes stung with tears.

A vulnerable day-in-the-life.