High Blood Sugar After Exercise
When my son plays with friends – at the park, in the pool – anywhere that involves activity, he often has low blood sugar during the activity followed by high blood sugar after exercise. One of our physicians suggested that when he was invited to play I tell him he could do so – but needed to wait 30 minutes so I could decrease his basal insulin. While that sounds great in theory, imagine telling a young child whose friends have just knocked on the door that he has to wait because of diabetes. What resonates in my head is “child first, diabetes second.” This is my issue to fix, not his.
Six Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me At Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis
One of my closest friends in the diabetes community called tonight. Her colleague’s child was showing all of the “classic” signs of Type 1 diabetes, so she had done a finger stick on the child. The result was 212. We both know that is not a “normal” blood sugar, and combined with everything else we had heard, a diagnosis is likely forthcoming. She asked me to think about good advice for her colleague. Here’s what I wish someone had told me when my son was diagnosed.
Heading Into Summer: Keep Your Insulin, Epinephrine, and Glucagon Cool
If you’re like me, you’re on the go all the time. I often feel like a sherpa with the supply backpack: carrying diabetes and allergy supplies along with allergen-free food. Many of our medications have temperature requirements and storing them on the go used to be a challenge. Enter FRÍO® Cooling Cases.
Misconceptions About Food Allergies
Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 13-19, 2018. In honor of that, I thought I’d do a few educational posts. Following are the most common misunderstandings I encounter about food allergies.
Sometimes I Just Have To laugh...Or I'd Spend All Day Crying
The first three hours of my day were absolute chaos. Sometimes you just have to laugh it off though or we’d end up crawling back into bed in a soggy pool of tears. Here’s how it went.
Getting To Know The Pharmacy Manager
I hear people expressing frustration about their experiences with pharmacies quite a bit. Enter the pharmacist. And sometimes, more specifically, the pharmacy manager. I’ve always found that when I get bogged down with issues at a pharmacy, getting to know the pharmacy manager often helps…because generally speaking, pharmacists like to help people.
Meet Our Version Of Type 1 Diabetes
Just like no two people are the same, neither are two people with Type 1 diabetes. What works for one person may or may not work for another. I’m going to share what has worked for us, and sometimes what hasn’t.
GUEST BLOG Inclusion: Kids with Food Allergies Can Do Anything (They just can’t eat everything!)
Camp Blue Spruce came about as so many good things do – a mom wanted her son to have the experience of an overnight camp, but she wasn’t confident that a kid with seven life-threatening food allergies would be safe at a “regular” camp. I was that mom, and when I realized there were no camps that could provide a safe environment for him, I founded Camp Blue Spruce, a worry-free camp for kids with food allergies!
The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Is Not A Train!
The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Is Not A Train!
Severe Cashew Reaction
My son has his first reaction to cashews at 17 months of age. His reaction was very severe. He already had severe milk and egg allergies. I remember walking through the grocery store in a daze, looking at labels and wondering how to safely feed my son.
My Budding Entrepreneur
My budding entrepreneur is focused on ways to make money. Today he decided he would draw two pictures for my friend if she would pay $6 for them. She played along and told him that he should draw some pictures and show them to her, and then she would see what she thinks they are worth.
Financial Assistance For EpiPen and Auvi-Q
Healthcare costs can add up, so it is always useful to know about discounts and savings programs for medications.
Type 1 Diabetes vs. Type 2 Diabetes
Until my son was diagnosed, I never gave much thought to the different types of diabetes. I remember saying, repeatedly, that I couldn’t imagine having to check my blood sugar and take insulin for the rest of my life. It was actually my greatest fear. So I guess life thought it would be funny to make me face my fears. I’m still at risk for Type 2 and work with an endocrinologist to attempt to stave it off. But what I envisioned living with Type 2 to be like is a far cry from the complexities of managing Type 1.
When "In-Network" Really Isn't An Option
A dog bite. A broken arm. A person with Type 1 diabetes with a severe stomach bug and high ketones on vacation. Anaphylaxis from an accidental allergen exposure. While these aren’t all necessarily equal in severity, they all could warrant immediate medical attention. Most insurance plans have a clause that says in a true medical emergency you can go to the nearest emergency room (ER), even if it is out-of-network. And that is great for addressing immediate needs. But what do you need to know to ensure you pay the correct bill?
"Helping" My Kiddo Fall Asleep
Darn, he’s on to me. When my kiddo has trouble falling asleep I lay next to him and fake yawn, which makes him yawn. I do it a few times and he is usually out cold. Tonight he said something about how when I yawn he yawns, and thought it was weird. Then my trick stopped working.
Great Job, Waze! Love Your New Child Safety Feature
I love Waze for navigation. It recommends routes based on traffic patterns, allows me to opt for carpool/HOV choices, and alerts me to road hazards. Beyond that, a new feature allows you to set a reminder to check for your kid upon arrival.
All Insurance Companies Are Not Created Equally
Oh, Cigna! I am so grateful to have you for our health insurance again this year. For many years my job entailed educating physicians about navigating care for a specific group of high-risk patients. I learned the ins and outs of many insurers…what kinds of policies they had, how relatively easy or difficult they were to work with for patients and providers, and how accessible they were.
When You're On The Phone With Someone Experiencing Hypoglycemia
It’s happened a few times…and again just now, which reminded me of how I approach this situation. A very competent member of my son’s healthcare team called late in the evening. After chatting for a few minutes, I asked why this individual was at work so late. The response was, “I take my time…and I’m low.”
The Happiest Person To Get A Vaccine
Yesterday I cut my finger on a hummingbird feeder someone gave me. And of course, the edge of the metal was rusty. Hmmm…when did I have my last tetanus shot?
At this moment I feel a sense of hope about 2018...
Being the parent of a child with chronic health issues has been described as unrelenting, exhausting, and isolating. I’m sleep-deprived beyond anything I could ever have imagined. Most days I barely recognize the person I was a few years ago, and the life I lived seems as if it wasn’t even mine. But small acts of kindness can turn your whole perspective around…