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Monday, June 11, 2007

Vacations and blood sugar

Boy...what a summer. It hasn't been here that long, but we have already made two trips. Last week the kids and I went to go see my parents. We had a really great time, but it really is hard to keep Isabelle's blood sugar in check while we are gone. I don't know why it is harder...we do a lot of eating out even when we are at home so you think I would be used to figuring out what she has eaten and how many carbs there are in it.

Just before we left Isabelle developed a rash so I took her in to the peds and they said it was viral, nothing they could do, it will go away on it's own. It was of course accompanied by some high blood sugars. Nothing else though until she got a case of the hives for a day. So, I had a feeling that her blood sugars were going to be all over the place but I decided to go anyway. I don't want a little thing like diabetes keep us from doing things. While we were there she actually had a blood sugar in the 400's. I almost freaked out. I'm still new at this, and I forgot the keto sticks. Not a big deal you say? Just pop out to the nearest pharmacy or large discount store. Yeah right. My parents live in the middle of nowhere and since it was after 5:00 everyone that was close by was already closed. I had to drive to the nearest town to find a chain pharmacy that was still open and an hour and a half later figured out that Isabelle was not throwing keytones. Yeah! But, dumb mommy! If I had remembered to bring them I would have saved myself almost two hours of freaking out. Live and learn.

The whole time we were gone I was up every night with one of the kids (it's been like that at home lately too though). Isabelle woke up the first 2 or 3 nights with blood sugars in the high 200's and low 300's. She of course couldn't sleep and I had to do corrections. Doesn't make for a peaceful night, but towards the end of the trip she was just waking up in the middle of the night to make sure that I wasn't sleeping for more then 4 hours in a row. Oh...not really. It just felt that way.

We have been home for a few nights and things were calming down. I finally got to spend almost and entire night in the bed with my husband. Then last night Alex woke up around 1:00 am soaking wet and needing a bottle. I took care of him and then came back to bed. I was just getting back to sleep when Isabelle came into our room to get me. I took her back to bed and checked her blood sugar. It was 414! Yuck! Why? Why is it soooo high? I gave her a correction and it still took her over two hours to get back to sleep. I finally drifted off around 4am. Luckily they both slept a little later this morning. I really hope that tonight goes better. I have absolutely no idea why it was so high. I hope she isn't getting sick again. I need a break.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am sending a link to your blog to my long time friend, Danya. She has struggled with blood sugar issues all of her life, so I thought that maybe she might be able to give you some advice. Hang in there!!

~Steph

Penny Ratzlaff said...

Hi,

Those high blood sugars are scary, for sure.

Just a tip, so maybe you won't forget the ketone sticks next times, or anything else.

We are all human and forget things from time to time. So, with Riley, he has a bag (it looks kind of like a small bookbag) in which we keep everything.(some snacks, extra sets for his pump, glucagon kit, and ketone sticks). Whenever we go anywhere(even the grocery store) we grab the bag and throw his machine in it.

That way what we need is always sitting there ready to go. Even if you don't want to take the bag in the store with you, you know you'll still have it. You never know when an emergency might arise.

Lisa said...

Penny thanks for the advice. I have a backpack full of all of the things we need for diabetes that goes with me everywhere, but for some reason I have never put the keytone strips in it. I'll have to add it to my pack.

Anonymous said...

Lisa,

I became diabetic when I was 21 years old but I have actually had problems with my blood sugar since I was born. Long story, too long to tell right now.

I skimmed some of your previous posts. I might have a tip for you about giving the shots. If you are wiping the injection site with alcohol, make sure the alcohol dries before you stick the needle in or it will burn like crazy! Maybe that is why she complains. Also, if the needle hits a blood vessel, you will know because she will bleed a little, it will hurt some. The needle is really only suppose to go into the top, fatty layer of your skin so it usually won't hurt or bleed, but sometimes if the needle goes in far enough it will. I am sure in the classes they told you there are short needles you can get instead of the standard length and that would probably work better for her since she is small and doesn't have much fatty tissue.

Hope this helps. Good luck to you.

Anonymous said...

Lisa,

I just posted a comment and I forgot to sign it. I am Steph's friend, Danya. I have know Steph since Jr. High. Just wanted you to know who sent you the comment about giving the shots.

Take care!

-Danya