In the space of about 20 minutes on Tuesday evening, the following happened:
- I dosed Grasshopper for a 40 gram weight piece of cinnamon roll for dessert. That is a sliver of a roll, not a whole one. It was a 20 gram carb treat. I sent him to put on his pjs so the insulin could have a little time to work.
- He walked out a few minutes later holding his insulin infusion site… that was supposed to be attached to his body. I tried to hide my instant anxiety. When did it come off? Did it come off before his 24 gram carb dinner? Did he get any insulin for dinner? Did it come off after dinner but before I dosed for the cinnamon roll slice? Did he get any insulin for that??? He had accidentally pulled out his insulin infusion site while getting dressed for bed.
- As I prepped a new cartridge and new site, Mr. Mister ran an errand at the pharmacy. So there wasn’t an extra pair of hands…
- Three year old Sunshine loudly announced she needed help in the bathroom. She had somehow filled BOTH her training potty and the toilet with Bristol Stool Chart #4. That takes talent. I’ll spare you photos.
- Still holding the insulin bottle and syringe cartridge in my left hand, I managed to use only my right hand to clean her up, empty and wipe the training potty, and wash my hand three times. There were repeated flushings with my left foot. It was a mom version of Twister. I don’t know why I didn’t just put down the syringe and insulin, except for the fact that I was in the middle of trying to clear the bubbles out of the cartridge. It feels like a sacred ritual now that MUST NOT BE INTERRUPTED. Also, and this almost goes without saying, there is a *slight* lack of sleep.
- I resumed the insulin cartridge prep, walked back through the living room and admonished Grasshopper for not picking up all the toys. Suddenly his Dexcom rang out like a pinball machine.
- 63 ⬇️⬇️ Oh good grief, I waited too long for his dessert pre-bolus. The insulin was definitely working but he didn’t have the carbs in him yet to match it. Dexcom was having a hard time keeping up with the fast drop.
- I quickly got Grasshopper his piece of cinnamon roll (that I had carefully weighed and carb counted), and added an extra piece (haphazardly cut, NOT weighed and carb counted) to hopefully help bring his blood sugar back up. Sunshine got her own piece because she was clamoring for one too, even though she should have been in bed by that time.
- I checked his finger and saw the meter said 71. Low, but not as low as Dexcom was indicating, possibly because it was a fast drop and his liver may have dumped glucose. Maybe he was already on the way back up.
- When I finally got a breath I had to laugh at it all. BECAUSE he is ok, I can laugh at it. T1D is the set up for so many bizarre situations in our family. “STOP cleaning up your toys and go eat this cinnamon roll. NOW!!!” Who says that?? T1D parents, that’s who.
- After all that we still had to put on his new site. And get him ready for bed.
I share all of this because
- I think it is hilarious. If I didn’t laugh I would cry. Laughing is quicker. I have cried and I will cry over this again, but not today.
- We are not the only family who deals with this ridiculous disease.
Carry on, DOC. (Diabetic Online Community)
Note: All photos re-created for dramatic effect. During a 20 minute poop storm, ain’t nobody got time for that!
This particular purple pouch is a very special pack of 
