Things I've learned about about Diabetes this month... December edition

- This could be a post in of itself, but I learned that Christmas baking is something I need to do with Elise. I had told myself I wasn't going to do any (for various reasons that I will write about if I ever get the function back in my wrist), but a few days before the big day I changed my mind. And I'm glad I did.

-Always, always, ALWAYS carry back-up batteries for your scale in your purse/diaper bag... whatever. Just make sure you have them. Because you'll just look like an idiot banging the scale against the table, trying to get it to work. People already stare at us enough because we weigh Elise's food, I don't need to draw any more attention to ourselves.

- One of the worst things you can do is get too cocky. Just don't do it. Don't ever think, "I've got the hang of this, I'm cool. I can handle anything." Because D will pick that exact moment to rear it's butt-ugly head and laugh in your face. By the way diabetes, you need to do something about your breath. It stinks. In fact, YOU stink. Suck it.

-The good people (non-D) out there will change up their schedule to accommodate you. Friends of ours who invited us over for Christmas Day dinner did just that. They told us they usually eat at around 2:00 - 3:00 pm. Upon hearing this, we declined the invitation, and they said they would be happy to move it to a time that worked for us. We weren't the only guests they were having, their family from out of town would also be there. If you are reading this, and you are one of those non-D people, do you have ANY idea what that means to us? It is without a doubt, one of the nicest things you can do for a D-family... a gesture that says, "I don't completely understand, but I want to help however I can."

And yes, there are people that when they hear of certain needs to may have pertaining to the diabetes, they deem you difficult and would rather not hang out with you. Your loss, not mine.

-I know this disease is different for every child, but baths sure mess Elise's BG up. The other day we tested her right before and she was a cool 138 before going in (almost 3 hours post-DH). While in the bath, she started to complain about not feeling good, so we checked again... 86. This was only about 20 minutes after the previous check. Crazy.

Edited to add: I've had a few comments on the bath thing, so I thought I'd include why this can happen: When you take a hot shower or bath after an insulin shot, the heat can increase blood flow through the vessels in the skin. This can cause the insulin to be absorbed more quickly than usual.