Numbers. Our whole life revolves around them now. Units of insulin, carb grams, weight grams, BG, time she got her shot, ketones, number of hours since we last tested her, carb factors, time she ate. You get the idea.
These numbers are so important in the well-being of our children. But sometimes we are hit with a number and we just don't know what to do.
The number (or numbers) in the case were, 128... her BG. And 2:30 am... the time. Yes, 128 is a good, solid number. But where was number headed? Up? Down? Staying level?
To know that I would either have to be psychic, or a CGM. I have a hard enough time as a pancreas, so there is no way to know.
When that number popped up on Elise's meter the other night, I blinked several times. Then I shook it. As if it were a magic 8 ball and I didn't like the answer it had given me. And then I stood in Elise's room for about 5 minutes, trying to figure out what my next step was going to be.
It's times like those that have me seriously contemplating getting a CGM for Elise. In fact, it's number 1 on my "discussion list" for our next endo appointment. As much as I don't want to hook Elise up to any device 24/7, something has got to give. If I could have some peace of mind of what her BG is doing in the wee hours of the morning, it would make all the difference in the world.
1 year ago
Best wish ever!!! A magic 8 ball for a meter that would tell us to do next! I'm so wishing for that on my next birthday!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about it too! Burning 3-4, or more, test strips through the night is also burning the candle at both ends.
ReplyDeleteGo girl!!!
ReplyDeleteI want one too. Imagine just knowing - - - !!!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who stands there for 5 minutes trying to decide what to do.
ReplyDelete:)
SAME thing happened last night!!! We HAVE a CGM.... but its in the closet. haha. We happen to be taking a break from it right now. So, there we are at 2am.... Brian wakes me up after he does the check and says "123... now WHAT do we do??"
ReplyDeletesame here wondering in the middle of the night . just standing there and my husband has to wonder too . egads . we are all a mess are we not egads again .
ReplyDeleteHello! My name is Cristina, I originally stumbled upon your blog looking for sweet potato fries recipes...The Death of a Pancreas jumped out at me because I've had diabetes for about 21 years (I'm 23). I started reading through it and it seems like a lot of your experiences parallel my parents' experiences when I was first diagnosed. Somewhere you mentioned having to do nightly blood tests for Elise; have you heard of Extend Bars? They are a "protein bar" which was developed by diabetes professionals for people with diabetes-- and they aren't just protein (which tends to wear off after a few hours), they also have random ingredients like uncooked cornstarch which makes them last for 8-9 hours! (Don't worry, they are edible!) I've been using them for the last 4 years and haven't had a seizure since, which is wonderful. Anyway, they may not eliminate the need for nightly checks but they may help stabilize her sugar levels!
ReplyDeleteSorry for the long comment, if you feel like talking more maybe we can email! Let me know and we can get in touch!
~Cristina
Cristina,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment... it is so funny you should mention those bars, a local news program had done a segment on them, but I had forgotten where I'd seen it and the name of the product (I blame the preggo brain!).
I would love to know more about them. Can you leave your email address?
I know that you mean! There are times that I'm just at a lost.... not sure what to do. Sometimes we will give him carbs and it was the right thing to do... other times we give him carbs and he goes super high!
ReplyDeleteIt's frustrating. I want a CGM so bad but unfortunately I don't think that Tristan will agree (or handle it very well) he still fight us about site change... and we've been doing it for just about 3 years!