One of the things I love about going to Friends For Life (post-conference wrap-up to be posted soon... I hope), is how it not only renews my energy and hope, but it also gives Elise a boost in self-confidence in taking control of her own care.She's shown signs of this pre-conference; not having to be asked to check her BG before a meal, entering the carbs and bolusing herself, and even helping me to count the carbs. Gone are the days of total dependence.
Sure there were slip ups... like the time she was bolusing herself for her lunch, and she somehow pressed the up arrow on the amount of insulin to be bolused, and received double the insulin she was supposed to get. The only reason I caught this was because after she finished eating, dex was showing double arrows down. Which led me to investigate what had happened on her PDM.
It took a few minutes of blinking stupidly at the PDM, but I eventually figured out the error and bonus carbs were dispensed.
Have I mentioned how awesome the dex is lately? No? I apologize... thank you Dexcom for helping me to keep my daughter safe. You rock.
Anyway, Elise arrived home from FFL and let me know she wanted to be "more mature in taking care of herself" (yes, those words exactly).
She decided she wanted to wear my old Pebble watch, so she could keep an eye on her numbers.
She told me she wanted to make food choices that weren't so hard on her blood sugar.
And, unbeknownst to me, she wanted to start doing all the checking, bolusing, and carb counting without any adult supervision. Oy.
Because of the aforementioned slip-up, we had talked about needing to show me her PDM before she bolused... not because I didn't trust her, but I just wanted to make sure all the numbers made sense.
Well, the other day, after we got back from FFL, the kids were attending their summer camp at the local pre-school.
Side note: This is the pre-school that all my kids have gone to. They hold a two week summer camp for kids 2-5 years old. Obviously, Elise does not fall into this category, but because her former teacher there runs the camp, Elise is always invited to attend the camp with her brothers as a helper. Our pre-school also rocks.
During camp, the kids eat a snack and their lunch. I told Elise she needed to call me when she was going to eat, so we could decide on what to bolus. The first day I got a text from her with her BG and the carb amount. Nothing more. I texted her back asking what her IOB was and what was bolused. Silence. So I texted her teacher, who got Elise to call me and let me know her bolus was 1.55 units for 26g of carbs. Waaaaaaaay to much insulin. I then realized that the snack was early enough in the day that her breakfast ratio was the culprit. I told her to eat some glucose tabs and all was well.
Yes, that one was my fault. I should have adjusted the time on her breakfast ratio, but I forgot. When she got home, I explained to Elise why it is so important to go over the numbers with me and that was that.
Until the other night. She was at a friend's house when they decided to have a snack of baby carrots and ranch, without telling the mom. They had eaten dinner only about 90 minutes earlier, so there was still IOB. Elise took it upon herself to count the carbs and bolus herself.
For 80g of carbs.
She had 10 carrots. She looked at the carb amount and the package said 8g. So Elise reasoned that if she had 8 carrots... 8 x 10 = 80.
I guess it's time to have a lesson on serving sizes.
Luckily, Elise also reasoned that she had enough IOB to cover the carrots, so she zeroed out the bolus and didn't give herself any insulin. Crisis averted, another discussion had.
I realize this is a very long post, but lately I've been struggling with the "letting go and letting her". I am all for kids being able to go out and learn from experience and making mistakes... it's just that there's a chance that if Elise makes a mistake and it's not caught, there could be dire consequences.
Like I've said before, "it's a dance, and I'm doing my best to teach her the steps."
That's fantastic that she is so eager to take control and be more independent! I am sure you are very proud :)
ReplyDeleteA young friend of mine told me once that she learned to multiply when she was in 1st grade because of the 80 carbs error. Math with diabetes? Who knew? LOL
ReplyDeleteI referred your blog to the TUDiabetes.org blog page for the week of July 11, 2016.
It's so hard to let go. The tween dance I was a nervous wreck inside but I had to let her do it. She made mistakes but did great and in the end I got her back safe. This growing up thing is tough. Hugs
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like she is really doing great and taking ownership. I let mine "help" and do it, always with supervision, at that age, too. Now, going into middle school, they got it. However, they are required to discuss their dosing with an adult, and I remind them that is for their safety. So, you can tell Elise, too, that even as nurses on the job, we have to check insulin with each other for safety!
ReplyDeleteLetting go and letting them learn is so hard! We have so many things in our knowledge after years of living with D to pass on to them! I love how the FFL conference encourages them to try new things, as hard as it is for us parents to let them.
ReplyDeleteI love you both and learn so much from you. hugs to all.
ReplyDeleteI read this waiting in orthodontist office and got tears in my eyes reading the first part and how mature she is .... And then for you for that never-ending stress as you pass the baton to her.
ReplyDeleteXo
Oh wow!!! I'm so proud of Elise for taking over her management. I'm proud of you for not going insane. LOL She will get there! Love to you both (actually, to you all!!)
ReplyDeleteI know I don't know her, but reading this makes me very proud. So strong with what sounds like great support from you. I never dealt with diabtes as a child cos I was diagnosed at 24.
ReplyDelete