Just this morning, when I opened a pink plastic “Low Box” and found half-a-dozen extra lancets rolling around inside, I was remineded that we–like all families managing T1D–occasionally get sloppy.
While changing the lancet for the first time in I don’t know how long, I thought of all the instructions we were given in the hospital that we have–over the past two years–gotten a bit relaxed about.
In listing them I like to think a few might become regular practice–for a week or so!
I’m also hoping that you, trusty readers, will remind me of others! That we can all–without driving ourselves crazy–do as good a job, today, as we can.
- Lancets are supposed to be changed . . . daily!
- Washing hands before checking blood sugars or changing pump sites or injecting insulin is always a good idea.
- It’s not a bad idea to try to inject the insulin that you are using to cover carbs slightly in advance of the carbs, given that insulin takes 15 minutes to start really working. (But don’t get too far ahead of yourself in restaurants, where you can never be sure when the food will arrive!)
- Be sure that coaches, teachers, moms of playdates, teen’s friends, etc. . . . know what a severe low looks like, and know how to deal with it.
- You can never have too many Glucotabs, Smarties, juice boxes, Skittles . . . tucked away in coat pockets, car doors, handbags and backpacks.
- Remember to get that flu shot!
Nothing like 3 hours of KG and Paul to make me feel like I can handle T1D.
- Managing T1D can feel challenging even on the best of days. Acknowledge that you are doing something difficult! A nap or dinner out or an hour in front of your favorite television program or a massage or lunch with an old friend or a whole Celtics game viewed uninterrupted from the middle of a nice squashy couch with a glass of red wine . . . any and all of these should be relied upon to be sure that you are taking good care of yourself.
Readers, what other basics should we keep in mind?
