DD6 Diagnosed w/ Type 1 Diabetes

[gary4jenn]

yesterday so I am trying to wrap my head around everything and of course I now need to know the carb count on everything she eats. Is there a nutrtional menu available at the resturaunts or do I just give it my best guess. Out trip is in 1 month and I am one of those super organized people, so I am trying to get all this down so it becomes second nature ASAP. I don't think I have even fully absorbed the whole thing yet.
Any tips for what to bring into the parks or how to order the best foods would be much appreciated!
TIA!

 

[sskem96]

Maybe you can get some info here.
http://www.allearsnet.com/din/special.htm

I would also call individual restaurants ahead of time that you have ADRs for, explain the situation, and ask for any info they have. I know at most of the restaurants the chefs will prepare something special for someone with a serious health concern.

You can also review the menus at allearsnet to get an idea of what restaurants offer things that she likes that she is allowed to eat.

 

[LaraK]

First, I'm really sorry to hear about your DD...even though you seem to have a very positive outlook on this, I know how much it sucks to be given life altering news like that about a child.

My son has an auto-immune disorder called Eosinophilic Esophegitis (EE). Basically, multiple foods cause an allergic reaction inside his esophagus that causes these cells called eosinophils to grow and thicken the esophagus. We had to test for lots of allergies and he ended up with some really weird foods that were causing this.

When I called for my ADR's, I mentioned to food allergies and was given a special number to call a week prior to my trip. They told me that the chef would speak to me personally about his needs. I'm sure that you could get the numbers as well and they would speak to you about DD's special needs and help you plan her menu.

One thing we are doing is avoiding the counter service restraunts. I have to verify the contents of everything DS eats and that can be hard if I have 50 people waiting in line behind me.

 

[Pooh Crew]

My son is five and was diagnosed with type 1 right before he turned two, so I completely understand what you are dealing with. As my dr told me, while this disease is on the list of bad things to have, it is at the bottom of that list. This will become second nature to you in no time at all. The childrenwithdiabetes.com website has some amazing people who are more than willing to lend an ear (or a shoulder).

My son eats anything he wants...in moderation of course, and we cover it with insulin. I can rattle off the carb counts of almost anything now! We have been to Disney twice since my son was diagnosed and have not had a single problem either time. All the walking made up for the extra snacks. Most similar food have similar carb counts: meaning chicken nuggets from Disney had about the same amount of carbs as chicken nuggets from anywhere else and a handful of french fries is a handful of french fries. That might not always be the case, but it has held true for us most of the time. I believe the snacks had the carbs listed on the packages, but if not, search over on the DisAbilities forum. You will probably find that your daughter will need more carbs while at Disney just from all the walking and running around.

Good luck to you and your family. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Hannathy]

You need to spend some time with a Diabetic Educator and a Dietitian. There is a lot to learn and understand and right now you are in shock and can't be expected to fully digest all that is being told to you. If your DR or the Hospital didn't set something up for you you need to call and ask.

Be prepared to look at your trip in a totally different way especially so soon after the diagnosis, did the DR. give you the ok because sometimes that soon after diagnosis things are not stable enough to go on a vacation.

Good Luck, take a breath and don't expect to know everything right away.

 

[Daydreamer64]

I'm right there with you- DS #2 ( he's wearing the red shirt in this picture ) - was diagnosed two weeks ago- the day after Thanksgiving. He didn't feel well and I saw some signs that I thought I recognised- sure enough his BG level was 493 -5 hours after a turkey sandwich and an orange- he was admitted to the hospital for 3 days - we had our training and we know most of his food carb counts already- you can do this- we are giving a 1 unit of novolog per 15 grams of carbs( for now) to start out and he gets lantus- 20- units before bed each night.
Hope it helps to know that you are not alone

 

[gary4jenn]

Thanks so much for you great answers- I am trying to be positive- I keep thelling myself it could be SO much worse and she is just more special than she already was!
I just don't like feeling like I don't have control and that is also frustrating. I am a total Type A personality before we leave for WDW so I can be a Type B when we get there and enjoy al the World has to offer.

We don't have any ADR's but they are doing the Pirate Cruise with the PB and J lunch so I think I can figure that out but, do I sent the glucogon with them or her older sister?

I feel like an expert (haha-sorta) on Disney and now I am in totally unfamiliar waters with diabetes.
Ugh- I'm sure once I actually sleep and stop checking to see if she is in a diabetic coma (yes- I am a dork) I will relax. It's already kinda stessful traveling with 3 small kids to Disney and then this too and of course she isn't real excited about the glucose tests and shots.
She has an amazing Dr. and we are the International Diabetes Center in Minneapolis so we should be fine.

 

[SueM in MN]

There are a number of parents of children with diabetes who post frequently on the disABILITIES Board and we've had quite a few past threads about diabetes in WDW on that board.

 

[dementia412]

I'm sorry for her. Go to a nutritionist if you haven't already. They can really help you, and believe me after awhile if becomes so much a part of your daily life you won't even notice it. One warning, watch out for "sugar free" stuff, they often have as many or more carbs as the sugared foods/drinks!

your

 

[Pooh Crew]

Regarding your question about the glucagon, I would keep it with her at all times...especially right now in the beginning and with all the exercise at Disney. She could have a sudden drop. I typically check my son every two hours (my endo says I need to back off!LOL), but that way I KNOW what his numbers are.

Here's why I always have quick sugar handy: Right after my son was diagnosed, we were all out to dinner and the lady at the next table fell out of her chair onto the floor. Her friends with her told us she was diabetic. My husband checked her, and she was 20! The restaurant had no icing or anything that would dissolve quickly and I did not have the glucagon with us. We had called 911, but to me, that was a sign or something. Since then, I always have several packs of fruit chews, I have icing stashed all over the place, and have the glucagon if we are away from home for more than an hour or two.

Take the glucagon and enjoy your trip!

 

[wmjivey]

My son, Tyler (age 12), and I are both diabetic. I have been Diabetic since I was 12 years old and Tyler was diagnosed in 2000.

With carb counting, get the book "The Doctor's Pocket Calorie Fat & Carb Counter" by Calorie King. It is a must to have and costs around $7. You can get it at any bookstore, your doctor's office might even have one. You can also order it from the Calorie King website. This book has both restaurants listed and almost every single food or drink out there with carb information.

Regarding the Glucagon, yes, bring it with you but do NOT give it to the people with the pirate cruise. They will not know exactly what to do and if the medicine is not mixed correctly it will not work. Have your children bring a CapriSun or package juice with them. Take a sugar count right before the cruise leaves and you will probably want him to be a little bit high, just to be safe.

We have spent many days at both WDW and DL and our sugars run sometimes a little bit high and can go low with all the exercise that is why I say to keep sugars a little bit on the high side.

Don't hesitate to PM me if you have any further questions.

 

[vanillarum]

Just thought you might like to know. Tomorrow I will celebrate my 53rd birthday, and I have been a type 1 diabetic since I was 4 years old. When I was diagnosed, my mother, who was an RN, took me to a "progressive" doctor, who at the time did not adhere to the Joslin Diabetic school of thought. So instead of measuring and weighing everything that I ate, we adjusted my insulin intake. Wish you could have seen the looks of some of my diabetic summer camp friends when they learned there was no food scale in my house ! Since I was diagnosed, being a diabetic has only kept me from doing 1 thing in my life, and that was joining the armed service. I have run marathons, mountain climbed for days alone, scuba dived (15 years and counting 1) and many, many other things. Do I have limitations ? Of course. The DDP, with desserts at each meal, for one ! But I never have been a big sweet eater, so I usually have a taste, and my family gladly finishes it for me ! And I always (try, at least) carry glucose tablets with me. Back to the point. Your insurance co. may also have guidelines for you to follow, so you may want to contact them prior to your trip. Disney and diabetics are a very compatable mix. We will make our 4th trip in Aug.07, and I can't wait ! Feel free to PM me with any questions or comments, and good luck !