? for the Diabetics...

[BCholly]

I TOTALLY understand this post. My DS13 was just diagnosed Type 1 on June 15. Although he is doing terrific with all his changes, it still is a huge concern especially being out of your routine and home environment. We just went to Hawaii for 2 weeks this summer and we were very active (swimming, snorkeling, hiking) and he did great. We always had glucose tabs and packed snack crackers (you can buy the individually wrapped packets - they don't crush as easily). He loves pepperoni sticks (I know it isn't heart healthy) but that is a great carb free snack. He also loves baby carrots and they are practically carb free. Or the packages of cheese and crackers works too.

My best suggestion is to check blood sugars regularly and to make sure to compensate for all the exercise...don't give as much insulin if you are really moving through the parks.

Boy there are a lot of families touched by this disease on this board - it is nice to know that there is a lot of support out there!

BTW - the general lack of knowledge on Type 1 vs Type 2 really gets to me too...however I was probably one of those people 3 months ago! lol. I guess it is our mission to educate others.

Welcome to the "I don't want to belong" club. Sounds like you are doing well. We are managing too, sort of. But I hate it. if her sugars are high she is grumpy and has tummy aches and if low.... well it is terrifying.

 

[SeattleTink]

I am so telling my DS what KrazyKat said about churros and taffy bringing up blood sugar! He will love that!

BCholly - good luck to you too...sometimes I do think it is harder on us parents worrying about our children with this disease than it is on them (not really, but you know what I mean). I worry constantly, but know that we are getting the best care possible.

What a terrific thread. Thanks everyone for your support and suggestions.

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

I think that it is definitely more stressful and hard on the parents than the diabetic child. As a diabetic, I look back at our Disney trips when I was a kid and I think of my mom with her backpack filled with supplies; worrying over every detail - making sure everything was packed - and I think about my persepctive - I was just excited to be at Disney - no cares in the world! I feel bad for my poor mom and dad having to stress like that! I swear parents out there - please know that your kids will have a great time in DL, if they were diagnosed young like myself, it's all there ever know and it's ok!

One thing to be careful of Moms - I do remember being at DL and if I uttered "I don't feel good", my mother panicked and thought I was about to go into diabetic coma. It was very annoying as a kid. Really, most of the time I was just tired from all the excitement. So, just remember to stay calm!

 

[QueenDoOver]

Thats a good idea about going early for meals.... I keep having this scenario play out in my mind.....

it is mealtime... the food takes forever or the line is huge and Em ends up getting all her carbs for the whole meal from crackers....can you survive a whole week on crackers LOL!

Hello! We are also staying at the HOJO. Take a look at my pretrip report in the signature line to see pictures and be sure and stop and say hello. We expect to be lounging by the hot tub watching fireworks on Friday night.

How old is your daughter? I'm sure that my friend would love to chat from a Mom's perspective. And it is always great for kids to get to meet other kids that live with some of the same challenges, ya know? Although I'm not sure aobut my son's exposure. As it is he keeps asking me to test his blood sugar, and then tells me that he has sypmptoms and needs to be taken in to be checked, etc. Basically is tremendously worried about his buddy and about himself. I just keep reassuring him that he does not have to worry.

The whole carb thing is challenging enough, but our little guy was diagnosed with celiac's disease as well, so can't have any gluten. That is so very hard to make sure he gets his carbs. Apparently a certain amount of kids with type 1 also have celiac and I think they screen for it once there is a diagnosis. So you guys are really lucky not to have that exta bit of stuff to deal with. Always a silver lining, right?

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I ALWAYS take too much insulin at the beginning of a Disney trip.....I don't take all the extra walking into consideration. During this time, I carry the small juice boxes. Later in the trip I seem to have a better idea of how much to ..... shoot up.

I WILL say the worst experience I have ever had as an insulin dependent diabetic was a EPCOT....from a fellow guest.

I was new to insulin after a bad round with Pancreatitus. I was attending a Food and Wine event and in a totally empty ladies room. I wasn't yet good at my shots and decided to use the sink counter vs. struggling in the stall.

A stranger walked in as I was loading my syringe and began to shout at me for "using drugs around children". Well, lets first remember I was completely alone in the bathroom.

Anyway....my friend found me sitting there crying --- had not adjusted well emotionally to taking the insulin shots away from home or work.


My new husband watches me like a hawk the first couple of days so I'm finally in good hands.

My next trip I will be to DL and I'll probably be in a scooter if this knee surgery has a long rehab. I'll not be walking so insulin should be a standard dose. Thank goodness.

Crashing is frightening - isn't it!

 

[QueenDoOver]

Hello! We are also staying at the HOJO. Take a look at my pretrip report in the signature line to see pictures and be sure and stop and say hello. We expect to be lounging by the hot tub watching fireworks on Friday night.

How old is your daughter? I'm sure that my friend would love to chat from a Mom's perspective. And it is always great for kids to get to meet other kids that live with some of the same challenges, ya know? Although I'm not sure aobut my son's exposure. As it is he keeps asking me to test his blood sugar, and then tells me that he has sypmptoms and needs to be taken in to be checked, etc. Basically is tremendously worried about his buddy and about himself. I just keep reassuring him that he does not have to worry.

The whole carb thing is challenging enough, but our little guy was diagnosed with celiac's disease as well, so can't have any gluten. That is so very hard to make sure he gets his carbs. Apparently a certain amount of kids with type 1 also have celiac and I think they screen for it once there is a diagnosis. So you guys are really lucky not to have that exta bit of stuff to deal with. Always a silver lining, right?

Big Change! I just changed out hotel to the Paradise Pier Hotel. The AP rate was just too good to pass up.

 

[QueenDoOver]

We are going in the beginning of Oct. and my daughter was just Dx in March so a wee bit worried too. We are still on injections (4 a day) and NPH/ Humulogue so timing is key. I am a bit worried to say the least.
We will definately have Dextrose tablets on us all the time... but I am wondering what is the easiest starch/protein snack to keep on hand to stavilize the Blood sugars once the dextrose is given??? Any suggestions about that? I am worried crackers would end up crumbs after the rides... I plan to travel as light as possible so I don't have to worry about leaving packs while on rides..
last thing I want to worry about is losing her insulin supplies... because someone thinks it is something valuable.

I think the problem with diabetes is that people confuse Type 1s with the type 2's (which out number the type 1s by .... tons....) and who maynot need insulin etc...

Hello, I am sitting here with my friend. She says protein bars are great to carry for protein and carbs both. Can Do Kids Bars (from REI) which are already split in half and are 14 carbs and 9 grams of protien and even NUGO bars are good, but you have to split those yourself. Cliff has some products that are good.