Help! My Husband is diabetic

[swilcher]

We are going to disney with the family in June. My husband had a stroke 2 wks ago today he is 51. He is doing good with rehab. They found out he is diabetic. He will have to take a insulin shot before every meal and watch his carbs. I need suggestions for meals,(we are staying a PoP), how to pack insulin for parks and maybe wheelchair or power chair. He will get tried easily. We would put it off but grand kids are so looking forward to the date and everyone has vacation time set for that date. If anyone has experiance with this please help.

 

[ScotsMinnie]

I don't have experience but I am sure I remember someone saying you can store insulin in the first aid centre. i might be wrong. i am sure someone will know for sure.
Lx

 

[SueM in MN]

They would store it at First Aid, but in most cases, you want to keep the insulin with you. Mostly because it is inconvenient to go all the way to First Aid to get it. Once the insulin has been given, the person will need to eat fairly quickly or their blood sugar will drop too much.
Many diabetics use something called a Frio pac to keep their insulin cool while they are out. It cools with water, so there is no need for refrigeration.

You will not be able to rent a power wheelchair - in general, the companies that rent them will only rent them for use by people who already are experienced with using them. You would either be able to rent a manualm (push) wheelchair or an ECV, also called a power mobility scooter. ECVs are much easier to drive than a power wheelchair and would give him some independence. Many stores (Target, Walmart, grocery stores) have ECVs for shoppers to use. Trying one of them would give him some experience and help him to decide whether using one is something he wants to do.
Depending on what deficits his stroke left him with, he may find that it takes too much energy or concentration to drive an ECV in the parks (you have to watch out for traffic around you, things like curbs and people who dash out in front of you).

You can find out more information about ECVs and wheelchairs (including links and phone numbers for places that rent them) in post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the disABILITIES Board. (There is a link to that thread in my signature). In post #3 of that thread, there are links to past helpful threads - you will find some about ECVs in the parks and also about managing diabetes.
Also just look around on the first few pages of the disABILITIES Board; diabetes is a frequent subject.

 

[SueM in MN]

We are going to disney with the family in June. My husband had a stroke 2 wks ago today he is 51.

Since his stroke was recent, you also want to check with his doctors about his going this soon.
If the stroke was the result of a clot, he will need to be careful to avoid DVTs
(Deep Vein Thrombosis). Sitting for a long time, such as on a plane or sitting in one place for a long time (like sitting in a wheelchair or ECV) would be things to avoid. There are exercises that can be done on the plane to help. For the parks, alternating sitting and walking around are important.

If his stroke was the result of a bleed or if he is on blood thinners, his doctor may have recommendations on attractions to avoid.
WDW does put warnings on certain rides. The CMs won't prevent you from riding them - the warning is out there and it is up to you (and his doctor) to decide whether the warning applies to him.
You can look at the park maps for the attractions with warnings - they are marked with a red triangle on the map and also on a sign at the entrance to the queue.
For Epcot here are the attractions with warnings:

• Mission Space - both the more tame (green side) and the more wild (orange side) have the same warning. They are very rough; the difference is that the orange side also spins you around.
• Test Track

For Magic Kingdom:

• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
• Space Mountain
• Goofy's Barnstormer (this doesn't have a triangle warning sign on the map, but does say that pregnant women should not ride, so it's not totally tame)

For Disney Studio

• Star Tours
• Rock N Roller Coaster
• Tower of Terror

For Animal Kingdom:

• Kilimanjaro Safari
• Kali River Rapids
• Expedition Everest
• Primeval Whirl
• Dinosaur

 

[RMulieri]

Since he is a newly diagnosed diabetic, his blood sugars are going to be erratic for awhile.You will need to carry the insulin on you,as well as test his sugars throughout the day. Blood sugars are effected by lots of factors including stress and temperature,fluid volume etc. You are going to want him to keep hydrated with water.Carry small snacks for quick pick me ups. As for a recent stroke, SUe M is right .Depending on the exact cause of the stroke etc. Check with his Dr for guidelines as to what he can and can not be doing. This trip will put alot of physical stress on him regardless of whether he is walking or not. Check with his physician and have the number of local Orlando medical services.

 

[ranthony]

Allearsnet has this article. It is written specifically for type 1 diabetics but much of the same information can apply to type 2.

http://allears.net/pl/diabetes.htm

FWIW-We just spent 10 days at Disney with my brother who is type 1 and takes 4 shots a day. It is very manegable. He caried his insulin pen in his fanny pack and would simply excuse himself to a restroom if we were eating in a park.

Good luck. I'm sure your grandkids will have a great time.

 

[RN4Babies]

Some other things you should take with you (assuming his doctors give the okay for a trip this soon):

-Glucose tablets in case his blood sugar goes low. You can buy them over the counter at your local drug store.

-Have his doctor prescribe a glucose pen for him; it's in case his blood sugar were to go so low that he was unresponsive or unable to orally get sugar into his body. It can literally be a lifesaver.

- A medic alert ID bracelet or necklace, to alert medical professionals that he's a diabetic. He should wear it 24/7, both at Disney and at home. They can be ordered online, or many endocrinologist offices have pamphlets where you can order them via snail mail.

 

[RN4Babies]

SueM in MN...

You give the kindest, most thorough advice and suggestions!!

Kudos to you!!!

 

[a1tinkfans]

OP:
Sorry to hear your husband had a stroke and thrilled he is doing well in rehab. You have been given some great advice here.
Please don't let your excitement for the trip outweigh the seriousness of the stroke and his recovery. Your family will understand if he has to cancel, I hope he does not!!!

Best of health to your dh!

 

[SueM in MN]

SueM in MN...

You give the kindest, most thorough advice and suggestions!!

Kudos to you!!!

Awwwwww, thank you.
::

I'm a nurse too and have always been involved in patient education. This is kind of an outgrowth of that.