Ok, so I'm back with some more time to help you out.
First, know that come august you're going to be in a completely different place with diabetes than you are today. It's going to be a part of your normal life by then, so try not to stress too much about particulars today. What worries you today is not going to be a concern in August.
Some things that will help:
- Make sure you've got plenty of supplies - I usually say at least double what you think you'll need, but usually I pack triple.
- Pack multiple meters and batteries. Don't forget the batteries.
- Cover yourself for all possible situations -plenty of ketone strips for highs, plenty of glucose for lows.
- Bring extra insulin - and if you're not pumping and need to carry it during the day get a frio case . It will keep your insulin at a safely cool level (not cold, but will avoid overheating).
- Watch out for overly cold room fridges. Frozen insulin does not work.
- know the location of a local pharmacy and how to get your RX from home sent there if you freeze your insulin.
- Carry what you'll need at the park, don't assume you'll be able to get something. Plenty of syringes/insulin/juice / granola bars / glucose tabs and don't forget the glucagon.
- Use long lines as breaks to check bg and bring up lows. If you have to sit and wait, might as well sit and wait (or stand and wait) while in line.
- Plan on testing at least double what you do at home. The heat in August and the added walking can bring down BGs, especially at night. The good thing is that the high fat Disney food / ice cream usually counteract that pretty well.
- Remember that vacation should be just that. Vacation. If you log every number at home, it's a time to just take a little break from it. It's also the time where you can let some things go. Don't stress. Enjoy it.
- use resources like smart phone apps and a calorie king book to figure carbs. Disney won't provide the info, so you're on your own. our first time at disney after dx we took a small travel scale with us. It was worth it to be able to more accurately figure out portions. We can eyeball now, 7 years later, but travel scales are cheap (amazon)
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As for GAC; the big thing to ask yourself is what specific needs will my child have in Disney and what would I need Disney to accommodate? That is what a GAC does. It doesn't say "here little one, you've had a spot of misfortune and so we're going to make it up to you."
I know people like to talk about how the heat drops BG and therefore they can't wait in line or in the sun, but you're going in August. It's hot all day. A GAC isn't going to do diddly squat. We are summer visitors too. We plan our park days wisely using the various resources online (touringplans, easywdw, tourguidmike) and know how to use fastpasses to our advantage. Even in July and August we never wait in any line more than 20 minutes. And like I said above, we use the lines as rest spots if we have to do that.
In the end, have a great time. Don't let this diagnosis change your child's life. If disney is what your family always does, don't let your child's diabetes be the reason you stop. Your child WILL, I guarantee you, take that personally.
