She had a hyperglycemic crisis a couple of days ago, secondary to an infection. She was in intensive care, and yesterday, thank God, she was released from intensive care and is now hospitalized. I’m going to see her tomorrow. I don’t know what to say to her, what plans I could make with her, like going out. She loved margaritas (she won’t be able to drink them anymore), and she also loved chocolate cake (now she won’t be able to eat that for the rest of her life either). It’s hard because I don’t know what to say to her. Can anyone with type 1 diabetes tell me how to deal with this?
Please excuse my writing, but English isn’t my first language.
Although good health practicies might dictate limiting certain foods, T1 diabetcs can certainly drink and eat cake. It has more to do with proper management.
If you can, read good sources for dealing with T1 diabetes. Your education is the first step, but as mentioned, only use the best sources of information.
Look for “Think Like a Pancreas” by Gary Scheiner - it’s very educational and gives great advice for people looking to understand and manage their disease better.
Also - when she is ready, take her out for margaritas and chocolate cake! Please don’t assume she can’t eat or drink anything because she has diabetes - that’s not how it works at all
That was true half a century ago, but it’s not true today. Hopefully while in hospital or soon after leaving, your friend will see an endocrinologist (diabetes specialist) and/or a diabetes nurse and/or a dietitian. Your friend will learn how to drink margaritas and eat cake – by learning how to count (or guess at) carbohydrate content and equate that with a dose of insulin. At this stage that may sound terrifyingly complex to both of you, but it really does become second nature. Good luck!
