Sometimes I wish that for maybe a month or even a few days, I didn't have to worry about the blood testing, the lows, the highs,the people asking "what are you doing?" and above all, just being able to eat whatever I want and not having to figure out how many carbs are in it, I've heard about pancreas transplants and I know that they don't work for very long (if your body doesn't reject it) but I've thought about how nice it would be if even for that small amount of time not having to worry about any of it... anyone else feel like this?
Actually I don’t think that the pancreas transplants are that easy. I just occasionally eat a couple of chocolate frosted donuts, take a rage bolus by syringe in addition to my pump bolus, and move on.
I think that because I was diagnosed long before home BG testing, I don’t have the same guilt and phobias about high BG numbers that some of you younger folks do. I just correct and move on.
I do live in mortal fear of the day that I’m not the one making my insulin decisions (either hospital or nursing home). Other than that, this is just my life.
I know that they aren't that easy.... but just thinking that having a pancreas that works again would be nice... even if you do a "rage bolus" (haha I like that term) you still have to think... and you still have to do insulin, my parents get .... a little mad when my numbers aren't good, if I could just walk through the house and eat what I want without thinking about what my test is going to be later and not have to bolus... I just cant imagine doing that anymore but it would be nice
Wow Lathump, I never really thought about that situation, someone else making insulin decisions other than yourself. Yet, I'm a mom with a 15 year old type 1 and I suggest tweaking his dose all the time, but in our case he can do it himself, when he needs to. Since I prepare the meals and know the art of bolusing, basal rates and all the variables that go into it dosing (not that I'm the guarantee we'll get it right, but good most of time.) Well, I do it. But the thought of a nursing home making those precise decisions and maybe not helping you check BS often is a little frightening. Hoping a better situation presents itself when that kind of care is needed, for all those touched by diabetes.
Be well, Emily :)
And geckogurl86, we are only at our 2 year mark of managing his D, no burn out yet, and he's a teen so I am thankful he deals with it well. It is, of course a lot to handle. For him, pump and cgms, both separate sites and devices. His backpack wieghs a ton and he pulls good grades with honor classes. I do hope there's scholarships out there for him, because D, school, and social life is a juggling act. Yes, a break would be nice, but there won't be one until the cure, so we try to make it more easy to manage for him and know that its made him strong and very responsible.
As a Type 1, we have I remember that most people with diabetes have Type 2. Unfortunately most caregivers in the hospital or nursing home situation are used to dosing insulin for people with Type 2. The insulin dosages recommended by Type 2 sliding scales would kill me. I’ve had Type 1 for 35 years. My average TDD is about 20 units. Some Type 2’s take 10-20 units at every meal. If I miscalculate my carbs, I can easily shoot up to 250 or higher. But if I took 20 units to correct that, I’d end up in the cellar. My correction factor is 90, meaning that one unit of insulin lows my BG 90 units. This is so different from the numbers that are common in Type 2.
All I hope is that if I end up in a nursing home that they just kill me quickly. I really don’t think that nurses or aides in those facilities are capable of controlling my BG. I’m an expert and it’s a full-time job for me. And I’m miles away from being perfect. That being said, I have great A1c’s and no complications ( or minimal complications) after 35 years.
Yes, that was just my point, only us, the type 1s, spouses and parents of young children know the intricateses of managing it 24/7. Such as, our worries at night (alarms or no alarms). Love ones play a big part of the support team. And living alone or in group care seems like the worst case scenario. Don't give up having those people close or teaching what you know to someone that will be there for you. Even if that future is still at a distance. 35 years is about how long my grandmother survived with type 1 diabetes, she was diagnosed a year after insulin was discovered, I'm amazed she lived as long as she did, knowledge, resources and technology had yet to play a part in her care. I never met her. You, have seen the growth in D management, a have been able to see it this far so your strong enough to not to let it end up in someone's incompetent hands. :)
I don't think ,that my type 2 Brother on insulin , who does carb counting has it any easier ???
Lathump,
That's a fear of mine also. Can't bear the thought of it.
I am so sorry, you are absolutely right, he doesn't have easier, my apologies got caught up talking type 1 and forgot the D community who face challenges everyday.
I think I need to write a blog about hospital/nursing home hell, because I've been there, and let me tell you, it AIN'T pretty. But one comment about sliding scales before I go -- a huge problem is when they use a one-size fits-all approach that isn't appropriate for either Type 1's OR Type 2's. I have a friend, who is a large lady, and was in a nursing home after a leg amputation, and they were giving her ONE unit of insulin for every 50 mg/dl above target. Well, as she said, that wasn't even on the planet, let alone in the ballpark! She needs maybe 10 or 15 units to bring her down by 50 mg/dl. So a dose that would KILL you is also a dose that wouldn't even TOUCH her. Can't win, can we?