Behind the Scenes with T1D

Recently, the girls had to do more finger pokes to check their blood sugar than is typical now that they have continuous glucose monitors.

With having the Dexcom continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), they usually only need to do a blood glucose meter test twice daily to calibrate their CGM sensors.  This eliminates a lot of needle pokes to their tiny fingers.

Usually we rely on the Dexcom continuous glucose monitor for the blood sugar readings. Sometime, the CGM fails or the readings are just off and we have to revert to using the manual blood glucose meter and finger sticks.
This technology is a Godsend and we are so blessed to have it at our disposal.

However, at times, the CGM's are off; not reading; in warm-up mode; or other situations that require additional blood drops for getting accurate blood glucose readings.

Accurate readings are paramount to safe treatment of their diabetes.

It seemed recently that was a prevalent event for both girls.

I watched as Selah washed her hands; pulled out her test strip; slid it into the blood glucose meter; grabbed her 'poker' (as she calls it); pulled back the plunger to prep the lancet for jabbing her petite finger; choosing one finger, then another, then another before deciding which to poke; finally plunging the lancet into her little finger to elicit a minuscule drop of blood; once she 'squeezed out' an adequate amount, she placed the test strip to that drop so it could be 'drawn in' to then be read by the meter.  A beep; a pause; another beep; then the number appeared on the screen.  54.  LOW!  Too low.

Checking her blood sugar.

A juice.

Wait 15 minutes.

Check again.  (The scene above re-enacted to discover if the fast acting carbs had worked or not.)

A better number appeared.  

Breath released.

Later, in the middle of the night, a similar scenario played out as Trinity, through sleep filled eyes and staggering, gangly legs, went through all the same steps.

Reading low on her CGM -- a mere 42 -- we sprang into action.  This was a new sensor and we know from experience that the first day or so of a new CGM sensor can result in inaccurate readings so a finger stick is advisable before administering any corrective measures.  Hence, the need to wake her slumber.

She stood in front of my footstool - command center for 'all things diabetic' in our home - and began the process of checking her blood sugar.

Trinity taking insulin via a pen needle early on after diagnosis.

The routine played out again -- just with a different child.  Washing her hands; getting a test strip out; placing it in the meter; picking up and pulling back the plunger on her lancing device; choosing a finger - like her sister, she places the 'poker' to one finger, then another before pressing the button to release the small blade that will pierce through her skin on her bony fingers to draw a small drop of blood to the surface; once said drop is sufficient in size, she brings her meter to it and allows the test strip to absorb the blood and begin the calculating process;  beep; pause; beep; the reading appears.  56.  Not quite as low as her CGM alerted, but still too low.  Particularly while sleeping.

A juice.

Wait 15 minutes.

The process begins again.

A better number so back to bed she goes.

Mom's muscles relax - tense from the fear such lows elicit.

As I watched both girls, I found my heart weeping.

Tears threatening to  pool in my eyes.

This IS their life.

It won't end -- not anytime soon.  Not till a cure is found - which seems far off if attainable at all.

As I watched them, I was struck with how the actions were so smooth.

So familiar.

So ordinary.

So...... 'NORMAL'.

Yet at the same time I couldn't help but ponder how 'ABNORMAL' it all really is.

They will be doing this every day.....

.....multiple times a day.....

.....for the rest of their lives.  

Pokes, prods, blood drops, shots, needles, insulin pump insets, dexcom sensor insertion needles, juice boxes, honey sticks, eating carbs even when they aren't hungry due to low blood glucose levels, NOT eating even when they ARE hungry due to high blood sugars, guessing at carb counts, measuring and weighing food, calculating insulin to carb ratios, figuring out correction factors, blood draws at least every 3 months, endocrinology appointments at the same intervals, carrying life saving supplies daily - EVERYWHERE they go, dealing w/insurance for said life saving supplies, insulin, glucose tablets, syringes, alcohol swabs, test strips, blood glucose meters, lancets, glugagon kits that cost a fortune.

Some of the many things the girls need.... Just. To. Survive!


THIS.  IS.  THEIR.  LIFE!

The life saving insulin that keeps them alive, but has the potential of taking their lives as well.

I'd take it away and live it myself in an instant.

Unfortunately, I can't.

For that, my heart breaks.  Tears sting.  Thoughts swirl.

At the same time pride soars.

These girls are so resilient.  So strong.

This is the needle that inserts the pump canola - that's a big, long needle if you ask me.
 No wonder they get nervous.  And to think I used to fret over getting my blood drawn.

They take it all in stride; they don't let it stop them or really slow them down too much.  

They are fighters!

Warriors!!

Pump site after insertion.  They have to go through this every 3 days.

My heroes!!!