Someone pointed out that this Montreal Olympics logo t-shirt looks like a stylized flip o’ the bird
Today Dr. Doughnut. Running 45 min. late. Waiting area, Bigfoot notice two child-mother-father trios with Obvious Newcomer Bag: meter still in box, in clear plastic shopping bag, jumble of papers in uninspired yellow/dismal pink/dead green. Nervous in waiting room. Look unsure if OK sit down.
So much want say Were you just diagnosed? It’s going to be OK. Have you seen the You Can Do This project? Do you know about Six Until Me? Wish had sample copy Leighann’s book in medical creel. Then shy. Afraid maybe elitist, not everyone take comfort in internet, also maybe too intrusive sensitive family time. Also afraid would cry when speak these recent refugees. Settle for try catch mothers’ eyes, smile warm smile. Probably only manage look crazy-eyes insane. One mother smile back. Both dads in schlubby Patriots jerseys. Maybe become friends. Not w Bigfoot. W e/o.
While wait exam room, CDE sit w/ Bigfoot & Bubs discuss at length strip use issue, review Bigfoot exquisitely tidy notes. CDE only say, “You’re doing everything right” or “Every one of these tests looks perfectly legitimate to me” and “When Dr. Doughnut comes in we can see what she has to say when she looks at these notes.” That the theme. This good cop bad cop warmup act? Maybe only paranoid.
Enter Dr. Doughnut. Shake Bigfoot hand. This a sign? Not remember hand shake other exams.
One of the highlights was this hand-drawn novelty bandage.
Share BG charts. Most recent few days, use 10-12 strips/day. Further back 15, 17, 20, etc. Bigfoot not want drag this out. Dr. Doughnut address strip issue oblique compliment, “See? You’re only using ten a day now–good for you!” Bigfoot try explain, “That’s on days when he goes to bed at a normal number. On the days when he’s high or low at bedtime, we still use more, and I don’t really see any to cut out.”
DR. DOUGHNUT: Well of course you’re using more on those days. But on a normal day you’re using ten. Good job
BIGFOOT: Thanks
CDE: I think what she’s saying is that he has been high or low often at night, and the night testing, I think you’d agree, is necessary, and that requires more than ten strips a day
DR. DOUGHNUT: Of course
CDE: And look at this. He was low, and she remembered it was because he didn’t drink his milk before the babysitter came, and then he had to test three times in one hour with the babysitter to make sure he came up, and that looks right to me
DR. DOUGHNUT: Ah, uh-huh. Don’t be so hard on yourself! Of course you’re going to make mistakes. But that amount of testing doesn’t happen on a typical day, right?
BIGFOOT: There is no muthafunckingcocksucking typical day. (<—not really say.) I’m getting the goddamned strips from my fucking pediatrician. (<—not really say.) I’m never coming here again! (<—not say at all.) Right (<—say)
DR. DOUGHNUT: Well, these numbers look great. And his a1C is 6.5, so that’s great. Good job. I forget: does he have Hashimoto’s?
BIGFOOT: Yup
DR. DOUGHNUT: So since it’s been a year, we’ll do the blood work for that. After we’re done here, I’ll give you a slip to take down the hall to the lab
Bigfoot really not energy pinpoint test strip decision. Seem pretty clear, keep 10x/day. Already have new endo anyway. Whatev, strip issue extinguish like match toss in toilet. Tssss.
Exam move on to belly/site palpation portion of show. Fine fine fine. Normal normal normal. Dr. Doughnut never examine feet. Why pediatric endocronologist ever examine feet? Bigfoot science, not possible child develop foot issue so young but read other pediatric endo provide foot exam. Probably relic from olden times, like Sweet ‘n’ Low packet.
Two adults holding down one compliant patient = job creation!
After exam, hit lab. One phlebotomist for poke, 2nd phlebotomist for hold down. Srsly? Take tube blood for cholesterol, thyroid. Eight seconds, it over. As soon reach parking garage, Bubs cry. Buckle into car I’m so overwhelmed! I’m sorry I’m crying! Geeze, it that stressful? Bigfoot big day planned of read housewares catalogs w. friend opening culinary expert shop. But Bubs so much crying. I’m sorry I’m crying. I hate myself. I hate this. I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m like this. Push come shove Bigfoot stone cold, housewares-coveting heart melt open tiny bit suggest take rest of day off from school.
Apple kuchen. Using food as an emotional crutch is not recommended.
After apple kuchen/hazelnut mocha Olga’s Cup and Saucer, Bubs accompany Bigfoot friend’s housewares catalog heaven on living room floor. Friend so kind Johnny’s at school. Do you want to rifle through his Magic Cards? Bubs play w/ three adorable extra-fast hamsters, provenance Gobi desert. Bigfoot read entire catalog peppermills, entire catalog $36 tea towel. Everyone happy.
Get home feel low: 54. Stress? Want eat yogurt, then PB & JChocolateHazelnutB sandwich, then ask chicken korma but Bigfoot Spouse take all leftover chicken to work, because no one ever, ever in entire history chicken korma request this snack. So hungry. So depleted. Pat dog. Minecraft.
As reward for reader make it all way end, Bigfoot wish share this article re disabled children. What My Son’s Disabilities Taught Me About Having it All.
Recovery station by Olga Bravo.
Ditto on talking to newbies. Waterworks a sure thing. Maybe that would be OK. Honest. Show them we know it sux bad…but then maybe we would lose credibility when saying it’ll be OK.
Poor Bubs!
When I was new and a mom approached me in that very same waiting room as I held my own dismal bag of newbie supplies, and told me I’d be OK and that we were in good hands, and then started to cry, I liked it but only because I thrive on unexpected drama.
Must find a way to use muthafunckingcocksucking in the dialogue in my head. Although I worry it might accidently be said outloud at the most inappropriate time.
Boo for the suckiness of d hitting him today.
Welcome to the “Baby-the-Doctors’-Egos Club” – the suckiest club in the world, but how else are we to get the things we need? I hope your new doc is much much better. Mine is a GP, and pretty much leaves me to my own devices, writes whatever scripts I want, as long as my A1C is AOK. Really kind, nice man. Last time he said (after YEARS of me suggesting exactly this) that lows are not good either! – That new research shows they are hard on cognitive function?! Wow. Duh.
I say all this as the daughter of a surgeon. I was superbly trained.
If there is any way to saturate Bubs in the concept that the #’s are, well, #’s, and have exactly NOTHING to do with his inherent wonderfulness, go for it. Will be a great and useful gift. Sounds like you already do!
<3 <3 <3
You handled this perfectly, though I think thebiglongcurseword would have also been perfect. I had one of those “I hate this” days recently. Stress in any area tends to induce them for me. Thing is, I think it’s because stress impacts all hormones – including the insulin we’re feeding in… I know you probably know all of that, but I guess I would love it if you could tell Bubs it’s OK to feel that way and that there are other people out here that know just what it’s like. Also, I heart Olga and her Cup and Saucer. Big. Lotsa good stuff coming your way.
meet me for a hazelnut mocha?
Yes! When are you free?
tomorrow?
Wait for me. How long of a drive from Florida?!
Ah…have never said “cocksucking” on the BUDDIES…I am not worthy! YOU.ROCK. And, btw, congrats to you and Bubs on the uber-stellar 6.5! BELLY BUMP!
((modest little bow))
–for the cocksucking–
Yes… What time, Katy? I could do early-ish (8am) or I could take off for a lunch around 1 in the afternoon – or really anytime in the afternoon. Let me know!
Katy – My reply to you bounced back… I said: yes, maybe 1:00?
1:00 tomorrow at Olga’s: see you there! You will recognize me by the bags under my eyes. I will recognize you because you’ll be in that crazy little car!
> “I forget: does he have Hashimoto’s? <
BIGFOOT: Yup"
So Bubs has Hashimoto's as well? Does he have to take thyroid med? If so this might explain why it's so hard to get anything to stay predictable in the BG/basal realm. When I lost my thyroid (Graves) it made controlling BG so much harder – If I miss a pill, or even take it a few hours earlier or later than usual, my basal rate goes totally haywire for several days to a week till I figure it out the new levels.
Poor Bubs. I used to cry after Dr. appt's too the first several years. Felt bereft, dwarfed and judged by the medical system, 100% not understood. He's so lucky to have you, BF. You're doing a great job.
They say he shows the antibodies, but he still has normal thyroid function and may forever. They said only 50% of the T1D kids with the antibodies will develop thyroid failure. Or whatever.
But ugh! I didn’t know it complicated things. I seriously thought it was just: gulp down this pill and be normal. Ugh ugh ugh.
Oh good!! 50% is not great but very possible. So glad he has a good chance of avoiding this. Also, I can’t know how much difference gender/hormones make(s)? Or even if I am the Lone Rangerette in this.
Post Script: If I DO take my med daily at the same time +/- 1 hr., I CAN nail down my basal, so even if he gets dealt this Bad Card, it is possible to be just fine!
6.5! Not always about the number, but it does give an indication….. I still look to the number; always will. You are doing a great job! Never leave that pediatrician…. he’s a keeper. If your next endo pulls a doughnut on you, you can always rely on him. Doughnut is completely inflexible and most importantly, he is not LISTENING! I hope you and your next endo have a good working relationship and that he/she will offer you the support you need. If not, you have found a way around it, by using your pedi. Brilliant. P.S. Glad Bubs enjoyed the kutchen…. he needed and deserved it, as well as the day off.
Minecraft!
Katy – I’m so sorry! I am going to have to reschedule. I came in today to a mess with some data that’s needed for a meeting tomorrow and I have a feeling it’s going to eat most of this day getting it fixed!!! Could you do next Tuesday at noon? If so, I’ll put on my calendar and be there in my wacky lil car.
sure sure sure! i think this is actually a blessing—maybe it will be colder on tuesday and more comfortable for the cozy warm drink i have planned.
Perfect. Can’t wait to meet the cryptid.
I learned a new word!
omg srsly with the trying to give a warm smile but maybe it just looks like a creeper creepily smiling at you, that is me every stinking time.
glad you followed bubs’ lead after the appt for some down time instead of school. we did that last week after our quarterly appt as well. sometimes ya just gotta.
and i know it’s just a number but i still wanna say congrats b/c it takes hard work to get to where you are (ours has never been that low).
ps i read that article you linked at the bottom a while ago and wanted to send it to every parent i know. thanks for reminding me about it.