Belly Site Redux (SUCCESS)

Beach camp Day 2: a genuine Inset 30 belly site is under the rash guard of the swift, green person.

First day tummy site. Holla.

Guess because new, for Bigfoot Bubs’s belly site look super creepy. Little bit stomach flip when plug/unplug seventeen times at beach camp* today—something about skin thinness/visible viscera (six pack)/awareness textural difference near belly button make seem more…anatomical fleshy/bloody? Whereas on bum, site seem more like a sticker on very pale cardboard box.

Today new beach camp friend (age 7) notice something fishy/ask, Wait. What is that?

BUBS: Never mind. It’s just like a kind of a sticker

NEW FRIEND: No. I mean: what’s it for?

BUBS: I can’t really get into that right now

BIGFOOT: (extending rash guard to Bubs) Now do you want to wear this?

NFRIEND: (to Bigfoot) So, what is it?

BIGFOOT: Well, Bubs has Type 1 diabetes, and so he needs medicine, and the medicine goes through a little tube that’s stuck on with that sticker

NF: No. I mean, what’s that plastic piece you’re putting into the sticker thing?

BUBS: It’s a clip

NF: What’s the clip for?

BUBS: For swimming

BIGFOOT: (Gallantly stepping in to explain) It’s ok for him to take the medicine off to swim, but he usually clips the little tube closed to keep, I don’t know, grit from getting into it

NF: and to keep the medicine from falling out

BFOOT: I don’t think the medicine would fall out exactly, but maybe some sand might get in there

NF: It would fall out. And the sand would taste terrible. And the salt water would taste worse

BF: It would? To the stomach? The stomach could taste that?

NF: Nods solemnly. Yes

BUBS: I don’t think the stomach would taste anything, but I think I’d get a very, very, VERY bad stomach bug or flu, right Momma?

BIGFOOT: No, I don’t think so—

Bubs/NF run into waves before complete fake epidemiology course.

*This summer learn call ordinary thing “camp” = seem more fun plus make possible endure entire day. If say, “We’re going to the beach for the day,” everyone cry, “Nooooooo.” If say, “Beach camp starts today!” Everyone say, “Yaaaaaay! Beach camp!” Until Beach Camp Day 2. Then cry noooo but come around.

+++++

Earlier this day, meet new school nurse. So kind. But kick off meeting w. downer: more than double # of kids in new school as last year, still just one nurse, nurse very, very busy, probably not able provide as much attention as last year. Bigfoot heart begin sink.

Then nurse show Bigfoot spreadsheet devised for keep diabetes notes, very detailed, also each day (If it’s okay with you) at minimum test BG before snack, before recess, before lunch, before gym, and before send home for day. And also of course whenever he feels low. Five minimum! Good.

Then ask if Bigfoot want nurse administer combo bolus or dual wave 80-20/60-40 for lunch. Not sure, think maybe nurse throw around big girl lingo for showing off? Bigfoot say no, because rarely use combo bolus feature, think too complicated determine when use if not see exactly what Bubs eat. Nurse explain last year T1D parent always request combo bolus for cafeteria pizza. This nurse bitchin!

Then mention Bigfoot need create emergency pack for Music, Library, Art, Gym, Technology, Fire Drill, maybe some other activity Bigfoot already forget. Sound overwhelming but then huge relief “emergency pack” only = glucose tabs in Ziploc bag.

BEACH CAMP

To make this snack feel like something new, I applied the Ansel-izer on Camera+. Mmmm graham crackers with peanut butter.

Today first day beach camp. One million friends on beach. Waves, play kadima, pickle, frisbee, dig holes, pizza goldfish, etc.

  • Paradise. All day BG#s just near edge of low–lots of 80-99mg/dL’s. (All day not true. One 70)
  • After few million waves, Bubs wash ashore, eyes closed, cheek on boogie board. Looooooooow. Not afraid. Dry off. Test. Not low. Eat snack. Back in water. Fine
  • Bigfoot observe Bubs out of water/plug back into pump, then hand pump to buddy. Ask buddy, Could you put this into the zipper pouch on my back? I can’t reach it. Buddy initially perplexed. What is it? Bubs tell buddy It’s an insulin pump. Come on. Let’s go. Perplexed buddy shrug, figure out how fit pump into tight-stretchy Spibelt
  • Everybody so much fun beach camp again tomorrow!

ADDITIONAL OMG AWESOME THING:

Principal at Bubs’s new school = parent of teenager with T1D!

Wild Site

Brrrr.

Yesterday, Bubs see teen girl running Nauset Beach with Inset 30 site on thigh, peek out from cute polka-dot suit. When girl stop close by, Bubs begin ostentatious display. Loud voice Dad, do you know where my METER is? Girl not notice. Loud voice Let’s see how many TEST STRIPS are left. Look toward Inset 30 girl. Expectant. Wait few beats. Prick finger, test. After meter count down 5-4-3-2-1, beep, loud voice, Mom, what’s my BLOOD GLUCOSE? Girl not notice. Next loud voice I think I need to clean out the SITE for my PUMP. Blast air can in site, replug pump. Girl not notice. Bubs lean in Bigfoot side, towel over face. I’m too shy to talk to her. Will you go tell her about me?

The actual girl in this picture is our cousin. Simulated Inset 30 girl in red.

Sweet girl so happy noticed, very patient speak w. Bubs. First time this girl spot pumper in wild also at Nauset Beach, but it five years ago. Everyone laugh at coincidence. Ha!

Parents ask Bigfoot many questions. Each answer parents’ eyes grow more wary. Don’t you find he’s active enough at the beach go without insulin? Why is he wearing his pump at the beach? Ask What do you use to treat lows? Answer, #1 choice is Starbursts, but add in something re Glucolift tabs for seem more science when see Starburst cause incredulous expression upon father’s face. Hwvr, Glucolift mention not improve father liking of Bigfoot. Why don’t you just use juice boxes? Did no one tell you about the juice boxes? Ask Bigfoot, that jacket looks very comfortable. Do you know where the heck can you get something like that around here? Answer not sure close by shop, but easy order online. Free shipping. Inset 30 father look down at sand to side, shake head in “boy are you a sucker” gesture. Bigfoot hear self say how cozy this jacket is, rub arms, smile as if relish absolute comfort. Maybe even go mmmm. Inset 30 mother interject, try rescue Bigfoot: what were his symptoms when he was diagnosed? Thirsty? Bigfoot say yes, thirsty and peeing a lot. Oh how terrible that it got to that point. What was his number when you got to the hospital? Bigfoot answer think it five hundred something. Ours was 414. She was just kind of tired. Well, good luck with it…

Clearly not Bigfoot BFF, but feel little bit in love. So happy see site on beach on other person skin.

Exclusive

Briggs Beach Motto: the beach so private, you even need a key to leave

Today visit private beach Little Compton. Friend borrow other friend’s key card, get past gatehouse, wave to guard, RR X-ing bar go up, drive down shady lane 10 MPH, arrive beautiful beach. Made it.

394. <—it mg/dL.

Mother/son look each other eye, agog. Sift brain/gather facts: 1. he was fine before we left home; 2. the insulin is fresh; 3. therefore the problem is the site; 4. this is why we always carry spare kachunkers; 5. but i really don’t want to get out the giant lobster claw needle right here on the beach in front of our friends; 6. just get it over with, it’s not a big deal, they’ll look away. Say, “I think I’m going to have to change that site. It must not be working.” Bubs say, “No! I don’t want you to do it here.” Say, “I don’t want to either but we have to. This is why we carry extra kachunkers. Come on, I can just plop it right on and then we’ll be done.” Rummage in bag for kachunker. Before drone more salient fact, Bubs swimsuit reveal quarter moon. Kachunk. Old set out: cannula bloody. Proof.

Administer correction. Rather large. Swimming. Pump off. Place in cooler as per Kerri video. Swim swim swim, boogie board, etc. Back on towel, clip back in (note: Little Compton sand not clog site like Middletown sand), Bigfoot eager test, make sure BG lower. Grab meter from beach bag. Insert test strip. New message. Not sure exact wording message, something like NO FUNCTION AT THIS TEMPERATURE. ARE WE IN HELL? REFER TO USER MANUAL. Feel tiny fist punch throat. What now?

Sift brain/gather facts: 1. I guess I should have put the meter in the cooler with the pump; 2. this is why we carry a spare meter; 3. the spare meter is deeper down in the beach bag, near the water bottles which still feel somewhat cool. Say hello old friend Pink Ultra Mini. 300.

The charming friend had created an entire line of mineral makeup by the time we left.

Eat yogurt + Utz Cheese Curls 100 calorie pack. Bolus. Gather rocks. Make dark gray + light gray eyeshadows by banging rocks with friends. Swim. Test. 84.

Huge relief. Happy prepared, even though forgot spare insulin vial + not sharp enough know store meter in cooler. Prepared enough. No problem.

He felt fine the whole time. Isn’t that nice?

Cheese + pretzel snack. Pack up. Drive home. Discuss Monty Python films. Everyone agree “flesh wound” part best. Arrive home. Bigfoot Spouse pull in same time. Bigfoot so cool, not blurt out all medical equipment excitement first sight.

 

Dream Chicken Oreospatial Relation Wedding More

West Bay Bubs’s dad grilled best chicken kebob Bigfoot life. Initially, Bigfoot eat chicken be polite; now want eat this chicken every night. (But it’s a dead bird.) (Bigfoot not care.) Approximately zero carbs. Ask butcher cut chicken into keboppable hunks. Make marinade. Slither hunks into marinade bowl. Stir. Refrigerate for day. Put visual out of mind. Hour before dinner, hand bowl over to spouse for thread on skewers/grill. Avert gaze until cooked. Here.

So much fun dine with West Bay Bubs family—set table with Calorie King AND digital scale AND Prosecco AND wine AND Westport’s finest beer. After dinner, all 4 adult study dainty vegan cupcake. Bigfoot claim able determine carbs in sweets by visualize how many Oreo fit in equivalent space. Guess 18g. Time for scale. Weigh 1.75 oz. Mr. Dr. WBB look up Hostess cupcake. Math-math-math. 18g. Oreospatial method huzzah! Not know WBB family well enough; enjoy party trick or only annoying? Almost not care. So happy Oreo method working out.

+++++

Bubs high problem turn on heel; i.e. now low problem. Even on non-beach day 1x low. Maybe 1x day, #64. Maybe twice. OK? Glucose tabs. OK moment later. Frankly not even seem problem at all. Maybe wake up 8AM 67 after 112, 143 overnight. Much prefer to 300+, not go down, not go down, not go down. Maybe this dumb. But feel huge relief not high. Probably need dial back basal in late afternoon, early night, wee hour morning. Not find pattern yet.

Bigfoot so enjoy Season Five Mad Men. 47 minutes per episode. Not problem stay awake for check, recheck. Thank you person who gave Spouse iTunes gift card. Bigfoot use it all up on TV. Other good way stay awake: Gone Girl. Holy crap. What with this story? Persons keep warning Bigfoot, “It’s not what you think.” But of course it what think. Page turner! That what think. Get to end, realize, “That was actually a boring story.” ??? Mystery of what warning persons mean almost as exciting as clippety-clop of actual plot.

+++++

Beach day. Can compressed air save site. Blast out grit. Thank you + hello! Such good idea. Make air can permanent fixture beach bag. Keep next to spare kadima ball. $5 at Staples. Wonder if alternative could use empty Misto this purpose.
+++++

Featured wedding Sunday Styles today: Bridget Kelly and Eric Strauss. Bigfoot cool mom call tell read this story. Hey! Type 1! Happy happy wedding. Happy love. (Also survivor of rape, multiple gunshot wound; also Catholic marries Jew; many heartbreaking/interesting details this romance.) Vows piece written by bride father. Skip to diabetes portion:

Two months after Bridget’s 2002 attack, her pancreas stopped producing insulin and her blood-sugar readings went very high. At 25, through no fault of her own, she had Type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes. It was another life-changing event. Like the three million or so other Americans with the disease, she must prick her finger several times a day and regulate her food intake and insulin injections. It is an imposing and constant balancing act for her.

Also this: Bridget, wearing a Ramona Ponce gown specially designed with an insulin pump pocket. Lovely.

Insulin Science

Seven down, three to go.

Insulin + rainy day/new Lego set/good book = ineffective.

Insulin + beach day = work like dream.

That why Bubs run up/down staircase 10x post bolus/pre-eat, rainy day. Attempt mimic condition of active lifestyle. Incredulous boy go along this plan. Not understand why cooperate, when stair thing seem so extremely ridiculous and not cooperate more standard request (apply sunscreen, brush hair, etc.) Important note: this strategy not work.Ten staircase not enough. Walk dog not enough. Need action. Real action.

Yesterday beach day. So busy boogie board, pickle, kadima. Cousins arrive, even more action. Bigfoot, Bigfoot spouse carefully calculate leave 15g carbs uncovered at lunch. 15 a lot! Also no basal while swim—pump in cooler. Even so, Bubs emerge from waves I feel kind of low.

BIGFOOT: Thinks she’s probably overreacting Can you walk back to our chairs?

BUBS: Unfastens velcro boogie board leash from wrist. Stares straight ahead, mouth slightly open

BIGFOOT: I’ll carry this. Can you walk?

BUBS: Stands still. Starts to move at a glacial pace. Stops

BIGFOOT: Do you want me to carry you?

BUBS: No. I think I’m OK. Not moving

In a fog at 50. Plenty of time to take a picture.

Seven hours later, arrive at chairs. Bigfoot spouse get test kit out. 50. So eager treat low because have new favorite treatment: Glucolift! Unexpected hurdle: unable remove Glucolift tabs from 4-tab keychain holder obtain at FFL conference pharmaceutical swag. Maybe humidity make tabs swell? While spouse smack open container against palm, Bigfoot fumble wrapper off of cherry Starburst. (Worst flavor, so sorry, Bigfoot eat last yellow when no one looking.) While Bubs chew, Bigfoot Spouse succeed liberate keychain glucose tabs. Bubs feel better immediately upon swallow sugar.

Then realize ravenous! Grab closest edible thing: sea salt cashews. Hmm. These are pretty good. Then plum. Then Luna bar, even though notice wrapper say the whole nutrition bar for women. Then two peanut butter sandwiches. Then water. Then Bigfoot bolus for all but Starbusts/tabs, because storm rolling in, probably not stay beach much longer, only sit in car on drive home/in house duration of storm.

Play pickle. Sky darkens. Pack up. Rinse off. Pile into car. Headphones on. Simpsons DVD in. Drive through storm.

Home. High. 220 something. By bed time, 179. Bigfoot + BSpouse watch Friends with Kids. (Recommend!) 1AM 147. Bigfoot try convince spouse new nickname “Doll.” Bravely decide OK sleep through night. Wake up 8AM, 108. Not mean brag, but it eons since wake up normal # w/o consistent overnight interventions. Chuffed.

SCIENCE: Cashew, ocean, Jennifer Westfeldt–>good. Lego, reading, rain–>bad.

New Leaf(s): Botox, Meat, Clip, Cap

418 —> 98 in 45 minutes! Just add 3.05u Humalog and 72 pounds of rage.

Spend hunk this day at beach w good friend, discuss summer goals for spend more time together watch Mad Men Season 5/carouse + why Subaru Forester so large now/impossible buy appropriate-size car (if 2012 Mercedes station wagon out of reach) + Vitamix blender ever so powerful: it can boil soup. If make pear sauce it’s hot when you pour it into the bowl. Fantastic time.

Bubs boogie board/play Kadima. BG 418 (sorry)—>98 approx. 45 minutes. Happy, scary surprise. BG seem know exactly where stop plummet. Retrospect, over course of plummet, Bubs complete Kadima nazi. Use edge paddle draw rather tight oval “court” in sand. Say Bigfoot lose point if step outside oval! Impossible hit ball this stricture. Next Bubs criticize Bigfoot backhand. Also you’re hitting it too low! And you’re hitting it too high! Furious. It’s like you’re being SNOTTY towards me ON PURPOSE. Bigfoot think this kid is insane. After see #, Bigfoot think ohhhh.

Before

New leaf 1: Why not do sooner? Glucose record pages from Coro Center depress Bigfoot: copy of copy of copy of master copy blurry Xerox (may actually originate mimeograph era); each patient take blurry copy home, copy over and over, one per 3 days (10x month), get fuzzier, blurrier, more depressing each month.

After! It’s like it got Botox and microdermabrasion. No one knows the chart is vain, they just think it looks well-rested.

At last! Create fresh table, print 15 copies. Barely different but feel much better. Happy fresh like new Trapper Keeper for first day school. Celebrate achievement @Staples: buy zippy new type Uniball Pen named Insight. Apropos.

New leaf 2: meal planning. Bigfoot all but give up sugar substitute baking, coconut palm sugar exploration, protein powder pancake. New plan is make normal pre-D food, add rotisserie chicken +/or egg.

B will eat chicken. A few green beans. Slab of baguette. Paul Newman’s Diet lemonade. 35g cho. Please try this goat cheese.

Bigfoot not skilled meat handler, hate touch meat, hate eat meat except incidental bacon/smoked salmon. For diabetes, try make meat. Really try. Learn make taco with meat instead bean for lower carb. Other than meat taco, fail. Try. Fail. Dog eat so much grass fed beef 2011-12, Bigfoot family save ton money on dog food.

Best plan: make normal food, buy rotisserie chicken. Or this: make normal food, spouse grill beef tenderloin. Secret of life for veg-leaning parent of meat-lover T1D child=rotisserie chicken v. other parent grills v. meat taco.

3rd new leaf: success w. clip for beach. Reyna mention use infusion set filler-clip for beach keep sand out OK. Bigfoot too cynical this small piece plastic before. Try today. It work! Not need new kachunker. Site pretty gritty, but not impossible unclip-clip in filler clip-swim-unclip filler clip-reclip pump clip. (Repeat.) How kind infusion set maker include free beach clip each set.

4th new leaf: Bigfoot thought need extra battery cap/cartridge cap in case lose. NOT TRUE! Rule is change battery cap/cartridge cap every 6 months–every 3 months if swim in pump. Gads. Learn this important fact from on hold recordings Animas customer service. But not able add battery cap/cartridge cap in w. regular quarterly shipment infusion set supplies. Different category. Unsure insurance cover. Very tricky. Kind of like test strip control fluid. Important (maybe) but impossible remember, difficult acquire.

Jam up the pump little more

Sachuest was a daughter of Metacomet, famous for destroying pilgrims’ muskets with sand that she secretly gathered in a hollow gourd from this place, originally known as 2nd beach

Middletown, Rhode Island Bigfoot favorite beach: 2nd Beach. Go every day if not too hot, not raining, not have camp, not at FFL conference. 2nd Beach (AKA Sachuest Beach) perfect boogie board, kadima, pickle, jackpot, taps, soccer. Broad. Flat. Right size waves. Always comfortable temperature air/water. May even need jacket 2nd beach when disgusting hot day other part Rhode Island. Showers. Toilets. Snack bar. Plenty life guards.

Persons who enjoy rolling in sand and/or digging holes using only their buns may be especially susceptible to pump jams

Perfect sand for digging giant hole. Brown sugar sand. Tiny grain, dense. This sand also perfect for clog infusion site. So much that on 2nd trip as insulin pumper, Bigfoot bring four spare ka-chunkers. 2nd beach = pump jam.

Another feature of 2nd beach: The Kindest, Most Agreeable, Fun Boy is almost always there, just to the right of lifeguard #5

Wish followed advice from last time express shock re grit in site. Recap: can of compressed air. Or advice from comments on Gritty Little Infusion Sets. Recap: Opsite Flexifix, IV3000, Tegaderm, Matisol, “skintac, tegaderm, skintac, sensor, skintac, tegaderm in layers;” some of advice may be only re Dexcom. Bigfoot not yet gather energy figure out where buy* specialty adhesives; fear will be medical supply shoppe w bedside commode, flesh-tone compression socks.

Main thing about beach: Bubs so happy. Also notice learned trust Bubs come in from water if feel low. Today trot over, dry hand on towel, test, 68, eat 3 Starbursts (all independent w brief consultation re Starburst location) run back in. This probably not 100% correct procedure, but Bigfoot not check again. Trust will come in if feel low again, notice strange sensation: relaxation, put nose right back in New York Times crossword, fill in G R E E N H O U S E G A S E S. Holla.

Issue now: decide new normal pump program. Summer days very active, more than school. Except for over-hot/rainy summer day sit still with Lego, barely move, much less active than school. Today so active, probably good day for temp basal. Never think of for daytime. Ever temp basal ++some%? Need look into decrease normal basal for summer, then do ++temp basal for lazy summer day. Think now if too much basal, eventually person grow fat from life-saving Starbursts/Gogo Squeeze. Better –temp basal. If only little bit easier. Hard imagine Bubs become fat.

Other issue: rent car for FFL even though hate driving? Will feel trapped at hotel if no car? Not plan on leave much—only LEGOland—but once at conference will Bigfoot want drive to A-list burrito, five miles down road? This not seem appropriate question FFL ListServ. ListServ population very keen on Disney road trips, teenage dress code. Bigfoot more keen on hotel pool, LEGOland, maybe burrito if excellent/not too far away/not Chipotle.

*(Actually, it not so hard, can order here. $38-ish for 4″ x 11 yds—>maybe enough for 200 on/offs or approx. 40 trips beach?)

Sand = everywhere

Two situations

Beach day! Spend whole day. Bigfoot not worry about unhook pump for beach/swim. Smart Liz teach Bigfoot it OK, somehow body able transmit energy into cells if diabetic person active near water. However, for food must bolus twice: once for drip into Ziploc pump bag because forget what doing, 2nd time for after ask Bubs, Did you catch that? Did you feel that vibration? And Bubs look up blankly. Oops. I bolused into the baggie again. Let’s hook you up. Rummage-rummage-rummage.

The mother of invention. And fashion.

All beach time unhitch pump/hitch pump on. In/out water. Pump in baggie in cooler. Pump on bod. Baggie. Bod. Baggie. Bod. Somewhere along these transactions, sand jam infusion site clip. Eventually impossible unhitch zoobee from zoo. Vague memory this may be why Infusion Set Factory put extra clippy piece (included each packet, so cunning)—for sandy swim times? Anyway, by 2nd beach hour, Bubs’s pump site jam with sand so boy stuck in pump til leave. Or could rip out whole thing but not want make Grammy pass out. Sorry.

(this was a picture of the boy from the brooke shields island movie.)
Pretty much like this—but elegant and feminine—right?

Since 2006 Bigfoot habit wear distracting necklace w/ swimsuit for draw viewer eye up away potential disaster areas of chubby/lackadaisical grooming. Today discover added benefit distracting necklace: gel frosting tube come w. hole as if designer intend wear for pendant! Now distracting necklace beautiful as ever PLUS diabetes safety feature PLUS primal Christopher Atkins look.

Hello tomorrow

Spreadsheets and highlighters

P. Coladas and icy Diet Cokes with lime

Still in Bahamas. On beach get email from Dream Nurse: Bubs morning blood sugar = 359, know Bigfoot away, please tell husband or babysitter negative ketones. Heart sink. Decide this: NEVER go away again.

Then decide this: leave MORE often, force situation—even if bad result initially, better in long run Bubs have two parent excellent Dream Nurse communication. Bigfoot not want cement status Sole Emergency Contact. Then realize Dream Nurse out of life after 3rd grade.

Big, hairy, pina colada-breath sigh. (Sorry no tilde.) Home tomorrow midnight, peek in at Bubs/probably injure foot on Lego, kiss Jack/cry because so large + old, track sand into bed/try remember how pack special school lunch + deal with children before drink tea/put hand over passenger dog eyes while drive past golden retriever/Barrington Shaw’s/under-ripe Bosc pear/clean up after self/icy rye + too many cashew, no fruity drink/million other thing twirl in head, not many favorable.

Today work morning, then beach/sunburn knees. Read Martha Stewart Living March 2012–worst theme: garden issue. Alpha seagull snatch BBQ potato chip out of Bigfoot hand. Giant black beak. Not so heaven here–nightmare. Also terrify go home. Just like Pema Chodron Wisdom of No Escape but subtract wisdom aspect.

Bigfoot say other thing

Bigfoot sure this not right placement Pinterest button

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