A Day in the Life of Our T1D Journey

A quick note: this is a calm day, one with no highs or lows in the middle of the night. No highs or lows at school or sports. This is most of our days, but there are many children—and adults—with Type 1 Diabetes whose days are not so smooth. The thing of it is, that just because it seems less smooth doesn’t mean it’s managed any differently than ours. Type 1 Diabetes doesn’t always have a rhyme or reason; what works perfectly one day won’t work at all the next. What has been working for weeks will all of a sudden go out the window. We were told at the very beginning of this journey that T1D would “alter our lives, but it wouldn’t end it.” This has been very true for us so far. Our son can do anything, some things just require an extra step or two.

T1D Looks Like Me
2:00am *alarm* Roll over, snooze alarm, try to recall bedtime blood glucose level to see if getting up to check is necessary. Fall back asleep.
2:09am *alarm* Wake, get meter, lancets, test strips, sneak quietly into sleeping boy’s room. Prick finger, test blood, wait for reading: 167 (hooray), wipe finger, kiss forehead, leave as quietly as possible.
6:48am “Mom, can you make me breakfast?”
7:02am “Mom, are you going to make my breakfast?”
7:08am Up and to the kitchen. Hand over the glucometer and an alcohol wipe so he can check sugar by himself, per request. Supervise, of course. Prick finger, test blood, wait for reading: 108 (perfect). Wipe finger. (Think and re-think about whether or not it’s a party or special day at school in order to plan breakfast carb counts accordingly. Decide it’s normal schedule.) Proceed to make breakfast: measure cereal and milk into bowl, count blueberries, make notes as food is put on the plate, check Calorie King for unknown carb items.
7:24am Head to “my space” for journal writing, reading, and prayer.
7:30am “Mom, I’m done!” Check plate for leftovers, deduct carb counts from original counts. Subtract. Divide. Dial in Humalog. Find the boy’s spot of choice. Inject.
7:42am Back to “my space” while he gets dressed. Make up. Hair. Clothes.
8:18am Grab pre-packed “free” snack and pre-counted lunch. Load backpack. Double-check folder to be sure stuff has been signed, removed, or otherwise dealt with.
8:32am School drop off. Notify teacher of snack container for the day.
8:44am Coffee shop. They basically hand my order out the window as I cruise through.
8:59am Teach. (Unless it’s a party day; then I head to school to do sugar check and insulin before and after party food.)
11:01am Get mail, run town errands.
11:29am *alarm* Back to school. Check sugar. Prick finger, test blood, wait for reading. Wipe finger.
11:38am Figure out lunch plans. Hope the husband has a moment for a lunch date.
12:32pm *alarm* Back to school. Check for leftovers, deduct necessary carbs. Subtract. Divide. Dial in Humalog. Find the boy’s spot of choice. Inject.
12:41pm Afternoon projects, meetings, appointments, work-from-home duties.
2:09pm *alarm* Wrap up afternoon stuff; head to school.
2:32pm Back to school. Get the boy. Check backpack, folder, etc.
2:33pm “Mom, can I have a carb snack?” Check sugar. Prick finger, test blood, wait for reading. Wipe finger.
2:40pm Carb snack. Count carbs. Deduct leftovers. Subtract. Divide. Dial in Humalog. Find the boy’s spot of choice. Inject. Remember forgotten “free” snacks for the rest of the afternoon. Run home. Grab snacks.
3:02pm Tutor. The boy plays, snacks, reads, helps the big kids.
5:11pm A text from the husband reveals he’s there to get the boy. Off they go.
5:59pm Papers are checked, kids are gone, off to the grocery store! (I would never have gone to the grocery store in the evening before the T1D diagnosis—I’d avoid it like the plague!)
6:08pm Drive between the two stores to see which parking lot is less full; decide and pull in. Park and head in. Free snacks. Supper items. Toiletries. Impulse buy at the checkout.
6:43pm Home. Cook supper.
7:16pm Supper. Check sugar. Prick finger, test blood, wait for reading. Wipe finger. Count and measure as items go onto the plate. Make notes. Seconds and dessert. Note accordingly.
7:48pm “Mom, I’m done!” Check plate for leftovers, deduct carb counts from original counts. Subtract. Divide. Dial in Humalog. Draw up Lantus. Find the boy’s spot of choice. Inject. Second spot. Inject again.
7:52pm Bath. Bed. Lights out.
10:41pm *alarm* Sneak in. Check sugar. Prick finger, test blood, wait for reading. Wipe finger. Kiss forehead. Sneak out.

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