Summer Camp

I know I haven't blogged in a while. There are a few reasons: I haven't had much to report. And second I have been too lazy, or tired, or whatever to figure out what the heck my password is. I did though to post on another blog, so here I am in the wee hours of the morning posting on my blog while I am logged in and know what my password is, and can think of somewhat of a topic to go into.

Once in a while the parent of a child with diabetes finds out that they have surpassed those in the position of teaching said parent. I had this happen at diabetes camp. Not a good place to find that out....... after all, you are entrusting them with your child, your D child at that.

My main issues are not huge, they are relatively small in the over all view of it all, but to me they are very large issues. I am sure by next year they will be forgotten, however for now a rant must be written so that I can move forward onto new rants.

Our diabetes day camp that is for kids from 3-7 is ran by our CDE group. There are dietitians, CDEs and other nursing staff. Plus most of the volunteers are either diabetic them self, have a loved one that has D, or medical staff. This year there were some pre med students as well. Now, you'd think that most people in the categories above would know that a bg in the 200s needs correcting, right? All of you pumpers out there know that waiting until the next meal is silly, and not covering carbs is silly, too. Well, Julia ran in the 200-350 range while at camp. There were a few factors there. High temps always cause her to run higher, we just correct and move on when that happens. Then there was the fact that they were having 15g free snacks, both morning and afternoon. Julia runs her own pump. She only needs supervision, and guidance on how many carbs. So the last day of camp is parents day. I go, so does dad. Dad is over there somewhere looking at pumps. He wants one so badly. Were waiting for Julia to get back from the zoo with her group. When she shows up she has a tummy ache, head ache, and is in the 400s. Great...... No one has checked her ketone levels, even though she has been high all day long. So we feed her lunch and check. SHE IS MED on the urine strips. Double great!!! We got her home, and took care of it. It was so hard to get her to drink water that I ended up grinding ice and making SF coolaid slushes. Corrected with a syringe, and changed the site (diabetes camp had insulin, sets for site changes, cartriges, and syringes, plus both parents cell numbers in case they needed us, so why it wasn't done earlier, I dunno) added it into the pump so I could correct, and have the pump do the IOB for me. Check every 2 hours along with ketone levels. She goes down nicely once I get fluid into her. I am mad. I am very angry. I received a survey asking how camp was. Julia had a great time, met a lot of friends...ect... however I am still fuming, so I haven't filled it out. Think I should tell them what I think about their D care? Or just fill it out nicely?

I know I will send Julia back next year. Since dx it is one of the only times that she is in her true skin. She is always a little guarded when she is with kids with working pancreases. She says it is because she feels different. Poor kid. I also see so much emotional growth while she is there. Even though the holiday parties is ran by the diabetes youth group that typically works with older kids with D I find it most helpful to hit the christmas party. Mostly because it gives her that 6 month pick me up. She always comes away with such wonderful confidence, and a sense of self that is unbelievable. I can't wait until summer 09. SHe will get to go with the big kids to over night camp. I know I will be a wreck, but it will be good for her, and good for all of us, I am sure.

That is it for now. I will try to be better at blogging, or at least do it more often.