We were sitting just around the corner from the candy counter waiting for my wife and son to finish school shopping.
“Can you get me something?”
“No.”
“But Dad, I’m starving.”
“No you’re not, we just ate.”
“But I’m hungry.”
“No you’re not.”
“Check my blood sugar then.” she said, holding her index finger out to me, convinced that she’d be low and get a treat from around the corner.
I pull out my meter and a test strip, rotate my MultiClix around for a new lancet, then spend at least five minutes waiting for her to muster up the courage to submit to a finger stick. We talk about whether it will hurt or not. She switches fingers a bunch of times, and finally settles on her thumb.
First she wants to push the button, then she wants me to do it, then her, then me. Back and forth more times than I can remember. It doesn’t matter to me, though I am curious about her blood sugar. She’s playing games hoping for a treat.
The poke hurt her even at the lowest setting. That distracted her for a while, as she inspected the hole and seemed fascinated by squeezing blood out of her thumb.
133 mg/dl (give or take 20%), 25 minutes after eating and without washing her hands.
She was lost inspecting her wound and swore she had a permanent bruise. I went back to writing.
“Dad?”
“Hmm?”
“Did it say I was hungry?”
You may be interested in my new book, How Sweet It Is: Living and Learning from Diabetes. It examines the illness from a multi-dimensional perspective
That is adorable! I always think about checking my 3 year old’s BG when he has a stomach bug or isn’t eating what he usually loves. Then I remind myself that he’s 3 and he’s not going to be a consistent eater for a few more years, and he always seems to get a lot better right about the time I decide to check, so I don’t, and he starts bouncing off the walls again.
Too funny. My type 1 kid Joe (diagnosed at 3,now 7) used to do the same thing. He would complain of being low hoping he could get a Starburst or something. Now that he is older he doesn’t do that as much. I imagine you were curious about her blood glucose. I used to check my daughter (non-d child) because I was so worried about her getting type 1 too. I don’t do it anymore. I haven’t for years. I figure there is no way I will miss the symptoms and I don’t want her to live in fear of… Read more »
Too funny. My type 1 kid Joe (diagnosed at 3,now 7) used to do the same thing. He would complain of being low hoping he could get a Starburst or something. Now that he is older he doesn’t do that as much. I imagine you were curious about her blood glucose. I used to check my daughter (non-d child) because I was so worried about her getting type 1 too. I don’t do it anymore. I haven’t for years. I figure there is no way I will miss the symptoms and I don’t want her to live in fear of… Read more »
LOVE THAT MOMENT!!!!! I really enjoy getting a little glimpse into your fatherhood journey 🙂
I’ve always wondered if T1 parents wonder about their kids numbers sometimes. I know that I’m always thinking about my non-d kiddos….wow….I’d love to hear if the adult PWD parents ever go through those emotions of wondering….are they drinking more than usual? Are they peeing more than normal today? Ya know. I think I’m going to ask. Tomorrow’s post. I seriously wonder…..
Thanks for the spark!!!!!