Friday, January 11, 2008

Sarah's night time routine

This is a typical description of what we have to do to get ready for bed now in Diabetes Land.  Get out Sarah's kit.  Unpack glucose meter.  Insert lancet into poker.  Put test strip into meter.  Wipe finger with antiseptic wipe, let dry.  Lance finger with poker.  Get a good bead of blood and apply to meter test strip.  Wait until it reads it and see blood sugar number.  If over 200 figure out how much correction she needs (only 1/2 at night). If correction is needed, get out insulin pen.  Wipe top.  Put on needle.  Dial up 1 1/2 units of insulin, tap pen to release air and eject into air.  Dial up insulin needed.  Get Sarah to find a spot to inject.  Smaller needle so arms and legs ok for this.  Wipe area and inject.   Prepare shot of lantus in syringe.  Wipe top of bottle with alcohol wipe.  Take caps of needle and inject 6 units of air into bottle.  Withdraw 10 units of insulin.  Tap syringe to get air bubbles to top and re-insert needle into bottle.  Push excess insulin and air back into bottle until only 6 units of Lantus remain.  Decide with Sarah on good spot for injection.  Tonight was the side of leg.  I need to be able to pinch up a good inch of skin/fat.  Wipe area with alcohol wipe and let dry.  Pinch up fat and count to three, carefully insert needle, listen to yelp, count to 10 and withdraw needle.  Put away supplies.  At 2 am we check blood sugar again.  No insulin.  If too low, we give juice.  We do this 3 or more times a day with the Lantus given at night.  Finger sticks can be 5 times a day.  Anyone want to trade spots with my 8 year old little girl?  I wish I could...

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Poor Sarah for having to go through that. I know it hurts you about as much as her to have to do it. That getting up at 2 am is rough on both of you. Helen

Anonymous said...

i know  that you would trade places with her in a heartbeat Linda. Bless her little heart....My son has diabetes, but he is on the pill so far...but as his sugar still seems to climb at times, he may have to go on the shots.
love ya,
carlene

Anonymous said...

OHh I wish I could too, if even for a day :(  That is just too much for a little one to go through.  Poor thing!  And poor YOU!  I can see why they say it changes EVERYONES lives.  She's going to be a strong little girl.  

Anonymous said...

Bless your heart Linda ((((Sarah)))) - I so wish this would be taken from her.....

Michele

Anonymous said...

That is such a shame; maybe someday research will come up with a better solution.  Perhaps in your little girl's lifetime!

Anonymous said...

Of course you want to trade spaces with your daughter.  I think as moms we would all like to take the pain rather than our kids.  Hang in there!
Missie

Anonymous said...

And her mom!  -  Barbara

Anonymous said...

I know your heart bleeds for her.  But putting a brave and practical face on it will help her accept and cope in the long run.  I wish I could hug your beautiful little Sarah!!  - Barbara

Anonymous said...

Stopping by to say hello, and wish you a great weekend. ((((((hugs))))))
Cindy

Anonymous said...

Bless her little heart & yours as well.  So much to go through at such a young age.  She is a brave little girl!!
Lisa

Anonymous said...

There is a new thing out where you dont have to prick your finger all the time...I wish I could remember...but it is new, I saw a commercial for it. If I see the commercial again I will be sure to write it down and tell you what it is.