Today’s topic is Diabetes and The Unexpected. Diabetes can sometimes seem to play by a rulebook that makes no sense, tossing out unexpected challenges at random. What are your best tips for being prepared when the unexpected happens? Or, take this topic another way and tell us about some good things diabetes has brought into your, or your loved one’s, life that you never could have expected? (Thank you, Heather, for inspiring this topic!)You know the old saying “Don’t sweat the small stuff”? Well, I have yet to follow that advice. I sweat the small stuff. I also sweat the big stuff. I pretty much sweat all the stuff. It’s annoying.
The upside to this is that I’m generally over prepared for just about any situation. When it comes to diabetes, more often than not I have everything I need. My purse has candy, glucagon, everything needed for a pump site change, extra tape, batteries and syringes. A reminder on my phone assures I don’t forget a site change. When I travel, I bring at least three times the diabetes stuff I need. That’s not to say I’m perfect. There have been a few times when I’ve slipped up a bit, but usually I’m more than prepared for the unexpected.
And the most unexpected thing about being way way way prepared is that I’ve been able to help out others. I’d say the majority of my travel is for diabetes conferences. Having a ton of supplies means I can help out others who’ve forgotten something. Ran out of strips at Friends for Life? I had an extra vial to give. Needed tape for your sensor at UnCon? Look no further than me. Forgot to pack your infusion set inserter or ripped out your site and didn’t have a spare? I had your back. And my favorite unexpected was a pump that died at the DiabetesMine Summit. I had packed my old pump and was able to loan it out until a replacement pump was sent. (Although given the option, I'd definitely wish my friend's pump hadn't malfunctioned......)
I try my best to be prepared for any diabetes unexpected situation that pops up. But I never expected how good it would make me feel to know I can also help out a friend in need from time to time.
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You are a model DOC citizen and so super for hosting this blog week. :) You have helped me (and countless others) with your blog posts and gave me the inspiriation to add my voice to the community. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I'm right there with you! I sweat everything as well. The DOC is lucky to have you and I'm sure the people you have helped out at conferences are even more thankful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all that you do for the DOC!
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ReplyDeleteDitto Joanne! My purse weighs a ton with my d-stuff.
ReplyDeletedone i have posted
ReplyDeleteA peak into the reality of what pwd1 live with. Wow.
ReplyDeletesame! I have shoulder problems from the weight of my diabetes supplies! Look forward to the week
ReplyDeleteBeing prepared enough to help others out... that's amazing! Thanks so much for hosting DBlog week!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that you over-prepare and were able to help others out. I hadn't thought of that, but also haven't been in that situation, I am usually the only Type 1. Thank you for all you do!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite memory of you is related to your sweating! Not sweating small stuff/big stuff, but boob sweat---I don't even remember the context. Please forgive me if I've got this wrong. I think it is related to your pump being in your bra, and maybe you were sweating and the sweat broke the pump?
ReplyDeleteHahaha, yes, that is exactly what happened!! Too much dancing at a party and too much sweat and that was the end of my pump.....
DeletePS: I almost never put my pump in my bra anymore.
Last year at an RA event, I had an infusion set give up the ghost. I was so happy that our friend Molly was right there with a rescue. Yes, now I am prepared as Molly was that day. By the way I think i owe her an infusion set.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are over-prepared! I find that I'm JUST prepared enough, but if things really got bad, then I would need to find someone like you. Unless I'm traveling away from home, and then I'm bringing my entire diabetes closet with me :) Thanks for hosting this wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteI too am typically over prepared. My husband was taking my daughter to Tokyo for a week. I sent 8 infusion sets, 8 cartridges, a dozen syringes, two lantus pens, 4 vials of novalog, 200 test strips, two extra Dexcom sensors, 8 pieces of tape for Dexcom, two glucagon, 6 zofran tablets, spare pump (and since it was a different brand pump another 3 cartridges and spare batteries) keytone meter and 12 keytone strips.
ReplyDeleteAs I packed all those items into ziplock bags my husband said - you know we are going to Tokyo - they are a highly developed nation. It isn't like we are going to Peru. I said I know - if you were going to Peru I would double everything.
Always be prepared - the boy scouts know whats up.
Thanks for hosting Karen - there was quite the layer of dust on my blog.
I tend to be over prepared as well,especially when we travel. The thought of not having what we need terrifies me!
ReplyDeleteI suffer from overpreparedness too!! But my excuse is both my hubby and son are Eagle scouts so we've lived the "Be Prepared" motto for years!! Ha Ha!! No more small cute bags/purses for me!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks as well for hosting this awesome event!!!! Looking forward to reading this week as well as posting!!
Over preparedness.. Oh yes.. I am one of those.. I mean, I hoard butter just because I worry I might run out while cooking.. you can imagine the supplies and things I take in order to come prepared!
ReplyDeleteIf you have on a dress, where do you wear your pump? I only wear skirts because of this. But, I'd love the possibility of a dress.
ReplyDeleteI try my best to find dresses with pockets, and cut a small hole in the seam of the pocket to run my pump tubing through. But of course, not all dresses have pockets. 😢 So if that's the case, I have shape wear (the one that is like shorts) that I've sewn a pocket to. I stash my pump in there!!
DeleteI loved this as I'd be the one with all or any of those disasters! Currently sat in work with less than 20 units left and no chance of nipping home =0
ReplyDeleteLove this post! Karen, you have helped me more than once, and I am grateful for the example you set. Great start to #DBlogWeek!
ReplyDeleteUm Karen, can you please come to Aus and follow me around with all these glorious supplies? Amazing!
ReplyDeleteWow, Karen! That is definitely being prepared. I'm that person who doesn't over pack on the rare occasions I get to diabetes events because I know it's my safe place 😳
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