Traveling D Style: Our first "BIG" Trip since diagnosis

The planning prelude was, for me, the most difficult part of the process. Because this was our my first big trip with Saul away from home... and Dr.’s - I spent a great deal of time preparing for every possible glitch and malfunction.

Loaded. I {heart} the mini-van for many reasons. I have enough space to live out of the back of the sucka for a good month or two. BTW- 4 huggies boxes used as "carriers" during this trip. On my to do list is covering them with paper or fabric... recycling at its finest. lol.

Those of you who know me well- know I have never been “a planner.” Organization, efficiency and preparedness really never entered my vocabulary until Saul’s diagnosis (ironic that I would end up in a profession known for these coveted skills…lol).

I started by making lists which included most importantly *diabetic medical supplies and insulin as well emergency 15-carb items for treating lows (Elmo juices, skittles and of course Glucagon), low-carb snacks that could take heat and travel well (bags upon bags of pork rinds, peanuts, peanut butter, gold-fish) and of course clothing, swimming gear, car-ride toy & book bins, along with all the other random items we might need... bikes... helmets... snowsuits...  

These were "emergency" (not necessarily diabetic emergency... lol) snacks that rode up front with me.

I made sure to check-and double check all prescriptions to make sure we had enough to last and wouldn’t run out over the course of a possible 10-15 day stay.

I also planned for the absolute worst which would be a pump malfunction in which case we would have to go back to insulin injections. I made sure we took enough humalog AND lantus (long-lasting insulin) which he ONLY uses if injecting… just in case.

All of Saul's diabetic "stuff"

Because insulin must be refrigerated… especially during heat waves and long distances in the car I used my old Medela breast milk storage cooler which worked wonders. Luckily our mini-van has a built in cooler that’s come in handy quite a few times when traveling with refrigerated medications.

Good ole Medela breastmilk cooler bag for insulin. Nothing like a repurposed item.

*I also checked to see what hospitals would be covered by our insurance if, in case we did have an emergency that would warrant their use.  Knowing our luck and the Grimes curse… I knew it would come in handy… which in fact –unfortunately- it did.

Poor Litte Buddy leaving Urgent Care

I physically carry the kids insurance and social security cards with me at all times (I also have them in picture form on my I-phone) in case I would ever need them.

Due to all the frustrations we’ve had using the CGM I decided Saul would NOT wear it during the trip (though I packed it and all the supplies – including the MySentry) just in case I changed my mind or his BG levels started trending.

An hour before we left for WV I got an email from UK with the biggest changes to date- which worried me a little since Dr. Irene changed his basal rates, insulin to carb ratios AND target range… any little tweak or minor adjustment can really “shake things up” so the idea of that possibility - coupled with a 4.5 hour drive by myself - AND during a crazy heat wave of 100 degree weather – was a bit frightening.

My parents farm is (what I consider to be) “a pretty remote” locale – a fur piece - from major groceries, hospitals and pharmacies... so making sure we were fully prepared (especially with the number of power outages experienced in that area) was crucial.

Traveling with young ones (whether or not they have medical issues) can be difficult. Schedules are wacky, sleeping arrangements are different, car rides are looooooonnnng and often boring (even when you’re equipped with DVD’s, CD’s, I-Pads, toys and books) so of course I had my fair share of all that. 

I tried to stick to our routine eating schedule as much as possible –knowing that verging from it could really throw off Saul’s numbers. I made sure to pack enough food with me at all times he’d have something substantial to tide him over.

Speaking of food... this pic was from our special Bob Evans dinner with Grandma. Saul ate pancakes, eggs, sausage AND birthday cake and still had great numbers.... and that was with me "guessing" carbs.

Overall, the trip was a major success and allowed me to “overcome” the fear of traveling solo –long distance with him.

Sure- we ended up at the local Urgent Care with burns to all 10 finger pads from a freakishly hot plastic slide at the playground..............

The pictures just don't do it justice. They looked awful... and he was pitiful... and it meant we had to do all BG checks on the toes... which he HATES.

Sure he had a few readings in the 400-500s from being dehydrated from the heat (all of the 15 min he spent in it)...........

Saul (like most everyone else in the world) does NOT enjoy a heat index of 108

And sure…. We had our share of the dreaded lows… with one hypo episode (nothing a few packs of skittles didn’t cure)................

Skittles... my new best friend.

Overall, however, despite a few minor "obstacles" I’d give our trip a 10 out of 10 rating.... and I think Saul would agree.

If you'd like to see lots and lots of pictures from our trip - check out Sebulsky's flickr site and please ignore the TERRIBLE pictures of me at the Clay Center and the fact that I'm bascially wearing the same thing every day. lol.