{"id":44043,"date":"2016-08-17T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-08-17T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asweetlife.org\/15-things-i-didnt-know-before-i-was-a-d-parent\/"},"modified":"2016-10-30T10:54:37","modified_gmt":"2016-10-30T14:54:37","slug":"15-things-i-didnt-know-before-i-was-a-d-parent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asweetlife.org\/?p=44043","title":{"rendered":"15 Things I Didn’t Know Before I was a D-Parent"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

My eight year old son, who proves himself braver and more extraordinary each and every day, is coming up on the fourth anniversary of his type 1 diabetes diagnosis. As he decides just how he wants to celebrate good health and happiness (he usually chooses to go hiking with the family), I figured it would be a good exercise for me to consider how I’ve changed and to review all the stuff I\u2019ve learned. \u00a0There were not only many things I didn’t know before diabetes was part of my life, there were things I never imagined I’d know. And chances are that you, D-Parents out there, have plenty to add.<\/p>\n

15 Things I Didn’t Know Before I Was a D-Parent<\/h2>\n

That sleep is a sweet, elusive activity.<\/p>\n

That I would have a million conversations with my son\u2014before he reached age 8\u2014about whether or not he \u201cfeels high.\u201d<\/p>\n

That driving while bolusing is not a good idea.<\/p>\n

That the phrase \u201cD-Bag<\/a>\u201d would be incorporated into my daily vernacular.<\/p>\n

That people would suggest that an essential oil or some special diet they read about will cure my kid\u2019s diabetes.<\/p>\n

That I am a woman who knows her rights and is not to be messed with when, after waiting 30 minutes in line with my son for a ride at an amusement park, the operator says that I cannot bring my D-Bag (see above).<\/p>\n

That realizing my kid is on his last Dexcom sensor\u2014and insurance says he has to wait two more weeks for a new one\u2014can feel desperate.<\/p>\n

That it is, truly, possible to say, \u201cNo, he\u2019ll never grow out of it,\u201d more than a hundred times.<\/p>\n

That an Incredible Hulk\u2013like transformation can take hold of me when my son\u2019s too low to walk and, even after a juice box, I must carry him and his bike up the driveway.<\/p>\n

That people can\u2019t wait to share stories about their grandmother or great uncle who died or had a leg amputated because of diabetes <\/a>(likely type 2, but still).<\/p>\n

That whiskey rocks make remarkable numbing devices on butt cheeks awaiting an insulin pump set change.<\/p>\n

That I would develop a compulsion to hug strangers wearing insulin pumps or cgms.<\/p>\n

That if I forget to pack syringes while an hour away from home and my kid has just polished off a face-sized pancake\u2014a rare treat to celebrate a successful appointment with the endo\u2014I can drive to the nearest drug store and ask the pharmacist for a needle, no questions asked. Whew.<\/p>\n

That some medical professionals know far less about diabetes than me.<\/a><\/p>\n

And that despite the tears, exhaustion, fear, worry and frustration, I really can do this and do it well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There were not only many things I didn’t know before diabetes was part of my life, there were things I never imagined I’d know. 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