One Thing To Improve

Today's topic for the 3rd annual Diabetes Blog Week is doing one thing better. Talk about one thing you would like to improve. Of course, this one is way easier to talk about than yesterday's post! 

 

The one thing I would like to do better is honing in on every carb. It was over Easter break that I noticed my shortcoming. Rocco’s numbers are pretty stable at school. Not too many unexplained highs or lows. Nice and stable. But when he was home for Easter break, his numbers were all over the map.

 

I said to myself, somewhat jokingly, "He gets better care from the lady who checks him at school than from his own mother."

 

But then I thought about it some more and realized the reason why. The truth is, I sometimes glaze over. I don't usually get diabetes mommy burn out per say, but I do tend to get sick of counting every carb, every time he eats. You even have to count each m & m individually! Every single thing. So, yes like any person who has been on a diet and got bored of it, I am sure you can relate to the "glaze over". Only difference, you can never get off the diabetes train. If you glaze over with diabetes, you see the effects immediately. Sometimes if you get it really wrong, those effects are life threatening. That is why this condition is so constant and all consuming. Burnout happens quite often, understandably so. 

When he is in school, I make him lunches and count every single carb. I do this so he does not go high or low when I am not with him. So, I totally focus every night when preparing his school lunch. I pack high fiber and whole grain carbs, veggies, fruits and a protein. We all know this is the best way to help a body process food. Therefore, his numbers run stable. 

I always wonder why I am not as vigilant for my own meals but that's another topic! 

 

However, when he is home with me, I guesstimate. I know I can see the look on his face when his blood sugar is low and see the look on his face in voice when his number is high. So, knowing I own this information I tend just to look at a plate of food and say, " Ahhhh, looks like about 35 carbs." I get it right most times, but then there are times when I get it wrong and the poor guy pays with highs or lows and ultimately feeling crappy!

 I shouldn't trust my mommy vibe so much I should take the time to stop, count the carbs (really count) and do the best I can for him. Whether I am busy or not. His care comes before loading the dishwasher for God's sake right? 

So, this summer I promise to count every carb - at home, during pool visits, at camp, and when otherwise traveling about with the boys.

If you would also like to read others who are participating in Diabetes Blog Week, click here's and meet my peeps!