Diabetes and Travel

Diabetes Hacks

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It’s Day 5 of Diabetes Blog Week, and today’s prompt is titled “Tips and Tricks.” Inspired by an OzDOC chat a few weeks ago, I thought I’d go with “Diabetes Hacks.” Anyhow, here is today’s prompt:

Let’s round out the week by sharing our best diabetes tips and diabetes tricks. From how you organize supplies to how you manage gear on the go/vacation (beach, or skiing, or whatever). From how you keep track of prescription numbers to how you remember to get your orders refilled. How about any “unconventional” diabetes practices, or ways to make diabetes work for YOU (not necessarily how the doctors say to do it!). There’s always something we can learn from each other. (Remember though, please no medical advice or dangerous suggestions.)

I used to live by the motto that “nothing will ever happen to me.” Historically, I’ve packed as lightly as possible when heading out with diabetes. My meter has often been replaced with a blind guess. A wallet will subsidise hypo treatments on the road. Meanwhile, my Medic Alert bracelet spends hardly any time on my hand.

The biggest problem for me, is trying to figure out where to put it all. I hate carrying crap around, especially when there’s a good chance I won’t even need it. I hate bulky things in my pockets, weighing my shorts down. I can’t stand overstuffed jeans, or having things in my hands. The same policy applies to anything not related to diabetes.

Slowly but surely, I do feel that I am becoming more organised. I am starting to think more long term, and the possibility of the unexpected happening. In fact, I’m not even sure that I recognise myself anymore!

During insulin pump training on Tuesday (posts to come next week), my diabetes educator raised the idea of having a backup plan. Coming off basic injections, I have been quite worried about being so reliant on one device to do everything for me. I’ve been mulling over scenarios in my head where I might have to inject Lantus and go back to Multiple Daily Injections temporarily.

Traditional me would have nodded and shrugged the idea off. Instead, I reached over to my bag and pulled out my contingency pack in front of Gwen. I had a contingency pack after one day with an insulin pump! It was one of my most proud, and so-unlike-me diabetes moments. It’s nice to know that backup is there.

My favourite hack, as Ashley witnessed first hand last week, are my test strip containers. Taking the time to count out skittles in the midst of a hypo has been frustrating over the years. I often lose count of whether I’ve eaten 5 skittles or 7, and am left guessing. Other times, I am just desperate to cram the sugar into my mouth.


Nowadays, I have collections of empty test strip containers ready to go on my desk. I fill them with 10 skittles each, and I know that’s 11g of carbs per container. They’re super easy to carry around with me when I’m heading out, and saves me the pain of bringing the whole bag with me. I can stash them in my desk drawer, my bag and in my locker at work. If I’m struck down by a hypo, I can easily just shove a whole container into my mouth without even thinking about it. They also worked nicely as sharps containers in Sydney last week!

My favourite item of clothing, without a doubt, is my Lost Highway jacket. It’s got plenty of pockets where I can easily cloak my insulin pens, meter, hypo containers, as well as all of my non-diabetes stuff. Even during the Summer, I’m guilty of brining it along to a party and holding it in my hand the whole time! Sadly, it’s in the wash today, so this old Instagram photo will have to do.

https://www.instagram.com/p/80lsx1A_bu/?taken-by=franksita

 

To read other posts related to today’s prompt, click here.

Hey, Sydney.

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Today, I’m attending my first “official” diabetes event since I started my blog. I’m headed to Abbott’s Diabetes Exchange Program in Sydney, where I’ll learn more about the FreeStyle Libre which is launching in Australia soon.

What is the FreeStyle Libre, you ask? It’s a glucose monitor that measures blood glucose readings by “scanning” a small round sensor worn on the arm, rather than traditional finger pricking. I wrote about it in more detail over here.

I’m just an ordinary guy living with diabetes. While I don’t blog for the perks and the recognition, it’s a huge testament to my writing here that I would be included in such an event. These sorts of things never happen to me, so yeah it’s a big deal.

I’m also really excited for the opportunity to meet some of the folks in the Oz Diabetes Online Community who will also be present. While I love the Diabetes Online Community, these guys mean the most to me out of all of my DOC connections being closer to home. I watch their activity online with great interest and I try to follow their example when writing about diabetes here.

Which brings me to some disclosures. Abbott has paid for my travel and accommodation expenses to and from Sydney. I have been given a FreeStyle Libre reader and 2 sensors free of charge. There is no expectation that I will blog about the Freestyle Libre or anything else discussed at the event. I have not been paid to write anything. Any opinions expressed here and on social media are voluntary and remain my own. I have actually had to take time off work to attend this event.

You can follow along using the hashtag #DX2Sydney on Twitter later today, and keep an eye on my Facebook page, which you can ‘like’ here.

While I’m on the topic of travel, can I just say that Lost has ruined my life forever? I’m obsessing over the diabetes supplies I’m packing, wondering whether they will be enough to last me if I were stranded on a tropical island! Not to mention that stupid ending in the church…

See you soon, Sydney.

Inside the Telethon Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre

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A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting the new Telethon Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre in Perth, Western Australia.

It was a Tuesday afternoon in the midst of April school holidays, so I stepped inside cautiously. I could hear a familiar voice calling out to me. I was greeted by General Manager Rebecca Johnson, and by the looks of things I had the place to myself!

Behind the front desk, I met Crystal and Andrea who were wearing fairy wings, and in the middle of a game of Twister. Rest assured, they were only practicing for the centre’s Picnic In The Park outing on Thursday!

Opposite the front desk was a large kitchen, which I was told would be in full swing the next day for the Centre’s Kids In The Kitchen cooking sessions. The kids would be preparing morning tea for their parents, siblings and grandparents who were all welcome to come along.

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The place definitely had the vibe of a showroom, which is not too surprising considering that it was furnished by IKEA. As I walked around the place, I would never have guessed that diabetes existed here. It really was just a nice place to chill. If I were a kid, I don’t think Mum and Dad would have to drag me here for check ups. I don’t think my brother and sister would whinge about waiting around for me when they had several play areas to keep them entertained.

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I could see Mum and Dad taking a seat in the courtyard with a cuppa. It was definitely a place for the whole family to come to for diabetes support, without so much of a “clinical” feel to it.

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The Centre was funded by Telethon, a charity devoted to supporting sick children in Western Australia. The Centre is reliant on community sponsors, donations and volunteers – who are currently developing a playground directly behind those gates in the image above.

One of my burning questions for Rebecca was how a young adult like myself would fit into this place, if at all. The website and branding appears to target young children and families. Adult events at the Centre seem to be targeted specifically for Parents or Carers of type 1 children.

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Because the centre was funded by a children’s charity, there are strict criteria from the board in regards to the centre meeting the needs of children. Bec acknowledged the need for support services at the centre catering to young adults, defined as age 16 to 30. Many people, ourselves included, are diagnosed in that age bracket. Bec has recently had success in convincing the board to make the Centre more inclusive for young adults. Opened less than 12 months ago however, the Centre is still evolving. 

Young adults and children are welcome at Diabetes Clinics, which run every Friday and Saturday at the centre. Individuals and families are welcome to drop in at any time to access clinical support from a range of diabetes specialists. Support is also available at other times by appointment.

After a tour of the place, Bec and I headed upstairs and took a seat at the conference table. It was pretty cool to learn that we were both diagnosed at age 17 and a few weeks out from our 18th birthdays. Bec has used a range of diabetes devices and gadgets over the years. Currently she uses insulin injections, eats a low carbohydrate diet and uses a Continuous Glucose Monitor from time to time.

I could see how engaged Bec was in the Diabetes Online Community. I was humbled that she stumbled upon my little blog last year after I wrote this post, and took the time to reach out to me. A self confessed lurker, she frequents Twitter for her diabetes news and enjoys reading Insulin Nation and Diabetes Daily – coincidentally sites that I have written for! I also learned that DOC is actually spelt out D-O-C when spoken, rather than pronounced as one word!

One thing that Bec feels really strongly about is the need for young children to come to terms with, and accept their condition. Seeing adults living, and doing great things with type 1 can really inspire the children who come into the Centre. A type 1 diagnosis is not the end.

Stay up to date with what’s happening at the Telethon Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre on Facebook, and learn more at telethontype1.org.au. Special thanks to Bec for taking the time to meet with me.

Tennis, With a Serve of Diabetes

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By far, my favourite thing about January is the tennis.

Two weeks ago I went to the Hopman Cup in Perth, one of the tennis tournaments traditionally held in the lead up to the Australian Open this week.

Having seen Andy Murray last year, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind as to who I wanted to see this year – Serena Williams. I was so damn excited to see her play. She is just such an entertaining player to watch. I love her expression and her attitude, which she doesn’t try to hide. I love seeing her come onto the court with a bandage on her leg, seemingly injured, and yet still thrash her opponent. And I love watching her talk down her performance after a killer win.

Needless to say, I was so damn excited to see her play that night.

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When I arrived home after work that day, my blood sugar was 10.4. Which was okay, considering I’d only had my lunch 2 hours ago.

I wasn’t particularly hungry, but I knew I’d be hungry later. Wanting to avoid junk food after all of my festive eating, I packed myself a Burgen Bread sandwich of leftover cutlets from the night before. Even though the Arena had a strict no food policy, I was pretty confident I’d be able to sneak it in. But hey, I could always milk my diabetes for all it was worth, if I had to.

I was still 10.4 as we were getting ready to leave, and I gave myself a generous correction of 2 units.

When we parked the car at the Arena, I dialled up my Lantus dose. It was a little earlier than normal, and I knew that I’d have an hour or so of overlapping insulin. But it would save me the hassle of doing it while I was in there. I knew that the game would be a long one, and I’d likely be eating less than I would at home. I dialled up 10 units, rather than the 11 or 12 that I gave the night prior, and left my pen in the glovebox.

Going past security was a piece of cake. I managed to sneak my sandwich and water bottle through, hidden safely underneath the pile of jackets. Apparently water must be uncapped, in case we decide to launch the cap (rather than the empty bottle) at the court.

Serena came onto court, and it was so damn exciting to see her. She had pulled out of her match the previous day as a precaution, and I was so worried that I wouldn’t get to see her play.

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Unfortunately after the first set, she had to forfeit the match as a precaution for her inflamed knee. It was disappointing, but an hour was still better than no Serena at all.

I was ready to eat that sandwich, and tested my blood sugar. 5.7. I finished it, and quickly went off to the bathroom to bolus 5 units before Lleyton Hewitt came out to play in the Men’s match.

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That night, I was trying so hard to be good. I turned down lollies. I turned down hot chips. I turned down more lollies. Until 8.32pm, when I went hypo.

Not exactly my ideal, carb counted hypo treatment, I really had to give it my best guess. I measured out a handful of lollies into my palm, and began to chew them down. Still feeling shaky and in doubt a few minutes later, I grabbed another handful.

When I headed back to the car at the end of a great night, I was a lovely 19.0. Insert your swear word of choice here.

I had tried so hard to be good that night, and yet one small error with the bolus for my sandwich mucked it up. Yeah, I was bloody annoyed with myself. But it happens. It’s always going to happen, because I’m only human.

But at the end of the day, it’s not the hypo that I’m going to remember about that night.

I’m going to remember one awesome night of tennis that I got to watch.

Glucose Testing Behind The Wheel

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One of the topics that really spoke to me while completing the yourSAY survey was the issue of glucose monitoring before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.

To be honest, having to go to a doctor every two years to have my “assessment to drive” completed is a bit demoralising. I don’t like having my “medical condition” branded on my drivers license. I don’t often ask for special considerations because of my diabetes, and I hate that I have to ask my doctor for it every two years in order to operate a vehicle.

I get that operating a vehicle, or machinery is a pretty serious responsibility. For anybody. With or without diabetes. I get that I have a condition that could potentially put others at risk on the road if not managed properly. But I also know that I am a responsible driver. A responsible driver of my own vehicle, and of my own diabetes management. Both of which I take very seriously.

I do not test every time that I am about to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Not because it’s inconvenient, not because I don’t like to and not because I don’t carry my testing supplies on hand. I don’t test every time that I get behind the wheel simply because I don’t feel that it is necessary to do so.

I am the designated driver in the vehicle of my diabetes management. And it’s my right to make that decision of whether or not it will be necessary for me to test before getting behind the wheel today. It’s my ability to judge a hypo, or hyper coming on. They’re my blood sugar levels that I place the confidence in to remain stable while on the road. Not yours. Not the government’s. Not my doctor’s. And not anybody else’s.

Every day in the news we hear of drunk drivers, traffic offenders and criminals endangering our roads, and the individuals on them. I am not suggesting it is, but I would hate to think that mandatory glucose testing in a vehicle would somehow be legally enforced here in Australia ahead of these other more serious issues.

I realise that this is probably easier for me to say compared to someone who is not as confident with their diabetes management. But at the end of the day we must empower, and give this responsibility to the individual.

I will be guest moderating tonight’s Oz Diabetes Online Community chat. Join me by following the #OzDOC hashtag on Twitter from 8.30pm AEDT/5.30pm AWST.