During the opening day baseball ceremonies, the league president had some good news to share regarding the snack stand.
"This year, we'll have mozzarella sticks!"
The kids in their clean, colorful uniforms cheered and "whoo-hooed." Charlie looked up at me and licked his nose like a Labrador. Me? I stared at the man with the microphone like he was the antichrist.
We are about three weeks into baseball. I had my usual brief chat with Charlie's coach, mentioning that he has diabetes and that he may see Charlie snacking on something in the dugout or coming off the field to test his blood sugar.
The snack stand is definitely a challenge. It is filled with perilous options.
There are those shining moments however, when a parent of a child with diabetes can proudly bestow upon their child a treat without worry or remorse. The other day was such a day. At the baseball park, Charlie decided he wanted something from the ice cream man rather than the snack stand.
We buy the ice cream before knowing what his blood sugar is (a potentially bad move on my part) which forces me to give him the blood sugar disclaimer.
"If you're crazy high, you know this might not work out."
"I know," he says, as he pricks his finger and squeezes a globule of blood. He watches the meter countdown with the anticipation of a gambler watching a spinning Roulette wheel.
[read fast]
Ice cream consumption will be void where prohibited or in the event of blood glucose levels above 350 mg/dl. Parent or guardian or third party suppliers and licensors are neither responsible nor liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, punitive or other damages resulting from the freak-out that ensues when informed that ice cream cannot be consumed.
When the meter flashes 102, it's like Christmas morning. After being the food Nazi on so many occasions, it's a total joy and a relief to give him this treat without apprehension. Suddenly I am handing him a Nestle Drumstick ice cream cone like he's the recipient of the Medal of Honor.
On behalf of your mother and me, [camera flash] we would like to congratulate you on a good baseball game and an even better blood sugar. [camera flash, camera flash]. On this momentous occasion, we are delighted to present to you this 30-carb Nestle Drumstick ice cream cone filled with chocolatey, peanutty goodness. (Smile for photographer). Enjoy it and savor each and every bite. You deserve it.
Lord, do you ever deserve it.
OK - I really read the fast part fast and laughed at myself! Play ball!!
Carey, where does Charlie keep his pump while playing? We have the "toddler harness" for Tony, that keeps it snug in the middle of his back, but its a pain because he wears it under his team shirt.
Ha! Thanks for playing along, trevsmom.
mom2atype1: We actually disconnect the pump for the 2 or so hours that he plays. It works out pretty well. He's a slider, so it's probably best he's not wearing the pump.
Good to know. Tony doesn't want his pump off, and honestly he doesn't play well enough for the activity to have a significant effect. He does have to slide, which is why we stuck it on his back.