It occurred to us that Charlie doesn't get many requests for play dates from his classmates. It's not like he doesn't have friends. He gets along with everyone in his class. He's actually fairly popular. Still, the invitations to come over houses are scarce.
It makes us wonder if the parents think it would just be too difficult. Or maybe they just assume we could never just leave him somewhere without someone trained in diabetes care keeping an eye on him. Well, they wouldn't be wrong if they thought that. We want to let him do things without us hovering over him like low-gliding seagulls, but how can we? He doesn't test himself yet.
One boy has wanted a play date with Charlie at his house for a while and his mother has expressed in the past that she would be willing to learn how to test Charlie. We totally appreciate that she would do this, but there's so much more to it. She couldn't possibly understand how complicated it could be and how unstable a situation can become in a flash.
On Sunday, Susanne and I deliberated back and forth at length whether or not we could drop him off at this friend's house.
We can't do this.
Can we do this?
What if it was just one hour?
What if his blood sugar was a little on the higher side to be safe?
What if I just parked my car around the block from their house with my cell phone handy; Ready to swoop in like a Navy Seal?
We asked Charlie if he could test himself if it was an emergency.
"Sure," he said, inserting the test strip into the meter, cleaning off his finger and then pricking the side of his thumb.
Watching my 7-year-old squeeze blood from his finger for the first time was difficult for me.
He squeezed and squeezed with all his might.
He never did get enough blood out of his thumb and I ended up going with him on his play date. A low of 53 while jumping on his friend's trampoline confirmed that we made the right call.
Since I was in a testing mood, I then went and tested the mother and two of her friends at their request. An odd thing, I thought afterwards. Taking blood from strangers. Holding hands and squeezing fingertips of people I just met.
Awkward too, when they dispute my $20 per person copay requirement.
Funny.. my husband and I were just having this discussion. Cabin does not get invited to other boys houses either. I feel it is sad.. I took on a diabetic boy before MY son was diagnosed.. I just had the mom's cell number.. I was never afraid... just tell me what to do.. was my attitude... maybe when the boys get a little older.. I hope:)
I can see something like a play date coming in the near future. Riley checks his own sugars and doses his own insulin (with adult supervision). I say I'd feel comfortable being available by phone. That is until the day actually comes, then I'm sure I'll change my mind. When Holden was younger I'd want to make sure that if he went anywhere the kid was a good kid. Now, with Riley, the kid could be a holy terror as long as I trusted the parents to look after Riley.
My daughter Ashley has been diabetic for 13 of her 14 years. She has never lacked invites to play at other peoples homes because we educate her friends and family from the start! We have never had any problems when she is at a friends home! She did not learn to do everything by herself until the summer between 4 & 5th grade. She was afraid before, but wanted to go on the 5th grade camping trip that was a 4 day overnight stay! Now her friends remind her to check her sugar if they are playing and my daughter will sometimes forget! You have to educate the parents and let you children learn and grow! Maybe we are blessed with wonderful parents who do not have any problems with her diabetes!
I have my son (almost 5) test my blood sugar for practice and I feel like him testing himself may be a possibility in kindergarten (with an adult watching, of course). He's currently in pre-K and he does a good job of coaching his teacher on how to test him. For the play date why don't you ask the parent to meet at a neutral location instead (a park for example). That way the boys can play off by themselves and you can explain the art of diabetes care to the other parent.
We are lucky that Maddison is has always been very close with the neighbor kids, easy to send her across the street when they are our friends too :) BUT, we have been having Maddison's friend over ever week, and of course now they want to play at her house sometimes. Problem is, I fear that trampoline! If it was just sending her off to play (shes 8 and dx'd at 6) I wouldn't worry so much, as I can have her call if she is low....add a trampoline or swimming to the mix and I still hide from the invites! Would it be wrong for me to say no trampoline? :)
i know through Abbott supplies you can get a meter and 300 strips for 3 months; and reorder at 2months if neccessary. its the freestyle lite meter; really little good display even lights up to see in the dark or dim light; and takes seriously; about as big a drop of blood as if you wrote the period at the end of a sentence or dotted your ' i '.. i really like it; so does my bf; and the multi clix lancet pen by accucheck is great! it uses drums not individual lancets and it doesnt click with the force of a twig snapping or launching device with the force of a slingshot; its very easy & gentle and has many settings; its simple and you avoid any possible accidental sticks; its gentle; i really like it! or the softclix lancet device.. you can get a free accuchek meter and 60 strips as well as one of these free pens to try with 2 drums; meaning 12 needles which can be used more than once; at their website...here is the link for abbott: http://www.abbott.com/global/url/content/en_US/10.40:40/general_content/Global_Locations.htm and here is the link for the accuchek; http://www.accu-chek.com/index.html and here is the direct link to get the free meter & 60 strips; ohh and by the way; the accucheck meter even has a direct link to dlife lounge :] but I really think that those lancet devices are great should you decide to try.. my nephew is only 4 & we checked his just to be safe b/c my dad has it as did my great grandmother; & he didnt even cry; he only flinched when he heard it then proclaimed he didnt feel it. :]
and here is one for a free one touch; http://www.mysavings.com/free-product-samples/health-wellness/
hope this helps!