Tomorrow morning we go to CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) to meet Charlie's new team of endos, nurses, dieticians, social workers and pump experts. I think it's like a seven-hour affair.

I must say, CHOP had me at "Insulin Pump and Technology Team." Charlie's prior endos didn't impress me with their pump know-how. With the pump being largely responsible for his survival, I saw this as a big problem. I became smitten when I saw that CHOP's pump team alone was equal in size to that of the attending physicians at the old place.

Charlie is also "pumped up" for tomorrow. Sorry, that was horrendous. Turning off awful pun mode now [click]. Of course Charlie has his own incentive-driven motivation.

"Mom, will I get that big shot tomorrow?" (he means bloodwork)

"I don't know, Susanne responds."

"It's been a while," he says, as if reminiscing of the good 'ole days of burning needle pain and screams so loud they set off fire sprinklers.

"I'm really not sure, Charlie. I think so."

"Mom, you're not gonna believe this, but , YES!!!!!!" he says, pumping his fist victoriously in the air like Howard Dean.

You may find it unusual for a child to look forward to having his blood drawn. Knowing Charlie fairly well, I immediately knew what his angle was. To Charlie, giving blood = getting a toy from the gift shop. He gives a little something, he expects a little something in return. New team of doctors? New outlook on the management of his disease? He doesn't care. He's five. Show me the toys. That's what matters to him.

From the moment we arrive, Charlie will get a visual on the gift shop. He'll take a mental snapshot of all accessways and in his ever-calculating brain, he will coordinate distance formulas and rate of motion versus duration of time. He won't be able to tell you his doctor's name or what his A1c was, but he'll be sure he gets to know the person behind the cash register who gives him the goods.

Ah, good day Linda, how are the kids? The ex? I just had a couple pints of blood drained from my vein and I'm in one hell of a spending mood. What do you recommend? Dazzle me.

Praying that we are dazzled by Charlie's news doctors and his A1c tomorrow.