Diabetes Blog
Are You Equipped?
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I've been on vacation in Rhode Island this week. The weather has been great so far! A welcomed change from the rainy New England summer we are having.
There is a family staying at the cottage next to us. They are a strong family, with great kids, and great routines. The routine the family goes through before leaving the cottage is one I will learn from. Whether it is the teenaged kids leaving to catch sea crabs, or the whole family leaving for dinner, they always ask each other the same question. "Are you equipped?"
It is just a great phrase for me to use more often. I usually ask myself, "Do I have everything?" Not whether I am equipped or not. As a type 1 Diabetic I need tobe equipped at all times. My extra test supplies, infusion sets, insulin, and glucose tabs do nothing for me if I don't have them "equipped." My supplies have to be close enough to me so that I can use them if needed.
Suzanne did a great video of what she carries in her diabetic purse (see the video below).
I know there are a lot of diabetics out there (and I am one of those) who try to minimize what diabetes supplies I carry. My pockets are only so big. Not to mention I carry my pump 24/7 in mypocket. If I leave the house I have my keys, wallet, and anything my wife wants me to carry? Did I say I have limited space? So each inch is important.
But if I choose to leave something at home it does me no good. So I try to have my car be a mini diabetes storage unit. That?s how I can get away having all the supplies I need. But if I am not taking my car, or I am traveling in a different way I need to bring more back up supplies.
So it?s a simple question, "Are you equipped?" Yes or No.
-Bill
Categories: Living With Diabetes, Tips, Diabetes Treatment
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12 Comments
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tmana
04:41 PM on August 13, 2009
Hmm. Would be interesting to do a series on who carries what, where, d-wise. I'm T2, diet & exercise, so all I really need is meter/lancets/strips and emergency rations (usually a protein bar). For everyday, I can fit all but the bar in my StickMeDesigns case, which doubles as a wallet/clutch purse.
I can't use that case when I'm out cycling unless I'm wearing a daypack or a fanny pack, nor will it fit in a pocket of my cycling jerseys -- I need to completely pare down and rearrange.
Some suggestions for "normal sized" men (BBM may have enough space in their pockets to carry more than fits in a standard women's handbag!) include the inside pockets of suit jackets and casual jackets, the knee pockets in cargo pants, and utility vests (aka fishing vests, photographers' vests, Scott eVests). Also, I think Gap or Levi's make a casual pant with extra long pockets, and Scott eVest makes several styles of casual slacks and pullovers with hidden pockets and conduits which, while designed for personal electronics, may be suitable for holding pump tubing in place.
I can't use that case when I'm out cycling unless I'm wearing a daypack or a fanny pack, nor will it fit in a pocket of my cycling jerseys -- I need to completely pare down and rearrange.
Some suggestions for "normal sized" men (BBM may have enough space in their pockets to carry more than fits in a standard women's handbag!) include the inside pockets of suit jackets and casual jackets, the knee pockets in cargo pants, and utility vests (aka fishing vests, photographers' vests, Scott eVests). Also, I think Gap or Levi's make a casual pant with extra long pockets, and Scott eVest makes several styles of casual slacks and pullovers with hidden pockets and conduits which, while designed for personal electronics, may be suitable for holding pump tubing in place.
tmana says...
Some suggestions for "normal sized" men (BBM may have enough space in their pockets to carry more than fits in a standard women's handbag!) include the inside pockets of suit jackets and casual jackets, the knee pockets in cargo pants, and utility vests (aka fishing vests, photographers' vests, Scott eVests). Also, I think Gap or Levi's make a casual pant with extra long pockets, and Scott eVest makes several styles of casual slacks and pullovers with hidden pockets and conduits which, while designed for personal electronics, may be suitable for holding pump tubing in place.
Great info! Cargo pants of any type are a diabetic's pal! I had a friend who modified a water bottle to put in the bottle holder so he could pack with all his D stuff in it there. The problem was is that he did need water on long rides so he had to add another bottle holder on the bike. It looked kinda silly but was functional.
The more pockets the better. I agree cargo pants rule. I won't buy shorts unless they have pockets.
Interesting question on how T2 and T1 might needs different items to carry with them. I didn't think about that before I posted this. I think the T1's have to worry about "lows" more I would think. Those can be scarry, so i need supplies for that...
I am glad suzanne did the video so you can see everything she has. That is a good example of being equipped and having the right supplies for a T1 on hand.
I wiil now think twice about just leaving the house but make sure I am equipped for what could happen. I don't mean to sound like everytime a leave the house I have a worry that something bad will happen but I feel safer if a car has air bags too.
Interesting question on how T2 and T1 might needs different items to carry with them. I didn't think about that before I posted this. I think the T1's have to worry about "lows" more I would think. Those can be scarry, so i need supplies for that...
I am glad suzanne did the video so you can see everything she has. That is a good example of being equipped and having the right supplies for a T1 on hand.
I wiil now think twice about just leaving the house but make sure I am equipped for what could happen. I don't mean to sound like everytime a leave the house I have a worry that something bad will happen but I feel safer if a car has air bags too.
Well I guess I wasn't as equipped as I thought. My battery was getting low and needed to be changed. I did have a back up battery. I should I leave some extra AAA's in my car next time. No big deal, just headed out to CVS for some batteries. But now I will carry an extra one in my bag as a good idea.
Just when you think you have it all figured out... the batteries go. lol
Just when you think you have it all figured out... the batteries go. lol
Reply
Dianna K. Goneau Inkster
01:10 PM on August 14, 2009
Thanks for the reminder. I've got to put a new battery in the glucose bag. I woke up this morning to find my husband had a 2.4 (42?) . I hadn't even looked at the pump yet. 3.8 (78)? Why hadn't the sensor gone off at 6.0? I grabbed the pump. It had vibrated at 6.0, but then, the battery died so when it went off again at 5.0 an h. later, no vibration. It's nice to know the sensor was working well.
1happydiabetic says...
Well I guess I wasn't as equipped as I thought. My battery was getting low and needed to be changed. I did have a back up battery. I should I leave some extra AAA's in my car next time. No big deal, just headed out to CVS for some batteries. But now I will carry an extra one in my bag as a good idea.
Just when you think you have it all figured out... the batteries go. lol
Reply
DIanna K. Goneau Inkster
01:17 PM on August 14, 2009
Let's see! What have I forgotten over the years. 1) I went up to the lake for the weekend and realized as soon I finished unpacking at the cabin that I'd forgotten the insulin in the fridge. A friend of my son's had to go back early on Sunday so I drove her down and picked up the insulin in the fridge. Now, I remember: have you got the insulin. Then we replaced the non-rechargeable transmitter up at the lake and by the time we returned a mo. later I forgot that t had to bring the new charger up. I drove 3 h. to get it. That's how indispensable I think a sensor is for us. I won't the mistake of forgetting the charger again. Then, there was the time we were out in the boat and my husband was still on shots and NPH. He started to go low. Wow! No food in the little boat. Nothing except a bunch of crumbs in a crushed up potato chip bag. I stuffed them into my husband as he almost passed out. Now, I always carry glucose tablets and a snack in the car or the boat except . . . It's hard to think of everything.
Dianna K. Goneau Inkster says...
Thanks for the reminder. I've got to put a new battery in the glucose bag. I woke up this morning to find my husband had a 2.4 (42?) . I hadn't even looked at the pump yet. 3.8 (78)? Why hadn't the sensor gone off at 6.0? I grabbed the pump. It had vibrated at 6.0, but then, the battery died so when it went off again at 5.0 an h. later, no vibration. It's nice to know the sensor was working well.
Dianna K. Goneau Inkster says...
Thanks for the reminder. I've got to put a new battery in the glucose bag. I woke up this morning to find my husband had a 2.4 (42?) . I hadn't even looked at the pump yet. 3.8 (78)? Why hadn't the sensor gone off at 6.0? I grabbed the pump. It had vibrated at 6.0, but then, the battery died so when it went off again at 5.0 an h. later, no vibration. It's nice to know the sensor was working well.
Wow interesting. Important to have the battery back up! :-)
It sure is. The older Paradigm Real Times woudln't work if you didn't have a brank new battery. I think the new ones do. I thought those first pumps were stupid. Surely putting a battery from a flashlight on your keychain in your pump was better than letting your pump die! I didn't have a quarter though. I had to go to my change purse this morning to get a quarter to change the battery. Here's a question for you: "What would a type 1 diabetic on an insulin pump and sensor take to a deserted island along with those indispensable 5 books"
Wow interesting. Important to have the battery back up! :-)
[/1happydiabetic]
Wow interesting. Important to have the battery back up! :-)
[/1happydiabetic]
Cecilia did a great video on her "bag of stuff." Check it out at http://www.1happydiabetic.com/apps/videos/videos/view/4617489
Cecilia did a great video on her "bag of stuff." Check it out at
http://www.1happydiabetic.com/apps/videos/videos/view/4617489-dia
betes-vlog-10-extention-on-diabetes-vlog-6-diabetes-supplies
http://www.1happydiabetic.com/apps/videos/videos/view/4617489-dia
betes-vlog-10-extention-on-diabetes-vlog-6-diabetes-supplies
Hi last week i did a sponsored walk for diabetes. On the day i won the raffle and was awarded with a £200 Apple gift card . I'm going to be giving this away as soon as i have 200 subscribers. I'll be making a video on it this week showing the sponsored walk and the gift card(so that you know it's real). So please subscribe!!
http://www.youtube.com/user/theDIABETIChelper
http://www.youtube.com/user/theDIABETIChelper
I take extras also, plenty even too the point of being obsessive about supplies and food, you never know! I carry two cold insulated lunch boxes 1 for daily type 1.5 diabetic needs, and the other is my spare, not having what I need for a 12 hour shift can cause serious problems! Having enough food for that long of a shift is difficult to do I always have the routine of stocking up on grocery store food easiest way to count carbs before work. I do this daily but it keeps my food fresh and I never have to worry about a variety to keep me going. Separating plastic bags for mealtimes/snacks makes it easy and if I don't use everything I just keep it for the next day or take my super large bag home. I am equipped! 
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