This post feels a little weird to me because I had a whole lifetime without diabetes before I was diagnosed. So to talk about life without diabetes is like "livin' in the ole days". But my day-to-day routine is so revolved around diabetes that there are some things that I've been staying away from strictly because I'm diabetic.
# 1: Go to Shipwreck Island Water
Some of my favorite memories as a kid were going to Shipwreck Island Waterpark in Panama City Beach, Florida. High slides, wave pool, snow cones, ice cream, lazy river! It was the highlight of my summers every year. The minute we passed the Florida state line, I would begin begging my parents, "We going to Shipwreck Island?! Please?! Shipwreck Island??!!" After at least a day of whining, they would give in and buy tickets. We would get there as soon as they opened at 10:00 AM and stay until the sun went down, then my sunburnt tooshie and I would go to bed immediately after dinner. I love this place!
A couple years ago, I had the opportunity to go back to my favorite childhood amusement park. Unfortunately, the first thing that came to my mind was "What about my pump?" I had just started with Arnold and hadn't mastered temporary basals much less disconnecting for a whole day. The opportunity ended up falling through, but I was verging on backing out anyway. Even if I didn't have the pump and went back to MDIs for a day, the constant running around the park and swimming would be a breeding ground for lows. Simply put, I was not looking forward to tainting all my memories by worrying about my next BG reading.
# 2: Take a vacation to Italy
My dream vacation is to go to Italy. I want to go visit the Coliseum in Rome, drink wine in Naples, and hang out on the beach in Capri. Trey and I have often talked about going before we have kids. But whenever we talk about it, I start stressing out thinking about the amount of insulin, pump supplies, and strips needed for an overseas trip. Not to mention the amount of carbs I would consume with a daily diet of pasta and wine. But I've already got the place set out that I want to go to:
This place is perfect. Local hotel located along the beach between Rome and Naples. Not to mention its own little town and shops.
So, those are the two things that I think about whenever the latest research article comes out with a "cure" for type 1 diabetes. And if we are blessed to receive a cure in our lifetime, you can bet that afterwards I'll be on the first European airline to Sperlonga.
Hey, if Kerri from "Six Until Me" can not only go to Spain for a few weeks but bring home a daughter on board, YOU CAN MAKE THE TRIP WORK! Maybe not as easily as a non-diabetic. But it can be done! Go for it!
ReplyDeleteIf that happens, the kid will wear a T-shirt that says, "Made in Italy" the first day out of the hospital.
ReplyDeleteHolly,
ReplyDeleteI actually spent a week in Rome about 2 years ago. It was lovely! And believe it or not the high carb diet wasn't much of an issue. In Rome, you pretty much walk everywhere! And because of all the hills, I was on a reduced basal the whole trip. I had pretty good numbers the whole time I was there. I did have a couple lows here and there but I just carried some tabs with me and tried to snack when I could. There were little lunch carts in all the touristy spots. :)
As for packing, I've never had too much of an issue with traveling with pump supplies. I usually count how many I need, then double it. I pack it all up in a backpack to take as a carryon on the airplane. This has always worked for me and I've travelled all over the place with my pump!
Definitely don't let diabetes stop you from traveling!! It might take a little more work than usual but it's so worth it!!!!!!!!!!
BSparl has a small tattoo on her foot: "Made in Spain." ;)
ReplyDelete(Oh, I'm kidding. No tattoo. But I'm tempted to write it on there in magic marker.)
I also double up on pump supplies when I travel, even for a weekend trip. And I know walking all around Sperlonga, Rome, and Naples would justify the high carb diet.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I'm scared of. Oh yeah, airports, and security, and stress from flying. Sends my BGs flying if I get stopped at the "magic door" (i.e. security walk-thru thingy). If I could blink and be there I would.
*sigh* I just need to quit being a diabetic pansy and just make the trip. Can Medtronic make overseas-overnight deliveries, just in case? ;-)
I'm so glad someone else besides me stresses out over how many pump supplies to bring!!!
ReplyDeleteIt indeed is stressful and takes more planning, but you can definitely do it!
ReplyDeleteIt's so weird to see my home town mentioned in other people's blogs! My uncle has diabetes and normally wears a pump, but he doesn't miss out on Shipwreck Island. I'm not sure how he does it exactly, because I've never thought to ask, but he goes there and other such places (like the new pool area at Frank Brown Park) with the kids every summer. It's just too fun to miss out on!
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