For at least a couple of years, I felt like we settled. The peaks and valleys of diabetes were smoother, less frequent, easier to handle. Nights provided the best interrupted sleep I’ve ever had. Years of experience and technological advances were paying off. It felt good and it felt earned.
These last few months have been a bit more rocky. High blood sugars reaching points I haven’t seen for years out of the blue for no explainable reason. Historically reliable corrective approaches having no effect whatsoever. Nine years of experience coupled with a subject who is exponentially more mature and capable have made these loops bearable, but no less surprising and bewildering.
Dance competition season is approaching. To me this means costume making. Caleb competes in jazz, lyrical and his favorite, tap. The depth of options for costuming for males is as minimal as it can get. I work with Caleb’s dance director to design his costumes to coordinate and complement his teammates’, and sew them myself.
In sorting through the options for Caleb, I asked him to try on a pair of pants from last year’s annual dance recital – just seven months ago. My immediate reaction was a mixture of amusement and relief. The pants weren’t merely short, they looked as though they were intentionally made to be of capri length. I knew Caleb seemed taller, even thinner, but the inches of flesh that appeared under his hem was astounding.
I don’t know that growth is the reason for the blood sugars we’ve been seeing. Knowing that most everything else is about the same, it certainly is a viable option in my mind, making the means to the end all seem okay.
This is Caleb... 
Tyler will be 11 next month. He’s having similar wacky swings (after being so, SO close to perfect the first half of last year). His Endo tells me it’s growth hormone and/or the combo of sex hormones that come with puberty. I asked him, “Okay, so how do we tackle this?” His answer?… Take it as it comes and deal with it as best we can, using the technology to our advantage and heading the highs off at the pass. So, I said, “How long?” He says, “Unfortunately, it’s a long road.” *sigh*… Riding it out in northern NJ with a Medtronic 530G and Enlite/Switching back to Dex with Share as soon as it passes insurance red tape… Wish us luck.
I do indeed wish you luck. When we first started using Nightscout, it seemed so luxurious and indulgent. Having remote access to bgs is something we quickly got used to and now it seems requisite. We just must have it.
Seeing the numbers that come from some of these peaks and valleys, makes me realize how truly in line we normally are. The numbers we regularly see as highs and lows are really nothing compared to these crazy surges. So if there’s something good to come from this, it’s perspective that we normally have things going pretty darn well!
Report back about Share! And thanks for commenting!!
While I wasn’t as young as Caleb at diagnosis, I almost wish I was. At 12 1/2, I was beginning those crazy hormonal years and no matter what regimen was tried, nothing lasted long before everything went haywire. Having a CGM and remote viewing capabilities is a blessing and a bane, I’m sure. Hang in there… just gotta get through those teenage years and those growth spurts!
Thanks so much for your encouraging words, Christel. They mean a great deal.
Hey Lorraine – I went thru’ the same thing as Caleb (again – in the 70’s didn’t have all the bells and whistles like you did). I can attest to taking ALOT of NPH insulin with urine tests that weren’t the pretty blue or turquoise that I liked. Hormones do whacky things to those of us with diabetes … and believe it or not … be glad Caleb is not a woman. I’m going thru’ menopause, and one day I’m good, and like right now, I’m battling high blood sugars in the 20 mmol/l (360) range. Yes I’m freaking out quietly – and trying to stay awake until my Dexcom and finger prick test show I’m at least dropping to a safe level. Urrhhh … silly hormones I want to whack you silly!!!
Thanks so much, Anna. I have to admit, I have considered what it would be like if Caleb were Kendall (the name we picked had he been born female). I’m sorry you are having to go through these hormonal struggles. It’s just not fair. Hugs and encouragement back at you!