Starting school with diabetes is much easier when the student is in high school. (shout out to all D-parents reading this, if any. It does get easier!!)
The school nurse is great. I only see her once a day (which I hoped to get down to zero times a day this year unless there was a problem, but the rules in my school district are verrrry strict) and it's after lunch.
When I started school as a freshman we had a meeting with the school nurse, her supervisor, the principal, both vice principals, and some other people. So they all, in theory, know I have diabetes. But let's be honest, I'm sure they have forgotten by now, two years later.
My mom wrote letters to all my teachers my freshman year and when we went in for the meeting, we walked around to each teacher and gave them the letter and talked with them a little. Sophomore year my mom emailed all my teachers. I never had any problems either year. This year, my mom emailed all my new teachers. The nurse also sends out a email to all the teachers in the school with a list of students who have medical conditions so everyone is aware.
So here's my problem: my dexcom. All my teachers should know that I have diabetes. In my mom's email she stated how some of my devices look like cell phones, but they aren't, they're medical devices. Today, the second day of school, I set my dexcom to vibrate and put it in my purse, which I always have with me. I was low today and never noticed my dexcom for about an hour and a half , and didn't feel low (hello, hypo-unawareness!). When I checked I ended up being in the 50's. Ouch. I don't know what to do with my dexcom. I can't put it in my pocket (not allowed and so bulky and uncomfortable) and leaving it in my purse on vibrate obviously won't work. I don't want to put it on loud or soft because I really don't want it to make any noise, or draw any attention to myself (remember, I am in high school...). I'm not worried about my teachers taking it from me or thinking it's a cell phone, because if that ever happened I would put them in their place right away (not in a mean way, but you know). I'm more worried about interrupting the class, teachers getting annoyed, other students getting annoyed, me getting annoyed and embarrassed.
Does anyone have any similar experiences or any suggestions? I need to make sure I will notice it if I'm high or low, but I don't want it to cause any disruptions. Help!
I say keep it turned up. It doesn't help you if you don't hear it. And so what - it disrupts class for all of 3 seconds. Think about how many times YOUR life gets interrupted by diabetes. Good luck girl - you got this!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean "not allowed" in your pocket? You certainly should be allowed - it is not a cell phone. You should talk to someone about that and if they give you crap, then you get it put in your 504. You carry your stuff however it can best serve you, they can't tell you not to care for yourself.
ReplyDeleteCan you clip it to your clothes like the pump?
ReplyDeleteAt work I set it on my desk so I can check it easily. Would this be an option?
Might look into clipping it on my clothes. I just hate the idea of having something else there along with my pump!
DeleteI could sit it on my desk in some classes, maybe, but that goes back to not wanting to draw attention to myself. Not that I care a lot, but I hate how different people treat me!
My 8th grade daughter will be going back to school on Sep. 4th. She just got her dexcom over the summer. We are still trying to figure out how she will handle this. She says the same thing you are saying. She has a binder with a pencil case (with window) clipped in. She brings this to every class (homework binder). This is where she will try it first (I think). This idea may not work but it's where we will start.
ReplyDeleteSara (Moments of Wonderful blog) has some sort of case attached to a carabiner that's clipped to a belt loop. I imagine it could just as easily be clipped to a purse strap, or even moved back and forth as the situation warrants. Surely it's not invisible that way, but maybe that might work?
ReplyDeleteThanks! I just ordered one, I think it will be a great option !
DeleteHey look, Scott mentioned me up there! ^^ :)
ReplyDeleteI would add that any rules about what you are and are not allowed to have in your pockets (or where ever) do not apply to medical devices. You can wear it strapped around your neck like a necklace if you wanted (I know you don't!) and the school can't say anything about it.
I know you don't want the attention of it going off and interrupting the class but if you have it on Normal or HypoRepeat (the one I use) it will still vibrate first and then only beep a few minutes later if you don't acknowledge it. If it's in your pocket or clipped to you or out on your desk (basically anywhere that will help) you will probably catch the vibration and not even have to worry about the alarms.
Hope you find something that works for you!