I've had diabetes for about 5 years. 24/7. 24 hours a day. I deal with it all the time. I can do it. I know what to do. And on those rare occasions that I really do need help, I know how to ask for it. My mom and I don't really talk about diabetes unless there's a problem. It never really comes up with my family unless someone is making a joke just to make me angry.
This past summer I didn't have any problems. My A1c tested at 6.5. I was great.
Then the school year rolls around and all the sudden there is someone watching my every move. Someone who doesn't really understand diabetes all that much but still thinks that she knows more than me. Someone I have to tell how much insulin I gave, what my blood sugar was, how much insulin I gave, why I took some off, why I added some, why I put a temp basal on... Every. Single. Thing. I do diabetes wise has to be reported to the school nurse. It's annoying. I don't need her.
She yelled at me today and told me I have to start coming to her office before and after lunch. Which means I'll be late for my spanish class. Which is disruptive and embarrassing. And I'm not doing it. Before today I had been going after all my classes, before I go home for the day. I forgot on Friday. I forgot one day and that's it. I have to come twice a day? Uhm, no.
I tried to explain that my blood sugars have been good before lunch. That I know how to do my insulin, how to count carbs. It didn't matter. She was rude and mean and said I have to come and if I don't then she'll have to call my mom and talk to her about it. Well, listen lady, go ahead and call my mom, because I guarantee she's going to say I don't have to come to your office twice a day. Heck, call my doctor and she'll even tell you I don't have to come to your office at all (I know because I talked to her about it once and she thought it was ridiculous I had still been going everyday).
Am I wrong? Should I just suck it up and go to her office for a few minutes twice a day? What do you think? Is it worth fighting this?
I'd fight it. I don't even know why you have to go at all? You are responsible and you have your diabetes under excellent control.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Brea!
Thank you for writing about this, Brea. I bet a ton of teens experience this and would relate.
ReplyDeleteOn the bit about people who know little feeling like they know more than you about your own diabetes, it'll never end! I am 23. I've had diabetes for nearly 12 years, and I still meet older adults who make snarky comments. It will get better, but it will not stop.
If I were you, I would give your blog address to whoever it is that makes the rules. Show them how emotionally mature and responsible you are. You are clear and reasonable. Your writing proves that. Then, maybe they will treat you with more respect. You've got this. Let us know how it goes.
-Heather Gabel
Wow, this sure does seem like a bit much. But I suspect that if you fight it with defiance, it won't get you anywhere. My suggestion to you is to find others in the school to back up your position. Your principal, your Spanish teacher, a guidance counselor... anyone who believes your education is, and should be, paramount. And who trusts that you can take care of your diabetes. Of course, your parents should be on-board too.
ReplyDeleteSurely, the nurse doesn't have the authority to impose rules that take away from your schooling throughout the entire year. I'm sure there's a reasonable workaround. Maybe on Fridays you download the data from your pump and email it to her. She gets the info she wants (for whatever reason she wants), and it only takes you a couple of minutes.
But you need to play it right. Just saying "no" will only lead to lots of anger.
I didn't mean for this post to come off that angry. I am willing to work with the school and the nurse. This, and a lot of other things that have happened at my school make things like this even worse. I even thought of just checking in with her once a week but she insisted that I come everyday. I am frustrated and angry, but I am trying to reasonable about it! Sorry if this post gave anybody the wrong idea. It definitely wasn't meant to be rude or mean towards the school or the nurse!
DeleteDo you have a 504 plan? The nurse can't make you do anything that is not written in the plan - especially not as "punishment".
ReplyDelete