Traveling T1D
We did it! We safely traveled half way across the country and back without any major incidences. Jacob did great for his mere 14 months of life, and I did pretty well myself. I definitely learned a thing or two. I'm thankful for the help of my husband and family, because we bit the bullet and did it. You don't know what it will be like until you try it, and like I've talked about before, I don't want to let diabetes hold me back. So for a little review of what I learned, here it is:
1. DO NOT GO THROUGH THE METAL DETECTOR!!! Unless you want to be felt up by TSA in front of a JV basketball team, in the middle of one of the busiest airports. I blush thinking about it.
Basically, if you have a stroller, it gives you a free pass to the "fast" line aka, the slow line where TSA herds all the screaming babies and people who require a little more assistance. I was holding Jake, so they were trying to make our life easier by escorting me through the metal detector. I was nervous and not thinking 100 percent clearly and of course my pump is metal and it is going to go off...
So Osman gathers Jake from my arms, and is left trying to gather our 400 belongings and I get escorted to the foot rug where I'm told to spread it and hold my arms out wide. I'm sitting here, typing this, and I still can't help but be a little annoyed with diabetes. The TSA agent was really nice and offered some friendly advice, "Honey, don't go through the metal detector next time, always request the full body scanner, that way we don't have to feel you in your private places." Which leads me to point number 2.
2. The full body scanners typically do NOT use x-ray but sound waves, so they are safe to go through with your Dexcom. I learned that if you ask, "can someone with a pacemaker go through your full body scanner" it saves a long explanation of what you wear and why. I'm all for educating people but when you are trying to get to your departure gate, while wrangling your toddler, you just want to move on.
3. Make lots of lists and bring extra supplies. Although, I did not need the extra infusion sets or Dexcom sensors, it gave me peace of mind knowing that I had them with me and lists are great because it is fun to check things off!
In all, things went a lot better than I had hoped for. When we traveled back home, I did go through the full body scanner. I was only felt up in the area where my pump and my Dexcom were located. It was so wonderful to see all our family and friends. I won't lie, it was a little weird and slightly rough to be back in the place where I didn't have T1D. It was a little heart breaking but in a way, healing. It allowed me the opportunity to see how far I've come.
The day after we got home, I had my 3 month endocrinologist appointment. I was so nervous because this A1C reflected: Christmas, Birthdays, Valentine's, my first real illness, lots of work stress, our trip, and my doctor letting me not check post meal blood sugars. AND GUESS WHAT??? my A1C dropped .3 points (I don't know if that is the correct terminology). I'm so close to my New Year's Resolution of being in the 5's. After that appointment, I felt like I could conquer the world, because this time, I didn't let diabetes conquer me.
Have a great week! I'll be enjoying this nice spring weather, taking it 1 Drop at a Time.
We forgot how much the wind really does sweep down the plains of Oklahoma, but we wouldn't have it any other way!
1. DO NOT GO THROUGH THE METAL DETECTOR!!! Unless you want to be felt up by TSA in front of a JV basketball team, in the middle of one of the busiest airports. I blush thinking about it.
Basically, if you have a stroller, it gives you a free pass to the "fast" line aka, the slow line where TSA herds all the screaming babies and people who require a little more assistance. I was holding Jake, so they were trying to make our life easier by escorting me through the metal detector. I was nervous and not thinking 100 percent clearly and of course my pump is metal and it is going to go off...
So Osman gathers Jake from my arms, and is left trying to gather our 400 belongings and I get escorted to the foot rug where I'm told to spread it and hold my arms out wide. I'm sitting here, typing this, and I still can't help but be a little annoyed with diabetes. The TSA agent was really nice and offered some friendly advice, "Honey, don't go through the metal detector next time, always request the full body scanner, that way we don't have to feel you in your private places." Which leads me to point number 2.
2. The full body scanners typically do NOT use x-ray but sound waves, so they are safe to go through with your Dexcom. I learned that if you ask, "can someone with a pacemaker go through your full body scanner" it saves a long explanation of what you wear and why. I'm all for educating people but when you are trying to get to your departure gate, while wrangling your toddler, you just want to move on.
3. Make lots of lists and bring extra supplies. Although, I did not need the extra infusion sets or Dexcom sensors, it gave me peace of mind knowing that I had them with me and lists are great because it is fun to check things off!
In all, things went a lot better than I had hoped for. When we traveled back home, I did go through the full body scanner. I was only felt up in the area where my pump and my Dexcom were located. It was so wonderful to see all our family and friends. I won't lie, it was a little weird and slightly rough to be back in the place where I didn't have T1D. It was a little heart breaking but in a way, healing. It allowed me the opportunity to see how far I've come.
The day after we got home, I had my 3 month endocrinologist appointment. I was so nervous because this A1C reflected: Christmas, Birthdays, Valentine's, my first real illness, lots of work stress, our trip, and my doctor letting me not check post meal blood sugars. AND GUESS WHAT??? my A1C dropped .3 points (I don't know if that is the correct terminology). I'm so close to my New Year's Resolution of being in the 5's. After that appointment, I felt like I could conquer the world, because this time, I didn't let diabetes conquer me.
Have a great week! I'll be enjoying this nice spring weather, taking it 1 Drop at a Time.
We forgot how much the wind really does sweep down the plains of Oklahoma, but we wouldn't have it any other way!
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