Hot shot and Friends Kansas

Chapter 3 Wedge is Diabetic

Hot shot was playing with his friends and his little brother. Wedge wasn't feeling like himself and then he ran to the bathroom. His friends didn't know what was going on. They were worried about him. They knew Wedge wasn't himself lately. He had been extremely hungry, thirsty and going to the bathroom a lot. They were wondering what was wrong with him

The next day Wedge's mother took him to see his pediatrician Dr. Erret. Dr. Erret took a look and decided to have a blood test done. They pricked his finger and took a couple of samples of blood and they took a sample of urine too. Then a bit later Dr. Erret came back. "I got the results of Wedge's blood and urine tests, he has type 1 diabetes," she said.

"Will I be okay?" Wedge asked.

"Yes you will be fine as long as you monitor your diet and don't eat too many sweets, take your insulin properly, count calories and keep active you can do every thing you are used to doing," Dr. Erret said. "Here are some pamphlets to help you learn about having type 1 diabetes." she said.

"Okay," Wedge said.

"There a couple of options to give you insulin, there are pens where an adult can give you shots until you are able to do it yourself and there are pumps which means no needles and it can be easier for you, if you are an active child." Dr. Erret said. "I can help you choose the one that you think is best for you," she said.

"Wedge is pretty active, he loves to run, jump, play and dig with the family dog, he also enjoys sports with his friends. He isn't a big fan of needles," His mother said.

"Sounds like what Wedge needs is a pump." Dr. Erret said. "Here are a few different options," she said showing him. She described them. "These are ones with tubes, and this one has no tube," she said.

"These ones with tubes visible, the controllers is part of the pump and it is works so it stays attached to you, but they can get in your way sometimes and they get caught on things, but the tubeless goes right on your skin you can put it in the same sites as the tubed ones, the tubeless one is more discrete and better for active children and it's waterproof so you can shower, bathe and swim with it on, and here is the PMD controller of the tubeless it goes in your pocket or bag, it helps you calculate how much Basal and Bolus you will need and control it. The Basal is the constant drip of insulin through out the day, you can adjust it for less when you are being active and you can adjust it more on days like when you are sick or not doing much. The Bolus is an extra dose of insulin, for when you eat a meal, snack, or have high blood sugar. This also helps calculate how much Bolus you need when you are about to eat something when you look at this book to determine how many carbohydrates are in your food that you are about to eat," Dr. Erret said. "This is the blood glucose meter it checks you blood sugar if it is high or low. There are ones where you prick you finger and get out blood to test it with. This one where it is a badge stuck on you skin and you use this special device that you touch it with to check you blood sugar, it is normal do nothing, if is low eat something, if is high use the pump and calculate with it how much Bolus you need to fix you blood sugar by how high it is, you also need to care a insulin pen just in case the pump has a malfunction or runs out of insulin and carry extra insulin to refill it and change it every three days if it is the tubeless. Your parents will help you until you get the hang of it," she said. "During a high blood sugar crisis that is getting worse despite insulin tell a grown up right away because it is dangerous, and during a very low blood sugar crisis make sure you carry high carbohydrate foods or foods with lots of sugar, like candy, juice or soft drinks, those all can help and remember to give yourself insulin before you eat it or drink it, if it doesn't improve and you still feel the affects of it tell a grown up." she said.

Wedge felt relieved and understood after that and was now ready to choose he chose the tubeless option he thought it looked cool and it would get in his way while playing with his friends and he chose the needless option for the blood glucose meter. Then his mother took him to the pharmacy to pick up his insulin, Omipod, freestyle libre 2 and a bag to carry his things in. Then got him an iPhone to call her or dad or 911 if he was having a diabetic crisis and downloaded a few diabetes apps to help him count carbs, monitor his diet, insulin use, exercise, sleep, and to help him learn about his condition. Then she called the school to let them know about the situation and the nurse was ready to help Wedge in any way possible.

His friends heard about Wedge having diabetes because Wedge's mother emailed all the parents in class. His friends were worried and didn't know what to think. Scorch was worried about catching diabetes.

Wedge arrived at school the next day. "Hey guys," Wedge said.

"Hey," they said.

They were double checking his food at lunch. Scorch was avoiding him and Mach was very curious about the pack he was carrying around.

Wedge sighed while at the nurses office as she was helping him check his blood sugar. "Is something wrong Wedge?" she asked.

"My friends they have been treating me weird and acting out lately since they found out about my diabetes," Wedge said. "Scorch thinks I have to go to a school for sick kids and he might catch it," he said.

"I think they just don't understand," the nurse said.

"Yes I think your right," Wedge said. Wedge was ready to give a report to the class. "Everyone my report is about type 1 diabetes, let me explain it, type 1 diabetes is a condition where the body stops making insulin it can happen at any age but most commonly happens in children, and despite common belief you don't get from eating to many sweets but it can increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes which is different. Insulin is a hormone that helps you body digest food by breaking down glucose and letting your cells absorb it. In Type 1 diabetes your pancreas is attacked by the bodies own confused immunes system and cannot make insulin any more, the exact cause is unknown and the body needs the help of artificial insulin to help it digest food and get energy, there are still highs and lows, insulin can help with the highs while food and insulin can help with the lows, but still medical maybe needed if it doesn't improve quickly enough, monitoring diet, checking blood sugar on a regular basis, counting carbs, getting enough rest, exercise and taking insulin properly a person with diabetes can live a normal healthy life," Wedge said.

Scorch raised his hand. "And both types of diabetes are not contagious." Wedge said.

Mach raised his hand. "Are telling us something?" Mach said.

"Yes I am still the same old Wedge, I just have type 1 diabetes, like my hair is red," Wedge said.

"I guess were wrong to think differently," Whirl said.

"Yes we should've talked to you instead of assuming things," Medix said.

"Can you forgive us?" Hot shot asked.

"I sure can," Wedge said with a smile and sat with his friends.