Pack a diabetes kit and lug it everywhere you go...just in case.
Implement a 504 Plan for school...just in case.
Overnight blood sugar checks...just in case.
Fill the pump with 5 or 6 days of insulin for a camping trip...just in case.
The list is endless.
When our incredible, amazing, most awesome school nurse...who knows Sugar like the back of her hand... fractured her ankle and needed surgery 2 weeks ago...
I didn't panic.
You see the school has a wonderful health aide who can mange Sugar flawlessly. There's also great a part-time nurse who already works on Mondays that will be filling in for some of the uncovered days. I know they can do this...I mean they have, after all, learned from the best! Not to mention that the district's Nurse Coordinator has an office in our school building, and she's there intermittently throughout the week.
I knew Sugar would be in good hands.
But...
There was one thing.
One "Just In Case" that kept nagging in the back of my mind.
GLUCAGON.
On the days we may not have a nurse...well...I just kept thinking that, maybe, it would be a good idea to make sure someone on campus knew what to do with the little red box.
So, I mentioned it.
Within a week, we had something scheduled. You know...a little meeting in the library after school one day.
I wasn't sure what to expect.
I mean who wants to come learn about a yucky old shot? Especially when you're an educator, and not a health care professional, ya know?
Well.
Her Teacher, for one.
And...
The Librarian.
The Art Teacher.
The Music Teacher.
The Health Aid.
The Office Secretary.
The Crossing Guard.
The Vice Principle (who, by the way, brought along copies of a 3 page handout chock full of information he printed off himself.)
Plus the Nurse Coordinator for good measure.
That's who.
They all came.
With smiles!
They asked great questions. They listened. They recognized the serious nature that exists when glucagon would be used. They intently watched as I demonstrated using an expired kit...then several of them practiced injecting an orange!
Words really can't describe the gratitude that exists when people step up to the plate like this.
Feeling blessed today.
And every day.
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Love THIS Wendy. I bet they really enjoyed learning from you.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful - and they all did it with smiles and willing hearts! Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteLOVE that you have such a great support network at school! <3 Way to go Sugar Teachers!!! :)
ReplyDeletehow fantastic! it sounds like the school is amazing and the staff is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWow Wendy that is awesome, what a great supportive team you have there :)
ReplyDeleteThis is truly a blessing! How great it must feel to know that Sugar is surrounded by such a wonderful team of willing participants.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel and it is indeed a blessing. I'm smiling for you. :)
ReplyDeleteLove it how so many showed up to learn and ask questions, Wendy. That's awesome. And that orange with a glucagon shot - classic! Thanks for sharing this, and glad the "just in case" scenarios are covered if they ever arise when your trusty nurse is out.
ReplyDeleteThat is an aMAZing school. I wish all schools were that amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'm honestly tearing up! What an amazing school support group you have!
ReplyDeletethats unreal!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've got an amazing team there! So glad Sugar has such involved, caring and supportive people at her school!
ReplyDeleteWOW! That is absolutely amazing! It puts a big smile on my face that so many people were there! You've got a great team there! Such a blessing!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to have that much support. If only my boys were supported half as much, I would be one happy mama!!
ReplyDeleteYou have assembled a huge crew to help you out. This is the way it should be in all schools.
ReplyDelete.Wendy, that is so cool!.
ReplyDeleteA couple of month's ago I reversed my morning Humalog and Lantus - taking 16 units of Humalog vs the normal 2. Now that's a whopping big difference. I panicked (rightly so) and chomped down 3/4 of a pound of Skittles.
Then I got the glucagon out, got it ready, but could not inject it. The needle is just too flippin' long and thick. This has happened once before.
So, I took a cab to the ER and lied and said I was waiting for someone. I tested every 20 minutes and my plan was to go up to the counter only if I was sure I was crashing. I didn't want to pay the $100 ER co-payment. 2 hours later I was fine and went home. LOL