Why did the insulin die in my pancreas?

Lance woke up this morning and we had our morning hug.

I asked him what he wanted for brekkie, and he decided on toast and an apple juice.

I heard the toilet flush, and before I could say “Wash your hands!” the shower was running!

The bathroom door was shut.

I gently knocked at the door and asked if I could come in.

  I heard a little “Alright..”

In amongst a cloud of warm steam, and stepping over pyjamas strewn from one end of the bathroom to the other, I found my Lance sitting on the shower floor, grimacing in pain.

“Sweetheart! What’s happening!” I exclaimed.

“Well…it’s just that when I went to the toilet, it felt like there were staples coming out. It really hurt, Mum, and my belly hurts a little too.”

Ahhhhhhh. The infamous Urinary Tract Infection, otherwise known as Cystitis. This temporary and treatable condition LOVES people with Diabetes.

He got out, and I cocooned him in a big, fluffy bath sheet. When he was younger, he was plagued with this condition, I’m surprised he didn’t remember the pain from all those years ago.

“Do you want the good news or do you want the good news?” I playfully asked him.

“Good news..”he said in a quiet voice, trying very hard not to laugh.

“Well, the good news is that there is medicine in the cabinet to kill the bugs that are giving you this pain.”

“The gooder news…”

“The better news, Mum!…”

“Oh, sorry, yes. Where was I. Oh, and the other good news, is that you’ve had these before, I’ve had them before, most people at some stage in their life have had one. It’s called an Urinary Tract Infection. Urine is the medical word for ‘wee’.”

He sniggered as he heard me say “wee,” and repeated the word urine several times as I made my way to the kitchen. 7 year old boys love toilet humour…

I returned with a tray with breakfast, insulin, and a jug of water.

No words were exchanged about the water, the “OH NO!” in his eyes said it all.

“Don’t panic, just a cup, everytime you think of it, ok? It flushes away the bugs, that’s all.”

Luckily, I had some Ural sachets, that usually do the trick when it comes to clearing this problem. It’s only been a few times that I have had to resort to antibiotics. It’s amazing how much I retain in my memory for emergencies…the last time he needed Ural, I remembered thinking…”Hmm. These are a must in the diabetes medicine kit. It’s not like he’s never going to have this problem again…”

As I prepared the first dose, I had to laugh to myself that it was a Saturday, and Easter Saturday at that. Why do these things always manifest themselves at night time, on the weekend, or on a public holiday?? It is positvely poetic.

Not knowing that it was Ural, (which tastes a lot like bicarbonate of soda and lemon, it simply neutralises urine and eases “that”unmistakable pain) he unknowingly took the cup of me, and drank every drop.

His head flung around and  glared at me,with fury burning in his eyes, and said, “Why did you give me that disgusting stuff for? That was so repugnant! Bleccch!” (With some gagging and coughing sounds for extra effect.)

He quickly reached for his cup and drank down two glasses of water in a row. Ahhh..it’s days like this where all of the pain and sleepless nights over the past 7 years have taught me well. Things were going swimmingly. (Hmm. Bad adverb to use for this condition.)

I did feel so bad for him as I heard OW, OW, OW’s” coming from the bathroom every once in a while.We sat together for most of the day, watching feel good DVD’s, as he held a hot water bottle to his tummy. Secretly, I know he loves it when I make him a bed on the sofa, and dash after his every requirement. He did look a little flushed though…Just in case, I thought I’d take his temperature.

It was 38. Great. Not bad, but not in the normal range either. Slightly elevated may be the appropriate words to use in this case.

His blood sugar level was a little higher as well, which I totally expected. Lots of 13’s, 15’s, 14’s.

Around evening time, I started to become paranoid that if I didn’t get my repeat script of antibiotics filled,  knowing the curse of weekend Diabetes-related ailments, we could face Easter in hospital if I didn’t play my cards right. I hurriedly flicked through my ridiculously large box of repeat scripts…there were scripts for oral thrush, anti-fungal cream, oral antibiotics, glucagon, insulin, cough syrup, anti-vomiting syrup..you name it. All in the name of Diabetes Management, Amen.

The jug of water was almost empty. He had done very well, and as I always tell him, he can do anything that he puts his mind to. Even if it is “repugnant.”

He emerged from the toilet a little while later with a smile on his face.

“Mum, it doesn’t hurt anymore to go to the toilet.”

“Does you tummy hurt anymore?” I asked cautiously.

“Nope!” he said proudly.

The only trouble, was that I really wanted him to have one more dose of Ural. I mixed it up, and laced it with lemon soda.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“Lemon Soft Drink.” I casually replied.

He took two big gulps.

I could hear him thinking. I was ready for the onslaught….

“MUUUUUM! It’s got that stuff in it! You played a bad trick.” He was very annoyed.

His lips were zipped tight. He probably got the dose down anyway in what he had consumed. Ha ha.

His temperature was back to normal.

His blood sugar was actually low.

He had three more visits to the bathroom with no more “staples” causing him problems.

I’m REALLY hoping that tomorrow will be trouble-free…PLEASE???

 

Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection In A Young Child With Type 1 Diabetes.

• screaming whilst passing urine, during and after, whether it be in a nappy, potty, or toilet.
• the first passing may be brownish in colour.
• lower abdominal pain
• fever
• high blood sugar levels.
• irritability
• redness of the area
• grabbing at the crotch area, with noticable discomfort.

• Until you can get to a doctor, or seek medical advice, start your child drinking water immediately. The more, the better.
• Keep a close check on blood sugar levels. They will more than likely be higher than normal, or really high, so don’t panic (too much.)
• Check for elevated temperature. (Normal is 37.1 degrees)
• Avoid all sugary drinks and foods. The aim is to kill the bugs that are feasting on sugar in the first place.
• Some children are naturally susceptible to UTI’s, so it is handy to always keep medicines prescribed or recommended by your doctor, and start treatment straight away. (Your doctor NEEDS to know if this is a reoccuring problem.)
• Teach boys how to keep “that” area clean, especially those who are uncircumcised, and the ” front to back” wiping technique with girls.
• Keep a bottle of cranberry juice in the cupboard or fridge, it is also a great tonic for UTI’s.
• Avoid acidic foods, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, spices.
• Offer Children’s Panadol in the correct dosage for abdominal pain (if no allergies are present to paracetemol.)
• Comfortable, loose clothes, (no underwear!) is a must whilst going through this condition.
• 100% cotton underwear is best for kids who are prone to this condition.