Life Savers

Today's prompt for the HAWMC writers workshop at WEGOHealth is "10 things I can't live without". Apart from the obvious air, water and food stuff there are still a lot more than 10 things that two of my kids can not live without. These are their life savers (total amounts shown are for both kids together):

• Insulin - 4 vials a month
• Cannula with tubing - 2 to 3 a week
• Insulin Reservoir - 2 to 3 a week
• Insulin Pump - 1 each
• Industrial Strength AAA Battery - 2 a month
• Glucose Test Machine - 1 each at home and 1 each at school
• Glucose Test Strip - average of 20 a day (on a bad day can be anything upto 50)
• Lancet Device for Blood Tests -  1 each at home and 1 each at school
• Lancet cartridge (6 lancet needles per cartridge) - 4 a day
• Ketone Test Machine -  1 each at home and 1 each at school
• Ketone Test Strip - 20 a month
• Test Machine Battery - 12 a year
• Glucose Tablet - variable from 0 to 50 a day depending on blood sugar levels
• Carbohydrate Counting Tables
• Calculator
• Digital Scales (accurate to 1g)

In addition to the above we need a back up system in case the insulin pumps or cannulas fail etc.

• Insulin Pen- 4 at home, 1 at my parents, 2 in school
• Insulin - 4 to 6 cartridges a year
• Needles - a few a month
• Spare test machines

All of this replaces one small part of the pancreas. TJ and Roo are still too young to manage their diabetes by themselves, so they need a fully trained adult to care for them and manage their condition.

ME