Friday, July 8, 2011

Do I Really Need a Babysitter?

So as some of you know (if you have read my earlier blogs), I had been broke and out of work for quite a while and I finally got a job 2 weeks ago. It isn't anything special. Since I don't have a car of my own, I had to find something within walking distance, and out of utter desperation, I walked to the gas station on the corner and landed myself a fine job as a cashier. I only have 2 full days (Fridays and Saturdays) that I work for 10 hours from 5:30am until 4pm. So far, everyone is very nice and I am doing very well, but I am becoming a bit concerned. Since I am working so much on my feet in a fast-paced environment, my blood sugars tend to drop while I am working. Often I have had to step a side and have someone take over for me while I get my sugars back up. They completely understand.

My concern, though, is that one of these times, I am going to be alone with no one there to take over for me. Sure, I can have something right there next to me at all times just in case, but if I have a long line of people, I'm not going to be able to sit there and take it easy while I get back to normal. I'm not sure what I am going to do. I don't want to have to demand someone there with me at all times because I feel like I am asking too much. What if they just can't do it? I am really worried that they would let me go if I start making a fuss, so I have stayed quiet. Should I just not take as much insulin and risk getting too high? I don't know. What should I do?

If anyone has any advice, comments are definitely welcome! Thanks for reading and thanks for your help!

5 comments:

  1. Stop worrying and carry some granola bars. Seriously. I've been T1 for 52 years and I've never, ever told anyone I'm diabetic. I've worked in war zones overseas - Iraq and Bosnia - and the 10 pm to 6 am shift when I was in college, among other jobs. Only my wife, kids and mother know I'm D. My school mates, roommates, work mates, friends, others never had clue. You'll be fine. There are more important things to worry about.

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  2. To MaryLittleMe I have had diabetes for 22 years and I have a degree in nutrition. I would suggest trying a different insulin schedule for those two days of the week to try to prevent lows. Also make sure to carry snacks (I find glucose tablets useful while at work). I have had the same problem and luckily everyone has been understanding when I have had to take a few minutes to feel better.

    To Anonymous it`s good if you have had no problems with your diabetes but for many others it is not so easy. I found your comment rude and not understanding. I think you should know that someones health is an important thing to worry about. If none of your friends know you have diabetes they can`t be very close or observant. I personally think it`s dangerous not to tell others in case something happens to you. A work mate may be the only one around to help you.

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  3. Hey, I work at a gas station too. Before I worked there, if I had a low, I'd ask a co worker to allow me to take a break. But at the gas station, I work alone.

    So I always keep a few juice boxes everywhere I frequent. (The bedside, friends houses, the car) I keep at least four at the gas station.

    If I notice a low coming on, I grab one and suck it down. My sugars usually come back up in about ten minutes. Mean while, I apologize that I'm having a low bloodsugar to customers if I bumble through their transaction. All of them are quite understanding.

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  4. Hi Mary. I also thought the anonymous comment above was rude and cold. The most important thing you should be concerned about is your health. Without your health, nothing else matters. I've been type 1 for 31 yrs, and I've had this same problem, esp when standing on my feet a lot. What helps me, is that I keep something like peanut butter and crackers around, and every hour I have one or two. I also keep some fast acting glucose around like juice or regular coke if I'm dropping really fast, but snacking on the crackers with peanut butter really helps. The carbs in the crackers raise my bloodsugar just a little. The peanut butter helps to keep my bloodsugar more even because of its protein and high fat content. ~Michele

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  5. Hi Mary, I have had type 1 diabetes for 11 years. I also work on my feet for 12 hours at a time, as I am a nurse and depending on how busy my job is, my insulin needs fluctuate greatly. If you go low most days you are working, you should probably be taking less insulin (keep track and discuss with your doctor how much less). E.g. if you take 30 units lantus on a normal day, maybe take 26 or 28 on a working day and if you are still low, you can titrate down further...
    :) Sarah

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