Thursday, May 22, 2014

Tubing Mishap

On Sunday, just as we parked our car to go into a home improvement store to select the weekend's assortment of outdoor 'to-do' requirements, a little voice said,

"Well, that's never happened before."

This observation is followed by a giggle from youngest daughter and an outright GASP! from oldest daughter who happens to be co-captaining the back seat of the car.

"Is everything alright?", I ask uncertainly.  My view is obstructed with the flurry of passenger activity, scrambling to open doors to get out of our vehicle.

"Yes," says youngest daughter, with a giggle bubbling up in her voice.  "Be sure to have your camera ready.  You're not going to want to miss this."



Photo: Livy


So I did.

And this is what I saw:  Youngest daughter, with the biggest goofy grin, holding a fragment of her insulin pump tubing that somehow, had completely snapped off the insulin cartridge.

After further inspection, we can see that the insulin cartridge is still securely lodged inside of the pump. What is even more interesting, is that because the cartridge is in place, the insulin pump doesn't recognize a malfunction.  There are no alarms and the pump is happily dispersing insulin as though nothing is amiss.

Except, for however long our youngest daughter was disconnected, she was not receiving any insulin, which can be tricky as this was in the morning and she had just bolused herself for a hefty breakfast.

Yet, she was all smiles.

So this is what I did next:  joined in with a laugh with both girls because sometimes, when nothing is too terribly wrong, it is really ok to take in the moment and enjoy it.

Then, I thanked my lucky stars that our car console has an emergency supply kit with all of the pieces needed to do a parking lot infusion site change.

Which prompted the girls to call me a hero and tell me that I am awesome.  And yes, I accepted that title.  With the world of growing up, mom is LOTS of things lately.  Hero is actually one of the best! ;)

Sometimes, life is good.

Even with a weird tubing mishap!


2 comments:

Need A Nap2 said...

That is crazy! I'm glad that hasn't happened to us, but you handled it very well. :)

Michael B. said...

My 12 year old has had this happen twice in the last few months. I blame it on him becoming more active. It likely catches on something and he does not even realize it.

I do have to say that the pumps are very well made (he uses an Animus pump). In 10 years with a pump he has only had one break and need replacing. They over-nighted it (we were on vacaion of course) to our hotel.

His current pump just survived him forgeting to unplug before going swimming at the beach.

I am starting to consider a continuous BG monitor. With him more active and more often away from us, it would make me feel a bit better.