An Interview with My Teenage Son

J. and the Pom.

I decided to quiz my fifteen year old son about diabetes.  Does he have a clue what I go through on a day-to-day basis?  I was worried about the answers I’d get.  All in all, I think he rocked!

Me: What type of diabetes does mom have?

J-Man: *Rolls eyes* Type 3?  HA, HA, just kidding mom, type 1.

Me: What is Type 1 Diabetes?

J-Man: Type 1 means your pancreas stopped working, the other type you can get from eating too much I think.

Me: What types of problems can diabetes cause?

J-Man: Well, first off – that kit (Glucagon) upstairs?  I’d be worried.  I’d be paranoid, probably wouldn’t be able to sleep for like, an extra two hours.

 

Me: What do you think is hardest for people with diabetes?

J-Man: I eat everything in plain view.  My friend calls me the “Human Locust”.  I’d be very, very angry if I couldn’t eat what I wanted to, when I wanted to.

Me: Do you know what a “normal” blood sugar is for me?

J-Man: 90?

Me: Nice!  I’d love for my blood sugar to hang around the 90-100 range at all times.  Wish that was the case.  I try!

Me: Why do I sometimes get really silly? Other than the fact that I’m just really juvenile to begin with, I suppose.

J-Man: Um, you do that when your sugar is really high?  *Holds Pomeranian and makes her speak*

Rory the Pomeranian: NO! It’s because she is drunk off her arse. 

Me: Gah!  Language!  The dog does NOT swear thankyouverymuch.  Not even in British-American slang.  *Contemplates editing this out of the interview*

J-Man: Sorry mom!!!  *Smile*

Me: It is when I am very low that I act drunk off my arse…Geez.  

Me: How many shots do I take every day?

J-Man: One when you wake up right?

Me: Two.

J-Man: Okay.  *counting on fingers* Two before breakfast, one at lunch, one at dinner, and one at bedtime, so five right?

Me: Good job!!! Yes!!!

Me: Would you be able to give me a shot?

J-Man: If it was life or death, yes.  Otherwise, I don’t think I need to.

Me: How do you know if I need a shot from the red kit (Glucagon) upstairs?

J-Man: Ah, I know you told me this.  I honestly don’t remember, I think you’d be very unresponsive.  You’d be sweating right?

Me: Good answer J.  Yes, I’d be very unresponsive and sweating.  You would know that I needed help.  I may not be able to tell you though.  You can always call Grandma or Dad if you need help.  We will watch the video again on how to do the shot.  You are an AWESOME teen and I’m so impressed that you know SO much about my diabetes.  LOVE YOU J-BEAR!!!

J-Bear and I...many, many years ago.

On a side note, I wanted to share that several years ago J. happened to bust into my bedroom in a panic because he thought I might have gone low in my sleep.  His father had left for work and J. wondered why I didn’t wake him for school.  I explained that he was off school that day so I thought we’d sleep in.  I was amazed that he raced to my rescue!  He was shaking and scared, but he was totally ready to throw down against diabetes.  In an emergency, I have total faith that J. would be able to handle it if I went low.  I’m thankful to have such an awesome kid!!!