Current: Mama Bear Growls

Daughter was upset last night, because the Home Owner was concerned that she was using too many blood sugar test strips.   HO decided to limit the number of test strips she could have.  I never did get a response regarding the lunch issues, but assumed (hoped) that they now understood Daughter had to have protein in her lunch. 

So today Daughter began the day with 5 test strips, the exact number she needs to make it through a day.  When she checked her blood sugar at 2:45, it was 66, which is low.  If her blood sugar is below 100 she gets a snack before getting on the bus to go home.  With a blood sugar of 66, they needed to give her glucose tabs to bring her blood sugar up before she can have a snack.  They need to retest her blood sugar after treating to make sure it is coming up before she gets a snack. 

So Daughter called me, concerned, because she is afraid to recheck her blood sugar to make sure it's coming up because she doesn't want to get in trouble.  I tell her it's okay, she has to check, and if anyone complains, they should call me.  A few minutes later I get a call from a staff member at the workshop.  They have rechecked, and her blood sugar has dropped to 60.  They only have one test strip left, and are very concerned.  I ask how many glucose tabs Daughter has had, and they've given her one after each blood sugar check.  I explain that she should have 3-4 glucose tabs when her blood sugar drops to bring it up, and instruct her to give her another 3.  The staff member wonders if they can use someone else's test strips in Daughter's meter if they are a different brand.  No. 

I ask what Daughter had for lunch.  She says she had protein with her sandwich-- a "thin" slice of meat and a "thin" slice of cheese.  She also had sliced orange.  I suspect she may have been low on both carbs and protein, but for now the issue is getting her blood sugar up before she has to get on the bus.  She rechecks, and her blood sugar is up to 112.  I instruct them to give  her some trail mix and send her home.  I also state that we need to look at the orders for treating low blood sugars, because she should be getting 3-4 glucose tabs, not 1. 

Daughter calls from the bus, worried about getting into trouble at home.  I assure her she did what needed to be done. 

She calls from home, sobbing.  The only thing staff is concerned about is that she used up all her test strips.  A low blood sugar wipes her out, emotionally and physically.  She wants to move.  She doesn't feel safe there.  They won't listen to her.  I'm frustrated on a number of levels:

1. The staff at her program hasn't had adequate training.  The nurse scheduled and conducted the training without consulting with me or the dietitian.  Daughter is suffering as a result.
2. It sounds to me like we still have issues with her lunch. 
3. The nurse cut me out of the training, and as a result we have a staff that isn't adequately equipped to handle Daughter's diabetes.
4. The staff at her home seems to be more concerned about counting test strips than helping Daughter feel safe and secure.
5. When she got home after a low blood sugar, she needed hugs and reassurance, not scolding and blaming. 

Yes, I've sent off a couple of emails.  I'm scheduled to be out of town all next week, and at this point I'm very uneasy about leaving.  I desperately need the break, and I'm very concerned about the way the new house is handling Daughter's emotional and health needs.