Disney with T1D – Food, Beverage, and SWAG Boluses

August 4, 20162 Comments

Disneyland with Type 1 Diabetes - SeeJenDance

About three years ago, I wrote a very similar post about navigating the Disney Resort with a broken pancreas. However, times have changed, information was left out, and the post was extremely long. To follow up on this original post, I’m creating shorter series-like posts to reference at different points of trip planning.

Why is this relevant to the non-Disney fan? The Friends for Life Conference is held annually in Orlando, usually on or near Disney property. CWD is also planning a conference at the Disneyland Hotel in September 2016 and May 2017. (And if you are a parent caring for a CWD, definitely check out a Friends for Life conference if you can.) In between sessions and in the evenings would be a fantastic time to check out the Resort.

These posts are Disneyland Resort, California specific, but the tips can apply to visiting the Resort in Orlando as well. (I just live much closer to “Land.”)

Previous Posts: Where to Stay, Packing List Part 1 and Part 2, Traveling Tips, Navigating the Parks, Disability Access Cards.

I have a love/hate relationship with the food at Disney Parks. Food costs aside, this is probably one of the most frustrating aspects of planning a Disney vacation. But, there are ways to enjoy the culinary offerings in the Resort without blowing through a vial of insulin. Here are things to be aware of, plus helpful alternatives.

Disney with T1D - Food, Beverage, and SWAG Boluses

First, what’s a SWAG Bolus? “Scientific Wild Ass Guessing.” A term of endearment I’ve picked up from the DOC, which essentially means carb counting is futile and I just need some form of insulin on board. Correct later.

This is usually how I get by in the Parks because Disney, as accommodating as they try to be to special diets, does not provide Nutrition Information, including carb counts, for their restaurants. Anywhere.

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Whhhhhyyyy are there no carb counts???

This makes it sound like eating at Disneyland is a crapshoot, right? Kind of. In Disneyland, bread is still technically bread, garden salads are still lettuce and other veggies, a cup of fruit is just that. The Mouse does not inject extra carbs in places normally not found just to mess with us. (How’s that for a visual?)

There are two strategies to take: a) Don’t worry about it too much and the excess of carbs and treats will be balanced out by the amount of walking done (because it’s a vacation) or b) go back to basics on learning about estimated portions and be as close to the perceived normal as possible. Keep in mind that this is still a vacation with various routine changes to consider – so the best efforts could still be thwarted. (Sometimes roller coaster BGs just happen.)

There are a few blogs and websites out there to help. Since eating low-carb and gluten-free have become almost diet staples these days, these types of accommodations are readily available.

Here are a few pages I stumbled upon: Eating Low Carb in Disneyworld | Portion Control with Hands | All Ears.Net Type 1 with D (older) | MyFitnessPal (lots of sweets) | Gluten Free Options in DL

Some general advice:

Try not to stress about wild sugar control while here. Obviously, be vigilant about treating lows when they pop up, but it’s easy to let the meal planning overtake the reason we are here – a vacation.
Bring in your own meals/food. Pack sandwiches which have been pre-carb counted. Or…
Eat outside of the Parks. While the Disney food is novelty, there are a ton of chain restaurants (with nutrition information available) on South Harbor and Katella. Escape and go eat… probably for cheaper. Especially if the crowds are insane.
Seek out items you know. Like chicken caesar salads. Or a grilled cheese sandwich. Vegetable Soup. A Turkey leg. There are plenty of recognizable food items available in the Resort that don’t require strange math equations.
Indulge in a treat here and there. I’ll cover a few “bolus-worthy items” below. Things like this keep me sane and remind me that I’m on vacation, even if I’m working hard trying to keep my health in line.
Split/Share meals. Works great with a toddler in tow. I usually finish Bean’s vegetables and take a few bites of her mac n cheese. Then order an entree salad. I’ve also shared with my spouse. Unless ordering specific items from counter service, meals are large enough to feed two.
Check menus beforehand. Menus for all restaurants in the Resort can be found online with a simple Google Search. Here is one example.

Some Resort Favorites for Dining as a PWD

Carnation Cafe (Disneyland) – great comfort food selections, but they also have salads. Breakfast and lunch are great. Make reservations around Parade Time.
Jolly Holiday Cafe (Disneyland) – The Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup combo is my go-to, but they also have salads and other low carb options. (Chicken salad for example.)
Storytellers Cafe (Grand Californian) – They have a great breakfast buffet with several lesser known characters walking around. But, the nice thing about buffets is that I can pick out specifically what I want how much of it. So pile on the eggs and bacon or grab a mini Mickey waffle. Breakfast goers can also show their receipt at the Grand’s California Adventure gate and get early access.
Bengal BBQ (Disneyland) – everything is on a stick! Lots of lower carb & protein-friendly options here. Plus, it’s counter service, so it’s quick and usually not crowded.
Hungry Bear Restaurant (Disneyland) – Salads, wraps, and sandwiches. It has weird hours, so head there for lunch.

*You may notice that there aren’t any California Adventure restaurants listed. I’m sure there are options available, but M and I are so rarely in CA to eat meals, that I don’t really have a favorite. We mostly just get snacks, coffee, or alcohol while there.

Finally, Treats in the Resort that are Totally Bolus-Worthy

Disney with T1D - Food, Beverage, and SWAG Boluses

Dole Whip (Disneyland) – Right by the Tiki Room. Pick the line inside the Tiki Room entrance. Much shorter. Also, it’s essentially Pineapple Fro-Yo served in a portion large enough to share. Yum!
Churros (Various) – These carts are everywhere. Follow the smell. But again, split one. One full churro is quite overwhelming.
Potato Soup at Carnation Cafe (Disneyland) – One of my favorites. It’s a fully loaded, creamy bowl of deliciousness. Which stays with me like a slice of pizza. Adjust accordingly.
Mickey Waffles (Anywhere breakfast is served) – As I mentioned, these can be found in smaller sizes at Storytellers, so they don’t have as great of an impact on sugar levels – so long as not all are consumed. Top with sugar free syrup, readily available pretty much everywhere. (Aside – these apparently have a gluten free option.)
Fried Chicken (Plaza Inn/Disneyland) – Fried chicken is tricky because it’s high protein vs. fried, carby exterior. But this stuff melts in your mouth and satisfies even the pickiest of toddlers.
Gingerbread Beignets (or regular ones work too) – Can really only be found around Holiday time, but they come in a set of three, so easy to share.
Bread Bowls at Pacific Wharf Cafe (CA Adventure) – Being a California native, I know how good Boudin bread is. I encourage others to explore the fabulousness of it – just maybe don’t eat the whole bread bowl.
Mickey shaped, well, anything. ‘Nuff said.

Om nom nom.

So, hungry yet? Did I miss anything? Tell me below in the comments. Enjoy exploring the different culinary options available in the Resort.

This is also the last installation of the Disneyland with T1D Series. Hope to have helped with planning this great trip. Be sure to check out the Friends For Life Conferences either in Anaheim or Florida if the travel dates align.

Disney with T1D – A Word About Disability Access Service Cards

August 1, 20162 Comments

Disneyland with Type 1 Diabetes - SeeJenDance

These posts are Disneyland Resort, California specific, but the tips can apply to visiting the Resort in Orlando as well. (I just live much closer to “Land.”)

Previous Posts: Where to Stay, Packing List Part 1 and Part 2, Traveling Tips, Navigating the Parks.

One Disney Park item I haven’t really explored in great detail is the Disability Access Service program. The major reason for not doing so? Well, honestly, why would I need this – I don’t have any special needs that would require this amenity in the Parks.

I’ve been on enough Disney vacations where my condition has never been a hindrance (*knocks wood*). I have had moments, interruptions, and inconveniences of course. But I am lucky enough to not have diabetes completely mess with plans.

Consider the Disability Access Service Card to be a safety net for an already well thought out plan.

Sample card (from WDW) from the internet. Disneyland Resort logo would be different, obviously.

Some background: In an effort to make the Parks enjoyable for everyone, the DAS cards are available at Guest Services, providing equal access to the amenities, programs, and attractions as needed. Those with mobility, auditory, vision, or cognitive disabilities are frequently used as examples in blogs, news articles and other forms of media to describe this program. The recently revised program involves a short interview with Guest Services and a photo of the individual requesting the card. Disney is not able to ask guests to provide proof of any condition or illness during the interview; only ask what are the requirements the guest needs to make the experience more enjoyable. For example, a child with autism may need a quiet place to stand in line and the ability to leave a line and return at another time.

The card then serves as a Fast Pass-like feature, allowing the guest to not spend time sitting in one queue for long periods of time in a crowded place. Instead, a return time is given at various guest service stations, or the ride itself, and the card holder and family members will ride during their specific time. Click here for a whole lot of information about the program.

This revision apparently serves as a fraud deterrent because the previous program allowed guests to “jump to the front of the line” or ride a ride multiple times without getting off.

Since I have nothing to compare it to, I have no idea if the previous program was better than the current. But, I fully support keeping a program honest and a Fast Pass-like system isn’t a terrible idea. There are a few blogs available via Google Searches, as well as Disney Forums detailing stories of experiences with the new (and old) system.

So why would this benefit people with diabetes at all? I know, for one, I feel guilty using these systems because “I don’t look sick.” I have an invisible illness so I should be able to enjoy these Parks just as my husband would, right?

But then I thought of a few examples:

Borrowed from the internet. Example of a readmission pass.

Queues in the heat. I have talked about how keeping hydrated is very important in the Parks. And while Anaheim doesn’t get extremely hot most of the year, summer season can be surprising. In recent months, Anaheim has topped out around 100 degrees; not fun. Even the best efforts to keep hydrated can be thwarted by a hot day. And if I’m stuck in Peter Pan’s queue in the afternoon, where the average wait is 40 minutes on a good day, I can kiss goodbye to my insulin’s effectiveness. Instead, I could use the pass to “wait” in the shade somewhere, then approach the exit with my party and ride as normal.
Hypoglycemia in lines. Lows can strike at the most inconvenient times. Nothing like having to chomp down on glucose tablets while in line and then feeling the hangover around a ton of people while remaining upright. The DAS cards grants users, and their guests, readmission rights. Or a little sheet of paper that states, “hey, return between these times and jump back in the FastPass line when ready.”
Frequent bathroom trips. Similar to point two – if blood sugars are running higher than normal, most likely, so is the frequency to use the restroom. The readmission cards will also be helpful in these instances since bathrooms are never near the queues.
Access to quiet spaces. I personally like time to decompress after a bad low. But I’m far from the age of being able to sit in the Baby Care Center without a child. (Though, a child with diabetes probably can.) Guest Services should be able to provide a guest with this information and point out any special areas to retreat if I just need a moment.
Access to clean spaces to do site changes. Surely, a crowded restroom with a zillion screaming kids and no counter space is not an ideal place to change an infusion set. Ask Guest Services about Family Restrooms or other suggestions to do this while in the Parks.
Special diets. The Resort restaurants are ready to accommodate a litany of special diets, including dairy free, vegetarianism, gluten free, and no refined sugar. These requests can be made without a DAS card, of course. But for more complicated requirements, allergies, or diets, include this in the conversation with guest services. I will talk about food and beverage in a later post.

These are just a few suggestions of how diabetes can be accommodated with the DAS program. From what I’ve gathered, the interview is more of a “how can we accommodate you best” questionnaire, rather than an interrogation to ensure people aren’t cheating the system. But, in this one instance, diabetes can serve as an advantage to organizing a trip.

I plan to explore this program a bit more when I visit in November. Has anyone used the DAS cards as a T1? Share your experience below.

Disney with T1D – Navigating the Parks

July 31, 20163 Comments

Disneyland with Type 1 Diabetes - SeeJenDance

These posts are Disneyland Resort, California specific, but the tips can apply to visiting the Resort in Orlando as well. (I just live much closer to “Land.”)

Previous Posts: Where to Stay – Ultimate Packing List Part 1 and Part 2 – Traveling Tips

After all of the planning, suitcase triple checking, and traveling, we’ve made it to the Resort. Hooray!

Disney with T1D - Navigating the Parks - SeeJenDance

There are a few blogs available out on Pinterest which offer road maps to the Parks, with a suggested order of rides, Fast Pass collection, and helpful hints to plan the day. This won’t cover any of that. (That’s why those blogs exist.)

Here are the more pertinent details for a PWD in Disneyland.

For reference, let’s look at the maps of each Park.

First and foremost, figure out where all of the bathrooms are. Bathrooms, though not the cleanest, are usually where families will test blood sugars, administer insulin, change sites, etc. Also, if it’s a particularly high day, bathrooms will be visited frequently. Locate them early.
Visit Guest Services upon arrival. Here, a guest disability access services card can be obtained if preferred. More on that in a later post. I personally have never used one before, but it could help PWDs enjoy the Parks a bit more.
Locate the First Aid Station and the Baby Care Center. (Usually located next to each other.) The Disneyland First Aid Station and Baby Care facility are located at the end of Main Street, near the Little Red Wagon corn dog truck. California Adventure’s Baby Care Center is in Pacific Wharf, while the First Aid stand is near the front entrance. I loved having access to the Baby Care station with Bean because it was a nice, quiet air conditioned location to feed or change diapers. These centers can also help with young CWDs who need a quiet place to rest after a bad hypoglycemic reaction. (Pro tip – the nursing rooms in the CA Adventure Baby Care center are private and have rocking chairs.)

Some general tips:

Adjust basal and bolus output as necessary. Sometimes the bright colors and loud music can make me forget I’m walking extremely long distances over a 10 hour period. Especially with long queues. I tend to run a lot lower than normal because of the increased, but steady, activity. While there are many treats available at the ready, a churro every hour to correct dropping blood sugars probably isn’t cost effective. Or efficient.
Take breaks. There are plenty of benches, tables near street shows, and the Enchanted Tiki Room available to sit down and recollect. Or eat something more sustainable. Or rehydrate. Speaking of…
Stay hydrated! While SoCal maintains a fairly consistent whether pattern (always sunny!), there are days, especially now during the summer, where temperatures can hit the upper 90s to low 100s. Sans the obvious heat stroke risk, high blood sugars love dehydration.
Check blood sugars often. I rely a lot on my Dexcom, but I didn’t always have one. On an average Disneyland trip, I can check about 10 times during waking hours. Helps catch hypos I’m not feeling right away.
Bring in food from home. Disney doesn’t have a restriction on bringing in outside food, especially if there are dietary concerns. This option not only saves money, but there isn’t any second guessing (usually) about portion sizes and carb counting. So go ahead, bring a sandwich and grab a table at the counter service locations.
Rent a locker. If space allows, bring a small cooler. Rent a locker at the front gates for the day and pack spare insulin, or spare juice boxes, with ice packs. This is one thing I don’t recommend carrying around the Parks because it either needs to stay on me the entire time, or it becomes a theft risk if I leave it with our stroller. Keep in mind that the lockers aren’t temperature controlled by any means, but this is probably a better place than say, a hot car.

Disney with T1D - Navigating the Parks - SeeJenDance

I’ll speak more about the guest disability access card next. From what I’ve read about the program, it may or may not be useful to PWDs. But since it’s available to us, it’s worth checking out.

Disney with T1 – Traveling: From The TSA to the Grapevine

July 29, 2016July 29, 20165 Comments

Disneyland with Type 1 Diabetes - SeeJenDance

These posts are Disneyland Resort, California specific, but the tips can apply to visiting the Resort in Orlando as well. (I just live much closer to “Land.”)

Previous Post: Where to Stay
Previous Post: The Ultimate Packing List, Part 1 and Part 2

The bags are packed. The hotel is booked. Let’s go to Disneyland. Oh wait, how? And what about all of this diabetes stuff? While this is a Disney-centric series, the travel tips below are pretty general.

Coming from Northern California, I have both road tripped and flown to Orange County. I find flying to be a bit easier, but realize large families can’t always pile onto an airplane without a significant budget line item. I’ll explore both.

Flying

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If this isn’t a cost strain, I’d highly recommend this option. An early morning flight on a weekday dumps me in Orange County with more than half of the day left to play in the parks. It’s not always convenient with diabetes, but I consider this to be a small blip in the grand scheme of things.

Pros (for me personally):

Less travel time – particularly if very little luggage is checked or if flying at an off peak time. (E.G. weekday mornings are VERY busy and require 2-3 hours before the flight takes off.) Most of the time, things go smoothly.

Checking Luggage – my preferred airline, Southwest Airlines, allows up to 2 free checked bags. Great for all of those extras I need to bring. And they have so many sales throughout the year to make the trip more cost effective. They have their faults, of course, but so does every other carrier.

Cons:

Based on the most recent Southwest Airlines news, cancelled flights and major delays can happen. (But so can traffic.)
Dealing with the TSA and Security “protocol” – There are lots of mixed opinions and anecdotes about how diabetes devices and the TSA do or don’t get along. I, for one, will not send my pump through the X-ray anymore, nor will I send my Dexcom through. My sensor can’t go through the scanners most major airports have now. So I requested opt outs and pat downs. This added a lot of travel time.
Also, I had TSA agents who were either really familiar with diabetes devices and others who were not. Some just swabbed my hands; another wanted to swab all of my pocketed devices. (My Dexcom receiver actually set off an alarm once and I required three levels of permission to get to my flight.) I often arrived at the airport wondering what I’d be asked on THIS trip. And I’ve read about other travelers who just send all their devices through and they’ve never had a problem.
- Medtronic and Dexcom both advise NOT to send their devices through X-Ray or Millimeter scanners.
- TSA doesn’t appear to send children under 12 through the scanners. The metal detectors are usually opened for small children, and their families to pass through. (Check the TSA website for more details.)
- TSA Pre-Check is a more expensive means of getting through security, but this method allows me to go through a metal detector only with my devices on my person. No more pat downs. Or removing shoes. Or removing liquids, etc.
Checking luggage and lost luggage: It can happen. This is why most travelers with diabetes will recommend NOT checking any diabetes supplies and bringing along snacks or meals that fit TSA guidelines. (So, probably no Jell-O packets.)

Tips on Flying with Diabetes

If on MDI, carry a copy of the prescription with you. Diabetes is pretty commonplace, so an insulin pen probably shouldn’t be that surprising to find in a purse. If there are full vials of insulin in a carry on, the TSA might question it without a ‘script.
Bring snacks and an empty water bottle. Because airport food is expensive, as is bottled water. Fill the water bottle after Security at a restaurant tap. (Might require a food purchase.) Stay hydrated.
Prime and clear insulin pump tubing after landing. Sometimes air bubbles can form after being in a pressurized cabin for a long period of time. Air bubbles can cause high blood sugars later.
Change all devices to the appropriate time zone upon landing. (Not before.)
Walk around the cabin a few times during the flight if it’s particularly long. Or, schedule a flight with a layover and use that time to walk, stretch, keep the blood flowing, etc.

Road Trip

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Another viable method to Anaheim is the road trip. From Northern California to Anaheim, the trip can take about 6-8 hours, depending on the traffic and time of day. While it’s not my preferred method, it is easier for many people to load up the car and go.

Pros:

Cheaper. Considerably if traveling with a family of four, with children over the age of two. Plus, no luggage fees, TSA struggles, and limited food options.
Flexible. Want to leave at 3 am in order to catch the Rope Drop at Disneyland? Go right ahead. Everyone else can sleep in the car. Need to take a break at the rest stop? Cool. Take one.
Cleaner. (Arguable, if the car is not the cleanest.) But, sharing pressurized air with everyone on an airplane can make me susceptible to colds. Especially since the air is so dry. At least in a car, windows can be opened.

Cons:

Two days are lost due to travel time.
There will always be traffic in Los Angeles. Sometimes it’s tolerable. Most of the time it’s at a stand still. For hours. Nope. The Grapevine is highly unpredictable.
Less flexibility to move around. Unless stopping every hour is okay with everyone.

Tips for traveling by ca

Try to keep all diabetes supplies in the car. Not the trunk or somewhere else inaccessible while on the road. Same goes for snacks and hypoglycemic treatments. Site changes will probably require rest stop breaks.
If the trip is longer than 4 hours, explore using a temp basal to increase insulin during the car ride. Particularly if basals are set low to accommodate a very active lifestyle. Talk this option over with a doctor first.
Get out of the car and stretch as often as possible.
Pack meals and water/drinks in a cooler to avoid strange restaurants with questionable carb counts.

Happy Travels! Next, the first day at Disneyland!

Disney with T1 – The Ultimate Packing List, Part 2

July 25, 2016May 2, 20174 Comments

Disneyland with Type 1 Diabetes - SeeJenDance

These posts are Disneyland Resort, California specific, but the tips can apply to visiting the Resort in Orlando as well. (I just live much closer to “Land.”)

Previous post: Where to Stay

Previous post: TUPL, Part 1

This post contains affiliate links.

I promise this list will be a bit shorter than the items to be brought on the vacation itself. Plus, it’s fairly similar to part one; but there is no reason to carry 10 infusion sets inside. (I mean unless you really want to. But, why?)

Let’s assume the hotel or condo of choice is within walking distance. (I.E. Less than a mile from the entrance.) And that everything is being carried in that awesome bag I said to bring in Part 1. There are other lists available on the internet about other items to bring into the Parks (like toys for kids, cash, sunscreen, ponchos, etc.) If traveling with a PWD, add these items to your stash.

Everything needed for a 12 hour period of diabetes. This includes a meter with test strips, a lancing device, a method to administer insulin for meals, a full pump cartridge and functioning battery, a CGM, if used. I feel like this is common sense, but I’ve also accidentally left home without my meter or a vial of fast acting insulin. It happens. Pack it.
- Aside: try to keep all of these supplies in the same general area of the backpack or purse. Bags are searched upon entry and it’s just easier if stray syringes also accompany the glucose meter. I’ve never had a problem with my supplies being questioned, but who knows.
- Aside 2: If space allows, pack an extra site change for the insulin pump. Usually, if I have a wayward site, I can leave the Park and walk back to the hotel to change it. But if walking back in 10 minutes isn’t an option, keeping one replacement site on hand is necessary.
Something to wipe down sticky hands. This can be baby wipes, anti-bac wipes or gel, or whatever. There will be times where checking glucose levels need to occur far away from a restroom. Since everything in Disneyland sweats sugar, wiping down before a check will greatly assist in keeping everything accurate.
Glucose tablets!

Snacks and Hypoglycemia treatments. I try to keep several in my bag at the top of the morning and then replenish on a midday break. This is also cheaper than purchasing snacks and big bottles of soda from Disney itself. Glucose gels are handy here because they are quick acting and flat – so they can be layered on top of each other with minimal room.
- Aside: Disneyland Resorts allows guests to bring in their own food to the parks, so hiding these items at the bottom of a bag isn’t necessary. Bringing in meals is also an option, but I’ll cover that later.
An extra pair of socks. If a midday break isn’t in the plans, pack an extra pair of socks. Water rides are fun, but sitting around in wet socks is not.
Reusable water bottle. Doesn’t matter if one is brought from home or bought at the souvenir stand. High blood sugars thrive on dehydration. Stave off dehydration and purchasing multiple $3-$4 bottles of water by bringing one from home. (I like Klean Kanteens.) The tap water in the Parks is okay (woo, LA Water) – see if the bottle can be filled with ice first or bring some Crystal Light Pure or True Lemon.

Have anything else to suggest? Comment below.

Disney with T1 – The Ultimate Packing List, Part 1

July 24, 2016April 24, 20175 Comments

Disneyland with Type 1 Diabetes - SeeJenDance

These posts are Disneyland Resort, California specific, but the tips can apply to visiting the Resort in Orlando as well. (I just live much closer to “Land.”)

Previous Post: Where to Stay

What Disneyland planning series would be complete without a packing list? (Which can then be Pinned to a random “Travel” board and subsequently forgotten about? Guilty!)

PWD Packing List for Disneyland - SeeJenDance

Look, I even offer a graphic to Pin!

I’ll start by saying that I began 2016 with a Capsule Wardrobe. Pinterest has lots of Pins touting the ease of traveling by having this teeny tiny wardrobe and visiting Europe for three months using only a carry on bag. WOW!

Realistically, I can fit a week’s worth of clothes in a carry on bag. But I probably need another carry on bag for my diabetes supplies alone. So, draw a big fat line through that fantasy. Double strike through if there is a toddler in tow.

tumblr_n66brffd6f1sewiyco1_400

There are plenty of Disney trip packing lists on the internet to view for essentials, like clothing, shoes, first aid supplies, toys, etc. And while I have dabbled in some fashion advice for seasons, that’s not what this list will be for.

For simplicity, imagine the Disneyland trip is for one week, with 3 days in the Parks themselves. Assume that the day-to-day essentials are already packed. (E.G. A meter, an insulin pump, a vial of insulin.)

Baggallini bags are often recommended.

A bag or purse. Seems obvious, right? I mean, I have to carry my pancreas in my pockets, so that space is full for other essentials, like glucose tablets, my meter, snacks, whatever. Before Bean, I could get through the Parks with one crossbody bag for the day. Now that there is a toddler with us, we have the available space of a backpack/diaper bag. I love things with pockets because the organization is pretty helpful when hypoglycemia strikes. (The glucose is always in the same place.) If it’s a child with diabetes, a small backpack works wonders. (I often wore a fanny pack on family trips. No shame.) The bag should be durable, well made, and something that can get dirty/sit on the ground/thrown on sticky tables, etc. I used a Baggallini cross body bag (similar) on our last trip with Bean.
Two weeks worth of pump supplies, sensors (for pump and CGM users), or syringes (for MDIs). Because while I could only use three sets during a seven-day period, I could have bent cannulas, No Delivery alarms, or just sheer dumb luck. Sometimes throwing a full box of 10 sets in the suitcase is convenient.
Backup supplies. This can be in the form of syringes, an extra vial of insulin, a backup machine, extra batteries. At least enough to either finish the vacation or allow time for a courtesy prescription to be ordered and received.
Glucagon kit. I will admit I’m terrible at toting this thing around. I almost never bring it with me because, while I keep an active prescription around, I haven’t needed one in a long time. (*knocks wood*) That said, it was used a lot when I was newly diagnosed, mostly because as a child, I didn’t understand my hypoglycemic symptoms. So, if packing for a CWD, include the glucagon kit. Better safe than sorry. Non-medical advice: My mom got by with putting glucose and cake frosting gels under my tongue most of the time. YDMV.
Other hypoglycemic treatments. My personal favorites for the park include fruit snacks, glucose tablets (bring the whole bottle), glucose gels (if you can find them). Skittles, Sweet Tarts, Smarties, and Jelly Beans are also portable options that can be stuck in old test strip containers. I also keep juice boxes in my hotel room for overnight lows.
Snacks! Disney Park food is expensive and not necessarily the quickest. I keep granola bars (sans chocolate, because it melts) with me because those are small, lightweight, and I can stick several in my bag without them getting smushed. (I avoid cereal bars if I can because they explode.) Bonus if they have some sort of protein in them. Great for chowing down in line or on the way to the Parks themselves.
Ketone sticks. Besides the obvious reason to have on hand (testing for ketones and possible DKA), these are handy for checking if a soda is actually diet.
Doctor’s Contact Information and Medical Information. Most of this stuff should, in theory, be available in cell phone contact lists and the internet. But, in the heat of an emergency? Have this stuff saved in a screenshot in Photos or in a Note. (Or the Android equivalent.) Bring insurance cards.
Put DOWN the Minnie shoes.

Comfy shoes and SOCKS. I’m all about comfort, especially in the Parks. I’ve racked up anywhere between 6 and 10 miles during one day. Plus, standing in line for long periods of time does a number on my feet. Since feet are a big deal for PWDs, take care of them. Now is not the time to break in those new flip flops. It won’t end well. I’ve shamelessly walked around in Crocs ballet flats or TOMS for a weekend in the parks.
Medic Alert bracelet. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to bring this, but I’ve only really started wearing a bracelet religiously in the last five years. So, maybe it is. They don’t have to be ugly or clunky. There are plenty of fun ones on Etsy or through Lauren’s Hope. But, in a huge public theme park like this, this is a must have. Make sure it includes the type, a name, a phone number for a parent if it’s a child’s bracelet, and whatever else that can fit. EMTs will look at the wrists and neck first for medical information if someone is unresponsive.

See that wasn’t so overwhelming. (I know, my suitcase is generally full at this point too.) Next, I’ll talk about what to actually bring into the Parks.

genie-packing-suitcase-85287

Do you travel a bunch as a PWD? Do you have any suggestions to add?

Disney with T1D – Series Post

July 23, 201610 Comments

About three years ago, I wrote a very similar post about navigating the Disneyland Resort with diabetes. However, times have changed, information was left out, and the post was extremely long. To follow up on this original post, I’m creating shorter series-like posts to reference at different points of trip planning.

These posts are Disneyland Resort, California specific, but the tips can apply to visiting the Resort in Orlando as well. (I just live much closer to “Land.”)

First things, first.

Who are you?

Maybe an adult with diabetes, like myself; or maybe a parent of a child with diabetes about to embark on the first major family vacation post-diagnosis. (**waves** Welcome to the party!) If the latter, planning a vacation like this can take months, especially if Disney is new territory. Plus, there are lots of extra unique pieces to consider, like what can my child eat, where the nearest pharmacy is, can food be brought into the parks, etc.

So the date has been set. The time off work has been requested. Now what? Just book the hotel and wait? Consider the following as a family traveling with diabetes.

Where To Stay

Not mine. “Borrowed from the internet.”

Many Disney enthusiasts will encourage staying “on property,” or at one of the three resorts at Disneyland. (Paradise Pier, Disneyland Hotel, and Grand Californian.) These hotels allow for quick, and early, entrance into the parks, plus the proximity to the parks can’t be beat. For medical conditions, they offer complimentary fridge rentals to keep spare bottles of insulin or juice boxes cold. But – they are usually pretty pricey per night and don’t usually have an included continental breakfast.

My alternative locations are nearby “Good Neighbor” hotels on South Harbor, which range anywhere from a Best Western Park Place Inn (fridge, microwave, free breakfast, steps from the entrance) to the Sheraton Park at the Anaheim Resort (near CVS pharmacy and GardenWalk Anaheim).

If there are several travelers, there are many vacation rental condos through VRBO or AirBNB in the area. These typically have a full kitchen (cook carb-countable meals!) and multiple rooms. Usually for the price of a higher end hotel or a suite. They aren’t always cheaper than a nearby hotel, nor are they super close, but the money saved making meals in-house is worth it. This is what we’ll be using in November.

Proximity to the Resort can mean the difference between carrying in loads of spare supplies into the Parks, or quickly leaving and returning before a botched infusion set becomes dangerous. I always advise staying somewhere within walking distance, if possible.

What’s Nearby

Anaheim-Resort-Map.mediumthumb

While staying close to the Resort is important, so is proximity to key emergency-type services. At the very least, locating the nearest pharmacy is important. Within the last year, a new CVS network pharmacy opened on South Harbor a few blocks from the Parks. It’s open 24 hours. There are also several WalMart and CVS pharmacies drivable from South Harbor.

Further down South Harbor are a Walgreens and a Target. The Target will have glucose tablets, juice boxes, and portable snacks in a pinch.

There are also several convenience and souvenir shops along South Harbor and Katella that sell snacks, waters, candy, sunscreen, and so forth if something didn’t quite make it into the suitcase.

In the rare chance that an emergency room would be needed, Anaheim Regional Medical Center is about 5 miles from the Resort.

Luckily, I’ve never needed emergency services while on a Disneyland vacation. But, I have begun traveling to a destination, only realizing too late that I had two test strips left for a three day business trip. I ended up purchasing a vial of strips with cash, thus skipping a call to my doctor for an emergency prescription sent to a random pharmacy.

Point is, know what is nearby ahead of time and if a prescription can be ordered as a courtesy. (Or can out-of-network refills be reimbursed upon return.)

So, the place to sleep has been set. What now?

Thankful for: Temp Basals

November 25, 2013February 22, 2016Leave a comment

It’s Thanksgiving Week and I figured I’d throw out a few “thankful for” posts, as that seems to be a trendy thing to do this month.

Anyway – I’ve been MIA for the last few days because the hubs and I decided to go see Disneyland all decked out for Christmas. YAY! We had a very ~~expensive~~ enjoyable weekend to ourselves while admiring how The Mouse does itself up for the holidays.

It does quite nicely actually.

My blood sugars were tricky, in that you are generally surrounded by not-all-that-healthy food choices but you are active for up to 8 hours per day.

This is generally what I saw an hour to two hours after a meal. (That high trend was me skipping breakfast and getting on an airplane at 8 am.) So – a bit scary to see that slight downward trend with 5-6 active units left in your system and no typical post meal spike present. (I think I might have had one high alarm the entire trip.)

So I used the temp basal setting on my pump a lot this weekend. It didn’t always work and I still hung out in the 60s and 70s. But – it saved me from a lot of grief during some of my middle of the night alarms. (Because, exercise can effect BGs long after the day is done, y’know.)

On the flipside, I got to enjoy a Dole Whip, half a churro, and gingerbread bengiets without any spikes in the sugar. (Or insulin for that matter!)

Oh and this:

Certainly not a Disney breakfast without one of these. YUM!

Disney with Diabetes

July 15, 2013July 11, 20168 Comments

CA Adventure after World of Color (c) seejendance

Okay – time for a helpful post rather than a “this is Jen’s personal journal to the world” post. Plus, I have some time to kill at work before I head home for more classes, practices and more all-out torture to my being before IGB hits me.

My hubs and I are big Disney Park fans. There – if you hate Disney, you can stop reading now. But if you are still with me, the pair of us somehow have made an annual trip down since before we got married. We honeymooned in Walt Disney World and visited again for our third anniversary. (We had a big year, health-wise too, so it was justifiable.) We’ve gone with friends, ourselves, on roadtrips, in giant fangroups… you get the idea. But I wouldn’t consider us fantatics. We don’t have a room in our home dedicated to creepy Disneyania, nor do we do the matching clothing thing as a couple (intentionally), nor do we spend every last bit of savings trying to throw a trip together. Usually when we go, it’s by the cheapest means possible. Ideally, in tandem with a work trip nearby, getting discount tickets, pulling a favor with someone in the industry, or scouring rates for the best possible roach motel on the South Harbor Strip.

We’ve decided to maybe splurge a bit and head down to the California resort for Holiday at Disney since this may be the last possible time we can without a munchkin in tow. (Knocks wood.) In honor of me throwing down a down payment for our stay at one of the more spendy resorts (because that’s what it freakin’ felt like!) because, again, we’ve never done that at the CA resort before, here is my advice for taking on the parks as a PWD. (You can also sub in Disney resorts for any theme park or vacation spot if you so choose. Disney is just what I know and have the most experience with.)

As with anything on this blog, my broken pancreas is mine and mine only. YDMV.

Packing and getting to the Resort:

Kitty wants to go too (c) seejendance

1) I’m sure most PWDs will agree that packing for a short trip means packing enough supplies for a zombie apocalypse. For a weekend trip, I usually pack a box of everything: strips, infusion sets, and reservoirs. I’m sure I’ll probably just pack an extra sensor now that I have a CGM because it’s not life or death if I have to go without. But everything else? Well – yeah, the extra storage space in my suitcase would be nice, but so is not having to take a trip to the nearest pharmacy on vacation.

1a) What about insulin? For short trips, I don’t really bring a back up bottle. I know, I know. I really should. But I find that it’s more hassle (and slightly riskier) to expose a brand new bottle of insulin to seven million different temps while traveling. Usually, I’m safer with a bottle that is ¾ of the way full and already exposed to most elements. If something goes completely wrong, a pharmacy isn’t far.

2) On most trips, we fly to the Resort. With the CGM, I’ll be opting for a pat down from now on, so allow extra time for that if you are in the same boat. I generally check EVERYTHING sans a few essentials for the plane ride because I don’t want to be THAT person who tries to load everything into the overhead bin. And it makes security less awkward. However, my flights to SoCal are no more than 2 hours long, so it’s never a big deal to check things. For more extended flights, I’ll take a backup set change and supplies. I always pack snacks – generally ones that don’t melt or are super complicated to eat quickly. For long flights, a quick meal at a local sandwich shop will work just fine for dinner, et. al. Glucose tabs are my choice low treatment. I will also buy a coffee or something before takeoff, so getting a cup of water to go is never a big deal. (And neither is getting it on the plane.) From there, I plug in my (airplane mode enabled) cell phone and wait to land.

At the Resort:

The centerpiece of Disneyland (IMO) (c) seejendance

1) We’ve lucked out with a couple of free upgrades to suites or have just stayed in places where fridges were an included amenity. I mean, it is an area geared toward families, so the desire to keep things cold is more of a necessity than say, in San Francisco. If I’ve brought extra insulin with me, it goes in there, far away from the icy freezer. When I was a kid, my parents would often shop for small juice and milk cartons for my snacks and kept them there. I don’t do that much as an adult, but the fridges are handy if the mood strikes (and for keeping leftovers).

2) Not necessarily for Disney trips only, but I find myself packing my own breakfasts when I travel. Especially now that I have a very specific routine in the morning that involves one Trader Joe’s Crumpet and some Almond Butter. This meal keeps the 2 hour post prandial under 180 on most days so it’s become my breakfast of choice. If I can’t get a crumpet, it’s an English muffin or half a bagel. Sometimes, we’ll get a free continental breakfast with the hotel and other times we’ll treat ourselves to something in the Parks or at a nearby restaurant. I’ve found that breakfast is a killer spot to avoid extra expenditures at the Resort, so I might as well save some money and my blood sugars by bringing my own stuff.

2a) On that note, it is easy to overdo the “bring your own food” thing. In planning our honeymoon, I actually shipped a BOX of supplies and non-perishables to our resort hotel because it was cheaper than trying to check it all. I really wanted to save money and thought we’d be living on microwave mac n’ cheese on our trip. (HA!) We ended up not eating most of it because we were barely in our room and had to throw a lot of it away. So if you do bring your own food supply, be realistic about it. Snacks, emergencies, and breakfasts – yes. Everything else? You’ll be too busy/tired to want to try everything else.

In the Parks:

Magic Kingdom fireworks (c) seejendance

1) I’ve never had much of an issue toting supplies into the parks. But every so often, you get the cast member who is one minute from pulling you aside and asking you to dump the contents of your bags. I usually avoid this by trying to pack as little as possible. WHAT? Yup! I try to go into the Parks with nothing but the essentials in a small shoulder bag. My parents used to tote everything around for me in a huge backpack, but this is when meters were the size of an iPad mini and I needed five insulins in tow to keep things normal. The only things I go into the park with now are:

– My meter and coordinating supplies
– A roll of glucose tabs and whatever else I can fit to treat lows
– A couple snacks
– My ID and ATM card and minimal cash
– My room key
– My cell phone
– Toiletries: anti-bac, chapstick, Kleenex, handi-wipes, travel sunscreen

That’s it! My reasons are that 1) if you have to walk an average of 6 miles in a day, do you WANT all of that on your back? 2) 6 miles requires breaks and naps, so I’m never without a chance to refill for more than 4 hours and 3) those ride pockets for your personal affects are NOT large enough to hold a back pack. Big Thunder Mountain doesn’t even have a seat pocket to store things.

2) As mentioned, the average person can walk up to 6 miles in those parks. Or if you are waiting in line all day, it could feel like it. That said, my blood sugars often take a tumble during multiple points of the day. Because the parks are so distracting, it’s easy to miss symptoms. So test, and test often.

Om… nom… owwwwww…. (c) seejendance

2a) If you find yourself testing in a public space or in line, make sure your hands are clean! And I mean CLEAN. I swear those queue railings sweat sweetness from the amount of grubby hands that have touched them. Sugary hands can mean the difference between a 62 blood sugar and a 262 blood sugar. So those handi-wipes or anti-bac wipes are important.

3) Stay hydrated and cool. If you are visiting either Resort in the summer, ~~you are fuckin’ crazy~~ you need to remember this key point. Hydration is important to keep ketones away and if your sugars are trending higher because of all the sugary goodness, you’ll need the clear liquids to keep things flushed out, otherwise you’ll end up being nauseous all afternoon. Plus – refilling a water bottle in the parks is cheaper than buying 10 souvenir cups. If you are using a pump – from personal experience in high heat/humidity conditions, I’ve never really had an issue with insulin breaking down. Perhaps because we were always moving and my sugars always trended lower, so we didn’t notice it much. We also took breaks and sought refuge in air-conditioned attractions.

4) Eating is always a bit of an experiment in the parks. Lots of new things to try and enjoy because it’s vacation! Since carb counting isn’t something I can just take a vacation from, I stick to the foods I know and it ends up being cheaper and better for everyone. I’m not going to say that I opt for the Fruit Stand on Main Street instead of the Dreyer’s Ice Cream Shop, because I don’t. I do avoid very starchy meals (bread bowls, rice, pizza, potato anything) and stick to things with more protein or a carb source I know from home. (Hot dogs are pretty easy and standard.) My husband and I sometimes will share a snack if I’m trending lower. (Like the beignets in New Orleans Square.) For stuff like that, I have to consider my daily average, how much activity I did or will be doing and what my plans for eating a “normal” meal are. I am still technically on vacation. Also – most restaurants in the Resort will have some low carb option (because, it’s a “thing” now days) and I’ve never run into an issue asking for sugar free syrup while out for breakfast.

Why would anything Mickey shaped be bad for you? (c) seejendance

Tah-dah! There, that’s not so bad right? I congratulate you if you’ve made it through this entire post. (It was kind of a doozy, but important!) If you are planning to visit Mickey and Co., it’s totally doable as a PWD. And if there are bumps in the trip, bolus and move on.

Epcot Food and Wine Fest! (c) seejendance

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Tag: disney

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Thankful for: Temp Basals

Disney with Diabetes