The Water Beast.
Hi folks! After the most intense week of work EVER, I was so glad to arrive home to San Diego on Friday night. And I was even more glad when on Saturday morning, I saw a clear sky and nothing but sunshine. My boyfriend and I quickly decided that it would be a beach day, and we rounded up our buddies to head down to the shore for a little beach volleyball. Yes, I am aware that this is an utterly ridiculous and spoiled thing to be saying in February when some places are literally buried in snow, but all I can say is…come out for a visit? You might stay?
I’ve got the beach thing with diabetes down pat: I throw my meter and test strips to the bottom of my beach bag to protect them from the sun, and I don’t take any bottles of insulin or pens with me - those stay at home or in the car (parked in the shade). I don’t need any extra insulin with me if I’m pumping. Sometimes, I plan ahead for the beach and affix my pump to the spot affectionately called “the butt shelf” (the top of your bum where a cheek starts) because my bathing suit will cover that spot. But for impromptu trips like Saturday, I just rock out with my pump out. When I’m among friends, it’s a non-issue and I don’t tend to worry about it much. Basically, beach trips aren’t a huge production for me these days, since I’ve got a system.
Well, at least the part on the sand isn’t an issue for me. I grew up in San Diego and (get ready for obnoxious comment number two) my sisters and I spent summers at surf camp at the beach, spending hours on end in the Pacific ocean. Looking back, I truly feel the beauty of my childhood ignorance. Even after I was diagnosed with diabetes, I still spent just as much time at the beach and in the water. I was on injections through my teens, and to be honest, didn’t really worry about my blood sugars while in the water too much. Yes, my parents made me test before I left to go out surfing but other than that, I didn’t sweat it. I recall a few lows while out in the water, and I just swam back in and ate something at the camp site. How nice to be so blissfully unaware, huh?
Now though, as an adult, I’ve realized I’ve developed a little water + diabetes phobia. Although we go to the beach a lot, I rarely get in the ocean unless it’s for a cool down splash. But, I’ve been determined to get back in to surfing while my boyfriend and I have the luxury of living a block from the beach. And he thoughtfully gave me a beginner’s board for my birthday this year.
I’ve realized my trepidation about being in the water is that I’m in so much more control of my diabetes now, I have the sense to actually worry about it. I like having my CGM and knowing my blood sugar all the time. I can certainly carry GU packs in a wetsuit, but I’m concerned I won’t know how a low feels in the water with all the crashing of waves and heavy physical activity that surfing requires. I’ve just got….a funny feeling and aversion to it, but I’m determined to find a way to do this that makes me feel safe.
One thing I’m going to try is bringing my CGM along with me. A friend of mine who surfs twice a day, and is also fairly hypo unaware puts his CGM in two sealed plastic baggies, then tucks it on his chest inside his wetsuit with the alerts set to vibrate. That way, when he goes low, he still gets the alert. My boyfriend also thoughtfully gave me a waterproof camera pouch for Christmas, so I’m going to try that contraption out too.
I don’t know what it is about the water that’s giving me anxiety. I need to remind myself that I was worried about running a half marathon, but I found a way to safely do that. And a way to safely study abroad in college. And how to travel in third-world Honduras without any refrigeration and 100 degree-plus temps. I know I can get back in the water again too, I just have to find out how to do it so I’m comfortable and in control of the big D. Just like everything in our diabetes lives, right?
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Comments
That’s a really good idea! If I get out and test a few times and check my CGM, it will make me feel like I”m more in control and really understanding what’s going on. Excellent idea! And yes, good call on the bigger breakfast - I like that.
I’d love to hear some tips for keeping your infusion set dry or at least not soggy so that it will last longer than the day after getting in the water. I rarely get in the water myself because I know that once I do, my infusion site will have problems staying stuck on my body. I just don’t like poking myself more times than I have to!
Earmani that’s a good question - I’m going to see what works and I wll post about it - I actually don’t know if they will stay on!
Hi,
You made me think of all the things that make me nervous now with diabetes. One of the main ones is doing anything for the first time because I don’t know how I will react-taking a Zumba class, going on an impromptu bike ride, etc.
Regarding surfing, one thing you could do is to plan check ins the first few times you go surfing…say every 30 minutes, get out of the water and check on yourself. How are you feeling? Is the CGM working? Then, you can get an idea of how your body is responding to surfing.
You may also want to start the first day surfing after eating a slightly bigger breakfast and go into the water with a slightly higher blood sugar than normal to be safe.
Good luck, and post some shots catching some waves. It will be inspiring.