We are planning a trip to Disney this July 2011

[admin]

Question from a parent:

We are planning a trip to Disney this July. My daughter will be 13 yrs old then. She was diagnosed 7/27/10 so we are still learning a lot of things. She started on the pump 12/10. I am concerned about the heat in Florida in July affecting her insulin. Should the heat be a factor for her insulin? She is also wanting to go to to Blizzard Beach water park. How long is it safe for her to be disconnected from her pump before an alternate treatment is needed? She plays travel soccer & travel softball. We do disconnect while playing for about an hour with no problems. Thank you for any advice you can give.

[rradams]

How exciting!!  I am always so glad to hear when T1s are on the pump.  It can make life so much easier.  I spoke extensively with my husband about the water park, since he is also on the pump.  As far as how long she can go off of it is a question you need to discuss with your pump therapist.  Everyone's basal amount and timing is different - so that is not something that I can cover. 

If you have someone in your group that is not riding the rides could hold onto the pump for you.  It would be safe in someone's purse or backpack, but they would have to be careful not to leave the bag/pack sitting in the sun.  If you don't have that extra person, it should be safe in a locker.  My husband mentioned that you may be able to go to first aide and they might be willing to hold on to it for you - in there it would be kept in the air conditioning. 

I did a water park 2 years ago and I was constantly running back and forth to our locker to check his blood and give him whatever insulin he needed.  No metter what park you are at, you are constantly watching the blood sugar and the affects that adrenaline can have on it.  Adrenaline can either drop the blood sugar or spike it.  It takes constant monitoring to make sure that stays pretty level.