Left, Left, Left, Right, Left.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 8:00AM
Arden's right hand knows a secret that her left hand doesn't, but it wants to tell...
I know that there are days when you worry about your child's ability to adapt and grow with type I diabetes - I worry too. That's why I loved it when Arden came to me recently for help becasue she couldn't figure out how to test the fingers on her right hand. Arden is right-handed and the other day she came to me and said that she knows she needs to vary the fingers that she uses for testing more frequently. The problem with that... she can't seem to hold the lance properly with her left hand.
This was maybe some of the best news that I heard all summer, here's why. First, it means that she really does hear the conversations about site rotation and she understands them. Second, she hit a speed bump and wasn't afraid, embarrassed or nervous to ask for help. Last of course, she is taking ownership of her diabetes, slowly, as she is prepared to do so. Diabetes on her terms, I love it!
The rest of the tale isn't as story book. I too wasn't able to hold the lance properly left-handed and after two tries she, a bit annoyed, took it from me and then proceeded to similarly fail at the task. So while the core issue was left unresolved, all that the issue shed light on is now out in the open and cause for celebration. That celebration only resides however, in my head and on this blog, two places where Arden doesn't have access. I did tell her that I was proud that she was thinking about rotating and we spoke for a few minutes about the fact that it would take some practice to use her left hand for the task, but I didn't make a big deal about it, not to her. I am however, celebrating in my head. This was a great moment and a clear sign of maturity and understanding.
Arden, BGnow, MultiClix, Transparency in Daddy's Blog
Reader Comments (5)
Maybe let her practice using a pen left-handed as well. I can poke my fingers on either hand, but I'm also ambidextrous, so it's like second nature to me. Maybe the more comfortable she is with holding things like pens, crayons, finger-pokers with her left hand, the more comfortable she'll be with it and it'll be come just second nature. :) Good luck!
I'm pretty ambidextrous too, but I will give this one bit of advice: Let the lancet balance on the finger on your right hand before you click it. That will give you a chance to get your left hand comfortable.
Otherwise, great post. We learn by experience, and yours seems to be learning faster than most.
Great tips guys, thank you! Passing them on to Arden today. Best,
I´m not sure which lancet Arden use, however I´ve experienced that the smaller the lancet the easier it is to maneuver the lancet using the left hand.... Good luck
ps. the small "flat"/squashed one from Bayer (bayer contour) works well for me...
I am not ambidextrous at all, but testing with my non dominant hand has become second nature. I would take the actual needle out so she can practice the technique over and over without pricking herself! My CDE had me do that when I was first diagnosed. Love her initiative!!