Shouldn't They Already Be Aware?

The per diem doc who was in our pediatrician's office on Halloween when we stopped by for a flu shot (trick or treat?) asked my daughter if she'd eat candy that night or just hand it out.  "I'll eat some," she replied enthusiastically. 

"Oh- so you'll cheat," he replied.

"Well, not really," she mustered, looking surprised.  "I'll bolus for it."

"With the pump, it's pretty easy to enjoy the treats," I added, wondering if I'd somehow stepped back in time 20 years.

"O.k.," he said skeptically as he headed off to the next examining room.

We've encountered dreadfully unaware medical professionals more times than I'd like to count.  There was the nurse at the children's hospital's same day medical center who, when we arrived at 8:30 a.m. for the procedure, asked if we'd checked my daughter's blood sugar in the past 24 hours.  There was the lab technician who had access to my child's diagnosis and yet reassured her that once the blood was drawn she probably wouldn't have to deal with a needle again for years.  And the pharmacist with whom I had a lengthy conversation about "keystone test strips" (only available in Pennsylvania?) and why any child could possibly need them- because children don't have diabetes.

Finding the words to explain diabetes is often difficult.  We've found it even more difficult when the lack of awareness comes from medical professionals who really should know better.  But find the words we do, so that hopefully the next kid who shows up at the lab center won't have to.