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Permalink Reply by Dawn Swidorski on October 19, 2011 at 10:46am

Hi Cathy:
Here's a link to a ton of info including what you need to pack medication wise...

http://www.defeatdiabetes.org/about_diabetes/text.asp?id=Travel_Tips

Hope it helps

Dawn

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Permalink Reply by RissaMae83 on October 19, 2011 at 7:56pm

Hi Cathy -- I actually know what you'll be going through!!

I travel a lot so, I usually bring my diabetes bag -- which includes:

glucometer
strips
lancets
needles for insulin pens
extra alcohol pads
glucose tabs
extra batteries
4 insulin pens
etc..

I also make sure that my bag has medical alert information.. oh, and I wear a medical id bracelet (my husband's really paranoid that something might happen to me when I am traveling for work -- and I love him for that).

Now to tackle all of eating out, when I order a meal, I let the server know that I want half served and the other half wrapped up -- just so that I don't overload my carbs for that particular meal. If that doesn't work out for you, you can always ask if there is a way the chef can give you smaller portions. I also ask the server if they have a nutritional menu, which lists out the nutritional value of a particular meal (most restaurants have this)... and when none of these are an option, I look at an app that I have downloaded on my phone called Calorie King. It has thousands of restaurants listed on there where you can see what the carb value is for a meal at that restaurant -- seriously, Calorie King is my savior at most times when traveling and I have yet to find a restaurant that I haven't found in the app (there's also a mini book out if you want to purchase that instead).

As far as bad schedules, I try to make sure that doesn't happen -- I know that if I throw off my schedule, then I will be riding the whole diabetes roller coaster with bg readings plummeting and then ascending.. this usually takes me 72 hours to correct!!

I have my phone attached to me at all times, so I set an alarm/vibrate to that to remind me that I need to stick to my schedule, test, and take medication. Now, having a phone with you at all times will probably be difficult since you will be participating in your son's wedding. During my wedding (2 years ago), my mother had hired a tailor to sew in a small pocket into the front left breast of my wedding undergarments -- the bra -- (she did an excellent job bc it didn't look like I had a phone with me the entire day - and mind you, my wedding gown & bra was strapless) -- we set my phone to vibrate and I was able to stick to my diabetes schedule, as well as my wedding activities.

My husband and I once went to a wedding where the groom was diabetic, the bride worked with the dj to play "special" songs at certain times during the reception to remind the groom to test and take his insulin -- the dj played music from the groom's top 10 songs played most from his iPod. At another wedding my husband and I went to, the bride's grandmother was diabetic -- the bride's wedding planner arranged the serving staff to pay attention to her grandmother the entire night -- I would say she got the best service, besides the service the bride & groom experienced, and loved the special VIP attention.

So I hope some or at least one of these ideas will help you...
Good luck, congratulations to a wonderful and happy moment for your family, and enjoy yourself!

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Permalink Reply by Alan S on October 19, 2011 at 8:07pm

I wrote this to help in exactly your situation: Travelling With Type 2

I'm sure you'll have some questions after reading it, come back and ask :)

 

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia
Everything in Moderation - Except laughter

 

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Permalink Reply by Gerri on October 20, 2011 at 12:13am

Restaurant meals can play havoc. I stay with the basics when eating out. Protein & low carb veggies, with all sauces on the side. Amazing how many carbs can be in sauces & dressings when flour & corn starch are used as thickeners. I don't hesitate to tell waiters I'm diabetic & ask about ingredients. I make sure to eat enough protein & good fats to avoid hunger & not be lured to carbs.

Have fun!

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