A Conversation With A Power Puff Girl~

Power Puff Chicks on the beach!

OK, True story: I was at the beach this weekend, hanging with my friends and their army of children, and having a grand old time. The waves were intense thanks to Tropical Storm Colin - which was somewhere way off the coast. The water was warmer than it had been in weeks, and yours truly had a blast swimming, body surfing, and throwing a gaggle of 4, 5, & 7 year olds into the waves.

When I first got to the beach, I sat in my chair and talked with my friends - like a grown up. But after like 20 minutes I couldn't stand it anymore, I went down to the water, because I couldn't resist its spell any longer. I wasn't dissapointed - the temperature was perfecto!

And as I stood there watching the ocean, out from the waves (and like something straight out of The Little Mermaid",)walked my friend's little girl. A fantastical 7 year old who will be referred to as "Power Puff Girl" for the rest of this post. Running towards me she shouted: YAYYYY, you’re here!! I was going to get out, but now that you’re here, I’m staying in!

Me: Actually “Gorgeous” I was just testing the water; I need to go back and take my insulin pump off before I can go in - I can't get it wet. Come back to the chairs so I can put my pump in my cooler.

She grabbed my had tight and we started walking.

She pointed to my pump and looked up at me.

Power Puff Girl: Why do always wear that Kel?

Me: Well I have a disease called diabetes. Basically, there's this thing in my stomach called a pancreas - well actually, everybody has a pancreas. But there's this little part of the pancreas called the Islet of Langerhans that makes insulin, which turns food into energy. I can’t turn food into energy because the Islet of langerhan part of my pancreas doesn't work- like at all.

So I need to wear this insulin pump filled with medicine that does what my body can't. Guess what the medicine is called?

Power Puff Girl: INSULIN!

Me: Your totally right! Are you sure your only 7?

Power Puff Girl: Yes I am – but EVERYBODY thinks I’m older.

Me: I can totally see that- your very smart- plus you look like your 8, maybe even 8 and a half.

Anyway, before I wore this pump, I had take lots of shots, every single day- even on vacation and Christmas. I also had to eat at certain times, and I wasn’t allowed to eat any treats because then that was the diabetes rule way back then.

And when I was a bit older than you – I had to start giving myself shots every day.

Sidebar: Power Puff Girl's eyes got really big when I said that.

Now I just plug in the pump to this band-aid thingy called an infusion set/site - and no shots for two or 3 days! And guess what dude? I can pretty much eat whatever I want- as long as long as I eat healthy most of the time.

Power Puff Girl: Me too! I mean I eat healthy most of the time- but I’m allowed treats. And Kel, I'm totally addicted to ice cream!

Me: Me too!

Power Puff Girl: Does it need a charger?

Me: The ice cream? No, you just keep it in the freezer.

Power Puff Girl: NO- the pump Kel!!!!

Me: Oh, OK. No, it just needs a new battery every now and then.

Power Puff Girl: THAT INSULIN PUMP IS AN AMAZING THING KEL!!

Me: I KNOW - it's totally cool.

Power Puff Girl waited patiently (and watched intently) as I unhooked my pump, put it in a case, place said case in a ziplock freezer bag, and tucked it in my cooler, nestled between my iphone and ice pack.

As soon as I closed the cooler, Powder Puff Girl grabbed my hand with both of hers and we started walking towards the ocean.

Power Puff Girl: Kel, I am SO HAPPY that you have an insulin pump – I really am.

Me: So am I girly girl, so am I.

Now come on, LET’S GO SWIMMING!!!

And that's exactly what we did. And a fantastical time was had by all~

;)