I miss diabetes camp.
I just got back from diabetes camp yesterday afternoon. Here's the blow by blow:
I arrived at Camp Winona on wednesday afternoon. Upon seeing the sign, I couldn't help but think of that old Nickelodeon show "Salute Your Shorts." We had orientation the first few days. Essentially, we were bombarded with information, and led to believe that all of our children were going to be seizing or lapsing into a diabetic coma every night at a moment's notice. We also spent those three days injecting ourselves with saline solution (I used my stomach, my left arm, and my right thigh for the shots, and my stomach to practice inserting the insulin pump catheter). The camp's philosophy was that if we are able to inject ourselves, we won't be afraid to inject the kids. It honestly wasn't that bad, and did help build my confidence. The cabins were...difficult to adjust to. I've seen and slept with enough banana spiders, cicadas, beatles, palmetto bugs, cockroaches, gnats, frogs, hornets, and mosquitoes to last me a lifetime. I had never shared a shower with a snake before.
I got to meet some really wonderful people at camp. I think it was the first time I've ever been around such dedicated people. And I made some awesome friends. :-)
UF people aren't that bad after all.
Saturday morning the kids arrived, and thus began one of the greatest weeks of my life. Not only was I the most active I think I've ever been (I lost six pounds, and gained an appreciation for getting off my ass and being active - once school starts I'm hitting the gym as often as I can and getting a personal trainer), but I got unparalleled clinical experience. According to the medical staff, once camp let out, all of us counselors would know more about type 1 diabetes mellitus than most doctors. I thought this dubious at first, but I soon began to see the truth in these words as the week progressed.
And I absolutely fell in love with my kids. I had the cabin with the oldest boys in it (11 and 12), Panther. Not only did I serve as their counselor, their doctor (of sorts), and their therapist (in a sense), but I also felt like their daddy. They taught me so much about life, and I will be forever grateful to them. I now know to be more appreciative of how blessed I am. I loved playing guitar and singing for them. I sung Jim Croce's "Photographs and Memories", The Eagles' "Peaceful, Easy Feeling" and Cat Stevens' "The Wind." It made my day when Ian told me that I sounded like a completely different person when I sang and played guitar: "John, you sound like an angel. You should sing that "Memories" song to a girl you like!"
Thank you AJ, D'Aaron, Ian, Alex, Dustin, Ryan and Spencer. I will miss you guys terribly...but I will see you all next year. Nick and Kelvin, it was awesome having you guys as my co-counselors. PANTHERS RULE!
Yesterday as I was saying my goodbyes to all of the people I'd met, one of the counselors of Osprey cabin, Dr. Theresa (a 3rd year pediatric resident) told me that she could definitely see me going into pediatrics. That made my day.
I love children so much. I really do think pediatrics is the way to go.
What a beautiful, beautiful experience that was. I will treasure it forever.
"Camp Winona, we hold you in our hearts..."
I arrived at Camp Winona on wednesday afternoon. Upon seeing the sign, I couldn't help but think of that old Nickelodeon show "Salute Your Shorts." We had orientation the first few days. Essentially, we were bombarded with information, and led to believe that all of our children were going to be seizing or lapsing into a diabetic coma every night at a moment's notice. We also spent those three days injecting ourselves with saline solution (I used my stomach, my left arm, and my right thigh for the shots, and my stomach to practice inserting the insulin pump catheter). The camp's philosophy was that if we are able to inject ourselves, we won't be afraid to inject the kids. It honestly wasn't that bad, and did help build my confidence. The cabins were...difficult to adjust to. I've seen and slept with enough banana spiders, cicadas, beatles, palmetto bugs, cockroaches, gnats, frogs, hornets, and mosquitoes to last me a lifetime. I had never shared a shower with a snake before.
I got to meet some really wonderful people at camp. I think it was the first time I've ever been around such dedicated people. And I made some awesome friends. :-)
UF people aren't that bad after all.
Saturday morning the kids arrived, and thus began one of the greatest weeks of my life. Not only was I the most active I think I've ever been (I lost six pounds, and gained an appreciation for getting off my ass and being active - once school starts I'm hitting the gym as often as I can and getting a personal trainer), but I got unparalleled clinical experience. According to the medical staff, once camp let out, all of us counselors would know more about type 1 diabetes mellitus than most doctors. I thought this dubious at first, but I soon began to see the truth in these words as the week progressed.
And I absolutely fell in love with my kids. I had the cabin with the oldest boys in it (11 and 12), Panther. Not only did I serve as their counselor, their doctor (of sorts), and their therapist (in a sense), but I also felt like their daddy. They taught me so much about life, and I will be forever grateful to them. I now know to be more appreciative of how blessed I am. I loved playing guitar and singing for them. I sung Jim Croce's "Photographs and Memories", The Eagles' "Peaceful, Easy Feeling" and Cat Stevens' "The Wind." It made my day when Ian told me that I sounded like a completely different person when I sang and played guitar: "John, you sound like an angel. You should sing that "Memories" song to a girl you like!"
Thank you AJ, D'Aaron, Ian, Alex, Dustin, Ryan and Spencer. I will miss you guys terribly...but I will see you all next year. Nick and Kelvin, it was awesome having you guys as my co-counselors. PANTHERS RULE!
Yesterday as I was saying my goodbyes to all of the people I'd met, one of the counselors of Osprey cabin, Dr. Theresa (a 3rd year pediatric resident) told me that she could definitely see me going into pediatrics. That made my day.
I love children so much. I really do think pediatrics is the way to go.
What a beautiful, beautiful experience that was. I will treasure it forever.
"Camp Winona, we hold you in our hearts..."