As a mom of a child with Type 1 diabetes I am always astounded when people ask about my son’s numbers or his A1C. As I am always gobsmacked, I wanted to think about this a little more to figure out why. After some thought, I realize I am shocked because both numbers and his latest A1C are very personal and unless you are on my son’s health/personal care team, they are of no use to you.
For instance, if someone is going to watch my son for me for a few hours, then asking about the day’s numbers makes plenty of sense. If his numbers have been in range all day then they have a good chance of staying that way. If we had been treating both highs and lows that day, then the babysitter knows to be on the look out for some more interesting numbers.
But when random people on the street (or at a bar) ask me “How are his numbers?” I am rendered speechless. First I am not sure if they want to know in general how his numbers have been for the last two years, or the last two hours. Because if it’s over the whole two years, there’s not enough beer in the bar for that conversation.
I am also speechless because I really don’t have an answer. I have looked at so many thousands of numbers over the last two years that when I do a blood glucose check that particular number goes in one ear and out the other so to speak. Numbers are just that. A number. I check my son’s sugar, I take a nanosecond to decide whether he needs insulin, sugar or nothing, and I move on. Sometimes when I go to write the number in our log not 10 feet and 10 seconds away from the meter where I just tested, I have to walk back to the meter to retrieve the number. It really goes in one ear and out the other.
But the absolute main reason that I am at a loss for words when people ask me about my son’s numbers or his A1C is because it is such a personal question. My son’s numbers are just that…HIS. I don’t go around asking people their blood pressure, their cholesterol levels, their weight, their age, or how their hemorrhoids are. I don’t because all of those things are personal.
Now if someone sits down next to me and starts talking about their blood pressure I will let them talk. I won’t cover my ears and shout, “Be quiet,” but you can be sure the next time I see them in Shop Rite I won’t ask point blank, “Hey how’s the blood pressure thing going?” Or, “Did you ever get that bottom number down to 120?” It’s personal. Not for me to ask. If they want to bring it up, sure I’ll ask how things are going. But you won’t ever find me pinning someone to the frozen food aisle while I grill them about their blood pressure or cholesterol level.
It’s not that I don’t care about other people’s health and well-being, I do. I just don’t think asking about their triglyceride number is going to do me or them any good.
And knowing my son’s numbers and A1C are not going to do you any good either.