This week I had the "opportunity" to be a single parent. The husband was in Ohio for a work training. Unfortunately, this was what I term- OPENING WEEK- of our busiest time of the year. So, beginning Sunday I managed a total of 6 hockey practices, 3 figure skating practices, 2 parent meetings, and a figure skating test session. This is on top of my paying job- which for some reason was even more high need than usual- and the basic requirement of providing food, clothing, shelter and in our case Diabetes care to the offspring! Thanks to help from all the kids, grandpa, and some friends for providing some rides, we survived!
I knew that I was feeling stressed out but it wasn't until Saturday morning as we were racing around getting ready for Tessa's volleyball game that I exploded. I had asked for a few things to be done around the house before visitors came that afternoon. When Tessa and I got home from the game, it wasn't done. Of course, when I asked about it, there was a million excuses. One was too busy, one forgot, and the other couldn't even hear me talking because she was so focused on Facebook. Let's just say what followed was not 10 minutes of my best parenting! In the end, they did what I asked, however it was one of those parenting moments I would have liked to take back. At the same time, I wonder why I can manage a room full of kids with emotional disorders all day long and rarely lose my temper (at least outwardly) but my own kids can turn me from Super Mom to Banshee from Hell in a matter of minutes! Is it that I expect more from them or that ultimately I am annoyed at myself for not being able to "do it all?" I know that they need to be responsible for helping out at home, that is what will make them responsible adults. But, wouldn't it be nice if they didn't have to anything they didn't want to do? Wouldn't it be nice if I didn't have to do anything I didn't want to, for that matter! (I am speaking strictly HOUSEWORK here!)
So, as I leave to take TJ to a birthday party, I am still feeling pretty high strung. I am mumbling to myself about all the things I need to do and not enough time and wishing we would strike it rich so Alice from the Brady Bunch could move in and clean my house, do our laundry, and cook our supper! I would even take an Avocado colored kitchen if she came with it! I am taking a few cleansing breaths as we drive and I notice a lady walking down the street with a shopping cart. She is dressed in many layers of clothes. Granted, it is 14 degrees outside so this is necessary but in her case, the layers didn't work together in a fashionable way. It was more functional and her shopping cart seemed to contain an equally random mix of things. TJ said, "She sure had to walk a long way from the grocery store to get home." I had to explain to him that she wasn't coming from the grocery store and that everything she had with her probably was her "home." Talk about perspective slapping you in the face! And for whatever reason, on that freezing cold day, it seemed like there was someone on every corner. This is North Dakota- there should not be people on street corners at all, much less in the winter! When we got to our destination, I sent an apology text to the girls for losing my temper. I realized I wasn't so mad at them for not doing what I asked, just feeling the stress from the week coupled with that parental feeling that comes with teenagers that they take everything for granted!
On my way home, I tried to remind myself to live in the moment and not get so caught up in the big picture all the time. Worrying is my specialty. I have gotten better about not letting it consume my life, but there are still times that it takes up more energy than it should. I am still a work in progress in this area. For this weekend, we were lucky enough to have some family in town visiting. This gave me a chance to refocus.
The husband was safely home, Tessa passed her first ever figure skating test, TJ had a birthday party,
we watched some hockey, we watched the kids swim, we watched them fight and we watched them become friends again. As a bonus, my new breakfast in a crockpot recipe was awesome! As I type this, Tylie is folding a basket of laundry that I didn't even ask her to fold. Who needs Alice? OK, I won't lie, she would be a nice addition to our family, but the bottom line is- we are blessed.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
All in This Together
We have had two diabetes related appointments in the last 5 days. Tylie went last week and met with the Diabetes Educator. It wasn't a good meeting and it wasn't a bad meeting. Her A1c was exactly the same. Now, I would love for that number to go down a little bit, but it isn't horrible. Taya had an appointment today with the Nurse Practitioner that manages their pumps. Again, it wasn't a good meeting or a bad meeting. Her A1c went down .3, which isn't much as it still has a way to go. However, going into each appointment, both girls already had a pretty good idea what the professionals were going to tell them. They need to be more diligent. This is the part that kills me. I know that being a teenager is hard just by itself. The teenage brain is forgetful, this is what science tells us anyway. This same 'forgetful' tendency that drives me crazy when the forget to sweep or dust or take out the garbage or do their homework- breaks my heart when they forget to test their blood sugar or bolus for food. I understand the science behind it, I just hate it. Overall, the girls are very responsible. They have decent grades, they work hard in their chosen activities, they help with their younger siblings. They don't make bad choices as a rule. Just this weekend Tylie went to go pick up a friend that found herself in an uncomfortable position after she herself had chosen not to stay because she "had a feeling" it wasn't going to go well. I am very proud of them because I have seen other children with chronic illnesses make some really bad choices- some would call it rebelling- as teenagers. I know there are many (most) days they are angry and dislike being attached to a machine. But, they persevere.
We have reached a stage in diabetes management where I have to let them find their own way. They have to live with this for the rest of their lives for all we know today so they need to find a way to manage it that works for them. Sometimes they get into a routine that works and we have some A+ days. Other times, they get sucked into 'life' and diabetes management suffers. As the parent, I still ask if they checked each day, upload their pumps on occasion to keep them honest, but I too get sucked into life. They have become so responsible, that there are days that I take it for granted they are taking care of themselves. After TJ's last appointment when he had the perfect A1c, he showed it to the girls and their response was, "Mom does it for you, of course it's good." That was a reminder to me that I need to stay more involved. They might be as tall as me and drive their own cars, but they are still kids. Even when they look at me with the rolled eyes, or talk to me in that bored, annoyed voice- it's my job to check on them. Which, kinda stinks actually because if you have ever parented a teenager you know that they think you are an annoying idiot most of the time! Chasing after them asking if they checked their blood sugar or if they have emergency supplies with them does not win me any brownie points, let me tell you! But, they can spend hours doing their hair or deciding what to wear. It seems it should be easy to find 30 seconds to check blood sugar and bolus as needed. We are working toward a balance. I will watch them do finger pokes in the morning and at bedtime. If we are together at supper, I will police that, too. The rest of the time, I have to trust (and maybe send a friendly text reminder or two) that they are making good decisions and following through. TJ has agreed to assist me with the morning reminders and if I am on the road with one kid or another then it's dad's job! We truly are all in this together. This is not going to be easy as we start our busiest time of year but the next A1c is 3 months away and my goal is a 1 point drop for each of them! I think it's an appropriate goal for World Diabetes Day.
These are the insulin angels that Tylie and TJ made at our last support group get together. I thought it would be appropriate to post the picture today in honor of all the Dkids that are alive today because of the discovery of insulin (Thanks, Dr. Banting!) and all the angels in their lives that help us fight the battle every day!
We have reached a stage in diabetes management where I have to let them find their own way. They have to live with this for the rest of their lives for all we know today so they need to find a way to manage it that works for them. Sometimes they get into a routine that works and we have some A+ days. Other times, they get sucked into 'life' and diabetes management suffers. As the parent, I still ask if they checked each day, upload their pumps on occasion to keep them honest, but I too get sucked into life. They have become so responsible, that there are days that I take it for granted they are taking care of themselves. After TJ's last appointment when he had the perfect A1c, he showed it to the girls and their response was, "Mom does it for you, of course it's good." That was a reminder to me that I need to stay more involved. They might be as tall as me and drive their own cars, but they are still kids. Even when they look at me with the rolled eyes, or talk to me in that bored, annoyed voice- it's my job to check on them. Which, kinda stinks actually because if you have ever parented a teenager you know that they think you are an annoying idiot most of the time! Chasing after them asking if they checked their blood sugar or if they have emergency supplies with them does not win me any brownie points, let me tell you! But, they can spend hours doing their hair or deciding what to wear. It seems it should be easy to find 30 seconds to check blood sugar and bolus as needed. We are working toward a balance. I will watch them do finger pokes in the morning and at bedtime. If we are together at supper, I will police that, too. The rest of the time, I have to trust (and maybe send a friendly text reminder or two) that they are making good decisions and following through. TJ has agreed to assist me with the morning reminders and if I am on the road with one kid or another then it's dad's job! We truly are all in this together. This is not going to be easy as we start our busiest time of year but the next A1c is 3 months away and my goal is a 1 point drop for each of them! I think it's an appropriate goal for World Diabetes Day.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Why TI Diabetes Day?
This past weekend TJ, Tylie and I had the opportunity to attend a workshop for families and children with diabetes. Taya and Troy were unable to attend due to a volleyball tournament. Tylie had been asked to paint faces of the littler children there and to help with the children's part of the workshop. At the end, she and I were part of a panel of families talking about about the insulin pump.
Prior to this portion of the program, a local doctor presented on the current research in diabetes with the emphasis on T1. Before I share what I learned, I need to journey back to when Tylie was diagnosed so you can get the full significance of how far research has come and how important these projects continue to get funding. It will be 12 years in January that we first heard the words "Your daughter's pancreas no longer produces insulin. She has Juvenile Diabetes." We are thinking with a key word like "juvenile" she will outgrow this ridiculous condition. And, naive as we were, we asked when this would happen. We were told this condition was also called "Type 1 Diabetes" which means that her pancreas will never again produce insulin. Something- probably a virus- mistakenly attacked the cells in her pancreas where insulin is produced and destroyed them. This is different than "Type 2 Diabetes" which means your body doesn't produce enough insulin. This type of diabetes does not always require insulin and is largely treatable and preventable with diet and exercise. In order for her to get the energy she needed from the food she ate, we would need to give her insulin injections- everyday, more than once. We would have to check her blood sugar, everyday sometimes more than 8 times. That's a lot of poking! And, that doesn't even include the blood draws needed every 2-3 months.
Now, 12 years later, I can clearly remember sitting in her hospital room learning about the peaks and valleys of the two types of insulin she would need. In the morning, we would need to make a "cocktail" (not the happy kind) of NPH (cloudy) and Humolog (clear). She started out on the tinest dosage- under 2 units total. I kept thinking this microscopic dot of stuff sure caused a lot of trouble! She would take a shot in the morning and a shot of Humolog at supper and NPH at bedtime to carry her through the night. Then, we had to feed her based on those peeks and valleys- "feeding the insulin" we often referred to it. While giving us our lesson, our doctor told us- "There is so much research going on that in ten years you will be shocked by how far you have come." Holding my baby girl that day and a year and a half later her little sister, I desperately hoped this was true!
We continued with mixing shots for a couple of years and then a "miracle" insulin became available to us called Lantus. Lantus lasted 24 hours without peaks and could serve as a "background" insulin. The goal was to get rid of the dramatic highs and lows and then be able to give faster acting insulin at meal time to cover the food. We no longer had to be quite so tied to the clock and when these insulins became available in pen format our lives became that much easier. However, shots were still required and in Taya's case, sometimes up to 8 times a day. And, they were not fun. We kept hearing about this thing called the insulin pump. This miraculous machine that could hold insulin, calculate your dosage, and only need to be changed every three days. (Okay, I am simplifying here, but you get the picture.) However, there was also this thing called insurance that liked to put up road blocks. But, many letters and pages of documentation later- the girls got their own insulin pumps! They were started on Taya's 10th birthday- 8 years after Tylie was first diagnosed. What a blessing these little contraptions are for these kids! Our Diabetes Educator still remembers how excited Taya was when we came back for our first set change. She told her, "That was 17 shots I didn't have to take!" However, it was not a cure and 10 years later we heard the dreaded diagnosis a third time. He is now also on an insulin pump.
So- yes, things have definitely changed! And for the better- but it isn't perfect. It isn't a cure and it isn't a pancreas and it didn't stop it from happening to our baby boy. There are lots of bumps along the way and lots of room for human error. The pump is a great tool for the potential to successfully control diabetes but it isn't the answer. My kids are still responsible for counting every carbohydrate they eat, checking their blood sugar and putting all those numbers into this little machine that does the math for them and so that it can secrete the right amount of the magic insulin. But it doesn't account for extra activity, crazy teenage hormones, a set that doesn't work correctly or falls out at an inopportune time, or a sick day. All things that the body of a person without T1 does without an ounce of thought.
And, now, back to where I began. Research! Europe is so far ahead of the US in this area. The first closed looped artificial pancreas was started just this last week. Two places making great strides on this continent are Sanford Health and the University of Minnesota. (Those that know me may be shocked I would promote U of M, but remember it's only their hockey team I have a problem with!) Many studies have been successfully able to produce the cells necessary in animals but they can't get them to stop producing. (They become cancerous.) The one I found most interesting was the use of endometrial cells to create islet cells. This would eliminate the need for anti-rejection medication because a woman could use her own tissue. They have found that BCG- a tuberculosis vaccine- can be an effective vaccine if you are found to have the antibodies that predispose you to developing T1. The list is endless. JDRF- the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation- funds nearly 60% of the current studies going on in the US. 86% of all funds donated to JDRF go directly to research for Type 1 Diabetes. This is only possible due to the tremendous amount of volunteers and ongoing fundraising efforts. These studies also pave the way for insight into other autoimmune disorders. Links below are provided for some more reading on these studies and JDRF in general. These studies currently provide hope and I pray for the day the provide a cure!
http://www.mmf.umn.edu/diabetes/stories/index.cfm
http://www.jdf.org/
http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=116413
http://www.sanfordresearch.org/ResearchCenters/SanfordProject/
http://www.sanfordproject.com/Newsroom/JDRFPartnership/
Prior to this portion of the program, a local doctor presented on the current research in diabetes with the emphasis on T1. Before I share what I learned, I need to journey back to when Tylie was diagnosed so you can get the full significance of how far research has come and how important these projects continue to get funding. It will be 12 years in January that we first heard the words "Your daughter's pancreas no longer produces insulin. She has Juvenile Diabetes." We are thinking with a key word like "juvenile" she will outgrow this ridiculous condition. And, naive as we were, we asked when this would happen. We were told this condition was also called "Type 1 Diabetes" which means that her pancreas will never again produce insulin. Something- probably a virus- mistakenly attacked the cells in her pancreas where insulin is produced and destroyed them. This is different than "Type 2 Diabetes" which means your body doesn't produce enough insulin. This type of diabetes does not always require insulin and is largely treatable and preventable with diet and exercise. In order for her to get the energy she needed from the food she ate, we would need to give her insulin injections- everyday, more than once. We would have to check her blood sugar, everyday sometimes more than 8 times. That's a lot of poking! And, that doesn't even include the blood draws needed every 2-3 months.
Now, 12 years later, I can clearly remember sitting in her hospital room learning about the peaks and valleys of the two types of insulin she would need. In the morning, we would need to make a "cocktail" (not the happy kind) of NPH (cloudy) and Humolog (clear). She started out on the tinest dosage- under 2 units total. I kept thinking this microscopic dot of stuff sure caused a lot of trouble! She would take a shot in the morning and a shot of Humolog at supper and NPH at bedtime to carry her through the night. Then, we had to feed her based on those peeks and valleys- "feeding the insulin" we often referred to it. While giving us our lesson, our doctor told us- "There is so much research going on that in ten years you will be shocked by how far you have come." Holding my baby girl that day and a year and a half later her little sister, I desperately hoped this was true!
We continued with mixing shots for a couple of years and then a "miracle" insulin became available to us called Lantus. Lantus lasted 24 hours without peaks and could serve as a "background" insulin. The goal was to get rid of the dramatic highs and lows and then be able to give faster acting insulin at meal time to cover the food. We no longer had to be quite so tied to the clock and when these insulins became available in pen format our lives became that much easier. However, shots were still required and in Taya's case, sometimes up to 8 times a day. And, they were not fun. We kept hearing about this thing called the insulin pump. This miraculous machine that could hold insulin, calculate your dosage, and only need to be changed every three days. (Okay, I am simplifying here, but you get the picture.) However, there was also this thing called insurance that liked to put up road blocks. But, many letters and pages of documentation later- the girls got their own insulin pumps! They were started on Taya's 10th birthday- 8 years after Tylie was first diagnosed. What a blessing these little contraptions are for these kids! Our Diabetes Educator still remembers how excited Taya was when we came back for our first set change. She told her, "That was 17 shots I didn't have to take!" However, it was not a cure and 10 years later we heard the dreaded diagnosis a third time. He is now also on an insulin pump.
So- yes, things have definitely changed! And for the better- but it isn't perfect. It isn't a cure and it isn't a pancreas and it didn't stop it from happening to our baby boy. There are lots of bumps along the way and lots of room for human error. The pump is a great tool for the potential to successfully control diabetes but it isn't the answer. My kids are still responsible for counting every carbohydrate they eat, checking their blood sugar and putting all those numbers into this little machine that does the math for them and so that it can secrete the right amount of the magic insulin. But it doesn't account for extra activity, crazy teenage hormones, a set that doesn't work correctly or falls out at an inopportune time, or a sick day. All things that the body of a person without T1 does without an ounce of thought.
And, now, back to where I began. Research! Europe is so far ahead of the US in this area. The first closed looped artificial pancreas was started just this last week. Two places making great strides on this continent are Sanford Health and the University of Minnesota. (Those that know me may be shocked I would promote U of M, but remember it's only their hockey team I have a problem with!) Many studies have been successfully able to produce the cells necessary in animals but they can't get them to stop producing. (They become cancerous.) The one I found most interesting was the use of endometrial cells to create islet cells. This would eliminate the need for anti-rejection medication because a woman could use her own tissue. They have found that BCG- a tuberculosis vaccine- can be an effective vaccine if you are found to have the antibodies that predispose you to developing T1. The list is endless. JDRF- the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation- funds nearly 60% of the current studies going on in the US. 86% of all funds donated to JDRF go directly to research for Type 1 Diabetes. This is only possible due to the tremendous amount of volunteers and ongoing fundraising efforts. These studies also pave the way for insight into other autoimmune disorders. Links below are provided for some more reading on these studies and JDRF in general. These studies currently provide hope and I pray for the day the provide a cure!
http://www.mmf.umn.edu/diabetes/stories/index.cfm
http://www.jdf.org/
http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=116413
http://www.sanfordresearch.org/ResearchCenters/SanfordProject/
http://www.sanfordproject.com/Newsroom/JDRFPartnership/
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
New and Different Things
Last weekend, Taya spent three days at a youth leadership event for church. She was signed up to go to the event not so much by choice but because she had missed the big retreat required for Confirmation because she was visiting her aunt in California. This was an opportunity to make up for that time. She was not super excited, especially given that she knew none of the other people going along. A few days before, it occurred to me that she would be spending two nights in a motel without any family or certified diabetes educators in sight. This made me a bit uncomfortable since it was 100 miles away! I sent an email to the Youth Pastor with cautions and concerns followed by a text message to my friend, who happens to have a T1 child, to let her know that Taya would be in town and might need to call. I got reassuring responses from both so the following afternoon, we took our little girl to church. She did not complain one time, but that sad look on her face was tough to see. That day we got some texts from her, some phone calls and a Facetime call that night. She was not having fun. Luckily, I was already asleep when she Facetimed or I am pretty sure I would have jumped in my car and picked her up. The next day, I sent her a text in the morning wishing her a better day. I did not hear from her until 2 pm. This was a text saying she had been cleaning up the zoo and today was going better. Then, we heard nothing until 2 pm the next day, letting me know when to pick her up and asking if she could go hang out with her new friend later that night. Wow, what a turn around! She ended up having a really good time and even mentioned next year's event. She was most impressed with all the work done in Minot, having toured it a few months ago. While nowhere near restored, progress is being made. I am very proud of her. I know that when I was her age nothing in the world would have gotten me into that car to travel that far not knowing what was ahead. Now, she has to present in church. I think for her that is even more traumatic!
Another good thing that happened recently is I found a recipe for making Gluten Free Cheese Crackers! And, better yet, TJ likes them! As does Tylie. She ate all the crispy outside edges before they had even cooled. The best part is- they are easy!
GLUTEN FREE CHEESE CRACKERS:
4 oz Cheddar Cheese
4 TBSP butter
3/4 C Corn Starch
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp Xanthum gum
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp Milk
Melt the butter and then add the cheese until both are smooth. Then add dry ingredients until a crumbly mixture and well mixed. Add the milk. Spread out in 1/8 inch thickness on a greased cookie sheet. I cut into squares and then poke a hole in the center of each square. Lightly salt the tops and bake at 400 degrees for about 8-10 minutes.
Tessa and I got to spend some quality time together as well. First we got our hair cut and then we made cookies. That part didn't go super smooth, but the end result was very nice. You will see in the picture that TJ is also eating a cookie. His is a decorated chocolate chip cookie since we didn't make the others gluten free. They are for Tessa's demonstration speech at school.
And, to end with something funny, just in case anyone reading this thinks I have it all together all the time! Today, at home it was a morning like any other- scurrying around, packing lunches, checking for warm enough coats, meters packed,etc. Nothing unusual at all. I arrived at school and went down the hall to check on something and realized my shoes didn't seem quite right. I looked down to discover that I was wearing two different ones! Seriously, how does that happen? They weren't even the same color! So, quick phone call to Tylie, who saved the day by grabbing me a matching pair and dropping them off on her way to school.
Another good thing that happened recently is I found a recipe for making Gluten Free Cheese Crackers! And, better yet, TJ likes them! As does Tylie. She ate all the crispy outside edges before they had even cooled. The best part is- they are easy!
GLUTEN FREE CHEESE CRACKERS:
4 oz Cheddar Cheese
4 TBSP butter
3/4 C Corn Starch
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp Xanthum gum
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp Milk
Melt the butter and then add the cheese until both are smooth. Then add dry ingredients until a crumbly mixture and well mixed. Add the milk. Spread out in 1/8 inch thickness on a greased cookie sheet. I cut into squares and then poke a hole in the center of each square. Lightly salt the tops and bake at 400 degrees for about 8-10 minutes.
Tessa and I got to spend some quality time together as well. First we got our hair cut and then we made cookies. That part didn't go super smooth, but the end result was very nice. You will see in the picture that TJ is also eating a cookie. His is a decorated chocolate chip cookie since we didn't make the others gluten free. They are for Tessa's demonstration speech at school.
Troy- with some help from the kids and a lot of help from his dad- got the boards up for our backyard rink! For the first time in awhile, people in our house are looking forward to some cold nights so they can start flooding. However, after writing in our winter schedule, I hope we have time to use it!
And, to end with something funny, just in case anyone reading this thinks I have it all together all the time! Today, at home it was a morning like any other- scurrying around, packing lunches, checking for warm enough coats, meters packed,etc. Nothing unusual at all. I arrived at school and went down the hall to check on something and realized my shoes didn't seem quite right. I looked down to discover that I was wearing two different ones! Seriously, how does that happen? They weren't even the same color! So, quick phone call to Tylie, who saved the day by grabbing me a matching pair and dropping them off on her way to school.
Monday, October 10, 2011
New Normal
I wish that I had more time to write. My real job seems to be interfering. Then when I have time to sit down and start, I have trouble narrowing my topic because my mind swirls. So, this will be a bit of a "week in review."
Monday I went to parent teacher conferences for Tylie. Imagine my surprise when she had a D in her father's class! I called her and made her come up and take the test before she could go to the soccer game. I would like to claim this as my idea but it was really my friend D's suggestion! I was waiting for a huge argument and was really pleasantly surprised when she not only came to take the test but visited the remainder of her teachers with me. Overall, reports were good so I guess we will keep her. I was surprised, however, that with the exception of the teachers who had had her before, they were not aware of her diabetes. This is the first year that I have not sent out a note- after all, she is a junior and can speak for herself. Plus, the information is on Powerschool so I trust that the teachers see the little red medic alert sign by her picture. Apparently not the case. So, for my own peace of mind, I sent out a note. My reason is as a teacher, I would want to be aware.
TJ was student of the week this week. That means we got to write all about him, send pictures to school and I got to go and visit his class. I usually take this time to do the big "D" talk. This would be the 3rd time I have done it for him. A few of the kids have heard it since preschool. They could probably have given the talk! I love going into classrooms of little kids. They are so accepting and if you are open with them, they are honest right back. The questions they asked were very thought provoking. And, of course, they were appropriately excited about the coloring sheets I brought along. We made Rice Chex bars. This is our gluten free version of Rice Krispy bars. They are perfect because they are also peanut free so everyone in class can eat them.
So, after that 'feel good' presentation, the next day I got a call because his pump wouldn't stop alarming. We did all the problem solving we could over the phone but I ended up taking a trip to school. Luckily, he just needed to have his set changed and we got his blood sugar back under control. However, the teacher got her first glimpse of what a high blood sugar looks like when she had to practically scrape him off the ceiling. He tends to get VERY energetic initially followed by 'the crash.' At least now they will know what to look for and when an additional finger poke might be necessary. Ironically, this call came after the nurse and I had spent the previous day going through a variety of scenarios and what steps staff would need to take in each situation.
Friday, we went to a wedding. It was cold and windy and it was outside. However, that isn't what I worried about. I worried that there wouldn't be any food that Trav could eat. As it turns out, I didn't really need to spend time on it. First of all, his little back pack is usually so full of stuff, he could live for a week. Second of all, he is so darn responsible, he doesn't put anything in his mouth without checking with me or another family member first. And third, his little friends he hangs out with are like police! So, he managed the wedding without cake and in fact, didn't even ask for cake. He was quite happy with the candy corn/peanut snack mix combination. I also worried that the girls would eat a ton and not put the carbs into their pumps. This is a legit worry- teenagers are tough!
The result of all these little incidents this week makes me think of the quote, "You plan and God laughs." Now, don't get me wrong, I will still plan. Sometimes I will even over plan! And I nag! I can't help it. However, I have gotten somewhat better at going with the flow and not panicking when things stray from my plan. This is not always easy, but I think I am getting better. For example, Sunday, Troy and the two oldest girls left for a Leadership conference for school. Originally, Taya was not planning to go. However, an hour before departure, Troy realized that he had an extra space for a girl and she was a freshman so she was invited to come along. Initially, she didn't think she would be ready to go, but I said I would grab her D stuff if she got her clothes together. So, she packed with the help of her older sister and I did inventory of the ziploc bags going along- set changes (2 kinds), inserter, insulin, extra strips, extra batteries, etc. And, by the time they needed to leave, she was ready. I was amazed. First of all, I would never have been so so spontaneous at her age and second of all, that I so easily supported her going. There was a time when just the thought of reorganizing supplies and making sure there was food for emergencies and going through all the "what if" scenarios in my mind would have been too overwhelming for me. But, luckily, I was over that and she got to go and experience something new. Ironically, the dad did forget his medicine! (Now next time he will find me nagging about that! Apparently, I can't let everything go!) Tessa got and unexpected invite to a party later that evening so TJ and I were alone for supper. So, I took him out to eat! Another thing, that if you asked me one year ago I couldn't have imagined doing, at least not without hours of internet research and a phone call to the place and a million questions for the server. I still asked the server questions, but we have been here before so I didn't have to research and call! I guess the fact that we are able to do these spontaneous things without too much extra stress means we have found our new normal- or it found us! I'll take it for now- at least until the next curveball!
Monday I went to parent teacher conferences for Tylie. Imagine my surprise when she had a D in her father's class! I called her and made her come up and take the test before she could go to the soccer game. I would like to claim this as my idea but it was really my friend D's suggestion! I was waiting for a huge argument and was really pleasantly surprised when she not only came to take the test but visited the remainder of her teachers with me. Overall, reports were good so I guess we will keep her. I was surprised, however, that with the exception of the teachers who had had her before, they were not aware of her diabetes. This is the first year that I have not sent out a note- after all, she is a junior and can speak for herself. Plus, the information is on Powerschool so I trust that the teachers see the little red medic alert sign by her picture. Apparently not the case. So, for my own peace of mind, I sent out a note. My reason is as a teacher, I would want to be aware.
TJ was student of the week this week. That means we got to write all about him, send pictures to school and I got to go and visit his class. I usually take this time to do the big "D" talk. This would be the 3rd time I have done it for him. A few of the kids have heard it since preschool. They could probably have given the talk! I love going into classrooms of little kids. They are so accepting and if you are open with them, they are honest right back. The questions they asked were very thought provoking. And, of course, they were appropriately excited about the coloring sheets I brought along. We made Rice Chex bars. This is our gluten free version of Rice Krispy bars. They are perfect because they are also peanut free so everyone in class can eat them.
So, after that 'feel good' presentation, the next day I got a call because his pump wouldn't stop alarming. We did all the problem solving we could over the phone but I ended up taking a trip to school. Luckily, he just needed to have his set changed and we got his blood sugar back under control. However, the teacher got her first glimpse of what a high blood sugar looks like when she had to practically scrape him off the ceiling. He tends to get VERY energetic initially followed by 'the crash.' At least now they will know what to look for and when an additional finger poke might be necessary. Ironically, this call came after the nurse and I had spent the previous day going through a variety of scenarios and what steps staff would need to take in each situation.
Friday, we went to a wedding. It was cold and windy and it was outside. However, that isn't what I worried about. I worried that there wouldn't be any food that Trav could eat. As it turns out, I didn't really need to spend time on it. First of all, his little back pack is usually so full of stuff, he could live for a week. Second of all, he is so darn responsible, he doesn't put anything in his mouth without checking with me or another family member first. And third, his little friends he hangs out with are like police! So, he managed the wedding without cake and in fact, didn't even ask for cake. He was quite happy with the candy corn/peanut snack mix combination. I also worried that the girls would eat a ton and not put the carbs into their pumps. This is a legit worry- teenagers are tough!
The result of all these little incidents this week makes me think of the quote, "You plan and God laughs." Now, don't get me wrong, I will still plan. Sometimes I will even over plan! And I nag! I can't help it. However, I have gotten somewhat better at going with the flow and not panicking when things stray from my plan. This is not always easy, but I think I am getting better. For example, Sunday, Troy and the two oldest girls left for a Leadership conference for school. Originally, Taya was not planning to go. However, an hour before departure, Troy realized that he had an extra space for a girl and she was a freshman so she was invited to come along. Initially, she didn't think she would be ready to go, but I said I would grab her D stuff if she got her clothes together. So, she packed with the help of her older sister and I did inventory of the ziploc bags going along- set changes (2 kinds), inserter, insulin, extra strips, extra batteries, etc. And, by the time they needed to leave, she was ready. I was amazed. First of all, I would never have been so so spontaneous at her age and second of all, that I so easily supported her going. There was a time when just the thought of reorganizing supplies and making sure there was food for emergencies and going through all the "what if" scenarios in my mind would have been too overwhelming for me. But, luckily, I was over that and she got to go and experience something new. Ironically, the dad did forget his medicine! (Now next time he will find me nagging about that! Apparently, I can't let everything go!) Tessa got and unexpected invite to a party later that evening so TJ and I were alone for supper. So, I took him out to eat! Another thing, that if you asked me one year ago I couldn't have imagined doing, at least not without hours of internet research and a phone call to the place and a million questions for the server. I still asked the server questions, but we have been here before so I didn't have to research and call! I guess the fact that we are able to do these spontaneous things without too much extra stress means we have found our new normal- or it found us! I'll take it for now- at least until the next curveball!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Strange Gifts
Today I woke up feeling sad and out of sorts. Last night, we got the news that a former student and current friend of my husband had died suddenly in a car accident. He was just short of his 23rd birthday. I happened to be on Facebook and read all of the heartbreaking tributes to his life. I am sure, those comments will give his parents an element of peace at some point. The fact that he touched so many lives was even more evident when Tenley came home from the dance with stories of how the news had affected her friends- boys he had coached. His life was appreciated and he contributed and there will forever be a hole in the lives of all he touched.
I didn't sleep well last night. I got up several times to check on the kids. This morning, I heard little feet creep to my door and I could feel little eyes peering at me. I waited to hear a little voice telling me he was hungry. Instead, I heard little feet creep back down the hall and a door softly shut. I kept listening and soon, the voice I heard was making spaceship noises and various sounds of ninja battle. My sweet little boy was going to let me sleep! However, I couldn't do it. I lay and listened to those sounds accented occasionally by the sound of a sister turning in her bed. Many thoughts were tossing around in my head. It occurred to me why I get kind of impatient.when people come to me and can't understand 'how' we can handle all the chronic illness in our family Not because I can't acknowledge the effort- it is hard, especially for the girls right now. But it would be so much harder not to have the opportunity to handle it. In that respect, it's a gift. We are given second chances every day. Not everyone can say that. And this is what we try so hard to explain to our kids. Yes, you have a challenge every day of your life but it's a precious life!
So, with that in mind, I climbed out of bed and peeked in on that little playing boy. I don't know how long I watched him before he noticed I was there. And when he looked up, he smiled the biggest, gap-tooth smile and my heart filled. I could sleep in another time. But today, I have to get this little one off to a parade. And I made a vow to myself to remember, at least for today- that even teenage angst is something to cherish.
I didn't sleep well last night. I got up several times to check on the kids. This morning, I heard little feet creep to my door and I could feel little eyes peering at me. I waited to hear a little voice telling me he was hungry. Instead, I heard little feet creep back down the hall and a door softly shut. I kept listening and soon, the voice I heard was making spaceship noises and various sounds of ninja battle. My sweet little boy was going to let me sleep! However, I couldn't do it. I lay and listened to those sounds accented occasionally by the sound of a sister turning in her bed. Many thoughts were tossing around in my head. It occurred to me why I get kind of impatient.when people come to me and can't understand 'how' we can handle all the chronic illness in our family Not because I can't acknowledge the effort- it is hard, especially for the girls right now. But it would be so much harder not to have the opportunity to handle it. In that respect, it's a gift. We are given second chances every day. Not everyone can say that. And this is what we try so hard to explain to our kids. Yes, you have a challenge every day of your life but it's a precious life!
So, with that in mind, I climbed out of bed and peeked in on that little playing boy. I don't know how long I watched him before he noticed I was there. And when he looked up, he smiled the biggest, gap-tooth smile and my heart filled. I could sleep in another time. But today, I have to get this little one off to a parade. And I made a vow to myself to remember, at least for today- that even teenage angst is something to cherish.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Ups and Downs of Days
I have mentioned birthday parties and how hectic they can be. Well, on Friday, I opened the refrigerator at 7 pm and there was TJ's lunchbox! Oh no! He was still at the birthday party so I couldn't even ask him what he ate. So, I worried and felt guilty until he got home. When he finally arrived I said I was sorry for forgetting his lunch. He said, "It was my fault, mom! I forgot it in the fridge." Wow, I told you he was responsible. Pretty sure if that would have been one of his sisters that would not have been the response! Anyway, I asked what he ate and he said the teacher called the office and the office called the kitchen and the nurse and they made him a sandwich with his bread and got to eat the same fruit as everyone else. We are so lucky to have the support at school that we do. And that extends not only to staff but the amazing parents of his friends. He is going to another birthday party next weekend and she has already emailed me about ice cream. And just today I got an email from a mom whose daughter is in TJ's class. She wants to bring birthday treats that everyone can eat. So often people think of him and how he can be included that it amazes me. The doctor asked us today if we felt with the diabetes and celiac if he ever felt left out or "different." I can honestly say that he has never complained about this happening to him. If anything he gets far more positive attention. Especially since recently he was in the hospital magazine. He is famous! I just hope that the good will continues. But since he is currently surrounded by nothing but support- in school, in hockey, in church- my hope is that he will never accept anything else. This has been the case with Tylie. Taya, however, has had some negative experiences but I think she is learning to overcome them.
Speaking of Taya, I lost her iPhone this weekend. This story just goes to show that all of our family dramas are not strictly diabetes/celiac related! Now, Taya is the "loser" of our family. By this I mean she literally loses things- a lot! She called yesterday because she didn't have knee pads for her volleyball game. She found them AFTER the game on the locker room floor. That is pretty typical. I have made emergency trips to the rink with a helmet, one skate, a stick. Phones have been flushed down toilets and lost in snowbanks. As hard as she tries, it's just who she is. I am happy to say this has been improving as well. She even took the initiative to give me her phone during her volleyball tournament so that I could keep it safe. So, imagine my surprise when we get home and there is no cell phone in the bag. Bless her heart, she did not say anything as we scurried back to the school and searched everywhere to no avail. Troy was on the phone trying to see if the phone company could trace it. We remembered the Find my iPhone app she had installed. She logged into the computer and there was a Google map with a blinking light showing her phone- at the mall! There was an option to send a 2 minute signal and put a message on the phone so she put my number on the message. Troy jumped in the car, hoping it was on a high school bus that he could wave down. No luck on the bus but at the second attempt to send a signal we got a call back. Apparently, when I stood up in the bleachers it had fallen into the purse of a player from another team. What are the chances? Lucky for us, they had stayed in town to shop so I met her at the store and all is well. Technology is amazing, huh?
Technology really is amazing. We said that today at TJ's appointment as he quickly maneuvered his way through his pump settings to make the required changes. Today was a big day for him. This morning started out with a dead fish being flushed down the toilet. I wasn't sure how it was going to go from there considering he had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon which included a blood draw. However, we are pleased to say he had the best appointment ever! He has gained 2 pounds and grown 3/4 of an inch since June. And, the best part is a 7.4 A1c! That is down a whole point from when he was not on the pump. Yay, TJ! Now, if we could just get those sisters numbers down...
Speaking of Taya, I lost her iPhone this weekend. This story just goes to show that all of our family dramas are not strictly diabetes/celiac related! Now, Taya is the "loser" of our family. By this I mean she literally loses things- a lot! She called yesterday because she didn't have knee pads for her volleyball game. She found them AFTER the game on the locker room floor. That is pretty typical. I have made emergency trips to the rink with a helmet, one skate, a stick. Phones have been flushed down toilets and lost in snowbanks. As hard as she tries, it's just who she is. I am happy to say this has been improving as well. She even took the initiative to give me her phone during her volleyball tournament so that I could keep it safe. So, imagine my surprise when we get home and there is no cell phone in the bag. Bless her heart, she did not say anything as we scurried back to the school and searched everywhere to no avail. Troy was on the phone trying to see if the phone company could trace it. We remembered the Find my iPhone app she had installed. She logged into the computer and there was a Google map with a blinking light showing her phone- at the mall! There was an option to send a 2 minute signal and put a message on the phone so she put my number on the message. Troy jumped in the car, hoping it was on a high school bus that he could wave down. No luck on the bus but at the second attempt to send a signal we got a call back. Apparently, when I stood up in the bleachers it had fallen into the purse of a player from another team. What are the chances? Lucky for us, they had stayed in town to shop so I met her at the store and all is well. Technology is amazing, huh?
Technology really is amazing. We said that today at TJ's appointment as he quickly maneuvered his way through his pump settings to make the required changes. Today was a big day for him. This morning started out with a dead fish being flushed down the toilet. I wasn't sure how it was going to go from there considering he had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon which included a blood draw. However, we are pleased to say he had the best appointment ever! He has gained 2 pounds and grown 3/4 of an inch since June. And, the best part is a 7.4 A1c! That is down a whole point from when he was not on the pump. Yay, TJ! Now, if we could just get those sisters numbers down...
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