Could it be...

Could this be the reason I forgot to do his sight change tonight?

Happy Tuesday!

Further Explanation...

I just wanted to add a little explanation to yesterdays post...

I probably should have mentioned that what I copied over from Scott's blog was only part of his story. It was a small part of a whole post that happened to get to me when I read it(Sorry Scott). 

I would also like to throw out that I am not a crazy mess. For the most part... I AM okay with our daily grind. Justin is happy and neither of us spend our afternoons at a poor pitiful me party crying our eyes out. We do ignore diabetes in our life until its time to deal with it throughout the day(or night). But no matter what you wish... sometimes it can get the best of the best of us. And the main point was that... it's okay.

Having a rough couple of days doesn't mean I choose to live in sadness. It doesn't mean that I drag Justin down with me... I certainly do not. My feelings are not, nor will they ever be, his burden to carry. They are my own.
It just means I need to get it out in order to keep truckin. It's how I re-boot. It helps ME to get all MY bottled up emotion out. It helps ME stay positive for Justin and lift him up when diabetes stops playing fair.


I think this time of year is somewhat tough for me because this is when it all started. I can look back at pictures from 4 years ago and visably see the weightloss that should have been a clue to what was coming... but I didn't see it. So pile that on top of the vomiting due to a high bg's and broken pudding promises(whole other story)
among a few other things and it got to me; and for a short time I allowed it.

Now I can move on.

Feeling good about it...

It's that time of year; you know... back to school.
The evidence is everywhere. There is no escaping it. What I wouldn't give to go back to the days when folders and post it notes topped my list.

For us, school starts next Tuesday. Justin is at the top of his game as the big 5th grader and Leighanna is the newbie heading off to her first year of middle school. The excitement and nerves are starting to seep their way into our house as the countdown kicks in to overdrive.  

At the end of last year I sat down with the Principal. There were several(3) fifth grade teachers taking time off because they were having babies of their own. Flip flopping teachers part way through the year or having a sub for the year was not a good plan on MANY levels... even beyond D. It was agreed that Justin would not have one of the pregos or a "new to the school" teacher.

So when I got my paperwork last Saturday, you can imagine my stress when I didn't recognise the name.
He was in the room I was hoping for, but the teacher was new. FLIPPIN OUT MAMA ALERT!!

I couldn't believe it... I ASKED her not to do that.

Long story short though... it wasn't planned. The original teacher decided last minute to take a year off. Placement was already done and to be honest... not sure what other teacher I would want him to have anyways. So... we going with it.

When I called on Monday I asked that they leave her(Mrs. B) a message to contact me. I needed to schedule a time before school started to meet with her about Justin, all his gadgets and what to look for/do when it comes to the diabetes. We have a meeting set for Monday :)

Tonight was open house. Justin and I went in to meet his new teachers and visit the old ones. Mrs, B seemed really nice. I introduced myself and she automatically asked where Justin was... didn't even pause to recall his name. Beautiful... she's on the ball :)

As I made the rounds... AGP, Nurse, Speech... I hear nothing but good things. Mrs. B has already been down to the office to look into a care plan, she visited speech because he will be going there. Let's just say Mrs. B has checked up on the situation. That either makes her AWESOME or SCARED AS HELL!!! I'm going with AWESOME! Anyone who is already trying to find out the details and wants to have her "stuff" together beforehand is just that in my book.

So I'm feeling good about it... going to be an awesome year.

Just to throw a little open house drama...
When we left for open house at 4:50pm- Justin was 160. I didn't correct knowing we would running around class to class... I didn't want to worry about it.

At 5:45 I see him pulling his meter out of his pocket.

38... THIRTY FREAKING EIGHT!!!???

I swear he walks into that building and his bg takes a nose dive.

What the shit?!?
*Shrugging shoulders and rolling eyes*

Now onto updating paperwork... fun times of a D-Mama!! Right on!

Wishing everyone a wonderful school year.

Five Question Friday...

NaBloPoMo... day 29

To learn more about 5QF click HERE

1. Vow renewal ceremonies-yay or nay?

Depends on what day you ask me. Today would be a big fat negatory! If I had the chance to run, I just might. Then, I wouldn't take the chance of going to jail for attempted murder(or something of that nature). Explanation: My husband has been on vacation this week... I just LUV him when he's all in my biz-nezz!!!


2. What sound/s annoy you the most?
I can't STAND to hear people eating. It seriously makes me sick to my stomach and want to smack them.

The beeping of the fire alarm when the battery needs to be changed... I mean COME ON! Does it HAVE to ALWAYS go dead in the middle of the night?!?!

One more thing, the sound boys make when they pretend to fly airplanes... don't know what it is... I just can't block that one out.



3. If you had to pick, would you have only all boys, or only all girls for kids?
Lets weigh our options...
Girls:
Cons...                              
-They wear your shoes         
-They steal you makeup
-They act just like you
-They get girly-tudes and PMS

 Pros...
-Eventually, you get to wear their shoes
-You get to torture them with nicknames like "scara" when you catch them stealing your make up.
-You see yourself in them and its funny
-You get to prove that you are the QUEEN of the "girly-tude"
-They dance and sing with you while your driving
-They shop with you

Boys:
Cons...
-They make noises... see above
-They pee on the toilet seat(and the floor)
-They like Lego's and it hurts when you step on them
-They.Know.Everything! And they learndid it on da science channel(or maybe Discovery)
-There's the whole "snakes and snails and puppy dog tails" thing

Pros...
-A little boy LOVES his mama more than anything!
-They back up their rotton-ness with a whole lotta sweet-ness
-They will catch the lizards in the house for you

This is a tough one. I guess I'd have to go with the boys... I really don't like lizards.

 

4. Do you believe in alternative medicine?
If I did wouldn't Justin be cured by some root wart mushroom potion by now?


5. Would you take a family member's children and raise them if they needed it?
Absolutely! Wouldn't I want the same for my kids?


And now for last weeks "extras"... WARNING! We are still talkin "HO Shoes"!

Alexis says "where the stripper shoes the reason behind....oh man I don't think I can finish the question..." the question is, Alexis, were YOUR stripper shoes the reason behind not being able to finish that question? 

Andrea says "I have been totally talking about getting a tattoo on my foot too!! It is going to simply say HOPE, but kinda feminine with a flower or something attached!!!" I like that idea!

I found this one... its pretty cool
Just need to add the flower

There was one I saw(of course I can't find it again) That had a saying about walking. I wish I would have saved it.


Reyna asks "Will said foot tat" be visible while you don your stripper shoes? Or will frequently mentioned, joked about, worn HO Shoes cover the "at some time in your life foot tat"? The "at some time in my life foot tat" will be totally visible. Dude... I wear Ho shoes... do you think I would be worried about covering a tat?


Amy says "my answer to that first one wouldn't have been appropriate for my family-friendly blog"
Dear Sweet Amy! You can tell us here... I think I threw "family friendly" out the window a long time ago.


Sarah says "you seriously crack me up!" Yeah! Sometimes I crack ME up too!


Meri has a few!!
Did Reyna just say Ho shoes? I believe that's an affimitive! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't read it myself


Did Reyna just call you a Ho? Oh shit!! I think she did


Are you going to just sit there and take that? I think Reyna could kick my ass... are you going to back me up Meri?


Does Reyna know that Ho Shoes is my new favorite phrase? I dunno! Imma gonna asks hur bout dat!


Do you both know that I love you? Awe shucks!!!

Did YOU know

That it! You guys let me off easy this week.
Happy Friday!!!

Diabetes Blog Week... Day two

Today's topic: "Letter writing day" Inspired by the Wego Blog Carnival where participants wrote letters to their condition. To throw in a twist... Karen suggested we could write a letter to anyone or anything.

I dug into the handful of drafts I have in my dashboard. I had started this post about a month ago after Misty posted about her school nurse. I was like... DUDE, OUR NURSE ROCKS!!!!

There are not enough words to describe our love for C, but I will give it a shot. The following is a letter I wrote last year to the school superintendent. I never had a chance to share it...

(real names of people and schools have been removed for privacy reasons)

 Dear Mrs. School Superintendent,
 As parents, we often spring into action when it comes time to advocate for our kids. We make phone calls, schedule meetings, write letters and do whatever else is necessary to make sure that our children are being treated fairly and receiving the necessary tools to succeed. However, far too many of us sit back and say nothing when we have been blessed with an amazing teacher, school nurse or even office staff that makes the job we call parenting a little easier. Today, I would LOVE to tell you a little bit about our blessing. Her name is C; she is the nurse at our school.


For you to truly understand why she has been such a blessing to me I will need to tell you a little about my adorable son Justin. Justin is a bright, loving 9 year old who is getting ready to embark on the big world of 4th grade next year. This journey did not come easily. From the time Justin started the EELP program, it has been a long road of advocating and tears. All of which has been worth every second spent because he has come a long way. Even so, it has not been easy and we still have a ways to go.

Then, last year, our lives changed forever. Justin was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. Not knowing anything but the damaging complications of this disease, I was terrified. Terrified by what the future would now have in store for him, terrified that I couldn't take care of him and terrified because getting Justin's needs meet in school had already proven to be a challenge without adding to the list. So what was I going to do now?


Thankfully, when Justin returned to school (my puffy red eyes and all), we met C. She was comforting, calm, understanding and walked me through everything I needed to do in order to make sure Justin would be taken care of during the school day. At the time I had no idea how grateful I would be to have her caring for him. C has become a great mediator and advocate for us.


- When Justin has been excluded from class activities where snacks were involved, NOT per my request, but by the choice of well meaning teachers who I know have the best intentions, she advocated that all we want as parents is for our children to feel normal and for them to be included.


- When Justin was called out by name and embarrassed in front of his classmates for being six minutes late to art class on a half day due to his daily blood sugar check, C was there at the meeting with his care plan in hand to advocate on his behalf.


- And just the other day (after a low blood sugar reading of 38) she heard that he got in trouble in Music because of his "temperament"... she quickly called the teacher as a reminder that an abnormal or drastic change in personality is a sign of a low blood sugar and that he needs to come to the office immediately. You see, it wasn't until his regular classroom teacher observed his behavior that he was tested. If he would have been tested during music, he would not have become so dangerously low resulting in less chance of seizure.

C's support does not stop at the school level. She raised money and attended the JDRF walk at the St. Pete Times Forum this year. She also participated in the Jingle Bell Run because this year's proceeds were being donated to JDRF. She did this on her own time. AND through her giving heart; she has taken a young child who has been faced with anxiety and low self esteem due to all the challenges he has been forced to overcome, and made him feel loved, accepted, and safe. In addition, she has reassured him that he is not alone in this journey.


As a parent of an exceptional child, I often have to discuss challenges, grades, ideas etc... with teachers. I have had year's where I was scared to breath. Thankfully, this year has been a little different. Having a resource who is on top of Justin's medical needs, mediating when necessary and communicating with me at every curve, has lifted a great weight off of my tired shoulders. Her quick action has also saved several people from unhappy phone calls. She does this because she cares. C is an asset to the school and a blessing to all that cross her path.


I just thought you should know.
Sincerely,
Lora

              

Since this letter, C continues to advocate daily. You will still see JDRF tennis shoes plastered all over her office door around walk time. She sells them at school to raise money for the walk.

C not only supports "her kids", but she is a huge support to me as a parent. She has truly lifted some of the weight off my tired shoulders... and there is nothing in the world I could do to thank her enough for that.

THE GUESSING GAME...

A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS READING... (SHOCKING I KNOW).


I WAS GETTING ALL CAUGHT UP ON MY FAVORITE D PEEPS WHEN I CAME ACROSS THIS POST BY NICOLE.


YOU SEE... JUSTIN DOESN'T ALWAYS FEEL HIS LOWS. MOST OF THE TIME HIS ACTIONS ALERT ME(OR HIS TEACHERS) TO A POSSIBLE "PROBLEM".


THING IS... I OFTEN HEAR PWD'S SAY THAT THEY KNOW WHAT THERE NUMBERS ARE BEFORE THEY EVEN CHECK.


WHY CAN'T WE(MEANING JUSTIN) DO THIS? IF WE(JUSTIN) COULD... MAYBE WE(OH, YOU KNOW WHO I MEAN) WOULD CATCH IT DROPPING WHEN IT HITS 80 RATHER THAN 39. JUST SAYIN!


SO... AS I AM READING NICOLE'S POST~ SHE TELLS ABOUT A GAME SHE PLAYS WITH CARA. IN THIS GAME, THEY WOULD ASSES HOW SHE FEELS AND GUESS THE NUMBER OF HER BLOOD SUGAR BEFORE SHE TESTED. GENIUS!! WHY CAN'T I THINK OF SUCH THINGS??


THIS WOULD MAKE JUSTIN HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW HE FEELS AND MAYBE HELP HIM START RECOGNISING THE FACT THAT HE'S DROPPING BEFORE HE'S TO THE POINT WHERE SOMEONE ELSE HAS TO NOTICE FOR HIM... RIGHT?


TONIGHT... WE FINALLY TRIED IT. HE CAME IN THE ROOM AND SAID HE "FELT FUNNY" ABOUT 30 AFTER DINNER.

ME~ HOW DO YOU FEEL?
J~ JUST FUNNY
ME~ LET'S GUESS, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR NUMBER WILL BE?
J~CAN I HAVE A RANGE? (SMART KID RIGHT?)
ME~ SURE!
J~ UM! FIFTY TO FIFTY NINE
ME~ SO IN THE 50'S?
J~ YES!

CLICK-POKE-BEEP... 51


NICE! (NOT THE NUMBER... JUST THE FACT THAT HE WAS RIGHT).


LATER ON, BEFORE BED, WE PLAYED AGAIN.


JUSTIN'S GUESS... 100-120 (HIS RANGE WAS A LITTLE WIDER THIS TIME)


ACTUAL RESULTS... 100 EVEN.


DAMN... HE'S KINDA GOOD AT THIS, I THOUGHT. SO WHY CAN'T HE FEEL HIS LOWS?? CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN THAT TO ME?


ANYWAYS... THINKING I WAS ALL SMART(WELL, NOT ME, NICOLE) I POSTED WHAT HE DID.


WELL SHIT!!!!


ALL KINDS OF D MAMAS DO THIS...  HALLIE, MERI, HEIDI, HEATHER, KRIS, JUST TO NAME A FEW. WHO KNEW? AND WHY DIDN'T ANYONE LET ME IN ON THE SECRET? OR AM I JUST REALLY THAT SLOW? (DON'T ANSWER THAT!)


ALL I CAN SAY IS... THANKS FOR LOOKING OUT FOR ME NICOLE!!


AND... TO SHARE THE LUV. HERE I AM. RE-POSTING ABOUT "THE GAME". JUST IN CASE THERE IS ONE MAMA LEFT THAT IS SLOWER THAN ME ;0) ANYONE? ANYONE?

 ON A SIDE NOTE: HE WAS ACTUALLY HAPPY TO PLAY THE GAME... IT MADE ME SMILE. IT'S NOT OFTEN YOU GET TO HAVE FUN WHERE D IS CONCERNED. GOTTA TAKE WHAT YOU CAN GET.


LETS JUST HOPE THAT THIS HELPS IN OUR QUEST TO CATCH OUR JUSTIN'S LOWS. 

SUM IT UP SATURDAY...

I've missed the last few Wednesdays, which means I have also missed Wassup Wednesday. I am not exactly sure where my week goes these days. I have even forgot to enter like the last FOUR Sugar Bolus Giveaway's... HELLO... FREE STUFF...WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU???


Speaking of Sugar Bolus... Check out this weeks giveaway, hosted by the beautiful Jen @ I am your Pancreas.



Anywho... I'm sitting here, it's 2am and I can't sleep for the second night in a row. SO, seeing as I missed "Wazzup Wednesday" once again... I figured I would give "Sum it up Saturday" a whirl and see how it goes.

Hey, I have come up with some good shit a 2am when I can't sleep. Remember Dear Juicy Juice?

And, if all goes well, maybe I will create a fabulous "Sum it up Saturday" logo. Just in case Wednesday sneaks by me again.


-First up... by popular demand(aka: 1 or 2 people asked me) I am going to share the story of the finger in my last post.

It was a dark and stormy night... lol, I'm just kidding.

Actually, it was a total blond, sleep deprived, trying to multi-task, finger in the wrong place at the wrong time moment.

You see, I was filling up the cartridge with the liquid gold so that we could do a site change. We've(aka me) been having some bubble issues lately and I was flicking repeatedly at said cartridge while mindlessly looking for something sturdier than my finger to use; so I could give those relentless, stubborn ass bubbles a good whack.

Unfortunately for my finger... I missed the cartridge and flicked the point of the large ass needle instead. OUCH!

That dang needle slice a cut on my finger that is just shy of a half inch long. Seriously! I know it doesn't look that bad in the picture, but it actually wrapped around the side. I'm lucky I didn't loose a digit :} (J/K on that last part)

It hadn't occurred to me, but you could cause some serious pain with those suckers(why are they so big anyways?).

So that's my story... in all its glory.


-Another thing that I have been wanting to share for a while is the Life for a Child Campaign. There are several ways you can help save the life of a child with T1D. You can read all about it by visiting Wendy at Candy Hearts.

-For the past week or so, I have been trying to become a better "twit". I think I have it half figured out. This all came about because I wanted to keep up with JDRF Government Day in D.C.
 Hallie had the chance to attend the event; along with several respected PWD bloggers. Keep your eyes on The Princess and the Pump to hear all about Hallie's experience.


AND... if you are a fellow "twit", be sure to stop by and say hello to me @rockinDmom.

Another pretty cool thing I did this week was tune into the Diabetes Social Med Live on Blog Talk Radio.

To learn what DSMA Live is all about... go HERE.

In short... questions are asked that spiral off into conversations and stories. I laughed a little and cried a little while listening to some of them. It was really neat to hear the voices of some of the PWD bloggers I follow. They rarely sound like I imagine :)

One exciting moment of the show was when Justice called in. He is one super sweet kid. Very mature and polite. Not sure if you know this, but Justice holds a special place with us because he shares a dx date with Justin. His Mama's not so bad either ;p (lol).

While all this is going on... all of the listeners are chatting away with their own thoughts and stories... It was a great experience and I cant wait to tune in next Thursday.


Well that's it for this post...

Until next time :)