F-U-N-C-T-I-O-N...

After reading Meri's post about "staying out of the loony bin"; all kinds of thoughts started running through my mind. As I was finishing up what turned out to be the longest comment EVER... I decided to blog it instead.


There has probably been a few posts lately to credit this inspiration... Wendy talked about "steps" ... the time after your childs diagnoses where you go through all kinds of different stages.
These stages take years for a lot of us. And even when we think we are past one stage of the game and into the next... something happens to take us back a few paces. That seems to happen to me all the time.


We are 1 year and 8 1/2 months into playing the game. I would like to think I have accepted life as I now know it, but I don't think I can honestly say I have. I know I am not in denial... I never went through that stage because D never crossed my mind before the day he was diagnosed. When I found out... I went right into shock and stayed there for a heck of a long time, only peeking out for the occasional bout of anger. Like Wendy said... "I felt like time in MY world had stopped, but the rest of the world kept moving". I plead for someone to make me understand why. Why is this happening. What did I do wrong and why is he paying for it. I don't do that to much anymore... I've decided it's not for me to know why. So I have decided to search for my purpose in all this instead (more on that later).


I skipped around the steps a bit compared to Wendy... I am sure we all have our own order depending on how we rolled the dice and what chance card we happen to draw.

For me... the next to set in was grief and the feeling of being alone. I was numb, I felt alone in my own family- my own house even. I felt alone in my fears. This was my fog.


About ten months after Justin's diagnosis... a blog was born... I was in search of something to sink my head into. Originally I started a craft blog thinking that it would be my hiding spot. My break from my aching mind. Then I came across another D mom's blog... I THINK it was Jill's. It was then I decided that I had a whole lot more to say about my life dealing with diabetes than I did about a hobby. Don't get me wrong... I LOVE doing paper crafting, scrap booking, card making etc... but my mind was so consumed within the thick walls of my fog that I couldn't see through it for anything else anyways.


After a few posts... I started getting comments. Maybe because I was mustering up the strength to make comments on the blogs I started following. This is when the fog started to lift. The encouragement, understanding and support from others was more than I would have ever thought it to be. Eventually, it was clear enough for me to find the path and the strength to pull me out of my murky haze. I guess this is when I started to heal and feel connected. It's like I wasn't lost anymore with nowhere and no one to ask for directions.


So where am I now??


I would have to say I am in a combination of the stages... Robotic at times (more than I would like to be).

Still in search of my purpose and Just TRYING to function.

I am still heartbroken and scared. Fearful of his future and if he will wake up every morning to have one. We had 3(yes, THREE) juices in the middle of the night last night. Between midnight and 5am. Our lowest point... 41. *sigh* I don't even get scared at the 40's anymore... the scary part is that I won't wake up and I will miss a low one day. Because we all know to well that it only take ONE TIME to make our worst nightmare a reality.

Like Meri... I hope that I can live one day, I hope that I can find a way to relax and just be a mom...

I hope that I can find a way to really function.

Big stuff around here...

Big stuff going on around here... I feel like I need a theme song (hey, it works for Hallie ;).

First up... we are done with pump training (we finished early to boot).
We made our final pump setting adjustments today. I am not sure I get it but who am I to judge?

What don't I get???

Well, I don't understand how we see the obvious need for more adjustments, but not the need to follow up with how they work. I guess I just assumed we would continue to send in logs until there was no more adjusting. Confused am I?? Well... just a tad!

Either way... So now I don't need to check in between meals unless I suspect a low... that I won't complain about because we have been flying through test strips faster than the cup full of tokens at Chuck-E-Cheese the other day. I don't have to keep logs like a crazed math nut. Justin can have snacks again, I can correct if I need to... AND because I don't have to fax in logs by 1pm, then wait for the call that sometimes never comes... we can get out of this house!!! We are all going a bit stir crazy I am afraid :)


I know, I know... we could have left. But I am one of those people that has to get up early and get going... or I just don't bother. One of my many oddities I guess.


Movin on...


Sliding in second on my list...
WERE GETTING A CGM!!!!! YAHOO!!!!
feels like there might be a smidgen of sleep in my future :)
It arrives Wednesday... now all I need is a super cool name for it.
OH~ and more training... CRAP!


And last but certainly the funnest... I filled out an application for the Littlest Heroes Project
and it was accepted... YAHOO AGAIN!!!
Now I am in the process of looking through the photographers. I have it narrowed down to 8 in my area... I still have a lot of "narrowing down" to do.

Hope you all have a FABULOUS 4th of July weekend!!!
BE SAFE!

A lesson to learn...

To say it has been a long week would be an understatement. Maybe if I wasn't an endocrinologically challenged control freak... I wouldn't be exhausted right now :)

Today... we are on pump day 11. From the way things are going... site changes are glucose crashing monsters. Those have been the days with the most issue around here. That leads me to my mistake.

Yesterday, Justin had a birthday party to go to at my favorite place E.V.E.R (sarcasm inserted)!
Chuck-E-Cheese has made my head hurt before I even get there on many occasions. It's not the snotty nose little kids all touching the same games... it's not the tube system polluted with food that parents let their little darling take in there or the fact that if you walk in your white sox's... they will look like you just played in the dirt with them(oh wait- that IS what you did).
Aside from all that loveliness... MAN IS IT LOUD!!! I do not like chaos... never have! And it doesn't get much more chaotic than a birthday celebration in the mouse house.

Before I go... I prepare. Chuck-E is nice enough to list his nutritional value on his website. I made sure to write it all down ahead of time. AND the soda is easily accessible so I could fill Justin's party cup with some carb free diet.

Get to the point Lora...

Okay, so for the pizza I figure Justin would eat 2 pieces... they were not real big. So I go ahead and bolus for that thinking there would be play time in between pizza and cake... um NOPE!
The girl just dished out the cake like it was part of the meal. So in my unsure mind I decided to wait a bit to see what his BS would do before I bolus more. Besides, he has been running hard for almost 3 hours straight and his BS held pretty steady the whole time.

When it was over...(still no bolus for cake) the kids turn their tickets in to Mr. Munchy and we head over to the counter full of prize "stuff". Five hours later (not really, but it felt like it) we emerge with our trinkets and head home.

When we get home (2 hours after eating) I have Justin check his BS... 268. Okay, correction it is. I gave a little less than it said because it is night time.

Oh yeah, we also needed to do a site change... Magic cream + 45 min... easy!

Until... the bedtime check.
9:42pm - 53 + 18c
9:59pm - 64 (did I not wait long enough?)
10:22pm - 53 + 38c (pb&j with a little bit if juice to quick boost)
11:01pm - 133
3:00am - 74 + 15c
6:30am - 57 +15c
8:00am - 46

Dear lord what did I do???? Should I not have corrected at all??

What would you have done??

Pump day number.... ummmm???

What day is it anyways??? I think it's Friday. So that would make this day 5 ;)

I am tired but I was doing great on those few precious hours of sleep... UNTIL last night anyways. I think someone forgot to tell D that we should be having more steady numbers now and that the lows need to go!

It IS all my fault though... I caused it... how? Well I jinxed myself of course.

It went a little something like this...
I have to fax in Justin's log to Dr. D everyday by 1:00. Tuesday and Wednesday's faxes were accompanied by an additional "low glucose log". BUT yesterday's... that's when I messed it all up.

Because in the notes section of the fax cover sheet I wrote this... "we had no low BS levels :)"

I think it was the little smiley that pushed D over the edge... he doesn't like that... happiness that is. So yesterday, all through the night and into this morning... we chased lows.

3pm - 54
5pm - 49
5:15 - 64
11pm - 53
3am - 91 (not bad, but me no likey at 3am... add 8c)
6am - 54
8am - 47


I am exhausted, beat, broken-down, burned out, collapsing, dead on my feet, dog-tired, done for, drained, exasperated, fatigued, finished, overtaxed, overworked, petered out, pooooooooooped, run-down, sick of, spent, tuckered out and worn!!!!!!!
**Disclaimer... thank you thesaurus.... I was to all of the above to think.

I do like the pump thus far and I don't think that the pump or the settings are the culprit of the sudden "crash syndrome" we have been up against. I just think it's one of those things... Those D things.

Let's hope today's 1:oo fax gives us some answers.

A 100th post THANK YOU!!

After a whole lot of waiting... IT has finally arrived!!!

What is "IT" you ask???

Well "It" is my 100th blog post of course.

"IT" took me forever to decide what I would do for my big 100. Let’s face it… I had some tough acts to follow with Meri’s ellipsis and Tracy’s BIG WORDS!

I decided to change gears a bit and do a simple random giveaway, but with a bonus for those who have supported me most during the last 99 crazy posts.

The loot:
this crafty decorated paint bucket (that I picked up at Home Depot) filled with a few fun or maybe even some crafty surprises(I do love a good mystery).

Here’s how it works:.
ANYONE CAN WIN!!! If you would like to be entered in the random drawing… please leave a comment (you MUST do this in order to be entered... that's the only way I know your interested).

Bonus entries:

Bonus #1 I currently have 441 comments on my blog. (Sorry Mr. Chinese person, you annoy me and I have removed all of your comments. Therefore, you do not have a chance to win).
To thank those who have lifted my spirits when I was down, laughed with me, got mad at “that damn art teacher” with me or answered my questions… you get an extra entry for every comment you have left on my blog. (Don’t forget to leave a comment on this post so that I know you are interested and want to be entered).

Bonus #2 If you are a follower… you will get an additional entry (This is one of the only times it might pay to be a follower... you still have time to be a follower but, you will still need to leave a comment on this post to enter).

****************************

Sooo ~ for example: If Betty Lou wants the bucket of surprise… she leaves me a comment on this post.
(She is now entered to win)

Then ~ Betty Lou decides to become a follower to better her chances.
(BONUS... 2nd entry)


Then ~ Betty Lou has left 7 comments on the last 99 posts.
(Bonus... 7 more entries)

In all, Betty Lou has earned a total of 10 entries into the random drawing. The comments will be numbered in order received followed by the order of followers.


Please do not go back and makes comments now… I already have them written down in order.

I will use Random.org to make it fair.

You have all weekend to enter... I will choose the winner on Monday.

Good Luck Everyone!!!!!

12 times...

12 times... that's how many times Justin checked his BS at school between 8:45 and 12:40.
Think about that... 12 times in less than 4 hours. 12 finger pokes. 12 new holes to harden the tip of his fingers. 12 drops of blood to fill 12 test strips.

12 TIMES!

I was subbing in a third grade class when the phone rang. "C" (our nurse) was asking if we had made any changes over the weekend. Justin had come to the clinic at 8:45 complaining of dizziness. Mind you, he just ate a half of a PB&J less than 30 minutes before. Not to mention his usual 50(ish) carb breakfast not long before that. Yet, he was "dizzy and glazed".

He was asked questions... but his "glazed" look over powered any answer he could drum up.

• "C" treated and retested 10 minutes later. Justin's BG level dropped more even after 2 tabs.


• 1 more tab and 5 more minutes... BG lower


• 17g and 10 more minutes... BG lower


• Juice and 15 minutes... were FINALLY moving in the right direction.


• He was sent back to class at 9:25 knowing that he would have his usual 10:15 check.

LOW AGAIN!!!

• 19c snack... plus popcorn party and 50 minutes later... low again.


• 2 tabs... 10 minutes later... STILL DROPPING!

That was his morning... the "easy" life of a diabetic right? No big deal?

I don't agree one bit. Because on this morning... the one that is reflected by the numbers on this paper below... show a child sitting in the nurses office while his friends were on the playground for recess. He is "dizzy", "glazed" and "unable to answer questions". He feels terrible... but he wishes more than anything that he could go out and play. The one time in the day his class would get a break from work... and he is sitting!

Not only that... but because he spent 1 hour and 35 minutes with the nurse within that 4 hour time period... he didn't get his work done. Meaning... extra homework! Fair? Not hardly!!

Notes from "C"...

This has been one of those weeks. You know... the angry, emotional, lost, numb and kinda bitter weeks. WHY? I don't know... full moon? PMS? diet is making me edgy? All possibilities I'm sure.

Have you ever felt as if you've lost yourself? Do you ever look in the mirror and wonder where you went? Is the girl that everyone referred to as "always happy and smiling" still in there hiding behind the dark baggy circles and sadness? Will she ever return?

I keep staring at myself... I have aged so much. I look WAY older than I am and no amount of makeup will hide the casualties of worry that have seized the girl I use to be.

I miss her... I miss her spirit... her spunk... her energy. I miss the optimism that has been replaced by skepticism.

Where's the girl that had no fear... because this one is drowning in it.

I want her back................. P.L.E.A.S.E.

Whoa!! Now that this post went WAY off track... I should probably wrap it up. If you made it this far... thanks and sorry. Thanks for being here and sorry I went off on a pity party. I think I need to eat some carbs or something :)

Good night all...

Diabetes Blog Week... Day 2

Making the low go... don't forget to check out Karen's blog for a list of all the blogs participating in the Diabetes Blog Week.

Lets see... to answer this question I might have to empty out my purse or rummage through the center console of my car to check out the secret stash.

hmmm ~ peanut butter crackers... laffy taffy... oh! there's a juicy juice in there (no wonder my purse is so heavy). Of course I have a stash of glucose tabs... fruit snacks... fruit roll ups and one pink starburst.

We are apparently not to picky when it comes to "perking up" our numbers when we are on the go :)

When we are home... Justin goes straight for the COOKIES!! I think we should let them indulge when they can. Why not? After all, they got the crappy end of the stick in all this.

For those overnight lows... I like to use V8 splash. I have found that it doesn't make Justin crash like the Juicy Juice does. I use to try and feed him, but it was way to hard to keep him awake (chewing while sleeping is a talent for sure :)

Sooo that's the "low" down on lows at our house :)

Happy Tuesday!!!

Karen over at Bitter-Sweet had an idea to have a "Diabetes Blog Week". Meaning each day of the week... we blog about the suggested topic. I think this a great way for us to learn some new ideas. Will every idea work for everyone... nope!! BUT maybe we will find something great along the way. Diabetes blog week starts Monday... you can learn more about it and the topics here.

Karen also compiled a list of every blog that plans on participating... you can find that here.

So hop on over to Karen's blog and sign up... I look forward to learning from you.

HAPPY BLOGGING!!

What's happening at our house...

I am so behind! That is the story of my life these days... er the last 18 months that is.

That's right~ it has officially been 18 months since D-day (Oh wait! It's been 18 months and ummm ~ 6 days... did I mention I am behind?).

Anyh0o, I just wanted to do a quick post just in case you missed me :) BAHAHAHAHAHA!

1. I volunteered to help during the JDRF Walk in Lakeland this past weekend. The Ack pack just walked a few weeks ago at the walk in Tampa, so I gave of my time instead.
Now you would think that most of the wonderful peeps volunteering their time would have great knowledge of what they are volunteering for right? NOPE!

There was this church group (God luv em!). Bigger fellows if you will :)
I am standing beside them at the check in table. They are chatting. One of then says "I don't understand why they would have all those donuts here. It's all that sugar that caused this anyways".
OH GOOD HELL!!

I think my eyes popped out of my head. Did I say something? DAMN SURE DID!
Me~ Actually sugar doesn't cause it at all.

The guy who actually said it and needed to listen walked away. However, one guy did stay and chat with me for a good 15 min. I appreciated that and I can only hope that he went back and smacked the other guy upside the head :)

I went through the whole spiel... autoimmune vs metabolism... does not make insulin vs does make insulin and does not utilize it properly... my son CAN and DOES have the occasional donut. You know the speech.
The guy that listened to my mini vent was super nice. I apologized for jumping into his conversation, but explained how the mix up between the 2 types is rather agitating to us T1 parents. Let's face it... we have enough issues without being judged (at least I do).

Other than that... it was interesting. I greeted lots of people. Passed out lots of burgers and called it a day :)



2. Yesterday I had an Endo appt. Nothing exciting. He thinks were doing good. Justin's a1c has consistently been creeping up... it is now 6.9 (not bad, but I don't like the rising trend).
He says that our higher numbers lately are more typical of a diabetic and that the lows are still honeymoon stage. When does the Honeymoon end? He did not change any of his dosage.

That was that!



3. I have not been able to find out any info about the art teacher. But I will say she has been disgustingly nice??? I am not a big fan of such nonsense!!!



4. I am ready to give away (for free) one 10 year old with a bitchy PMS type of attitude.
Please leave your name and address and I will overnight her immediately :) NO RETURNS PLEASE!



5. I LOST 7 POUNDS!!!!


6. I took me 4 days to recover from day 1 of 30 day shred. I just did day 2 yesterday. My body doesn't hurt AS BAD this time... I might try again today :)


7. I fell asleep in front of my laptop and missed Sunday chat :( That does not make me happy.
I feel out of the loop and sad.


I think that's about it...

My house was clean yesterday and today it looks like a tornado blew through. I guess I better get motivated to clean up the aftermath.

Happy Tuesday!!!

From the mouth of yours truly...

Welcome to another round of "from the mouth of yours truly".
HMMM~ lets see what hullaballoo has flown out of my lips recently...


- I wish that kid would get his finger out of his nose... it's kinda making me nauseous.


- (to go with the above) What do you think he's gonna do with it when he gets it?


- I need to wash my jeans, but I'm scared to because if they shrink... I'M SCREWED!


- I need to get some sun on these glow sticks I call legs.


- It's call Juvenile Diabetes... NOT Sugar Diabetes... Sugar DIDN'T cause this! (and yes, there WAS a bit of an attitude)


- OMG! There's a spell check on my Google bar! When did that get there? HOLLA!!


- I just looked down and realized this outfit makes me look like a bumble bee.


- I signed up for pump class... the girls are gonna be so proud!


This is a little bonus from the mouth of the hubby... in conversation with his boss.
- I just TELL my wife I'm doing it... WATCH THIS... (phone rings). Um honey(in his sweet voice)... Do you mind if I go to Texas?


What's come out of your mouth this week??

Fab Find Friday...

A while back I posted about a super low carb treat. You can read about it here. We still eat that one all the time.

This week my mother-in-law sent home some sugar cones with the kids. They have 12 carbs each. By the time you add in ice cream the carbs start adding up. So after a few minutes of thought... I figured I would try to freeze the Reddi Wip inside the cone.
It worked!

I also put a (just a few) sprinkles on them for fun. The kids loved them.

Happy Friday!!

FAB FIND FRIDAY...

On this Fabulous Friday I'm going to do a little bread talk. WHY?? Cuz I wanna!



Just kidding :)


Really, here's the thing. Since Justin was diagnosed I have packed his lunch EVERY.DAY!

Now, here we are ALMOST a year and a half later and we have the whats in my lunch BLAH's


Challenge 1 - This child doesn't eat everything. MAJOR HURDLE. He's a picky little bugger! (I can say that cuz I'm his mama :)



Challenge 2 - I need to get the most bang for my carb count. (rather than the most for my buck ~get it? Never mind, it was cheesy, I know) I need more food without adding carbs.

So Mama's on a mission. I want to find some variety to Justin's packed lunch blues :)

Today's shared find is BREAD. Most likely I am THE LAST to know as usual, but I am going to share anyways.



BEFORE DX it was Publix bread that filled our lunch pail. It stayed fresh the longest and I just liked it. But AFTER DX... the 30 carbs in 2 slices only left me with 15 carbs to work with in Justin's lunch box. Not going to work...


So I tried wheat... a few less carbs. At least enough to make the whole PB& J around 30 carbs.
But, sweet Justin wanted NOTHIN to do with the "brown bread".

CRAP!
Then we found white wheat... 22 carbs in 2 slices. Okay, the same a whole wheat itself, but again... add PB&J and you are left with about 15 carbs to work with.
Then we found mini bagel.. I like Thomas'. They have 16 carbs in one bagel. The best part is that Justin will eat some ham on them ~ SCORE~ more carbs to play with means extra snack!! (they are also good with the favorite PB&J)

Keep reading... cuz the list goes on!

Then we found Martin's sliced potato rolls...(great for sliders) again with 16 carbs... great! Justin eats ham and even tuna on these lately :)

AND then there's my latest find. Pepperidge Farm Very Thin bread. 16 carbs.

I know that the difference between 22 carbs and 16 carbs may not sound like much to most, but to a growing child who has 45 carbs counted out for him every day... woo hoo ~ bring on the extra snack.

What kind of bread do you use??

Meri... Our D-Mom SUPERHERO!!!

Meri ~ Meri ~ Meri!!
There's not a D-Mom that doesn't LOVE Meri.
Her smile is infectious.
Her words are wise and encouraging.
When we are down... she is there to lift us up.
And when we loose our marbles... she finds a way to make it okay :)

Here's to you Meri!!!

You are an AWESOME FRIEND.

Check out this post from Meri... its a MUST READ!!!

Low bg and FCAT's don't mix....

Here in the good ol' Sunshine state we have our beloved (she says sarcastically) FCAT testing. EVERYONE dreads this week(sometimes 2 weeks for the older ones).

-This test has been known to hold students back a grade if they don't pass.

-They use it for placement in middle school/high school... you do well, your in gifted classes. Not so well, "boom boom" classes it is. Grades and hard work don't matter.

-Worst of all... You could be a straight A student with a 6.0 GPA. But, if you cant pass that bad boy in high school- you do not get a diploma. WTH?

Did I mention... parents, students and even teachers DREAD.THIS.WEEK!

Either way, as any mom would... I made sure they study, rest, eat well and so on.
But unlike most moms... I had other things to deal with to. I had D.

-I had to make the decision to keep him in class or have him test in an alternate environment.
(this IS a tough decision)

-I had to meet with the teacher to create the temporary care plan during testing.

-Parents are sending in post test snacks, so each morning I go in to carb count and give instruction.

-We have a 504 outlining the basics.

BUT, no matter how how much you prepare, D is always there and one small mistake, one forgetful moment opens the ugly door of opportuni-D.


Today was day 2 of testing. My husband drove Justin to school so that I could get a couple things done here. The plan was set. Then I get an email.

Mrs. Me,
This morning your husband came in and went over snacks with me. He said that Justin did have his sandwich and once he left I reminded Justin to eat it during morning announcements. He is always good about eating his snack so I did not "watch him" do it, as I had parents in the room and I was starting preparations for the FCAT. He either forgot to eat the sandwich or did not hear me remind him. I noticed his lack of ability to focus halfway through the test. I immediately sent him to be checked and he was low. We stopped testing at that point and he will continue the test with Mrs. assistant principal this morning. He has unlimited time with her. I apologize and will make certain tomorrow that he has everything he needs before we start and during our break. I spoke with him about going out of the room to finish the test and he seems fine with it. I also discussed the importance of him also remembering his snack in the morning even when his schedule is different than it normally is. I will give him another talk before he leaves!

I also received an email from Mrs. assistant principal.

He's with me now. He reviewed the first section of the test and is now completing the remainder of the test. No problems!

I called the school, of course! He was 46 and in la la land. They handled it. I am grateful that he was in his regular classroom because someone else may not have noticed.

I guess what I'm getting at is... this is just another way "D" showed me that no matter how prepared I am or how well thought out the details and schedules are... it's just going to wait, linger, lurk in the background and wait for the opportunity to make its presence known.

FIGURES!!!

The "ACK" Pack walks to cure Diabetes...

The "Ack" Pack is gearing up for the JARF Walk to Cure on April 3rd. Hope you enjoy the video... there are lots of sweet familiar faces on there :)

To visit my fundraising page please click HERE

THE HOUSE! AND WORK! AND GRANDMA! ~ OH MY!!

I am SO.FAR.BEHIND.
I don't even think those words can describe how far out in the middle of nowhere I am.

My blogs... I haven't been able to keep up with my reading.

My FB... I am addicted. I think if I got anymore addicted id start snorting the letters off the computer screen! However, every day when I come home there are 350+ "most recent" updates and I just haven't had time to catch up with them all these last few days.

My house... ummm~ let's not discuss that :)

My work... this is a combination of things. 1. My non paying volunteer job: I am behind. This is a super busy week because of an upcoming event. SOOO~ lots of work ahead + I am already behind = GOOD HELL!!!!
2. My paying job: though the pay sucks... I still do it. It's a job. It's flexible. And I like it.

My Grandma... still in the hospital. Today was the first day that I didn't go visit. I am riddled with guilt that she is there alone. My aunt had to work today. I had a meeting(job # 1). My uncle will be stopping in after work, but the fact that I work tomorrow(job # 2) means that I will not see her then either. I feel bad... I feel guilty!

My video... thank you to EVERYONE who sent me photos. I am TRYING to get it done. I just had a small speed bump in the road. I will send that out A.S.A.P.


I feel lost. Out of the loop. It sucks!!!

HELP NAME TEAM JUSTIN!!

I need some help. I am trying to think of a fun name for a walk team so that I can sign up as a team for this years walk. I need to get going because the walk is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!!!

I would

LOVE & APPRECIATE

any ideas you can throw my way.

PLEASE HELP NAME TEAM JUSTIN!

Love you all~

My thoughts on Oprah...

Honestly, I don't think a whole lot about Oprah. I think she is good at getting ratings. I think her show use to be better than it is today. Honestly, I doubt I would have even know she was doing a show on Diabetes if I didn't get an update on Facebook from a fellow D mom.

So out of curiosity... I googled Oprah to see what was happening. The previews said it all. I didn't need to watch the show to tell you it was going to be all about type 2.

So why did I set the DVR??? Who knows! Curiosity again? Hope that they would differentiate between the two? Maybe I wanted to watch it so that I could keep up with the chat about it afterwards.

Either way, I set myself up from the beginning that the "O" show wasn't going to be any different than any other. I told myself that it was going talk all about type 2... the word type 1 would be mentioned but not explained.

Soo did "O" disappoint? NOPE! Not at all.
It was lumped together.
It didn't help the cause for a cure for all those out there faced with this horrid disease.
Those that are NOT over weight.
Those that ARE active.
Those that are babies.
Those that DID NOT have a choice.
It did NOT help the children out there who just want to feel normal.
Those children who's teachers wont give them hot chocolate or king cake even though their friends are all enjoying those things in front of them.
WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN OPRAH??

I think JDRF needs a chance to appear on a talk show. Let that talk show use it's resources to help JDRF raise money for a cure. Give T1's a chance to be heard... recognised... and understood.

Let the faces of T1 diabetes be seen.

I challenge you mighty talk shows


To sum it all up... Maybe it did help a few with or at risk of type 2. And that IS wonderful.
But get it straight.

And that's MY two cents on the subject!!!

Ignorance and understanding...

Ignorance and understanding... I was faced with some of each today. Of course it all revolves around the big D. Hey... these days... what doesn't?

Justin was invited to a birthday party. He was so excited of course. This is the first "friends" party, where I did not know the parents, that he has been to since he was diagnosed.
Okay, no biggie! I called the mom to RSVP. I left her a message asking her to PLEASE call me back.
The message went something like this... "Hi Mrs. Mom, My name is... Justin would love to come to the party on Saturday. I was hoping that I could talk to you very briefly about the party... I don't if you are aware that Justin has diabetes. It's no biggie, but I would greatly appreciate it if you would give me a quick call back. I just have one or two questions that would help me plan ahead with Justin's insulin. Thank you and I look forward to talking with you."

That was nice right??? Not creepy??? Or weird???

Did she call back? HECK NO!!!

That may require some courtesy. Who has that any more?

Again, no biggie... I loaded Justin up and we headed over to the laser tag place. When we got there... I checked his blood... 81... okay, as long as they eat first he will be fine.

We go in... the mom did not speak to anyone outside the circle of 3 or 4 people she already knew.
I seriously HATE ignorance... I am sorry... that IS ignorant. You are the hostess for crying out loud.
So anyways... in comes the worker and says we will be heading over to laser tag in 5 min... SHIT!! (that's right, I said shit) At 81, he can not go play 2 rounds of laser tag.
So I walk up and say to the mom... I will be right back... I need to go grab Justin something to eat before he runs around... she could have cared less... it was like I was some kind of bag lady asking for a handout.
Now keep in mind that had she CALLED ME BACK... I would have fed Justin on the way. But without knowing, I didn't dare.
So I ran down stairs... bought a pretzel and headed back up. Justin was sooo not happy that he had to stop playing freeze tag and eat, but I managed to get him to eat half...

Then... off they went to play (I stayed back which is a first for me). Once they came back... they sat down for pizza. For drinks we had... regular Coke, regular Sprite and Fruit Punch. (iy yi yi)
Okay... I just simply asked the worker guy if he happened to have anything diet.

Am I just expecting to much from people? When did people loose their ability to be considerate?
Where are the manners? WHEN DID WE LOOSE OUR MANNERS?

Whatever... it is what it is.

Now onto some understanding...

Leighanna also had a birthday party today (a sleepover). The rest of us decided to go out to dinner(Justin, Anthony and I). Justin choose Olive Garden (pasta again?? okay, I guess I don't need to sleep tonight).
We sat down and ordered diet Coke. When the waitress brought the drinks... I promptly double check that Justin's was diet.
All of the sudden the waitress says... "is he diabetic"? (yes)
OH when was he diagnosed (???a little over a year ago)
My daughter was diagnosed when she was 3... she's 5 now. (really)

We went on to have some light conversation... you know... who's your doc ... how did you find out etc. It was nice. AND when she brought Justin's refill... I didn't even ask if it was diet.

I don't know why meeting another T1 mom feels so great... but it does.

Happy Saturday!!!!

Teaching some responsibility...

Let me just put it out there... Justin is my baby. Mama's boy. My last. My youngest.
Therefore, I find myself doing EVERYTHING for him. In addition, he has always had things going on medically. We have done it all. The MRI's, Cat Scans, EEG's, allergy tests, sleep studies, ear tubes(twice), adenoids... bla bla bla!!! All this makes me pretty protective of him.

Except with Diabetes. I have found myself pushing him to learn. I make him read carbs in the store if he wants something(despite the odd and sometimes looks of disapproving older ladies).

I have it in my head that he needs to learn this stuff and I need to teach it to him while he still thinks I sorta know a thing or two. I had him doing this sort of thing right away. Why not? He's smart.

So the last few nights I have pushed more and more for him to start giving his own insulin. Maybe it was the fact that I had burgers on the grill, fries in the fryer, mushrooms and soup on the stove, a sick daughter, a husband building a loft bed and so on... So I tell him "check your blood and roll your insulin". He complies without thought. "114 mom", he says. "Okay, get a syringe. You need 7 units. Don't forget to go a little past".

I have to say I am proud. He remembered to put 7 units of air into the bottle before pulled 7 units out. He flicked the syringe and had it precisely on 7 and ready to go. He must be paying attention and that makes me happy. Granted, I can't let him mix the 2 insulin's yet, but hey!

Now if I con only get him to give himself a shot!!!!