Sweet to the Soul Top 10

It may be the last day of Diabetes Awareness Month, but I don't plan to stop educating. That's part of the reason this blog exists.  To educate people and make them aware. To advocate for Lovebug and all the other children and adults who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes.  And if; God forbid, it would happen to you or someone you love; to come along side you and be there for support.  It is a 365 day a year job, just like diabetes never rests, I  will not stop supporting, advocating or educating until a cure is found.  


My good friend Tracy listed 30 Facts about Diabetes. One for every day this month. In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, I am listing my Top 10.  My Top 10 Facts I want you to know NOW about Type 1 Diabetes.  (If you want to check out Tracy's complete list click HERE)


Without further ado here is my list - in no particular order. 


Diabetes Fact Number 10 -  Type 1 Diabetes can happen to ANYONE. It is not necessarily hereditary.  This means it can happen to YOU or someone YOU know. 
~We have NO family history of Type 1 Diabetes.  


Diabetes Fact Number 9 - Type 1 Diabetes CANNOT be treated with medication. They ONLY way to manage Type 1 Diabetes it with insulin.  Without insulin, a Type 1 Diabetic would die. Period. 
~ Lovebug cannot survive without insulin. She cannot control her diabetes with exercise and diet, although those things can help with better blood sugar control. She cannot take a pill and there is NO cure.  She will have Type 1 Diabetes for the rest of her LIFE.  


Diabetes Fact Number 8 - Diabetes kills more people each year then Cancer and AIDS COMBINED.  It is serious. We NEED a cure!! 
~ Yes, Type 1 Diabetes is THAT serious.  


Diabetes Fact Number 7 - Complications from out of range blood sugars with Type 1 Diabetics are very real and very worrisome to those living with the disease (and their parents and loved ones). 
~ This is why I fret over the amount of carbs in Lovebug's food and why I always read labels.  The more exact I am in the carb count of her food, the more her blood sugars stay in range.  The more her blood sugars stay in range the longer she can put off dealing with the complications from the disease.  


Diabetes Fact Number 6 -  Parents of Children with Diabetes HATE it when people say "I could never do it!" when referring to the management of the kid's disease.  In reality you  could do it and would do it if you had to.  We probably had the same thoughts as you and now look at us, doing it 24/7. 
~ I had the same thoughts when Lovebug was diagnosed. I was (am) scared to death of needles and thought I would never be able to give her a shot. Everything changes when it's your child that's sick, when it's your child you have to give shots to to keep her (or him) alive. It comes right down to the fact that if you love you child you will do ANYTHING for them.  That includes poking them with syringes multiple times a day just to keep them alive.  


Diabetes Fact Number 5 -  Type 1 Diabetes is a 24/7/365 disease.  It NEVER sleeps and neither do the parents of children who have it (or the Type 1 Diabetics themselves.) ~ This is true with every family or person with Type 1 Diabetes. - We get up at least twice every night to check Lovebug's blood sugar.  We don't do it because we want to, we do it because we have to.  If we don't, our children could die in the middle of the night from dangerous low blood sugars or develop Ketoacidosis from high blood sugars.  Doing over night blood sugar checks is prevention.  


Diabetes Fact Number 4 - Having Type 1 Diabetes and getting an illness (especially a tummy bug) CAN be dangerous.  
~ Although Lovebug hasn't ended up in the hospital because of illness, yet, I know the day will come. It is inevitable. Almost every D Mama I have talked to this year who's Type 1 child ended up with the stomach flu also had a trip to the ER or a hospital stay.  So please don't judge us as being over protective when we stay home from play area's at the mall or McDonald's where germs abound.  We do that to protect our kids from a hospital stay. No, we can't always avoid it but there are some places we can avoid to not further expose them.   


Diabetes Fact Number 3 - The only thing constant with Type 1 Diabetes, it that nothing stays the same. 
~ We can have good numbers one day or for a couple days and then bad numbers the next.  We can have good numbers all day and then bad numbers at night.  Everything effects Lovebug's blood sugar; stress, growth, hormones, food, exercise (or lack of) weather; I mean EVERYTHING.  


Diabetes Fact Number 2 - Diabetes is ALL consuming. It is NOT our life, but is is a HUGE part of it.  
~ Tracy took the words out of my mouth for this one so I am going to let her do the talking.  "It is sadly true that Diabetes is ALL CONSUMING. It takes over every part of our lives and there is nothing we can do about it. So, we post on Facebook, we blog, we share, we educate because we are seeking SUPPORT from those who truly and fully understand what we go through each and every day. We seek support from those who are genuinely interested in learning more about all of it. NOT sorry. This is something that we deal with ALL day, EVERY day. You have things going on in your life that you feel are important or that consume all of you. I have Diabetes to consume me. I don't like it. But, I have no choice. It is here to stay and will continue consuming my life. Every time we go to the park. To school. To the store. Every time we stay at home watching TV. Or play toys on the floor. Every time I sit at the computer, Diabetes is still there. So, I will continue seeking support. I will continue to educate. I will continue to spread awareness."


Diabetes Fact Number 1 - It is important for families of Diabetic Children or the people with Diabetes themselves to genuinely try to understand what we go through, to learn about diabetes along with us, and to support us through encouraging comments.  
 ~  It means a lot to me when people tell me they are slowly learning what I (and our family) goes through on a daily basis. When people take the time to actually learn about Diabetes and what it takes to take care of Lovebug on a day to day basis.  I had a friend tell me just today that she didn't really understand how serious it was until she heard me talk about it at bible study.  Now she knows how to pray for me.  There is compassion there.  THAT is why I educate. If I don't share our story then I'm not educating.  What my friend H said to me today meant the world to me. It shows me they care.  It makes me feel loved and cared for.  I (we) really appreciate it. 

After today the awareness for some will fade away.  But for others, like us, the awareness will never go away.  Those of who have children who suffer from T1 will ALWAYS be aware.  It affects our life and the lives of our families.  It will never go away.  The insulin flow will never stop.  If it does, our kids lives would end with it.   Please Pray for a cure when you say your prayers, not just tonight but all year long.  

Last Minute

After one horribly long day I am sitting here wishing it wasn't 11pm at night.  Where did the time go today?? I started earlier today and never got it finished.  Time (and sleep) have certainly slipped away from me the past 24 hours.  


I spent last night up every hour from 11p until 3:30a chasing low blood sugars. Apparently her blood sugar didn't want to go above 86 last night. (this was after 3 juice boxes)  *sigh*  I finally got it up to 106 at 3:30a decided to let Dexie let me know if she went low again. (with a decreased basal rate of 40%, truthfully I was so frustrated that I almost just disconnected the pump.)  I actually ended up with a 2 hour stretch of sleep, but that was it.  


Now it is time to start checking again and I am just praying that I don't end up with another night like last night.  I NEED sleep.  I am so tired my eyelids feel heavy.  I didn't even know that could really happen, until I became a sleep deprived D Mama.  


Anyway, now I am off to bed so sleep can be attempted.  Did I mention that I am the ONLY person awake in my home right now?? (rolls eyes)


Good night my friends!  

Lovebug's Sidekicks

 

Did you know that Lovebug has a couple of sidekicks that follow her almost every where?  She does!! They are loyal and love her lots...who are they you ask?  Keep reading....


Sidekick #1 aka Peanut:


Peanut is 7 and my oldest daughter.  She is the big girl in the family and sometimes she likes it and other times not so much.  (pretty sure she gets that from me!) She is also really smart and has a wonderful imagination. She is the "mama bear" and looks out for her two little sisters.  She is fiercely loyal and really sweet.  She loves to draw and makes cards for Tim and I all the time.  She has a gorgeous smile and bright blue eyes.  She absolutely LOVES anything Hello Kitty!!  While she doesn't do a whole lot with Lovebug's care yet, I am slowly teaching her and she is eager to learn.  Mom on the other hand wants to bear it all for everyone, and I know that isn't possible.  

She remembers when Lovebug was diagnosed.  She remembers being scared that Lovebug wasn't going to come home from the hospital and she would never see her again.  When I picked her up from school she was crying.  She didn't want us to take Lovebug to the hospital.  At that moment I was just as worried about her as I was Lovebug.  I was worried how all of this was going to affect her.  Little did I know....


Sidekick #2 aka Princess


Princess is 3 and my youngest.  She is a little bundle of energy.  She has a contagious smile and can and will use it to her advantage.  Her favorite trick is to "cry" while squinting her eyes and pushing tears out, just cracks me up every time!! While Peanut is pretty soft spoken and Lovebug is LOUD, Princess has the cutest, smallest voice you will ever hear.  Unless she is mad. Then it is the loudest most obnoxious voice you will every hear! Princess doesn't remember Lovebug without Diabetes.  She LOVES to dance and sing.  She is actually pretty good!  (one of these days I should really get her into a dance class!) She is into anything with Princesses. She loves to dress up like a princess complete with high healed shoes. 

 She was only 18 months old when Lovebug was diagnosed.  You can tell she worries about Lovebug  though.  She asks A LOT of questions when it comes to Diabetes, It can be hard to explain diabetes stuff to a 3 year old! 


You see it really affects the whole family. When something is wrong with Lovebug everything has to stop and we have to take care of her.  That means sisters having to wait or not get a "treat" when Lovebug has a low. It's hard. Really hard. I feel like I have to purposefully spend time with Peanut and Princess just to make sure they are getting enough love and cuddle time with Mommy. So I have asked Peanut before if she feels like I give more attention to Lovebug then her but she has told me that I don't give more attention to Lovebug, it's just her Diabetes.  Breaks my heart to hear her say that.  


Peanut and Princess are the silent hero's in this.  They put up with a lot and don't complain.  They care and are curious and love their sister to death.  I know that they will be two of her biggest advocates as they get older.  


So here's to my other two girls, Lovebug's sisters, whom all to often are off to the side thanks to Diabetes but always in my heart.  

Night Sweats...

No, I am not talking about Menopause here ladies...


It's the night sweats I get  when I wake up and realize that I slept through my 2:30 am alarm and didn't check Lovebug.  Us D Mamas have all been there, right? 


Did that this morning.  Holy heart attack!  I realized when I woke up at 4:30am, two hours after the fact.  I must have turned the alarm off in my sleep.  NOT a good night to sleep through it either!  We changed Dexie's sensor last night before bed and quite often we get those stupid "???" on Dexie part of the night when we do an evening change.  


So I woke up panicking that there were ??? on Dexie and I had missed a low.  NOT the way I like to wake up. I grabbed the meter and ran upstairs.  Some relief setting in when I saw she was still breathing then looked at Dexie, 150 and steady. Another HUGE sigh of relief.  Then finger poke, 145.  (good job Dexie!)  


Now that it's over I can't get back to sleep.  :(  Too wide awake.  Too many thoughts still going through my head.  


I really despise all those negative thoughts that run through my head when this happens. Why do I have to go "there" every single time! I know all my D Mamas have been there but it never gets easier when you wake up in a panic like that.  I'm pretty sure every time it happens, it's worse then the last time.  


I know non - D parents have woke up worried about their kids. It' a regular thing with us D Mamas.  We stare our kids mortality in the face each and every day.  I wish I could say that it gets easier, but for me it hasn't.  The further a long we get in our journey the worse it gets.  I know more of what can happen now and that realization that Diabetes could take her life is very real.  A little too real.  


I walk that fine line between trusting God and worrying. The controlling/worrying part of me wants to hang on to her, hold her tight and never let go.  It wants to do everything in my power to keep her safe and healthy.  That's a good thing, but I have to trust God at the same time, knowing everything is in His control. Not mine.  I am just here for the ride.  (I know, easier said then done) 


One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:6-7a 
" 6. Don't worry about anything, instead; pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand." (New Living Translation)


With that said, I pray for peace for all of you, no matter where you are in life right now or what your struggles are.  Life is hard but we can use all the help we can get!


 I Love you ALL! 

D-Feast Friday - Skillet Parmesan Zucchini

Happy Friday!  

Here is one of our family favorites!

Skillet Parmesan Zucchini 

Ingredients:
1/2 lb multi-grain spaghetti, uncooked
1 red pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
4 small zucchini (1 lb) thinly sliced
1/2 cup spaghetti sauce
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese


Directions: 
Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile cook and stir peppers, and onions in large skillet on medium heat for 5 minutes.  Add zucchini; cook 8 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Top with cheeses; cook, covered 1 minutes or until mozzarella is melted.  Drain spaghetti, place on platter and top with sauce.  


Makes 4 - 2 cup servings
Carbs: 49g Protein: 17g

Thankfulness

I have definitely had those days where I needed to count my blessings. You know, those days that are just so rotten the blessings are the only things the make it bearable.  


So, In keeping with the spirit of Thanksgiving I thought I would share some things I am thankful for.


...that we have very little out of pocket cost for Lovebug's diabetes supplies.  It's not something I like to bring attention to because I know too many D Mamas that struggle with insurance or have had to go back to work to help pay for their child's diabetes supplies. It's hard to have to worry about your child as well as where the money is going to come from to take care of them and keep them alive.   


..that Lovebug doesn't really give much thought about diabetes, yet.  It is just a part of life to her. She doesn't complain about her site changes or when I change Dexie's sensor. We haven't ever had to pin her down to give her a shot (she has cried with the shots though) I don't have to do anything special. We have a routine for her site changes, she likes to have something to eat when we do them but that's it.  I love it when she meets other kids with diabetes. I try to make a big deal out of it that they are like her and she compares insulin pump or CGM  and moves on. She treats them like she does all her other friends. I know deep down it won't always be this way. There will be a day when she starts noticing the differences, but for now I am thankful she doesn't seem to mind that she is "different" from her friends.  


...that I have a husband who is involved and cares about Lovebug's diabetes care and advocates and educates just as much as I do. He may not be as "smooth" about the care part as I am but, it's my job.  He is my loyal other half who is there when ever I need him to step in and I am extremely thankful for that, and for him. 


...my faith.  I know I am NEVER really alone. Through every circumstance and trial He is right there with me and will never leave my side.  


...that Lovebug is still with us.  She is healthy and happy and that means the world to me.  


...perspective that I have gained. I am much more sensitive to others who have children who are suffering with diabetes or another chronic illness.  I know what it is like to see a child suffer and I don't wish that upon anyone.  


...that I have the DOC to lean on and my D Mamas.  I don't know what I would do without you guys!!  Thank you just doesn't seem like enough.  


...last but not least, my friends and family who are also there to support me.  It means more then words can express.  I love you! 


I hope that all of you have a healthy and happy Thanksgiving!

Those little thoughts in the back of my head...

A couple days ago Lora over at My Diabetic Child talked about some of her quiet fears and some things she is secretly thankful for. 


She asked what our fears where and what we are secretly thankful for.  Here are my (secret) fears. 


...every time she sleeps late or takes a nap that is longer then normal, I worry the worse has happened. It's all I can do to not go in and wake her up.  Sometimes I do sneak into her room to watch her chest and make sure she is still breathing.


...that I will do something in my sleep deprived state to hurt her and I will be declared an unfit mother.  


...that Lovebug will rebel when she gets older.


...that she won't live a long life.


...that we won't get to see her graduate, get married or have a family of her own.  


...that my other two girls will resent Lovebug because they think she gets more attention then them. Although I try my best to make sure it is NOT that way.  Sometimes the extra "attention" just can't be avoided. 


...that with all my hard work keeping her blood sugars under control, It may not be enough to stop the complications. Or worse. 


...that I am overprotective of Lovebug and smother her.  


...that she would get lost and die because no one knows how to take care of her.  


I really could go on and on. Ultimately, I know she is in God's hands and that is comfort enough.  
(although I have to remind myself of this numerous times a day, hey I'm not perfect)

My Day Off

My wonderful husband decided to give me the day off today.  


A day free of motherly duties and free of any diabetes care for Lovebug.  


And a FREE day it was!! 


It was wonderful!


I wish that I could tell you I had lots of fun and did a whole lot, but I can't. 


You know why?  Because I did  N-O-T-H-I-N-G. 


Well, did go to the dollar store and grab a Fountain Coke from McDonalds. I also worked on my blog and wrote a few blog posts for the future, but other then that I seriously did nothing. 





and it was WONDERFUL! 


Thanks for the wonderful day off babe, I love you!  

It's BAAAACK

What is IT you ask?  

IT is the darn spike in Lovebug's blood sugar after breakfast. 

For the past 3 months it has been gone. Yes, You heard me right, 3 whole months! We have had excellent numbers after breakfast. Well, except when she just dips low for no apparent reason an hour after but that is another story for another day. 

You see I worked my a double s off to get RID of that spike.  Now the darn thing just shows up out of no where!  What in the world?!  And it doesn't seem to want to go away.  

Lovebug was 109 when she woke up this morning then an hour after she is done eating....388!!!  What IS that??  F-R-U-S-T-R-A-T-I-N-G!!!!!!!!!!! Bang my head on a table multiple times a day frustrating!! 

I know this is the nature D, but seriously?  Could you just leave her ALONE?!  I know that is WAY too much to ask but it is frustrating the h-e double hockey sticks out of me!  

Just saying.  *sigh*

An Award!!!

Tracy over at The Super Hero and The Princess gave me this award!! 

Now there are a few things I have to do to accept the award


1st and foremost is to thank the person who gave you the award!  

Thank you Tracy for the award!  I am humbled and blessed.  :) and for giving me one more thing to blog about for NaBloPoMo!  You ROCK girl!


2nd I have to share 7 things about myself.  (okay here goes nothing...)


...I HATE, HATE, HATE being so sick I can't take care of my girls.  


...Reese's Peanut butter cups are my downfall.  I even like to eat Reese's Puffs for breakfast.  How pathetic is that?!


...I am a swinger (get your head out of the gutter...not THAT kind of swinger.)  I swing between Coke and Pepsi.  :)  I like both, especially the throw back Pepsi that is made with real cane sugar.  YUM-O.  Then there are just all things Coke.  Coke is my first love but I do love me some Pepsi too. 


...I pass out when I get shots of have my blood drawn.  It's embarrassing.  I have to lay down to get a shot or have my blood drawn.  


...I am LOVE shopping at the Children's Place.  They way that other people say they are  addicted to shopping to Gymboree.  


...My dream vacation would be to go to the Cook Islands and stay for a couple weeks. Where I get massages once a day and have a little cabana on the beach.  :)


...I am a girly girl.  I LOVE getting my nails,  and hair done. Although I don't mind getting dirty.  I could never handle living in the country, too much dirt everywhere.  But I love gardening and getting my hands dirty.  


3rd Pass the award on to 12 bloggers you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic.  

Amy @ Embrace Diabetes

Kate @ Apple Pie, Anyone?

Lani@ Highs, Lows and In between.

Ronda @ Autoimmune Island

Stephanie@ My Life as a Pancreas

Denise @ My Sweetest Boy

Amy @ My Diary of the Mom of a Diabetic Princess

Shamae @ Our Crazy Happy Life

Alexis @ Justice's Misbehaving Pancreas

Donna @ Sugar Kids

Meri @ Our Diabetic Life

Misty @ Life is Like a Box of Chocolates

Alright ladies, That all for now! Enjoy!

Sick Sick Sick

I have been in bed all day, sick.  Nauseated and exhausted.  Don't have much more to say about that except that I HATE being sick.  


To say that I actually had a blog post today, I am posting our Walk Video from last year. 
Just in case you hadn't seen it.  :)

D-Feast Friday - Comfort Mac N Cheese

My all time favorite home made Mac n Cheese Recipe

Ingredients:
2-1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni. (I use whole wheat sometimes)
6 tablespoons of butter, divided
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
2 cups milk
1/2 jar (8 oz) Cheesy Ragu Double Cheddar Sauce
1-1/3 cups small curd cottage cheese
2/3 cup sour cream
2 cups (8 oz) shredded Colby jack or mild cheddar cheese
1-1/2 cups soft bread crumbs


Directions:
Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain.  Place in greased 2-1/2 quart baking dish.  In saucepan, melt 4 tbsp of butter.  Stir in flour, salt and sugar until smooth.  Gradually stir in milk.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Reduce heat; stir in cheddar sauce, cottage cheese and sour cream.  Pour over macaroni.  Sprinkle with Colby jack cheese.  Melt remaining butter and toss with bread crumbs; sprinkle over top.  Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Makes about 8 servings.  


Carbs per serving: 33

A D Mama Wants to Know!

I love this idea that Alexis started over at Justice's Misbehaving Pancreas! Inquiring minds want to know more about us!  Along with some favorite pics of my D Rockstar! 

For informative purposes: Lovebug age 4 dx on April 1, 2009

When did you guys start pumping?
September 2009 with the Animas Ping. We use the Inset sites. 

What do you use to change sites? Whats your "process"?
We use IV Prep wipes to clean the skin and then insert the site. Sometimes we cover it with IV 3000 to keep it sticking.  We use Unisolve adhesive remover wipes to remove the sites.  

How often do you check ketones?
Whenever bgs are consistently over 250 and or when I think she might be getting sick. 

When do you do an unscheduled site change?
If we are having some really high numbers or have ketones. If there is any bleeding or the site falls out.  

Whats your childs target?
During the day 80-130, bedtime of when sleeping 100-180. 

What was your childs last A1C?
7.1

What kind of strips do you use?
One Touch

Which do you prefer?
The One Touch and Aviva are all we have used. Wish we could try the Freestyle but they don't work with the pump remote, so we stick with the One Touch
What kind of Peanut Butter do you use?
Skippy Natural
Do you allow juice when not low?
On occasion, for breakfast.  I usually try to give Lovebug fruit instead.  

Do you still check your child at night?
Yes!  Even with a CGM.   Usually at 10:30/11p, 1:30/2am and sometimes at 4a.  More often if we are having a lot of highs or lows during the night. 

What is your rule on sweets?
Every once in a while or special occasions.  We don't keep them in the house.  Halloween is really the only holiday they get candy. 

Regular pasta or whole wheat?
Both

What about veggies and fruits?
One of each for each meal except for breakfast.  

White bread or whole wheat?
Whole wheat. 

Do you use glucose tabs?
Yes, but we also use Smarites.


What do you use to treat lows?
Smarties, starburst, peach fruit cups, juice boxes, yogurt, yogurt smoothies, fruit snacks.

What does your child use to hold their pump/cgm?
Homemade ones that I sew and a SPI Belt that we won!  
That's all folks!!  Enjoy some pictures of my AWESOME D ROCKSTAR!!!