diabetes

Just Tired

I survived camp.  It was pretty good, the hardest part was lack of sleep.  You would think I’d be used to that but I was averaging less than 5 hrs a night, my usual is 7.  I checked on my daughter at 2am, like normal but her alarms would go off at other times too and sometimes it was hard to hear. Another hard part was getting 12 girls to shower everyday.  We only had about 30-45 minutes in the morning, and 30-45 minutes in the evening before bed.  But I really enjoyed parts of it like getting to know some of the girls better and I helped with the daily newspaper which I really liked too (being in the a/c for most of the day helped).  I didn’t always know what I was supposed to do but tried to pitch in when I could.  I did sneak in a nap for a few minutes on the last two days so that helped a little too.

Next week my daughter goes to another camp, one for kids with Type 1.  I will use that week to catch up with sleep and hopefully see some friends too. My son will be at my in-laws so it gives me an extra little break.

After that we head to the beach for a week and even thought it’s our vacation, we will still be dealing with Type 1 as it never goes on vacation.

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Day 3 Diabetes Blog Week: Clean it Out

Today’s topic: Clean it Out

Yesterday we kept stuff in, so today let’s clear stuff out.  What is in your diabetic closet that needs to be cleaned out?  This can be an actual physical belonging, or it can be something you’re mentally or emotionally hanging on to.  Why are you keeping it and why do you need to get rid of it?  (Thank you Rick of RA Diabetes for this topic suggestion.)

Even though we’ve only been doing this a year, we already have so much hoarded.  I would say we have 9 glucose readers with their lancets and some test strips.  We have lots of papers, manuals, instructions, etc.  We bought a special cabinet for the supplies to keep in my daughter’s room and it’s overflowing.  It’s so hard to throw these things away because ‘what if’ we need them.  I can only imagine the collection we’ll have in another few years.

Y is for Yay!

Yay! Only one more day of the challenge.    I think it was good to force myself to write everyday but I don’t think I am cut out to do this everyday.  I will be doing the Diabetes Blog Week May 11-17 and then take things from there. I started writing after my daughters diagnosis because I couldn’t find any blogs by parents with newly diagnosed teenagers.  I have found more blogs in the past year, but none that really speak to the same issues.  I am still working on being a part of the DOC.

I have started following a few blogs from the challenge and maybe gained a few more followers (thanks!).  So I will call it a success. I know I need to work on expressing my thoughts better and finding my voice so we’ll see what happens next.

T is for Trouble

Someone is in trouble – just not sure who.  I got a call from the school asking ‘Who is going on the band trip with your daughter today?” Umm, excuse me?  I didn’t know I was responsible for finding someone, especially 3 hrs before they leave. I understand being understaffed and not being able to attend but the lack of communication is so upsetting.  I know not many people read this especially others with children with Type 1 but I wish I knew what others would do in this situation.  I actually called her Dr. to ask if she could go alone (without a nurse) since it was a short trip after lunch and during a time when she is usually ok.  I actually trust my daughter to take care of herself but I know there is always a chance something could go wrong.  However as her broken finger has taught us, diabetes is not the only thing that can go wrong and bad things can happen to anyone at anytime.  I want her to be independent and feel like she can take care of herself so right now I am fine how things went, just not with how the school handled things yet again.

S is for Support

Today I am writing in support of #IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes is a never-ending, every day battle.

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes requires my daughter to poke her finger 5-8 times a day to check her blood glucose levels.

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes requires my daughter to inject a new site (with a big needle) every three days.

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes (Type 1)  can’t be fixed with diet and exercise but as for anyone it’s an important part of taking care of yourself.

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes allows my daughter can eat cake if she wants.

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes is harder than it looks.

#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes has shown me how brave and amazing my daughter can be.

N is for Numbers

Daughter stayed home from school, not feeling well but just a head cold. Her numbers have been ok.  When Type 1’s get sick there is always the worry of how it will effect their blood sugar and the possibility of ketones.  I have been very worried this year of her getting sick but so far other than sinuses and colds she’s been ok.  As we near the one year mark, I am thankful that we made it without any major mishaps.  I hate always having to ask her about her numbers but that’s the new reality of our lives.

Not because I’ve nothing to say

So I haven’t been writing not because I’ve nothing to say but I guess I just don’t know what to say.

My daughter is doing good.  Nothing extreme but not in always in the best range.  The doctor tweaks as necessary but then the School Nurse has caused some issues – I am still mulling it over but I am not happy about her attitude toward me and my daughter.  I think I will pursue it more after the holidays.

I let my daughter go to sleep over at a friends for the first time.  It wasn’t as bad as I thought but that was because I knew she was running in a higher range.  And that’s not a good thing but it got me through the night (she did text me at 2am, the mother woke her up).

The CGM and pump have made a big difference in the management (so much easier) but I also feel more detached because I am not writing down the numbers, they go from the pump to the computer and I don’t always review it as before.

We are  doing a small trip after Christmas to a place my daughter really wants to go, so I hope she enjoys it.  Eating will be harder since there will be mostly locally owned restaurants and not chains but we’ll swag our way through it.

So Merry Christmas to all who take the time to read this and hopefully next year will bring much happiness to all!

Just a few more days

We do have a date set for training.  It was hard to find a day that might work but hopefully we’ll get it going.  I am still a little nervous and apprehensive but my daughter is excited so I hope it all goes well. She is playing volleyball so it’s going to be interesting to see how we work it out with that activity.

I think the reason I am nervous is I feel like we are in a good routine and managing thing so well that now we have to ‘relearn’ some things and do things differently.  I have also read about some cons with the inserts and sensors and am nervous about it being more painful, falling off, and the tubing being a pain.  We don’t do the CGMsensor until a couple of weeks after starting the pump.  I also would love to be able to hack it but the CGM in the cloud movement seems to work with the Dexcom better.  I would love to be able to see her numbers when not together.

So I am hopeful and we will see how it goes.

One month later

I have sadly been remiss in writing for a month now.  Here is an update:

CAMP – had a blast, made new friends, wants a pump now

BEACH – was great in many ways but numbers ran high the whole time (with maybe 2 or 3 hypos).  But fun was had by all.  Jelly fish got both kids but wasn’t as bad as expected in the long run.

Then there were two weeks between vacation and school.  It went by so fast but we did lots of resting because once school starts, sport start and then there is no rest for anyone.

Also had our 3-month with the endo.  Her A1C was 8%, down form 14% at dx 4 months ago.  My daughter really wants the pump, the endo was ambivalent said it probably wouldn’t really help her control too much since it was pretty good. However the choice was really up to us.

Again, my daughter really wants it but I am hesitant.  I do understand that there is some more ‘freedom’ as far as schedules and eating but then there is something connected to her all the time and I just hope it doesn’t bother her too much. Plus I have read so many pros and cons that I just don’t know – but I do think it’s really up to her so we are moving forward with insurance inquiries.

We are leaning towards the Medtronic. Any input?

One last thing, school started today. Still no 504 plan.  I called the nurse and counselor from last year and finally had to call the Principal.  We should be having a meeting next week.  I took the supplies and some handouts for the teachers to the open house last night. I am not really worried since we are a small, rural community with a LPN there everyday but it is a little frustrating to not get this taken care of as expected.

Make it work

I am really slacking on my posts.  It’s hard to write sometimes when everyday feels like a repeat or just not having anything new to say. However the truth is I just don’t make time for writing.

My daughter has been doing great since camp 1.  Softball ended last week. They came in 2nd in the tournament and got trophies anyway.  We went to a local fair and she rode some rides with friends.  I felt like a stalker following them, but it was unplanned and I wanted to be close if she felt low.  There were other parents doing the same without the diagnoses so that helped.

This week she is at a camp just for Type 1 kids.  I think it will be an awesome experience for her and can’t wait to see her and find out.  The camp has the BG checks built into the schedule and wake them up twice during the night (my biggest grip from the other non-medical camp). One of her doctor’s is also there so that helps my anxiety level too.

The day I pick her up, we are headed to the beach.  The vacation was planned prior to dx so not really the ideal but we’ll make it work.  I am looking forward to our vacation, we have lots of down time planned so hopefully it won’t be too much.