Friday, January 29, 2010
To be understood
Tonight I got to talk with a woman who runs a support group for families that have children with Type 1 Diabetes. Her name is Pam. We talked for an hour. I cried. It was so nice to talk with someone who understands.
Friday, January 8, 2010
The pump trial
So on Tuesday we went to the Diabetes Center and got to experience what an insulin pump will be like. They showed us the pump (it looks exactly like a pager) and then told us what it'll do. Basically it's going to take away all shots for Alyssa! Currently Alyssa gets 1 shot of Lantus in the morning, that's her long acting insulin that covers her for 24 hours. She gets Novolog her short acting insulin after every meal and snack. She'll no longer have either! The pump will give her a continious dose of basal insulin (Lantus) and then we control when she gets her bolus insulin (Novolog). It's going to be great.
When we told Alyssa we were going to hook the pump up to her, she was fine with it until we had to put the tubing in. She was scared, and she cried. I cried along with her. She's such a brave girl and has dealt so well with all of this, I'm surprised she hasn't cried more. I've cried much much more than she has, so has David. My heart aches for my little girl.
We got her all set up on the pump, the tubing and all. The tubing isn't very big at all, just looks like a little needle point and it doesn't go too far in her. It's stuck on there really good with what looks like a circular bandaid and then she has a plastic piece protruding from it that the tubing connects to and attaches to her the actual pump. That tubing site gets changed every 3 days. We can remove the tubing and pump if she wants to swim, or when she has a bath or shower.
She kind of freaked out when it was in her belly at first, the color drained out of her face and she was breathing quite rapidly. It really scared me, but she soon calmed down. After wearing the pump for 2 days and us playing around with it (it had just saline water running through it) she told us she most definitely wants a pump! And in PINK! :)
We ordered one from Medtronic. http://www.minimed.com/index.html The people at Medtronic really got the ball rolling, got it through our insurance and it should be here maybe as soon as next week! We can't wait!!!
When we DO get it, we'll have to go 4 days in a row to the Diabetes Clinic to get everything set up and going.
I'll keep you all updated on this process, along with pictures!
When we told Alyssa we were going to hook the pump up to her, she was fine with it until we had to put the tubing in. She was scared, and she cried. I cried along with her. She's such a brave girl and has dealt so well with all of this, I'm surprised she hasn't cried more. I've cried much much more than she has, so has David. My heart aches for my little girl.
We got her all set up on the pump, the tubing and all. The tubing isn't very big at all, just looks like a little needle point and it doesn't go too far in her. It's stuck on there really good with what looks like a circular bandaid and then she has a plastic piece protruding from it that the tubing connects to and attaches to her the actual pump. That tubing site gets changed every 3 days. We can remove the tubing and pump if she wants to swim, or when she has a bath or shower.
She kind of freaked out when it was in her belly at first, the color drained out of her face and she was breathing quite rapidly. It really scared me, but she soon calmed down. After wearing the pump for 2 days and us playing around with it (it had just saline water running through it) she told us she most definitely wants a pump! And in PINK! :)
We ordered one from Medtronic. http://www.minimed.com/index.html The people at Medtronic really got the ball rolling, got it through our insurance and it should be here maybe as soon as next week! We can't wait!!!
When we DO get it, we'll have to go 4 days in a row to the Diabetes Clinic to get everything set up and going.
I'll keep you all updated on this process, along with pictures!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Update
It's been awhile since I wrote, I can't believe it's been 2 months!
Halloween was good. Alyssa got, of course, a ton of candy. She picked out 5 pieces and only ended up only eating half of a Skittles packet. The rest we paid her 25 cents per piece. She got $14!
Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners were challenging and took us awhile to figure out, but all in all, I think we did a good job measuring and counting! Her blood sugars have been pretty good.
On Sunday however, she had a big time low. She came up to me like she usually does when she feels low, and told me. Walking, talking, normal. She was 38!!! It really scared me. I made her sit down and got her some juice and she shot up at 58 in only about 3 minutes and then to over 100. I hate those low numbers though, they're so scary.
Now we look forward to Jan. 5 when she goes on the pump trial. They'll fit her out with a pump for 3 days with only saline running through it to see how she likes wearing it. Then if she likes it, we'll go onto it. I'm 99% sure she's going to love it. It would mean NO more insulin injections. How heavenly that would be!
Halloween was good. Alyssa got, of course, a ton of candy. She picked out 5 pieces and only ended up only eating half of a Skittles packet. The rest we paid her 25 cents per piece. She got $14!
Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners were challenging and took us awhile to figure out, but all in all, I think we did a good job measuring and counting! Her blood sugars have been pretty good.
On Sunday however, she had a big time low. She came up to me like she usually does when she feels low, and told me. Walking, talking, normal. She was 38!!! It really scared me. I made her sit down and got her some juice and she shot up at 58 in only about 3 minutes and then to over 100. I hate those low numbers though, they're so scary.
Now we look forward to Jan. 5 when she goes on the pump trial. They'll fit her out with a pump for 3 days with only saline running through it to see how she likes wearing it. Then if she likes it, we'll go onto it. I'm 99% sure she's going to love it. It would mean NO more insulin injections. How heavenly that would be!
Friday, October 30, 2009
David and I were looking back at some pictures of last month, some of the fair we took the kids to the week before Alyssa's diagnosis. This picture struck me -
Just looking back I can't believe how THIN she looks.
She's gained all 7 lbs. back now in the past month and looks very healthy now.
Tomorrow is Halloween. I've already broken the news that she will only get to choose a frew pieces of candy to keep, the rest we'll give away and she can get a toy or money for it. We'll see how this goes!!!
Just looking back I can't believe how THIN she looks.
She's gained all 7 lbs. back now in the past month and looks very healthy now.
Tomorrow is Halloween. I've already broken the news that she will only get to choose a frew pieces of candy to keep, the rest we'll give away and she can get a toy or money for it. We'll see how this goes!!!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A birthday party
So I didn't even think about this at the time, but now that's upon us, I know realize that I cannot leave Alyssa even for a birthday party! With her starting this new school, she has 2 little friends that she talks about constantly, Mia and Makaila (like my name but only it sounds like you're saying it with a southern accent!) Makaila's 6th birthday party is this Saturday and Alyssa of course wants to go. So we'll go, and I'll stay and make sure she gets the insulin she needs and make sure she doesn't go low while jumping on the bouncing castle they're planning to have as well.
Diabetes makes things so much more difficult. Ugh.
How I took for granted being able to take the kids to a birthday party, have them run around, eat cake and not even think twice about it. I mean, who does?
A mom of a Diabetic. That's who.
Diabetes makes things so much more difficult. Ugh.
How I took for granted being able to take the kids to a birthday party, have them run around, eat cake and not even think twice about it. I mean, who does?
A mom of a Diabetic. That's who.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Getting adjusted
Alyssa started her new school on Monday and it was rough the first day - she cried, and was very nervous. Yesterday was a little bit better, and today was a LOT better. I'm so glad. In fact, today she had an early day and got to have lunch at school! She thought that was pretty cool. The nurses at the school have been amazing too, they've called me all 3 days, giving me her blood sugar numbers and checking with me on insulin. If they keep this communication up (which I'm sure they will) I think I'll feel very good about it all. I'm actually not nearly as anxious as I thought I would be! Partly because Alyssa is honeymooning right now so her blood glucose numbers have been great (mostly low 100's) so I don't feel like I have much to worry about.
Tomorrow we go to the Diabetes Clinic for another visit. I hope we can be on an insulin pen by next month (so no more needles and syringes!) and if Alyssa's A1C (a test that gives you a picture of your average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months) numbers are good (I think they have to be 7 and below) an insulin pump very soon.
Tomorrow we go to the Diabetes Clinic for another visit. I hope we can be on an insulin pen by next month (so no more needles and syringes!) and if Alyssa's A1C (a test that gives you a picture of your average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months) numbers are good (I think they have to be 7 and below) an insulin pump very soon.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Honeymooning?
It may be too soon to say but I think we might be in the beginnings of the honeymoon phase. For those who don't know about the honeymoon phase in Diabetes, here's an explanation:
At first diagnosis, many people experience what is known as “the honeymoon phase.” The honeymoon or remission phase occurs after blood glucose levels have been brought under control and is characterized by a decrease in insulin doses. The length of a honeymoon period is variable (days, weeks, months, and rarely—years), and not everyone has one. As a general rule, the younger the patient at diagnosis, the shorter the “honeymoon.”
They say it can last anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 years. Alyssa's blood sugars have been the most stable in the past 2 days then they've been since she got diagnosed. It doesn't mean we do less blood sugar checks, and it doesn't mean that she doesn't get insulin anymore - just considerably less!
Oh another note, Alyssa starts her first day at her NEW school on Monday. She's nervous but I'm sure she'll do great. Now I just wonder how I'M going to do with her being away from me and me not being there to care and watch her!
At first diagnosis, many people experience what is known as “the honeymoon phase.” The honeymoon or remission phase occurs after blood glucose levels have been brought under control and is characterized by a decrease in insulin doses. The length of a honeymoon period is variable (days, weeks, months, and rarely—years), and not everyone has one. As a general rule, the younger the patient at diagnosis, the shorter the “honeymoon.”
They say it can last anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 years. Alyssa's blood sugars have been the most stable in the past 2 days then they've been since she got diagnosed. It doesn't mean we do less blood sugar checks, and it doesn't mean that she doesn't get insulin anymore - just considerably less!
Oh another note, Alyssa starts her first day at her NEW school on Monday. She's nervous but I'm sure she'll do great. Now I just wonder how I'M going to do with her being away from me and me not being there to care and watch her!
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