I forgot the Friday Funnies!

With all the snow talk yeaterday, I forgot my favorite day of the week!!

Without further ado...



The reason the 80's were such a "totally awesome" time...

Winter Wonderland

It went from a few flurries to near blizzard conditions in 5 minutes yesterday. I've been living in New England all my life, and never have I seen the snow accumulate so fast. More than an inch an hour.


School let out an hour early, and as soon as Noah got off the bus, he asked if he could stay out and play in the snow.

I practically had to threaten him with bodily harm to force him into the house, he was having so much fun sledding. When he came in, he said "mom, I feel like a corpse-icle, just like that guy on "Pushing Daisies". (you had to be there).

After having a nice mug of hot cocoa, he thawed right out.

Noah's Favorite Hot Cocoa made with Splenda

8 oz. milk

2 T Hershey's Cocoa Powder

3 or 4 Splenda packets (to taste)

pinch of salt

dash of vanilla

Heat milk over low heat (do not boil). You can also do this in the microwave.

Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk like crazy to remove any lumps.

Garnish with mini marshmallows and enjoy!

This was taken at about 9:30 last night, as the snow kept coming down.

We're supposed to get another foot on Sunday.

Meme snagged from...

...Penny!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Kinda. My mom saw a movie when she was pregnant, in which one of the main characters was named Lia. She liked it so much she chose it for me (if I was a boy, I would have been Ryan). When I was finally born, she couldn't remember how it was spelled, so it ended up being Lea.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Sunday night, watching that darn Extreme Home Makeover. It gets me every time.

3. Do you like your handwriting? I do. It's very swoopy and girly.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Sara Lee smoked turkey

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Noah, age 9

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?I think so. I'm a likable person, just a bit shy at first. I'd take me out for a couple of drinks to loosen me up.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? ya think?

8. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not for all the money in the world. I hate heights.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Honey Bunches of Oats (cinnamon)

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? no, I do that thing where you use your other foot to pry off the shoe. The second shoe is always the toughest.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I am a big wimp.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Ben and Jerry's Brownie Batter

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? their smile.

15. RED OR PINK? I'm a sucker for anything pink.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I am the worst procrastinator. The upside to that, is that I do my best work under pressure.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My Nana Peg. There's so much she's missing that I know would make her happy.

18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? denim and no shoes...grey socks though.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? coffee, a banana, and toast.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Mario Batali and Martha Stewart cooking on TV.

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? periwinkle

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? any kind of fruit smell, especially ripe peaches and fresh apples.
I also love the smell of Baby Magic baby wash.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Jon. He gives me a wake up call every morning from work to say hi.

25. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? New England Patriots football.

26. HAIR COLOR? brown, with a few pesky grays thrown in. Not enough to go nuts over, yet.

27. EYE COLOR? bluish-grey

28 .Do you wear contacts? Yes, I got them when I was 14. I even had those colored ones in High School.

29.FAVORITE FOOD? pasta of any kind.

30. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I sound like the biggest baby, but scary movies give me nightmares. I will watch them, but my hands are up over my eyes the entire time. Happy endings are overrated, but nice.
I like an unexpected ending- like in "The Departed".

31. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Hoot.

32 WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? black t from Old Navy.

33. SUMMER OR WINTER? I love winter. For me, it's the time of year I have the most energy. In the summer, the heat gets to me, and I turn into a slug.

34. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs AND kisses!

35. FAVORITE DESSERT? Kahlua Trifle.

36. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I use the couch cushion- optical mouse.

37. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Heroes. I got the DVD set of the first season for my birthday, and I've been hooked ever since.

38. FAVORITE SOUND? Noah saying "mom".

39. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles are way before my time, but their music has always been a constant in my life.
I only like one song from the Stones; Sympathy for the Devil.

40. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Ireland. I loved it, and would pull up stakes and move there permanently in a heartbeat.

41. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I'm a very good singer. (just shy to do it in front of people)

Flawless

First, to get it out of my system:
New England Patriots 11-0!!!!!

Thanksgiving blood sugars for Noah were unbelievable. I mean, spot on perfection even with all the rich food, and pie and constant grazing throughout the day. There was almost no effort involved (a couple things we even guesstimated on the carbs) and never did they go above 150. I couldn't believe it!!!

I wish every day with diabetes for Noah could be as effortless as that day- last night a 327 came along and bit us all in the ass. We were all taken by surprise by that one. I sometimes wonder if his BG meter just spits out random high numbers, so I will have him re-test and use more strips and have to buy more, making the strip companies that much richer...

Conspiracy theories aside, save for that weird high, it was a great long weekend full of family and friends. As we recapped the events,my husband and I were saying how carefree the d- management was this year, and it dawned on us that it's Noah's first Thanksgiving on the pump. It seems like he's been on it forever, but it's been just under a year.

It's a bit of a sad feeling of acceptance. That thing that was so foreign and scary to us not so long ago has become a (sometimes)seamless and integral part of daily life for all of us. Is has become so routine.
Just like they told us at the hospital - like brushing your teeth, it will become automatic, and they were so right.

This is our life, far from flawless, but I believe it's the way we are meant to live it.

I love this idea.

My dear friend, Jessica sent me this idea, which I thought was great, so I'm passing it on.

When you are making out your Christmas and Holiday card list this year, also
include
one for the following address:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001

If you approve of the idea, please pass it on.

I went to the actual web site of the Walter Reed medical center and also found a way to give thanks on Thanksgiving, and I thought it is a cool idea.

WHO: America Supports You is a Department of Defense program that recognizes citizens' support for our military and their families, at home and abroad, and connects individuals and organizations who wish to directly support the troops and their families. ASY is launching a text messaging program called “Giving Thanks”.

WHAT: Giving Thanks is an interactive America Supports You program taking place during the Thanksgiving holiday to offer citizens an opportunity to say thank you to the men and women who serve this nation. Major mobile wireless providers, including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint Nextel, and T-Mobile, provide access to the America Supports You Text Message program.

WHEN: People can text a message of thanks to 8-9-2-7-9, beginning at 6am EST on Saturday, November 17, and ending at midnight, PDT on November 22, Thanksgiving Day.

WHY: The goal is for people to take a moment during the Thanksgiving holiday to think about those who are serving this nation, and act in a way that demonstrates they appreciate their sacrifices. Giving Thanks offers a unifying moment for the nation, during a time in which families traditionally come together and express gratitude for things large and small that contribute to their lives. The United States currently has brave military men and women serving in 177 countries. These troops and their families will be informed about how many people have texted in their thanks and will get to see many of the messages, reminding them that people back home do care.

HOW: On Thanksgiving Day America Supports You will tabulate the number of messages sent to the troops. The volume of text messages will serve as a reminder to our military that the folks back home are grateful for their service.

About America Supports You
Since its formation three years ago, the America Supports You program has welcomed over 300 grassroots organizations and 35 corporate partners to its team. Many America Supports You team members support the troops through letter writing, care packages, helping the wounded when they return home, assisting military families, sending an email, or making a kind gesture—to learn more about how you can help please visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil

source

Shannon and Erin both tagged me with this, and I've never done this before so here goes!:

1. Link to the person’s blog who tagged you.
2. Post these rules on your blog.
3. List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself.
4. Tag seven random people at the end of your post

My 7 random facts:

1. I can do the moonwalk, cabbage patch and the running man.

2. When I was little, my answer to the grown- ups question, "what do you want to be when you grow up"? ...a stripper.

3. When I eat a sandwich, I have to eat the crust off first, and make it perfectly round and then eat the middle.

4. In 5th grade, I sang "Let's Hear It For The Boy" (from Footloose) in my class talent show, and my skirt fell off in the middle of it.

5. I have cried at every concert I've been to.

6.I can make the noise of a dripping faucet with my hand and my mouth.

7. I am addicted to this video game called Katamari Damacy. It's the most pointless fun thing ever.

I tag: Julia, Manny, Penny, George, Nikki, and Bernard

Sorry seems to be the hardest word.

I am not a scholar by any stretch of the imagination. Nor do I have hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in higher education. No, I am your average High School graduate with some street smarts and alot of "life experiences" under my belt. I am not an eloquent blogger, turning the everyday into poetry. My words and stories will probably never win any literary kudos. Some of my favorite d-bloggers are geniuses at this and I wish that I could be even a smidgen like them, but I can't mold myself into something I clearly am not. I write about life, and I try to be as honest as I can.

The ugly bits are sometimes all I can think about.

Noah's one year pump anniversary is coming up ,and I've been going over the last year in my head. I would love to say that it's been nothing short of awesome, what with the new found pump freedom and such. Should be no sweat. It was a tough transition and only in the past 4 months have we really been able to relax around here.

To be frank, I can be a bit controlling and picky. things have to be a certain way. In trying to make everything in our family life run perfectly smooth , I can be quite the bitch if something does not go my way. During the first few months of getting used to the pump, I was impossible to please. Now,to give you an idea of the kind of guy he is, my husband is quite possibly the best and most patient man on the face of the Earth. He is an incredible father, attentive, fair, fun and kind. As a husband, he is my best friend. I can truly call him my partner. I trust him with my life, and love him like crazy.

During this time, he was learning and trying to do his best. He slipped up a couple times while learning, as we all do. I was panicked, and took it out on him. I must have said a million times, "what would happen if I dropped dead tomorrow?!?!?! You would have no clue how to do all the D. stuff."!! I called him an ass under my breath, snatched infusion sets away from him in a huff, and instead of reminding him how it was done, made comments about how he "didn't even pay attention when the pump lady came to the house to teach us".

I was terrible. I was mean.

Looking back, it's easy to see I was clearly afraid I would be the one to screw the pooch, but instead of confessing my fears, I lashed out on the easiest and most convenient person -my sweet husband who was just trying his hardest to help our son. This is not the person I normally am. I spent my time from day one of the diagnosis trying to be strong, brave, tough, whatever. I became a bully to the one person I promised to trust and support forever.

If there was a way to go back and change how I acted in those situations, you betcha I would go.

I guess this is a public apology of sorts, and to my sweet husband I say, "I'm so sorry, and I love you."

Change is ok.

Oh boy, I hate change. So trying a combination bolus for the first time over the weekend for Noah, and his 3 slices of pizza (how that boy can stay so skinny with that appetite is beyond me) had me sweating and palpitating all over the place.
Even trying to explain how a combination bolus works is enough to get me all flustered. I know the general idea of it, but I could never put it into words the right way - I'd embarrass myself.
It was a tense few hours after that bolus. How could I possibly trust myself and a machine to do this right? What if I screwed up the carbs? Or the timing? I set it up to give him half the bolus right away, and the other half over a 2 hr. period. I did this based on his history of being high a couple hours after high fat stuff (like pizza) and crossed my fingers.
I made the poor kid test at least 3 times in 3 hours. He did it without complaint, but I think I might have caught an eye-roll the last time.

I had no reason to be worried...it totally worked. I'm no longer afraid of this feature, and will be using it from now on.

Friday Funnies

It's Friday, and after a long week, I love to laugh!

I love the thing Steve Carell does in the background:





And old school Eddie Murphy: *warning!!!! a couple swears here*



PIVOT!!

Good Morning

I'm not a morning person. I wake up early every day, and it is completely against my nature to do so. So today was no different- I opened my eyes and cursed under my breath (damn, it's cold!) and half-slid, half-fell out of bed.
I went to wake up Noah and help him pick out his outfit. He opened his eyes and beamed with his great big smile, and sprang out of bed ready to start his day.

In stark contrast, I plodded down the hallway to the kitchen, bleary eyed and sounding a bit like Ozzy as I grumbled back over my shoulder, "deodorant...don't forget to put on droderennnnt".
Over breakfast when Noah was testing his blood sugar, he flashed that smile again and then he said something that woke me right the heck up.

"I love my life".


"What did you say, Noah"? Again, he flashed that smile and said "I love my life". And then "click"! Went the lancet thing.

Immediately, my fog lifted and I was fully awake and beaming myself. "I'm so happy you feel that way, Noah - you're pretty awesome!" I slapped him a high five but in my head was going over those 4 words over and over, amazed. With all the crap he has to go through every day, the fact that he can say that, and honestly mean it is just...

...I love my son.

"Word In Your Hand" video

I'm so proud that Noah is a part of this presentation. Luis Garcia, a member of TuDiabetes started a Flickr group called the "Word in Your Hand" project. It's for members to describe in one word how diabetes has affected our lives. Luis took several photos from that Flickr group and made this amazing video. You can see Noah at 00:46 with his word: "stress".

Find more videos like this on Tu Diabetes - A Community for People Touched by Diabetes

Thank you, Smiths Medical

Noah got a surprise in the mail yesterday from the company that makes his insulin pump. A cool little art set with double-sided markers and pen. We weren't expecting this at all, and it was such an excellent alternative to candy.

I can't keep my mouth shut

But really, why should I? If something (especially diabetes related) doesn't sit well with me, I should treat it as a "teaching moment", right?

My aunt sent me this article. After reading it, I couldn't not comment. Here's what I had to say:


Although I share the author's views about too much candy, the obesity epidemic in this country, and the serious over-use of additives and chemicals in our products, I have to point out one thing. Bringing education and information to the forefront is more important now than ever, but I believe it should be accurate.
I have a huge problem with the term diabetes being used here as a blanket statement. It's akin to assuming that all cancer is of the breast, or the liver. Diabetes comes in a few different forms, and a clarification needs to be made in this case.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that results in failure of insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas. It is not brought on by lifestyle, and there is no "growing out of it", patients rely on insulin (either through multiple injections or an insulin pump) to survive. As a matter of fact, there is no cure.
I'm not living in denial, I understand there is a huge problem with obesity-caused Type 2, so your article makes perfect sense. Allot of the symptoms of Type 2 can be managed quite well by lifestyle changes that promote healthy eating and exercise, but there are many people who become more insulin-dependant over time, too.
So many people with Type 2 lead typically healthy lifestyles, and do not fit your description of ..."parents who waddle down wide suburban streets, diabetic and obese"... Sometimes, like with other diseases, Type 2 just happens.
What is really important is eating well and doing some form of activity every day...no matter who you are, or what health challenges you face.
I think it's also important to have a clear picture of each type of diabetes. As a mother of a child with Type 1, it's something that I find myself explaining often. There are allot of misconceptions surrounding diabetes already, it doesn't need any help being more complicated. It already is.

55, 179, and 313

And that's all before lunch. Noah's home sick with a nasty cold today, and I always get nervous about his blood glucose numbers being all over the place (and rightly so).

No formula, ratio, or fancy math will make a bit of difference with these crazy numbers. The only thing we can do is test like crazy, bolus, and snack.



Getting cozy on the couch helps, too.


keep those germs away!!

Yesterday was a good day :)

I have sports hangover, and I love it!!

First there was this...

Washington 7, New England 52



and later...
BOS 4 F
COL 3

Diabetes in Numbers

Find more videos like this on Tu Diabetes - A Community for People Touched by Diabetes




Over 6 million people are diagnosed with diabetes every year.

This video was shot as part of the activities at Full Sail, for World Diabetes Day. Shooting and editing was done by Brett Novak, a Digital Art & Design student at Full Sail.

Music: http://www.2litros.com/
Video: Brett Novak

Husband of the Year

I got the puking stomach bug.
My sweet husband has spent this past holiday weekend taking care of me in all my pukey glory, as well as tending to "the beetus" (as Noah has now grown fond of calling it) .
He kicked butt at it all. Meals, site changes, keeping Noah from being bored to death on his first full (RAINY) holiday day off from school. They even picked out a little get well card for me with a Golden Retriever on it. A GOLDEN RETRIEVER, people. This is why I married this man. So sweet.

I'm going to get him a little award...maybe a leg lamp or a Dundie.

Friday Funnies

Everyone has to laugh- especially when you or someone you love is going through something not so fun or funny. (although, at times, diabetes can be pretty hilarious) Today, I have some non- diabetes comic relief to share. I love to laugh and different things can just crack me up, so here we go.

Boobs, Injuries, & Dr. Pepper. I have never laughed louder or longer than when I'm reading this blog. Crystal is a kick-ass , smart and clever mom raising 3 kids, who is kind-hearted and swears a lot!

Video mash-ups of "The Office". Especially the ones with the cast dancing, set to music. This is my very favorite show (and no, I don't heart Jim, I heart Michael! )



Two words. Cute Overload.

Jim Gaffigan and the Hot Pockets.

There are no words.

For the past week or so, Noah's blood glucose numbers have been all over the place. Highs in the 300's...lows in the 40's. It's been a real project just trying to get him below 200. Lately, it seems as if the corrections we do for high BG bring on a delayed low so severe, it seems impossible to predict or come back from.

There really are no words - sometimes you have to just say, "what the fuck???"

A Sigh Of Relief

Yesterday, we met with the school nurse and Noah's new teacher to work out his diabetes care plan for the year, as his classroom location and schedule has changed and that all factors in with his d-management.

I just have to say, it's a great feeling when you see the school nurse and your child run at each other and give a big ol hug. I can't say enough good about this woman-she is our angel!

Ok...back to the story. So after catching up a bit, the teacher (Miss C.)arrived and we sat down with our notebooks, folders, reading material, pump manual, class schedule, orders from the doctor...the list goes on!
Miss C. was very interested in learning about diabetes, and before the nurse or I could open our mouths, Noah launched into his explanation and it slowly dawned on me that my kid knows his stuff! I actually sat there with my mouth hanging open waiting to offer a snippet of information in case he got caught up, but I didn't have to. He was absolutely clear and accurate, explaining how his pancreas is "broken" and he "uses his robotic pancreas to help him survive". The twinge of sadness in my heart I feel knowing that he has to carry all this stuff in his head was temporarily overridden by the pride I felt at how eloquent and confident he was at that moment. As I looked at Miss C., listening so intently, I knew that she saw Noah just as I did right then, and I knew we just added a new member to our d-club.

Today, we meet the new teacher

And I will do my best not to sound like a total, controlling, hyper-sensitive, crazed bitch of a mutha.

I have been rehearsing what to say in my mind, knowing that I will have to at some point address that what happened last year will not be tolerated by us. All we're looking for is a little more understanding from the teacher this year. The school nurse (love her!) has already told me that the new teacher is wonderful, and she's sure it will be a good match for Noah and his needs.

I feel like he's almost graduated to a new level of his own care. Over the summer he showed us how responsible he has become with testing, counting carbs and using his pump. He will be taking this new independence with him into 4th grade, and I'm so proud of him. It will be less hands-on for the nurse, but knowing that she is still very attentive and involved totally sets my mind at ease.

With a little luck and lots of communication, I'm hoping this year will be the best one yet!

A Miracle

My friend Starz directed me to this post on a blog I've never read before. I thought to myself, "I wonder why she's having me read a knitting blog, I don't knit"...and as I took the 5 minutes to read this post,my heart caught in my chest, and the tears came. It has nothing to do with diabetes, but it does have to do with children, and their safety at the beach.
Please, if you plan on spending any time at the beach this summer, read this http://earthchicknits.blogspot.com/2007/07/worst-five-minutes-of-my-life.html
The story truly is a miracle, and I hope by passing it on, it might help another parent.

Up All Night

I always have trouble getting to sleep, so I usually set the timer on my TV, and drift off to the sound of Alton Brown or Stephen Colbert.

Last night, I was on the brink of sleep when I heard shuffling from Noah's room- then his skinny silhouette was in my doorway.



"Mom, I can't sleep"



Are you low, honey?



"no, but I'm wicked thirsty"



We better check your blood sugar, you were on the high side all day...



"I'm FINE mom" (at this point, I'm convinced he's high because he's arguing and being an all around little snot)



I finally convince him that it's in his best interest to just let me do it, so after I dropped the lancing device twice coming down the hall, and pricked my own finger by accident, I managed to get a drop of blood from him that might as well have been an Everlasting Gobstopper... the reading was off the charts. Literally ,the Cozmonitor readout said BG OVER 500.



Holy crap, I groaned. We have to try another finger to make sure dude.



Again BG OVER 500. I gave him the correction, and tucked him back in.



Now I'm wide awake and thinking to myself that I need to stay up and check him in like an hour and a half to make sure he doesn't go low like he always does after a correction. Time to grab the clicker and channel surf.



This is how the rest of the night went:



12:30 a.m.: Watched 10 minutes of Forrest Gump

12:40 a.m. : landed on the Godfather for a few

1:00 a.m.: Switched to HGTV and watched 2 hours of Design Star ...( I'm loving Josh Sparkle, and that Robb guy is a major jackass bully.)

2:15 a.m.: the cat got up on the bed and got all comfy- on my bladder.

2:30 a.m. : got up to pee...

2:35: checked Noah's BG and it was 248 (eff!) correction again.

2:40 a.m.: back to bed, and still wide awake. My husband rolled over and started mumbling in his sleep, so of course I had to poke him awake and share the fact that I was still awake and he needed to share my pain.

He snored in my face and rolled over saying, "I'll do the next check".



If I could marry him again, I would!

Making New Friends

Today, Noah and I had the pleasure of meeting Shannon and her unbelievably adorable kids, Brendon, Jessica and Jacob from Mom Wants a Diabetes Cure. We connected on TuDiabetes, in the "Parents of kids with Type 1 group. It just so happens that we live really close, and decided we'd get the kids together and meet.

We went to an indoor playground, so the kids could have fun and we could swap d-stories- and because it's about 567 degrees farenheit outside and th is place had AC!! So off they all went, stopping only to have a snack and squeal crazily (Noah) "wow!!!! we have the exact same pump!!!!" It was great for Noah. Brendon is only the 2nd kid he's known with diabetes. It was like they have this unspoken understanding of each other right away.

Shannon and her kids are awesome, and I feel like we all hit it off really well. It was so nice to talk with her- she is very easy going and fun, and had me in stitches a couple times!

So thanks, guys!!! We had a great time, and we'll have to do it again real soon!

Worst. Post. Ever.

I just sat down with my medium Dunkin Donuts iced coffee, to write a pretty well thought out blog post. At the exact same time, my neighbor's landscaper revved up the most heinous and loudest mower I've ever heard and everything im my head flitted out. Just like that.

Blue

I have the diabetes blues.
With Noah's birthday being just last week, I've been thinking about my pregnancy and his birth alot lately.
From the very moment I found out we were going to have a baby, I was elated, but that feeling was laced with worry. Will we be good parents? Will he sleep through the night? What happens if he sticks a Cheerio up his nose?

What if he gets sick?

While I realize good health and good fortune is never guaranteed, I firmly believe there is a purpose behind every life moment. We do not have total control , but we have been given a strength that comes from deep within, and is mostly hidden until we need to tap into it.

This kind of positive thinking only gets me so far. There have been numerous times over the years when my resolve dwindled to non-existent proportions and that well of strength ran dry.

Diabetes is at the very least, something I can sort of control. Even so, knowing that you have to do everything just right (and sometimes even THAT is not good enough) and if you mess up, you could put your child at serious risk is at times too much for me to handle.

I am flawed, and that terrifies me.

We made it through another birthday party!

With real honest-to-goodness sugary cake and ice cream and everything!! We took the comments like: "is he supposed to haaaaave that?" and "diabetics aren't supposed to haaaaave cake"! in stride and had a PARTY!
You only turn 9 once. Next year I'm making him a shirt that says "I BOLUS FOR CAKE"!

This is a bad trend.

It seems as if stories like this one are becoming more frequent. On one hand, it does bring attention to the symptoms of low blood sugar for people who may not know the signs, and that's good. On the other hand, why does someone have to be dropped unwillingly into a life - threatening scenario for this kind of awareness to finally be brought to the forefront?

Police: Diabetic Man Missing After Being Kicked Off TrainPHOENIX -- A 65-year-old St. Louis man is missing after Amtrak personnel, mistaking his diabetic shock for drunk and disorderly behavior, kicked him off a train in the middle of a national forest, according to police in Williams, Ariz.

Police said Roosevelt Sims was headed to Los Angeles but was asked to leave the train shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday at a railroad crossing five miles outside Williams. "He was let off in the middle of a national forest, which is about 800,000 acres of beautiful pine trees," Lt. Mike Graham said.Police said there is no train station or running water at the crossing, which is about two miles from the nearest road, at an elevation of about 8,000 feet.Amtrak personnel told police dispatchers that Sims was drunk and unruly.The Sims family said Sims is diabetic and was going into shock.Sims' brother, Brian Mason, said his family tried to call Sims on his cell phone that night, but Sims was incoherent.When officers arrived at the crossing, police said, Sims ran into the woods, leaving his luggage and medication behind.Cell phone records show that Sims' phone was last used in Litchfield Park, Ariz., 180 miles from Williams.Williams police told CBS 5 that Amtrak has used the abandoned crossing as a drop-off site in the past. Graham said that whether drunk or not, no one should be dropped off there."You don't put anyone off in an area like that," Graham said.Amtrak said the company is looking into the matter."I just want to find him," Mason said. "I'm not mad at anybody.""I want to find a way to make sure he's OK," Mason added."Our thoughts and prayers are that there's no way he's out there in those woods," Graham said.UPDATE:Man missing after being thrown off Amtrak train located12 NewsJun. 28, 2007 11:29 PM A Coconino County Sheriff’s deputy has located Roosevelt Sims, the 65-year-old man aboard an Amtrak train who was ejected for appearing drunk and out of control about 5 miles outside of the city of Williams in Northern Arizona.Sims was diagnosed with diabetes just last week. His family says that explains his strange behavior on an Amtrak train, not intoxication. Sims was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center for observation and will be interviewed by police when cleared by medical staff. Other Amtrak passengers say Sims was left in a desolate area late Sunday night. Earlier, police spotted Sims shortly after he was asked to leave the train, but he ran away into the forest.

Interview with the 9 year old

I wanted to try something a little different, and thought "what better way to get to know someone than with an interview"?

Noah thinks of himself as somewhat of a celebrity, so I'll do my best Barbara Walters impersonation. LOL

Mom:How long have you had diabetes?

Noah: Since I was 6.

Mom: How did you feel when you got diagnosed?

Noah: I got pretty worried.

Mom: How many times a day do you test?

Noah: About 9.

Mom: What activities do you like?

Noah: kick ball, swimming, jump rope, street chalk, playing at the park, arts and crafts, dodgeball, etc.

Mom: What kinds of hobbies do you have?

Noah: I study whales, play with Legos, play with the cat- that's pretty much it.

Mom: What are some of your favorite foods?

Noah: Some of my favorite foods would be pizza, cake, carrots, broccoli, ice cream, candies, sausages, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, bacon, eggs, etc.

Mom: What would you like to be when you grow up?

Noah: I would like to be a cartoonist.

Mom: How do you feel when you're low?

Noah: queasy, shaky, weak and sweaty.

Mom: What advice would you give to other kids with diabetes?

Noah: I would tell them to always test when they're supposed to, if you feel low, tell an adult. Share your feelings about diabetes with your family or friends to feel better.

Mom: When there is a cure, what is the first thing you will do?

Noah: Celebrate and be happy!!

Fun at Day Camp!

*exhale*

The first week of day camp for Noah is officialy over, and it was a huge success. I was so worried that he would panic if something didn't go "just right" with his pump, or using his new cell phone to call me with blood sugars. He did brilliantly. My husband and I could not be prouder of how responsible he is. Yep, our baby is growing up.

I am doubly happy that on Wednesday they took a field trip to a local outdoor function facility with a big pool for all the kids to go swimming, and he wore Cozmo in the pool---AND IT WORKED! woo hoo!

Getting him to wear it proved to be harder than I thought. My second blog post here told the story of our misadventure in Florida regarding the pump in the pool, and Noah was sure that his pump would fail again.

I reassured him that if something happened like before, we could get another one right away and that I would be chaperoning and ready to help if he needed me.

He ended up having a great day and spending all of it swimming, which is how it's supposed to work! :)

He is making new friends as well, and learning that he really can do everything the other kids are doing...he just has to plan a little more than some people. I think he's getting the hang of it. I'm glad he is, because I know one day he's going to do it all by himself and that will be bittersweet for me knowing that I taught him well enough to let him.

Strawberry picking & waffles

Hey I got an idea! I could stay with you! We could stay up late, swap manly stories, and in the morning, I'm making waffles! -Donkey

We have strawberries galore here! My mom and Noah went picking over the weekend, and he came home with some serious berry-yumminess.

I think summer has got to be the best time for people, especially diabetics nutrition -wise. Fresh fruits and veggies in season seem to taste better than any other time of the year.

We try to encourage healthy choices often, but breakfast is tough around here. If we let Noah eat waffles, bacon and english muffins every day, he'd be perfectly happy. Getting him to try oatmeal took alot of smart and clever parenting tricks (by that, I mean bribery) and he hated it. So fruit is what we rely on to not feel like terrible parents who feed the kid junk all the time!

Noah enjoying the fruits of his labor:

"Can you hear me now?"

I swore I'd never allow my young child to have a cell phone. It was just one of those things that made me kind of an old-fashioned mother. No cell phone. No DVD player in the car, etc. No matter how much Noah begged for the last couple years, (let me remind you, he's only almost 9) My answer was always the same; "when you get older and are doing more after-school stuff, then you can get one."

2 days ago, I got my almost 9 year old a cell phone. I had to cave and go against everything I've been saying for years. It's strictly for medical reasons - so he can stay in touch with me during his day camp this summer. I feel good about it. My husband and I are pretty confident that he'll be responsible, but in the back of my mind I remember what it's like to be almost 9 with a new cool toy (even though mom and dad have STRESSED that it's not a toy) and showing off to friends is going to happen. He will geek out with that phone and I'm sure a lesson or two will be learned within the first week, (son, DO NOT text the word "boobs" to your friends) but it's a small price to pay for my piece of mind.

Vacation!

Today is the very first day of summer vacation. We slept til' 9:00 and Noah's blood sugar at that time was kinda low at 68. Looks like the alarm will have to be set to keep him from sleeping right through a low.

I wonder why sometimes he feels very low and tests at around 100 (or even higher) and other times, he's in the 50's and 60's and says he feels perfectly fine. That I will never understand. I'm all about the rhyme and reason behind things, and this disease offers neither. It can be frustrating at times.

This week it's all about being lazy, because next week starts the running around and constant activity of day camp.

We have a beach day planned for tomorrow seeing as it will be very hot here. I am thinking about disconnecting Noah's pump for the day so we don't have a repeat of the "Florida Incident" as it is now affectionately called. I just think one day of freedom splashing in the ocean without something attached to your butt is totally worth a couple injections. I want Noah to be able to get very salty, very sandy and very happy.

Picking Battles

Having a child means experiencing surprises on a daily basis. Some good - like when they make you something at school , and bring it home to give it to you all crinkled and bent from being in the backpack. Some not so good - like when you find out they've been given detention for throwing paper on the bus. These are life's little challenges, and picking which battle to fight is always a tough decision for parents to make.

Now throw diabetes into the mix, and it seems like every little thing is the battle scene from Braveheart. It's hard to get people to understand exactly what Noah goes through on a daily basis. One member of my family thinks to this day, that his diabetes can be controlled by diet and diet alone. I have to shake my head and explain -again- that he basically needs his pump to live.

Then there's school. For the most part it's been ok. The school nurse is one of the most wonderful people that has entered into our lives. She really gets it - she has truly done her homework and so genuine in her concern for these kids she sees every day, it's enough to make you tear up a little. She called me yesterday to tell me that Noah had been low when he tested right before a walking field trip to visit the Police Station. He was very upset and his mood swung even more when he was told to stay and have a snack. I guess the teacher couldn't wait 5 minutes, because they left without him. When the nurse couldn't reach the principal to see if she could bring Noah over there (it's literally 1/2 a block away from school.) she called me , and I got him and drove him over to join his class. When I saw the teacher , I began to explain to her that he was fine now, and that his test kit and juice are in his bag....she cut me off mid sentence and said "well we are almost done here".

I was so upset, I just turned on the spot and left. I am sad for my son. Sad because in trying to help him feel completely normal with this disease, he is still being singled out. Some battles you just can't win.

Sweet Morning

When I arrived home this morning from the gym, the phone rang. The caller ID says it's the school, and my stomach does an involuntary flip.

"Hello"?

"HI MOM!!!!" I can hear oodles of excitement in his voice (thank goodness!)

"what's up, hunny?

He tells me he's down at the nurse, and he won a prize, and it's a candy bar (!) and canhepleasepleaseplease haaave it?????

Mad dash to the computer, where I pull up my lifesaver. CalorieKing, type in Nestle Crunch.

Like magic, the stats come up:

Serving Size: x serving, 3 bars (1.5 oz) package (11.5 oz) oz g
Nutrition Facts
Calories 210
(Kilojoules 878)
% DV**
Total Fat
10 g
15%
Sat. Fat
6 g
30%
Trans Fat
0 g

Cholesterol
5 mg
2%
Sodium
60 mg
3%
Total Carbs.
29 g
10%
Dietary Fiber
1 g
4%
Sugars
24 g

Protein
2 g

Calcium
40 mg

Note: A dash indicates no data is available.

2 seconds to look it up , and my little guy was off bolusing and enjoying his prize.

I must reference this website two, three times a day. Not just for carbs info, but for my own nutritional inquiries. Thank you CalorieKing- you are being added to my list on the side :)

Cutting Apron Strings

I will be honest and admit, I miss the days when we could jump in the car with a beach towel and sunscreen and head out without so much as a backward glance. Being spontaneous is fun! Planning and scheduling makes me feel like a drill sergeant.

Nowadays, I feel like a Boy Scout- "be prepared" is my new mantra. For the sake of Noah and his diabetes management, I have trained myself to be stringent and organized. This, in itself is a miracle!

The one thing yet to change is my ability to let go, and trust that Noah will know what to do without me there to help him. The time has come to sign up for a really super fun summer program that our recreation department runs. He did not go last year, because he was still getting injections and not yet on the pump. Since they have no nurse at this facility, I felt it was best to wait until he was pumping and responsible enough to take care of himself.

He's now been pumping for 7 months, and he's very good and only needs accasional guidance and his meal carbs calculated. Should be no problem, right? Nope. I am scared to death to let him go. He will have a cell phone to call home. The place is less than 2 miles from my home, so by car, I could be there in 2 minutes. I keep trying to remind myself that it has to happen sometime.

Still, I worry. Everything could go wrong - or nothing could go wrong. Once again planning (praying), organizing (agonizing), and trusting will be my tools to make this more about Noah having fun with his peers, being a kid and having a great time, and less about feeling different or held back.

Traveling for the first time on the pump

Last week, Noah, my mom and I went to Florida to see my grandfather for his 80th birthday. It was the first time we went away from home since his diagnosis (yes, first trip in 2 years- I'm a nervous mother) and needless to say, I was a little frantic with the preparations.

I packed and re-packed. Checked and re-checked. Government websites were consulted to make sure we could get through the security checks alright. The Freestyle attached to the Cozmo set the metal detector off twice, which resulted in a pat-down search. eeek!

The one thing that we were most afraid of, but thankfully were extremely prepared for, happened. TOTAL PUMP FAILURE.
I read that literature about a gazillion times to make sure swimming wouldn't hurt the pump. I went over the casing with a fine-toothed comb to see if there were any cracks, scratches, etc. We even did a test run in the shower. First day in the pool and the thing pooped out on us. dead. done. finito.

Oh crap, no!! After a brief but teary visit to the bathroom I gathered myself together, and called the 800 number on the pump. I love the Cozmo people- the woman I spoke to was so calming and helpful as I explained my situation of being away from home and freaking just a bit. She took down my grandparent's address and said UPS would deliver by 1:00 the next day!! I thanked her about a gazillion times, and dug out the spare glucose meter, and syringes ...glad I brought them!

The new pump arrived early at 11:00 the next day! Less than 24 hrs and we were back in business. It wasn't a total disaster, but it very well could have been. Being prepared saved us alot of headaches .Not to toot my own horn, but being a nervous mother has finally paid off!

So here's a checklist for travelers who may be embarking on their first trip after a pump start. Feel free to comment with your own helpful hints!
1. Letter from your physician explaining your need for medical supplies on the plane.
2. batteries
3. alcohol wipes, lancets, infusion sets, cartridges, etc.
4. INSULIN
5. syringes (even if you don't use them, keep them on you for emergencies)
6. Write down all your pump settings. Even if you have a photographic memory, believe me, when you're stressed you won't remember squat.
7. glucagon
8. stash of snacks for lows...those little juicy juice boxes are perfect at 15g carbs and we found these gummy things -Sunkist Fruit Gems- you can get them in the bulk candy bin at the supermarket. They are awesome for travel and are individually wrapped so you can trow them in your bag, pocket, cup holder.
9. Clear plastic zip-top bags to put it all in.

Lastly, carry on everything you will need. Don't think you can get by without your supplies with you at all times. Test often and you will have a wonderful and safe trip with minimal snags.

Let It Out

My first post and I have so much to say. Where do I start?

I have been quietly reading all of these wonderful d-blogs and it has really opened my mind and my heart to the fact that we are not alone in this. My son was diagnosed with type 1 in 2005, and started pump therapy in November of 2006. Noah will be 9 soon and handles his daily struggles pretty well.

My hope in creating this blog is that anyone who is feeling a little lost in the sea of diabetes stuff can read and feel not so alone.