tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63869789020532311852012-02-16T18:52:51.310-06:00My daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 5 years old. This is our story.justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.comBlogger401100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-11402487374111702242011-11-17T14:07:00.000-06:002011-11-17T14:07:00.880-06:00

LilBird: I think this Tootsie Roll is 220 carbs. Mom: 220? How did you come up with that number? LilBird: I typed in 'Tootsie Roll carbs' into Google, and I clicked the first one, and .... Are calories the same as carbs? Mom: No. Calories and carbs are different. LilBird: Well, 220 ... it said 'car-bo-hy-drates'. At least she's trying, huh? (For the record, it was 10 carbs.)

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-12079089673483619212011-10-18T17:49:00.003-05:002011-10-18T18:06:05.175-05:00

LilBird does group activities/classes like other normal kids. While homeschooling her does allow some control over her exposure to contagions, short of keeping her in a bubble, she's going to get sick sometimes despite my every effort to keep her well. I have always tried very hard to keep all of my children's exposure to the snot, vomit, hacking coughs, and spotty throats of others to a minimum.

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-87470107446691111532011-09-08T14:38:00.000-05:002011-09-08T14:38:08.239-05:00

The theme for this year's JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes is "Lights Camera Cure!" Our team formation is almost complete, and we'd love to have you join us.  If you can't walk with us, we'd greatly appreciate any amount you can donate.  (Specifically, my three daughters could really use your donations to meet their fundraising goals!)  ^front^  ^back^ To join our team, please visit our team

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-85095986851541916522011-08-16T10:59:00.003-05:002011-08-16T11:05:57.815-05:00

 LilBird has been taking musical theater classes for two years. This year, she became a little disenchanted with it and wanted to dance. For about half this past season, we've talked about what kind of dance class she would take this next fall. She "taps" around the house A LOT, and I have been trying to convince her that she would love tap class.  Until this summer, that suggestion was met with,

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-37620888474575316512011-03-31T13:34:00.000-05:002011-03-31T13:34:26.420-05:00

LilBird applied to be a part of the semi-annual JDRF Children's Congress. She wasn't accepted this time, but I feel the letter she and I composed together should be "out there," so I'm posting it now. There is currently a bill, HB 1442 - the Destructive Human Embryo Research Act - that has passed our State House and is expected to pass the Senate. This is a BAD BILL and will have a catastrophic

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-50477869811544812582011-01-19T12:37:00.000-06:002011-01-19T12:37:20.030-06:00

Really? Not too many days do I feel like we're rockin' the blood sugar control, but apparently we do! LilBird had her first endocrinology check-up of this year today. She's up to 3' 8", 43.4 pounds (woot!), and her A1C is 6.4! Not a single low in this past week, and only a few highs (nothing over or even really close to 300). No adjustments to bolus or basal rates (which I have tweaked a lot in

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-82680410830505449152011-01-05T13:22:00.002-06:002011-01-05T13:26:51.221-06:00

Hey, Mom! I need to tell you something ... it's A LOT! Okay ... (Wide-eyed and trying really hard not to bounce.) I was thinking. We could ask somebody to use a building. A building with big screens (spreading arms wide) ... TVs. Like ... PeachWave! (Bounce.) Screens like at PeachWave. On the screens there could be pictures. Pictures of me, like, checking my sugar. The screens would be on the

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-44842154048644107162010-11-18T12:48:00.001-06:002010-11-18T13:30:42.524-06:00

Her Royal Sixness They crafted, sang, danced, played and ate cupcakes and ice cream! I have no doubt the Princess Party will be long and fondly remembered. :)

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-15532739048047682222010-11-15T12:40:00.000-06:002010-11-15T12:40:45.471-06:00

Normally Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays. This year, however, I dreaded it because of The Candy Factor. Traditionally, we trick-or-treat in Grandma and Grandpa's neighborhood and collect a minimum of twelve pounds of sweet loot. In the month following Halloween, LilBird asks every hour (on the hour) for a piece of candy. Mind you, she doesn't always get it, but historically, she

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-48211611136496458102010-11-15T09:30:00.002-06:002010-11-15T12:19:53.534-06:00

We started off October with The Greatest Walk on Earth - JDRF's annual walk to cure diabetes.  Our team, LilBird's Wings, raised over $1100 (not to mention having our team shirts 100% sponsored by TrikNTrux and Center Stage) ... THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH to all who joined our team and contributed to our cause! This is the first year we have done this and I am incredibly proud of my family and

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-44631846986017124612010-09-07T13:27:00.000-05:002010-09-07T13:27:46.354-05:00

It's little things that excite me most - like finding a reliable "trick" that works when it comes to regulating blood glucose numbers. Silly, maybe. I don't care, I'm sharing. :) We've been told to treat lows with fast-acting sugar. Juice is one of the first suggestions, but it's such a tiny amount, and our experience has been that different juices react differently when it comes to blood-sugar.

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-29402471407579312772010-09-01T15:21:00.000-05:002010-09-01T15:21:10.781-05:00

For the most part, I have gotten past my anxiety over pump set changes.  My husband usually fills the pump reservoir while I am prepping and doing the set change. Of the handful of times I've filled the reservoir, I can only recall two times I haven't fought bubbles. Today's schedule necessitated a set change when I was the only parent here. She could've waited for Dad on the reservoir fill part

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-23874283009070278542010-08-18T09:31:00.001-05:002010-08-18T09:32:37.812-05:00

This evening, LilBird was coloring with her big sister (Rockstar). She chose to cut pages from her diabetes education "coloring" book. Her Pink Panther book (not mine), for those of you who know what I'm talking about. Rockstar made sure it was okay with me that LilBird was cutting out the pages. I flipped through it and decided, "It's fine; it's her book, by the time she is going to be able to

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-70463181579878360312010-08-12T20:44:00.000-05:002010-08-12T20:44:27.577-05:00

We usually try to numb LilBird for between 40-45 minutes, that seems to be the best time frame. She went a little longer this evening, about an hour. Instead of a white circle, it was red. Thank goodness it was super numb, though. I did everything as usual, checked the angle of the serter and set, but as soon as it hit her skin, I knew it was wrong. The lower half of sticky was scrunched up. When

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-63405018600780774302010-07-09T11:29:00.001-05:002010-07-09T11:30:29.195-05:00

What an incredible experience for my kiddos! They *all* had immeasurable fun this week, and despite being EXHAUSTED, they were all sad to see it come to an end.  Camp Lo-Be-Gon is a 4-day day camp for children with diabetes (both types) and their siblings. It is sponsored primarily by OU Pediatrics, and staffed by nurses, nurse practitioners, diabetes educators, and parent-volunteers.  Every

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-68632706182740704372010-06-09T11:05:00.001-05:002010-06-09T11:06:43.158-05:00

The picture says it all, don't ya think? The week preceding Memorial Day weekend, I very sadly told LilBird that I just really wasn't sure it would be sooner than later when she'd get her pump; I even suggested Christmas time to be sure she understood what that meant.  I'd left the Pre-Pump Class pretty deflated, and that was before Soonercare dropped her coverage.  We were warned that because

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-66760725216159995822010-06-06T10:58:00.001-05:002010-06-06T10:59:27.807-05:00

Thanks to Sarah for sharing this with me. Too perfect not to pass along!

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-72681348828046691992010-05-28T13:24:00.004-05:002010-05-28T13:27:52.304-05:00

Yeah, I really said that. If they gave a damn, Oklahoma wouldn't be above the national average in uninsured children. 11.3% of Oklahoma's children are uninsured. That's over 100,000 children JUST IN OKLAHOMA. Who are these kids? Poor kids? Nope. They are children whose parents are working, and modestly living check-to-check, whose parents feel like for every step forward they make toward

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-24777830165416400632010-05-26T16:29:00.001-05:002010-05-26T18:09:34.214-05:00

I just sent this letter to Senator Coburn (and also to Senator Inhofe and Congressman Sullivan, without the very last line). Anybody who knows me knows that I despise Tom Coburn, and so if you have a comment in support of him, PLEASE don't bother me with it because I am stressed to the max right now and can't take any more. The letter describes what is happening with my LilBird's health care

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-75111832984774215672010-05-16T12:47:00.001-05:002010-05-16T12:48:36.328-05:00

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-61755472283803763812010-05-14T14:06:00.000-05:002010-05-14T14:06:50.124-05:00

Today I am feeling a bit like a basketcase.  Even my own husband doesn't get it, and that is very frustrating.  We've reached the six-month post-diagnosis mark. 710 insulin injections and counting. Double that in glucose checks, I'm sure (I haven't kept count of those).  I don't feel like I have very good control right now, and I'm suspecting she's slipping out of the honeymoon because we've made

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-29532602835207012472010-05-07T19:02:00.000-05:002010-05-07T19:02:04.357-05:00

You might think you have the best photographer for your family photos, but I really am blessed to have the best photographer around as one of my very best friends. :)  I have the cutest LilBird, too. :) LilBird has been taking a musical theater class called Bitty Broadway at Center Stage Performing Arts. Her class has been working on some Shirley Temple tunes for their upcoming recital.  She

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-25895045775026509222010-05-07T11:51:00.000-05:002010-05-07T11:51:35.922-05:00

We missed our scheduled pump class in April because I had to rush LilBird back to the ER just before the class ... not diabetes-related (thankfully), this time with a filleted thumb.  I was fixing her lunch when I heard her very shakily (quite calmly) say, "Mooooooom ..." When I saw the blood streaking down her hand, I took her calm lead and said, "Oh, we need to get that bleeding to stop." When

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-3060893688017356942010-04-14T08:29:00.000-05:002010-04-14T08:29:28.213-05:00

If you haven't caught the nasty, NASTY "stomach bug" that's been going around during this seasonal transition, avoid it like it's the plague!! Unfortunately, LilBird was the first to succumb to it in our house. When Jay called me while I was grocery shopping on a Friday evening, my heart skipped at the news of her suddenly vomiting. It's only every other day that we don't have to treat a low

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-91667796594329211752010-03-26T13:07:00.000-05:002010-03-26T13:07:19.649-05:00

I subscribe to several diabetes-related news hounds to try to keep myself current and informed.  This story today made me physically ill.  When LilBird was diagnosed, one of the overwhelming thoughts I had was, "How do ignorant parents deal with this?" In my life, I've personally encountered some REAL WINNERS who were parents only in the definition that they had birthed children, not parents in

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-56553781002612572302010-03-11T17:51:00.001-06:002010-03-11T17:52:48.313-06:00

I have been too busy with life in general to stay atop the state legislation that always takes over the end of winter for me. I found this article today about HB 2544 which has been killed.  It would have required parents like me to pay a $5 copay for each time my child sees a doctor as a Soonercare patient. The idiots who voted it down think "now isn't the time" to lay this on "the poorest

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-92060679907820674762010-03-03T10:16:00.002-06:002010-03-03T10:19:57.472-06:00

I am quite smitten with a particular T1D blogger. Yesterday I read her post about some questions a T1Parent had asked, and it made me think (which is why I like her blog). I'd never considered myself as my Bird's pancreas, but it's fitting - I think that is why I am so anal about controlling and worrying over her. I really appreciate this woman's honesty and reassurance. Today, her post made

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-35292784219030724402010-03-02T09:59:00.001-06:002010-03-02T10:01:03.871-06:00

I ran across this video on a homeschooling blog and thought it was simple enough to share.  While not (yet) being an expert the subject, I find myself frustrated lately when I see physicians (Dr. Oz) and politicians (Sen. Coburn) speaking in public forums on the broad topic of "Diabetes" without differentiating between the types - which are very similar but simultaneously VERY different.

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-51584357841021467532010-02-24T10:56:00.000-06:002010-02-24T10:56:45.500-06:00

I'm not sure why I've been keeping count, but I do.  Yesterday at lunch, I told Bird she was getting her 400th injection of insulin.  Her eyes widened to the size of quarters and she replied in awe, "Four hundred shots? That's like ... a billion!"

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-82309848822368201412010-02-19T17:48:00.001-06:002010-02-19T17:49:40.800-06:00

  We celebrated 5 full days (almost 6) of all in-range glucose levels.  It was sure nice while it lasted! Unfortunately, she came down with tonsillitis so we're back to ups and downs, but not too bad.  I did forget that activity + illness = higher sugar level (instead of the normal opposite effect), so her pre-class snack this week resulted in a 200 on the ol' meter. We don't see those very often

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-61745209050639612012010-02-03T13:58:00.000-06:002010-02-03T13:58:39.313-06:00

Last night I was lounging on my bed and picked up LilBird's log-book - where we keep notes, carb counts, glucose readings, insulin calculations.  As I carefully reviewed the glucose & insulin pages for the past 78 days, I welled up as I realized we had finally just achieved 2 consecutive days of glucose readings all within our target range (70-200). I cheered out loud and I was giddy as I

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-50290055287659257782010-01-19T09:31:00.000-06:002010-01-19T09:31:33.742-06:00

My new friend graciously hosted a play date yesterday for us to get a chance to be with another (homeschooling!) mom and diabetic kids and siblings.  The time flew by so quickly, which is always an indicator of a good time!  The other Type 1 kids are just a year older than LilBird, and their diagnoses were both over a year ago.  First, I'm delighted to report that LilBird actually ate a meal at a

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-9175057475672837882010-01-12T12:18:00.000-06:002010-01-12T12:18:25.372-06:00

I just returned home from my first trip to the monthly JDRF parents Time To Talk, and O M G ... what a relief!  I knew I needed to connect with others but had no clue how badly I needed that!  I didn't cry, but I sure could have (in a good way)! I was really nervous to go, for previously stated reasons, but also because I was taking advantage of LilBird being a late riser in the mornings, so she

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-68927590091006566052010-01-06T14:05:00.000-06:002010-01-06T14:05:54.909-06:00

I'm just going to put it out there, because this is our space and I can (and I'm emotional about it and need to write it out).  Our lives to this point have led us down a path that does not include attending church. It's really not relevant here to know the whole story, but the point is that it just isn't a big deal to us. We are good, tolerant and respectful people raising good kids. 

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-9253480045615570432009-12-26T11:16:00.000-06:002009-12-26T11:16:50.721-06:00

Just before the Christmas holiday, Bird's insulin ratios were adjusted again in an effort to curb the number of low readings she was having.  It worked for a couple of days. About the same time, she regressed back to being combative during pricks and shots, and she decided to test the limits of not eating to avoid the shots. When she's below 60, we have to treat that with a fast-acting sugar - 4

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-88779680718824616012009-12-06T08:58:00.000-06:002009-12-06T08:58:18.031-06:00

Some memorable diabetes moments ... After doing one of his first shots, Daddy asked LilBird if Mommy did it better.  She told him,  "You just need more practice." After emptying a KwikPen, I offered it to LilBird for her to use on her bunny instead of using the actual needles and pen after each of her shots. She was GIDDY. She quickly retrieved one of her stuffed puppies to treat.  Since only

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-41777361438432959562009-12-02T10:18:00.001-06:002009-12-02T10:20:29.339-06:00

I'm not normally a big fan of the Jonas Brothers, but my girls really like them.  LilBird loves the fact that Nick Jonas is like her - Type 1 and uses the same meter she does.  I found this song and reading the lyrics made me cry as I thought of my sweet little one feeling this way. Thanks, Nick Jonas, for speaking out so my LilBird can relate to someone else. Got the news today Doctors said I

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-8925325548240282082009-12-02T08:07:00.004-06:002009-12-02T08:26:08.966-06:00

The second day of our Diabetes Survival Crash Course (not really what it's called but it best describes the content and the necessity of it being taught tout de suite), we were joined by another mom and her 11-year-old daughter (new onset diagnosed the same week as us).  Unlike us, however, this mom also has a teenage daughter (big sister of the little girl) who has been Type 1 since age 3. My

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-61654931947544228062009-11-24T13:57:00.002-06:002009-12-02T08:24:30.706-06:00

Bright and early last Monday morning Jay and I took LilBird to the pediatric endocrinology clinic.  We were a little late as we usually tend to be, but it was not a big deal. I had explained to her that we were going to Diabetes Class, and selfishly omitted the details of needles and shots and blood. She was actually excited to be there. Then, a lab tech weighed her and pricked her finger. 

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6386978902053231185.post-21438280683912015442009-11-21T02:26:00.001-06:002009-11-21T02:36:50.877-06:00

Shortly after Halloween this year, I noticed LilBird was drinking water much more frequently than normal.  She was also eating a lot more candy post-holiday, so at first, I attributed her thirst to that and quietly pushed my concern aside. When I took her siblings shopping for a few hours and returned to learn that my husband noticed she had been thirstier than normal, I began to worry and

justmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10496762364817275186noreply@blogger.com1