BiG Blue Test
Watch this video, it came across my Facebook the other day. I found it very touching to see how people with T1D do not put their life on hold because of all the extra steps we have to go through on a daily basis. I couldn't help but tear up at the end when they go back through and show everyone with their finger in the air. It reminds me of little Ellee's fingers... All the little scars from testing. And to think that she is only a year and a half into this and has a life time ahead of her.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Doctor Appointments
After the horrible incident we had with Dr O (to whom we were referred to by our Pedi) I decided that I should followed my original gut feeling to go to OIO. We were able to get Dr. P to see her (since we had already gone to another doctor) and I honestly can't say enough good things about this guy! He was wonderful, very personable, explained very clearly what happened, and even spelled out a game plan for us. None of which the other doctor did. We were disappointed to learn that even though Ellee doesn't have to wear the brace anymore, she still can not participate in "rough activities", including soccer, the playground, & gym. Major bummer. =( It's hard to get a 5 year old to stay off a playground, even harder when she doesn't have a brace on to remind her of why she can't!
Soccer season is over, for all of the 3 weeks that Ellee got to participate in! Both girls have been talking about dancing. This fall, a lady has opened a dance studio in town that offers ballet. I spoke with her last week about starting the girls and we decided to start them on Monday to see how they like it! I completely forgot about Ellee's Endo appointment Monday afternoon but hoped that we could get back in time for it.
I usually dread going to the Endo. I think it's because T1D only progressively gets worse, never better, and the appointments only seem to remind me that it's all downhill. A positive is that our Endo lets us make our own judgment calls, especially if she is consistently high or has more than one or two lows, we can adjust without having to play phone tag with them. We have had our hands slapped for making an adjustment we didn't know we weren't suppose to make!
Monday we had our first afternoon appointment which works out better because Ellee doesn't miss as much school. She was only missing 2 hours, as opposed to 3-4. Josh and I have been discussing her numbers ever since she started school, soccer, & broke her wrist. We have had so many factors thrown together all at once that we really had no idea what the cause is to figure out how to bring her down. We knew that the only logical thing to do was to adjust her insulin to carb ratio and see where that goes.
There was a new Diabetes Nurse Educator that came in and spoke with us and went over all the factors that we need to look at. I couldn't help but notice the medical alert bracelet she wore on her wrist. When we got done, I asked if she was new to the office/Childrens Hospital Network. I normally don't ask things like that, but I was very impressed with her professionalism and her knowledge, and most importantly - her understanding. She explained that she just started with Childrens after working at OSU for many years, and has been T1D since the age of 3! As much as I'd like to find an Endo that is local, I am more than happy to make the drive to Dublin and Columbus for that reason - their employees have first hand knowledge of what we are going through, and that makes all the difference in the world to us! The compassion and understanding outweigh all of the textbook knowledge when it comes to dealing with the T1 Monster.
The outcome of everything is that we are going to adjust her insulin:carb ratio and see what happens from there. We already accepted the fact that we *know* that Ellee is coming out of her honeymoon period so it was easier to take when the doctor mentioned it. It was 4:15 when we got out of the office and even if I rushed home, it would be hard to make it in time for ballet class, so I called and explained and we agreed to start next week. I am already seeing a change in Ellee's numbers and will know even more once I see the school nurse's log on Friday. I am so anxious to see how dance class goes next Monday!
Soccer season is over, for all of the 3 weeks that Ellee got to participate in! Both girls have been talking about dancing. This fall, a lady has opened a dance studio in town that offers ballet. I spoke with her last week about starting the girls and we decided to start them on Monday to see how they like it! I completely forgot about Ellee's Endo appointment Monday afternoon but hoped that we could get back in time for it.
I usually dread going to the Endo. I think it's because T1D only progressively gets worse, never better, and the appointments only seem to remind me that it's all downhill. A positive is that our Endo lets us make our own judgment calls, especially if she is consistently high or has more than one or two lows, we can adjust without having to play phone tag with them. We have had our hands slapped for making an adjustment we didn't know we weren't suppose to make!
Monday we had our first afternoon appointment which works out better because Ellee doesn't miss as much school. She was only missing 2 hours, as opposed to 3-4. Josh and I have been discussing her numbers ever since she started school, soccer, & broke her wrist. We have had so many factors thrown together all at once that we really had no idea what the cause is to figure out how to bring her down. We knew that the only logical thing to do was to adjust her insulin to carb ratio and see where that goes.
There was a new Diabetes Nurse Educator that came in and spoke with us and went over all the factors that we need to look at. I couldn't help but notice the medical alert bracelet she wore on her wrist. When we got done, I asked if she was new to the office/Childrens Hospital Network. I normally don't ask things like that, but I was very impressed with her professionalism and her knowledge, and most importantly - her understanding. She explained that she just started with Childrens after working at OSU for many years, and has been T1D since the age of 3! As much as I'd like to find an Endo that is local, I am more than happy to make the drive to Dublin and Columbus for that reason - their employees have first hand knowledge of what we are going through, and that makes all the difference in the world to us! The compassion and understanding outweigh all of the textbook knowledge when it comes to dealing with the T1 Monster.
The outcome of everything is that we are going to adjust her insulin:carb ratio and see what happens from there. We already accepted the fact that we *know* that Ellee is coming out of her honeymoon period so it was easier to take when the doctor mentioned it. It was 4:15 when we got out of the office and even if I rushed home, it would be hard to make it in time for ballet class, so I called and explained and we agreed to start next week. I am already seeing a change in Ellee's numbers and will know even more once I see the school nurse's log on Friday. I am so anxious to see how dance class goes next Monday!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Broken Arm
One of the last things I expected at 6:30pm on a Sunday night was to getting a phone call that my daughter broke her arm and is being taken to the hospital. I know how I was with a sprained wrist in school and with a broken leg a few years ago, and I felt like my kids weren't old enough to go through this yet! I'm not ready to go through this yet!
While playing with her cousin at her Uncle's house, she tripped over a ball and put her hands down to break her fall. In the process, the impact on her wrists "buckled" the large bone in her right wrist. Urgent Care did x-rays and sent her home in a splint for her Pediatrician to make the call on whether in needs a cast or not. The next day the Pedi referred us to an Ortho. My mistake was going with that referral instead of going to the Ortho who worked on my leg. I did NOT like this doctor. I was impressed that I could understand his English, but he lacked people skills, especially child skills. Although his prognosis is better than I expected - 3 weeks in a brace/splint sure beats 6 weeks in a cast! I did break Ellee's heart to hear that she couldn't play on the playground, and especially no monkey bars!
The first week and a half break from soccer didn't bother her much, but now she's ready to get back out there and play! She has done good about not kicking the ball in the house, but the other day she wanted to play so bad that she was kicking around in the kitchen! Her break from soccer couldn't come at a worse time, she was doing so good and really getting into playing!
While playing with her cousin at her Uncle's house, she tripped over a ball and put her hands down to break her fall. In the process, the impact on her wrists "buckled" the large bone in her right wrist. Urgent Care did x-rays and sent her home in a splint for her Pediatrician to make the call on whether in needs a cast or not. The next day the Pedi referred us to an Ortho. My mistake was going with that referral instead of going to the Ortho who worked on my leg. I did NOT like this doctor. I was impressed that I could understand his English, but he lacked people skills, especially child skills. Although his prognosis is better than I expected - 3 weeks in a brace/splint sure beats 6 weeks in a cast! I did break Ellee's heart to hear that she couldn't play on the playground, and especially no monkey bars!
The first week and a half break from soccer didn't bother her much, but now she's ready to get back out there and play! She has done good about not kicking the ball in the house, but the other day she wanted to play so bad that she was kicking around in the kitchen! Her break from soccer couldn't come at a worse time, she was doing so good and really getting into playing!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Stepping Up!
A few years ago, Grandma & Grandpa found these little open-faced kayaks that were for kids up to 8 years old! They were the cutest things and since we lived on the lake and Mommy likes to kayak, how great would it be to get the girls out in their own little boats?! To teach Ellee how to control this new contraption, Grandma put her in it in the pool and showed her what to do. The pool and the kayak were just about a great match in size to give her enough room to maneuver and get the hang of it.
The girls and I have gone out on the lake a few times this year, and even once on a river. Ellee gets in her little red kayak while Dani helps me paddle mine. We have a rope tied to the back of mine in case El gets tired, she can hold on for a little bit! It comes in handy when we get to the areas of the lake that go out towards the "open zones" of the lake where the wake is a little too rough for her to paddle against on her own.
We've been very busy the last month and haven't had time to go out on the lake. But a family reunion at G&G L's house was the perfect opportunity to get them out and allow others the chance to give it a try! After lunch I went to take El & my cousin's daughter B out to putt around the channel. After getting El in her kayak, I started getting B into the other little red one. As I lowered her down, she kept telling me that her feet were getting really wet as she stood on the seat getting ready to sit down. Conclusion: Only a small 8 year old can use it! So we put B in a big kayak to see how she would do. B did great in the large one (which I worried was too wide for her) and El struggled in the little one. With the way she was whining, I thought that maybe her sugar was low and she was having a hypo.
We get back to shore, changed her clothes, and take a little break. Later on we try it again, this time, I want to see how she does in a big kayak. What do you know, the little fish took to it like water! Conclusion: the little red ones have a weight limit of 45-50 pounds. The problem with El & B both in big kayaks is that there wasn't one for me to go out there with them! We did have a canoe that some others were out in, so they followed them around to make sure they were okay!
The great thing about family reunions is that others get a chance to try new stuff! My 2nd cousin's kids wanted to try it! While E & B were out, I had T & M sit in the little ones in the yard and I showed them how to paddle. Since T is at least 8, I had put him in his own, and even though M is the same age as El (5), I had her ride with me. T did a great job and was even able to paddle through the lily pads! M tried her heart out and really enjoyed trying to race her brother! Poor thing didn't really have the arm strength to control the boat by herself and hold the paddle up, but she will in another year or two!
Despite the weather being a little on the chilly side on Sunday, we had a great time! I love when kids get outdoors and learn new things that engages them with nature! And I am so proud of Ellee for being able to handle a bigger kayak like it's nothing!
The girls and I have gone out on the lake a few times this year, and even once on a river. Ellee gets in her little red kayak while Dani helps me paddle mine. We have a rope tied to the back of mine in case El gets tired, she can hold on for a little bit! It comes in handy when we get to the areas of the lake that go out towards the "open zones" of the lake where the wake is a little too rough for her to paddle against on her own.
We've been very busy the last month and haven't had time to go out on the lake. But a family reunion at G&G L's house was the perfect opportunity to get them out and allow others the chance to give it a try! After lunch I went to take El & my cousin's daughter B out to putt around the channel. After getting El in her kayak, I started getting B into the other little red one. As I lowered her down, she kept telling me that her feet were getting really wet as she stood on the seat getting ready to sit down. Conclusion: Only a small 8 year old can use it! So we put B in a big kayak to see how she would do. B did great in the large one (which I worried was too wide for her) and El struggled in the little one. With the way she was whining, I thought that maybe her sugar was low and she was having a hypo.
We get back to shore, changed her clothes, and take a little break. Later on we try it again, this time, I want to see how she does in a big kayak. What do you know, the little fish took to it like water! Conclusion: the little red ones have a weight limit of 45-50 pounds. The problem with El & B both in big kayaks is that there wasn't one for me to go out there with them! We did have a canoe that some others were out in, so they followed them around to make sure they were okay!
The great thing about family reunions is that others get a chance to try new stuff! My 2nd cousin's kids wanted to try it! While E & B were out, I had T & M sit in the little ones in the yard and I showed them how to paddle. Since T is at least 8, I had put him in his own, and even though M is the same age as El (5), I had her ride with me. T did a great job and was even able to paddle through the lily pads! M tried her heart out and really enjoyed trying to race her brother! Poor thing didn't really have the arm strength to control the boat by herself and hold the paddle up, but she will in another year or two!
Despite the weather being a little on the chilly side on Sunday, we had a great time! I love when kids get outdoors and learn new things that engages them with nature! And I am so proud of Ellee for being able to handle a bigger kayak like it's nothing!
Friday, September 10, 2010
The Pen
Our first full week of school is finishing up! The past two weeks have been extremely busy with a new routine of school AND playing soccer, but we survived! Ellee is still relatively excited about school, she likes her teacher, loves recess & art class, and isn't giving the nurse any problems (that are in her control anyways)! She got her glasses a week ago and tells me that she's wearing them during class and the one day wore them out to recess. I will admit that the glasses are a battle I'm not willing to fight right now, at least not until we get everything squared away with the T1D!
Mrs. M (the nurse) & I had a second T1D meeting on Wednesday morning to "refine" the game plan now that we can see where we are lacking clear definition. *giggle* That is funny because its an oxymoron in itself, any one who deals with T1D knows that there are no set rules in this game: you have to be able to learn fast, go with the flow, and have a fast reaction time to stay in the game. After this meeting, I am more confident and my nerves eased! We have a game plan worked out, we now have a "school set" and "home set" which makes things so much easier!
Ellee starting school has forced me into the transition of "The Pen". It's not that I was against it, I'm just reluctant to change! ;o) I am loving the NovoLog Pen Jr! So far have only found one down side to it - exposed needle in the caps after use (hoping that once I get a small bag for the used ones that this won't bother me any more). I also found that there are two different sizes of needles, so I need to do research to make sure I get the smallest ones next time I order!
In the process of getting extra stuff to leave at school, I found something interesting in with the new meter! I Not only did I get the meter on sale, but there was also something in there about only paying $15 for test strips. I asked the pharmacist about it, and she said they should be able to honor it! YAY!!! I also found that they are now selling silicone covers and cute cases for the meters, which Ellee loved the idea of being able to turn it from black into a cute pink! I'm also hoping that she'll love the cute pink flower case I have picked out!
Our first soccer game in the morning, so wish us luck!!!
Mrs. M (the nurse) & I had a second T1D meeting on Wednesday morning to "refine" the game plan now that we can see where we are lacking clear definition. *giggle* That is funny because its an oxymoron in itself, any one who deals with T1D knows that there are no set rules in this game: you have to be able to learn fast, go with the flow, and have a fast reaction time to stay in the game. After this meeting, I am more confident and my nerves eased! We have a game plan worked out, we now have a "school set" and "home set" which makes things so much easier!
Ellee starting school has forced me into the transition of "The Pen". It's not that I was against it, I'm just reluctant to change! ;o) I am loving the NovoLog Pen Jr! So far have only found one down side to it - exposed needle in the caps after use (hoping that once I get a small bag for the used ones that this won't bother me any more). I also found that there are two different sizes of needles, so I need to do research to make sure I get the smallest ones next time I order!
In the process of getting extra stuff to leave at school, I found something interesting in with the new meter! I Not only did I get the meter on sale, but there was also something in there about only paying $15 for test strips. I asked the pharmacist about it, and she said they should be able to honor it! YAY!!! I also found that they are now selling silicone covers and cute cases for the meters, which Ellee loved the idea of being able to turn it from black into a cute pink! I'm also hoping that she'll love the cute pink flower case I have picked out!
Our first soccer game in the morning, so wish us luck!!!
Friday, August 27, 2010
First Day of School
We did it! We survived it! Lunch packed in her froggy lunch box and afternoon snack in her backpack. Ellee taking her time eating two bowls of cereal and Dani refusing to get dressed put me in a little bit of a fluster to get out the door, but I though we were doing good time-wise!
Shoes are on, all bags are accounted for, morning dose of insulin administered, so out the door we go! As soon as I snapped this quick picture of Ellee in the drive way, I was surprised by the noise I heard... THE BUS! I could have swore that we were leaving early enough to get pictures down at the bus stop. Did I waste too much time fighting with Dani to get dressed? Nope, it was a cruel joke for the bus driver to play on me to be 10 minutes early! A brief panic mode and after running half way down the road, I realized that he will wait a few seconds for us. That would be one heck of a memory though - missing the bus on our first day of school!
After Ellee got on the bus, I bent down to take pictures of it driving away and Dani squeezes in between me in the camera "Mommy, I take the pictures!" She sat on my knee and I let her look through the view finder as I snapped the shutter. We start to walk back to the house so that I can take Dani to Grandma's and I can head into work. I took a deep breath and thought aloud "Ellee is headed off to school!" I then heard little sniffles and looked down to see that my words made Dani realize that she wasn't going to have her buddy with her today so she was upset! Seeing her cry made me cry!
I know that kids starting kindergarten and being on their own is the first step in their journey of independence that we parents try so hard to prepare our kids for. I, under other circumstances, wouldn't have been so emotional. Happy and excited - yes, scared and worried - no. But this was different. The hardest part for me was trusting some one else to take care of her T1D. At 16 months post-diagnosis, this is her first day with out either one of her 4 grandparents or Josh or I. This is truly a HUGE day for her! I am very excited, but with worry still being in the back of my mind.
Around 10:50, I received a call from the school. Mrs. M was on the other end and very cheery. She just called to tell me what her BS level was for lunch and said that Ellee excitedly showed her what she had packed and her froggy lunch box! Such a relief to hear that she's in a good mood!
I couldn't wait to get the girls from Grandma's and to hear how the day went! "How was school, Ellee?" "Mom, they have the coolest playground!" It's hard to tell how that first day really went, but the fact that she was in a such a good mood and excited about *something* is good enough for me!
I know that kids starting kindergarten and being on their own is the first step in their journey of independence that we parents try so hard to prepare our kids for. I, under other circumstances, wouldn't have been so emotional. Happy and excited - yes, scared and worried - no. But this was different. The hardest part for me was trusting some one else to take care of her T1D. At 16 months post-diagnosis, this is her first day with out either one of her 4 grandparents or Josh or I. This is truly a HUGE day for her! I am very excited, but with worry still being in the back of my mind.
Around 10:50, I received a call from the school. Mrs. M was on the other end and very cheery. She just called to tell me what her BS level was for lunch and said that Ellee excitedly showed her what she had packed and her froggy lunch box! Such a relief to hear that she's in a good mood!
I couldn't wait to get the girls from Grandma's and to hear how the day went! "How was school, Ellee?" "Mom, they have the coolest playground!" It's hard to tell how that first day really went, but the fact that she was in a such a good mood and excited about *something* is good enough for me!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
All Day Kindergarten
I have to say that my warm, fuzzy feeling about sending Ellee to this school dropped after the uncoordinated effort to get everyone together for a "diabetes meeting" before school started. We *finally* had our meeting, but it was the day before school and afterwords I was not 100% comfortable. I'm sure that any parent who has a child with a disability feels that no one understand what they are going through or knows how to care for the child like they do. We decided to go with this school because they have a full time nurse and have had several T1D kids over the years, so I think that made me a little too confident.
I think part of MY problem is that I try to downplay everything that we have to do to control the T1D. I try to make it a little detour to the normal routine rather than make it a completely different route. That is all fine and well for me to do because I am the one who answers to the doctor. As I age, I am more into scientific experiments, the "lets this a try and analyze the results to see if it works." What I failed to take into account is the fact that the school can not take the liability of risky moves like this. I realized this half way through our meeting on Wednesday. The more all of this dawned on me, the more I could kick myself for not putting myself into a different mind set for her action/emergency plan. That in turns angers me because I wanted to have this meeting weeks before school started so that we had time to train and work out the kinks.
After I talk to Ellee tonight to see how things went, I think that a follow up meeting may be in order. I do owe them an apology for my previous mindset and come up with a new action plan. A new plan with will accommodate their policy of having a set guideline with proper documentation. By the end of the first day, I have spoke with the nurse twice. Either of which were bad calls, but certain things were not made clear. I do have to say that I felt so much better after the first phone call when she said that Ellee just left her office happy as can be and showing off her lunch and lunch bag! I can not describe the relief that brings me to hear that!
I wonder if she realizes how important today is. Yes, it's a big day that every child goes through. But not every child has had to spend every day of the last 16 months with some one who has had specific medical training to take care of them. There are 6 of us who are trained to take care of her and this is the first time she has been able to go some where with out one of us. I am excited because I know she needs this independence, but as a mom, I'm a nervous mother hen!
I can't wait to talk to her tonight to get her views of today!
I think part of MY problem is that I try to downplay everything that we have to do to control the T1D. I try to make it a little detour to the normal routine rather than make it a completely different route. That is all fine and well for me to do because I am the one who answers to the doctor. As I age, I am more into scientific experiments, the "lets this a try and analyze the results to see if it works." What I failed to take into account is the fact that the school can not take the liability of risky moves like this. I realized this half way through our meeting on Wednesday. The more all of this dawned on me, the more I could kick myself for not putting myself into a different mind set for her action/emergency plan. That in turns angers me because I wanted to have this meeting weeks before school started so that we had time to train and work out the kinks.
After I talk to Ellee tonight to see how things went, I think that a follow up meeting may be in order. I do owe them an apology for my previous mindset and come up with a new action plan. A new plan with will accommodate their policy of having a set guideline with proper documentation. By the end of the first day, I have spoke with the nurse twice. Either of which were bad calls, but certain things were not made clear. I do have to say that I felt so much better after the first phone call when she said that Ellee just left her office happy as can be and showing off her lunch and lunch bag! I can not describe the relief that brings me to hear that!
I wonder if she realizes how important today is. Yes, it's a big day that every child goes through. But not every child has had to spend every day of the last 16 months with some one who has had specific medical training to take care of them. There are 6 of us who are trained to take care of her and this is the first time she has been able to go some where with out one of us. I am excited because I know she needs this independence, but as a mom, I'm a nervous mother hen!
I can't wait to talk to her tonight to get her views of today!
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