Our First Trip Away

Lantus....check.  Novalog....check.  Meter, strips, poker....check.  Alcohol....check.  Cotton balls....check.  Log book....check. Pink Panther book....check.  Carb King book....check.  Extra insulin....check.  Glucagon....check.  Glucose tabs....check.  Juice boxes....check.  Lantus....recheck.  Novalg....recheck.  15 carb snack packs....check.  Kitchen scale....check.  Traveling schedule....check.  Dr.'s phone numbers....check.  Check....check...check.
We were headed out of town.....just to Grandma and Grandpa's.  A safe first trip just a couple of hours away.  Still though,  I am full of anxiety and nerves.  Seems so silly, now that it's all over,  at how scared I was to leave my safe haven house where elements are controlled and are pretty much predictable.  I was worried about traveling alone without my Husband and taking care of all the kids and things by myself for days.  I planned our traveling hours aroung her meals and B.S. checks.  I planned Sweet's meals and snacks and brought a lot of our own food.  I did my best to plan for everything so that Sweets could have a good time and that I could not worry sooo much.

 Just being silly at the Zoo.
Which make this Mama happy to see.

Another feat under my belt.  Traveling, sleeping over several nights, planning for extra activity and exercise, carb counting for meals I didn't make, etc.  My parents were great supports, my sisters were there helping me along the way.  The cousins were there to whisk Sweets away from her diagnosis for a time and to help her forget all about it.  She played and ran and swam and was outside all day.  I ran half a juice box out to her every half an hour during her hardest play times and checked her at night for low's.  Her levels stayed adequate all weekend long!!!!  We went to the Movies and had treats too, we visited the zoo and the park and we ate lunch out to McDonald's.   I am sooo proud of myself!!

HbA1c And Hypoglycemia

I have a few new favorite kitchen gadgets.  Instead of serving spoons we now use a lot of measuring cups.  It's not unusual for me to go through as many as three different one's in one meal.  I have four sets of measuring cups and it's fun to have some bright colors.  The scale is a necessity for weighing everything from pasta to fruit to baked goods.  It's awesome for calculating the carbs perfectly in certain things.  I love that this set of measuring spoons comes with a 2 TBS.  I give Sweet's 2 TBS. of most condiments and it's made it easier to dish it out this way.  A calculator is sitting right in the middle of my counter at all times now.   I am getting quite handy at dividing fractions and figuring portions per servings.  The plastic cups are re purposed applesauce containers.  I just wash them and throw them in the drawer.  They are perfect for small portions of fruit and snacks and condiments.  They weigh next to nothing and are easy to set on the scale. I use them at almost every meal.

There is something called an HbA1c test that they do every three months.  The blood test can tell the average Blood Sugar level that Sweets has been at for all that time.  The numbers on the scale are broken down like this.  The higher levels Sweets are at for a higher period of time indicate possible future problems with her eyes, kidneys, feet, etc.  As a parent, I want to try to regulate her Blood Sugar levels as tightly as possible to ensure that she is almost always in this green area.  This way, she can live happier as an adult with less problems.

This is why I try to count the carbs exactly, match the units of insulin exactly, get her exercising to bring those numbers down and test her often to make sure her Blood Sugar levels are within a proper range.  I feel as a parent it's my job to do this for her now and to teach her how to do this for herself as she grows.  It is a gift I am giving her now, so she can be healthy as an adult.

Another reason I try to manage her Blood Sugar levels so closely is that it is really easy for her to have the opposite of Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).  Hypoglycemia scares me more than high levels.  It seems that she can get low enough to really have problems in a short period of time.  Within hours actually.  If it's not promptly caught and taken care of, she can become unconscious.  She is becoming better and being aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar and how they affect her body so it's easier to catch and faster too.

Every day we are learning more and becoming more confident in managing her levels with our own knowledge.  We have not been having to contact her physicians daily like we used to because the picture puzzle is clear enough.  This gives us a great amount of satisfaction and control.   

Type 1 Diabetes Won't Keep Me From.....

We decided to try Five Guys last night.  It was easier because it's a chain and the carb counts are in our Calorie King.  Trying to calculate the fries though was about to make my mind burst.  The whole process can come to a complete halt if I can't make a measurement right in my head.  I had no idea what 2 oz. of fries look like, although I can tell you how many tator tots equal 2 oz.  Ha ha.  Anyway, this is what our table looks like when we eat out.  Ponies, calculators, notebooks, carb counters, and oh........the hamburger of course!

After all was counted I about fell over because it was over 60 carbs and over 5 units of insulin.  I never give Sweets that much.  She did let me check her B.S. at the table.....but wanted to go to the bathroom for her insulin shot (maybe just a bit controlling hu?).  Well, Just giver her the dang shot already, and pray it will work out ok.  We'll see in two hours.

Throughout the meal I had to keep encouraging her to finish all her food.  

"I am sorry honey.  You have to stuff it all in.  I already gave you insulin  for the biggest hamburger of your life.  You really have no choice.  We'll roll you out of here when we're done". 

 Five Guys has a bulletin board with 3x5 cards to color on for display.  Sweets colored her picture to put up.  A tear came to my eye when she showed me what she had drawn.

"Type 1 Diabetes won't keep me from coming here"

A small feat I am sure.....to just go out to eat.  But when you have Type 1 to deal with, everything is harder.  Just one more experience under our belt to build up our confidence.

I was feeling very good about ourselves as a parent team.  Sweets diabetes won't stop her from doing things because we won't let it.  We will be confident and we will try.  

I always want her to use the words, "Type 1 Diabetes won't keep me from......."

Honeymoon

When an initial diagnosis is given for T1D, usually only about 80% if the islets in the pancreas are destroyed which leaves the other 20% willing to create a small amount of insulin.  After a couple of weeks of insulin injections, those islets have had a rest and are ready to fire up.  They start creating insulin for the body and together, with the insulin injections, you see the B.S. levels really start to drop. Maybe a little too much.  It's been hard for me to keep the numbers up enough to be at peace.   It's called the "Honeymoon" phase.  It can last for weeks or months.  Just however long it takes the body to destroy the last remaining islets.  Remember, Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease.
That creates a very hungry and irritable child I've noticed.  So, the Diabetic Physician told us to reduce her Lantus a bit to see if that will help in that area.  We see Sweet's Pediatric Physician tomorrow, so maybe he will adjust her carb to insulin unit ratio as well.

Today we were just on our way in to the store when it was time to do a test.  I figured to bring a snack because she usually wants and can have one.  The lady in the next car was trying not to stare at what was going on.  When the test said 54 (that's as low as I have ever seen it), I was just stared at it, and thought, "ok, now what".  I couldn't believe she wasn't having any symptoms or complaining.  My mind went right to the book I have been reading where it said no solid food if it's under 70, just liquid.  Well, I didn't have any liquid (note to pack a juice box for next time).  So we all put our seat belts on and drove to the nearest gas station.  1 orange juice, a diet Dr. Pepper, and $4.00 later, we were good to go.  One word for you  "Lifesaver".

Let The Numbers Speak....

I have taken advice from other parents and professionals to keep a poker face while looking at meter results.  Just to look at the result and thank your child for testing.  Not to say if it's good or bad but use the words high and low.  I don't ever want Sweets to feel like she's a bad person if her levels are too high or too low.  She doesn't need to worry about that.  It's my problem to fix it if need be.  She is old enough, however, for me to teach her (calmly) what a very low or very high number would be and what we can do to correct it. 

So far, the meter numbers mean two things to her.

She is doing very well in getting all her testing things out and ready.  She picks her finger, wipes it off and let's me prick it. She puts the drop on the meter herself and reads the numbers.  If I can get her to prick herself, she will be independent in this area.  It will come:) 

Lunch was a chaotic mess today.  Meals haven't been that bad since the first week, but for some reason, I just couldn't calculate the carbs for the size of pizza she was having.  I like things perfect and it wasn't coming out right.  I was being forced to guess and I don't like guessing. The kids were sitting at the table starving and being noisy.  I am yelling at them to be quiet so I could think and count.  It's all humerous now that I look back on it.  I apologized for my crazy outburst and promised never to let pizza get the best of me again:)

Daily Schedule

2:00 a.m.~  Prick finger to check B.S. to make sure it's not dropping in the middle of the night low enough to put her in a coma. Record it in the log book.

Breakfast
8:00 a.m.~ Figure out what to serve for breakfast.  Write it all down, Add up the carbs (can't be over 40), divide by 12 to figure how much insulin to be given for the meal.  Make up the eggs.  Eggs are a great protein and a filler.  She eats them every morning.
8:30~ Prick finger to check B.S. to see what it is before the meal.  Give the Lantus shot (all day insulin) in left arm, give the Novalog shot (short term insulin)in right arm, serve breakfast.  Record it all down in the log book.  Record what time she stopped eating (lets say it was 8:40).

9:30~ Make sure the kids get outside to exercise because it is mandatory to help the Blood sugar levels to stay lower.

10:40 a.m.~ Prick finger to check B.S.  If it's 150 or under find a 15 carb snack for her to eat because she's been pestering me for a snack for about an hour now.  If it's over 150, listen to her whine because she can't have any carbs and she's sick of cheese sticks, sugar free jell-o, and ham.  Record in log book.

Lunch
11:45 a.m.~ Figure out what to serve for lunch that isn't going to be a carb bomb (can't be over 40).  Write it all down, add up the carbs, divide by 12 to figure out how much insulin to be given for the meal.
12:00 p.m.~ Prepare and portion the meal with measuring cups and spoons. Prick finger to check B.S.  Give the Novalog shot.  Record it all down in the log book.  Record what time she stopped eating (lets say it was 12:30).

1:00 p.m.~ Do whatever you had planned to do in town or whatever activity the girls wanted to go.
Don't forget to take the "diabetes"bag that contains her insulin, meter, and glucose.

2:30 p.m.~ Prick finger to check B.S.  Make sure it's not too low causing her hypoglycemia.  If it's 150 or under she's good for another 15 carb snack.  If it's higher, be prepared for an unhappy girl.  Record in log book. Get some housework done.


2:45 p.m.~ Try to get the dishes washed and figure out what to prepare for dinner.  Get the meal started and make sure everyone is happy before Daddy gets home at 3:50.

Dinner
4:30 p.m.~Write down what will be given for dinner and portions.  Add up the carbs (try to keep it under 45), divide by 12 to figure out how much insulin be given for meal.  Portion with measuring cups or by counting it out.  Prick finger to check B.S. levels, Give Navalog shot.  Eat before it gets cold.

5:00 p.m.  Record it all down in the log book, including what time she stopped eating (lets say 5:30).

Evening
5:30 p.m.~ Family time to do what we like together

7:30 p.m.~ Prick finger to check B.S.  If it's 150 or under give a 15 carb snack because she's been saying she's hungry for over an hour now.  If it's over 150 be prepared for whining.  Record in log book.

8:45 p.m.~ Get prepared for bed.

9:00 p.m.~ Prick finger to check B.S.  It may not be under 150 before bed for the risk of a low in the middle of the night.  Give a 15 carb snack if necessary.  Record in log book.  To sleep.

Roller Coaster

Up and down and up and down.  This B.S. is a roller coaster.  Sometimes I feel like I am always fixing it instead of managing it.  Is that how it is?  We have had more lows over the last two days than high's and her high's have been higher than normal.  I can't figure it out.  I have changed nothing.   I feel like I am correcting a normal sugar level just because I am afraid in an hour or so it will plummet and leave her in a coma on the floor.  I've seen her levels drop over 100 points in just a matter of hours and that terrifies me.  Especially when it's lower at bedtime.  It's not a fun roller coaster ride.  At least Sweets doesn't mind if she's low.  She seizes the opportunity for a free snack. Ha ha.

My husband has become my best friend.  There is no one we know that truly can even comprehend a small portion of what we are going through emotionally as well as physically.  He is the only one who can understand my emotions and the reactions to them.  He's the only one who knows how stressful this is and how many minutes of the day this takes up.  He's the only one who understands what's it's like to have a child with an illness that will kill them if it isn't managed every hour of the day.  He understands everything.  I am so thankful I am not alone here.

Sweets got a wonderful gift in the mail from her Aunt and Uncle who live in Nevada.  We don't see them much, But they still love her and care for her very much.  She needs all the love and support she can get.  My family has been so awesome in showing us their support and love.

Tonight Husband asked me if I thought I had changed since all this has happened.  I know I have changed.  I want to say for the better, but if becoming even more serious than I already was......I don't know if it is.  I have become aware that I have more patience than I think, if I really try to exert myself. I have found that I have super control over my emotions if I want to. I have learned your reactions to situations can actually change the situation for the better. I have learned that strength is a gift from God.  I have learned that life isn't fair and sometimes you really have no control.

I have learned to trust in myself and to never say "I can't".

I have learned that my daughter is the strongest person I know.  

A typical night.........setting it for 2 a.m.