An Intruder in Your Home

Who You Cannot Protect Your Kids From!

You do everything you possibly can to ensure your kids are safe. It starts from the moment they are born, when they open those big eyes and stare up at you, knowing you are the one in charge of keeping them safe.  You change their diaper frequently and provide ointment if needed to keep them from a painful diaper rash. Feeding them becomes a job of safety as well. You try to make sure you burp them after every few ounces of breast milk or formula so that they don’t end up aspirating or spitting up everywhere. As they begin to become more mobile you purchase bright, large toys so they can have fun, but stay safe without any choking hazards.

You make sure every outlet in your home is plugged so they cannot accidentally toddle over and hurt themselves. Safety latches are placed on doors, handles, cabinets, the bathroom and so much more to protect their little fingers and toes. You may have even had to stop them from choking when they first started on table food. You zipper them tightly into a coat, putting on a hat and gloves when the weather is a little chilly to protect their sensitive skin from the wind.

You make them hold tight onto your hand while walking through the grocery store. You keep a close eye on them while they are outside playing in the backyard. When they go to school you feel confident knowing that the school has the proper safety features to keep them safe and sound throughout the day.

When you pick them up from school, you buckle them in tight into their car seat or in the car, to keep them safe in case of an unexpected accident. You remind them to wear their helmet when riding their bikes, you know for safety. Helmets and pads are a necessity if they play sports to ensure their safety on the field. As they reach the teenage years, a cell phone becomes the new tool of safety so that you can stay in contact with them frequently.

At home, you lock the doors and windows at night to make sure they are safely tucked in their beds for the evening. You think surely you have done everything you possibly can as a parent to keep these precious growing humans safe. But what happens when an intruder invades your home that you cannot protect them from? What happens when this intruder takes over their body, taking away all control from both you and your child?

How do you protect them from something you cannot see or touch?

·         You can’t stop this intruder from entering your home.

·         You can’t keep them from invading your child’s body.

·         You can’t keep them from controlling every aspect of their life.

·         You can’t stop them from ruining your child’s birthday party at the drop of a hat.

·         You can’t even prevent this intruder from potentially taking your child’s life.

What happens when all control, all ability to keep your child fully safe is taken from you? This terrorist in your home cannot be negotiated with. They don’t listen to rhyme or reason, they always get their way and they cannot under any circumstances be stopped. You can’t lock them away for their crimes against your child, no matter how much it is warranted. Justice never seems to have the ability to be served. This intruder can come into your home without warning, silently sneaking in any time of the day. They are a ninja going undetected for quite some time, until one day your child ends up in the hospital, clinging to life.

Who is this intruder that you have no power to protect your children from?

Type 1 Diabetes.

Knowing the signs could very well save their life

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes typically happen quickly in a matter of weeks or days. They include:

• Increased Hunger
• Fatigue
• Muscle Weakness
• Difficulty Waking
• Frequent Stomach Pain or Stomach Aches
• Increased Urination
• Increased and Excessive Thirst
• Dry Mouth
• Itchy Skin
• Blurry Vision
• Fruity Smelling Breath
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Leg Pain
• Frequent Headaches
• Attention Trouble
• Memory Recollection Issues
• Trouble Focusing
• Trouble Concentrating
• Slow Healing Cuts or Wounds
• Frequent Yeast Infections
• Numbness or Tingling in Arms and Legs
• Difficulty Breathing
• Fast, Rapid Breaths
• Weight Loss

Type 1 diabetes can be mistaken for the flu or another illness which is fatal when left untreated. Let me repeat that one more time just so it sinks in. When left untreated Type 1 diabetes is FATAL!

It's important to seek medical treatment immediately if you feel any of the signs and symptoms your child is exhibiting could be Type 1 diabetes. A simple finger poke or urine test could reveal the results. It is always better to be WRONG than sorry when it comes to Type 1.

Early Detection of Type 1 Diabetes

That title may SHOCK some of you. You may be unfamiliar that Type 1 has the potential to be detected early. But we've experienced how remarkable the early detection of Type 1 diabetes can be. In fact, if you are reading this, chances are you have a family member who is touched with Type 1. For siblings, parents, and other family members with Type 1, you may be eligible for TrialNet Pathway to Prevention. This program/ study has meant the world to our family.

Maggie was originally involved starting at the age of 1 in the Pathway to Prevention Study. When she was 4 years old she tested positive for 5 out of 5 autoantibodies that are commonly seen in those that develop Type 1. Now this didn't mean she would 100% develop it, it meant she was at a much greater risk.

After this news, she then was given the OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) to see how her body (pancreas) was working currently. Her tests results were abnormal at the time. Shortly after she was diagnosed.

But if you've been following my blog you are familiar with her diagnosis story over her brothers. The difference was a child in DKA unresponsive, to a child, full of smiles, giggles and aware of what was going on.

It’s been a wild ride since Maggie’s diagnosis, just shy of two years ago. She has increased her insulin need from time to time, I say that because there are periods where her blood sugar just won’t stay up, her little pancreas is still fighting and still producing insulin. It’s a rare occasion to get a look into diabetes “BEFORE” the big killer of all beta cells.

Because Maggie was diagnosed through the Pathway to Prevention Study, she became eligible to participate in the LIFT study. (Long-Term Investigative Follow-up in TrialNet Study) LIFT helps to monitor Maggie's disease progression, insulin requirements, long-term effects, etc.

It's interesting to see how Type 1 develops, having never had any experience with it before Clifford's diagnosis. I never got the chance to mourn the loss of his pancreas slowly and become accustomed to the new life, instead, I was thrown into it. This time, even though we're more experienced we're getting an inside look at the disease progression. At this point, typically, Maggie may not have been technically diagnosed seeing her insulin need is so low. But this means we are able to take stress off of her pancreas NOW and extend the life of it. To me, I find it absolutely amazing. But let’s talk about the second diagnosis in my family for a second and how we took the news.

I used to scroll through countless Facebook posts of online friends announcing they had another child diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I'd stop, read through their posts, offer well wishes, support, virtual hugs, prayers, anything I could. My heart broke in two for them, I imagined what they were going through having yet another child diagnosed. For that brief moment I couldn't even fathom having that bomb dropped on our family. Until it did.......

The reality of diabetes entering our lives again has hit! She was officially diagnosed on Wednesday, March 25th, 2015. Only 5 short years, 1 month and 2 days after her brother was diagnosed.

When Clifford was diagnosed I was currently carrying her and her twin sister, they were 8 months away from entering the world. She hasn't really known a life without 'Diabetes' so to say. It's always been there in the background. When she could talk, walk, understand the things around her it was there. Her brother always testing, always giving insulin, and always counting carbs.

Each taken at diagnosis in the same location

Her diagnosis story is one that I would take a million times over her brothers and so many others that I hear about. She wasn't unconscious like he was, she wasn't so sick she could barely move, and she wasn't on the verge of us losing her. Instead, she was smiles, giggles and laughs throughout the entire process. With our 'heads up' in February we were able to monitor her more closely than we would have prior to knowing. I mean, yes, because we already have a Type 1 in the house we knew the symptoms, and believe me when anyone started peeing or drinking more, I was on it. But this was more of a heads up than just knowing the symptoms. I knew it would happen, and I knew when to look for any unusual things in her.

On Monday, March 23, she woke up complaining that her stomach, and legs hurt so much so she asked me to carry her downstairs. She had some breakfast, peaches, but she continued to lay there for over an hour not moving, not wanting to play, nothing. So I thought to test her, just to see you know? She couldn't pee just yet so she said, so I tested her ketones with our blood ketone meter. Her blood sugar was pretty good for just having ate breakfast, 124, but that little sigh of relief soon changed when I saw the ketone meter, 3.0.  This is not when I got entirely worried, but I did start making calls, just to give a 'heads up' to others that we may be heading to the hospital.

After the calls were made, 10 minutes later I checked again she was complaining even more now. 130 (Great number), but ketones jumped to 3.5.  It was at this point when I got a call back from our TrialNet nurse, and the doctor had asked that I get a pee stick tested to see if she was spilling glucose in her urine. Finally, a short while later I was able to do this, she was in fact spilling 1/2 glucose and the ketones turned dark immediately.

We tested a short while again, after she ate an apple, as she was hungry. This time the meter read 216. Not something I'd typically like to see, but still I know not unusual, for someone pre 2-hour mark after eating. It wasn't until an hour later while waiting to hear from the doctors that I tested once more, our little table beside the couch was beginning to look like a crime scene from all the testing. This time her blood sugar was well over 300, 368 to be exact. I tested again for good measure just hoping, praying it was a fluke, that somehow, even though I cleaned her finger something was on it to mess up the number, but unfortunately it was 364. I spoke with the TrialNet once more, this time breaking down on the phone and apologizing for crying, but she directed us to take her into the ER.

By the time we were finally seen, her blood sugar had gone down to 178. Her cute little pancreas was still working! Thank god! Still I was hoping, praying that somehow I just messed up, that the meter was wrong, that she didn't have ketones that she didn't spill glucose. But we were admitted for 'monitoring' to watch her blood sugar overnight to see how it does. She spiked during the night over 200 to 211, without food, and her fasting number in the morning was 121, for 'technical' purposes, diabetes is considered a fasting of 126 or higher, but she already exhibited numbers over 200 which also meant 'diabetes'. She is in the honeymoon phase, we caught it super early, she still has functioning beta cells, god love them. So she is only on one injection a day of Lantus, the long acting insulin, to try to take some stress off of her pancreas and those beta cells, to get a little more life out of them, extend her honeymoon. We don't know when but eventually they too will die off, and she will be reliant solely on insulin, both long acting and short acting to survive. We are blessed for the 'warning' that it would hit, for the heads up. I tried so hard to soak in all the 'pre diabetes' moments of no testing, no bolusing, no shots, no concern with counting carbs, as short as it was, I enjoyed it all.

But now, we monitor and test with every meal, her once clear little fingers are now starting to fill up with small marks from frequent tests, her little legs dotted from her shots. While my mind has accepted her new normal, and while I know deep down this was truly a blessing to receive this warning, to catch it so early, my heart is having a hard time following suit. I never wanted diabetes to enter our lives, let alone the lives of two of my children.

She is so brave, and strong, and is taking it all like a champ. I've already heard the infamous, but at least she's so young she will never remember anything else. My heart will heal, it did with her brother, but the feeling is still all too raw. She's younger than he was by 2 years, she's the baby, and now the baby is being forced to grow up way too fast because of this disease.

It was truly a blessing to find out so soon, we can still enjoy some 'before' diabetes moments like the lack of multiple daily injections. For now, we will help her to understand the new normal, and take on the brunt of her care to ensure she stays as healthy as possible.

The statistics on Type 1 in siblings is this:

• If one child in a family has type 1 diabetes, their siblings have about a 1 in 10 risk of developing it by the age of 50.

I knew these statistics shortly after Clifford was diagnosed 1 in 10, didn't seem that great then. We've talked about it in the past and we thought we may at some time have another child diagnosed with the disease, but still there was that 1 in 10 chance, right? 

I knew going forward with the TrialNet research meant that sometime in the near future I may receive word that one of my other children would be positive for the autoantibodies associated with Type 1. At the same time, I couldn't see risking the 'what if', they were already at a much higher chance of developing the disease. Why wouldn't I take advantage of this research offered to me? The chance to be given a 'warning' so to say of Type 1's attack. It was a difficult decision to make, but I'm very glad I made it, and would recommend it 10 times over to anyone who asks. I do not have to go on about the benefits that the 'warning' signal has offered our family with our 2nd diagnosis in our youngest (by 4 minutes her sister will tell you). What I can offer you is the point of view of having Type 1 diabetes from a 4-year-old. 

She's happy, healthy and isn't afraid of the future. She's unaware of what this disease is capable of, in time she will learn. Right now, in the present, she's happy about having diabetes because her diagnosis story has been much different than many others. Best decision I've ever made, aside from choosing this little girl's Daddy!

If you've been on the fence about whether or not to participate, I encourage you to read Maggie's diagnosis story and even scan through her brothers. You will definitely see how beneficial this program has been and how it's changed Maggie's life for the better!

For more information and to find your Local TrialNet location. Please see their website here.

https://www.diabetestrialnet.org/

When a Decision Can Cost a Life

Diabetes is one disease that making the wrong decision could end up costing someone their life. Those with Type 1 diabetes rely on insulin to remain alive and healthy every single day. This insulin can be given through multiple daily injections or an insulin pump. All of which also require the proper supplies to administer. They require constant monitoring and checking of their blood sugar levels.

What happens when access to these supplies is denied? What happens when a decision by one party affects the lives of young children they don't even know?

Let's face it when access to these supplies are denied, this can be fatal!

Why am I writing about this? Because this is the very circumstances our family is facing. I haven't talked much about what is going on behind the scenes in the Montgomery household other than to close friends and family members, but when my children's lives are hanging in the balance, I will put all pride aside and ask for help.

In August of 2016, my husband, who is a corrections officer at a state prison was assaulted by an inmate. This resulted in a sprained finger and a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) which has required consistent medical attention by many, many doctors and specialists.

Because of this assault, he has been unable to work while he heals and recovers. Unfortunately, a decision was made to deny his claim for workmen's compensation. While the process of an appeal was occurring, my husband used his leave from work to cover the time he was off, so that he would still receive his income and of course be able to pay for our health insurance premium since it comes out of his employment.

Of course, it's now January, and we thought by this time he'd of had a decision in the matter of his workmen's compensation appeal and he would continue to be paid. HOWEVER, that is not the case, he ran out of leave, which means he is no longer receiving any pay.  This also means we are on the verge of very soon of losing our health insurance.

What does this mean for us? This means that access to the life-saving medical treatments and supplies for 2 of our children with Type 1 diabetes may be denied.

So where does this leave us? It leaves us without an income from my husband who is the main income earner in the household. It leaves us having to go through the process of applying for assistance for food and medical, which still has yet to be approved. It leaves us with the possibility of having NO coverage for life-saving medicine and treatments. It leaves us struggling to keep the electricity on, to keep our house warm, to keep a roof over our heads.

We're not new to struggle and we know that with this struggle we will overcome so many things. But when your children's life is in the balance, what is a mom to do?

I mentioned about needing help. I need help making my voice heard, I need help speaking for our family to let our representatives know what is happening and how the lives of children are at stake because of a 'decision' of one party to deny something that happened in their very institution by one of their inmates. My husband didn't ask to be assaulted, he went to work that morning hoping to have an uneventful workday and come home safe to his family. Instead, however, he had to endure an assault at the hands of a criminal, who already has hurt other officers before. Please see here: http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/inmate-sentenced-for-spitting-on-corrections-officer,1470601/ The August 10th incident is in reference to my husband.

That is where I need your help. I ask, beg, each and every one of you reading this to help  me by contacting my representatives. Make the voice of our family heard, shout it to the mountain tops and help me keep my children alive!

Maggie age 6

Clifford Age 13

Representative Glenn GT Thompson

3555 Benner Pike ,Suite 101 

Bellefonte, PA 16823

Phone 814-353-0215

Representative Bill Shuster

310 Penn St #200

Hollidaysburg, PA 16648

814-696-6318

The Death of a Pancreas

We are only 18 months into my daughter, Maggie’s Type 1 diabetes Diagnosis. At this point in my son Clifford's diagnosis, I remember being angry and confused. I really did not understand the full picture of what had come into our lives. This time around however, I'm in a much better place. I am no longer harboring feelings of anger, and there is no confusion. Instead, I understand what we're dealing with, and what is to come.

If I had to describe where I am exactly, I'm getting over a bad break up, before the breakup officially happens. Her pancreas hasn't quite kicked us to the curb, it hasn't put all pancreatic responsibilities on me just yet, it's still working, reluctantly, still fighting against the attack from her body. There are signs it's giving me from time to time that we will eventually 'break up' officially, those rare 200 numbers are when it lets me know it's getting tired.  But for now, I at least got the opportunity to grieve before we've officially said goodbye to her functioning organ. 

It reminds me in a way of when my Grandma first told me she was diagnosed with cancer. I didn't know how long we had together, I knew she told me she was a fighter and would do everything she possibly could to kick its butt, and I believed her. She was a strong Irish woman, stubborn and tough, and if anyone could do it, she could. Someone reading this that might not understand Type 1 diabetes, may ask, "Are you really comparing her pancreas to your grandmother"?  Yes, Yes I am. If I could go in and rescue my little girl’s organ from this attack, knowing full well it would literally save her life, give her a life free of multiple injections, 10-15 finger pricks daily, and constant worry and fear that she may drop low and we may not catch it, you better believe I'd do that in a heartbeat. Just like when my grandma told me, I wished so hard there was something I could do to take this cancer away from her, to kick it out of her body. 

Until you've lived this life, and have a child who has to live with a chronic illness that has no consistency, doesn't sleep, and never needs a break like we all do, you won't truly understand the connection between the two.  So like the moment I will never forget, when Grandma called me, Maggie's pancreas is letting me down easy, much easier than her brother's did thank goodness. I do not know when it's officially going to kick the bucket, that is an another blog post for another time, processing those feelings of 'not knowing'. But for now, we can enjoy our time together while we still have it. Enjoy that she can sit down to eat without an additional injection for now. I'm doing my best to soak in all these precious moments before we have to say good bye to this organ that many may not realize just how vital it is. Yes, you can live without it working, millions do daily with Type 1, but insulin injections, and an insulin pump are not a cure, they are just life support to keep these awesome people alive daily. But honestly, they are no substitute when compared to fully functioning pancreas.

If you are reading this and you are new to the Diabetes community, I encourage you to Check out Trial Net. Get others in your life affected with Diabetes tested for antibodies that are seen in type 1 diabetes. It could very well save their life. No matter how prepared we believe we are, how much we convince ourselves we'll recognize the symptoms in other children of ours, we also get busy living life, and tend to overlook things. If you could have a heads up that it might happen, isn't that priceless?

It has definitely been a lifesaver in our household with Maggie.

Back to School with Diabetes

It's almost that time of year again. The kiddos are getting ready to head back to school and start a new year. It's always a busy time with two kids Type 1 diabetes. There are supplies to be gathered, bags to be put together, documents to be prepared and meetings to schedule.

With so much on your plate as a parent of a child(ren) with Type 1 you may be overwhelmed with where to start. But I want to let you know you are not alone. In fact, the website I'm working for has put together a great article on everything you need to know to get ready for school this year.

If you are newly diagnosed this is a great starting point. Please check it out here at The Diabetes Council and let me know what you think. If we forgot anything, let me know.

CDE Interview with Janet Howard-Ducsay

I'm very much enjoying my new position with The Diabetes Council. In case you haven't had the chance to check it out, I recommend you take a look over there. It's a new site, and we're getting more information up frequently, but there is still a TON of great stuff.

I conducted my 2nd CDE interview recently with Janet Howard- Ducsay from Redlands Community Hospital. The CDE's I've known since my kids have been diagnosed have always been hard-working and patient dedicated. You can tell that each and every CDE I talk to always wants the best for their patients, and it shows here with Janice. Take a look over our interview and share with friends and family that may be interested in a Diabetes perspective from a CDE's point of view.

http://www.thediabetescouncil.com/cde-interview-janet-howard-ducsay/

Growing Up with Diabetes

What's the saying they always say, "Kids grow up so fast"? Boy, is that true, but you know what? Kids with Diabetes grow up even faster! Like light speed faster. I mean it was only yesterday that my little girl was learning to walk and talk. After her diabetes diagnosis, she was ready to take on the world, always wanting to learn more, do more and manage more. And here's the kicker, she's only 5 years old.

So as I'm working earlier today, Hayleigh was helping me get lunch ready. I hear a clicking sound and look over and what do I see?

I ask "What are you doing Mags?" and she responds nonchalantly with, "Oh, nothing, just testing myself for lunch".... 

Wait a second, when did I blink and this tiny little lady become independent and wanting to test herself, at 5! 

SO yes folks, kids with Diabetes do grow up even faster! We joked last week when she asked about testing herself and she asked when her brother first tested himself, well, I told her "He was 7"... She grinned and was like "Okay then".... I guess this is what set this in motion, it's always a competition, however, little did she know he didn't get diagnosed until he was 6, so she had him beat there by 2 years, but that's something' we'll keep as our little secret, since she thinks she's winning.

New Position- CDE Interviews

Well, it's been a little while since I last posted, almost a year in fact. It's been a busy year for sure. I've recently accepted a new position that I'm loving. I'm in charge of reaching out and getting in touch with CDE's (Certified Diabetes Educators) across the country and asking them about their roles in the lives of those with Diabetes (All types). 

My first interview is up! I had the pleasure of talking with Janice Baker, B.Sc., M.B.A, R.D., CDE, CNSC, of Arch Health Partners, in California. Janice is a really sweet lady dedicated to making the lives of those living with Diabetes much more manageable and fulfilling. Take a read through our interview and share with your friends and family. If anyone is in the area where Janice and her partners work, I'd recommend checking them out. 

Check out our interview here---->http://www.thediabetescouncil.com/cde-interview-janice-baker/

The Frustration of Getting Diabetes Supplies

You need to test your blood sugar daily, up to 15 times a day with Type 1 diabetes. In order to do this you need to have the test strips, and lancets to do so right? Unfortunately, for many with diabetes of all types it isn't as easy as it sounds. Instead, you spend over a month back and forth between a mail order diabetes supply company, and your insurance. I've battled before to get the supplies my son needed, but this time it was for my 4-year-old daughter, newly diagnosed in March. And this time it wasn't the insurance who was causing the holdup, instead is was the mail order company, who was not doing their job properly. I'd advise you if you are looking for a new D supplier, or are looking to sign up with one for the first time to stay away from EdgePark Medical.

For over a month I have talked to numerous representatives, many of who were quite rude with me and refused to listen to what I was saying. To say their customer service is horrible is an understatement. Our insurance said, they will cover 100% under the DME coverage for whatever her doctor prescribed. So I double checked with EdgePark, her doctor prescribed 27 boxes of (50 strips) and 14 boxes of (100) lancets for a 3-month period. Should be a piece of cake to get these sent right? WRONG!

Instead, they try to bill me for almost $800 for her first order, and insist that they can only send 6 boxes of strips (300 strips), and 3 boxes of lancets (300 lancets) for a 3 month period. That doesn't add up if you do the math at 15x testing a day right? After over a month and a half, our insurance calls and let's them know they are to submit documentation (prescription) with the claim when they put it through, otherwise without documentation from the doctor she is to test this many times a day,  guess what, it's going to get denied, which is what they did time after time after time, for over 1 month. No matter how much I told them they need to talk to the insurance, they stated no they didn't, in fact, they only needed to submit the claim and can't help if it's denied. But apparently, from the beginning if they were doing their job correctly, it would have gone through. No matter how much I told them that my 4-year-old was running dangerously low on her supplies, they could care less.

When I expressed to them I would have NO WAY of testing her blood sugar soon when we run out, short of pricking her finger and tasting her blood to see if it's sweet, they could care less. In my experience when it comes to EdgePark Medical Supplies, patient, and customer care is not of their upmost priority. Instead, they argue with the patient, or caregiver, insist they are doing everything they can to get their supplies to them when they are not, and get downright rude.

So now, I have a choice to make, to stick with a company that has treated us horribly, and lacked empathy to understand our situation, and the competence to realize it has been their fault all along. If they would have listened to me initially and contacted our insurance, this would have been fixed, well before she was dangerously low. Or I can change and go with one of the other 4 our insurance has suggested. The question is, what is EdgePark going to do to rectify the situation. Not once throughout the entire process have I heard an apology of any sorts, only from our insurance, who was not at fault. I guess for the brief time being, while I look around at the others, the ball is in EdgePark's court.

Learn the Symptoms to Prevent a Misdiagnosis

Type 1 diabetes can  be fatal if you do not understand the symptoms associated with the disease. Leaving it up to your doctor to diagnosis you child isn't always a fail proof method, because recently, there have been multiple cases of children misdiagnosed with the flu or another illness such as strep, that have fallen victim to the fatality of the disease. This should not happen, period! We should not be loosing happy, otherwise healthy children like Kycie Terry, or 4 year old David Michael Brown to this disease. A simple urine test, a quick finger stick could give you and your physician that vital information to save your child's life. 

During a sick visit, when a child exhibits ANY symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, this should be a mandatory test. During a child's well visit/ check up this should be a mandatory test! 40,000 people each year are being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in the United States, this includes children. The increase in the prevalence of Type 1 is increasing each and every year, yet we are failing to diagnose many precious children before it's too late, and that is unacceptable. Until it's mandatory for pediatricians to test your sick child for Type 1 or at their well visit/ check up, learn the symptoms and signs, educate your friends and family what to look for, you could very well save a child's life. While Type 1 can be fatal, it is extremely treatable. Kids with Type 1 can go on to live long, healthy lives with proper treatment, management and diligence. 

These symptoms are just the most common, recognizable ones, if your gut is telling you it's NOT the flu, or it's NOT strep throat, speak up, advocate for your child, and get them the proper testing and treatment they deserve!

Crossfit's Explosive Mistake! How About an Apology???

We've are raising our children to admit to their mistakes and own up to them. To take responsibility when they've done something wrong, apologize and make it better. It's really not rocket science at all. Unfortunately, CrossFit's CEO hasn't learned what it means to be an adult yet with their latest tweets.

https://twitter.com/CrossFit/status/615539464232902656

Instead of 'man'ing' up and apologizing, admitting you were wrong, and now instead using your status in the online community to raise awareness for the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, CrossFit has chosen instead to stand by their ignorance, and outdated information, and spreading more lies and misconceptions. Seriously, these people have 293,000 followers and they are continuing to misinform the masses.

How about instead @CrossFit you take a lesson from my kids, own up to your mistake, admit you were wrong, and move forward. Use your online presence to inform, educate and raise awareness. I know I'd definitely have more respect for you if you actually admitted your ignorance, and apologized. 

So I'm openly asking for an apology CrossFit, giving you the venue to admit you were not correct, and help correct it. Until then well, just like Type 1 diabetes, there is no cure for your stupidity either.

DBlog Week: Day #3 Clean it Out

Today's Prompt for DBlog Week is "Clean it Out" This could be something in your diabetic closet that needs to be tossed, or something you are mentally or emotionally hanging onto. While I'm sure there are a few things in the D closet that we should toss, I'd like to talk about the mental/ emotional aspect.

When Clifford was first diagnosed in 2010, I held on to "Guilt" that somehow, someway if I could have noticed the signs/ symptoms earlier things would have been different, that he would have NOT gotten diabetes. It took me awhile to release that guilt and understand that no matter what I did differently, like NOT feed him pancakes with REGULAR Syrup during the week before diagnosis, that I couldn't have prevented this. That guilt was heavy, and weighed me down. It took me to places that I didn't like. The relief in letting it go was substantial. So while I do not have to release and 'clean out' this guilt now, there may be someone out there reading this that may still be holding on to guilt. I hope in some way my story will help you to understand that you are not responsible for your disease, your child's disease, or your loved ones disease. There is nothing, right now, that can be done to prevent Type 1 diabetes.

Fast-forward to 5 years later and another diagnosis in one of my children, and the guilt is no longer there, but the heartbreak is. While I know it was a huge blessing on how we found out about Maggie's diagnosis, Read HERE for more information, I still am heartbroken over it. The heartbreak is something I'm struggling with. I know we caught it early, I know it could have been so much worse, so much worse, but my heart is still broken that she has to take on this disease. My heart breaks a little more each time I look at the marks adding up and the imprints on her fingertips from testing 10+ times a day. It breaks a little more when she asks "If this is the last shot forever". And then I have to explain to a 4 year old that no, this is not the last shot forever, and in fact more will come in the future. My heart breaks and sinks into the depths of my soul when she lays her head down claiming she's soooo sleepy, because I know this means she's low. My heart breaks just a bit more when she bruises from a shot, or I can start to play connect the dots on the marks from previous shots. And as silly as it sounds, my heart breaks just a tiny bit more when I see the sharps container filling up, because I know it means she's endured more shots.

This one is going to be a bit trickier than the guilt to clean out. I'm not sure I will 100% get over it. But I do know that the blessing of waking up and seeing their smiling faces alive and well the next day helps to mend the breaks from the days before. The good days, and good numbers help to heal a bit more of my broken heart. While I may not ever be able to fully toss out the heartbreak, I do know that there is always a reason to smile and be happy, and even though it may be day by day sometimes, that's good enough for me.

A Mother's Anthem

When it comes to caring for a child with a chronic illness there are so many things you could say. So many ways you could describe what your day to day is like, or what they have to deal with. But it is difficult to put all those very words together to form just the right words, the right phrases, and the right message. Two years ago I came across a poem on Facebook that was so powerful, and honest. It conveyed the right words, the right phrases and the right message. I wish I knew who the original author was so that I could thank them. I wanted to share it all with you because it is the raw, honest and powerful truth.

The Diabetic Champion: Clifford's New Blog!

Clifford has been looking for an outlet to call his own, to help others who may deal with Diabetes of all types. Tonight we have started him his own blog, with a name that is definitely fitting, and one he chose all by himself. 

The Diabetic Champion

He posted up his very post tonight, and we couldn't be prouder! For those interested, please direct yourself over to his blog at:

http://diabeticchampion.blogspot.com/

And read through, I know he'd love to receive some comments! 

The Man Behind My Awesomeness

~*Your first love isn't always the first person you kiss, or the first person you date. Your first love is the person you will always compare everyone to. The person that you will never truly get over, even when you've convinced yourself you've moved on*~

As much as I would like to take credit for all the awesomeness I have, I simply cannot. What you have to understand is that all this awesomeness you see before you today has been a work in progress, from many many years ago. There was a boy 17 years ago now (Wow, that long ago) who captured my heart. In case you are sitting there trying to do the math, I was 14 years old! 

There were many years while we were apart that I wondered what he was doing, and if he was happy. There were also many nights that he would be back there with me in my dreams, then I would wake up to my reality. I had quite a few years that were not the best. My spirit, my hopes, my dreams, every part of me was beat down and felt like there was nothing better for me out there. It wasn't until 2010 that I realized what it meant to be truly happy, to actually be loved. When he came back into my life, it seemed like all those years apart never really happened. 

You remember how fun and exciting it was to have a sleep over at your best friends house when you were younger? Well I am lucky enough to do that every night, plus some bonuses ;). I am convinced that somehow he was personally created just for me. 

I am lucky enough to have my first and my last love all in one person. I am a better person because of him, and a better mother. When you find someone that you are meant to be with, they will bring out the greatness within you, and that is what I have found. I am very thankful day in and day out that we got the opportunity to have our 'second chance'. I may seem too optimistic for some people, and too corny when I say 'Dreams do come true' but I know it for a fact because mine came true when he came back.

 

Onward to the Next Objective.....

*~When an objective is done, don't look back, look forward to your next objective!~*

Objective: Type 1 Diagnosis

Four years ago we received what could have been a final blow, the TKO, but instead it was an eye opener. We received a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in our oldest son Clifford. Clifford was 6 at the time and we had no idea what a diagnosis of Type 1 meant to him, to our family, or to the world. 

But this post isn't going to reminisce about the past, about the hurt, the fear, the sleepless nights, no this post is about looking forward to the next objective.

Objective: Another Healthy Year

Yes, we may have stumbled during these past few years, but we never once fell down! We've developed from the negatives, and persevered during the storm. With a disease like Type 1 diabetes, the unpredictability  makes it impossible to live more than day to day. So the next objective of our life; another healthy year; we will live day to day. During this upcoming year, we will be teaching a now 10 year old more about accepting his disease, caring for his health, and learning to overcome the obstacle of letting his disease get in his way and hold him back.

He could very well use his disease as an excuse.

~*Excuses are the nails used to build the house of failure.*~

But instead he will learn to be "STRONGER" than his excuses and only stumble, but never fall. He will learn to live a healthy, full, successful life, diabetes or not!

*~Champions are made from something they have deep inside them; -- a desire, a dream , a vision*~

And Clifford is a champion that just so happens to have Diabetes!

Life with Diabetes: What to Know from Diabetic Bloggers

I was given the opportunity as a diabetic blogger (D MOM blogger) to share with you this awesome post from Recall Center. I'd like to add that I would love for people to know that just because my son has diabetes it does not mean he consumed all the sugar he possibly could, nor does it mean he can't eat the same things as other kids. 

Read over this great post from the Recall Center

November is National Diabetes Month and here at The American Recall Center, we wanted to do our part in helping to raise awareness. Diabetes affects over 25 million people in the United States, or 8.3% of the entire population. Within those 25 million people, over 8 million are undiagnosed, or do not know they are living with diabetes. For diabetes being so widespread, there is a lack of common knowledge about how to recognize diabetes, the different types, and what it takes to manage the disease.  There are also potential risks associated with taking diabetes medication, such as Actos, that we are happy to educate this community about.

At The American Recall Center, we want to use National Diabetes Month as a platform to help educate everyone about life with diabetes and what they can do to help. With that idea in mind, we reached out to bloggers from all different walks of diabetic-life and asked them for one thing they would like the world to know about this condition. The infographic below, “Life With Diabetes” describes what they want the world to know. So this November, help us raise diabetes awareness by sharing, posting, adding your own voice, and making diabetes awareness the forefront of the national conversation!

Special thanks to the participating bloggers (in order from top to bottom):Denise, Rachel, Thomas, Megan, Brooke, Gavin, Kerri, Shelby, and Brian

D Blog Week: Accomplishments Big and Small

We don’t always realize it, but each one of us had come a long way since diabetes first came into our life. It doesn’t matter if it’s been 5 weeks, 5 years or 50 years, you’ve done something outstanding diabetes-wise. So today let’s share the greatest accomplishment you've made in terms of dealing with your (or your loved one’s) diabetes. No accomplishment is too big or too small - think about self-acceptance, something you’ve mastered (pump / exercise / diet / etc.), making a tough care decision (finding a new endo or support group / choosing to use or not use a technology / etc.).

Our Accomplishments Big and Small

I have to admit it might be a bit cliche' but our biggest accomplishment thus far since Clifford was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes is that he's alive! Diabetes is an inconsistent disease that you really never know what's going to happen every minute with it. So you must celebrate all the small victories. We've celebrated 'in range' numbers after a particularly high carb meal, or sweet treat, and we've celebrated learning to tackle that nasty bg spike that comes from eating pizza a few hours after. But the biggest celebration of all is that he's alive and healthy! What more could you ask for?

Granted you're going to have days that aren't so nice, numbers wise. But we tend think "bolus and move on". I do try to figure out as best I can what is causing those highs, but I don't stress about it as much as I used to. I've learned how his body is and works more now that we're three years into it. I can typically tell which way he should be trending after a certain meal, or bolus. I'm not always 100% right because no one's perfect, but I'm getting pretty good at it, so that in itself is an accomplishment. 

Another huge accomplishment is the addition of the insulin pump. He was on MDI's for 2 years after diagnosis, and on the dreaded sliding scale for a year and a half of that!! Throughout out it all his a1c has never been above 7.5%, except for at diagnosis. In fact 6 months after beginning the insulin pump he went from 7.5% to 6.5% and now has been hanging around the 6.4 and 6.3% mark for the last 8 months. I can say that is a huge accomplishment. The best you can do with diabetes is get up and take a hold of it and say, today you will not stop me, you may toss a few bumps along the way, but it will not stop you!

D Blog Week: Memories: A Few Moments In Time Could Save a Life!

I have to say I pretty much remember almost every single significant event that has happened in our life due to Diabetes now for the past three years. But the one that I can see crystal clear and can recall every single detail of is not the day my son was diagnosed, unconscious in DKA, or the life flight from a low blood sugar, no it's a small glimpse in D life that didn't present cause for a trip to the hospital at all, but it still haunts me to this day.

Like every parent that has a child with Diabetes, those moments walking to your child's room when they have slept in later than they normally would are frightening. One particular morning, he slept in a little later than normal, around 9am, which is late for Clifford on any given day. I tiptoed up to his room, checked to see if his chest was rising with each breath, I myself breathed a sigh of relief to see that in fact it was. I touched him to wake him up, and there was no movement, my heart sunk for a second, but when he started to stir I recovered from my cardiac episode. However I couldn't fully understand what he was trying to tell me. So I went through the normal 20 questions to see if he was in the 'right state of mind', or if a low was taking him over. "What's your name", Clifford, Okay good. "How old are you", Blank stare, no answer, again, "How old are you", : 9, awesome he's back, but something wasn't right. He was only answering me intermittently, and it just didn't sit right with me. I ran downstairs to get his meter (which is why we keep it by the bedside now), ran back up out of breath at this point to test him, thankfully I thought enough to bring a juice box with me. Tested him and he was 65, okay low but we've experienced lower, this juice will bring him right up I thought to myself.  He drank, and I planned on checking him again in 10 minutes to make sure he was coming up.

I went downstairs to toss the empty juice box in the trash, on my way through I decided to grab the cake icing tube, you know just in case. Then I went right back upstairs to check on him. During those few brief minutes, honestly maybe only 2. He had moved himself from his bed, and crawled through the hallway to the walk in closet at the other end of the hall, he was on his hands and knees in the closet, and still talking to me intermittently, he was having a slight twitch as well, not one that you would consider even the possibility of him having a seizure, or that you think of when you think seizure, but just a nervous twitch of sorts. Without thinking I grabbed him up and started forcing icing into his mouth, rubbing it on his gums, tongue, the sides of his mouth, everywhere, asking him to swallow. He had that 'low' look that I remember too perfectly, glazed eyes, wide open, staring through me like glass. It seemed to be forever in my mind, but within a few moments he started looking at me like I was crazy, which told me he had started to become 'normal' again and was aware of what was going on, in a sense. He asked why we were in the closet, and what I was doing, he had no recollection of what had happened. I guess in a way that was good for him. But his little sister who is 7 had to watch as I grabbed him up and forced icing in his mouth. I didn't panic, I just made it happen.

It wasn't until after this was all said and done, he was tested and was 141, that I sat down, and had to take a moment to come to terms with what had happened, and what we had just done. It was a simple moment in D life, that thankfully didn't require emergency intervention, but it very easily could if we had lost a few more moments in time that usually seem so insignificant. But in D life those moments are priceless and very well could save someones life!

Inside Peek Into the Life of Type 1 Diabetes

While on paper it all looks pretty simple when it comes to type 1 diabetes management. You count your carbs before you eat, you inject insulin and this all should provide you with a stable blood sugar number right? Boy do I wish.

While giving insulin to cover the carbs the body will covert into glucose in the bloodstream is extremely important, it's not the only factor when it comes to Diabetes management. Exercise plays a huge role in blood sugar numbers, it's a great way to bring a higher number down, or help keep you in your target zone. Stress tends to increase one's blood sugar numbers, as well as illness, or puberty.

But the one way I've been kept on my toes throughout it all is during the night time. No matter the basal's that we put into place at night time it seems that there is no correct 'formula' for his night time insulin dosage. Clifford's body tends to be more sensitive to the insulin during the night time, I really do not know why this is, as I haven't really researched it as much. Add into play the dawn phenomenon, which typically happens for him at least around 2-3 am, his numbers are usually hit or miss. With his increased sensitivity, if he's high, it's a horrible guessing game for the correct dosage to bring him down to a nice number. I know I have to back off a good deal of what the pump suggests at night time, but just how much, well that's another story. There is no one set number, I can't just back off .5 units and hope for the best, because I get varied results either still high or too low. (Oh yeah, did I mention you must take into consideration also if they had any activity before bedtime, as it could take a few hours to take full effect?) Sounds fun right?

What I'm left with is the job that his once vital pancreas would do. The way the pancreas works is rather beautiful. You wouldn't know it but as a non diabetic you may still have a higher blood sugar from time to time if you checked yourself. That is because the body will secret your insulin at just the right time to bring you down, but not cause you to go too low. It's in no other words beautiful. It's hard to understand this when you don't have to see the other side of a non working organ in play. But here I am left playing the part of the dead organ floating inside his body and it's a bit stressful at times.

An example of my nightly guessing game when he's high is like last night he was over 300 ( which I honestly couldn't figure out why, so I busted out the ketone meter), the pump wanted to give him 3.3 units, but woah is that a large dose at night time for him. I backed off down to 1.9 units, because the particular number 1.4 units showed up in my head (to subtract), and well I went with my instincts. Because he's corrected, I must set an alarm to get up 2 hours later to make sure he's not coming down too fast, last night he happened to be 270 something I believe, and while typically that number comes down into a more stable or target number, something in my stomach said that we should still bolus for this one as well. In fact the pump wanted to give him 1.4 units and I only gave him 0.3. The nice side of this story is, he's is sitting currently at a 117! But there are times it could go either way, it's never perfect, and it's exhausting to be in my head during these few short moments.

This is diabetes. Not what you see in books, or on the internet. It's not black and white, and while it's manageable as they say, it's not easy. It's time consuming, it's a parasite that takes from you every single moment of the day, but it's worth all the hassle to see a healthy child wake up in the morning! Just a little inside view into the life of Type 1 diabetes!