Just what the Doctor Ordered

Shortly after Taylar was diagnosed I craved to have someone to talk to and who could relate with me. I wanted to talk with another parent who goes through the same daily struggles as I do.  I had reached out to a local organization that helps families in our situation in need of resources or finances.  I told the lady that there should be a diabetes support group.  She went through her files and made up a list of her type 1 diabetes clients, asked their permission to share emails, and sent out a group email with everyone's information on it. 

The email sat there in my inbox, and everyone else's I suppose, for weeks.  After a rough d-day, I  finally bit the bullet and wrote a group email to those on the contact list introducing myself and my connection with diabetes.  For those of you who know me I'm pretty shy so I was quite proud of myself for taking the first step.  After all, I was the one who asked for the group in the first place.

Sure enough people replied, telling their own stories and thanking me for being the first one to speak up.  There was one lady in particular who also emailed me separately from the group about possibly wanting to get together because her daughter is only a year older than Taylar.  I mentioned I'm kinda shy right? 

Well, long story short, last night we got together.  I invited my friend to go with me along with her daughter who was diagnosed a year ago and goes to Taylar's school.  Us three moms and the three girls got along great.  It was quite an experience.  It's crazy how from the moment I got out of the car I felt like I knew so much about this woman, yet we had never met before.  I suddenly wasn't as shy as I think I am.  Diabetes has changed me.  I was comfortable laughing with her, crying with her, and just sharing stories from the heart.  We shared stories that other people may think are insignificant or silly but we all "got it".  That's the hardest thing about the big "D".  People just don't get it unless they live it... every.  single.  day.

This new friend's daughter was diagnosed at age 3.  It amazes me that after six years she she is still wanting to reach out and connect with other people.  It felt so good to hear someone else's stories, whether good, bad, funny, or sad, and say, "I know exactly what you mean!" 

We got to her house at 6:30 and didn't leave until 11:30!  Talk about out of my character!  I am such a stickler about bed time.  Ah well, it was a wonderful night and just what the doctor ordered.

Pennsylvania

So we are 4 days shy of pumping for one month.  In some ways it seems like yesterday and then sometimes it seems like we've been doing this forever.  Taylar's numbers have been slightly more cooperative but we have still seen our share of lows and highs.  I had it in my head that going on the pump would be a quick fix.  Boy was I wrong!  It's still a lot of work, if not more.  I am guessing it will get easier and I shouldn't complain seeing so we're only a month in.  When Taylar was first diagnosed, it took a while to figure out her shots too.  I'm just being impatient I guess. *sigh*

More changes were made on Friday at her first pump follow-up appointment so I'm back to getting up at 12 & 3am.  Well, I really haven't stopped checking her in the middle of the night but lately if her midnight check was in her range I would sleep through until the morning.  I was actually starting to feel like a person again!  But, not so fast!  Back to checking.  Ah well, that's okay.  It gives me peace of mind anyway.

Taylar and I went to Pennsylvania last weekend.  We drove.  For six hours.  I was dreading what this was going to do to her numbers, but I nailed it by using temp basal rates for the latter part of the drive.  You certainly can't do that on NPH!  (I had to pat myself on the back for that one.  Of course then we had pizza for dinner and, well, that was the end of that.  But I'll save that for another time.)

We also went for a hike at the beautiful Ricketts Glen in PA.  It's famous for the many waterfalls that you see along your way up the mountain.  If we lived closer I would be there all the time.  Anyway, we did not complete the whole trail to the top because I didn't think Taylar could make it the whole seven miles AND we were hiking with my almost-8- months pregnant sister!  Both of them did great though :)  An hour in Taylar's reading was 120 and that was after having a juice box.  We still had a ways to go and I did not want to deal with a low on the side of a mountain!  Now here is a huge reason why I love the OmniPod.  All I did was set her pod on a temporary basal of -25% for one hour.  It took us just about an hour to complete the hike and when we were done her reading was 150.  Yipee!  I called that one a success too. 

This is the 40 foot waterfall.  They kept getting bigger and bigger as we hiked. Just beautiful.

So for now I'm still learning and still hanging in there. There are only 9 days of school left for Taylar and I'm very excited about that.  I'm planning on enjoying this summer to its fullest.

Tear jerker

A poem in memory of the author, Gary Hempleman, for all children with diabetes.



She walks down the hallway in silence so deep,

Keep watch over him, as her little one sleeps.

With meter in hand, she opens his door,

Making sure not to wake him as she crosses the floor,

She sits on his bedside and brushes his hair,

As he dreams of shooting baskets, without a "D" care.

She holds his hand softly; his fingers so small,

As she watches and wonders why "D" came to call.

While she watches him sleeping, so peaceful and warm,

The forces inside him fight a constant "D" storm.

Will he ever be free of shots and blood testing?

She sits and she wonders as she watches him resting.

The beep of the meter breaks the silence of the night;

A small drop of blood tells if everything's right.

The seconds count down to the final display,

I hate this damn meter; i want to throw it away.
The number is fine, one down, a lifetime to go,

As he turns in his sleep, will he ever know?

Why does this "D" happen to someone so small?

My son is my hero, but my baby most of all.

She turns at his doorway, looking back one more time,

It's a nightly routine of the very worst kind.

She walks down the hallway and time passes by,

As she sits in dark silence and quietly cries.

I have to stay strong, and for him i will fight,

We'll battle this "D" with all of our might.

I'll teach him to master and conquer this foe,

This "D" will not stop him, i promised him so.

~Gary Hempleman~