Too Quiet???

For the past 24 hours, Charlotte's blood sugars have been great...especially compared to what we were dealing with just 2-3 weeks ago. They haven't gone much above the 150 mark and just a minor bump this afternoon with a low...but nothing horrendous! 

I figured this Dex graph needed "framing"  :)

I know should sit back and be thankful for this "break" of sorts! But I have a hunch that this is going to be like those days when both girls are home and the house falls just a little too quiet...you know that usually means trouble! That little voice in my head keeps telling me that this is quite possibly the calm before the storm...I so hope that voice is wrong! 

Beauty Shop "Small Talk"

This morning I spent some time at the salon getting my hair cut and highlighted for our upcoming trip to JDRF's Children's Congress. I figured it was just going to be some nice, quiet "me" time...no kids and no D to worry about. Little did I know...

I settled into the chair and started chit-chatting with stylist...just a little small-talk to pass the time. I mentioned that Charlotte and I would be leaving for Washington DC next weekend and she asked if the trip was for anything in particular...so I explained that Charlotte is one of 2 delegates chosen to represent our state for JDRF's Children's Congress and a talked a little bit about what we will be doing during out time there. She seemed genuinely interested in learning more about Charlotte and how her life is impacted by Type 1 diabetes...so I explained about her insulin pump, blood sugar checks and carb counting. She asked about Charlotte's diagnosis and how we knew...so I explained. I told her that Charlotte was 2 years old when she was diagnosed and that we had noticed that she had been going potty A LOT, having more potty accidents, and soaking through her Pull-Ups to the point that they would literally drip urine. I also told her how thinking back we now realize that she was drinking A LOT too.

Charlotte - 3 months before diagnosis

After listening to the story she mentioned that she has a 2-year old little girl who has been drinking a lot and soaking through her diapers. She said she had mentioned her concerns to her daughter's pediatrician who told her it was probably nothing to worry about and that toddlers go through phases where they do things like that. But she said she still can't shake the feeling that it's something more than "just a phase". I try hard to not be an alarmist...I realize that not every child who pees a lot has Type 1 diabetes. BUT...I would hate for anyone to go undiagnosed until its too late because they didn't know the signs to look for or what to do! So I shared with her some of the warning signs of Type 1 diabetes: extreme thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, sudden weight loss, drowsiness/lethargy, and fruity smelling breath. I told her that I truly hope the pediatrician is right about her daughter's drinking a lot being a toddler phase...I hate to think about another child being diagnosed! BUT...I also encouraged her to not ignore her concerns and to have her daughter's blood sugar checked if it hadn't been already. She seemed to be truly appreciative of the information and said she is going to have her daughter's blood sugar checked.

Funny how what I thought would be a couple hours of "me" time, turned in to so much more...and how a little "small-talk" in a beauty shop might have saved a little girl's life!

Airport Anxiety

Only 7 more days until Charlotte and I hop on our plane and head out to Washington DC for JDRF's 2011 Children's Congress!!! We're both extremely excited about going, but as each day passes I seem to be getting more and more anxious about travelling.

Before you ask...yes, we have traveled with Charlotte since her diagnosis. We've just been fortunate that we live in an area in close driving distance to our family vacation destinations. The last time we flew with Charlotte was in July 2005, just a few months before her diagnosis...so I have absolutely no experience with airline travel and T1.

Being the super-planner that I tend to be (with most things), I started our packing list weeks ago. It's insane to think that we have a whole separate list exclusively for her D-related stuff. And because I don't trust the airlines with our D-necessities, all of these supplies will be packed in one of our carry-ons. So far it looks like I'm planning to bring an extra infusion set for each day, 2 extra Dexie sensors, a back-up meter, and double all of our other usual supplies (strips, lancets, alcohols, etc). Also I found out just the other day that, unfortunately, TSA no longer allows liquids (juice boxes, water) through the security check points even if it's due to a medical need, so I've had to rethink our standard low treatment (juice boxes). It looks like we'll be using glucose tabs and fruit roll-ups instead. I'd love to hear some other ideas that would be easy to travel with if anyone has any!

I'm also a little concerned about the actual security check-point experience. I flew last year and was the "lucky" recipient of the "pat down" before my flight home....and I'd love to avoid this for Charlotte if it's at all possible. Fortunately, I thought about this back when Charlotte had her endo appointment a couple months back, so I did get a letter explaining that she has T1 and needs to travel with all of her stuff. Hopefully that will help us avoid too much hassle. I've heard a few different things about how to handle her Dexie and pump (Animas Ping)...some say that leaving them on will create the need for a "pat down" and others say that the x-ray scanner can cause it to malfunction. I'm not sure what the best approach is...I'm thinking we may just leave them on and take our chances??? I've already started preparing Charlotte for what to expect going through security...taking shoes off, putting belongings through the scanner, walking through the metal detector, etc. I'm just really hoping that all this preparation will help keep things low-key.

I'm sure I'm just over-reacting...as I've often been accused of doing. But I just want this trip to be a positive experience from start to finish for Charlotte. So, if anyone has any good airline travel tips I'd LOVE to hear them!

Girls Weekend

Okay, I realize this I should have posted this about a week ago...but better late than never, right???

Memorial Day weekend was a lot of fun for Charlotte. Charlotte's favorite twin cousins came in town to visit for Great Pa's 98th birthday celebration...and that meant a fun-filled girls weekend for the 3 little "besties"! 

After packing up what seemed like an insane amount of stuff for only a 2 day stay by Am-maw and Paw-Paw's house, the girls and I took off across the lake...daddy to follow later in the day! As soon as we got there the squeals of excitement began...we unpacked the care and (of course) they all immediately wanted to change into their bathing suits and hop into the pool! We were on day #6 for Dexie and day 2 of her pump site so I thought all was well....how foolish of me! 

Charlotte lounging pool-side...what a diva!

Within less than 30 minutes from setting foot in the pool I had a gaggle of little girls running to tell me that Charlotte's Dexie sensor had come out. I take a peek, only to see the darned thing halfway hanging out and stuck to her only by the grace of a tiny bit of the adhesive backing. I had questioned myself before letting her in the pool if I should reinforce with a Tegaderm, but she had refused and I thought it would hold at least for the day so we could get the full 7 days worth of use....lesson learned! So I pull the sensor and shut Dexie off and let Charlotte back in the pool. Not much later she comes running again with the gang to show me that her pump site is coming out. Now this makes me cringe, to see that needle pulled out and rubbing/scratching against her skin since the Tegaderm is still trying to do its job to hold everything in place....ouch! So off that goes. Check her sugar...looks good...so I let her back in the pool for a little while longer. Once lunch arrives (courtesy of Am-maw and Paw-Paw) I pop a new site in, bolus her up, and let her eat. Fortunately, that ended our run of D-site fails and complications for the weekend. 

D behaved itself well for the most part and let Charlotte just enjoy the birthday festivities and holiday weekend with her cousins. She even got to indulge in a few very special treats...cake, beignets, and a chocolate snowball! And yes, she can have all of that...we just cover with insulin! This D-momma can SWAG bolus like a pro (most of the time)! 

Red velvet birthday cake for a VERY special Great Pa!

The girls composed and sang an original song for Great Pa

Beignet breakfast with the cousins

Charlotte was SO excited to be able to get a
Chocolate Snowball....takes after her momma!

Charlotte's Awesome Adventure -- Diabetes Blog Week - Day 5

It's Day 5 of the 2nd Annual Diabetes Blog Week! I realize I'm getting this in right under the wire, but between the Blogger issues yesterday and Charlotte being sick the past few days I'm honestly surprised I'm getting this in at all...whew!

Today's official topic is "Awesome things": What awesome thing have you (or your child) done BECAUSE of diabetes? 

For this topic, I (again) deferred to Charlotte to get her thoughts on this. Her response made me laugh...she initially asked me, "Do I have to come up with 10 things....cause I don't think I can!". She was relieved when I let her know that she only had to think of one...and she told me, "Well, that's easy....it's Children's Congress"!

I guess technically she hasn't done it yet, but...

Charlotte is one of 150 children throughout the U.S. selected to represent her state on Capitol Hill this summer to remind Congress and the Administration of the critical need to find better treatments and a cure for a disease they live with every day -- type 1 diabetes.

These children -- ages 4 to 17, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia -- will converge on Washington, D.C., to talk about the challenges of living with type 1 diabetes to lawmakers during the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Children's Congress 2011, from June 20 to 22.

Check out what Charlotte has to say about Children's Congress and click over to learn more about Charlotte and the other 2011 delegates.

Charlotte is really excited about this opportunity to meet travel to Washington to advocate for herself and all the other people (children and adults) living with type 1 diabetes. We're hopeful that our visit will make an impact and help to bring us another step closer to the cure. She's also excited to meet and make friends with other children who are the "same" as her...and I have to say that I'm especially excited that opportunity for her too!

Diabetes Blog Week - Day 2; A letter to Charlotte

It's Day 2 of the 2nd Annual Diabetes Blog Week! And today is letter writing day...so I've chosen to write a letter to my daughter, Charlotte, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 5-1/2 years ago at the age of 2.
(Warning: reading the contents of this letter may cause fluid leakage from the eyes)

My little ladybug - Charlotte
dx'd with Type 1 on 10/31/2005

Dear Charlotte,

There is just so much to say...yet I'm not really sure where to begin. We've been at this "D-thing" together now for just over 5-1/2 years. I'll never forget the day you were diagnosed...picking you up early from daycare and taking you to the pediatrician. "The thought" had crossed my mind, but I didn't think it could be true! You were so young and innocent...and I didn't want that to change. I didn't want D to force it's way into our home and take away your carefree childhood...but, as you know, D doesn't listen and entered our lives anyway.

You've been amazing about all of this from the very beginning....even though I know you would wish it all away in a second if you could! I know there were times when you fought and cried when it was time for your shots or site change....but I can't say I blame you, I'm sure, in your shoes, I would have done the same thing (or even worse...just ask Am-Maw)! I know that you've gotten braver over the years and you don't cry anymore...but I know it still hurts; I want you to know it's okay to say that...and even to cry sometimes if you want or need to!

You're dealing with some hard stuff, sweetie...much more than I ever had to at your age....and you're doing an incredible job!!! You've learned so much more than I could have imagined you would over these past few years. And you've grown and matured beyond your years....it's bittersweet to me. You've learned how to make healthy food choices, count carbs, check your sugar, work your insulin pump, recognize when you feel low...the list goes on and on. Most kids your age don't even know what carbs are, let alone how to figure out how many they are eating or drinking! You've made me proud by learning to become (mostly) independent with your D-tasks...but at the same time it makes me sad that these are things that you've had to learn.

Although you haven't come right out and said it, I know you've been a bit burned-out lately dealing with D...I see that look in your eyes when you're interrupted from your fun to deal with D. I wish with every ounce of my being that I could just take it all on myself for you...even those nasty glucocoasters. But since I can't really do that, I'll do the next best thing. I promise to be the best mama pancreas I can be and to relieve you from your sugar checks, insulin bolusing, and "low" snack grabbing duties whenever you need a break from it all! I know it's not as good as a cure, but it's the best I can do for now....and we'll work together toward finding that elusive cure!

And speaking of the cure....I want you to know how incredibly proud I am that, even at 7 years old, you are learning to be proactive -- fundraising and advocating for better care and eventually a cure! You aren't just sitting around waiting for the cure to happen. You're doing great things and making a difference, not just for you but for everyone out there living with Type 1 diabetes...and those who haven't yet been diagnosed.

I'm not sure if I ever told you this before, but...ladybug, you are my hero! You've been faced with more in your 7-1/2 years of life than many people are faced with in a lifetime...yet you don't let it get the best of you or drag you down, instead you are taking the lemons you've been handed and making lemonade!

I love you my ladybug!

Forever,
Mommy