A Wonderfully Bodacious Bracelet Give Away

There is this one

Or this one

OR HELLO, This one :)

or what about this one

This week  The Princess and The Pump is hosting the Sugar Bolus and they are giving away a $30 gift certificate to Petite Baubles

So if you would like to win this bodacious bracelet giveaway you have to click HERE to ENTER for your chance to win (make sure to read the rules!!) and good luck...but not tooo much luck because we would LOVE to win this one :)

Leukaemia, 22 Q Deletion, Type 1 diabetes and now this...A Family Asking For Your Help!

Hello We CARA Lot readers, today's post is not going to be all about Cara or myself or any member of my family for that matter.  Today's post is a call for help for a wonderful family that has had met and overcame huge obstacles, some obstacles we share with this family, others we would never want to know, PLEASE READ THEIR STORY:

Melissa and Alex Rocha have 4 kids, Devlin, Ethan, Braden and Cameron.

Ethan was born with 22 Q Deletion, which causes all kinds of medical issues, he has only one kidney which needs to be checked every year because it does not function 100%, he has no pulmonary artery to his heart which causes breathing problems. At 9 months old he had to have surgery to improve his kidney function and another one at 5 years old to fix a submucal cleft palate.

Their youngest son Cameron was diagnosed at 18 months with Type 1 Diabetes, which of course we all know requires constant monitoring and a complete overhaul to their families daily life.

Her husband Alex had Leukaemia when he was 2 years old and beat it!!


All this is more than enough! But just when it seems like all the kids are into a schedule, things where starting to get back to a "normal" Alex has been diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, a rare tumour that is in the lacrimal gland in his eye.


Doctors here in Canada want to remove Alex's eye and not perform any type of reconstructive surgery to get at the tumour. Alex found a Doctor in Boston that has treated this tumour very successfully for 12 years with a procedure that saves his eye. They also offer Proton Therapy (a type of radiation) that will kill the whole tumour. This tumour tends to have microscopic seeds that will likely grow back again if not treated with Proton therapy. Alex has been in contact with the Boston Doctor, and he is working with Alex to get treatment in the USA.

The care he has received in Canada has been horrible, they failed to recognize his cancer at an earlier check up, despite it being visible in x-rays, and they also refused to help him find better care once they did figure out what it was. I won't even mention the wait times to get a proper diagnosis. The cost of treatment in the states in addition to travel and stay is going to be outrageous and to help a fundraiser dinner is being held, open to anyone interested in coming out and supporting this wonderful family.

I understand that many of The We CARA Lot Blog readers are American therefore it would be hard for you to make the dinner however any donations through paypal will be greatly appreciated.

Melissa's email is melissarocha27@yahoo.com

Thank you so much

Tag I'm It...ME ME

Me..Me...Me.., it's my turn thanks to Misty at Life is Like a Box of Chocolates! for tagging me!

This meme has been around the block and it is getting quiet confusing, so if I get it wrong...SORRY (It's Canadian for I did not mean it) Misty at Life is Like a Box of Chocolates ... who tagged me was tagged by Hallie at The Princess and the Pump... who was tagged by Sugar Momma at The Sugar Kids ...who was tagged by Heidi at D- Tales... who was tagged by Tracy at The Super Hero & The Princess...who was tagged by Wendy at Candy Hearts...who was tagged by Meri at Our Diabetic Life...who was tagged by Laura at Houston, We Have a Problem…who was tagged by My Diabetic Child…who was tagged by Jen at I am Your Pancreas…who was tagged by Reyna at Beta Buddies…who was tagged by Penny at A Sweet Grace...who accepted the meme challenge from Six Until Me. Thanks Misty for working it all out I copied and pasted it and added a few new entries :))


What Type of Diabetes Do You Have?
My daughter Cara has Type 1 Diabetes although many time I speak as "WE" when talking about her diagnoses and this disease.

When Were You Diagnosed?
"We" were diagnosed...hahaha see I told ya, it's just the way it is.
Cara was diagnosed on Feb 13th 2009 at the age of 3. Only a few day after Ally (Misty's daughter) from Life is Like a Box of Chocolates! was diagnosed. I forgot we shared this!!


What's Your Current Blood Sugar?
I really just have to share this right now I have copied and pasted the questions therefore I still have Misty's answers and so far almost every answer is the same...I'm a little freaked out right now Misty, I'll show you what I'm talking about..

My answer to this question: Cara is at school right now, so I have NO idea what her blood sugar is. Believe me I wish that I knew!! Her morning BG was 15mmols (270) quiet high because of medicine I gave her in the middle of the night for a stuffy nose and a cough.

Misty's answer to this question: She's at school now, so I am wondering the same thing! Her BG this morning was 153. Little higher than I'd like...may need to adjust some basals.

What Kind of Meter Do You Use?
One Touch Ultra...this answer was kinda the same :) they use the One Touch Ultra Link. I don't even know what that is?? Should I??


How many times per day do you check your blood sugar?
Never less than 8 times a day (24hours)

What is a "HIGH" number for you?
Our correction scale starts at 13mmols (234). So I guess anything above 12mmols


What do you consider "LOW"?
Anything under 5mmols (90) is treated as a low but at midnight if Cara is under 13mmols (234) we will give her some carbs to get her through the night and she usally will wake up with a nice 5mmols or 6mmols.


What is your favorite low blood sugar reaction treater?
She LOVES anything sugary and sweet...which works out perfectly!

But a night time low is a different story. She just does not want anything at night so we stick with a juice and a straw for night time lows anything else is impossible to get her to ingest.

Describe your dream endo:
My dream endo is someone that KNOWS what he/she is talking about,
someone that does not rely on the nurses to tell him/her what should be done and how to do it.
Someone that has my daughters health and safety as number 1.
Someone who has an open mind and lets us know all the options and allows us to choice what route we will take along this journey.
Someone who will not make me fill like I'm failing or doing harm to my daughter but makes me feel like a success.


Who's on your support team?
My support team is made up of family, some friends but most of all the DOC.

The diabetic online community has helped me find my way so many times. When I'm down they are there to lift me right back up and with all the right words to say...because they know it! When I'm happy they are rejoicing with me (us) and celebrating our triumphs...because they know it!

My friends, a few of my friends are a wonderful support. Even tough they have NO idea what I'm usually talking about they try and they read and they listen and they support and that is all I can ask from them.

My family of course has always been a wonderful support in my life no matter what obstetrical I was overcoming or what heights I was celebrating they are there every step of the way with me and Cara of course :)


Do you think there will be a cure in your lifetime?
I SO HOPE SO!! I pray it, I wish it, I fundraise for it, I visualize it, I want it...I HOPE a cure will be in my life time and if not mine Cara's lifetime. I just want her to be able to remember and feel what life was like without type1...so free and spontaneous!! That is my wish for her...

What is a 'CURE' to you?
For me a cure is a fully working, healthy pancreas like the one she use to have before type 1 diabetes. A cure is a new life, a new way of living with opened doors without any complications. A cure is freedom from worrying and planning and checking and pokes and needles and scales and injected insulin and numbers and counting and lows and highs. It would be freedom from everything negative that type 1 has brought into our lives.

The most annoying thing people say to you about your diabetes:
This might sound really wrong but when people say Cara has diabetes and do not us the term type 1 diabetes. I don't know that drives me nuts!!


"Do you have Cara's diabetes under control??"

"It's all about healthy eating and exercise and she will be fine!'


"It's only diabetes"

We own a candy store so we will get a lot of comments like "ah how's your businesses going has it increased the rate of diabetes in the community" or "all the kids are going to be diabetic that come to your store" or once they find out that I have a type 1 and own a candy store "wow that's kinda funny" REALLY YOU THINK IT'S FUNNY or "that's kinda ironic" but as we all know sugar and type 1 have noting to do with eachother.


It all just really pisses me off because it all boils down to the lack of education!

The most common misconception about your diabetes:
I think I may have covered some of them in my last answer but the most common misconception I think about type 1 diabetes is that all diseases with the word diabetes in it is the same. The same cause the same treatments, I just want to ring the neck of the jack ass who was not clever enough to give type 1 and type 2, two completely different names!

If you could say one thing to your pancreas what would it be?

WHY ?? and HOW CAN I FIX YOU??
or on a funnier note

hahaha... ya you got us... good one pancreas... we were PUNK, NOW GET BACK TO WORK!!


And now, the MeMe goes to... Kris, over @ My Sugar Bugs

The Diabetes Dudes Webathon...watch it NOW

We interrupt your regularly scheduled broadcast to bring you the diabetes dude (DD) and his webathon.

Click HERE

DD Webathon

Friday, September 24th from 6 pm til midnight, The Diabetes Dude will be holding a webathon to help support his Flamingo Flock Campaign. Noah's campaign is growing and in order for him to continue with his campaign and send out his flamingos all over the country, he has to rely on the support of his friends to donate to the cause.

Throughout the webathon, The Diabetes Dude will be constantly updating his website, Twitter, and Facebook accounts. Every person who makes a donation will be mentioned by whatever name they choose through these media outlets. Donations will be accepted through PayPal only at the link below.

Noah has some great prizes to give away as raffles including his autographed flamingo, Doppler, who flocked the Sept 19th Boston Red Sox game and was autographed by Wally The Green Monster. Doppler will be presented to the winner along with a commemerative photo collage autographed by The Diabetes Dude.


Please help by donating to this great cause! If just 300 people donated even $5, he would reach his goal and be able to further his campaign!

Anyone who makes a donation during the webathon will be entered into drawings throughout the event.
Current prizes include:




Huge gift basket from www.diabeticcandy.com. All items are sugar-free!




Autographed book by friend of The Diabetes Dude, and author, Dino Paul Pierce!






Doppler, the diabetes flamingo, autographed by Boston Red Sox mascot Wally The Green Monster. Comes with commemorative picture collage of the flocking!


$75.00 "gift certificate" for www.pumpwearinc.com !




Broken Pancreas Shirt courtesy of my friend Ken Kotch! Check out his blog:
http://blog.brokenpancreas.org/







Free bracelet of your choice from
Dia-BEAD-es!



Free Meter Bag of your choice from:
www.skidaddlebags.com





Free $50 gift pack of sugar-free sandy candy, the sand art you can eat!
www.niftycandy.com

Trial Net And The Worrying D

A few months back our pediatric diabetic clinic sent out the Trail Net flyers and I knew that I wanted to sign the whole family up this time because we missed it last year and I was bummed.

What is Trial Net (click on it, is a link) you ask??

WELL

The TrialNet Study Group is a network of 18 clinical centres, internationally, dedicated to conducting studies in the early treatment, prevention and study of type 1 diabetes. Eligible participants for studies in Type 1 diabetes (T1D) research may be family members of people with Type 1 diabetes or children, adolescents and adults who have been recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

The Hospital for Sick Children TrialNet centre has built strong working relationships with the 17 pediatric diabetes programs close to the Greater Toronto Area all of which each collaborate in offering annual recruitment events for the Natural History study.

The study is looking at whether relatives of people with type 1 diabetes may be at increased risk for developing the disease. We are able to test for the autoantibodies (proteins that attack and destroy the cells in the body that produce insulin) in 1st and 2nd degree relatives of people with type 1 diabetes.

As a mother with 6 children and 1 of which is T1, the dreaded though of another one of your children being diagnosed with this monster of a disease is always in the forefront of your mind. Whenever they ask for another drink, wake up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, have a huge appetite out of no where, or start acting a little off, the agonizing thoughts of their diagnoses start running through my head. It takes all my strength not to run and grab Cara's meter and test that child (I have given into these fears a few time and everyone of the kids except Kailyn have been tested a few times).
Now you have to understand I have
a 2 year old
a 3 year old
a 4 year old (Cara my T1)

a 6 year old
a 8 year old
and a 13 year old
so they are constantly asking for more to drinking, more to eat, going to the bathroom at night because they did not listen to their mother before they went to bed (especially Kylie) and acting a little off, it's just part of growing up and it scares the living HELL out of me.

SO, back to Trial Net, I thought that this would be a wonderful way to calm my obsession when all the test come back negative and I could live in peace at least for a few weeks without the constant worrying.

BUT

of course life got in the way and I missed registration for the kids...CRAP I'm going to have to wait another year for this now...So I thought!

Yesterday I received a phone call from my husband at about 4:30 he was on his way home because I was not feeling very well (darn allergies) and his car broke down (darn car) on the way. Someone had help him over to the side of the road and he was waiting for his mechanic to get there. Not 5 minutes later the phone rings again and it's the pediatric clinic this time asking if I would like to bring our family down to the clinic for the Trial Net study because another family has dropped out and they have a space opened now.

NOW??... RIGHT NOW??...you have to be kidding me!! a spaced opened now!!


AH, HELL YES... I WOULD LOVE THAT SPACE!!

HOWEVER I HAVE NO, NIL, NOTA, VEHICLE TO GET ME DOWN THERE!!


WHAT IN THE WORLD, YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!!


Crap, so ya... now I will have to wait another year until I can have my 2 weeks of peace from this voice in my head telling me that the dreaded day is coming when another one of your kids will be introduced to a life with D.

Oh and to top it all off Cody, my 2 year old is obsessive over his bottle this morning, more baba more baba is all that is coming out of this kids mouth (ya I know, he is 2 and should be using a sippy cup...but for goodness sakes he is my baby and I will keep him that way as long as I can) he is extremely cranky, tired and is just not himself... someone is getting a BG check when Cara comes home with her meter...Sorry CODE!!

Compact Florescent Light Bulbs=Dirty Electricity=Increase In Blood Sugar?!?!

Watch this clip and see what researchers are finding out about compact florescent lighting (CFL's) and blood sugar...WOW,crazy and scary!!



So what are your thoughts on this??

Getting Us Through It All

To try and start off what I'm sure will be another crazy busy week of roller coaster highs and lows, yelling and scream filled sibling fighting, some hair pulling nonsense and hopefully some gut wrenching laughs, I thought that I would try my best to start this MONDAY off right with the mention of a few things that will help us get through it all!!

First, what better way to start this week off then with Meri's favorite things giveaway (just click and view rules and prizes). It gives us something to look forward to on Friday and guess what??? I have more good news she has not 1 but 2 prize packs to give away :) Now that is something to look forward to :)
So don't delay and enter this favorite things give away!! (a little rhyme to put a smile on your face)

Next here is the best way to start your Monday off right, with some tunes, well one tune but it put a smile on my face this weekend and I hope that it does yours. While my husband and I were driving to an event this weekend we found a lost Barenaked Ladies C.D on the floor. So of course we slid that bad boy right into the C.D. player and I heard this song "Next Time" The chorus is great and relates to all us d mama's. So next time your stressed out about a miscalculated carb amount, or a high that you knew was coming because of something that YOU did or forgetting your child's insulin just know... "you can always get it right NEXT TIME"




(I'm still not very good with doing little extra attachments and such on blogger and I tried just to find the song but all I could do is find this video on you tube, so I hope that you like it)


Also what better way to start your week right than helping someone in need of your help!! So here is your good deed for the week, help the diabetes dude get on Ellen to help spread Type 1 diabetes awareness. Please send an email to The Ellen DeGeneres Show and let her know that you want to see The Diabetes Dude on her show to talk about diabetes awareness in November because it is National Diabetes Awareness Month. The Ellen DeGeneres Show has been in contact with Noah, but he still needs us to send in some more emails to show Ellen just how much we want to see the Diabetes Dude on her show. Please send her an email at www.ellentv.com and p.s. don't forget to watch her show, she is great!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

From Belly Shot To Doing Her Own Shot...My D Baby Is Growing Up Fast

Cara is four and has had type1diabetes for 19 months now...WOW I can't believe it has only been 19 short month, it just feels like FOREVER (sigh)

and in these last few months we have been hitting some major mile stones within our diabetes journey.

1st the belly shot (click HERE to read)


and NOW she want's to do her OWN shots...What? hold on a minute...your only 4 and "normal" 4 year old children usually go running, screaming at the top of their lungs, hands in the air at the sight of needles and you want to DO YOUR OWN!

Last night after dinner I was getting out THE pen (an insulin pen)

"OK Cara" as I held up the pen "where at"?  "In my arm" she says (that is her sweet shot for now) As I started to examine both bruised and battered arms to find the leased abused, she looked at me and says "mom I can do my own shot's" "uuuuuummm, well, ahhhhhh, sooooo, well ahhhhh... what... you want to do your own shot"?  I think that is what I said??

What's a mom of a 4 year old diabetic to do??

I kinda freaked and had a whole crazy debate in my head that should have taken a "normal" mom a few days to compile all the pro's and con's to this request.  It took this D momma about 30 seconds to say "maybe next time, with a little practice"  

Not sure if I made the right choice at that second, but I just did not want her poking herself with a needle without any practice.  I mean, I needed to learn how to work the pen and I did not want her to have a bad experience this time and NEVER want to try it again.  I know that she has watched us very closely giving her  shots for 19 months, 4 times a day (if you are good at math, which I'm not! you could find out how many shots that is...I'll just go with the number A LOT) Does that mean she is ready to do it herself... 
NOT YET!

And she was not very happy about my decision, that injection was the loudest, most screamiest, fight fest in a LONG TIME!

So today will be the 1st day of  insulin pen injection 101 workshop....Now where is that cabbage patch??

OH CRAP!!!

p.s. Blogger Basal is coming up for all bloggers!

Don't miss out on the fun!
The deadline to submit your blog for participation in Blogger Basal is Friday, September 17th! Send an email to diabetestales@gmail.com with a link to your blog!

For more information, go here: http://www.diabetes-tales.com/2010/08/calling-all-bloggers.html

Or go here: http://www.candyheartsblog.com/2010/08/blogger-basal-and-blogwarming-winner.html


ALSO


If you love FREE STUFF jump on over to see Heidi at D Tales! She's doing a give away!!!

Click HERE to go check it out!

She's giving away not one... not two... not three...

but FOUR super cool medical alert bracelets!

Can You PLEASE Just Listen!!

A few days ago I received an email from a fellow, local D mom informing me and others of a school board meeting in which a motion was up for debate to have consistent policies/procedures be put into place for type 1 diabetics within the schools in our area. I requested to speak on this motion, it took me 2 days and seven pages both sides until I came up with this, this is what I read tonight:

Good evening,

I would like to thank all of you for allowing me the time to speak tonight.

As a mother whose child has type 1 diabetes it is very exciting and encouraging to have a motion for consistent policy/procedures for dealing with students who have diabetes being addressed.

My name is Nicole ***** and my daughter Cara was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on February 13^th 2009 at the age 3. Type 1 diabetes is a very serious and life threatening, autoimmune disease with no cure as of yet. Cara receives 4 shots of insulin a day at breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime. Each and every one of Cara’s meals and snacks has a required and restricted amount of carbohydrates which must be strictly followed.

This is a very involved and complicated disease. What works for you one day may not work for you another; there is no rhyme or reason to this disease. This is what makes type 1 so dangerous. We can send our children to school with the correct amount of insulin and with the perfect amount of carbohydrates and for some reason, a growth spurt, hormones, increased amount of exercise, even something so little like excitability can derail what should have been an uneventful day and steer that child down a path of dangerous lows which can and has lead to deaths.

Unfortunately for children especially in our area, type1 diabetes diagnoses are on the rise. With that comes the increase of children in our school systems suffering from this very dangerous and misunderstood disease. There is a huge NEED and demand for education and support for our child in your schools.

Upon diagnosis we as parents undergo an intensive learning and education program surrounding the basic tools, techniques and information on how to care for and maintain a thriving child with type 1 diabetes. So WE have the tools, the techniques and information that WE need as parent to do our job. BUT then, you soon realize that you can’t lock up your child in your diabetes friendly home forever, though you may like too, they are 4 and it is time for them to experience what every 4 year old looks forward to in September…a new pack back and some colour pencils and it’s time for school!

Labour day weekend is the worst time of the year for any parent who has a child with type 1 diabetes. Near the end of July the dreaded countdown beings to the day we hand over our children to people who may have little to no experience or knowledge of this disease. While other parents are elated with the thoughts of an empty house and their children learning, our minds are consumed with the what if’s, trying to plan for emergency scenario that can occur during school and of course our worst fear is having a new principal or new teacher that may have a hard time understanding our children’s everyday needs.

As every parent knows giving up our control and care of our children is a nerve racking experience but when you throw type 1 diabetes into that mix it’s an almost impossible feet.

I will leave you tonight with a very real and true scenario that can and may happen in your schools. I hope that this highlights the need for a consistent policies and procedures that focuses around type 1 diabetes education and training for all school staff.

You are a teacher in a full day JK class, your students are 3-4 years of age and they all have had a very full and fun morning. The children have eaten lunch and now it's quiet time.

The children are all sitting in anticipation of listen to you read a book. As you begin to read you scan the room, some children are seating, some giggling, some are resting their heads on their desks, Suzie is one of them she is also type 1.

You continue to read and you begging to notice that little Suzie is oddly very still, and her head had not moved from off her desk.

You finish the story, all heads are up and now waiting for their next instructions, all accept little Suzie’s. You call her name, still no moment

You walk over and tap her tiny little shoulder, her head turns to you, white as a ghost with great big eyes looking up at you, she is unable to lift her head or sit up, she mumbles something in her sweet soft voice but it is very hard to understand something about her belly hurts….

WHAT DO YOU DO??

Suzie is experiencing a very dangerous low, what you don’t know is that Suzie was unhappy with what her mother packed for lunch so instead of eating it she threw it away. Insulin was administered by the nurse who has since left the school and with no carbohydrates Suzie’s blood sugar is dropping and it is dropping fast.

Every second that you waste trying to figure out what your next step is brings Suzie one step closer to a seizure, losing consciousness and even death.

WHAT DO YOU DO??

Thank you for your time

and I'm sad to say they completely missed the boat but we will keep fighting because these are our children's lives at stake.

I will be posting more about this very soon!!

I Can't Handle ANOTHER Fight

As a mother all I want is WHAT IS BEST FOR MY CHILD

Every thing that I do, every choice that I make is for their well being. They are my number 1

SO WHY ALL THE FIGHTING!!

The thing that I'm slowly starting to learn is that when you have a child that is a little out of the "norm" a little out of the "main stream" you are going to have to FIGHT for that child's rights.

They tell you over and over be an advocate for your child, they say "you are the voice for your children"

BUT

the second you start to use your voice and begin to advocate a different way, a way that is BEST for your child they SHUT YOU DOWN, why? because "this is the way we do things"

BECAUSE for some reason they feel that they have all the answers and your voice is NOTHING.

So why even bother, why make us believe that you want to listen, why give us a sense of meaning, a sense of importance? YOU will never listen, you do things a certain way and you make no exceptions for my exceptional child.

All I want is what is best for him, but you will not HEAR IT!!

because to you his is a nobody, just one more kid that is going to get eaten up in your system. A system that just pushes children through, a system of cracks, a system that has failed many children before him and I will not let my son be another child lost in your system.

What you offer will not help him, what he NEEDS is what I'm asking for.


and I am tried of this fight

(this is not a type 1 issue it is a learning disability issue for my son Connor but I just needed to vent to people that understand) Thanks for listening!!

Diabetes Art Day

Connor's Art...The Diabetes Village!

In the diabetes village there is a place for us to live, a doctors office and a supply building.

The sun is made out of the world diabetes symbol with test strip rays and of course we all have hope for a cure.

But the best part of the diabetes village is the candy lined streets just in case of a low :)

The Girls (Kylie, Cara and Kirstin)...Walk a mile in our shoes

The girls each decorated a pair of shoes using glitter, paint, markers and old diabetes supplies

Walk a mile and our shoes

Thanks to Lee Ann at The Butter Compartment for creating this very fun day...We had a great time!!

For other great diabetes art day projects hit these links:
Candy Hearts
My life with The Superhero and The Princess
Houston We Have a Problem!
Beta Buddies
The Princess and The Pump
Life is Like a Box of Chocolate
D tales
A Sweet Grace
What Life Had Become
D-Mom Blog
This is Caleb
Sweet to the Soul
Our Diabetic Life
The Sugar Kids Blog
Bitter-Sweet Blog
Diabetesaliciousness

I'm sure more links to come through out the day!!

p.s. if I missed anyone leave a comment and I will add you to my list :)