Diabetes What??

 What is DIABETES?...anyone...can you please tell me?  

Please explain to me what that singular term DIABETES means?

 How would you describe it? 

Can you describe it? 

Just think about it for a few minutes...can you explain, define the term DIABETES?

What causes DIABETES? What is the treatment of DIABETES?What are the signs and symptoms of  DIABETES? 

Trick Question? HMMM

ANYONE?

My point is that the word diabetes, by itself, without the use and specifics of the types in front of it makes NO SENSE!!

I can tell you what Type 1 diabetes is, the causes, the treatments, the signs and symptoms.
I can tell you what Type 2 diabetes is, the causes, the treatments, the signs and symptoms.
I can tell you what Gestational diabetes is, the causes, the treatments, the signs and symptoms.

BUT

without making any sort of distinction I can NOT tell you what DIABETES is, I can not tell you the causes, the treatments, the signs and symptoms because the term DIABETES by itself has no meaning.  What it does have is confusion, stigmas, judgments and untruths... and because of this it is NO longer in my vocabulary. 

When people speak to me about "DIABETES" I will seem confused and I will ask for some clarification. 

I will ask them to widen their vocabulary, 

I will ask them to condense their definition, 

I will ask them to be more specific, 

and hopefully in turn I will be asking them to educate and  

stop spreading misconceptions 

about any and all TYPES of DIABETES.

more thoughts on the term "DIABETES"
WHAT'S UP WITH ALL THE NAME DROPPING

Blogger Basal January 2011

That is right folks I will be your host for the Blogger Basal of the new year...2011.

What is Blogger Basal you ask??

Blogger Basal is a ROUND UP post done each month hosted by different bloggers in the bloggersphere.  It is your one stop for a great read of all the goings on in the DOC.

What do you need to do?

If you would like your blog to be part of the very first Blogger Basal of the new year all you need to do is send me a link of your very best or your very favorite post that your wrote in the month of January to wecaralot@gmail.com and I will do all the dirty work.

Rules for URL submissions:
1)  Must be (mostly) family friendly.  Rants are welcome.  Porn is not.  Get it?

2)  URLs are due on the 3rd Friday of the month.  PERIOD.
Please submit your URL on time for inclusion in the current month's edition.

3)  Only one URL per author per month please..

If you would like to host one of these very fun and creative Blogger Basal all you need to do is follow this link HERE and enter your blog to host a month...that simple.

So go ahead and get involved, sent me your link by Friday January 21st 2011 to wecaralot@gmail.com subject Blogger Basal and I will make sure to add you.


and don't forget to check out and enter this weeks Sugar Bolus over at Pumpsley and Me and pamper yourself.

A Simply Wonderful Christmas

Something happened this year,

something just short of a Christmas miracle.

I had the Christmas spirit in me.

We had a wonderful, busy, family and friend filled Christmas and I loved every moment of it.


Usually every year since I can remember for the past little while, I have been the Grinch of Christmas. I could not wait to get all the festivities over and move on with life. As soon as Christmas was over everything came down and was packed away.  I felt like Christmas was more of an obstacle in my life then something to enjoy.  I really don't know why I always felt like this but this year something changed.

This year many things had changed:

We had Christmas at our home for 3 out of 4 Christmas gatherings.

I made sure that I took sometime and did fun Christmas activities with the kids. 

We made Christmas shaped and coloured Rice Krispy Squares, 

We decorated the tree as a family, 

We danced to Christmas music, 

We wrote letters to Santa,

We decorated the house,

and we just all around had fun.

But the one and most important change this year was from Santa.  He only brought the very most important gifts... no fillers.  The kids loved every single one of their gifts and on Christmas morning after all the toys were opened and out of their packages (which took hours, man what is up with all that packaging and wires and tap and plastic...I mean it is a toy for Goodness sake not a bar of gold) the most unbelievable thing happened...

THE HOUSE WAS QUIET

you could have heard a pin drop in this house, I have NEVER experienced this sound in this house.  The kids were so busy playing with their toys, there was no noise coming from their mouths...a true Christmas miracle!

There was just something very special and wonderful about Christmas this year, I will never forget this feeling and I'm so thankful that I found the spirit in me at least for one year:)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas...

Twas 2 Weeks Before Christmas...

Twas 2 weeks before Christmas and all through the house, everything was a steering especially our tummies.


That's right 2 weeks before the big day, with tons of Christmas shopping to complete, a million items yet to checked off a growing "to do" list, the flu hits the house. Kylie was the first and once the flu enters this house
we are ALL screwed. Three days after Kylie started Cody, Kirstin and Cara were next all within hours of each other, with Connor and I soon to follow then my husband and last but not least Kailyn.


This was our second sick day with vomiting and D.

And I kicked BUTT...this time!

At first I went into panic mode, our first sick day ended us in the hospital. Which was barely any help. But with a facebook status update and all my D peeps sending support and their favorite sick day tips I was armed and ready for this battle. It's just amazing how much support I have around me and my family with the internet, I really do not know what I would have done without being able to reach out to so many knowledgeable, helpful people. You see our last sick day in the hospital did not go so well. With doctors and nurses continually questioning what to do with Cara and trying to figure out the best way to take care of her, it really was very nerve racking. They questioned every move they made with Cara's treatment and sent us home with HIGH Ketones, I'm not even sure they had any idea what to do about the Ketones. I was just happy to get out the hell out of there before they ended up making a "mistake" that could have cost my daughter her life.

It was then when I realized how lacking type 1 info and education is in our area and I'm so thankful to have the DOC to fill in the blanks.

Through out the night Cara was continually vomiting, but we kept her hydrated with flip flopping sugar-free drinks and Gatorade depending on her blood sugar numbers.  We kept her ketones down and our guessed  insulin amounts worked out wonderfully.  We were not chasing lows or treating highs, everything just seemed to fall into place. I felt this sense of pride and accomplishment.  In the morning I talked to our diabetic clinic to go over our next steps for the days to come.  They also wanted me to know if Cara ever is vomiting through out the night I really should bring her into to the hospital...I just smiled and nodded although I was on the phone and they could not see me and kept on with the conversation at hand, what to look out for next...  

The following few weeks after the flu we needed to cut all her insulin in half, I'm not sure why this happens but I have read about this from many people.  Once the flu is over you are fighting lows for weeks.  We are just now getting our insulin units to where they were before the flu.     

A Little Christmas Cheer

This Christmas Season defiantly got the best of me and my time.  Between a sick home (blog post to come shortly), getting ready and hosting 3 Christmas parties for family and friends (which was a joy) and the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Christmas and of course SANTA, I found my time lacking ... to say the least  

BUT I'm always thinking of you ALL.  So here is a little Christmas song that Kailyn sang and I wanted to share with you to say:

MERRY CHRISTMAS

And The Winner Of The Shiny Happy Sugar Bolus Is...

Today is the day, the winner of the Shiny Happy Sugar Bolus is to be announced

BUT

I would like to thank everyone for entering and coming to check out the We CARA Lot Blog, I look forward to reading some new blogs.

I would also like to thank my Aunt Pat and Latasia Exquisite Fine Fashion Jewellery  for giving me this wonderful opportunity to host this amazing Sugar Bolus.  It was a lot of fun!

AND finally if you did not win don't be sad you still have a chance to purchase any of the 4 inspirational bracelets,  BELIEVE (F) INSPIRE (G) IMAGINE (H) EXPECT MIRACLES (I) for yourself, family member or friend.  Latasia is offering these wonderful bracelets for a special one time price just for the We CARA Lot Blog readers.  $25 Canadian or $20 U.S. **per bracelet** (includes shipping and handling and taxes).  AND $10 of all sales on these bracelets will go towards sponsoring a child living with type 1 diabetes who's family can not afford to purchase insulin and diabetes supplies through an organization called Dream Trust

OK, OK lets get down to business, the winner of the Shiny Happy Sugar Bolus is LUCKY #7 :)

 
CONGRATULATIONS MISTY :) I will be in contact with you shortly to get your info.

and don't forget to check out the next Sugar Bolus over at Felt Findland. If you would like to get in on this Sugar Bolus action visit Candy Hearts and get the info.  Also today is the last day to get your submissions in for this months Blogger Basal head on over to My Diabetic Child and read all about it!!

Everything I Need for Christmas.

The tree is up and the house is getting ready for the 3 huge Christmas parties this year.

We have never hosted a Christmas party before but this year and in this house it just seemed right.  This is going to make our Christmas celebrating a lot easier I hope, with the 6 kids and Cara.  Every year I get so overwhelmed with the thoughts of juggling our time and our big gang with all the parties and events I lose sight at the true meaning of Christmas...Time spent with the people you love. 

I feel the Christmas spirit this year, we have the Christmas music on and I'm even baking...you can stop laughing now!!   It's not about scheduling naps around parties or juggling two Christmas parties at once, this year it's all about family and friends coming to us.  This year will be more laid back and enjoyable...I HOPE?!?!.

For many, many years Christmas was a downer, a real stressful time of year.  Lots of running around, lots of arguing about what dress is going to be worn or how hair will be styled, lots of shopping, lots of racing against the clock, lots of focusing on the things that I HAD to DO and NOT doing the things I WANTED to DO, and now with D thrown into the mix it was one more thing to add to the DID I PACK THIS, DO I REALLY NEED TO BRING THIS, OMGOSH WE FORGOT THAT! list's.

But this year I'm hoping to stop this Christmas tradition of stressful holidays.  Everything that we must have and that we might need is right here in our house so I don't have to worry about:

nap times 

being late

finding parking

packing up all 6 kids in there winter jackets a million times in one day

Cara acting shy and attached to my leg

diapers and wipes for Cody with a bottle and change of clothes,

Kirstin's EpiPen in the case of an encounter with the dreaded peanut,

  Cara's meter, meter strips, poker, insulin and needles,
Juice boxes and snacks for lows and sugar free drinks for everything in between,
carb swagging 
and of course the handful of toys that you can go no where without.

This year everything will be right here right where I need it!

If you have not already check out this weeks shiny happy sugar bolus giveaway and maybe even get some Christmas shopping done CLICK HERE

Shiny Happy Sugar Bolus

Welcome to my very1st Sugar Bolus

The Shining Inspiration Giveaway

 Believe

Inspire

Imagine

Expect Miracles

Every one of these words holds such meaning and inspiration.  They are the foundation of what my journey with type 1 diabetes is held upon.

We Believe that one day there will be a cure.  

We hope that our stories and our actions will Inspire others.  

We Imagine a life without type 1 diabetes and 

We always Expect Miracles to happen.

A Miracle is the reason why Cara and many of you are still here with us today.  The very first medical miracle... INSULIN. There are many little miracles all around us in our everyday life, you just need to look for them and once you find them never forget how truly lucky you are.

Thanks to  Latasia Exquisite Fine Fashion Jewellery and my wonderful Aunt Pat you have a chance to win a shining inspiration Expect Miracles Bracelet (I). You can find the bracelets on page 60 in the Latasia catalog HERE.

one size fits all

But wait... before you scroll down to enter this shiny, happy giveaway there is something more.
As you see there are 3 other shining inspiration bracelets BELIEVE (F) INSPIRE (G) and  IMAGINE (H).  Latasia is offering these wonderful bracelets for a special one time price just for the We CARA Lot Blog readers of $25 Canadian or $20 U.S. (includes shipping and handling and taxes).  AND $10 of all sales on these bracelets will go towards sponsoring a child living with type 1 diabetes who's family can not afford to purchase insulin and diabetes supplies through an organization called Dream Trust

So Go Ahead....

Enter the shining inspiration contest then be a inspiration to all and help a child receive life saving insulin and diabetes supplies and get a little Christmas shopping done all at the same time.  Now that is what I call MUTI-TASKING.   

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING and supporting children with type 1 diabetes please email me with you name and contact information (phone number) at wecaralot@gmail.com.  My Aunt Pat will get back to you and place your order.

To Enter The Shining Inspiration Giveaway: Please post a comment before midnight Thursday December 16th. Please include your first name, comments without names will be eliminated.

To Earn Extra Entries You Can:

• Write a blog post linking back to the Sugar Bolus and leave a comment with a link to the post. 
• Tweet about this Sugar Bolus and leave another comment.   
• Facebook about this post and leave an additional comment.
• Purchase a shining inspiration bracelet and leave a comment.  

 A winner will be selected via random draw on Friday December 17th. 

The winners name will be posted here on this blog and you the winner will have only 48 hours to send a message to me Nicole at wecaralot@gmail.com.

If I do not hear from the winner within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

GOOD LUCK and PLEASE THINK ABOUT PURCHASING 1,2,3 even 4 OF THESE INSPIRING BEAUTIFUL BRACELETS AND CHANGING A CHILD'S LIFE WITH TYPE 1!

Another Post on Dream Trust

 Redefining Insulin With Dream Trust 



**If there is anything else that you see in the Latasia Canada website or the Latasia U.S website please email my Aunt Pat at jewellerylady4@hotmail.com and she can place your order**
 

10 Giant "D" Steps Forward But No One Is Following

You know that saying:

2 steps forward and 1 step back? 

Well for almost 2 years now I have spent my mornings, noons and nights talking and blogging and explaining and advocating and living type 1 diabetes.  All in hopes that one day I will magically wake up and the world around me will finally "Get It".  They will finally understand:

That type 1 diabetes is dangerous

That type 1 diabetes is NEVER "under control"

That type 1 diabetes is a 24 hour 7 days a week disease and 

Cara will NEVER get a break from it 

They will understand 
That insulin is NOT a cure and in order for Cara to have her best chance at a long and healthy life we NEED a CURE
and of course the old FAVORITE, most maddening one of them all 

That there are different types of diabetes and they are all very different from each other 

But as I see it today and for a few days now...they will never "get it" because they don't "live it".  I know that I have made giant leaps in my life and my understanding of T1 because I live this, this is my reality.  In order to keep my daughter safe and healthy I must immerse myself into the D community and try to educate myself, my family and others.  Since I can't lock her up in my house I especially try to share information and educate the people who are sharing the responsibility of caring for Cara like schools,teachers, grandparents,coaches, nurses etc.  

Some days I feel like it all falls on deaf ears.  Some days I feel like I don't want to bother people with today's battles or yesterdays accomplishments because people seem to smile and nod and act like they "Get It" or like they care but when they open their mouths the truth comes out, they just don't.  This is not their faults by any means, some try, they try really hard, others not so much but for today I just feel like I'm doing all this for nothing.  

Today I guess I'm just in a D funk, A funk that some days are so overwhelming and the light at the end of the tunnel has dwindled down to a dual twinkle like the most distant star in the sky.   We all go through it... even the best of us like Reyna, Jen  , Kris and Hallie.

Today I feel like I have taken 10 Giant "D" steps forward

But what good is it if I'm 10 feet away from everyone else?  

Riddle Me This?

What do the words: 

LOVE,

  

BELIEVE,

  

INSPIRE,

  

IMAGINE

 and Expect Miracles 

Have IN COMMON?

Well it's a Sugar Bolus of course hosted by me The We CARA Lot Blog.  With a little bling, some holiday wishing and a wonderful dream this is one Sugar Bolus you don't want to miss.  Make sure to come back on December 10th for all the info...

and make sure to try your luck this week on a most reliable giveaway click HERE for all the details

SEE YOU ON THE 10TH :)

Pondering The Pasta Problem

What is it about you pasta that Keeps me coming back? 


Why must I do this to myself once a week.
  
Yes you are nutritious, hearty, and a deliciously quick meal that ALL 6 of my children love and eat every ounce of.
BUT
Every time I start to cook you I want to through you out the darn window!!


Yes are a bugger on blood sugar BUT that is not my biggest problem.  
What is up with your nutrition fact?? Sometimes you say "Dry" other brands you say nothing, prepared not prepared...that is the question?!?!

HELLO...is there anyone out there who eats DRY noddles for dinner?  I do not believe I have ever went to a restaurant that had a special of the day "Dry Pasta With Wine Sauce" or ever read a recipe that called for taking noddles out of it's package and top with Parmesan...NEVER!!

SO WHAT IS UP WITH YOUR NUTRITION FACTS??

Obviously you don't understand what dinner prep looks like around this house.  With 6 children and 1 type 1 diabetic it is not pretty!! and your just adding to the mess with your Nutrition Facts, per approximately 1/11 package (85g) dry pasta (for Italpasta spaghettini).  How does this even help me...at all?!?!

I guess that you would like me to measure out 85grams of dry pasta, take out another pan fill with water, add to my stove that only has 4 burners and boil Cara her own special pasta.  Ya thanks for the help!

Everyone else is adding a helping hand around here.   Kraft dinner, I don't even have to weigh it, 3/4 cup prepared of Kraft dinner is 40 grams of carbohydrates.  Knorr Side Kicks, love them and their nutrition facts.  1/2 cup of prepared Side Kicks has 24 carbohydrates.  How about rice?? Uncle Ben's instant premium long grain rice hooks me up too with nutrition facts that make sense 125mls prepared of Uncle Ben's has 24 carbohydrates.

You see there are people out there that actually READ and NEED these nutrition facts, so why don't you help a mom out pasta companies and at the very least STOP WITH THE DRY nutrition facts...PLEASE!!

HERE is a little help, I found a site that breaks the measuring of DRY pasta down for us. National Pasta Association knows how to help this mom out!! 

Let Her Eat Cake

Boy does it feel weird not adding the NaBloMoPo on my title post...it has only been 30 days and already has become a habit.  Funny how fast a habit can form, something to think about for another post...

It was a very confusing kinda day yesterday. After a peaceful and relatively calm day, no phone calls from the school, the house was clean from a family birthday party for Cara the night before, and I only had the two little ones to watch for the day when the older kids came home from school.  Cara walked in looking a little sad and Kailyn looked not one bit impressed with a little more attitude then normal.  One look at both of them and I knew they had something to say.

Cara was first to the punch, "I didn't get to have cake" she said in her sad little voice, almost a whisper looking at the ground "what, what do you mean?" I said.  Then Kay butted in "YA THE WHOLE CLASS GOT CAKE AND THEY DIDN'T GIVE CARA A PIECE!!".

A letter came home earlier that week explaining that the SK class was going to have a Teddy Bear Day with vegetable soup.  I swaged the carbs for the soup and even added a few crackers in the mix, boy was I feeling like a great D mama. There was no mention of said cake.  Cara's teacher is amazing, she really is! There was  a T1 in her class last year and she really understands the in's and out's of type 1 diabetes.  Another reason why I love this lady so much is whenever she has a question she is usually really good at giving me a call especially when special snacks are introduced into the class because she knows that I want Cara to participate with her peers.  It is a little tough because Cara is still on MDI but we make it work!! 

Well, I thought to myself, this just does not make sense  "did you have a sub?" NO "did she tell you why you could not have cake?" NO "did you ask for a piece" NO.  Hmmmm??? I just have no clue what the hell happened?? Her numbers looked great all day, it's not like she was running too high, I just don't understand! 

But the bigger issue or question that I have is what to do?? I'm a pick your battle kinda gal and I'm just trying to figure out if this is a battle worth fighting or bringing up?  However I would love to know what the thinking was behind this decision that did NOT include me??  I will be sleeping on this one for sure!!