Cara+Candy=Pumping Insulin

Today was a bad diabetes day.

Today diabetes kicked 5 year old Cara's ass because of a very bad 5 year old decision she made.

Today Cara decided to sneak God knows how many candies before she got up from bed this morning that she had hidden.

Yesterday was a different day,

Yesterday we were very proud of Cara.  She was the only one who came home from school with a bag full of Halloween candy from school.  I think she like the power this candy gave her over her siblings, she was in her glory. She was sharing it with the others without a fuss, they did have to do things for her BUT there was no fuss. lol   She was even asking us when she wanted a piece, we would count the carb and give her insulin.

Yesterday we thought that Halloween was going to be NO BIG DEAL this year! 

NO BIG DEAL!!   

So what the hell happened today?!?!

Maybe it was because it was early morning and she knew diabetes or not she would not be able to have candy?
Maybe it was because she thought, just a little won't hurt?
Maybe it was because her big sister who was sleeping in the bed above her and I'm sure sharing in this hidden stash of candy told her to?

OR maybe it was because she is 5 years old?

I don't know WHY but I do know what happened because of this decision.

*High blood sugar at breakfast, a 30.2 mmols (543.6) to be exact...BUSTED!!

*A breakfast bolus and correction of 5 units

*An afternoon of feeling low when she was in range or just a little higher

*An afternoon of crying and tantrums

*An afternoon of headaches and stomachaches

*And a long talk

Today we had "the talk"... a 5 year old version of "the talk".  She needed to understand that it should be NO BIG DEAL.  You can have candy, but when you eat candy you MUST tell us so we can give you insulin for the candy.

We needed to tell her that if she does not do the above that she could end up in the hospital very sick and not the FUN Diabetes Clinic part of the hospital BUT the stick an IV in your arm part of the hospital.

Today we needed to tell her we did not want her to be sick because of candy or because of diabetes.

We told her Candy + Cara = pumping insulin and to that she told us "OK, next time I will give myself 100 units of insulin when I eat candy...hahahahaha" with a great big smile on her face!!

Oh BOY...NO CARA! WE do your insulin not you!!

Happy Halloween EVERYONE!! I hope this is over fast!!
 

A Weekend Without T1

WE INTERRUPT THIS BLOG FOR A WEEKEND OF R&R WITH MY GIRLS!!

Have a great weekend everyone and may the diabetes gods be shining down on all of you.

CHEERS!!

If you had the choice would you rather....

As I was lying in bed right ready to drift off to sleep my husband decide to ask me a very interesting question with two options (one I'm sure will never ever happen the other I hope to God it does).


And I'm interested to see what you think.  I'm interested to see if the parents/family of people with diabetes answer any different then people with diabetes.  I'm interested to see what women think compared to men, what mothers think vs fathers.  I'm just interested...

Now when you read this question I want you to think really hard, give it a little time, think about what these two options would do for you, what these two options would do for your whole family.

OK are you ready for it?

If you had the choice would you rather win 10 million dollars OR have the cure for type 1 diabetes discovered?

Just think about it, you have a choice one or the other!  What would the money do for your whole family BUT then how amazing would it be to have your daughter(s)/son(s)/self/husband/wife cure of type 1 diabetes. 


Hmmmm, so what do you think?

I have my answer that I formulated last night as I was lying in bed wide awake (thanks to somebody) and I will post it in a few days after you all had sometime to answer.

Hazards Of The D Life

This list is a light look at parenting a child with type 1 diabetes and all it's "Hazards".

#1.  The Crime Scene...Blood squirt or a gusher, it all depends on the crime.  Whether your poking a finger or changing a site, be on the ready for it.  Blood is the name of the game when caring for someone with type 1 diabetes and on a few occasions/situations it can get messy.  Bedsheets, pillow cases, a few white t-shirts and a blood spray in the diabetic clinic that could keep any CSI guessing have all experienced the wrath of Cara's blood sugar pokes.

#2.  The Judgmental Audience (visual)...As you are out and about with your T1 child you may encounter a Judgmental Audience.  This group of individuals may not fully understand why you are force feeding your child pure sugar in a panic as your child is refusing what other children deem as gold.  This audience may be at a loss of who is more "crazy" the parent trying to shove sugar down their child's throat or the child who is refusing it.

#3.  The Judgmental Audience (audio)...Many times when you are out in public with your T1 you many need to communicate to your D team partner the "condition" of that child, usually across a room full of people.  The statement "OMGosh she is HIGH again" may cause this audience to stop dead in their tacks and really second guess what you just yelled out.  The fact that your 5 year old is experimenting with drugs is one thing that may cause this audience to be in disbelief however the knowledge that it is not the first time...you must be ready, child services MAY be called.

#4.  Urine On The Tips...As I just experienced this unpleasant hazard last night I thought I would share.  Honestly, I'm shock that this has not happened more.  As parents of a child who has type 1 diabetes ketones and dealing with ketones is just down right nasty and so can be detecting said ketones.  Warning this hazard may be discriminatory as parents with daughters who have T1 may be more at risk.   When checking for ketones one (usually the parent) places a flimsy what looks like a thin piece of paper in the stream of urine in hopes that the stream hits a very small square at the tip of the strip.  There is a very short window to complete this very important task and if the aim or the stream is not just right you may find your fingers become a little too close for comfort to the urine.  Pee on the fingers or Urine On The Tips...YUCK!  Washing vigorously with soap will contain this hazard. 

#5.  The Nocturnal Awakening ...Nocturnal Awakening is a hazard for any parent, diabetic or not.  But daily Nocturnal Awakening continuously by a set alarm numerous times throughout the night, defiantly a hazard for a parent whose child has T1D.  There are countless causes for this hazard but only one result, a very tired, overworked, unfocused, little bitchy...oh, OK who are we kidding A LOT bitchy mom/dad (YES, men can be bitches too).  The aftermath of a person suffering from Nocturnal Awakening may been seen in the zombie like behavior and massive dark bags under the eyes...it's not a pretty picture!  Seek R&R  immediately and if this is not availability during onset of  hazard alcohol may help until R&R can be obtained.  

#6.  The D Clock...The D clock is a hazard that every parent of a child who has type 1 must learn to concur.  Living your life in 2 hour increments can cause time to slow to a turtles pace, many times15 minutes can seem like 45 minutes.  The D clock can also have an effect on the way you see time, the way you use your time or what you spend your time thinking about.  As your friends and outside family's world clocks have not been altered do to this hazard you may experience incongruousness in this aspect of your life.  Maybe one of the hardest hazards to learn to adapted to...for me anyways!  


#7.  The Sibling Confusion...This hazard may or may not be associated with the above mentioned hazard  Nocturnal Awakening.  This hazard affects the siblings of T1's rather then the parents (although some guilt and fault may be experienced by the parents).  This hazard is usually seen while trying to secure a blood sugar sample from your T1 however some parents have experienced Sibling Confusion while counting carbs or administering insulin (most cases have been stopped prior to injection). When you are a parent with a child who has type 1 diabetes blood sugar checks become the norm.  It's something you can do without much thought or attention and many times auto-pilot is initiated.  However when flying on auto-pilot facial recognition software may be impaired and unfortunately for the siblings, finger tips become identical and therefore causes Sibling Confusion and your non T1D is getting their blood sugar check.  The good news is that many siblings learn to run the other way, hide or scream when they see that lancet coming. 


#8.  The Bitchy Over Protective or Crazy Mom/Dad Syndrome...Although this hazard has many different names it is a result of standing up for your child with type 1 diabetes, advocating and or educating the general population that just do not "GET IT".  Most times this hazard is bestowed on the mother of the child with type 1 diabetes but is not limited to.  Unfortunately one very hard truth that parents/and people with a T1 will realize is that the world has a very skewed idea of what type 1 diabetes is and how it affects the family and person with type 1.  This hazard although unfortunate is NOT something that if NECESSARY should be avoided.  A parent must always have their child's safety, health and betterment on the top of their to-do list no matter the threat of this hazard.       

The Crystal Ball Gala

Who's ready to PARTY? Um.... I mean who is ready to have a wonderfully glorious time? ;)

Coming Together For The Fight. Teachers, Principals and Parents

This year I was ready for school.  So I thought...

We had new school policy and guidelines in place.
We had a principal that seemed to be ready to support Cara in every way she could.
We had scheduled a nurse to come in 3 times a day to take blood sugar and give insulin.

I thought we were A GO

But what I found out is that we are not ready...NOT AT ALL.

You know why? because the support that needs to be implemented in a school to properly support and ensure a safe learning environment for a child with type 1 diabetes is not being accommodated.  As far as I'm aware it is not even being addressed within the level that it needs to be addressed.

GOVERNMENT of ONTARIO that would be you I'm talking about...

To have a nurse come into test blood sugar, administer insulin and then leave the school is just not enough especially for our littlest and youngest.  Oh and trust me I know how lucky we are to have a nurse BELIEVE me, Cara and I would be lost if it was not for the nurse.

But what about the time the nurse is not there? Who is responsible for blood sugar test, treating lows, retesting after a low?  Who is the one to make sure my type 1 child is safe at school?

Who's responsible when the nurse is not there?

I guess it depends on who you ask to find an answer.

The teachers and principals all believe that it is not their responsibility to take on "medical" procedures. 

Parents on the other hand believe that it is the responsibility of the only adults that are in the building which are the teachers and or principals to ensure the safety of that child .

In any case the fact of the matter is the government is leaving it up to the teacher, principal and parents to fight this one out amongst themselves.  And this is not getting us anywhere.  

I have been fighting this fight since the very first week Cara was diagnosed. 

The week of diagnoses it was time to enroll our 3 year old Cara, newly diagnosed 2 days earlier into JK (junior kindergarten) and that was our very first experience of this discrimination.  We were told straight up that Cara would not be allowed to test her blood sugar in school because of the presences of blood.

And that was that... the fight between us (the parents) and the school was on.

The ultimate power struggle. 
 
Our first year of type 1 and school we had a principal that would not attend any diabetic training and therefore non of her staff felt it was necessary.  The only teacher that was the least bit understanding was Cara's teacher since she was the one being directly affected by Cara's type 1 diabetes.

That same year we had tremendous trouble with the nurses that our CCAC management team was sending into the school.  It was a revolving door of nurses...many of them had very limited to no diabetes care experience.  One nurse who was sent to the school for the sole purpose of checking Cara's blood sugar DID NOT know how to use a blood sugar meter.  They had to call down Cara's older sister to show the nurse.

Last year was a bit better.  We had a wonderful nurse, we had a new school that was on board with Cara's care however they still were without a policy but what we were doing worked....for them.  We ran Cara HIGH that poor kid was in the high teens to 20's for the good majority of her school year.  WHY? because the care that she needed to ensure her safety was not available. 

So I guess at some point we had to weigh Cara's safety over her health and no parent should have to do this.  No person should have to put their long term health on the line to ensure their immediate safety. 

Type 1 diabetes does not only impact blood sugar, it causes damage.  Damage to major organs and to the development of a child's brain. 

This year we probably have one of the best care in Ontario (which is not saying much) and we are still having major issues.  Our principal wants more support for her and Cara's teacher, I want more care for Cara and we just keep on going around in circles, each on our sides pushing for what we need.

It is time for this fight between the schools and parents to end. 

We need to come together, work together and bring this fight to the Government. 

Teachers need support in their classrooms to ensure the safety of these type 1 kids and our T1 kids need to be safe and healthy in their classrooms.  Essentially we all want the same thing.

Carrots and Strips

Heidi over at D Tales posted THIS great post called Crafting with Test Strips.

I thought it was really neat and creative.  All we have ever used those empty test strip containers for was to put more test strips in them...real creative!!

BUT this morning my husband surprised me with a "new" use for used test strips containers.

As I and Cara were walking down the stairs from getting her ready for school.  My husband came up to us with a great big smile and something behind his back...Carrots & Strips he exclaimed

Carrots and Strips it was!! 

cleaned out test strip container with dip inside

Cara got a kick out of it and I was pretty impressed.

and BTW Cara has her first loose tooth, I think it is time to get creative up in here...Thanks Heidi for your great crafting idea!!  We now have 2 new creative ways to recycle :) 

** Side Note:  I have read other post of people using the strip containers for candies (nerds and such) however it has been brought to my attention that the test strip containers may contain chemicals in them** Use at your own risk**

I talk to my husband and he assures me he cleaned out the strip container.

LIVE AND LEARN I guess?!?!

When you die...

This weekend was our Canadian Thanksgiving and we also celebrated Connor's 10th birthday.

This whole weekend I have been fighting something....I'm so sick!

Saturday we had Thanksgiving dinner at my house with my family and my husbands mother.
Sunday I forced myself to meet my sister and her family at her camp site for the day.  The kids had a great time but I was just so sick.
Monday my husband's father came over and I spent the day in bed.

As I lied on my death bed, Cara came in my room to check on me.  As we were talking she kept glancing over at my dresser where my jewelery was sitting out.

With a very serious look on her face Cara looked me straight in the eyes and said

"when you die who will get your jewelery?"



Happy THANKSGIVING EVERYONE from your Canadian friend.

He is 10 on This No D Day

"

"No D-Day is a day when our online interactions avoid diabetes completely. Twitter, Blogs, Facebook, MySpace (lol), and anything else you can think of. Not a peep about that dumb disease. For one day." (Ninjabetic)

Thank you George for this glorious day!! And thank you George for picking such a glorious date. October 7th is someones birthday so it makes for an easy topic choice for me.


I know that I don't talk A LOT about my other kids...the non __  kids BUT today one of them is turning 10.

I can't believe that my little guy, my buddy is 10 years old today.

You see, if you look at this kid you might say he doesn't look one day passed 7.

He is as short as can be and honestly a bit "stocky".
He is my talker, he takes after me a lot...once he starts going he just can't stop.
He's a clown without trying, this kid is hilarious beyond imagination.  If he is in a room with you, you are laughing.
He tries his very best in everything that he does and although many times he is the last one finished, he is finishing with a smile and with pride.
My little man is a rule follower, he watches out for the rest of us making sure that we are following all the rules too.
He is quick to shed a tear but so shy when it comes to giving mom and dad a kiss and hug.

The very best thing about my Connor is his heart, he has the absolute biggest heart, he loves and cares and helps the very best.

Oh, and he is a great house cleaner.

Happy 10th birthday to my wonderful CONNOR, I hope you never change!

Connor and his best friend Kylie

Connor and Cody

Connor teaching Kirstin how to swim

Connor LOVES the Star Wars

Connor and a snake

Connor

Connor apple picking

Connor and his buddy Cody

myself and my Connor

Halloween last year, can't wait to see what this kid is going to come up with this year.

When he grows up he wants to be a search and rescue police officer.  This dream has evolved from wanting to be a pirate to a treasure hunter to an under water treasure hunter to a police scuba diver. 

The Limitless Mind Of A Four Year Old

Yesterday, as I was recovering from a very stressful and very chaotic night that continued into the first half of the day... AKA, as I was lying on the couch,

Kirstin walked up to me with this great big smile on her face and a box that she placed down on the table beside me.

"Mommy" she said "what goes in this box?"

"I don't know Kirstin!!" I replied in a quite irritated tone.

(when I bought the box it was empty)

"NOTHING" I mumbled under my breath as I tried to cover myself back up and continue on my quest to find peace of mind (which was not working BTW).

She slowly turned to the box, as a smile grew across her face from check to check, her eyes widened with a sparkle and with her remarkable 4 year old mind she said "ANYTHING and EVERYTHING, can go in this box!"

At that very second Kirstin imagined all the limitless possibilities for this one simple box that I had lost hope in. 


I looked at her and was in awe of this amazing positive shinning light in my life.

The box of Anything & Everything

   

Small Fish In An Amazingly Talented Pond

Sometimes when your surrounded by such amazing, talented, passionate people you start to feel lost in a great big pond of sheer betterness.


Suffering from dyslexia (and lack of sleep) and blogging I sometimes feel a little defeated.  My vocabulary sucks!  My spelling is appalling, my spell check works overtime and sometimes even that can't help me and my grammar is non existent.

So I guess it's fitting that I won Best Vlog for Septembers Best of The Betes Blog
(no spelling required)

I really can't believe it, I'm shocked and so thankful for everyone who watched and nominated my Volg. 

That Vlog was a hard one to press publish on BUT I'm soooo glad that I did!!

Thank You
Thank You
Thank You

Now go check out ALL the talented, amazing, passionate fish in this great big pond we call the blogosphere