Carb Counting For 2...but only for a short time.

Starting this Sunday we have been carb counting for two...and this shit ain't fun!

On Wednesday Connor will be following up with his TrialNet results and going in for a glucose tolerant test in London.

Funny side note: Kylie asked us when we (myself, my husband and Connor) will be going to England?  LOL...we are going to London Ontario NOT London England...funny kid!!

Anyways, since Connor has been tested and confirmed positive for 1 out of the 4 diabetes related autoantibodies it is time to follow up with a glucose tolerant test.  He is a little nervous about the needle and I'm a little nervous about the results.  There has been no other signs from Connor of T1 but man I hate this waiting game, this never knowing WHEN or IF it will strike one of your other children...it's exhausting.  If any of my other kids are going to develop T1 in 1, 3 or 15 years from now...I just want to know NOW...ugh, lets get this shit over with!

UGH!

Connor has been on a 150g (or more) Carb diet since Sunday, he has until Tuesday night to eat 150 carbs or more and then he is fasting until the testing is done on Wednesday.  This carb counting has got me thinking about all of you out there with 2 or more children with T1 and all I can say is

YOU ROCK SUPER STARS!  

I'm not even administering insulin or fighting with D, I'm just simply counting carbs and of course logging...I hate logging (I'm not even sure if they need me to log but I'm logging) and this shit SUCKS!  

You can read more about our TrialNet experiences here and HERE  or watch our TrialNet Video HERE

My Student Of The Month

I have been meaning to post this a while ago but never got around to it!! 

The very last week of school Cara was surprised with winning the Student Of The Month Award for June.  It was teacher's choice and Cara received her award for RESPONSIBILITY subtitle: Responsibility In Taking Care Of Your Diabetes. 

Cara was soooo happy and PROUD.  It was extra special because Cara's teacher arranged for Cara's nurse to present the award to her. 
 

I thought it was so very sweet of her teacher to acknowledge the hard work that Cara puts into every day taking care of herself and her Diabetes. 

I was almost in tears, I was so happy for her.

and then we got a big surprise when our Kylie got called up next for her award for most Personal "GROWTH".

 
 We were super happy when we heard this, student of the month is not something that comes easy to any of my kids really.  So each month all my kids get their hopes up, hoping, praying, wishing that their names will be called and nothing.  So, although I was happy and so proud of Cara when I got the news that she was finally getting Student Of The Month my heart sunk a little for the other kids especially Kylie.  Kylie has been waiting for this ALL year long and she could not have been happier that it finally happened!! and neither could we!!

So now if you are counting that is 2 out of 3 kids that attend the same school that won Student Of The Month for June.  My little man Connor was still left and as his teacher walked up to the microphone I could just tell by the look on his face he thought it was his turn finally just like his little sisters...after all his siblings all got called up so why not him?  But it was not him, no award for my guy and to see that look of hope and wishful thinking turn to disappointment in an instant across his face...Let me tell you, I wanted to cry for him and then I wanted to kick the teacher in the butt...ugh! 

Connor has a learning disability and he works he's tail off all year, he has a heart of gold and is a wonderful help to anyone....SOOO! Connor won OUR Student Of The Month after dinner that same night.

All kids were happy, proud and smiling.

Today I Learned Diabetes Makes You Scared Of My 6 Year Old

Today I thought that we could get away with it.
It was only for 1 hour, right after lunch and before p.m. snack...a prefect time to try!
She was a little higher then I liked going into lunch and that gave me a little worry so I pulled back her correction because honestly I would rather her a little higher then lower when Cara was planning on attending an hour reading group with a friend at a local library.

Today I wanted to leave all the worries, pressures and complications of D at home with me, locked away in my head and allow Cara her hour with her friend without a huge focused on D. I was not able to attend because I had 4 other children at home that needed to be watched.

FOR ONE STUPID HOUR.

Of course I took D precautions, I'm not that crazy! I packed her Blue Bag that has all her D-must haves to stay safe while having fun.  A card with my phone number as a back-up and very basic instructions for Cara when dealing with a low and a quick "what to do if" drill for Cara before she left the house. I called the library earlier that morning to ensure they understood that a child with type 1 diabetes would be with them for the hour reading group and they had no issues.

I'm trying to allow Cara to take charge of her diabetes, be informed and be able to make a choice of what needs to be done next.  I believe at her age (6) and living with diabetes for more than half her life it is important for Cara to own a little bit of that...of course with mom and dad as back- up when needed.  It is a growing process, we all do it.  Just like when your parents dropped you off at a play date with your friends and there is no need for them to hang around because YOU GOT THIS! I want Cara to feel that, to feel that pride and responsibility.

And I thought an hour reading group would be a great time to do this.  BUT with 40 minutes into the hour I received a phone call..."Cara is feeling sick and has a blood sugar of 17mmols" "She looks really bad, I would not leave her here, I think you need to come pick her up".  So I called my husband to pick her up thinking KETONES... damn, damn ketones! But as Cara arrived home she looked perfectly fine, I even said in a very snarky voice "she sure does not look sick to me?" as she jumped around laughing and joked with her friend. Cara I asked "why did you tell the ladies that you were sick"?  "I didn't mom, I felt low (she gets her highs and lows mixed up sometimes) so I check and I was 17 and the lady said that I needed to go home because I was sick"

BUMMER...epic fail!

I felt so bad for Cara, her friend and her friends mom who planned this wonderful hour for Cara.  They were just trying to have a fun day and I so thank them for treating Cara just like every other child...but a big reality check for me today... as hard as you try you just CANT GET 1 HOUR!   

Today I'm pissed because Cara can't just run out the door, worry free to play with her friends.

Today I'm pissed because I know she is small and young but if she says she is OK she is OK.

TODAY I'M PISSED BECAUSE DIABETES MAKES PEOPLE SCARED OF MY 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER...and that hurts!!

The ladies at the library commented to the mother of Cara's friend "that it is fine if she comes back however they would like someone there who knows what to do about diabetes next time to stay"  
Cara had a great time but I don't think she will be going back there anytime soon! and I can only imagine the comments and rash judgments that these women are placing on me at this moment. 

"What type of mother would blah blah blah...my response GO FUCK YOUR SELF!!

and that goes for diabetes as well...that is all...