Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Bring Diabetes to Light
Remember Sunday, November 14, 2010 to Bring Diabetes to Light. Our family will continue to display the blue lights outside. Remember to test and post your BG at 2:00 participate in 14 minutes of physical activity and test again at 2:14 and post your new BG. 
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
6 Things about Diabetes . . .
Wow, what a challenge to narrow the things I know about diabetes down to 6:
First, I hate it. I hate what it has done to my little boys body. I hate the constant change.
Second, it is a constant worry. I leave him home I worry that he will have a low or high and I won't be there to take care of him. I worry that if I make him go everywhere with me or visa verse I go everywhere with him, I will rob him of a normal child hood. I worry that I check him to much or not enough. Lets just say I worry!!!
Third, diabetes causes sleep deprivation. I can not remember the last time Dalton and I slept through the night. I have only been away from him a few times at night, I remember on my latest trip to Idaho, I laid awake starring at the clock from 2:00 a.m. until 3 a.m. when I knew his dad would be getting up to do a BG check. I could not go back to sleep until I texted him and he responded with the BG number.
Fourth, no matter how much I plan or try to be prepared, I never am. I can feed Dalton the exact same lunch at the same exact time of day and never get the same results. I am not a gambling woman and I hate the fact that sometimes diabetes is a gambling game. My stakes are way to high and it is a game I never would want to loose.
Fifth, sorry but diabetes does affect the whole family. When your 4 year old baby walks up to you in Walmart and asks how many carbs are in this treat and can Dalton eat it? Enough said it affects the whole family.
Sixth, I am stealing this from a D-mom because it hit me hard and so many people don't realize it and don't realize what they are saying. INSULIN is not a CURE . . . It is a necessity to keep my boy alive.
Oh I could go on and on, but I am limited to six. Thanks for listening and thanks to all those who share, I sit and read through tear filled eyes, because I can relate and I feel your pain!
Love ya
First, I hate it. I hate what it has done to my little boys body. I hate the constant change.
Second, it is a constant worry. I leave him home I worry that he will have a low or high and I won't be there to take care of him. I worry that if I make him go everywhere with me or visa verse I go everywhere with him, I will rob him of a normal child hood. I worry that I check him to much or not enough. Lets just say I worry!!!
Third, diabetes causes sleep deprivation. I can not remember the last time Dalton and I slept through the night. I have only been away from him a few times at night, I remember on my latest trip to Idaho, I laid awake starring at the clock from 2:00 a.m. until 3 a.m. when I knew his dad would be getting up to do a BG check. I could not go back to sleep until I texted him and he responded with the BG number.
Fourth, no matter how much I plan or try to be prepared, I never am. I can feed Dalton the exact same lunch at the same exact time of day and never get the same results. I am not a gambling woman and I hate the fact that sometimes diabetes is a gambling game. My stakes are way to high and it is a game I never would want to loose.
Fifth, sorry but diabetes does affect the whole family. When your 4 year old baby walks up to you in Walmart and asks how many carbs are in this treat and can Dalton eat it? Enough said it affects the whole family.
Sixth, I am stealing this from a D-mom because it hit me hard and so many people don't realize it and don't realize what they are saying. INSULIN is not a CURE . . . It is a necessity to keep my boy alive.
Oh I could go on and on, but I am limited to six. Thanks for listening and thanks to all those who share, I sit and read through tear filled eyes, because I can relate and I feel your pain!
Love ya
If you could give your diabets away for 24 hours . . .
I saw this post somewhere on one of the many diabetic blogs I belong to and I thought it was interesting that I didn't even have to think twice about it. Ponder this for a moment and if you would like to share I would love to read your comments:
If I could give Dalton's Diabetes to someone for 24 hours who would it be and why???????
Answer:
Daniel (Dalton's Father) only I would make sure it was back in the day before the pump. Back when you poked to test before anything entered the mouth, and then poked again to give the insulin to eat anything and everything. He is always quick to judge and remind me that diabetes should not be an excuse. This has sparked many of fights between us I hate to admit.
I don't look at it as an excuse, it is REALITY! I can not recall one time that Dalton has blamed his attitude, mistakes, not feeling well, not wanting to do something and etc. on diabetes. There has been many a times he has went to school tired, sore from an all night poker fest and I am not talking about "Poker" the card game. About two years ago I had a few bouts of hypo, I would feel icky, dizzy and tired. I would eat something and gradually start feeling better, but it was not the type of feel better that you could take an aspirin and once the pain was gone you were 100%. I remember the lingering headache, the ongoing shakiness so I can not even begin to imagine how I would feel going hi, low, hi, low, hi, low, hi, low - - - you get the picture! So I am usually the one that when Dalton is off a bit - - - telling him to test. Diabetes is not an excuse, it is REALITY, and it does interfere with every moment of every day. It is so hard to understand what their little bodies are going through because on the outside they look normal and healthy, but the poor inside and the way they feel is a constant reminder they are anything but normal:(
My boy has taken this diabetes challenge and if there were a grand prize he would sure be the recipient of such award. Anyone who can deal and learn the things he has dealt and learned with as a 10 year old makes for a pretty tough boy. HE IS A WINNER!
The next time you grab a hand full of chips, or walk by the candy dish and grab a hand full of skittles and throw them in your mouth, think about the Type 1 diabetics that don't have this luxury. They have to measure, count, add, poke and then eat.
Yes I do think that dad would sing a different tune if he were diabetic for a day!!!!
So here is the challenge, who and why would you give your diabetes to for a day??????
If I could give Dalton's Diabetes to someone for 24 hours who would it be and why???????
Answer:
Daniel (Dalton's Father) only I would make sure it was back in the day before the pump. Back when you poked to test before anything entered the mouth, and then poked again to give the insulin to eat anything and everything. He is always quick to judge and remind me that diabetes should not be an excuse. This has sparked many of fights between us I hate to admit.
I don't look at it as an excuse, it is REALITY! I can not recall one time that Dalton has blamed his attitude, mistakes, not feeling well, not wanting to do something and etc. on diabetes. There has been many a times he has went to school tired, sore from an all night poker fest and I am not talking about "Poker" the card game. About two years ago I had a few bouts of hypo, I would feel icky, dizzy and tired. I would eat something and gradually start feeling better, but it was not the type of feel better that you could take an aspirin and once the pain was gone you were 100%. I remember the lingering headache, the ongoing shakiness so I can not even begin to imagine how I would feel going hi, low, hi, low, hi, low, hi, low - - - you get the picture! So I am usually the one that when Dalton is off a bit - - - telling him to test. Diabetes is not an excuse, it is REALITY, and it does interfere with every moment of every day. It is so hard to understand what their little bodies are going through because on the outside they look normal and healthy, but the poor inside and the way they feel is a constant reminder they are anything but normal:(
My boy has taken this diabetes challenge and if there were a grand prize he would sure be the recipient of such award. Anyone who can deal and learn the things he has dealt and learned with as a 10 year old makes for a pretty tough boy. HE IS A WINNER!
The next time you grab a hand full of chips, or walk by the candy dish and grab a hand full of skittles and throw them in your mouth, think about the Type 1 diabetics that don't have this luxury. They have to measure, count, add, poke and then eat.
Yes I do think that dad would sing a different tune if he were diabetic for a day!!!!
So here is the challenge, who and why would you give your diabetes to for a day??????
Weekend Update 11/5/201-11/8/2010
The kids came home so excited to share their report cards with me. It is the first time all three of the kiddos received and "H" in citizenship. That makes me happier than all the A's I seen! When the kids asked me why the "H's" were more important than A's, I told them anyone can get A's, the "H's" reflect their attitudes and not everyone can be successful when it comes to attitude. They just rolled their eyes and gave me the "Whatever, mom" look! It is true though you can teach a kid how to get an A but it is up to the person to get the H (except for the rare cases when you just have one of those teachers that never give H's). Well the kids were very successful and I am so proud of all their hard work. Another reassurance that mom returning to full-time work is OK!
The girls went to gymnastics as usual they are showing improvement each week. They get so excited to go tumble, I get so excited that they burn energy and usually will hit the sack early. Dalton went duck hunting and then to a pizza party with the football team at Pizza Hut. While Dalton was at the pizza party the girls and I went and got our fingernails and toenails painted blue for diabetes awareness month. We bought blue balloons to put out with blue lights and our luminaries for the T-1 luminary lighting. We also changed our outdoor light bulbs to blue for the month of November. It worked, a neighbor asked about all the blue and someone asked why we all had our nails blue. So the smallest things can get the word out!
Saturday morning was opener of the pheasant hunt so Dalton and his dad were up early and went hunting before we had to leave to travel to Park City for a playoff game. Dalton's team lost but we are so proud of all his hard work. Tooele Pee Wee's ended up 3rd in State! I am proud of all his hard work and the improvement he made throughout the season.
Sunday more hunting. We had a crazy busy weekend but I love it and I would not trade it for nothing.
The girls went to gymnastics as usual they are showing improvement each week. They get so excited to go tumble, I get so excited that they burn energy and usually will hit the sack early. Dalton went duck hunting and then to a pizza party with the football team at Pizza Hut. While Dalton was at the pizza party the girls and I went and got our fingernails and toenails painted blue for diabetes awareness month. We bought blue balloons to put out with blue lights and our luminaries for the T-1 luminary lighting. We also changed our outdoor light bulbs to blue for the month of November. It worked, a neighbor asked about all the blue and someone asked why we all had our nails blue. So the smallest things can get the word out!
Saturday morning was opener of the pheasant hunt so Dalton and his dad were up early and went hunting before we had to leave to travel to Park City for a playoff game. Dalton's team lost but we are so proud of all his hard work. Tooele Pee Wee's ended up 3rd in State! I am proud of all his hard work and the improvement he made throughout the season.
Sunday more hunting. We had a crazy busy weekend but I love it and I would not trade it for nothing.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
November 5th T-1 Luminary Enlightenment!
http://www.t-1luminary.org/
ANNUAL T-1 LUMINARY ENLIGHTENMENT event to raise awareness for type 1/juvenile diabetes. Join the Nation by lighting luminary bags and reading the factsheet on type 1 diabetes. Help light the way to a cure by lighting T-1 luminaries!
WHEN: On the morning of November 5th display the T-1 luminaries outside then light them at dark. This is always around election day – a good marker to remind everyone in the nation to light luminaries during diabetes awareness month and elect officials dedicated to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.
WHERE: Display T-1 luminaries/T-1 balloons in front of your home, office or other public space visible from the road.
WHY: Four years ago, Harrison was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. At the age of seven Harrison realized that people don’t really know about the unique characteristics of Type 1. Harrison has made it his goal to enlighten the Nation to the realities of living with Type 1. This is an exciting event for everyone touched by Type 1 because, for one day, the entire Nation will be “enlightened” about just Type 1 diabetes. There is no other event where you can reach so many people who would not normally have any interest to ask about Type 1. People who are not aware of the event will be curious why your town is lit up with “T-1” luminaries. The accompanying Type 1 factsheet gives everyone an opportunity to explain the misconceptions, articulate the need for a cure and how to support people with Type 1 Diabetes. If people don’t know that there is a Type 1 that needs a cure then how can we expect to get one? The event has no limit because anyone can make and light T-1 luminaries. While many of us will do anything for our kids, the simple act of lighting a luminary last year had a tremendous impact and provided so much hope to Type 1 families. (Last year we had more than ten thousand luminaries lit in all 50 states). We are reminded daily that every moment is a blessing with our children and we are so grateful to have the support of wonderful friends and family. Type 1 can sometimes be merciless and make you feel very alone, but last year, for one night in November, our love ones and children saw the Nation lighting the way to a cure for them. As a parent we can’t think of a more beautiful message of hope to send to our children.
ANNUAL T-1 LUMINARY ENLIGHTENMENT event to raise awareness for type 1/juvenile diabetes. Join the Nation by lighting luminary bags and reading the factsheet on type 1 diabetes. Help light the way to a cure by lighting T-1 luminaries!
WHEN: On the morning of November 5th display the T-1 luminaries outside then light them at dark. This is always around election day – a good marker to remind everyone in the nation to light luminaries during diabetes awareness month and elect officials dedicated to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.
WHERE: Display T-1 luminaries/T-1 balloons in front of your home, office or other public space visible from the road.
WHY: Four years ago, Harrison was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. At the age of seven Harrison realized that people don’t really know about the unique characteristics of Type 1. Harrison has made it his goal to enlighten the Nation to the realities of living with Type 1. This is an exciting event for everyone touched by Type 1 because, for one day, the entire Nation will be “enlightened” about just Type 1 diabetes. There is no other event where you can reach so many people who would not normally have any interest to ask about Type 1. People who are not aware of the event will be curious why your town is lit up with “T-1” luminaries. The accompanying Type 1 factsheet gives everyone an opportunity to explain the misconceptions, articulate the need for a cure and how to support people with Type 1 Diabetes. If people don’t know that there is a Type 1 that needs a cure then how can we expect to get one? The event has no limit because anyone can make and light T-1 luminaries. While many of us will do anything for our kids, the simple act of lighting a luminary last year had a tremendous impact and provided so much hope to Type 1 families. (Last year we had more than ten thousand luminaries lit in all 50 states). We are reminded daily that every moment is a blessing with our children and we are so grateful to have the support of wonderful friends and family. Type 1 can sometimes be merciless and make you feel very alone, but last year, for one night in November, our love ones and children saw the Nation lighting the way to a cure for them. As a parent we can’t think of a more beautiful message of hope to send to our children.
"Without education, you are not going anywhere in this world." Malcolm X
I saw this quote: "Without education, you are not going anywhere in this world." Malcolm X. I thought how appropriate for my next diabetes blog. I want to challenge all my followers to think about diabetes when you read this quote. I believe this quotes is the reasoning behind diseases (any disease) having a day, a month, a symbol and etc. I have seen many negative posts from people on blogs, facebook and all over saying that by wearing blue it is not going to cure diabetes. By wearing a pin it will not make diabetes go away. True, the color itself will not cure diabetes, but it will get peoples attention and it might make them curious enough to read an article, book or some type of publication regarding diabetes. I think the more we can educate people regarding diabetes the closer we will be to finding a cure. Now comes my challenge to all my followers find something out about diabetes that you were unaware of this month. Just by reading my blog all month I hope to give you some type of info about diabetes that you were not aware of. Find out what a diabetic/diabetic family goes through in a 24 hour period. If anything find out the symptoms so that you as a parent will be aware of what to watch for in your own children and grand-children. Just learn something new about diabetes. I would love for you to comment on here what you did learn. Thanks for all the love and support each of you give my diabetic daily. We couldn't do it without you. Have a great day and remember Friday the 5th is the T-1 Luminary day light up your luminaries! I will and I will post pictures sometime next week.
Checking, or testing, involves taking a drop of blood, usually from the fingertip, and placing it on a special test strip in a glucose meter. Blood sugar meters are easy to use, and even young children often learn quickly how to do their own blood sugar checks. In order to properly manage their diabetes, individuals with type 1 diabetes check their blood sugar levels several times per day. For example, they may test before eating lunch and before strenuous exercise.
Blood sugar levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). A normal blood sugar level is between 70 and 120 mg/dL. Keeping blood sugar levels within this range may be difficult in children with diabetes. Therefore, an individuals doctor may adjust the target range (for example, 80-180 mg/dL).
However, people with diabetes can't always maintain blood sugar levels within the target range, no matter how hard they try. A person's varying schedules and eating habits, as well as the physical changes that occur as they grow, can send blood sugar levels out of range for no apparent reason. A person with type 1 diabetes should never be made to feel that it is their fault if their blood sugar levels are out of range.
DID YOU KNOW:
People with type 1 diabetes must check their blood sugar (glucose) levels throughout the day using a blood glucose meter. The meter tells them how much glucose is in their blood at that particular moment. Based upon the reading, they take insulin, eat, or modify activity to keep blood sugars within their target range. Regularly checking blood sugar levels is an essential part of type 1 diabetes care.
Checking, or testing, involves taking a drop of blood, usually from the fingertip, and placing it on a special test strip in a glucose meter. Blood sugar meters are easy to use, and even young children often learn quickly how to do their own blood sugar checks. In order to properly manage their diabetes, individuals with type 1 diabetes check their blood sugar levels several times per day. For example, they may test before eating lunch and before strenuous exercise.
Blood sugar levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). A normal blood sugar level is between 70 and 120 mg/dL. Keeping blood sugar levels within this range may be difficult in children with diabetes. Therefore, an individuals doctor may adjust the target range (for example, 80-180 mg/dL).
However, people with diabetes can't always maintain blood sugar levels within the target range, no matter how hard they try. A person's varying schedules and eating habits, as well as the physical changes that occur as they grow, can send blood sugar levels out of range for no apparent reason. A person with type 1 diabetes should never be made to feel that it is their fault if their blood sugar levels are out of range.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
NOVEMBER DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH
Unfortunately, our family does not need a month to make us aware of diabetes. We are aware of this awful disease 24/7 - 365 days a year. However, I do believe the only way a cure will be found is to make EVERYONE aware of how awful this disease is.
I hope to post a couple times a week this month with just random information and thoughts concerning diabetes to help inform and do my part to make others aware.
On Facebook I am a member of several groups concerning diabetes. One of the fellow members requested that we all wear BLUE on November 2nd for diabetes awareness. Well if you know our family that is kind of struggle, being Utah Fans! LOL We lucked out though and lucky for us Dalton's favorite NFL team is the Colts so he had plenty to share and as long as it has a Colts symbol he is good with wearing (BYU) BLUE! Here are a couple of fun pictures we took this morning before heading to school and work.
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| His sisters would do anything for this Diabetic! |
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| HAVE YOU KISSED A DIABETIC TODAY! |
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| Never miss an opportunity, you never know how many chances you get with a Diabetic! |
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| Proud Momma of her diabetic! Come back throughout the month to learn more . . . |
FACTS:
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic, debilitating disease affecting every organ system. There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which a person's pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. Type 1 diabetes usually strikes in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood, and lasts a lifetime. Just to survive, people with type 1 diabetes must take multiple injections of insulin daily or continually infuse insulin through a pump.
Taking insulin does not cure any type of diabetes, nor does it prevent the possibility of the disease's devastating effects: kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, amputation, heart attack, stroke, and pregnancy complications.
The Scope of Diabetes
•Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes (7.8 percent of the population):
Diagnosed: 17.9 million
Undiagnosed: 5.7 million
•As many as three million Americans may have type 1 diabetes.
•Diabetes currently affects 285 million people worldwide and is expected to affect 435 million by 2030.
•In the U.S., a new case of diabetes is diagnosed every 30 seconds; more than 1.6 million people are diagnosed each year.
The Cost of Diabetes
•Diabetes is one of the costliest chronic diseases.
•In 2007, diabetes accounted for $174 billion in health care costs in the U.S.
•Diabetes accounts for 32 percent of all Medicare expenditures.
•The nation spent $11,744 annually on each person with diabetes in 2007 compared to $2,935 on each person without diabetes.
•Americans with diabetes incur medical expenses that are approximately 2.3 times higher than those incurred by Americans without diabetes.
•U.S. hospital stays related to diabetes totaled $58.3 billion in 2007.
•An estimated 22 percent of hospital inpatient days in the U.S. were incurred by people with diabetes in 2007.
The Harm Caused by Diabetes
Damage to Many Organ Systems: Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, adult blindness, and non-traumatic amputations. It is also a leading cause of nerve damage.
Increased Heart Disease Risk: People with diabetes are two-to-four times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than people without the disease.
Shortened Life: Diabetes kills one American every three minutes and is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. Life expectancy for people with diabetes has historically been shortened by an average of seven to 10 years, and the risk of death for people with diabetes is about double that of people of similar age without diabetes.
This is only part of the devastating truth, that is why we need a cure and fast!
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