Saturday, October 27, 2012

"Bring the Glucagon" Drill

Because of the amazing work done by our local American Diabetes Association (and the ADA on a national level), and the willingness of the Alaska Board of Nursing to listen and change their policies, children with diabetes in Alaska can now have insulin and (more importantly, as far as I'm concerned) glucagon administered by trained non-medical staff. 

Woo-to-the -frickin-Hoo!!


Last Friday, our school nurse trained staff at Bean's school to administer glucagon in the case she is non-responsive and can't drink juice to bring up a severe low.

Yesterday, we joined in the process and assisted (and helped make some important changes) with a drill to see how well the training went.

We ran a total of 4 drills, in a variety of places, since Bean could need to be tended to at any time/place while at school.  I have to admit that I went a little "Mama Bear" for the first drill because the nurse wanted to move Bean into the classroom where they had practiced the week before.  Well, as we all know, D doesn't play by the rules and rarely presents itself in a practiced situation!  I did apologize after, but to her credit she understood and was actually thankful that I had insisted on doing the drill in the hall by the Art room because it pointed out several issues that no one had thought of in the previous training.

We did a drill in each of Bean's classrooms, as her day is split between two teachers.  And we did a drill out in the Music room, which is in a portable on the playground.

The staff did great and responded well, both in the time it took to reach Bean with the needed supplies and 'covering' for other staff if they weren't responding to the radio call for assistance.

We all felt very confident in their abilities to get to Bean with the life saving glucagon in the event she goes so low she looses consciousness.  We, however, plan to continue the fact that in the 28 months since dx, we haven't had to touch that red box for any reason other than to replace it when it expires. :)

But, that being said, the fact that Bean dipped to 40 in the wee hours this morning because of an over zealous temp basal because a correction wasn't bringing her down from a crazy random 400 AND the fact that she went to a new all time low of 35 this afternoon because of a correction that obviously wasn't needed for a 267 just reminds us that those lows can creep up on you and can turn dangerous very quickly.
For the record, Bean did not wake up for the 40 and was only feeling 'kinda hungry' when she was at 35 (and still had a reasonable amount of IOB).  UGH!!!

So, needless to say, we are beyond thankful to the ADA and all their hard work advocating for the school kids in Alaska and to the Alaska Nursing Board for changing their policies so that our Bean, along with countless other kids, can feel safe at school.  (Not to mention the parents feeling that their kids are safe!)

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Diabetes Dreams

Yes, I realize that in order to dream you actually have to sleep, so it's rather miraculous that I'm writing about dreaming. ;)

I've had a couple of dreams in the past couple of weeks that have included me having diabetes.  I've woken up confused, but with a glimpse into what it would be like to deal with this crazy disease myself and not just as a participant in Bean's life with D.


The first dream had me in the hospital with what I assume would be DKA symptoms.  The main thing I remember is hearing through a very foggy brain that my BG was upwards of 1300.  That number, in and of itself, scared the crap out of me.  I can also remember being aware of what was going on, but being useless to help myself do anything or say anything or respond in anyway to anything that was going on around me.  It was a scary feeling to know what was happening on some level but not be able to participate in what was happening to me.

The second dream had me at some sort of sporting event.  I was on field level, in an area I assume was a staging area for those participating, but I know I wasn't in uniform to play whatever sport was going to be played. The National Anthem was starting and everyone was instructed to stand, which I did.  But not for long.  My BG was low; how low I don't know because although I tested, I couldn't see the number.  As I sat, fumbling for something to eat or drink, some very official looking dude kept glaring at me.  He came over and told me, quite harshly, that I better stand up for the song or I would be taken away.  Try as I might to explain to him that I was low and couldn't stand, he insisted repeatedly that I either stand or I would be removed from the stadium.  Well, you can figure out that there was no way I could stand, so I was escorted dragged out of the stadium.  I felt not only terrible because of the low, but humiliated that I was being taken out of the stadium, obviously missing whatever opportunity to participate that I was there for, and honestly felt discriminated against.


These dreams are but mere blips of my subconscious when I've visited dream land on a couple of rare occasions.  I'm sure the fact that I wish I could be the one with D instead of Bean factors into the whole thing.  And I'm sure my desire to understand what she goes through 24/7/365 has a lot to do with it, too.

I certainly hope that she never has to be in the hospital because she's in DKA. Never has to feel so out of control of what's going on around her, helpless to help herself.  Never feels slighted because of what her BG demands she has to do.

But I'm not living in dream land.  I know the statistics.  I know that it's in the realm of possibility that DKA will visit her.  I know that there will be BGs that render her helpless, if even for a short bit.  I know that she will have to sacrifice activities because she has to treat a low or high BG.  And that sucks.

I just hope that in her dreams she gets a break from diabetes.  That she never has to test her BG; never has to dose insulin; never has to miss out on anything because of this blasted disease.

Because until there is a cure, in her dreams is the only place she will ever be free of the 24/7/365-ness of T1D.

So dream, my sweet Bean.  Dream.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Third Annual Step Out Walk to STOP Diabetes

Sunday, October 14th, was our local ADA's Step Out Walk to STOP Diabetes.

It was also our third walk and happened to be Bean's second pod-aversary.

This year's walk was our best ever in terms of participation and money raised.  We had 17 team members made up of family and friends and we raised close to $3500. WOW!

A HUGE thanks to those who walked with us and those who donated.  We are honored that you took time out of your Sunday to join us and dug deep into your wallets to donate.

Here are a few pictures...the quality is a bit lacking, but that's what I get for forgetting my camera and using the cell phone. ;)

my 'name tag'

Bean's name tag and a lovely BG...excitement + activity = juice box!

we did 'racing bibs' this year instead of shirts

complimentary massage in the 'Red Strider Clubhouse'
and yes, I totally got one, too!






Saturday, October 13, 2012

12 of 12 October

I was so excited when my 'Do 12 of 12 Tomorrow' alarm went off on the night of the 11th. :)  So glad I set that alarm because me remembering things lately isn't working so well!!

And the day begins with a BG check at 1:18am that reveals the correction at 10pm
didn't do it's job...this has been happening quite often lately: a late night correction doesn't
quite cut it and the early morning correction tends to work to well...ugh!
Time to do some adjustments to those correction factors it seems.


Thanks to the lovely weather changes, my head has been not so happy with me.
Thank you, ibuprofen, for helping make me not so miserable.


Bean has recently discovered condiments. Specifically, mayo.  Can't remember
exactly when, but once she had it and described it as 'magical,' it's been a 
regular on her cheese sandwiches for school lunches.
Oh, and yes, I cut the crusts so it fits in the container.
In case you are wondering, that's an Ulu...a traditional Alaskan knife that I LOVE!!
Works better than a pizza cutter and it's my 'go to knife' for crust cutting every morning!


Yikes, time to scrape frost!  According to the car temp, it was 31 balmy degrees!
Welcome to mid-October!


Prepping colored goldfish for a graphing assignment in the Kindergarten
class I was subbing in.  Just for the record, Kindergarteners are a bit
crazy...fun, but crazy!


Bean received her German Flag award for speaking German for 25 days
during the German part of her day.  This is the first time she's gotten her first
flag in the first quarter.  Super proud!


Not only is it BLUE FRIDAY, so I'm sporting my blue Sanitas,
I'm also protesting the cold by wearing my pants rolled up to their capri function.
Take that October!


Bug went to the store with me since Ubergeek was still at work and Bean 
was at a birthday party solo (more on that in an other post).  She had a 
grand old time making smiley faces with her breath on the frozen pizza doors.


Time to pick the winner for the Pump Peelz give away.


Sitting on the table behind the computer is my anniversary rose from
Ubergeek.  It's a pretty purple rose that smells wonderfully.
He's such a sweetie!  14 years and counting!


It's Fall, and with that comes the changing of leaves of deciduous trees.
(Those are the ones with broad leaves, in case you aren't up on your tree vocabulary.)
However, around here there are some seemingly evergreen trees
(the ones with needle type leaves that generally stay green all year)
that actually turn golden and drop their needles.  It's just plain bizarre if you ask me!


As everyone was saying it was time to go home, 
we were treated to an amazing show of Northern Lights
We were hanging out with friends, otherwise we would have slept right through them.
They were totally cool!  It's been years since I've seen them...hard to see with the 
lights of the city.  But our friends live 'out of town' where there aren't as many lights,
so we stood outside and stared into the sky.  The kids were in awe...most of them
seeing the Northern Lights for the first time.  Crap, the adults were in awe, too.
It's an amazing thing to watch them dance across the sky.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!

OK, so you aren't winning a chicken dinner, but Winner, Winner Pump Peelz just doesn't have the same ring to it! ;)

I wanted to post earlier in the day, but that just didn't work out.  Better late than never!!

Plugged in the number of comments into the 'ol random number generator...


...and comment number 12 is the winner!!

That's Krissy McMomma!!  Congrats!

I'll let Scott over at Pump Peelz know to be expecting an email from you with your two choices and mailing address.


Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Wordless Wednesday ~ It DOES Exist!

It's been so rainy and gloomy for so long, I was beginning to wonder if we'd ever see it again!



Monday, October 8, 2012

Give Away Time!!! Pump Peelz, Baby!

www.pumppeelz.com

It's been too long since I've hosed a give away around here.  So, with the arrival of Bean's Pump Peelz on Thursday, I thought I'd see if they would consider letting me give away a couple of peelz on the ol' blog-a-roonie.

If you haven't seen these amazing little doodads, here's the scoop....
They are vinyl stickers that are reusable and waterproof.  They easily wrap around the pod and viola, you have a snazzed up pod!

Bean chose to use the Tye Die one first

and last night's pod change brought about the Flower's turn.

She got several comments about how cool her pod looked at school on Friday, even one from her teacher from last year.   I love that she can customize her pod and make it 'cool.'  She's never had a problem showing her pod, or wanted to put it somewhere it couldn't be seen, but the Pump Peelz make it even more fun to show it off!

They have lots of Peelz to choose from, appropriate for girl podders and boy podders and 'grown-up' podders!  There's Sports, Patterns, Textures, Holiday, Music, Cartoons, and Miscellaneous.  The next one that's a 'must get' in our house is the Candy Corn.



So, here's the scoop on the give away!
The winner will get to choose two (2) Pump Peelz...let me know the ones you want and where to ship them and I'll pass the info along to Pump Peelz.

Here's how to enter....
1. Leave a comment on this blog post.
2. Llike' Pump Peelz on facebook and then leave a comment here telling me you've done it.
3. Post about the give away on your blog and then leave a comment here telling me you've done that.

I will use random.org to choose a winner on Friday, October 12th.

Good Luck!!

if you aren't a podder, but know one who'd like the Pump Peelz, feel free to enter...if you win, you can  'give the win' to them!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Tooting My Own Horn

You would think by now I would realize that people actually read this blog.

Sure, the obvious things like the comments clue me in.  But, I'm still amazed and, honestly, humbled when what I've done on this little part of the interwebz reaches far beyond my own computer screen.

This week I found out that my girls and I were recognized for our D-Day Art and received a Best of the 'Betes Award.  Totally Cool!  **Note to self, must remember to nominate awesome blogs each month for the Best of the 'Betes Awards!!





I also had an email letting me know that I have been nominated for a 2012 WEGO Health Activist Award in the category of Advocating for Another.  Again, Totally Cool!



This blog is my sanity sometimes.  It's where I come to 'get it out' when D has me down and I just need to vent.  It's where I come to share the happy moments, the smiles and laughter.  It's where I come to be connected to an amazing community of other D'rents and PWDs who are my extended family.
To know that what I do helps others is amazingly rewarding.  It's also why I come here...to encourage others who are living the crazy D life.

So, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to whoever nominated me for the awards.

I am honored.


Thursday, October 4, 2012

"That Is SOOO Cool!"

It's always wonderful to go to the mailbox and find things other than bills and advertisements.

Today's post brought Pump Peelz.  These cool, reusable sticker thingies are designed to snazz up your pod.

Sure, we've used our fair share of stickers in the almost two years Bean has been podding, but they don't always stay put for the duration of the pod and you have to be mindful of the size of the stickers.

The arrival of the Peelz was perfect since it is a pod-change-day.  I don't think Bean has ever been more willing and excited to do a pod change as she was tonight when I showed her choices for decorating her pod.

It was super easy to put on the Pump Peelz and I think the smile on her face says it all.


She is sporting the Tie Dye.  You can kinda see in the background the other two I ordered:  the "Insider" that looks like the inside of a pod, totally cool; and the Flower.

Can't wait to hear what her friends say about her awesome pod at school tomorrow!!

Opinions are my own.  I wasn't asked to say anything about the Pump Peelz that I paid for.  Just so ya know! :)

Monday, October 1, 2012

25 Questions...A No D-Day Post

please excuse the random font changes...when I copied/pasted the questions, it put a white background on the post...I kinda fixed the background, but messed up the font in the process...I really shouldn't be trusted to delete HTML code...and since I really must start dinner, I'm just leaving the fonts as they are.... :)
thanks, George, for the inspiration to focus on other things today

My brain is fried!  I've been with first graders all day and will be with them all week.  

So, instead of trying to stress my brain even more and come up with some witty or compelling post in honor of "No D-Day" I went looking for some random questionnaire on the good ol' interwebz. 

 1. What time did you go to bed last night and were you alone?
I went up to bed at 10ish.  By the time I was going to sleep at almost 11, Ubergeek was in bed, too.


2. If you could be given ANY gift what would it be?
Hmmm....the first thing that pops into my head is money. (shallow, I know!)  But, being honest, a large chunk of change would sure ease the stress level around here!

 3. What was the last film that really moved/disturbed/thrilled you and why?
The one that comes to mind I can't talk about today, so *pass*.

 4. What is your favorite TV show of all time (ie you've seen them all, can watch it over and over again and quote lines from it)?
Gosh, if you are judging by being able to quote lines, then I'd have to go with Seinfeld.

 5. Whats your favorite way to wake up and what's the first thing you do?
I prefer to wake up whenever my body wakes up, but that's hardly ever the case!
The first thing I do when I wake up is go to the bathroom...exciting, huh? :)

 6. What would you call yourself if you could choose your own name?
I have always gone by my middle name.  I went through a phase in second grade where I insisted on being called my by first name.
As long as you aren't calling me by my sister's name...got that A TON growing up...I'm happy with my name.
But, I suppose Your Majesty would be a close second!

 7. If you had to do a bushtucker challenge (you have to eat insects/grubs etc) what would be the worst thing you had to eat?
Spiders...don't like them AT ALL!
Interesting fact...I ate a cookie that had a grasshopper baked into if for extra credit in a Science class in high school.  Crunchy!

8. Whats the worst/most embarrassing CD/Album you've ever owned and do you still have it?
I got rooked into a music club back in the day, so I chose some interesting tapes to fulfill my commitment.  Probably the most embarrassing would be Nelson.  (here's one of their hits from back in the day...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1W6-ErrHls)

9. What would be your dream vehicle (bikes, cars, boats, batcar and millenium falcon is allowed!)?
Anything that would only seat me...nothing better than a quiet car!

10. Whats your favorite fantasy people sandwich?
I have absolutely no idea what the hell this means!!

11. What characteristics do you dislike in yourself?
I take things very personally and can get hurt easily.

12. Your favorite item of clothing and why?
I love a nice, cozy sweatshirt.

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be and who would it be with?
I would love to do an extensive tour of Europe and Great Britain.  With the fam, of course.
It would also be awesome to do a beach resort trip with all my D-mamas....I can mention them, right?!?

14. If you could have any animal/creature, what would be your ultimate pet be?
I've always wanted a monkey.  Yeah, they are nasty and can be quite aggressive, but it's just one of those things I've always thought would be cool.

 15. What did you want to be when you were little and do you think you ever will be?
Let's see...things I wanted to be when I grew up were: a beautician, a nurse, and a teacher.
I have girls, so I'm a beautician.  One of those girls has 'what shall not be named today' so I have the nurse thing covered.  And I am a teacher, so....  Check, Check, and Check.

16. What's the next planned event you're looking to in your life?
...checking the calendar....I got nuthin'

17. What were you doing before you started this?
Helping Bean with homework.

18. What was the last thing you ate that you really shouldn't have eaten?
Cookie dough....just can't resist it!

19. If you were an ice cream/Haagen Daz/Ben and Jerrys flavour what would you be?
Rocky Road....I'm squishy like a marshmallow, nutty like an almond, and let's face it, who doesn't like chocolate?!?!

20. Who was the last person you spoke to that you didn't want to talk to?
I generally don't talk to people I don't want to talk to...isn't that why caller ID was invented?!?

21. What was your favorite toy as a child  . . .and now?
I loved our Spiro-graph.  Just so cool!
Don't know if they count as toys, but I love Crayola Crayons.  Coloring is so relaxing for me.

22. When was the last time you cried laughing and why?
Not sure if I was crying, but the last time I laughed really hard was a couple of weeks ago at a gathering of friends.  Everyone had spent about two hours venting about crap and I was done listening to it.  A male friend sat down next to me on the couch and said, ala Joey of friends, "How You Doin?" and I just lost it!  Yeah, you probably had to be there, but it was just the thing I needed to get me back into a good mood.

23. What is stashed under your bed/mattress?
Nothing...our bed sits on the floor.

 24. What did you dream about last night?
Some weird contest that students from Bean's school were winning.  Kinda like a beauty pageant thing, but way more elaborate and intense.

25. What are you really afraid of?
Years ago, after having two miscarriages, I was very afraid that I would never be able to have children.
Now, my biggest fears center around what today is about not talking about, so we just won't go there!

And now it's time to start dinner..... Happy No D-Day everyone!!