eat. pray. bolus.

It's been a little over a week since our JDRF Walk.  I wish that time would just slow down a bit.  Really.  There is so much going on all around us...I wish we could absorb more of it.  Anyway, let's get back to the walk, shall we?...
_____________________________________

On Sunday, November 7th, C headed up her first walk team ever!  For the past however-many-years, we have joined a couple different teams.  But this year, C made it clear that she was ready to take on the task of forming her own team and putting in the effort to raise funds.  So, how could we say "no" to that??

And, so, C's Pack formed.  Family joined.  Friends joined.  Friends of friends joined.  Relatives of friends joined.  All-in-all, her team ended up being over 60 people strong!  Donations started rolling in from distant relatives and from some we've only met online!  It truly amazed us!  Her team efforts resulted in donations totaling over $2,600.


What touched us even more than the financial generosity was the participation...the actual walkers who showed up to support her and the others we know that deal with diabetes every single day.  To say the least, it sparked a fire in her, I believe!  What encouragement she (we) felt to see her little friends walking up and down the hills of Dodger Stadium...


It was a terrific day.  And, maybe even a little education was given to bring more awareness to the disease.  We handed out a paper with lots of myth-busting information regarding diabetes.  We just felt that the turn-out for C's Pack was so tremendous, we wanted everyone to go home with a better sense of why we were going to such effort to raise money.


Here's a look back on the day...a terrific one!

60 + strong!

Self-explanatory.

 

 

Heading up her own team.

Friends made it special!

eat. pray. bolus.  Our shirts were a hit!

Supportive friends.

Every time we're there, I think I'll take a picture of this...World Diabetes Day, you know!

 If you'd like to see the entire photo album, come join us on our Facebook page!

6 Little Ducks.

It's D-Blog Day!!

However, blogging has been no where close to consistent lately.  And, so I'm arriving a bit late to the party today.  But how could I let a post slip today, of all days?!
Our very own Diabetes BFF, Gina, from over there at Diabetes Talkfest, first initiated D-Blog Day in 2005.  It is taking the DOC by storm today!  The topic this year is:  6 things you want people to know about diabetes.

Well, I even asked Gina, "Only 6 things?"  Because, really, I could list tons more.  But, I am a rule-follower, so I will obey!

We recently made a list of diabetes awareness facts that we handed out at last Sunday's JDRF walk.  We were so pleasantly surprised at the incredible support given to our little C and her team efforts!  We felt it was important to take that awesome moment and educate, if just a bit, to our family and friends who came out to show their support and love and raise funds for diabetes research.  We handed out our list of things we want people to know about diabetes to them.  But, believe me, there were way more than 6 on that paper!  I've struggled to narrow things down a bit.

6 Things We Want People to Know About Diabetes

1. The warning signs:  extreme thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss, fruity smelling and shortness of breath, blurry vision and more.  Know these and tell others.  It could save a life!
2. No one gets diabetes from eating too much sugar.  Sugar can actually save a diabetic's life.
3. There are theories, but not even the experts know why a person get type 1 diabetes.  There's nothing that was eaten, done or said that gave them this disease...and, it's not contagious.
4. However wonderful insulin is (and it is!), it is not a cure.  It is life support.
5. Kids with type 1 diabetes grow up to be adults with type 1 diabetes.  They will not grow out of it.
6. Diabetes is 24/7...every minute of every day.  It is a constant balancing act between blood sugar checks, carbohydrates, insulin, exercise, stress, hormones, etc.  There is no break or vacation from it...until there's a cure. 

Oh...there's so much more!...But, I'm not gonna do it...nope, not gonna.  Here's how I'll remedy my restlessness with this issue:  click here if you are curious about all the other things we want the world to know!

(Oh...and the duck thing?  Every time I began thinking about this post, the song "Six Little Ducks" popped into my head.)

The Big Blue Test

The Big Blue Test is almost here!  On November 14th, at 2:00 pm (local time).Click here to find out more about the Big Blue Test and the Diabetes Hands Foundation.

Here's something you can do right now to, not only help spread awareness, but to give life-saving insulin to children in need.  Just watch the following video.  That's it.  Simple, right?!  It will take a mere minute and 49 seconds of your time but will give a child with diabetes a week supply of insulin!

Then, spread the word by telling your friends and family to do the same.  Post it on facebook.  Tweet about it on twitter.  Email the link to everyone you know.  Let's see how many views we can help make happen between now and November 14th...

What Did You SAE?

November 1st.  It's just the beginning of Diabetes Awareness Month!  Around here, we're going to lay out some facts and SAE It Loud!  (Thanks Sarah, aka: Sugabetic, for rallying the troops!)

The idea here, is to SUPPORT, ADVOCATE, and EDUCATE about diabetes...to bring to light the facts on this, too often, misunderstood disease.

There are so many great things happening this month!  Here are just a few:

• SAE It Loud day...cruise around the blogosphere and give some comment love to fellow D-bloggers.  Here's a list of participating blogs from Sarah...
• JDRF Walk at Dodgers Stadium on Sunday, November 7th.  C is captain of her first team and we're excited!
• November 9th is D-Blog Day.  Topic:  what 6 things do you want people to know about diabetes?  Check in with your diabetes' BFF, Gina to learn more!
• November 14th is World Diabetes Day...yes, world!  This is the day to drench ourselves in blue and "bring diabetes to light" around the globe.
• The Big Blue Test will be happening on November 14th as part of World Diabetes Day.
• and so many more things that will unfold this month!

The underlying hope, running through all these events?...a cure.

However, in between, and long after November, life with diabetes will continue.  Every day.  Counting carbs before every meal.  Finger sticking multiple times a day.  The monstrous fear of complications.  I guess it's our motivation then, to raise awareness...and SAE It Loud!

Let Them Eat Cake!

I was at the public library with C the other day.  As she was browsing for her selections, I found myself thumbing through books on diseases, written with children in mind.  Of course, my eyes shot to the few on diabetes and I grabbed one.  The cover was cute and it was written for very young children, maybe K-2 grades.  The illustrations were sweet.  I flipped through the pages.  It had all the same shocking turns that our own experience held:  illness, hospitalization, diagnosis, insulin injections, finger pokes, nutrition, emotions.  However, one of the last pictures made me pause.

It showed a birthday party scene.  Happy children gathered around a table.  Party hats and streamers.  Each child was enjoying a thick slice of birthday cake, except one little girl.  On her plate was an apple.  An apple?!!  Her face was so sad.  The couple of sentences underneath this picture eluded to the fact that because this child has diabetes, she no longer was allowed treats.  What?!!!

Now, I'm a big fan of apples, really.  But I 'm a bigger fan of allowing my type 1 kid to be a kid, to not make her stick out of a crowd like...like...well, like an apple at a birthday party! 

I quickly flipped the pages back to the beginning.  When was this book written?  1991.  Okay, that is quite a ways back.  But still I question:  Why in the world was this still on a book shelf?  I mean, seriously, that gave me the feeling of a pit in the bottom of my stomach.

I glanced over at C.  Do I show her the few little books I found on diabetes?  Do I show her this one?  I thought to myself, We could talk about how she's on a pump --how we calculate carbs for treats -- how she can certainly have birthday cake.  But I stopped.  She was happily busy looking for a book on Pandas.  Not today, I thought.  We don't need to talk diabetes today...not right now.

I slipped the book back in its place.  As we checked out our stack of books, I kept wondering, Do people really believe that still?  I know the myth is alive and kicking in non D circles.  But do parents of type 1s still think this way?

Birthday cake.  It's a challenge, for sure.  As are a lot of other delicious, carb-exploding foods.  But challenge or not, everyone deserves a piece of cake now and then.  Hopefully, our library just has an old publication.  Hopefully, that book has been updated.  An apple instead of birthday cake?  I don't think so.

Presenting Diabetes to 3rd Graders...

When C was in kindergarten, she helped me create a picture book that taught the class about diabetes.  We shared it with the class in the beginning of the year.  We used it for 1st grade and 2nd grad too.  It was really adorable, if I do say so myself.  And the kids really got into it.  Each year, I would go into the classroom and C would demonstrate a blood sugar check and talk about what life is like with diabetes.

Well, this year, I asked her if she wanted to do that again.  She did want to but thought that our little book is too "baby-ish" for 3rd grade.  "I'll just tell them about it, Mom!"

So, I helped her type up her words in a short explanation.  She wanted to present it herself, no help from me. 

"Can I at least come in and listen?"  I asked. 

"Okay," she smiled.

I'm so very thankful that she has such a courageous spirit.  I would not have wanted to do anything of the sort when I was her age.  The following is what she presented.  (And, of course, she shared her bear and supply box!)

Hi! I’m C and I have type 1 diabetes. I was diagnosed before I was even 2 years old. I got very sick and had to be in the hospital.



Diabetes means that I have a disease. My pancreas doesn’t work well. For you, your pancreas is the organ in your body that makes insulin. Mine, doesn’t. So, I have something called a pump that gives me the insulin I need. When we eat food, we need insulin to help our bodies use the energy from food.


I have to poke my finger to check my blood sugar before I eat food and when I don’t feel well. This number is important and gets put into my pump. My pump is NOT a toy. It’s like a little computer. I tell it how much food I’m going to eat and then it figures out how much insulin I need. My pump helps keep me healthy.


You may see me check my blood sugar in the classroom. It might be because I “feel low.” My number might be too low. This can make me feel sick. To help get my number back up, I need to drink a juice box or some tablets, something that has a lot of sugar. Then my body will feel better.


Most of the time, I will just go to the Health Office to do my checks. I’ll need some good friends to walk with me. It will be great this year to be able to count on all of you to help me. I hope I can help you with something someday too!


The important thing I want to tell you today is that even though I have type 1 diabetes, and even though I need to check my blood sugar, I’m really a lot like you. I am on a soccer team. I like to ride my bike and play with my friends. I just need to take care of my diabetes too.

Diabetes Art Day

September 1, 2010...Happy Diabetes Art Day!  I just can't wait to browse around the blogosphere today and enjoy the creativity!  Did you get artsy??  Hey, it's not too late...

Below is a picture created by C.  I told her to "draw whatever comes to mind when you think about diabetes."

"Pinky in the Meadow"

I just can't help myself...I must comment on this picture! 

This is an 8 year old's point of view on diabetes.  "Pinky" is C's pump.  Look how happy he is!  He's taking C's meter for a walk.  I love this!

My own interpretation:  The insulin pump is taming her blood glucose numbers!  Notice "99," the dog?...he's the meter!

Are You Artsy???

Well, even if you're not, I hope you'll join in on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 for Diabetes Art Day.  Lee Ann, over at The Butter Compartment, has initiated this project.  I am really looking forward to seeing all the art posted on blogs, Twitter, Facebook, TuDiabetes...wherever!

 courtesy of http://www.thebuttercompartment.com

This is another opportunity to spread awareness.  Please go to Lee Ann's blog and read all about it.  You don't need to be a Picasso or Van Gogh to participate.  I know C has something up her little 8 year old sleeve.  And I'm going to try and coax creativity out of her brothers as well!

If you write your own blog, you can post an image of your diabetes art right there!  If you don't have a site, don't worry...Lee Ann gives us several ideas of where and how to post our pictures.  She'll even do it for you if you email your stuff to her!

So, go gather your crayons, finger paints and old diabetes supplies, and let the creative animal free!!

See you back here on Wednesday!

Diabetes Snapshots...

Day 6 of Diabetes Blog Week:  Diabetes Snapshots

Showing off her new leopard pack.

  

On our plane ride to Orlando.

 

Taking care of her own bg check.

 

A1c report card.

World Diabetes Day.

The new pink pump.

Site change, ready.

This always brings joy.

Well, after pulling up a lot of pictures that portray diabetes, I found this one.  And actually, I like this one the best.

What does diabetes look like?

Sun-kissed, freckle-faced, and full of life.

Honored to Be a Guest...

I am beyond thrilled to be guest posting over @sixuntilme!  Kerri is enjoying the first few weeks of motherhood.  She has been so gracious in allowing others to fill up her blog while she gets to know her new precious baby girl.  And, I was so happy to be her guest!

So, go on over and take a peek...I share about meeting another D mom...this time, in person!  Can you tell I'm excited?!!!

LOST.

It's nothing much to look at.  It's plain, old-fashioned really.  For years I've thought We need to get a new one.  It actually looks like the one I had as a young kid.  But now there are so many cuter choices out there.  So why was I so sad when C had lost it last week?

I'm talking about C's medic alert bracelet:

There are the dog's paws on the floor...she thinks I'm holding a treat!

Halfway through softball practice on Thursday night, she yelled to me "Mom, I lost my bracelet!"  She looked panic-stricken.

I told her that it would be fine...to get back with the team.  She was certain she had it on at the start of practice.  She had taken a pretty big hit in the arm earlier.  Maybe it had come off at that time.  So, I began scouring the field.  One of the coaches came over to help.  We looked and looked.  Nothing.

I told him it was no big deal...that she really needed a new one anyway.  But inside, my emotions took me by surprise.  I was sad.  Gosh, she had worn that thing since the age of 2!  I don't even have a good picture of it.  I was getting all sentimental about it as I walked back and forth over the field.

When practice was over, C gathered her equipment.  As we walked to the car, she said, "Mom, we just have to find my bracelet!  I need it."

"Oh, hopefully we will, honey.  Let's just hope and pray that a nice person finds it and takes the time to call us.  At least our phone number is on it!  And...if we don't find it, we'll order another one...maybe a real cute one with beads on it!"

"Okay," she said.  "But how long will we wait.  You know I really need it in case of an emergency, remember?"

"Yes, honey, I know!  If it doesn't show up in 3 days, we'll get you a new one."  What do you know?  She takes after me.

Oh, and get this:  a baseball dad on our son's team called the very next day and said that his daughter had found C's diabetes bracelet at the field!  He had it and would give it to her on Saturday.  Yay!!  (But, I still think we will order a new cute one soon!)

When I Think About Diabetes...

When I think about diabetes, I think about:

• blood drops
• trips to Los Angeles
• lots and lots of test strips
• a blood spotted pillow case
• juice boxes
• time
• speckled fingers
• snacks, snacks, snacks
• math
• measuring cups
• midnight
• explanations
• carbs
• numbers
• tissues
• the past
• the present
• the future
• a little girl

When you think of diabetes, what do you think about?

Don't Believe Everything You Read

...or everything you see on television!

I get so frustrated when I read things that are incorrect.  Unfortunately, there's a lot of this when it comes to diabetes.  I've written letters before.  I have friends who have done their part too.  I'm tired, though.  Instead of writing another letter I wished I could have jumped through the television screen the other day.  I wanted so much to set them straight at the Today show.

Natalie Morales was interviewing a fitness expert, Jorge Cruz for a short segment on, you know...getting in shape, staying in shape, shaping up...something like that.  The show was playing in the background while I worked.  But then they started discussing carbohydrate counts, my ears perked up.  I sat and listened for a few minutes and began feeling very antsy.  What he was saying was NOT correct.  And the sweet little hostess, Ms. Morales, just sat there, nodding her head, saying "right, right."  Ug!...It was so not right at all!

This guy was rattling off numbers that did not make sense.  After scooping countless servings of ice cream with a measuring cup, I basically know that a serving is anywhere between 15 and 22 grams.  But this guy stated how terrible it is that a serving of ice cream is 54 grams.  What??  54 seemed to be the number of choice with this man.  Did you know that a cup of chocolate milk, nonfat, is also 54 grams?  Well, it's not.  It's about 32 grams.  I was furious and wanted to jump through the television screen and let him know what would happen if I gave insulin to my little kid  for 54 grams of carbs when it definitely isn't 54 grams.

And all the while, the hostess...smiling and nodding, "right, right."

Maybe these shows that are packed with information, just need to back off.  If they're going to cover a story, COVER a story.  Do the research.  Watch what they aire.  To them, it may be just filler time.  But it matters.  At least it matters to me.

That's a Wrap...

This month has been filled with diabetes awareness events, conversation, celebration and myth busters. Now that it's winding down, I thought I'd give a wrap up of 30 myth-busting awareness statements.  These are the things I most want the world to know about diabetes...because, really, without awareness and knowledge, our dream of a cure will not be realized. There is still far too much mystery about it, at least in the general public.

1. Know the warning signs of diabetes and tell others...it could save a life!...extreme thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss and more...go to worlddiabetesday.org to learn more.
2. No one gets diabetes from eating too much sugar.
3. Sugar can actually save a diabetic's life.
4. There are several types of diabetes: type 1, 1.5 (LADA), type 2, gestational and several other rarer forms.
5. The onset of type 1 diabetes sometimes masks itself as flu...if your child's flu symptoms do not add up, ask the pediatrician for a blood glucose test and don't take no for an answer.
6. All types of diabetes are bad.
7. Making Sense of Diabetes is a great educational video compiled by the Diabetes Hands Foundation with the help of many friends from the diabetes online community.
8. There are theories, but not even the experts know why a person gets T1 diabetes...there's nothing that was eaten, done or said that gave them that disease.
9. People w/diabetes can and do enjoy just about any food that people w/out diabetes can enjoy...that means cupcakes too!
10. November 14th is World Diabetes Day...the birthday of Frederick Banting, one of the men who discovered insulin.
11. Knowledge is power...and power brings change...we need a cure.
12. Diabetes is not contagious.
13. W/diabetes, the total carbohydrate count on food (not just sugar) must be balanced w/insulin, which is on a very individual basis.
14. Kids w/type 1 diabetes grow up to be adults w/type 1 diabetes...they will not grow out of it...we need a cure.
15. Type 1 diabetes is sometimes termed juvenile diabetes.  However, it can be diagnosed at any age.
16. The main difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes:  In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas ceases to produce insulin, a hormone which enables the body to convert food into energy...In type 2, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin that is produced...sure wish there were different names for them.
17. Insulin is not a cure.
18. For insulin-dependant diabetes, there are several ways to deliver insulin...syringe (several times a day), insulin pen (still a needle) or...insulin pump, which goes into the person's fatty tissue via a catheter that is changed every few days (still with a big "needle" poke)...did I miss any?
19. This is not an easy thing to do -- People w/diabetes strive for blood sugar readings anywhere between 70-120...(some people's range numbers may differ slightly)...It is a constant balancing routine that requires diligence and thought.
20. The term hypoglycemia refers to a blood sugar reading below 70...symptoms vary among people...but some are shakiness, dizziness, sweating, pale color, difficulty communicating, sudden behavior change like becoming weepy for no apparent reason.  Hypoglycemic episodes (insulin reactions) MUST be remedied immediately w/a source of fast-acting sugar or seizure, coma and death will occur.
21. Diabetes is an expensive disease.
22. The term hyperglycemia refers to a blood sugar reading that is too high...It is the main cause of complications...Symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst...If undetected, it can lead to ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) and can include shortness of breath, fruity-smelling breath, nausea/vomitting and extreme dry mouth...If undiagnosed, it can lead to death.
23. Sometimes diabetes isn't manageable at all.
24. Contrary to popular belief, yes, a type 1 person can eat that.
25. Exercise can lower a blood glucose reading...However, if the reading is extremely high (over 240), the exercise can cause it to go even higher...This varies from individual to individual...crazy diabetes!
26. A personal favorite...having a type 1 daughter and loving the movie Steel Magnolias...type 1 women can have wonderful, healthy pregnancies when supported by a great medical team, with love and diligence...and, if you don't know the reference to Steel Magnolias, all I can say is "why have you never seen that movie?!"...the first thing the doc who diagnosed C told me was, don't think about Steel Magnolias!
27. People with diabetes can do anything...it just takes a more preparation.  Once, we heard an inspirational speaker talk about his ascent to Mt. Everest...with type 1 diabetes!
28. Nighttime rest for parents of a type 1 forever changes with that diagnosis.
29. There are countless variables when it comes to managing diabetes from hormonal changes to illness to stress...and everything in between.
30. Diabetes is 24/7...every minute of every day...there is no break or vacation from it...until...there's a cure.

Whew!  In the beginning of the month I thought that it might become difficult to come up with statements.  Sadly, I could continue for a while yet.  However, I think I'll leave it at the above 30 issues until next November!

The Cost of Diabetes

"The national cost of diabetes in the U.S. in 2007 exceeds $174 billion."  This is taken from the American Diabetes Association website.  That was the most recent statistic to be found.  I am certain last year's calculations are higher just as 2009's amount will be higher still.  But $174 billion?  That's overwhelming right there.

I don't exactly know what that amount includes.  Doctor fees?  Surgeries from complications?  Medication?  Co-pays?  I don't know.  But I thought I would do a little research of what diabetes actually costs our family on a monthly basis and beyond.  Without insurance, it would be nearly impossible.

100 lancets:               $ 13.99

300 test strips            $356.97

2 vials of insulin          $227.98

10 resevoirs:              $ 33.00

10 infusion sets:          $116.00

total monthly expense: $747.94

The following items are not monthly, but still an expense.

alcohol wipes:              $   3.00
iv preps:                      $ 12.00
glucagon kit:                $117.99
emla creme:                 $ 63.99
glucose tabs                 $  5.00

                           total:  $201.98

The following items last a while but need to be replaced once in a while.


QuickSerter:                $ 24.95
meter                           $ 69.00

                          total:  $ 93.95

Finally, the pump itself...this expense is replaced every 4 years.

Minimed insulin pump:    approximately $6,000.00

Thank God for insurance!  Now, don't get me wrong.  We've had more than our fair share of insurance woes.  Like the time they wouldn't believe that we actually really use 300 test strips per month.  And sometimes they've "forgotten" that we paid a copay and bill us again.  Or, there is the occasional mystery bill that comes and puts us on the brink of collections for no apparent reason.  However, they do pick up most of these charges.  Yet, glancing over this list, if we simply paid an average $20 copay for each item, diabetes is not a cheap disease.

Diabetes?  Expensive.  Keeping our daughter alive and healthy in spite of diabetes?  Priceless.

Introducing...Captain Insulin!

Captain Insulin...a superhero, for sure!

This November, during Diabetes Awareness Month, I have had the pleasure of having a couple different D moms guest post here.  Today, I have another special treat.  I am so excited and feel priveleged to be able to share the perspective of a teenager, living with type 1 diabetes since the age of 5.  He is now a high school senior, very involved in sports and high school activities.  Recently, his thoughts have been turned to college.  Applications have been filled out and submitted.  What follows is Michael's personal statement as written by him...part of his college application process.  I am happy to introduce Michael, son to Melinda (@notsostilllifes) whose own guest post showed a mom's perspective on her son's experiences living with type 1.  Now, we get to hear from Michael! 

(Oh, and Captain Insulin?  Not too long ago, Mom shared Michael's Halloween costume...Captain Insulin!  It's awesome...so I had to include it!)
____________________________

On June 30, 1997, when I was only five years old, I was diagnosed with Type1 Insulin Dependent Diabetes.  At first, I was devastated.  It seemed like the worst thing that could ever happen to someone.  My days, once carefree, were now dominated by injections, finger pricks, and pain.  Food, instead of being something that I could enjoy, was now a chore because I was forced to count carbohydrates before I ate, and inject insulin accordingly.  I felt sorry for myself.  None of my peers could ever imagine what I went through on a daily basis.  It didn't seem fair.

Within a few years, however, I developed a completely new mindset about diabetes.  Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I now took it as a challenge that was presented to me, to see what kind of a person I really was.  I became determined to beat diabetes by always staying in control of it.  I was not going to let diabetes define who I was, but instead use it to show myself what I could become.
Over the years, I have adapted to life with diabetes.  The injections and finger pricks that used to haunt my thoughts are now just a part of everyday life.  Although I think about every bite of food that I eat, these thoughts are in the back of my mind, creating room for other important thoughts that average teenagers have.  Yes, I have diabetes, but that does not stop me from doing everything that my peers do.  I play competitive sports year-round, go to the beach, have wonderful friends, and keep my grades up in school.

I see now that diabetes has been the catalyst to make me work harder at everything I do.  What once limited me, or so I thought, has actually made me stronger.  Diabetes has made me tough, mentally as well as physically.  It has made me really appreciate hard work and what it takes to be successful.  Diabetes has also made me compassionate.  It has made me want to reach out to those meeting life's challenges head to head, just as I did, and give them love and support.  For example, last summer I worked as a coach at a soccer camp, and three diabetic children attended one of my sessions.  Soccer camp was the very first place their parents had left them alone, and felt comfortable enough to do so, because I was there to take care of them.

I am very aware of the medical complications that I may face later in life, regardless of how well I take care of myself, but this does not stop me from doing everything in my power to stay in control of my diabetes.  I thought diabetes was going to limit me, but I prove everyday that it doesn't.  I took a challenge many years ago, and I'm going to see it through until the end, because that's the person diabetes has helped me to become.
____________________________

Michael, that is quite the statement!  Thank you for letting us post this.  Wow, what a great perspective...one I hope my own daughter will have as she struggles yet grows strong because of type 1.  Thank you for that inspiration for type 1 kids everywhere...and for moms everywhere too! 

Is it any wonder after reading Melinda's post, that she would raise a young man such as this?  Thank you, Melinda!

A Circle of Blue

Yes, the blue cupcakes!

It was a beautiful day on Saturday.  Yes, the weather was near perfect here in Southern California.  Yes, C's soccer team won their last game.  Yes, big C's baseball team had an extraordinary first day of their tournament.  But there was something else that made it a great day.

There was an energy that was being spread, across the globe, really.  World Diabetes Day was here!  The big build-up to the Big Blue Test was being felt via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, news channels, even a mention on a radio show.  We felt connected.  We felt so amazingly different than during those first couple years after C's diagnosis.  We felt understood.  We felt encouraged by friends we've never even met face to face...yet.  We felt compelled to reach out to others.  We felt hope.

We participated in the Big Blue Test.  We posted C's numbers.  They weren't great...188 and 192 after exercise.  I wanted different numbers!  But as I posted them, I thought, well, that just goes to show the inexplainable when it comes to diabetes!

We baked our blue cupcakes.  We enjoyed them after snapping a few pictures with them in the shape of the World Diabetes Day circle.  We bolused a guess for 30 grams.  C ended up at 212 a couple hours later, but we corrected and went on with our beautiful day.  We painted our nails blue.  And, Big C really wanted to join in, but Dad protested. 

And while huge monuments were being lit up in blue across the world, friends all over the place were doing all sorts of creative things to bring diabetes to light.  There was a collage.  Tatoos.  Poems.  Beautiful photography.  Blue Christmas lights being strung.  This year's best diabetic duo SugaSheen putting Beyonce to shame!  It was amazing.  We came up with some other ideas that we're tucking away for next year.  We had fun!

And, like I said, we felt...hope.

                           

The BIG Blue Test

The BIG Blue Test is almost here!!!  And, in case you don't know what that means, I thought I'd give a rundown.  However, I can't say it any better than this guy...Manny Hernandez (founder of TuDiabetes, a diabetes online community).  I borrowed the following from him.  And I know he doesn't mind...Let's do this thing!



November 14 is World Diabetes Day. On that day, at 14:00 hours (local time), thousands of people with diabetes will test their blood sugar, do 14 minutes of exercise, test again and share their results on TuDiabetes or on Twitter.

The event is called The Big Blue Test because blue is the color associated with World Diabetes Day. It is based on a test-in activity that took place July 14, where more than a thousand people with diabetes tested their blood sugar at the same time and shared their results online. This time, the activity incorporates 14 minutes of physical activity to reinforce the importance of exercise.

Participating in this event to raise diabetes awareness on November 14 is easy:

1. At 2 pm (your local time), test your blood sugar.

2. Run, jog, walk the dog or do anything you’d normally do as part of your exercise routine for 14 minutes.

3. Test your blood sugar again.

4. If you are a member of TuDiabetes click on the home page banner and share your readings and what exercise you did between them. If you have a camera, you can also add a photo of your reading(s) or you exercising.

5. If you have a Twitter account, post your readings on Twitter (use the #bigblue hashtag) and link back to: http://bigbluetest.org.

We hope to see most readings posted at 14 hours (2 pm) local time, on November 14. If you are early or late, it’s OK.

What really matters is that you test your blood sugar often and that you exercise regularly. If you don’t have diabetes, you can still take The Big Blue Test. Regardless, tell others to test, exercise and share on November 14.

IMPORTANT:

If due to disability or medical advice you cannot exercise, naturally we don't expect you to do anything that will put you or your health at risk. We'd love you to participate entering your blood sugar readings.

THINK BLUE!

Do you think World Diabetes Day can borrow this slogan, Dodgers?

We had a great day at the JDRF Walk at Dodgers Stadium last Sunday! 

We were invited to walk with team "Beat the Betes," headed up by a family we've been friends with for several years now.  We know them through Little League Baseball.  The father has coached our oldest son and his own youngest son for several years now on a travel team.  So, the love of baseball, of course is a common denominator for both families.  But, there is another commonality.  Their oldest son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 3 years ago at the age of 15.  Both C and he started out with the same endocrinologist.  He quickly moved from injections to an insulin pump...just like C.  We've had lots of diabetes conversations with them.  But, I think, the great thing is that there's a lot more to their son than his diabetes.  So not every conversation between our families mentions it.  We talk lots of baseball.  We hear of their oldest son's water polo experiences and plans for college next year.  Type 1 has not been given permission to hold this kid back!

So, on Sunday, we felt honored to be included on his team.  C's name was included on the team's shirts.  It could have been all about him that day, but he gladly included us.  The team was invited back to a relative's house after the walk for a wonderful meal and time just to relax.  C had an excellent time talking with all the teenage girls and hanging out on the trampoline with them.

It was a special day.  You can see the rest of the pictures on our Facebook page:  http://tinyurl.com/ygel3ef

Oh, a little sidenote: Sugar Ray Leonard cut the ribbon at the beginning of the walk. And while wandering around, my husband and 2 sons went right up to his limo and shook his hand. (No camera, darn.)

Time to Wait (D-Blog Day 2009)

It's D-Blog Day...and I feel priveleged to bring you this post today!  I get to introduce another special D Mom! A while ago, Dina (@DinaMullins) shared a song she had written called Time to Wait.  There is an incredible story that goes along with this song.  You see, Dina is the mother of Benjamin (5 years old)...just diagnosed with diabetes in July of this year.  The intriguing part is that she wrote this song before his diagnosis.  She wrote it while thinking about a family friend who had diabetes...someone she knew while growing up as a young child.  Some would think, coincidence.  But I don't think Dina sees it that way!
_________________________

Time To Wait
By Dina Mullins

Sometimes I feel so low
I don’t know which way to go
Every time I turn around
Seems I’m headed face-first towards the ground
They search for cures, but there not there
I wait for answers to my prayers
How much longer will I have to wait?
Do I have time to wait?


And I wait
For them to find the reason why
And I wait
Will I have to say goodbye?
Will the answers come in time for me to stay?
Oh, how I pray, for time to wait


Every day I try to lift my head up high
I see the look in other people’s eyes
Don’t pity me
Oh, can’t you see, that I still have my dignity
I’m just like you
I love and laugh and I have hope and dreams
And sometimes it seems
That I have time to wait


And I wait
For them to find the reason why
And I wait
Will I have to say goodbye?
Will the answers come in time for me to stay?
Oh, how I pray, for time to wait


Time to wait
I’ve got a life I want to live
Time to wait
I’ve got so much love I want to give
Time to wait
There’s so many things that I still have to say
Just one more day?
Time to wait

And I wait
For them to find the reason why
And I wait
Will I have to say goodbye?
Will the answers come in time for me to stay?
Oh, how I pray, for time to wait

Dear God, I pray… for time to wait

…time …to….wait

…time…to…wait
_________________________

Dina, thank you for sharing your creative and touching song with us!  You can read more from Dina at her new blog:  RockReality...oh, and hey!...It's Dina's birthday today!  Happy Birthday!!

Time to Wait is property of Dina Mullins.  It is a violation of copyright law to reproduce it in any manner without her written consent.  So don't do it!

This is a cool logo, don't you think?...thanks to Chris at The Big D Blog.