Just a little update and some more pregnancy news

Thanks to everyone for the comments and emails on our announcement video.  I have to give credit where credit is due... it was all Fred; the concept, getting the voice-over talent (yup, he's a real VO guy from Hollywood.  What can I say?  Fred knows people), and the production.  My contribution was actually being pregnant, and bitching about how I couldn't tell the difference between the latest version and the version he just showed me 5 minutes ago.

The man has a bit of a perfectionist streak.

And for those of you who want to know how we answered Elise's question, I have a pamphlet if you're looking for answers... I kid!  I kid!  I threw it over to Fred who told her that it's very complicated.  For the record, I already explained it to her a number of times when I was pregnant with Mattias.

As of tomorrow, I'll be 12 weeks, which blows my mind because it feels like I've been pregnant for.eve.er.  I think it's mostly because this pregnancy has been fraught with complications; thyroid issues, non-stop bleeding since the day I found out and my latest bit of news.

It turns out the bleeding has been caused by  polyp.  The polyp is quite big and originates in my cervix.  When it was discovered, it caused quite a stir (apparently it was quite weird looking and they couldn't even figure out what it was at first).  Can I tell you there is nothing quite so awesome as having your legs up in stirrups, while numerous medcical types peer with furrowed brows at your lady bits?  One offered to take a picture with her camera phone so she could SHOW IT TO ME. 

I shit you not.

Anyway, it has my OB and the perinatologist she consulted worried enough that they want to remove it in the next couple of weeks.  Ummmm... yikes. 

So on July 6th, at 7:00 am, I will be in an OR having the polyp removed.  At first it wasn't the surgery that had me freaking out, it was who would look after the kids/take me to the hospital?  We looked at flying in my Mom, but flights are outrageous right now.  The only option was to have Fred stay home and I take a cab to the hospital.  I won't lie... the prospect made me cry a little.

Thankfully, a sweet friend stepped up and offered.  She rocks.  Seriously, she has to get me to the hospital for 5:30 am.  And drive a post-surgerical me back home.  Have I mentioned that I do NOT do well with anesthesia?  If I ever have to move a dead body, this is the lady who will have my back.

So now you know what has been keeping me so busy and quiet lately.  Incubating a human is every bit as tiring as I remember it.  And barf-inducing. 

And then there are these two.  Who are so ridiculously cute, it's just as barf-inducing as being pregnant.

Latest Video

Things I learned from Diabetes this month: May edition

-It took me until the last month of school to figure out Elise's settings for school days.  Now, to be fair, we did only start pumping in November, but that still seems like a slow learning curve to me.  Anyway, using a combination of bolusing for more carbs than she eats at breakfast, plus a temp basal for two hours will land her in the mid-100s by snacktime.  Remember, this is what works for US and should not be considered medical advice.

-I have discovered that lately I have more patience to wait out a rough patch, and inevitably things always return to normal without any tweaking of numbers.  Those two or three days are awful and usually spent rage-bolusing and temp-basaling, but it is so worth it when things settle down just fine with the original settings.

-I cannot, for the LIFE of me, figure out how to handle pod-change days.  What works for one change, won't work for the next one.  I used to have a great system, but these days I'm scratching my head.  For the record, Elise is awesome at pod changes, it's the aftermath of the numbers that is kicking my butt.

-I used to be great at logging, but pumping has changed all that.  I have Elise's logs all the way back to her dx date when she was on MDI.  I made my own spreadsheet (the Omnipod logs are visually very unappealing to me), but only break it out when something catastrophic is happening.

Finding the funny when you can

Let's face it, life with D is not a tonne of chuckles.  Very rarely does something D-related ever tickle us.  But I thought this story was too cute not to share.

From time to time we take the kids to a frozen yogurt place close by.  And as most of you know, I'm a weigher.  As in, I weigh everything that Elise eats (except when I forget my scale).  So yes, I take my scale out at the fro-yo place, and tare it up.  Get it?

Come on, how is that not funny?

Anyway... One time we went with some neighbours, and as my friend was paying, the guy at the register asked her, "what's with your friend, doesn't she trust our scales?"

She quietly informed him that my daughter had type 1 diabetes and to accurately carb count, I weigh all her food.

When my friend relayed the story to me, it was all I could do to not bust out laughing.  I had never thought of what people must think of the crazy lady with her scale and calculator, muttering things under her breath.

You know what?  I am okay with being that crazy lady.  I was crazy long before the scale anyway.

My Hero

Dblog Week Day  7 - Diabetes Hero

She was diagnosed at only 12 months.  She has never known a life other than finger pokes, shots, highs, lows, CGMs, and pump changes.  Eat now.  Eat this.  You can't eat right now.

She seldom complains.  When she does, I know it's time to listen.  She's only 4 and we often forget that.  She is more mature than some adults I know.

She has the biggest heart.  I haven't been feeling well this week and yesterday she came up to me, started rubbing my back, telling she wants to take good care of me, just like I do for her.

She is Elise; my hero.  My daughter.  My blessing.

How did I get so lucky?

*all pictures taken by Brooke Lowther of MaddiePie Creations for the Inspiration Through Art project.  Thank you Brooke for capturing my family in such a beautiful way.

Winning

DBlog week day 6 - Snapshots

This past Wednesday was a very good day.  And that's all I've got to say about that.

 

 A no-hitter... winning!



Look at the post-breakfast number... 144!
You can't see it in the picture, but she was 91 at wake up, and 144 two hours later

What you can't see in the above picture is the lasagna and breadsticks she had for dinner.  Or the two hours of running around and playing with friends she did.

I guess I had more to say about this than I thought I did.  What can I say, I love to win!

So much to say

DBlog Week Day 5 - What they should know

Oh the things I want to tell the uninitiated about diabetes!  The advocating I could do!  But seeing how I need to be at the park in 15 minutes for Elise's school's Park Day.  I'm going to keep this short and sweet, and let my video do the talking.

It's an oldie, but a goodie... in my opinion.

Throwing my wildcard down

Honestly, if my brain was working these days, I would love to come up with a  "Fantasy Diabetes Device" (sounds naughty).  But I'd really just be phoning it in with something like:

My "Fantasy Diabetes Device" would be a cure.  The end.

Or

I would love a device that is a meter, pump, lancet, CGM, wireless device that would upload data to the internet, alcohol wipe dispenser, insulin cooler/carryer, smarties (for lows) holder, and blood ketone checker.  I would also like it to load/empty my dishwasher, fold my laundry and vacuum my house.

Could you imagine such  monstrosity? 

Since I can't be serious, I'll contribute something useful.  Like a recipe.  Enjoy.

Day 4 - DFeast Wildcard

These days my meals tend to be two things... quick and easy. I get bonus points if it's something everyone will actually eat. And by everyone, I mean Elise and Mattias; the latter one vacillates between I-don't-want-to-eat-anything-ever-again, and noshing on anything that remotely resembles food. Ugh... shoot me now.


Anyway, this recipe has long been a favourite of Fred's, so I pulled it out the other day.  To my utter amazement, both kidlets not only ate it, Elise said, "mmmmm, Mama, this is so good!", AND requested it for lunch the next day. Well, poop in my shoe and call me stinky.Anyway, here's the recipe. So simple and it's husband and kid approved!  The meat itself is pretty much no carb, so the carb count will depend on the bread you choose to serve it on.

Italian Beef Crockpot Sandwiches

Ingredients
3 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 bay leaf
1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix (see below to make your own)
1 (3-5 pound) roast (I've found pretty much any cut will do)


Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients (except meat) in a saucepan. Stir well, and bring to a boil.
2. Place roast in slow cooker, and pour mixture over the meat.
3. Cook on Low for 10 to 12 hours, or on High for 4 to 5 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, remove meat and bay leaf. Shred meat with a fork and return to crockpot.
Serve on a toasted hogie roll with some melted cheese (we like havarti), and you're good to go. Happy eating!

Make your own Dry Italian Dressing Mix(no need to add other spices if you use this instead of a store bought one)1-½ tsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. onion powder
2 tbsp. oregano
1 tbsp. dried parsley
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. ground basil
¼ tsp. thyme
½ tsp. dried celery leaves

Controlling the freak

Day 3 - One thing to improve

Hmmm, if ever there was a time to throw down the wild card, I think this would be it.  Really?  Letting you guys see my inner suckiness?  Getting all vulnerable and crap?

Scary.

But no.  If I got to brag on myself yesterday, today I should show you my faults.

I think the one thing I need to improve on is to being able to let go.  Stop trying to do it all.  Doing everything and delegating nothing.  I have some serious control issues people.

Think of me like a toddler in the throes of a tantrum, clutching a trinket of some sort in her tiny fists, all the while yelling, "MIIIIIIIIINE!"

Yeah.  That's kinda how I am with Elise's diabetes.

Because in my mind, nobody can do as good of a job taking care of her as I can.  And while technically that is true, that doesn't mean anyone else can't take care of her.  We've had friends step up and say they'd like to learn how to care for Elise, which I am thankful for, but it's just SO hard to let go.

I guess I get overwhelmed with trying to convey the "everything-ness" of diabetes to people, that I'd need a flow chart that would cover the entire wall in my family room to cover every scenario.  I know you can't see said wall, but trust me... I'm staring at it right now.  And it's big.

A lot of it is also just habit.  Elise was so little at diagnosis... Leaving her was out of the question. When she was 18 months old, I enrolled us in a "Mommy and Me" gymnastics class.  When she turned 2, the classes turned into just "Me".  Meaning, I had to leave the gym and watch from an observation area.  Needless to say, we dropped out of the class at that point.  I remember feeling so sad and alone, wondering if this is what it would be like until she left for university.

I now know that it's not, and I have taken steps towards letting go.  She's in pre-school.  I'll let Fred prepare her food, even if I'm home.  I can sit and watch as she checks her own sugar and boluses herself.

But even I can admit, I've still got a long way to go. 

Baby steps out the door.  Baby steps out the door...

She who laughs last...

DBlog Week Day 2 - One Great Thing


I love to laugh.  And make people laugh.  In fact, one of the greatest compliments you could give me is to tell me I make you laugh or you think I'm funny (NOT funny-looking - it's important to note the difference).

I'd like to think I do a good job of infusing humour into this diabetic life of ours.  Yes, diabetes sucks, but it will not steal our joy or ability to enjoy a good chuckle or two.  A lot of it I have chronicled on this blog:

My what not to say video.

Awarding myself medals for diabetes-greatness.

Giving you a glimpse into my inner craziness.

Sometimes it has nothing to do with diabetes.

Even finding laughter after what was a very frightening experience.

It think that it's important that Elise grows up seeing that although I take diabetes very seriously, we can still laugh at it's expense.