Diagnosis

Get That 504 Plan

One of the tougher challenges we faced -and are still facing- is the need for accommodations at school and/or work. Most parents of T1D kids understand that it is a disability, and sometimes we can't know about emergencies ahead of time to make good plans. My daughter normally fits in the range of "non-compliant" diabetic, like many other teenagers. So, before she went to high school, we started the process of putting together a 504 plan. This is something I recommend - even if your child is 100% compliant. We just never know when the carb count is off a little, or th

Emotions

It’s 3am. Do you know what your child’s blood sugar is?

Cell phones. What a great thing to have, right? Whether I am using it to follow her blood sugar over Dexcom, or just as a way for her to reach me quickly, I try to keep the phone on and nearby, even at night. Unlike most people, us T1D moms can’t really turn the phone off at night for a good night’s sleep. If you are like me, its the most convenient way to stay in touch with your kid, especially when an emergency strikes. Nobody told me what life would be like when that phone goes off regularly in the middle of the night. The threat of the cell phone going off at n

Sports

Holy crap I forgot to pack the snacks

In those first few months following diagnosis, we were so diligent. Carried that diabetes bag everywhere we went. My daughter wore that thing like a badge of honor. I know some kids are nervous about taking shots in front of other people or checking blood sugar. My daughter grabbed that spotlight and did it all - on her own - right in front of everyone. We were so prepared. Meter, snacks, insulin pens, needles, extra syringes. Little pink camo lunchbox. We had this. Then time starts to go by, and little by little, the discipline and newness wears off. In her se

Emotions

Judgement from family and friends

So the one thing nobody tells you about after diagnosis is the judgement. TV commercials encouraging diet and exercise. That's all it takes, right? I first realized that people were judging my daughter pretty harshly when my best friend called one day to apologize for it. She's an RN, educated about health, and even she didn't realize that a Type 1 diabetic didn't CAUSE their diabetes. She didn't realize that diet isn't a reason for Type 1. She didn't realize that my child can eat - in fact must eat - carbs to have energy, and must take insulin to get that energy. O

Diabetes Technology

I Know You are Comfortable with a Shot Routine, but Let Me Suggest a Bunch of Other Stuff to Mess You Up

Those first few weeks were hectic, yet glorious. I remember my daughter dropping her A1C back to the 7 range in a few short weeks! SEVEN! Can you even imagine? Well, if you are like me then... no. Bum bum bum. Sad face. How did we even get here? What happened? I mean, one day we were cruising along, taking shots at every meal, doing finger sticks to check blood sugar levels, its all good. Honeymooning, yes, but still we were doing all the steps, just with a lot less insulin than we are using these days. There was just something so simple about only knowing blood

Diagnosis

Well, What’s Happening is that Your Daughter has Diabetes…

I will never forget the way the ER doctor told me. It was so fast. I mean, we had only arrived at the ER minutes before. I've heard so many stories like mine through the years. Child feeling ill for the few weeks before the major event. Thirsty - aren't all kids thirsty at bedtime?! Constantly going to the bathroom - uh, yeah, same comment. Bed time = stall tactic central in my house. So, like a lot of other parents out there, I hear the complaints but I don't take it too serious. And so we get to the dreaded ER visit. My daughter was breathing so harshly, an