Monthly Archives: June 2012

Tests and Answers

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Yesterday’s endo appointment went well… I guess. There wasn’t much that was discussed or changed becuase, though my numbers on my graph were everywhere, my main concentration seemed to be floating “in the zone”, which is great. We are waiting on my A1c result to come back from the lab, as well as the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) result. When they drew the blood, I got my own sample and used my last A1c Self-check test to see what it said for comparison purposes.

Usually I would get upset, but seeing as how I’m working on bringing it down from the last result of 9.0, I’ll take it gladly. And I’m proud of it. Why? Because I’ve been able to do it without a ton of lows. For me, that’s a huge step. HUGE.

We started talking about a few other things though. I’m not back to “normal” after having Kip. He’ll be a year old next month, and I’ve only had 2 periods. My emotions and anxiety are worse than when I was first pregnant with him, and seem to be getting worse over time. He ordered two more tests – progesterone and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) to see if we can diagnose something there. If those come back normal, I’m assuming we can attribute it to stress and still recovering from having him.

I just want to know what’s going on. If it’s stress, okay, that’s fine, I’ll find out what I can do to fix it. If it’s medically, I want to know what steps I need to take there. I just want an answer to this mystery. I want to go back to feeling like me again.

 

*****UPDATE*****

Labwork came back. A1c is7.9, so that’s still okay. I’m on the right track.

Other stuff looks good too, so we can just attribute everything to my body still readjusting as well as stress factors. Yay.

Eleven Months

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Baby,

This is your last month to be a “baby”. I’m not ready to tell people when asked that you’ll be one year old next month. You’re my baby, and always will be, no matter how many months you get under your belt. I know you have to get older, and I will have to accept it no matter what, but your turning in to a toddler is coming on so fast!

BabyK – 11 Months

Lately, your dad and I have been thinking back to the day you were born and the weeks prior. This time last year, we were getting ready for our annual beach trip and making plans of how on earth Daddy would go enjoy his week while I had to stay home most of the week and work to save days for after I had you. And when we were at the beach, I was a waddling whale with you in my huge, swollen belly. Daddy had to put my socks and shoes on for me because I couldn’t reach them. And now? We’re getting ready for your first official beach trip ever. You’re going to see the big Atlantic ocean with the whole crew. And I have to say that I’m excited and scared to death all at once. It’s our first big vacation together. Away from home. I’m sure we’ll have a ton of fun though. Oh, which reminds me, we have to stock up on your Gerber puffs… we can’t have you eating the sand!

You’re exploring the house with your new-found confidence and crawling abilities, as well as your ability to pull yourself up into stand. You can get anywhere in no time. Doors to rooms that are not baby-safe are being closed off, and everything else is being baby-proofed on a constant basis as much as possible. I swear, our floor has never been vacuumed this much! Everything must be tasty to you because you find even the most minute thing and shove it into your mouth before we can take it out of your hand. I’m just dreading the day we find you trying to eat a bug or something and I go into total freak-out mode followed by meltdown phase.

Playing with Daddy’s Kindle during his photoshoot!

You’re learning now consonants and vowels now, and pretty soon, you’re going to be able to say “mama” or “dada” and “hey” very clearly. You try now, but you know it’s not quiiiiiite right, so you keep saying them. You’re doing great though. I can’t wait to hear you say “mama” for the first time, even though I know “dada” will be your first one since everything is “dadadadadadadadadada ppphhhlllttt” right now.

This week you’ll be going for your first visit to an ENT. I’m sorry buddy, but your ears just don’t want to clear up and stay well, so we’re seeing about having tubes put in to help your ears. It pains me to see you constantly on antibiotics and practically rubbing your ears off because they’re either itching or in pain. I want to make it better for you so bad, so I hope this helps you out.

And, as far as dairy, your body is learning that you can’t have it. How do we know this? Because, though you still break out somewhat, you spew every last thing you ate if you ever get even the tiniest bit in your stomach. People keep saying that it’s a good thing, but somehow, I don’t feel any better about your allergy. Time will only tell if you ever grow out of it. And if you do, please forgive me for the meltdown I’m promising you I’ll have. I’ll probably hug and kiss the daylights out of you (not that I don’t do that now, but you know….).

Baby, I love you sooo very much. This past year – from awaiting the last moments until your arrival until now – have been the best months of my entire life. I never knew having you would bring so much joy into my life. I love you to pieces and nothing will ever change that.

J-e-l-l-o!

♥ to the moon and back,

Mommy

Calorie Sink

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Lately, I’ve noticed that I’m gaining back some of the weight that I lost after I had Kip. I’ve been really depressed about it, but I just didn’t know what to do. The thought of exercise is great, but with school and everything else going on, I just don’t know when I have the time to fit in even a 15 minute walk.

But this morning was the kicker. I’m back over the mark that I didn’t want to cross ever again unless I was pregnant… 150. Of the 37 pounds I lost after pregnancy, I have gained back 16. That’s almost half. And I am not happy with myself. It’s all my fault though. After I stopped pumping, I no longer had the “calorie sink” (as my endo calls it) that allowed me to mindlessly eat whatever I wanted and still lose or maintain my weight. Also, my insulin needs have slowly crept up, which I’m sure doesn’t help but add to the problem even more. (Of course, all those pre-supper snacks of junk-food time as I get home doesn’t help either, but ya know….)

So, I’m doing something about it.

I’m going back to Weight Watchers. I’m going to do everything in my power to stick with it (again). I have sucessfully lost weight on it before, and I think I can do it again.

Already this morning, one of my biggest problems has been pointed out.. my lattes. I love them. I make them at night for the next morning. And now, I can change them up and make healthier, lower-fat ones with the recipes that I saw others post. Breakfast will be chagned from a biscuit to something healthier and more satisfying. This morning, I had a spoonful of natural peanut butter and a banana. Yum.

I don’t know how I’m going to handle transitioning back into a restricted diet. I’m going to be a like a big kid and buck it at times, but I know it’s best. I’ve got to stay at a lower weight to be healthier.

And somewhere, I have got to find 20-30 minutes to exercise… I just hate to start with the weather outside being a freaking oven now. (See: I hate to sweat! It’s yucky!) Maybe I need to start back on the dance games on the Xbox…. hmm…..

So I guess that’s the goal. Not so much to lose weight fast, but to eat healthier so I can be healthier.

I’ve signed up for the 3 month plan. I also have my endo appointment on Thursday which will give me a beginning A1c too, so I’ll be able to see if it helps with blood sugar control and help me get my A1c back where I used to keep it.

FridayFind – Diabete-ezy Test Wipes

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A month or so ago, I wrote to Elissa Renouf, the co-founder of www.Diabete-ezy.com, asking her if she would send me a sample of the Test-Wipes and the Pumper’s logbook they have on their site to use for a FridayFind post. Since I have received and have been using the wipes, (and while I have a few minutes to spare) I am now sharing about them with you.

At first glance, the Test-Wipes are sort of like miniature baby wipes. And to honestly, the box and refills are sort of assembled the same way. Simply pull the middle cover out, peel off the refill pack top, place it in the canister, pull the first wipe through and replace the middle cover.

If you have a large testing case, such as their Ezy-Fit cases or a similar one, you can velcro the wipe to the inside so you always have them available.

So other than looking like an adorably cute mini-baby-wipe holder, what is the advantage of using these over standard alcohol testing wipes from your local drug store?

These contain NO alcohol.

The cleaning ingredient is 2% Clorexidine Gluconate, which can remove dirt, residue, and most anything else that may end up on your fingers without leaving alcohol behind that may actually give you a false reading. These also will not dry out your fingers like alcohol can.

Speaking of drying, some people have issues with dry skin after using alcohol wipes to clean site areas for CGMs or infusions sites. Since these don’t have the alcohol, they won’t dry your skin. They’ve actually helped with my sites.

As for the Pump Logbook, I like the design of it. It’s not like other books that either don’t have enough spaces or have way too many. There’s spots for before and after meals, as well as one for snack (or tea) time, so it gives you space for at least 9 tests per day. It’s both comprehensive and simple at the same time, and I like that. It’s really the only one that I’ve been able to use and not lose my mind with due to the lack of spaces.

It also has space to log your meals or snacks – not just the carbs eaten, so you can look back and see what you ate that may have given you trouble with a later low or high bg reading.

One downfall for me personally is that they are not a US based company. They are from the “down-under” – Queensland, Australia, as a matter of fact. If you live there, shipping cost wont’ be a problem. Since I’m in the USA, the shipping can be quite expensive (about $16) for just one order, so my advice would be to order a big order. You can get the starter kit for $6.95 that will include 100 wipes, and then order maybe 2 or 3 boxes of refills (200 wipes) for $10.95 each. Also, the Pump log books are $2.95 and keep up to 60 days of information. While it can get quite expensive, I do believe the product is worth the money. I need refills now, so I’m probably going to order today sometime and stock up.

Suga-rating for today’s FridayFind?

♥♥♥½

3 1/2 out of 5.

dReminders

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dReminders

Because without them, I won’t properly calibrate my CGM, which will lead to some funky readings and unreliable sensors.

Also, reminding myself to upload and analyze data helps keep me on focus with my diabetes goals in my wildly hectic life right now.

Slow-Poking

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Arm sites for my sensors have been awesome. My readings are great, and I’ve been able to use my sensors for a full 6 days, as opposed to only 3 as before. I’m not sure what it is about that area, but apparently it’s the best one yet. Maybe because I rarely use it for insulin sites, so there’s not that much scar tissue?

Anyway, I’ve been doing my sensor insertions there manually (GASP!). Why? Because I can’t get the darn Sen-serter off. After a conversation with Scott from Rollin In The D (@Scott_InTheD) and Shannon (@ShanMarengo), I made a video showing how I do them:

The next thing that Scott brought up was the straightness of the sensor. It would seem that manual insertion might would cause it to bunch up or kink possibly or something, so I took a picture of the used sensor after I removed it:

Used Manually-inserted Sensor

Not bad.

So I don’t know if it’s because I manually inserted it or if my arms are the holy-grail for my sensor sites or a combo of both or none of the above and I just have had 2 great sensors, but either way, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, so ain’t fixin’ it. ;-) (Had to throw a little southern charm in there, ya know.)

(Another) FridayFind – YCDT Project Turns 1

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This (second) FridayFind is a cool one. You know why?

  1. It’s free
  2. Great support
  3. Awesome leaders
  4. Did I mention it’s free??

You may have heard of it….

It’s not really a product though (unless you buy the T-shirt).

It’s the You Can Do This Project, created by Kim Vlasnik.

Why are you still here?? Go on over and check it out. You won’t regret it. And if you’re feeling kinda spunky, join in and share your thoughts and encouragement in your own video, and be sure to tell Kim that you’ve done it so she can add your video to the list.

 

To Kim and the whole YCDT crew:

You did it! You’ve created a social support phenomenon by taking a common, every day phrase and turning it into something that means so much to all of the DOC, and anyone else that may be looking for words of encouragement.

Thank you and congrats on your 1 year anniversary.

 

Suga-Rating for this FridayFind?

♥♥♥♥♥…♥

5 out of 5, of course!!! (with an extra one thrown in!)

FridayFind – The FastClix

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Last week, I wrote about the CVS promotion that was going on at the time where I was able to get an Accu-chek Nano meter with new Fast-Clix lancet device for free (pretty much, after a mail-in rebate) and, thanks to CVS’ Reward bucks, get yet another one.

While I do not have any strips to be able to do a review of the Nano meter, (why oh why do meter companies not include the usual 10 strips any longer is beyond me. Cause they should!) they did include 2 lancet drums per new meter, so I was able to start using the FastClix right away.

At first glance, it’s black. Not a big fan of that. I wish it were like my Ol’ Blue (Not the dog, my MultiClix lancet device).

Accu-Chek FastClix Lancet poker

It’s built different in that, as it claims, it’s one-click action to poke your finger. Just place, push, and your finger is poked.

The white button on the side is for advancing the lancet. Granted, Ol’ Blue could just be twisted on the end, but I never remembered to do it. With the button placement on the FastClix, I remember it more often now. I kinda do things backwards from the MultiClix. MC: Push to load, press to poke. FC: Press to poke, push to advance lancet. Still two steps, but I’m at least “changing” my lancet more often, which is a good thing.

One thing I think is pretty awesome is how you can tell if you’ve advanced it without advancing it. If you look in the poker hole, it’s either a black hole or it looks like there is plastic. If it’s a hole-hole, then it’s already been used. If  it looks white like there’s some sort of plastic under the lancing hole, then it’s advanced to the new one. See?

Brand new drum. No holes yet.

Two used lancets, Four remaining

Here it is in action:


In the end, my only complaint about it is that it’s black. Standard medical black. Hey, why not give us “skins” for it like you have for the Nano meter, Accu-Chek? That’d be cool! Plus, it would give extra “grip” to it, yes? ;-) I do think that the new design does, however, make me more apt to “forward” my lancet more, making for healthier poking.

Suga-rating for this week’s FridayFind?

♥♥♥♥♥

5 out of 5

 

I was not given the Accu-Chek FastClix for free from Accu-chek. I just happened to find the Nano meter on sale at my local CVS and one was included in it. I paid the $9.99 up-front out of my pocket and am awaiting it to be rebated to me through the use of the rebate form included in the box.

 

Wording – Incurable Disease

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“I hope that your own family never suffers the tragedy of losing a child to an incurable disease.”

Really? Is this your sucker-punch to the gut line, Marlo? I understand the mission behind St. Jude. I have always donated when asked and my budget allowed. I applaud your mission to provide free care to children who need it.  To make their lives as happy as can be.

But wording is everything.

My “family” loses children to diabetes every day, just as cancer takes others away. I do not agree with using cancer as your only pivot point of reaching out for funds, as your research is not limited to only cancer.

But most importantly, I do not agree with your marketing scheme of placing a guilt trip on potential contributors. Why can you not just state the facts as others have (See: 1 in 20 ad)?

I hope and pray every single day that Kip will not be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and have to live as I have for the past almost 24 years. I have dreams and nightmares about him being a diagnosed with T1, and scary moments where I’m  not able to protect him or fears of losing him in his sleep. It’s a reality for far too many parents out there. Even still, if something were to happen to me, my parents would be that family who have lost a “child” to this incurable disease.

Maybe I’m going off on a totally wrong tangent, and for that, I do sincerely apologize. But please hear me out.

Cancer takes lives.

Diabetes takes lives.

Guilt trips for money-raising tactics are low-blows, especially when you don’t realize who you’ve just sent your mass-distributed letter to.