My Diabetic Teen

Haven't seen you in awhile....

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:57:00 +0000

Hey all,

Just wanted to let you know we are dealing with some personal issues, and I hope to have the energy to begin posting again soon.

Thanks for your patience!

LMAO!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:56:00 +0000

A Mother's Wish

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:52:00 +0000

Where's the damn tissues!

Fact vs. Myth

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:36:00 +0000

It can be frustrating to continually correct some myths that are commonly associated with Type 1 diabetes. So for the record here are some common misconceptions.

Myth: Taking insulin cures diabetes.

Fact: Insulin keeps people with Type 1 diabetes alive, but does not cure the disease. While there is hope on the horizon, there is still no cure.

Myth: Diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar or by being fat.

Fact: Obesity has been identified as one of the "triggers" for type 2 diabetes but has no relation to the cause of Type 1 diabetes. While scientists do not yet know the exact cause or causes of Type 1 they believe that both genetic and environmental factors are involved. Eating too much sugar is not, and has never been, a factor.

Myth: People with diabetes should never eat sweets.

Fact: Sometimes sweets are a must for Type 1 diabetics especially if there blood sugar level drops too low. Soda, juice or a candy bar are a fast and sure way to raise their blood sugar and prevent the onset of hypoclycemia.

Myth: People with diabetes shouldn't participate in athletics.

Fact: I'll list three. Olympic Gold Medalist Gary Hall, NFL player Mike Echols, and hockey great Bobby Clarke.

Myth: Only kids get Type 1 diabetes.

Fact: Type 1 diabetes, also known as "Juvenile" diabetes, is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. However, people may develop Type 1 at any age.

Myth: You can "outgrow" Type 1 diabetes.

Fact: Type 1 diabetes is a life long disease.

Myth: If you are following your Physician's orders, ie: monitoring your blood sugar levels, eating correctly, exercising, maintaining your correct insulin dosages, you should have tight control over your blood sugar levels.

Fact: Even with tight control many factors including stress, hormone changes, periods of growth and illness can easily cause blood sugars to swing out of control. Teenagers in particular are more susceptible as their bodies go through many changes during adolescence.

New Research Project

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:43:00 +0000

JDRF has announced that it is partnering with Plureon Corporation, a biotechnology company based in Winston-Salem, N.C. that focuses on developing therapeutic applications of stem cells.

JDRF is providing $500,000 over two years of research funding aimed at developing an insulin-producing beta cell therapy product.

The results from this study may provide a new way to restore function of insulin-producing cells.

The project plans to use Plureon's technology platform to isolate adult stem cells from a Type 1 diabetes patient and re-program them to generate fully functional pancreatic beta-cells. The objective is to return the re-programmed insulin-producing cells back into the patient without the need for immunosuppressive agents, i.e., the patients own transplanted cells will be capable of glucose-dependent insulin secretion and the restoration of normal blood sugar levels.

Looks like something to keep an eye on.

Here We Go 'Round And 'Round...Up And Down...

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:39:00 +0000

That's the song I woke up singing. It's been running through my head all morning and it's making me crazy. It all stems from Jake's blood sugar readings yesterday.

Stabilizing blood sugars is hard enough for a Type 1 Diabetic but when you throw in hormones, adrenaline and testosterone in a 14 year old, some days it makes for a crazy ride.

When he came home from school he called me to tell me his blood sugar had dropped 3 times. After reviewing what he had to eat (same as always), bolus (none because he was low), physical activity (none), we figured it was just "One Of Those Days"... you know when nothing about Diabetes seems to make any sense...there's no logic, no rhyme or reason, no explainations.

After having him check his blood sugar (113) and making sure he had a snack I felt reassured that he would be okay until I came home from work. An hour and a half later he told me he was feeling low. We did his blood sugar and it was 37. He's only been this low a few times and it's frightening for all of us. We plied him with juice and Reeses and kept a close eye on him for the rest of the night.

I hope we don't have to get back on the Merry Go 'Round for awhile. Too many rides in a row make me dizzy.

Billing Codes Issued for Coverage of CGM's

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:22:00 +0000

According to JDRF new billing codes for the continuous glucose monitoring systems became effective January 1, 2008. Seperate billing codes are being issued for each component. The codes are : A9276 for the sensor, A9277 for the transmitter, and A9278 for the receiver.

Although many health plans are waiting for the results of studies like JDRF's CGM clinical trial before making a formal decision whether to cover the technology, many are paying for CGM on a case by case basis, and the codes will help facilitate that process. For tips to help those seeking coverage, got to www.jdrf.org/cgmcoverage.

Thanks Ronald!

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:13:00 +0000

He may seem like a goofy guy, but in times of serious stress there's no one else I'd rather go to than that tall guy with the red hair and big floppy shoes. Well to be honest I really don't go to see Ronald McDonald, but I do stay at his house.

Attached to most major children's hospitals is a Ronald McDonald House, http://www.rmhc.com/, and they provide a home away from home when you have a child that is receiving treatment for a serious illness.

My husband and I stumbled across it when Jake was first diagnosed with Diabetes. They had to medivac him from our local hospital to the childrens hospital an hour and a half away. By the time we arrived we were a mess. Besides all the medical stressors that accompany a first time diagnosis of Type I, we were unfamiliar with the area, had no idea how long we'd be there or where we would stay. Thanks to a kind nurse we found our way to the Ronald McDonald House.

After the second night of no sleep and no showers we decided to get a room. Fortunately for us they had one available (they operate on a first come first serve basis). It was just what we needed...within walking distance to the hospital and a place to rest your head. When your child is in crisis you need to recharge even if it's just for an hour, so my husband and I would take turns going back and forth to the hospital. We ended up staying there for seven days.

Besides the necessities to get you through, they offered us comfort, plus a chance to meet other families that were going through similar situations, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Diabetes Awareness Video "Word In My Hand" Project

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:36:00 +0000

Dear Diabetes,

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:06:00 +0000

I think of You often when I look at Jake.

He is polite and respectful, but most precious is the size of his heart. He stands up for the underdog, the weak, and the disadvantaged. Empathy for his fellow human is, I believe, his greatest trait.

I'm sure You have molded his personality. Without You he would not know pain and frustration. Without You he would not have seen the suffering of others in the Pediatric ICU, or heard the horrendous cries of the mother who had lost her child. Without You I doubt he would be who he is today.

So thank you Diabetes for giving my son something positive out of this terrible disease.

Hello Doc - Can I Get A Prescription Too?

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:05:00 +0000

I dont know why I get so surprised. It seems as if every time we go to the doctors for what we think is a simple cold it turns complicated.

Jake had not been feeling well and had a cough and sore throat. After a few days it wasn't getting any better, his blood sugars were rising, and he looked terrible, so we made an appointment.

The physicians assistant saw him and I thought we would be in and out in 15 minutes, you know check his throat, ears, nose, chest...write a prescription and merrily away we go.

Not so. I was impressed with how thorough she was. She tapped, prodded and poked and then sat back with a sigh.

"So does he need antibiotics?" I said.

"Oh most definately, I think he possibly has strep and..."

"Really? Did the culture come back positive?"

"No, it came back negative, but 1 out of 10 of these quick strep tests come back as a false negative so I want to do some lab work. While we're at it I want to test him for mono too."

"Mono? There's a chance he has mono?" (visions of him lying in bed for six weeks make me sit up straighter in my chair).

"Well he could have mono, which we will find out once the test results come back along with the strep, but I do think he may have walking pneumonia."

"What? What? What? Pneumonia? Are you kidding me? I knew he was sick but I didn't realize he was that sick! Does he need to be hospitalized?" (omg! I have to call my husband, pack a bag, call the Ronald McDonald house, grab Jake's pillow....)

".....so the antiobiotics should take care of it."

"I'm sorry could you repeat that please?"

"I said the antibiotics should take care of it, and the strep too if that comes back positive. It hasn't developed into a full blown pneumonia yet so have him rest for a few days and if he gets worse bring him back right away. In the meantime I don't think he has mono but we have to be on the safe side. Any questions?"

(yes, do you have any happy pills that will get rid of those four grey hairs that just popped out?)

We just got the test back today, no mono but the strep did come back positive. He finished his antibiotics but I'm still watching his cough. He's back at school and doing much better. What I thought would be simple, turned complicated, but eventually was pretty simple after all.

I wonder if anyone has a never-ending supply of hair color available?

Happy New Year! A Wish For My Son...

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:31:00 +0000

CELTIC BLESSING
(author unknown - translated by Charles Mitchell)
**********
"I wish you not a path devoid of clouds,
Nor a life on a bed of roses,
not that you might never need regret,
nor that you should never feel pain.
No, that is not my wish for you.
My wish for you is:
That you might be brave in times of trial,
when others lay crosses upon your shoulders.
When mountains must be climbed,
and chasms are to be crossed.
When hope can scarce shine through.
That your gift God gave you
Might grow along with you
and let you give the gift of joy
to all who care for you.
That you may always have a friend
who is worth that name.
Whom you can trust, and who helps
you in times of sadness.
Who will defy the storms
of daily life at your side.
One more wish I have for you
that in every hour of joy and pain
you may feel God close to you.
This is my wish for you,
and all who care for you.
This is my hope for you,
Now and forever."

Diabetic Meltdown

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:04:00 +0000

I’ve heard that teenage boys can go through a rebellious stage in regard to their diabetes management but I never thought it would affect my son. He does his blood sugars, changes his site, boluses for his meals….or so I thought until yesterday.

We have been letting go of the reins a bit in order to give him more responsibility. After all he is 14 ½ and we can’t be by his side 24/7. As long as we know where he is, who he’s with, how long he’ll be gone, and of course, that he has all of his necessary supplies, we’ve allowed him to venture into the world of teenagedom.

Yesterday he was with his girlfriend and her family all day until 5:00 p.m. Once he came home we sat down to go over his blood tests to put on a 3 day log sheet that we needed to fax to his new Doctor. To my surprise there was no blood sugar history after the morning test, and after checking his pump, confirmed there was no bolus history either. After Jake had what I call a "diabetic meltdown", he decided to admit that he hadn’t done anything since breakfast. He said when he’s around his girlfriend he just wants to feel "normal", and that he’s tired of his diabetes. He’s tired of the needles, the blood tests, the carb counting, the low’s and the high’s. When he’s with his friends he wants to be like all the other kids.

After a lot of tears, mine included, we grounded him for two weeks for lying. I guess the reins will be pulled tight again.

One Of My Favorite Poems

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:53:00 +0000

How God Selects the Mother of a Diabetic Child by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with diabetes are chosen? Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint Matthew."

"Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, Patron Saint Cecilia."

"Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint Gerard. He's used to profanity."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a child with diabetes." The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly", smiles God. "Could I give child with diabetes to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel".

"But has she the patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I am going to give her has her own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."

The angel gasps. "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she cannot separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with less than perfect."

"She does not realize it yet, but she is to be envied. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see .... ignorance, cruelty, prejudice ... and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as if she is here by my side."

"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid air. God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

My Diabetic Teen

noreply@blogger.com (MaryBeth) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:33:00 +0000

Since my son Jake's diagnosis with Type I Diabetes 4 1/2 years ago, our lives have taken on a new sense of normal. From frantic runs to the hospital in the middle of the night, to getting a call at 3:00 a.m. because my son was throwing up in the yard during a sleepover (which caused the frantic run to the hospital), to the feeling of heartbreak when he has a meltdown over his diabetes. Fighting with the insurance company, fighting with the pharmacy, fighting with the school system. Worrying about if we have enough supplies, worrying about if we have enough money to afford the supplies. Waking up in the middle of the night because you thought you heard him moan and he might be going low. Waking up in the middle of the night because you hope he remembered to do his bolus for his snack before bed. Waking up in the middle of night because he did go low and needs a snack. Laying there afterwards and not being able to sleep because your thinking of all of the above. This is now my normal.

I look at my face in the morning and see the strain, the bags, the dark circles. And then I realize...he has it much worse than me. I have to be strong, I have to be positive, I have to be his advocate, I have to be his Mom, and I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world.

These are my ramblings. Welcome to My Diabetic Teen.