tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118565642025-09-27T22:45:32.154-05:00Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-64634948088806833422011-11-14T09:22:00.011-06:002011-11-14T13:05:48.427-06:00

Okay, so when I reminded the kids this weekend that Monday was World Diabetes Day, they totally wanted to do something in honor of the day.(Pretty cool, yes?)So of course we opted to do the Big Blue Test.Why?Because each and every time any one of us does the Big Blue Test and submits our results, we help raise $75,000 for organizations out there helping people with diabetes.C'mon folks. It's

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-70392938236565149402010-11-14T10:20:00.002-06:002010-11-14T20:32:01.705-06:00

In what has become a tradition on the blog, I'm letting Joseph's voice speak for the both of us today:(Blows my mind to look at this video, and the one from last year... and the year before... I am so dang proud of him.)Once again, the blog is blue until the end of the month in honor of Diabetes Awareness Month.

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-48450095760613650172010-11-09T13:58:00.006-06:002010-11-09T14:29:59.137-06:00

Today is the sixth annual D-Blog Day (thank you, Gina Capone!) -- and though I’ve spent little time on the blog over the past year, there’s no way I could let the day go by without posting.In keeping with this year’s theme, here are six things I want everyone to know about diabetes (along with a boatload of links to illustrate them):1. Diabetes is a thief.It steals time.The time it takes to count

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-55109032874266774362010-07-29T09:46:00.004-05:002010-07-29T11:04:26.918-05:00

After writing my last post, I felt a whole heck of lot better. I needed to talk about what happened that day-- and wanted anyone reading to be aware of how quickly ketones can get out of control.And to be prepared if they do.Well, this post illustrates the flip side-- our norm this summer (vs the craziness of last Tuesday).A summer filled with drama (the stage variety, that is), swimming, and

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-84835520240603452012010-07-26T09:34:00.001-05:002010-07-26T09:36:29.315-05:00

I need to remember to put the phone by Joseph so I can wake him up to do a check after I'm gone.(That's my first thought on waking at 6:15 am last Tuesday morning.)This will be Day Two of a conference I'm attending for my job. The event pulls together folks from citizen advocacy groups across the Midwest. And since most of the work I've done this summer has been from home, this opportunity to

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-18764776772046845952010-03-31T20:33:00.008-05:002010-03-31T21:28:12.046-05:00

The kids are on spring break this week.And sadly, all of Joseph's friends are out of town, making for a somewhat quiet few days.To remedy this situation, we're heading out tomorrow for an impromptu visit to Chicago. Three days of traipsing around our old neighborhood, of taking in some sights... Millennium Park, the Art Institute, the Lincoln Park Zoo. Oh yes, and eating awesome Thai food, maybe

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-4993507867080806702010-03-22T08:51:00.004-05:002010-03-22T09:09:04.576-05:00

"Mom, Liam doesn't think you like him.""Bud, why would he think that? I don't even know him.""Remember when you met him at the high school orientation night, when I was kidding with him and said, 'Dude, my mom doesn't like you'... well I think that's why."Then Joseph's eyes take on a slightly evil glint. "Hey, I have an idea... since Liam's coming over after school tomorrow, why don't you act

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-30923372609497815522010-03-16T15:09:00.000-05:002010-03-16T15:03:56.168-05:00

Wow... three months. I can't believe it's been that long.Well, we're still here -- and it looks like we've made it through yet another Wisconsin winter. The sun is shining, it's 60 degrees, and (Hallelujah!) I can move my arm again -- still limited, but way, way better than when I last posted to the blog.Look how high I can reach with that arm... Hurray!This, despite one major setback in early

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-63161078056000386262009-12-16T13:43:00.004-06:002010-03-16T15:41:50.720-05:00

"Do you have diabetes?""Wha - What? No, no I don't" I say, looking up at the doctor's face— trying to breathe through the pain."Now, lie still and try to relax your arm," he says, taking hold of my right hand once again — then lifting my arm straight up toward the ceiling.And again I try to breathe, as this time the doc moves my arm slowly back toward my head.Only he can't get it anywhere near my

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-86672658692661348462009-12-01T09:43:00.002-06:002009-12-01T09:50:41.697-06:00

Over the last four years I've received messages from readers telling me how we're doing a "beautiful job" helping Joseph manage his diabetes and that I'm an "amazing" mom.Well at the beginning of last month, I felt about as far from amazing as any mom could get — and even now, I'm still a little shaky.You see, Joseph was sneaking food, treats mostly — but worse, he wasn't bolusing for them.When I

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-91908803850764193362009-11-25T11:51:00.001-06:002009-11-25T11:52:53.509-06:00

As we've done in previous years, we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving with friends. Cooking, talking, eating... I just love it.Though I'm still not sure what dish we're bringing.I'm thinking something chocolate.(Maybe what I made that one year)Anyhow, I wanted to check in-- to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, and to let you know that a post is coming.A much longer post.We weathered a storm

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-57237691288834659702009-11-14T16:04:00.003-06:002009-11-14T17:13:43.568-06:00

People are gathering, talking, celebrating...Blue is everywhere.Once again, I'd like to add my son's voice to the chorus as he shares some of his thoughts about managing Type 1 diabetes and how he educates/involves his friends.(We had a lot of fun doing this... our own mini WDD celebration.) *Note: The blog stays blue until the end of the month in honor of Diabetes Awareness Month, returning to

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-876272344537397672009-11-09T14:34:00.007-06:002009-11-09T15:18:14.259-06:00

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and today is D-Blog Day -- conceived four years ago by Gina Capone at Diabetes Talkfest as a means of celebrating the power of this ever-growing online community to share, to educate, to support anyone willing to write their story, make a comment, or simply read a d-blog.My son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just over five years ago -- and honestly, I

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-51000916049523887682009-09-21T14:29:00.003-05:002009-09-21T14:39:04.645-05:00

First-- Joseph is doing just fine.But I'll backtrack a moment because when I googled "H1N1" and "child with diabetes," I got nothing -- reassuring or otherwise. So here is our experience thus far:As I said in my last post, Joseph spiked a fever early Friday morning. Well, by early afternoon he was showing all the symptoms: cough, headache, fatigue... and his fever had climbed to 102 two hours

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-86221801003443034192009-09-18T08:37:00.006-05:002009-09-18T09:43:58.531-05:00

"Mama, why don't you write on your blog anymore?"I stop typing the press release I'm working on and look down at my girl's pale face, her dark brown and uncharacteristically watery eyes."Honey, I- well I've been busy with my job and you kids... and well... I don't know. Why do you ask?""Because I miss it.""You miss it," I say with a smile, "but Honey, you didn't really read it.""I did sometimes

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-84454294966647279872009-08-14T10:45:00.002-05:002009-08-14T10:49:08.959-05:00

We're in the homestretch of summer vacation and it's been crazy over here.Late last week, my external hard drive crashed... that would be the hard drive containing backups of our documents, photos and the only copies of my edited videos (files too big to store on our laptop).Thankfully, the Geek Squad was able to recover most of my files, however, a directory containing a large number of my

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-42245575943065126242009-08-06T12:44:00.003-05:002009-08-06T13:42:13.127-05:00

Finally.The piles of folded clothes that covered the dining room table are packed tightly into Joseph's large blue duffel-- along with sunscreen, bug spray, goggles, sneakers, flip flops...Everything my boy will need for a week at camp.And next to that duffel is a medium-sized black suitcase packed neatly with dresses, shirts, skirts and "skorts" -- along with no less than six "buddies" from

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-18815015205465830292009-08-03T11:45:00.001-05:002009-08-03T11:47:59.779-05:00

Okay, so.Joseph went to camp last week and I've got A LOT to say about it.Some absolutely awesome, some... pretty horrendous.But I can't write about it today because it's our first day home from Joseph's road trip with his little league All Star team. (I've got some stories about that, too.)Yes, I know. My posting has been choppy at best. I can't promise that I'll post more regularly because I've

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-67287093681293570602009-07-25T15:30:00.006-05:002021-06-18T16:21:55.695-05:00

Two days ago, I was flown to Indianapolis for a meeting with nearly 30 other diabetes bloggers and online community leaders-- many of them close friends. The vast majority I'd never met in the flesh. Throughout the evening and one-day event I was struck by the passion, the intense commitment of these bloggers to making life better for everyone living with diabetes. (When I wasn't fighting

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-20926930087759145952009-06-29T08:20:00.000-05:002009-06-29T08:18:08.294-05:00

We leave tomorrow for a two week visit with family back east. If at all possible, I will post from there.In the meantime, for the sake of closure I'm sharing an entry I wrote on May 11th and just now found in a draft folder...___________________________________________________________I write my previous entry, hit "publish post" -- then sit back in my chair.Thinking.What if he gets this thing?

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-47268546483770250662009-05-08T17:30:00.002-05:002009-05-08T17:32:50.246-05:00

On my way to pick up Joseph, I can't help smiling.The sun is bright, the air warm, and it's Friday.Ice cream, that's all this day needs.Just as my boy climbs in the car, I turn and flash him a grin."How 'bout we pick up Evan and then go for some ice cream?""That'd be great," Joseph says.And then he turns and looks out the window."What's up, Bud? Anything happen at school today?""A kid got swine

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-84630232723884136872009-04-17T19:44:00.000-05:002009-04-17T19:45:44.477-05:00

... and could the freeze-frame look any goofier? Will write a post soon... really.

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-59893721368520121342009-03-29T18:43:00.005-05:002009-03-29T18:54:25.878-05:00

Have you ever lost touch with a close friend?Ever let so much time go by without talking that you just didn't know where to begin?And even when something truly wonderful happens, your shame at having let this friend fall so far out of your life prevents you from sharing it with them.Well, that's how I've been feeling for quite a while now.About this blog-- and about all of you.So I'm just gonna

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-70958356474097062902008-12-08T10:19:00.002-06:002008-12-08T10:27:20.174-06:00

Here we are coming to the end of the year, and what have I been doing?Stressing about money.Money for our property taxes, money for Joseph's orthodontia, miscellaneous medical bills, our insurance premiums, CHRISTMAS...Money for a new insulin pump.That's right, Joseph's current pump will soon be out of warranty-- and given our history, there's no way we can afford to be without a warranty.

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11856564.post-5399238163865081262008-11-24T11:12:00.002-06:002008-11-24T11:20:31.655-06:00

I lean back and stretch, before glancing at the time in the lower right corner of the computer screen.11:35 AMJoseph should have called by now to confirm his lunch bolus.Standing up, I stretch again-- then walk upstairs to the kitchen, drop into a seat at the counter and slide Joseph's bright yellow and green logbook in front of me.Hmmm.... 155 before breakfast-- that means the spike will be a

Sandra Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16664436447708465809noreply@blogger.com11