Lesson 1

Do not call your daughter “stinky feet” when her blood sugar is low because it will make her cry and hurt her feelings.

Lesson 2

Do not say, “If my feet smell, you can call me ‘stinky feet’ and I won’t mind.” while she’s drinking her juice box because she will do a spit take and spray apple juice everywhere.

Lesson 3

Do not ask, “How many carbs do you think you just spit out?” while she’s finishing her juice box because her mouth will open in laughter and a good 2 ounces of juice will end up on her shirt, shorts, legs, and couch.

Further Reading

Having Fun With Diabetes

More D-LOL blog posts

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{D-LOL} Lessons Learned is a post from: D-Mom Blog

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School may be winding down for most of us, but that doesn’t mean that diabetes in school isn’t on the mind of d-parents in California.

Illinois recently passed the Care of Students with Diabetes Act, which basically says that students can carry diabetes supplies everywhere, can test and treat anywhere, that non-medical “care aides” can help take care of diabetic children in the school setting, and that children with diabetes cannot be asked to change schools to one with a nurse on staff.

As the bill was going through Illinois government, I remember thinking supporting it was a catch-22. Of course the best case scenario is that there is a full-time nurse in every school who is present every minute of every day. But that’s just not reality. So we need to have a contingency plan on the books to make sure our kids are safe at school and that there are staff who are trained in their care.

This past week arguments were given in California Supreme Court about whether or not non-nurses can give care to kids with diabetes in school. As it stands, only nurses can provide care. There are not full-time nurses in every school and this creates major problems for parents, particularly of younger children.

D-Mom Christina, of the blog Stick With It Sugar, was kind enough to share her thoughts on diabetes care in California schools.

Let Them Take Insulin

Originally Written by Christina of Stick With It Sugar

It’s a good thing only kids who have one or more parents with medical licenses get diabetes.

Wait – what?

News flash – most kids diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes do not have parents in the medical profession. Yet somehow we (parents of children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes) learn (very quickly I might add) to keep our kids alive and thriving.

More breaking news – friends of both the child diagnosed and friends of the parents often learn quickly how to manage diabetes. Us Rents (parents of cwd) have a knack for talking often about diabetes care with nearly anyone willing to listen and many of our kids do to.

HOWEVER – here in CA, some (mainly nurses unions backed by teachers unions) would like us, schools, state officials, and courts to believe that diabetes is so complicated and life threatening that only licensed medical professionals should be allowed to administer or assist in the administering of – insulin in school. (Of course they recognize that diabetes is a self-managed chronic decease so it is acceptable for a 5-year-old to self-manage if he/she is so inclined or the unlicensed parent of the child is welcome to avoid having a job so that they can attend school with their child to manage diabetes)

A tidbit of history regarding diabetes care in schools in CA:

Back in 2007 a case against the CA dept of Education was settled to allow non-licensed staff in schools to administer insulin and aid students in managing diabetes. BUT HOLD THE PHONE – the nurses union (supported by the teachers unions) brought a counter suit to block the new policy that would allow non-medical staff to assist in diabetes management at school.

What did this mean for children with diabetes in school in CA?

It meant that if no nurse was on campus they wouldn’t get insulin regardless of the dangers of sustained high blood sugars. It meant if a cwd ate lunch and needed insulin with no nurse on campus that the child did not get their insulin until a nurse arrived – sometimes hours after the child ate.

Of course if the child could self-administer – problem solved. I mean why shouldn’t a 5-year-old be encouraged to count carbohydrates, calculate insulin needs based on a sliding scale, fill a syringe with insulin and inject themselves. I mean its only math and it isn’t like insulin could kill them. Ok actually YES insulin can easily kill a person. The same medicine that keeps my kids alive can kill them in less time than an episode of SpongeBob.

Or the alternative – a parent could come to school everyday to administer the insulin for their child. I mean it isn’t as if there are ever single parent homes or homes where both parents have jobs or anything. Clearly those of us that want our kids cared for while attending school are just a bunch of whiney crybabies who don’t want to interrupt our lazy days of Oprah and Bonbons to go to the school to keep our kids alive.

Why do the nurses unions fight against allowing non-medical school staff to assist in managing diabetes?

I want to start by saying there are nurses here in CA that do support non-medical staff assisting – those that recognize that the state can’t possibly fund a full-time nurse in every school. Those nurses recognize that the kids need to come first. I thank those nurses.

As for the unions – you’re jerk-faces. I get that you want job security but don’t wrap that up with words of concern for my kids. If you cared about my kids you wouldn’t fight against allowing others to help manage diabetes. The damage caused by sustained high blood sugars is far worse than the time and energy needed to train the school receptionist, my sons teacher or the music teacher to count carbs, calculate insulin and fill a syringe. Most kids can do this on their own by the time they are 9 – some much earlier (with supervision).

Yesterday (ok – I started this post on Thursday so when I say yesterday I mean Wednesday May 29th) The California Supreme Court heard arguments from both sides (those for allowing non-medical staff to assist in the dosing of insulin supported by the American Diabetes Association and those against it – the CA nurses union).

I’ve read rumors that suggest the Supreme Court is leaning toward the ADA and against the unions. I hope this is the case. The court has 90 days to render the decision.

Look I would love to see a licensed nurse in every school. But reality says that will not happen – not here in CA and not in other states either. California is broke – the schools are broke. There just isn’t any money – despite the fact that some of the richest companies and people live in this state.

Quick interjection – some may suggest that districts cluster students with diabetes in specified schools that would have a nurse full-time. I want it understood that this would be discrimination. Clustering students is illegal. While I would prefer a nurse be on staff at the school my child attended – I would not be willing to send my child to a school further away from my home to make that happen. First – students are diagnosed throughout a school year – not always before beginning school. So lets ponder the idea of clustering for a moment.

Lets say a child is diagnosed in the middle of 3rd grade. They had been attending their school since kindergarten and have a huge support system of friends established. They know the school staff, they know the school schedule, and the staff know the child. Those that suggest clustering are also suggesting that the student, newly diagnosed with a life-long chronic illness that requires constant shots and finger pricks, be removed from their support system and friends to attend a new school with no friends and no familiarity. Would the additional stress of changing schools help the child adjust better to the new diagnosis – no. It would likely cause additional stress, anger, fear and sadness.

Most of you are in the know and will follow the case but for those not in the know I will post an update within 90 days of the supreme court decision. Let’s hope the decision is in the best interest of our children.

Further Reading

Stick With It Sugar: Let Them Take Insulin

Illinois’ Care of Students with Diabetes Act (Take the time to read it. Many of the requirements it establishes should be addressed by every state and performed by every school district, in my opinion.)

More posts about diabetes at school

More posts about 504 plans

{Guest Post} Let Them Take Insulin is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

Q has always liked Lenny the Lion, but she really also wished that Lenny was a girl.

We received a second Lenny and she was going to give it away, but then she just couldn’t help thinking we could make Lenny a girl.

Some fabric markers, scissors, a pink medical ID bracelet, and girly accessories…et voila!

Further Reading

More posts about Lenny the Lion and also Rufus the Bear with Diabetes

Meet Lenny’s Sister is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

I am happy to announce that I was asked to write a Health Perspectives essay for the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Forecast magazine to share my thoughts on why I personally feel that CGM use in kids, from a parent’s perspective, may have nothing to do with reducing the quarterly A1c.

If you receive the magazine by subscription, it’s on page 38 of the June 2013 issue.

Or you can read The Pros of CGM Use for Kids (and Parents) on the Diabetes Forecast website.

All images are copyright D-Mom Blog and D-Mom Media and may not be copied or reproduced without express written permission.

Why CGM Isn’t About A1c is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

Q generally goes along with all she has to do to manage her diabetes.

Does she always want to stop what she’s doing when her CGM alarms?

Does she always want to stand next to me for an extra 30 seconds while I enter the information into her pump to give her a bolus?

Does she always want to run back downstairs or back upstairs to retrieve her pump or CGM?

No.

But she does it.

I once heard Dr. Polonsky speak at a social media event about “diabetes vacations.” Diabetes vacations are safe ways to give yourself a break from the constant attention that diabetes demands. For an adult PWD, it might be having your spouse do all your carb counting for a weekend. For a teen it might be having your parent figure out your boluses and draw up your injections.

I had to laugh when I realized a little bit of diabetes rebellion that Q has been dishing up. Maybe it’s her way of taking a break.

A few times recently when I have asked her to check her blood sugar, Q has yelled back, “I’ll do it, BUT I’M NOT WASHING MY HANDS FIRST!”

And I don’t make her.

I give her that break, even though it’s a tiny break.

I give her that control, even though it’s a minor thing to have control of in the grand scheme of things.

She has an entire lifetime ahead of her to deal with diabetes. Why not let this one slide once in a while?

(But we generally DO wash hands. We’ve had false highs from residue before, so if the reading doesn’t match her CGM, I make her wash her hands and test again. Definitely read the post “Go Wash Those Hands!“)

{Our Story} A Little Diabetes Rebellion is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

I’m proud to announce that my book Kids First, Diabetes Second is a 2013 Eric Hoffer Award winner in the health category.

To see more books that won awards in this or previous years, visit the Eric Hoffer Award website.

Don’t forget to enter to win one of 10 autographed copies of the book over on the Goodreads website between now and June 21, 2013. The giveaway is open to readers in the US and Canada.

Enter to win one of TEN copies of Kids First, Diabetes Second on Goodreads.

And if you’ve read the book and found it to be a valuable resource, please leave a review on Goodreads or any online retailer. Reviews help others decide which books might be worth selecting.

Read more about Kids First, Diabetes Second Book.

Purchase now in paperback

• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon.com
• IndieBound
• Powell’s
• Spry Publishing

Purchase now as an eBook

• iBooks (iPad and iPhone)
• Nook
• Kindle

And of course ask your local bookstore to carry it on their shelves!

Disclosure: Some links might be affiliate links and are clearly marked as such.

{Kids First, Diabetes Second} 2013 Eric Hoffer Book Award Winner! is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

I’m happy to announce that Spry Publishing is giving away TEN copies of my book Kids First, Diabetes Second over on Goodreads.

To enter, click over to the book’s page and you’ll see the “enter to win” button. And while you are there, why not add it to one of your bookshelves and mark it to read. I would super, duper appreciate it if you could write a review if you have already read it…thanks!

(And if you have read it, please leave a review on the site where you normally shop for books. Reviews help others decide whether or not to purchase a book.)

Enter to win one of TEN copies of Kids First, Diabetes Second on Goodreads.

Enter on Goodreads between May 20 and June 21, 2013 for one of ten copies. Open to readers in the US and Canada.

Read more about Kids First, Diabetes Second Book.
Purchase now in paperback

• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon.com
• IndieBound
• Powell’s
• Spry Publishing

Purchase now as an eBook

• iBooks (iPad and iPhone)
• Nook
• Kindle

And of course ask your local bookstore to carry it on their shelves!

Disclosure: Some links might be affiliate links and are clearly marked as such.

{Kids First, Diabetes Second} 10 Book Giveaway! is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

Diabetes Blog Week

Karen of Bitter-Sweet says, “Sign ups are rolling along for the 4th Annual Diabetes Blog Week, with about 110 bloggers participating right now.  Diabetes Blog Week starts on MONDAY so please join in!  You can use this form to sign up, preview the topics here, and find all of the details over here.”

Diabetes Co-Stars: Strength In Numbers

“Elizabeth Perkins stars in our captivating documentary about why it’s important to have a strong support system. The documentary also features Diabetes Co-Stars casting call winners.”

“Sanofi US is supporting the Diabetes Hands Foundation with an initial $10,000 program sponsorship. But, when the documentary reaches 10,000 online views, Sanofi US will double that sponsorship for a total of $20,000!”

Watch the 15 minute Strength in Numbers documentary.

Diabetes Hope Conference

“While there is no known cure for diabetes, that doesn’t mean the diagnosis is hopeless. Join us on May 21 at 11am Central Time, when we convene panelists from the medical, blogger and diabetes community worlds to engage in frank and honest discussions about diabetes.”

RSVP for this free event.

{D-Blogging} THREE Items of Interest is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

Always use the consumer package for nutritional information as formula and ingredient changes may occur at any time and may not match the information provided here.

We eat a lot of pancakes and waffles in our house. But I’m finding it not so easy to find pancake mix that doesn’t have milk in it. I don’t shop at Meijer that often, but I’ve been heading there occasionally because they carry a few items that are free of the allergens we are avoiding. I usually make chocolate chip pancakes using Enjoy Life* chocolate chips. But on my most recent trip, I spotted this Meijer Naturals chocolate chip pancake mix. I used soy milk instead of regular milk.

The kids thought they were very good and we all agreed that they were generous with the chocolate chips. I would probably buy this mix again.

I will say that I used the ingredient measurements to make 14 pancakes, used a 1/4 cup measuring cup to pour them on the griddle as instructed, and it only yielded 11 pancakes.

If your child has a milk or tree nut allergy, what are some of your favorite finds?

*Enjoy Life products are free of the top 8 allergens.

Further Reading

More posts about food allergies

More posts about milk-free foods

More posts about snacks

Always read labels of individual products as ingredients and manufacturing may change. Any allergy information provided on D-Mom Blog does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer and consult your physician for any questions you may have.

All images are copyright D-Mom Blog and D-Mom Media and may not be copied or reproduced without express written permission.

{Allergy Find} Meijer Pancake Mix is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.

Note the time span…the wee hours!

All images are copyright D-Mom Blog and D-Mom Media and may not be copied or reproduced without express written permission.

{Wordless Wednesday} Toeing the Line is a post from: D-Mom Blog

The information provided here is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please read the disclaimer, disclosure, and privacy policy statements.