First diaversary #3

Today is my 1st diaversary. Even though I knew 12 days earlier that I had t1d, today was the day a doctor confirmed it. This is the third time our family has experienced the first year diaversary.

During the past year, I've still lived a full life. Here's a summary of my activities since this time last year.

Organized d supplies for 3. This has been a challenge! Diabetes supplies take up a ton of space. 

Watched my nephew compete in state DI competition. 

Said goodbye to our last grandparent. We lost Jason's grandma last April. She was the last grandparent between us.

Dad threw surprise birthday party for me and mom. Our birthdays are 1 week apart. My parents are the best! (That's my sweet friend in the pic, not my mom.)

Swim team had their annual swim banquet.

I went to Chicago on a school trip to check out a program with a team of teachers and administrators. Flew for the first time with d, and the first time in quite a few years.

We attended Type One Nation summit, where I met several people I had only known online.

Got used to diet DP. This was a biggie. I wasn't sure I'd be able to adjust, but the thought of drinking water only for the rest of my life was a terrible prospect. 

Ran concession stand at the pool all summer, with the help of our boys. This us our vacation money. 

Helped with summer swim camp.

Created d supply organizers for our bags.

Started playing Pokémon Go.

Met close friend's kiddo at hospital after he was in a car accident. I could get there faster than my friend, as they were flying the kiddo there by helicopter. 

Helped with a benefit volleyball tournament for a sweet friend with cervical cancer.

Got all of our prescriptions synced on a 90 day refill cycle.

Increased my coaching role for the school swim team.

Started year 22 of teaching.

Celebrated Seth's 4th diaversary.

Endless shrimp with the bestie....a tradition.

Met Laura Wilkinson at a coaching clinic.

Celebrated Jason's 4th diaversary.

Went on Christmas cruise with Jason and the boys. I'm still working on a separate post for that. 

Served on 3 committees at school.

Helped coach our girls and boys swim teams to district championships. 

Celebrated 26th anniversary at regional swim meet, with our annual tradition of DQ after the meet.

Girls weekend....annual tradition with childhood friends.

Multiple vehicles woes. At one point during the year, we had one working vehicle for 4 adults trying to get to work/school in 3 different directions. Thankfully, friends and family helped us get where we needed to be!

Life continued. Nothing around me changed. I had to figure out how to fit diabetes management into my life, not life into diabetes. The first year is behind me. It only gets better from here on out! KDA

4 years

Wednesday was Seth's 4 year diaversary. I asked him on Tuesday night what he wanted to do. Pause. "Oh yeah, I forgot that was tomorrow." It has become such a part of who he is that he doesn't even think about it anymore. That makes me happy and sad. Acceptance is a good thing. That we must accept it is the hard part.  Me? I will never forget that day. It still makes me emotional to think about, even though life is good.

On Wednesday night, we went out to dinner as a family to our favorite local Italian place. We ate bread and pasta with abandon. We talked about all kinds of things, except diabetes. 4 years ago, it consumed us. Now, it's still there but mostly in the background. How can that be, with 3 of us now diagnosed? I don't know, but that's how it is. A blip, a nuisance,  but not front and center.

On Friday, we celebrated with our dear friend Rachel, who met us at the emergency room that morning, and went with us to Children's. This time, we indulged in Mexican food followed by Sweet Frog. Again, our conversations really didn't include diabetes, which thrilled  me. We talked about school and Pokémon Go, and various other things. We again just celebrated life.

4 years of KDA. In a few months, we will celebrate life again with Jason's 4 year diaversary. Some people choose not to recognize the day at all, we choose to celebrate life and how far we've come, both individually and as a family. Is there really anything better than that?

Diaversary #2

I started this over 2 weeks ago, but just couldn't finish it because of final exams at school, Christmas, life, etc.  Diaversary #2 was Dec. 14.

For the 2nd time in less than 4 months,  we are "celebrating" the day of diagnosis with type 1 diabetes.  We aren't celebrating the diagnosis,  but rather the fact that my awesome husband has KDA for a year. Now, if you are a regular reader, you will remember that Jason was diagnosed as a type 2 several years ago, but never had any semblance of control.  A1C numbers were always too high, doctors were always telling him to "do better, get more exercise," etc.  After Seth was diagnosed with type 1, I found information that led me to believe Jason was misdiagnosed.  His doctor agreed, and we ventured into the land of 2 type 1 diabetics in the house.  In that year, his A1C has been cut almost in HALF!!

It has been a tough year, but a good one.  Father and son have been a great support for each other. They remind/encourage each other to test.  They have little "contests" to see who is closer to 100, or who is closer to their Dex number.  They understand each other like no one else in the family can.  I hate they have that bond, but I'm glad at the same time.  Does that make any sense at all??

A year of firsts, a year of lasts

One year ago today, type 1 diabetes officially entered our life. This past year has been a year of firsts. It's almost like starting over. There was the first day of school, the first football game, the first overnight practice with his band, the first restaurant meal, the first time back at church, the first Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter, the first birthday, the first day at work. Of course, he had done all of those things before, but not with diabetes.  Every experience with diabetes is brand new, as if they had never been done before.
We are now beginning a year of lasts that has nothing to do with diabetes.....last summer band rehearsal,  last summer assignments,  last first day of school, last pep rally, etc. Senior year officially begins on Monday. I know many parents are sad for their "babies" to be seniors, but I am not.  He is a senior, meaning he is still alive.  He is kicking diabetes' ass every day. Every day. Will I get misty-eyed throughout the year? Sure. Senior year is an emotional time for not only the seniors but also their parents. I intend to cherish every tear and enjoy every moment. One year later I am still grateful for every morning that he wakes up, every day he makes it until bedtime, and every "normal" moment in between.
We are trying to get to the place where diabetes only gets the minimum attention it requires. It doesn't rule our lives, it's just an annoying hitch hiker along for the ride. Today, we celebrate life by doing the things Seth loves to do: sleeping late, Endless Shrimp, and cake.  Tomorrow,  we go back to life as we know it. It really has become our new normal.

One year ago today

One year ago today, I knew very little about type 1 diabetes.

One year ago today, I had a very sick child. 

One year ago today, I was relieved when the doctor said it was a mono-like virus.

One year ago today, there were no finger sticks or shots a minimum of 4 times a day.

One year ago today, I went to bed at night without the fear of my child dying in the night from severe low blood sugar.

One year ago today, I didn't know just how strong my child is.

One year ago today, I had no idea how strong I am. 

One year ago today, we had no idea how much our lives would change in the next 48 hours.

I don't have a picture from one year ago today, but this one is close....one year and 3 days ago,  when we first really noticed how sick he was.