Storage and disposal

Figuring out how to store and dispose of all the diabetes "stuff" is a big challenge. Most type 1 parents seem to build up a stash of supplies in case of emergencies, and I've been working on that for a while. 

Insulin was taking over our fridge. There was no room in the butter compartment for 4 boxes of insulin pens, so they are in the meat/cheese drawer. As the supply grew, the room for meat and cheese shrunk. So....when we got some handy little organizers from Sanofi, I moved the "stash" insulin to the extra fridge.  The system is still a work in progress. 

We also have lots of plastic storage carts in our house. All over the place. The system on the left is all manner of snacks and low supplies. I need another cart to stack on top. Notice the latches...the dog figured out how to open the drawers and was having a snacking good time while we were at school. Top right is Dexcom supplies (for Eddie and Little Steve). Bottom right is glucagon, chargers, test strips, pen needles,  etc. We have a pretty good supply of all those right now. We'll need another cart if anyone decides to start pumping.

I was curious just how much trash we generated each week just for diabetes.  Turns out, it's about a gallon.  That's a gallon jar stuffed about as tight as I can get it.  They didn't throw away very many boxes that week either, just one pen needle box and maybe a test strip box. That's a lot of trash!

This is the daily supply center. It used to be a wine rack, now it holds all the daily use supplies....meters, pen needles, lancets, insulin pens, log books, etc. To the right are our fancy sharps containers,  and the food scale.   

Finally, the D bags. These are the mobile supply centers that go everywhere. They contain meters, insulin pens, pen needles, snacks, low supplies, and glucagon. Both guys chose a backpack with a great pocket in the front. It's not an actual diabetes bag, but a tech-friendly backpack. They like it because they only have to keep up with one bag. 

So there ya go. Everything you ever wanted to know about how we store diabetes supplies. 

Making Lemonade

I am a glass half-full/silver lining/making lemonade kind of girl. It has been incredibly hard for me to find the positives since Seth's diagnosis.  The DOC (diabetes online community) is an incredible positive. Someone is always there to answer questions,  give support,  or just listen. I participate in the DOC in several ways: blogging (reading and writing), Twitter,  a couple of Facebook groups, and my favorite type1parents.org. The support, advice, information, etc has been vital to my survival this past year but I still struggle to make lemonade out of the stupid diabetes lemons.

Grasping at straws, I know, but here's a little bit of lemonade: Seth has had a positive impact on 3, yes 3, adult type 1 men.

1) I've written about Jason's diagnosis before here and here. The information I learned after Seth's diagnosis quite possibly saved his life.

2) Seth has a friend whose dad is type 1. He was diagnosed around 12, I'm thinking. He has never really taken great care of his diabetes, much to his wife's dismay. In fact, he has been using pretty much the same insulin regimen for much of the last 30 years. After Seth's diagnosis,  he updated his diabetes management,  moving to more modern insulin theray. AND, he recently started pumping.  He feels better, and I know how happy his wife must be. His son has told me several times how happy he is to see his dad taking better care of himself.

3) Jason has a friend that was diagnosed with type 1 in college.  He was one of the first people to visit Seth in the hospital. I don't know him well, but that meant so much to me. By his own admission,  he is a bad diabetic.  He doesn't test often, only when he feels bad. He knows his blood sugar numbers are high most of the time, but hasn't really worked to change it. After I posted on Facebook about Jason and Seth getting their Dexcom G4 systems, this friend called Jason to ask him about it, ordered it the next day, and started using it a couple of days ago. He wants to improve his management!

I hate type 1 diabetes every day, but seeing some positive things happening helps me deal with it just a little bit better. I cling to the hope that every day is one day closer to a cure!

They have names!

The guys have named their new Dexcom systems.

Seth named his Eddie. He likes it when Eddie matches the meter. 

Jason named his Little Steve. He also likes it when Little Steve matches the meter.

Sometimes Little Steve and Eddie match each other. We all think that's cool.

So far, with the exception of the first 24 hours of a new sensor, we are all in love with Eddie and Little Steve. They are already helping us manage the beast that is type 1 diabetes.

Meet the Cyborgs

We have 2 new members of the family. They haven't earned their names yet, but I'm sure they will very soon.

They were delivered on Tuesday.

Seth was super excited!

Jason was a little unsure.

Different colors so we can keep them straight.

This is the sensor with the inserter. Looks kinda wicked.

Jason's sensor/transmitter. 

Seth did his own insertion.  He is a rock star!!!

First 24 hour graphs. J on top, S on bottom.

The 2nd day. Jason fixed his breakfast spike!

After 5 days with the Dexcom G4 systems, I can say life is already better. I can't honestly say I'm sleeping more, but I'm sleeping better. When I wake up at night, I check both receivers then go right back to sleep if we have steady arrows. Friday night, both of them rode just above the low line all night.  Before Dex, I'd have woken them up for snacks. Since I could see they were holding steady, I was able to sleep. 

Life with type 1 diabetes is hard, but Dexcom makes it just a little bit more manageable.  

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.

Getting away, Part 2

I wanted to update everyone on our trip. It was great! Blood sugars ran a touch high for both of my guys, but I'll take it! Several people wanted to know what the event was all about, so I'll do my best to describe it. Our lives do not revolve around diabetes, but they pretty much revolve around lifeguarding during the summer.

We were able to eat some good seafood and go to the beach before the games started. We also drilled the team with first aid flash cards pretty late the night before.

We overslept the morning of the competition.  The hotel room alarm clock was set on radio, not alarm. Not on a radio station. And at lowest volume.  So, the start of our day was a bit frantic. The team got there on time; they were in their own vehicle.  We got there a little bit late, but before the opening ceremonies.

First event was CPR. It was pretty straightforward. The team just had to demonstrate their knowledge of CPR skills. 

The 2nd event was first aid. Each team member had a different "victim" and each victim had 2 things that needed attention.

Next, there were 2 in-water scenarios. No instructions were given. The lifeguards had to assess the situations and respond appropriately.  The first scenario had a spinal injury, 2 shadows in the pool to find, and an asthma attack. Possibly something else I didn't catch. It goes quick!

The last scenario had multiple victims as well. Choking, passing out in the water, active drowning were all in this scenario. Again, there was probably something I missed.

It was a fantastic experience, and I hope to be able to go again next year!