30 Days ...Day 8

Day 8: A Picture of Something That Has Made A Huge Impact on Your Life Recently...

So, I knew what the answer to this question was, but I have had a hard time writing this blog!! I think it is because I am so afraid I am going to say something incorrect! (wow... I bet you just started to wonder what this was about -- trust me, this is a totally appropriate subject!!). So, I here it goes...

"Imagine having to do math before and after every meal you eat, because your life depends on it. That is the reality for millions of people living with type 1 diabetes. Before digging in to a savory plate of food before them, people with type 1 diabetes must calculate the number of carbohydrates about to be consumed, and then inject themselves with the right amount of insulin accordingly. Finally they can eat, but once the meal is finished, they must check their blood glucose levels to make sure they did in fact calculate the correct amount of insulin. It can be a tiring ordeal even in the comfort of home, but when going out for dinner, the challenges become even greater. Added difficulties arise in not knowing the carbohydrate count in everything on the plate, and often times in the need to factor in larger than usual portion sizes.  All this adds up to a lot of guesswork, which can potentially lead to dangerous blood glucose fluctuations."

...I stole that from www.jdrf.org. That is the website for The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I think it gets the point of eating with diabetes across, but there is so much more! Imagine doing all of that for your child, who can't do the math on their own, may change their mind about what or how much they are going to eat halfway through a meal, is growing, may not realize that if they feel bad they need to check their blood sugar... I am pretty sure there are many "what if's" Type 1 families could insert here!!!

As if that isn't enough... Here is a list of some of the other things I have learned:

An outsider's perspective...

1. Many people don't understand or get confused about the differences between Type 1 and Type 2. So, just for the record... Type 1 Diabetes is an auto-immune disease that causes the pancreas to fail (completely). Since the body can't produce insulin, it can not regulate blood sugar. It is, in no way, caused by lifestyle. It can not be "cured", "managed", or "prevented" by eating habits. On the other hand, Type 2 Diabetes is caused by lifestyle. It can typically be managed by lifestyle changes. The pancreas still works, just not effectively enough to compensate for large amounts of carbs.

2. Even though they say blood sugar... it's not just sweets. It is the amount of carbs that matter, but not just the carbs. It depends on the food matrix the carbs are in, for instance, I have learned that fatty carbs take longer to "catch up" than less fatty carbs.

3. It doesn't just involve eating... (this is a continuation of #2) you have to check blood sugar 24 hours a day (even while they are sleeping)! The goal is to stay constant, and that means that you have to correct for the lows too!!

4. People with T1 still have to eat, and they still have to have carbs!! It is necessary for them to eat a healthy, well balanced diet. They can have sugar too, they just have to know how to compensate for it.

5. Blood sugar can change FAST!!! While being "high" is bad, being "low" can very quickly become an emergency. It is very important that people with T1 have medicine for highs and lows with them at all times.

6. What did you do today?? Because if you were more active, stressed, getting sick, etc. that causes your blood sugar to change too.

7. Did someone say babysitter? Just imagine trying to find someone who can be a pancreas too!! One thing I have learned is that there are no constants! Other than it is a constant guessing game, and parents of one D-kid may have a really hard time managing another D-kid! Each body works differently.

8. If you are married, who is the person you typically get frustrated with first?? Yeah, now imagine doing all of this and trying not to blame your spouse for highs and lows that are out of their control!?!?!?

9. Did I say this affects a "person"?? It doesn't -- it affects whole familes!

Like I said this is all an outsider's perspective, and as you can see, it completely changes lives! Our friends, the Evans family deal with this everyday -- you can learn more about them at The Evans Kiddos. Leigh also has other familes who are affected by this linked to her blog. Also, I do have to brag on the Evans Family for winning the "JDRF 2010 Volunteer Family of the Year"!!

So the point of all of this... find a cure so that other families don't have to struggle with this!! 100% of JDRF's funds go towards research. There are all kinds of ways to make a difference. You can check them out at http://www.jdrf.org/.

So for the picture part... check out The Princess and The Pump. (Aiden is on there too!!)

--Amanda

30 Days ...Day 7

Day 7: A picture of your most treasured item.

I am a firm believer that there is nothing in this world I need as long as the people I love are ok. So, my most treasured items are, without a doubt, the people in my life. Since, I have to choose an "item" that I treasure... I guess it would be some of the jewelry that I have been given. First, my wedding ring....

Obviously, it has alot of sentimental meaning. It was designed at Underwoods, and it is one of a kind. I fell like there should be so much more to say about it, but I really don't know what else to say!! I really enjoy when I do get to wear it because I can't wear it at work.

Second, I have a ring that my grandparents gave to me. My Mammy had a ring that she had taken apart and made into three rings for my cousins and I. Her and my Grandaddy had our birthstones put in the middle of each of our rings. I really like this because it was something that had special meaning to my grandparents, they gave it to me, and my cousins have matching rings. It makes me feel like they are all with me when I wear it.

My parents also got me a pandora bracelet when I was pregnant with Ella, and they purchased a charm that had Ella's birthstone in it (which is emerald, by the way). Alan also purchased me a charm the day after Ella was born --that just happened to be Mother's Day-- for me to add to it. It means so much to me to wear this jewelry knowing that I am carrying a piece of some of the people in my life who mean the most to me.

Earlier this week, we went to my parents house to visit. Check out this video of Ella singing with my dad....

We were having so much fun!!!

Have a good night!!!!

--Amanda