Here we go again

You may or may not know that my oldest daughter has type 1 diabetes.  It's been just over 4 years since she was diagnosed on July 16, 2007.


It was quite the shock.  It took some time but we got used to the idea, learned a lot and now it's just a part of who she is.


We've been told from the very beginning that they aren't sure why it happens.  Our whole family has given blood samples and participated in a study they've been doing to try to determine the how and why behind it all.  


They do know that if one child in a family has it that the chances are high that the siblings will also be affected.  We've been told that since the beginning and have known it all along.  Even though we've hoped and prayed it would never happen to our other daughter I've always known it the back of my mind that some day we may get that same diagnosis for her.


Well, that day has come.


Exactly 4 years and 1 month later on August 16, 2011 she was diagnosed.  The same summer between 6th and 7th grade.  Kinda strange.  


This time we were more prepared.  We knew the signs and caught it before she got really sick.  Or ended up in the hospital like her sister.  


It's been much easier giving her medication since we know what we are doing now.  


She has her big sister to look up to for help and support. 


We knew all along it was a possibility so it wasn't quite the same shocker it was the first time around. 


But you know what?...............






IT STILL SUCKS!!!

Feeling better and WDD

Just a short one today. I still need to shower and get stuff ready for tonight. I did sleep late and feel a bit better today so I'm hoping this weekend won't be a total bust. Being sick sucks! Thanks for the well wishes!!

Today is World Diabetes Day, a campaign to bring awareness to diabetes. This year The Domes in Milwaukee will be participating in their momument challenge. Buildings all over the world light in blue to mark World Diabetes Day. Hubby and I are hoping to swing by during our travels tonight and check it out.

Have a great weekend!

Walk for Diabetes

Skowt and I will be participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Walk for Diabetes again this year on September 12th.
I can't believe it's been over two years now since her diagnosis. She is doing well and her numbers are under control but it is something that needs to be constantly monitored.

Researchers still don't fully understand the disease and they have yet to find a cure. Your support of our effort would be greatly appreciated. If you are unable to donate monetarily at this time please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that she stays "healthy" and that they finally beat this thing soon. You can make a donation online at either of the links below or you can send us a check made payable to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or JDRF.

Thanks for your consideration and all the support you have all given us in the past! Leave a comment or email me if you have any questions.

Skowt's donation page

My donation page

Voting and other random updates

I voted today! I hope you all did too! Hubby and I went right after Tiger got on the bus. I was expecting a long wait but it was only about 20 minutes. I think that is the shortest we've waited in any presidential election since we moved here. They've been making such a big deal about so many voters turning out that I think a lot of people voted early and that helped with the lines today. My mom actually voted at our city hall yesterday and had a longer wait than we did today.

Oh, and I got my picture taken by a local newspaper photographer while feeding my ballot into the machine. I may just get my 15 minutes of fame yet! lol

Oral surgery: Skowt had her consultation appointment today to find out what is all involved for her upcoming surgery. Looks like we will have to have it done at the hospital because of her diabetes. Still not sure of the total cost, the surgeon is sending all their charges in for pre-authorization but we were told the hospital is unable to do that because there may be unexpected charges that come up depending on how things go. Yippee. They did give us a ball park on what the hospital charges usually are though and that they didn't think there would be a problem with them being covered but you just never know!

Cruisin': We leave for our cruise one week from tomorrow! We fly in a day early and will be renting a car. Hubby had to go for the Mustang. He said I got my cruise, he gets a Mustang for a day. I guess I can give him that! I can't wait! I still have a bunch of stuff to do before then so I'm getting a little panicked, but I'm sure I'll get it taken care of. I usually work better under pressure. I probably won't be blogging while I'm gone, but keep an eye on my twitter updates on my sidebar or click on the follow me link. I'll hopefully be able to send some updates by text.

Work: The main reason I have so much to get done is because of work. I've been working a lot more hours than usual. I'm so not used to this. I've worked 5 out of the last 6 days. I don't know how I used to work full time with two little kids! I've got so much on my to do list and I can't get to it! Drives me crazy. Then when I do have some time I don't feel like it.

Twilight update: So I'm still reading, though not as quickly as I'd hoped and predicted (see above). But I am liking it so far. Looking forward to getting it done and seeing the movie. Though since I've already seen pics and trailers from the movie that of course influences my perception of the characters. I mean I am picturing them in my head as the actors that play them rather than forming my own idea. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing. Sometimes you have a picture in your head and then you see who they pick to portray them and it totally ruins it for you. Speaking of the movie, if you are the first to get in and purchase at 10pm Central on November 7th, you could have this Once in a lifetime package for a mere $9500!

Diabetes Awareness: And last but not least, November is National Diabetes Awareness month. Click on the link if you'd like to find out more, get involved or help "Kiss Diabetes Goodbye!" Insulin is NOT a cure!

Just not in the mood!

Sigh.

So, I've gone a few days without posting much.

I just hadn't felt like it much since Friday. It was raining most of the weekend. We've been having discipline issues with Tiger that I hope we made some headway with on Sunday. Time will tell. I just found out yesterday that Skowt has had some minor issues at school with not having enough time to eat all her lunch and being allowed to go to the health room alone with a low blood sugar. Not at option. It has been addressed and shouldn't happen again. It's just been a down few days.

But today is looking much better. It's nice out, the sun is shining and the grass is as green as it's been all summer. Too bad that means we need to mow again! Besides the fact that we had to replace all four tires on our van today with money we don't necessarily have, I'm feeling much better than over the weekend.

Let's get back to blogging!

Walking for Diabetes

Many of you know that my daughter Skowt was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes last July. We participated in our first walk to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation last September. We've decided to to it again this year. The walk takes place this Saturday September 13th. I added a link over on the side for anyone interested in sponsoring me.

Thanks so much to anyone who is able to, it is VERY much appreciated!!

A Little Bit Longer

This post has been swimming in my head since yesterday afternoon. I need to get it all down before I forget all I wanted to say. Hopefully now that I'm putting it in print it will make some sense.

Those that read my blog regularly know that my older daughter Skowt was diagnosed with diabetes last July. I can't believe it's been almost a year now. Within a week of finding out, my mom found an article in People magazine about Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers. Since then Skowt, or maybe moreso I, have felt a connection or sense of inspiration from that. Knowing that even though my daughter has this life changing disease she can still be what ever she wants. Including a famous pop star! I think part of what helps is knowing someone who seems to "have it all" is going through the same thing.

My mom subscribes to Diabetes Forecast the magazine put out by the American Diabetes Association. Since she lives with us I usually see her mail everyday. Yesterday this magazine came and Nick was on the cover. I haven't normally been reading the magazine. I don't know, maybe I'm still afraid to admit we don't totally have it all together. But seeing his face on the cover I couldn't help but open it up and find the article.

The more I read about him and his family, the more of a fan of them I become. Their story of his diagnosis sounds so familiar and hits so close to home. The same things his mom worries about are constantly running through my head. Though on a much smaller scale. My kid's not a pop star traveling the world and playing to thousands of screaming fans every night! But on some level I know what she is feeling. They seem like a very down to earth, grounded and close nit family. I really hope the boys can retain that even with all the fame.

The first thing I read was a few lyrics from a song he wrote. The title track for their new CD "A Little Bit Longer" due out August 12th, is a song he wrote about his diabetes.

Got the news today

But they said I had to stay

A little bit longer and I'd be fine

When I thought it'd all be done

When I thought it'd all been said

A little bit longer and I'll be fine.

But you don't know what you got 'til it's gone

And you don't know what it's like to feel so low

And everytime you smile or laugh you glow

You don't even know,

no, no

You don't even know.

Here is one of many youtube videos of the song. I dare you not to cry

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I'm at a loss

Been having a hard time all day coming up with something to blog about.

It's been a crappy, boring day. The weather is cold with snow flurries. Again. At least it's not accumulating.

After seeing the story of the 11 year old girl who died after going into a coma because she was in a state of Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), I've been thinking a lot about how thankful I am that our daughter (Skowt) is still with us and is doing OK. She was in DKA when we brought her into the hospital last July and was diagnosed with diabetes.

I hate to think what could have happened had we waited any longer to bring her in. I just can't imagine how this girl's parents could do nothing and just watch their daughter die.

Life with diabetes

Yesterday Skowt had her latest checkup at Children's Hospital to monitor her diabetes. It's been 8 months now. Wow! She is doing fine and her numbers look good. We'll go back in another 3 months. Every 3 months until she is 18.

So, I got to thinking and thought I'd do a list of famous people with diabetes. They've been telling her from the beginning not to let it stop her and she can still be anything she wants to be. As I started looking for people to list, I realized there were way more than I thought.

Here are some of the more recognizable ones I came across:

• Nick Jonas (drums, guitar, vocals for the Jonas Brothers)This is the one my daughter relates to the most. Since she is becoming a fan of the Jonas Brothers
• Brad Wilk (drummer for Audioslave)
• Billie Jean King (tennis player)
• Jackie Robinson (baseball player)
• Jerry Mathers (....as the Beaver)
• Mary Tyler Moore (actress, Mary Tyler Moore show, Dick Van Dyke show)
• Halle Berry (actress)
• Bret Michaels (singer for Poison)
• Ray Kroc (Founder of McDonalds)
• Anne Rice (author, Interview With A Vampire)
• Laura Ingalls Wilder (author)

Check out any of the links below for many more (including...Elvis?):

http://www.dlife.com/dLife/do/ShowContent/inspiration_expert_advice/famous_people/

http://www.kidzworld.com/article/10515-celebrities-with-diabetes

http://www.defeatdiabetes.org/Media/famous_diabetics.htm

http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2000/06/01/1929.html