About Diabetes, from Madi

I asked Madi a few questions since her Diaversary is tomorrow.. here they are..

Me: What is the hardest thing about Diabetes?
Madi: Getting my inset because it shoots in my body and it really hurts.

Me: Why is it so important to take care of your diabetes?
Madi: Cause if you are really high a lot, you could lose a leg or go to the hospital and have to get an IV.  If you get low and think its not a big deal, then you dont do anything about it then you could pass out.


Me: Whats it like to get shots and insulin all the time?
Madi:  hurts hurts hurts!!   It hurts and sometimes I cry.

Me:  How do you stay positive about diabetes?
Madi: kissing my mom all day! My mom and my dad help me with my diabetes.

Me: What does it mean to "win the fight against T1 Diabetes"?
Madi: Try to help people and try to find a cure.

Me: Why do you want a cure?
Madi: Because other people um.. sometimes diabetes hurts and I dont want other people to get hurt because it hurts really bad, so I hope theres a cure so nobody else has diabetes. 

Me: What have you learned from diabetes?
Madi:  I learned about shots and I need help with my diabetes.

Me: What would you tell someone who just got diagnosed with T1 diabetes?
Madi: I would say, "I hope theres a cure for you because I dont want you to have diabetes.  I dont want you to get hurt, and diabetes hurts."

Me: What can't you do if you have diabetes?
Madi: You cant eat candy unless you get dosed.  You cant live without insulin.

Me: What CAN you do if you have diabetes?
Madi:  You can swim in a pool, read books, take pictures, go to school, talk to people...You can do anything!

I love her answers.. It gives such insight on a childs view living with this disease..
Its hard, It hurts, but they can still be a kid and "swim in a pool, read books, take pictures, go to school, talk to people...You can do anything!"
I love my girl!!

JDRF

My middle son wanted to do fundraising at his school this year for JDRF.  His idea was to hold a dodgeball tournament.  Im so glad his school is so open and willing to be supportive.  There were 9 teams that participated.  I got a few pictures! What a fun way to raise funds for research!! I love it!! Way to go Landon!

not the best pics.. but oh well

Another Diaversary...

This year we decided to do a photo shoot for Madis Diaversary again. last year we did the super hero theme.. These kids fight so hard every day to live a "normal" life.. They struggle with so many things.. highs, lows, sickness, ketones, pump sites, finger pricks, weird looks from people, staring, lots of questions from strangers and friends, the emotional rollercoaster of Type 1... Its a lot to deal with.. So this year I wanted to show how strong and brave our little girl is..What do you think?!

She fights everyday to live a fulfilling life despite type 1 diabetes.  I believe this is possible with a great attitude, lots of bravery and strength!  People could mope and feel sorry for themselves, or they could get up every day and fight this disease!  Is it hard? heck ya! but its a choice.. Type 1 doesnt have to stop you from living a happy, healthy life, but its definitely a daily fight!  We wont let Type 1 win!

 Love this strong girl so much!! We dont celebrate the disease.. we celebrate the strength, bravery and courage Madi shows while living with it! We are proud of you Madi, you are awesome!

We did a couple outside.. here she is showing off her pump site.. She recently prefers her stomach as her site.. which is interesting since before she wouldnt even try it!

Type 1.....

oh there are so many days I hate this disease..and there are so many more that we just live with it...
This week I had a rough mommy moment.. I was at work (I work at my kids elementary school in the PreK) and I walked into the cafeteria and saw madi right in front of me..
A girl was in front of her and said, "ew, get away, You have diabetes, dont touch me!"

My heart sank! I held back tears as I told this girl that it was not ok to talk to Madi that way.  I took Madi aside and she hugged me. I told her to tell me if that ever happens again.
No mother wants to see that.. no one wants their children to feel like that.  Like something is wrong with them. Nothing is wrong with my kids.. or any child with a disease.


Oh how I wished she didnt have to have that moment.. I felt so sad for my little girl.

The next day I though more about it and realizing people just dont know about diabetes and it wasnt the girls fault that she didnt know.  Yes, she was bullying my daughter, but now its our opportunity to educate her.

This is the reason we advocate for the disease! Why we educate at schools.  Why we fundraise and why we share our story!

This week Craig spoke at a school assembly. He did a great job.. At the end he let students ask questions.
One question was , "If you could have a different disease, what would it be?"
We thought it an odd questions.. No one wants any disease.. no one wants to choose one or the other.. I would rather they had no disease..
Craig answered, "I dont mind diabetes because I can still live a full life"

I will try to get the video uploaded from the assembly.  He was nervous, but he let the whoile assembly.  It is such a great experience for him to share his story and educate others.  I am so proud of him!

Our other so Landon (12) wanted to plan a dodgle ball tournament at his school with proceeds going to JDRF.
Thats the school that Craig spoke at. The school had an assemble, will have the dodge ball tournament next week, and Friday will do a school walk! I love that the school is so supportive. 

Its important to teach our children that they have to power to educate others. 

Been a while

 Im not sure I have much to say but that its beena while since Ive posted.
Our family is in the midst of baseball season... 3 boys playing baseball keeps us pretty busy!!
We love it though!

One thing thats been hard lately is Madi's site changes..
she went to getting them fine to now.. now she cries at the words "site change"
She cries and trembles when we need to do a site change. 
Its so hard as a mom..
NO, I dont want to poke her with a large needle..
YES, she needs it to stay alive...
NO, I dont want to hear her cry adn see her fear in her eyes...
YES, she needs it to stay alive...

thats diabetes for ya!

Other than that, the kids are doing well. Craig is doing awesome and Im so glad he is so responsible with his diabetes!
In a couple weeks he will be speaking for a middle/high school at an assemble about Type 1.  Ill try to video it so I can post it here. 

My Pump Pouch business, Madiola Designs is going well.  I also have started making glucose meter cases adn also medical bags.  Its so fun to personalize them for the fabric and colors people like.  If you have to wear a pump or carry a meter, why not make it fit your style?!
Check it out
https://www.facebook.com/MadiolaDesigns

Loved this video!!

http://youtu.be/kGgZaM9Of3U

night check this week.

I go in...
 stepping on toys in the dark.
. uncover her tiny toes to prick one to get a small drop of blood..
.I apply it to the meter and wait 4 seconds...3...2...1.. 59.

 Too low. 

I hurry to get a juice box. she sits up and I whisper "drink, drink" she drinks with her eyes closed, half asleep. 
Lays back down and I have to tell her to "drink more madi, youre too low sweet girl"..
 she sits back up, eyes still closed, opens her mouth to the straw and drinks....
"thats it mama" she says and she lays back down. 
Her sweet little face lay on her pillow, off to dreamland once again.
 She falls right back to sleep, no worries for her, as I sit and wait 15 minutes.. hoping her blood sugar has come up enough for her to have a quick snack so she can sleep through the night safely.... dreading having to wake her again in a few minutes to recheck and make her eat...
when all she wants to do is sleep..

I dont always have to check my kids at night.. but  if they have wacky numbers during the day, new site change, are sick, or are rally active before bed then I do check them.
I hate when they are low at night.. They just want to sleep and they look so peaceful.
But why dont they wake up.. why are they still sleeping if they blood sugar is getting dangerously low.
What if I didnt check?
What if I slept though my alarm?
What if????
Craig start baseball this week so Ill be getting up at least 6 days a week. sometime he is just fine and sometimes he drops quick after baseball even with a -10% basal..
when he is active its really hit and miss.