The other night, I had a nightmare. I don't remember many of the details, but I know I was being chased, and I had to get to La Push to get Jacob and his friends to help me. I woke up, startled and confused, and decided to test my blood sugar. It was 230 mg/dl. That's high.
I had changed my insulin pump battery just before bed, and when I went to program in a correction bolus, I found that my pump was not working. I freaked a little, and went downstairs, got a coin to open the battery case and removed the battery, and found that I had installed the battery upside down! Of course my pump wasn't working! I corrected my mistake, programmed in a bolus, and made my way back into dream-land completely unencumbered by nightmares.
I have found often that if I wake from a nightmare in the middle of the night, that my blood sugar is usually out of whack. I think the bad dreams are another trigger from my body to my mind, to get me to wake up and fix things. The human body and brain are fascinating and I'm thankful that, despite my obvious malfunction, that other aspects work so well.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Pregnancy update (almost) 21 weeks
21 weeks is 5 months 1 week, over midway through the pregnancy for those keeping track :) I thought I'd fill you all in on how things are going, and I must say - so far, so good. The headaches stopped not long after the last headache post. Otherwise, I've been feeling great. Until this week, when my back started hurting non-stop, but I'm hopeful that that will go away, too. My blood sugars have been relatively easy to control, thanks to my doctor's rapid responsiveness when I send her numbers. She and her CDE, Wendy are great and so supportive - I can't say enough good things about them.
The big news that we got last week is that we're having a girl! We're naming her Evelyn Lily after my great grandmother and Scott's great aunt, respectively. We'll call her "Evvie" for short (pronounced Eh-vie, not Ee-vie). She's perfect in every way - measuring right on target, and I think she has her daddy's ears. We didn't get to see her face or left hand this time, so we go back at the end of April for another sonogram, where they will also do a fetal echo cardiogram.
Lots of people have asked "So, how does diabetes affect the pregnancy?". The biggest effect I've seen it have is the number of appointments. Right now, I go to the endocrinologist once a month, the OB once a month, the perinatologist (high risk OB) about once a month, though this varies based on needs. I also have to see the eye doctor once a trimester. This is a lot more than an average pregnancy requires, and it hasn't even gotten to the hectic time yet, when, starting somewhere around 30-32 weeks (I think), I will have to go to the OB (or perinatologist, depending on how things are going) 2 times per week, and may have to start seeing the endocrinologist weekly. Normal pregnancies get 1-3 sonograms. I had 3 by the time I was 13 weeks along, and once I start going bi-weekly, each visit will be a sonogram. I think it's 100% worth it, though, and am confident that Evvie will be as healthy as possible.
There's a lot more I could say about diabetes and pregnancy, but I'll leave it here for now. I'm sure the 3rd trimester will bring lots of new and exciting blood sugar issues, and I've still got 6 weeks to go until I reach the third trimester!
I'll leave you with an updated picture - from this past Friday.
The big news that we got last week is that we're having a girl! We're naming her Evelyn Lily after my great grandmother and Scott's great aunt, respectively. We'll call her "Evvie" for short (pronounced Eh-vie, not Ee-vie). She's perfect in every way - measuring right on target, and I think she has her daddy's ears. We didn't get to see her face or left hand this time, so we go back at the end of April for another sonogram, where they will also do a fetal echo cardiogram.
Lots of people have asked "So, how does diabetes affect the pregnancy?". The biggest effect I've seen it have is the number of appointments. Right now, I go to the endocrinologist once a month, the OB once a month, the perinatologist (high risk OB) about once a month, though this varies based on needs. I also have to see the eye doctor once a trimester. This is a lot more than an average pregnancy requires, and it hasn't even gotten to the hectic time yet, when, starting somewhere around 30-32 weeks (I think), I will have to go to the OB (or perinatologist, depending on how things are going) 2 times per week, and may have to start seeing the endocrinologist weekly. Normal pregnancies get 1-3 sonograms. I had 3 by the time I was 13 weeks along, and once I start going bi-weekly, each visit will be a sonogram. I think it's 100% worth it, though, and am confident that Evvie will be as healthy as possible.
There's a lot more I could say about diabetes and pregnancy, but I'll leave it here for now. I'm sure the 3rd trimester will bring lots of new and exciting blood sugar issues, and I've still got 6 weeks to go until I reach the third trimester!
I'll leave you with an updated picture - from this past Friday.
Monday, March 30, 2009
JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes
This year, Scott and I will be taking part in JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes, along with one-half million other walkers across the country, as we try to reach our goal of raising $105 million.
We have participated in the ADA's walk for many years, but this year decided to go with the JDRF walk because more of the money goes to actual research, and it is focused on Type 1 diabetes, which is what I have had for 22+ years.
Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes, is a devastating disease that affects millions of people - a large and growing percentage of them children. (I was diagnosed at age 6)
There is some good news, though. Scientists are predicting that we CAN expect to see a cure well within our lifetime! When I was diagnosed, I was told not to worry - there would be a cure by the time I reached my teenage years. Those have long since passed, and still we haven't found a cure. After quite a bit of reading, though, I'm more convinced than ever that the scientists are on to something - and with proper funding, I'm hopeful that a cure will be found, and hopefully soon!
Now, more than ever, you can make a crucial difference. Won't you please give to JDRF as generously as possible? Together, we can make the cure a reality! Donate to me here.
Or, donate to Scott here.
Thanks, and I look forward to sharing our fund raising accomplishments and hopefully pictures from the walk with you!
We have participated in the ADA's walk for many years, but this year decided to go with the JDRF walk because more of the money goes to actual research, and it is focused on Type 1 diabetes, which is what I have had for 22+ years.
Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes, is a devastating disease that affects millions of people - a large and growing percentage of them children. (I was diagnosed at age 6)
There is some good news, though. Scientists are predicting that we CAN expect to see a cure well within our lifetime! When I was diagnosed, I was told not to worry - there would be a cure by the time I reached my teenage years. Those have long since passed, and still we haven't found a cure. After quite a bit of reading, though, I'm more convinced than ever that the scientists are on to something - and with proper funding, I'm hopeful that a cure will be found, and hopefully soon!
Now, more than ever, you can make a crucial difference. Won't you please give to JDRF as generously as possible? Together, we can make the cure a reality! Donate to me here.
Or, donate to Scott here.
Thanks, and I look forward to sharing our fund raising accomplishments and hopefully pictures from the walk with you!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Belated Birthday Wishes
I've missed posting about THREE birthdays just in the past week! In chronological order, first, happy birthday to this blog! It started on Pi Day last year, and on Pi Day this year we had new flooring installed and went out to dinner - and had free Key Lime Pi(e) - Yum!
Next, happy birthday to our doggy, Corgan, who turned 3 on 3/15. On Saturday, he and his "brother", Cash and I went to Performance Dogs for some slightly soggy, but still fun lure chasing and off leash play. Corgan, as always, chased the lure until his muscles quivered. Cash preferred to chase other dogs. Both were exhausted at the end, and I think it was a good day overall. To celebrate his actual birthday, Corgan had a nasty upset stomach and required a trip to the vet that set us back a pretty penny. Poor guy. Luckily he's feeling better now.
Last but not least, Happy Birthday to Caitlin! What a year it's been since her last birthday - welcoming her not-so-little girl, Allison, into the world in July, and going from a part time working mom to a stay at home mom - fulfilling her deepest desire. Congrats to you, Cait, and I hope your birthday was fantastic (despite my belated post)!
And, just so I'm not late on this one, Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Next, happy birthday to our doggy, Corgan, who turned 3 on 3/15. On Saturday, he and his "brother", Cash and I went to Performance Dogs for some slightly soggy, but still fun lure chasing and off leash play. Corgan, as always, chased the lure until his muscles quivered. Cash preferred to chase other dogs. Both were exhausted at the end, and I think it was a good day overall. To celebrate his actual birthday, Corgan had a nasty upset stomach and required a trip to the vet that set us back a pretty penny. Poor guy. Luckily he's feeling better now.
Last but not least, Happy Birthday to Caitlin! What a year it's been since her last birthday - welcoming her not-so-little girl, Allison, into the world in July, and going from a part time working mom to a stay at home mom - fulfilling her deepest desire. Congrats to you, Cait, and I hope your birthday was fantastic (despite my belated post)!
And, just so I'm not late on this one, Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Monday, March 9, 2009
My First Post
My first foray into the blogging world was as a guest poster on Being A Dad Ain't Bad (language warning). They have an open forum blog for all dads or soon-to-be dads (as is my case), and I have the distinct honor of being their first guest blogger, which comes with a door prize of a gift basket from Hickory Farms that was on super clearance. Actually, it didn't come with any prizes. Maybe I'll log in to Blogger under a different name and suggest that they give door prizes to attract more guest articles.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
In other news...
The weather this weekend is GORGEOUS! Not to get all grandfathery on you to talk about the weather, but it's truly remarkable - 78*, just enough clouds to make it comfortable out, and not a rain drop in sight. It's perfect! And, by the way, there are still dirty piles of snow here and there, which is quite bizarre.
The crocus are up at church, and our daffodils and tulips are coming up in the front yard. Dare I say it...it's starting to feel a little teensy bit like spring! How exciting!
Also, we're having new flooring installed!! We've had disgusting carpet for the 3 1/2 years we've lived here, and now that the little one is coming (and my bonus check was deposited), we've decided now is the time. We're getting laminate in our main level that looks a lot like this and carpeting in the upstairs level (where the bedrooms are) that is a gray-based dark beige.
The carpet is being installed NEXT WEEKEND! Holy cow! And the laminate may very well be the weekend after that! I'm SO excited about this - it's something we've been wanting to do since we moved in, and we've finally got the resources to do it =D. We're also using a local flooring store and are happy to be supporting the local economy and a family-run business. It makes us feel good :).
The crocus are up at church, and our daffodils and tulips are coming up in the front yard. Dare I say it...it's starting to feel a little teensy bit like spring! How exciting!
Also, we're having new flooring installed!! We've had disgusting carpet for the 3 1/2 years we've lived here, and now that the little one is coming (and my bonus check was deposited), we've decided now is the time. We're getting laminate in our main level that looks a lot like this and carpeting in the upstairs level (where the bedrooms are) that is a gray-based dark beige.
The carpet is being installed NEXT WEEKEND! Holy cow! And the laminate may very well be the weekend after that! I'm SO excited about this - it's something we've been wanting to do since we moved in, and we've finally got the resources to do it =D. We're also using a local flooring store and are happy to be supporting the local economy and a family-run business. It makes us feel good :).
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Hallelujah! - wait, scratch that.
I was all geared up yesterday to write a "Hallelujah the headaches are gone!" post, but alas, they're back. The had stopped the day I wrote the last post, and showed up again last night. I came prepared to work today, bearing my Tylenol plus Codeine in the event that it worsens through the day.
I've noticed something here at work. Whenever I have a headache, someone inevitably burns toast in the toaster. Why is this interesting, you may ask? It's interesting because the smell of burnt toast makes my headaches worse (and if I didn't have one already, often GIVES me a headache). I wonder what I've done wrong that is making the universe want to punish me.
I've noticed something here at work. Whenever I have a headache, someone inevitably burns toast in the toaster. Why is this interesting, you may ask? It's interesting because the smell of burnt toast makes my headaches worse (and if I didn't have one already, often GIVES me a headache). I wonder what I've done wrong that is making the universe want to punish me.
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