Thursday, June 27, 2013

Me, Myself and I - A Week Without Kids and Gluten

As I sit in my office, looking out the window into our front yard, I am acutely aware of the still around me.  No busy kids running to and fro, no television blaring the theme song from 'Good-Luck Charlie' and most noticeably of all, no loud BEEP from our beloved Big Ugly (Accu-Chek Compact Plus). 

It is just me and the cat.  Apparently we are a quiet sort of people.


He's one quiet kitty.

If you are wondering what the two of us did this week, I can share that we had a pretty uneventful week. 

We worked on our landscaping.

After the million stumps were removed.  I think it looks like Attack of the Gophers!

We ate chips 'n salsa and enjoyed a cold beverage.  That's him dipping into the mango salsa.  Just kidding.  Cats do not have thumbs.  He took the picture!


Photo: What the parents do when the kids are away.
Our first night of relaxing and this was the dinner that we chose. 


We watched some movies and most of all,

We slept.

A lot.

I think I caught up on 7 years of middle of the night blood sugar checks (yes, we STILL do that) and of missing sleep, even while I was in bed.

Ever have those nights where even though you CAN sleep, you really CAN'T?  Yes, I have that problem too.  I think I count blood sugar numbers like most people count sheep.

It was nice to catch up on that sleep debt.  I think I repaid one or two years.

I did do one teeny-weeny little thing while the girls were gone.  It was a little personal science experiment on myself.

For the week, I went entirely Gluten-Free.  I wanted to see how I felt without Gluten clogging up my body and to see if it helped with the frequent headaches, bloating and general aches and pains that I have been having.  Since turning 40, this old girl just isn't the way she used to be.

And guess what?  I think I do feel better.  My allergies were a ton better, even though I worked outside in the garden daily.  I also feel more fit with less stomach bloating.  Not that I lost any weight, but my tummy feels better.  I had no headaches and felt more energy than I have in months.

Now what to do with this information?  I am not sure.  I may continue this route for a while longer.  There is a Naturally Sweet Sister that I have been concerned about too.  Since her test results have appeared normal over the years, I am not sure what to make of it.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on this subject of Gluten Free and testing.  Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think.

But for now, one more day without those girls, so I am putting on a second set of garden gloves to resume my yard work.

And then, I am taking a nap!





Wednesday, June 26, 2013

PortionMate Inc. - Super Cute New T1D Tool






A few months ago, I stumbled across an article about PortionMate; a colorful meal and snack measuring tool made out of simple BPA-Free plastic rings called cylinders. 


 
 
Immediately, I was hooked!  This was exactly the sort of thing that I needed to help the kids measure their food in healthy portion sizes that were also easily carb-counted in order to dose the precise amount of insulin their little bodies needed. 



 
 
From PortionMate:  Each PortionMate cylinder has a color that corresponds to specific groups of food.  Simply choose the desired color PortionMate cylinder and place it into your plate or bowl.  Lift and remove the cylinder from your plate or bowl, leaving behind a perfectly sized portion of food.

Love!!!!   

Sure there are other ways of counting carbohydrates.  However, being a busy mom that needs to count carbohydrates quickly to dose insulin for two kids, I often loathe the measuring time needed to use my scale.  Nothing is worse than impatient kids that want to EAT RIGHT NOW and who can blame them?  Active kids are hungry and meal time and waiting for mom to punch in keycodes to find the weight of watermelon without rind is no fun for anyone.

Even with two sets of measuring cups, many times we find one is still dirty or in the middle of a dishwasher cycle, rendering that option useless.  Two kids, three meals and a ton of snacks... well, it is impossible to keep those cups clean!

The PortionMate looked like an easier solution.  For myself and the girls, it was fast to use by simply laying on a plate and filling the appropriate cylinder with food.  In conjuction with the PortionMate, I did use my handy Calorie King guide book.  Although, if you do not own the Calorie King guide book, the PortionMate does come with a Nutrition and Meal Planning Guide that lists many common foods and their nutritional content.  Using the PortionMate guide, the foods are also portion counted to ensure that you are getting a healthy variety of choices as stated by the American Diabetes Association and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.





Once the PortionMate cylinder is loaded with the food of your choice, simply lift the cylinder off and either measure for the second plate or remove and rinse clean.  The PortionMate is also top-shelf dishwasher safe but not microwave friendly.

No work, no hassle and the colors made it easy to identify the portion amount!


 
 
Most important was the 'guestimating' was virtually eliminated as the girls couldn't wait to be the first to the table to use the PortionMate.  That meant that we started to see better post-meal blood glucose numbers because carbohydrates were counted accurately. 



 
 


If you would like to order a PortionMate, you may visit PortionMate at www.portionmate.com or 'like' PortionMate on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/portionmate.



Disclaimer:   PortionMate was provided to Naturally Sweet Sisters as a courtesy so that we could write a full review of our thoughts and feedback. 

Monday, June 24, 2013

Diabetes Camp Drop-Off in Year 3: From There to Here

Photo: At camp for a week!!!!
The Naturally Sweet Sisters look pretty carefree too!

Today was diabetes camp drop-off for both daughters.

And for the first time, it was relaxed. 

Or maybe the word is "easy". 

Or "simple".

Even, "carefree"!

Whatever it was for sure, I can only tell you one thing:  I felt absolutely zero stress at leaving my children for a full week at diabetes camp.  In fact, it was so great that upon arriving home, I immediately logged on to Facebook and left a kind hearted message to the ADA camp director and her lovely staff to thank them for doing such a splendid job at camp!

Thanks Stephanie!!!!!  You ROCK!!!!!  Our girls are so lucky to be a part of this wonderful week!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Then I thought about it some more.  How on earth was it so easy to leave my children so far away for six days - even with such an awesome ADA camp?  I should be freaking out right?  Leaving my kids anywhere seems so unnatural.  We are always together with the exception of an occasional sleepover.  That is child's play compared to a full week away!

What?  I just left them with little more than some clothes, a few site changes and a pump?  I didn't even send low snacks or insulin!

And in the horror of horrors, with no Sigums named Dexie or Dexter (who wants to lose or break that little gadget at camp with water sports aplenty?  Not me!)

So how did those feelings of calm happen?

Which really, if you have known me or followed this blog, is nothing short of amazing!

This is what I came up with....

This feeling of ease, simplicity and relaxation is something that only comes with time.  I can guarantee you that no matter how hard I tried to conjure up this set of emotions that first year, I still would have undoubtedly failed.  For me, the only way to get here was through time and living through each of those scary "first" drop-offs.  I had to learn to trust the camp, my daughters, even myself.

I had to learn that lows would be treated, highs would be corrected and yes, even cartridges would be refilled with insulin.

In learning that way, it is much like that first year of living with type 1 diabetes.  You have to fully experience the range of feelings to get to that place of acceptance and peace.  You will learn how to spot a low, treat a high and inject your child with a needle. 

You learn that it will be OK.  You will find a new normal and your child will grow tall, strong and happy.

So for that learning curve, I am not going to ever tell anyone that camp drop off is easy or simple or relaxing, because that would be a great injustice to their own set of feelings.

What I will do is share with everyone of how I arrived HERE from THERE and how good it is to be on the other side. 

It just takes time.

Believe or not, you will get HERE too.

And when you do, call me so that we can make plans for a day out during camp week!


Sunday, June 23, 2013

Sunday Serenity

Since my kids are off on their week at ADA Camp.  I thought I would give you a little Pinterest eye-candy on camping.  Enjoy!

Love,

The Naturally Sweet Sisters





mamascout: 5 reasons to take your kids camping
 
 
 
 
 
 
Camping Party, except it's gotta say "don't feed the Logi bear."  Or the famous saying in our house, "Don't poke the bear."



Summer Camps for Grown Ups - Summer Vacation Ideas - Country Living





I have been saying this for years. I don't go to your house, you don't come to my house! Go for bears too =)






camp pillows are here! we can customize them for your kids camp and add their names!



Go Outside and Explore Wall Art by @Jordy Beale #wallart #kids #camp


There are some good camping tips in here.  Her top one would also be mine.  I have all of my camping equipment in clear rubbermaid tubs, labeled with what is in each container.  It makes packing so much easier!  I have lists in there that even tell me the few things that I need to add from our home kitchen.  Makes preparing for camping a breeze.  | From blog Stolen Moments.

ADA Camp Discovery Poster


1950s Coleman camp table & other retro camping supplies.

Retro Camping Family Portraits  |  kimberly chau photography. Love this! Might use this idea for spring engagement pictures in Zion!!

Taking pics of your Glamping Date Night is a MUST for your scrapbook!  Retro Camping Family Portraits  |  kimberly chau photography

retro camping ads images | Vintage Ads

Retro Camping Art Print
retro camping images | 40) Vintage Camper Trailers by Subjects Chosen at Random

Enter for a chance to win a scholarship to a #glutenfree overnight #camp #RudisGFHappyCamper

A letter-writing kit for my nephew who is going to overnight camp for the first time this summer!

Overnighter Camp, Raft Sec III first day, camp and Raft Sec IV day 2! Best Value on the Chattooga!

Should you send your child to overnight camp if they're totally against it? Experts weight in to help you decide.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Weird and Unusual

Should this be a new blog series?  I am tempted to start blogging on the weird and unusual things that I come across.  It seems like there have been a few lately.

After seeing this on a local 'deals' site, I had to post it.  Anyone know what it is and why on earth would you want it?  Well, besides having a laugh:)

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Naturally Sweet Sisters - WALK TO CURE DIABETES T-SHIRTS FOR SALE

unisex shirt design - front



The Naturally Sweet Sisters have set up a campaign with Custom Inc. to fundraise for the 2013 Walk to Cure Diabetes.

To help start the fundraising efforts in style, our girls created this super fabulous, one of a kind, 100% cotton, t-shirt.

To order yours, simply click on this link (or cut and paste into your browser) and order a shirt for only $14.00! 



$3.00 from the sale of every shirt will go directly to JDRF and their efforts to further research and help CURE TYPE 1 DIABETES!!!

The shirt will ship from CustomInk directly to your home, approximately two weeks after the close of the campaign on September 1, 2013.    Which makes it a great time for fall walks, back to school, birthdays or even save one for a Christmas surprise!!! 




Here are five reasons of why you should purchase a t-shirt:

5.)  Green is the universally best color for all skin tones!

4.)  Everyone who is anyone is going to want to wear this.

3.)  Wearing this shirt will start a great conversation on type 1 diabetes.

2.)  No one should be naked.

1.)  Buying a shirt makes an immediate donation to help CURE TYPE 1 DIABETES!!!!





Monday, June 17, 2013

Diabetes and Crafts: How to Make a Summer Survival Kit for Kids

Completed Project:  Summer Survival Kits for Kids



 This week, my niece and nephew are coming for a visit.  Because I love and adore them, I always try to have a fun little surprise planned.  Over the years, my niece has dubbed me her favorite 'Ant' and to me, there is nothing sweeter than being a little girl's 'Ant'!

From my favorite niece!

To keep in their good graces and to make sure my title goes unharmed, this is what I am surprising them with:


The Naturally Sweet Sisters Summer Survival Kit Contents


I am calling it a Summer Survival Kit and it contains a decorate your own bug jar, a package of marshmallows, one chocolate bar, one sleeve of graham crackers and some sparklers.  For fun and to annoy other adults, I added some poppers.  This may very well be what makes me a great 'Ant' - I have a high tolerance for loud fun!

The jar is simply a recycled glass jar (for little ones, you may opt to use plastic) from our pantry.   I think I used pickle jars, salsa jars and even a garage sale jar.  All of them will work just fine and you do not have to worry about sizes matching.  Anything goes!  Just wash and dry before adding anything inside.

The poem is written by me - feel free to copy as you would like. 

Next, I have a cutie patootie Bug Jar Decorating Kit from Kids Camp.  For a dollar, the kids will be able to personalize their jar and make a super cute container.  While there were a few to choose from, I bought only the lady bug and the bumble bee kits.  You can purchase the sticker kit at your local JoAnn Fabrics. 



Since the kids will be decorating the jars on their own, to make the plain glass container interesting, I added four gummy worms and a little slip of paper that reads:


Just add a few gummy worms for that 'bug effect'!  Guaranteed kid pleaser!




This is my little bug jar

To study bugs from afar.

I promise before the day is done,

To let the bugs back out so they can have more fun!

For the marshmallows and graham crackers, I added a sharpie label with the carb amounts.  As in the past, the kids often mix and match their things - thankfully, we have a bunch of 'sharers' in our family so having a label on all food items is very helpful.  No matter what bag you use, the carb count is right there, making it for an easy bolus.

Hershey Milk Chocolate has a label on the back of the candy bar, so no need to re-write.  For reference, I think one s'more is 24 carbs ( 1 marshmallow is 6 carbs, 2 sheets of graham crackers are 12 carbs and two chocolate squares are 6 carbs).  Please be sure to double check your labels as YMMV - your mileage may vary on your carb counts.


If you are on injections, why not dose for a s'more with your meal and then make a microwave version after eating?
 
 
Not to mention that having my niece and nephew receiving labels on everything food oriented, tends to normalize type 1 diabetes.  The cousins have grown up together and know that part of maintaining good health, is to match insulin to carbohydrates.  It all seems routine to these kids now and no questions are even asked.  If anything, the kids have fun taking turns trying to use their math skills the fastest!
 
Have fun making your own Summer Survival Kit and if you come up with other find items to add, please leave a comment below.  As one 'Ant' to another, I am always looking for good ideas!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Sunday, June 16, 2013

Disney and Diabetes: What Are Your Thoughts About the Disney Guest Assistance Card?

I received this comment today and found it interesting.   From what this person has left under the initial "K", I thought it might be good to open conversation.
 
Do you or do you not think that people living with type 1 diabetes need to use a Guest Assistance Card?
 
If you have a moment, please write a comment on this post using the www.naturallysweetsisters.com website.  Facebook comments will not link to the blog, so for the sake of conversation, please post all thoughts here. 
 
 
 
 
From "K"
I think it is terrible that you encourage and train people to get the guest assistance card. You and people like you are the reason they are revamping the program. My father has Type 1 Diabetes and my niece has had it since she was 2. Never in all the years that we have traveled to Disney has either of them asked for or needed a "front of the line" pass. What are doing is deplorable. You need to save the pass for families who actually need it. Disney is cracking down on people like you and I intend you report your website to them. on Walt Disney World And The Mysterious Guest Assistance Card (GAC)
 

Sunday Serenity: Happy Father's Day

Dad






Happy Father's Day!

Love,
The Naturally Sweet Sisters







Saturday, June 15, 2013

Happy Father's Day




In 1994, my dad suddenly passed away.  I was in college, living with three other roommates in an apartment off campus when the phone call came in.  I could hear my sister-in-laws unusually worried young voice on the other end of the line.  Tearfully, she asked if I could drive home and meet the rest of the family at the hospital because my dad wasn't doing well.  She explained that he was in the hospital and no one was fully sure of what was happening except that my mom had driven him in after he had complained of chest pains. My boyfriend, now my husband, quickly grabbed his car keys and we drove straight away.  By the time I arrived, my father was already gone.  He suffered several heart attacks after an aneurysm ballooned in his stomach.  It happened so suddenly that none of us really had time to even know how to help him.

I never had the chance to say good-bye or to give him one last hug.  Just barely in my 20s, my dad was long gone.

Because I was so young when he died, my dad never saw me graduate from college or start my first job.  He didn't dance at my wedding, see our first house or see the birth of either of my daughters. 

Many a times I have wondered what he would have thought.  Would he have been proud?  Would have he have cheered us on?  Would he have offered sage advice or loving compliments?

Most of all, I wonder what he would have thought at realizing his two granddaughters, even while beautiful, sweet and smart, were also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Would he have supported us?  Learned how to do an injection or calculate carbohydrates for an after school snack?  Would he have cried when we cried?  Would he have rallied around us when the girls had a good or a bad blood sugar day?  Would he have helped pick out a pump color or even let his granddaughters give him an injection?

I'll never know. 

And sadly, my daughters will never know.  Even more sad, they'll never know him.

I'll continue to do my best with stories and tall tales.  Uncle Monkey will fill in the blanks and together, we will be more than enough of a 'grandpa' for all of the grandchildren.

For me personally,one thing that I do know and something that I hold close to my heart is that no matter, we have done an amazing job with this life, even with the added surprise of type 1 diabetes. 

That's more than enough to be proud of and especially to know. 

Love you, Dad.

Happy Father's Day.




Thursday, June 13, 2013

Selling Shoes and Selling HOPE

Our elementary lunchroom table for selling paper sneakers for JDRF. 


A few weeks ago, my youngest daughter initiated a school project for her Student Leadership Council that involved selling paper sneakers for JDRF at lunch time.

It was a very simple and easy way to help spread awareness of the need for a cure of type 1 diabetes.

Not to mention, it was also a fun and colorful way to decorate her school.


Paper sneakers.  I'll always think they're cute!

All we needed to do was to send a letter home with directions to send school children back to school with some spare change to donate to JDRF.  In return, we offered the families a chance to sign a paper sneaker with their child's name.

We hoped that the project would sell about 200 paper sneakers.  At $1.00 each, our estimated total would be $200.00.  Not bad for the last week of school and some spare change.

Instead of achieving our small goal, our school wowed us with even more!  $349.50 to be exact! 

My youngest daughter was amazed.  One little idea blossomed into a big way to help JDRF step closer to a cure for type 1 diabetes.

As a parent volunteer for the project, I felt pride in helping my daughter's vision to be realized.  Not only did I want to see her school earn money for JDRF, I also wanted her to know that she (or her sister) were not alone in fighting this disease.  I wanted her to know that people, especially kids, truly cared about her.  Really, I wanted her to know that an entire community of families, teachers and friends rallied around to say LET'S END TYPE 1 DIABETES!


Youngest Daughter receiving her award for Student Leadership Council's Community Service.

It thrilled our youngest daughter.  Her school cared!

Not only did it make an impact on our youngest daughter, it also had an affect on one younger student.

During his lunch hour, he ran up to the donation table and slammed down a rumpled envelope. 

I smiled and asked him if he would like to write his name on a sneaker.

He said "Yes, please" in a small voice.  So I asked him his favorite color and peeled one off for him to write his name on.

While he was writing, I opened the envelope and gasped when I saw a $20 and $10 dollar bill staring back at me.

"Wait, does your mom or dad know that you are giving us $30.00?" I gently asked.

The little boy looked me straight in the eyes and said "Yes.  It is my money.  My mom knows that I would rather give you all of the money in the world than to have diabetes anymore. I want to buy a cure and give back my diabetes."

Startled, I nodded my head in agreement.  I had forgotten that other students were living with type 1 diabetes too.  In fact, our tiny elementary school is home to four students; all in separate grade levels.  Afraid to say much more as tears were threatening to spill, I smiled and said, "I will do everything I can to help make that happen."

And I will.  So will my youngest daughter.  And my oldest.  And all of you that continue to do everything you can to help us eradicate t1d.

One day, type 1 diabetes will simply no longer be. 

It's important for our kids, all of our kids, to have this hope.  It's what gets them through the daily ins and outs of having their little fingers poked, receiving their injections of bolus and basal, of managing blood sugar swings while playing or studying, of stopping what they are doing to attend to their care plans..... all of which is HARD.

They need to know that this isn't something that is forgotten about.   That we have people in our world that care.

What I wanted to do more than anything was to give that little boy a hug and to tell him that he is wonderful and amazing just by being who he is and living fully with type 1 diabetes.

But instead, I simply smiled and handed him a stack of shoes and asked if he would like to decorate the school with his name. 

That cheered him up and with a big smile, he called over his friends and asked them if they wanted to help write his name too.  Which they did and before long, 30 sneakers proudly showed one word:  "LANCE".

And then, I told him that I thought he was a hero.

For all of the heroes out there...... we won't give up.



HOPE.

BELIEVE.

CURE.


Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Calming Back Down - Summer Vacation


Summer.

Just typing that word brings me a sense of peace and calm.

Imagine me sitting here as I am, with a light-filled heart, listening to the sprinklers tickling the grass and hearing the happy play between the girls drifting down from their open bedroom windows. 

Summer is finally here and with it, comes a freedom that I have deeply missed.

In particular, the freedom comes from knowing exactly where my children are and how they are feeling.  No longer a prisoner that is held hostage to the cell phone, if I have any questions about blood sugars, all I need to do is simply walk over and ask.

This simple freedom is both exhilarating and calming. 

My kids are home.  Everyday.  All day long. With me.

Pure bliss.

Which makes me carefully avoid the uneasy thinking that perhaps I should make the most of this time while I still have it. 

Deep in the back of my mind lies the unspoken thought of 'how many more summers will I be able to have this dear luxury of sweet children at home with me'?

I try to squash that thought back down, along with the other thought that this time is short and before I blink, the air will once again turn crisp with a lingering sound of geese flying southern bound and my girls planning their locker space design.

Let's all enjoy our summers....



Monday, June 10, 2013

Diabetes and Dance

Can you spot the insulin pump?

With a whirlwind of afterschool activities coming to an end, we had one last (and adorable!) activity to deal with... ballet recitals.

The dance school that youngest daughter attends is founded on the principles of Cecchetti Dance.

From the website:  "Cecchetti training is a rigorous method which pays careful attention to the laws of anatomy. It develops all of the qualities essential to the dancer: balance, poise, strength, elevation, elasticity, “ballon”, etc. It is classic in its purity and clear-cut style".

Which also means that her school used a strict dress code, complete with proper hair styling and simple black leotards and pink tights. 

All of that completely intimidated me as I also needed to somehow bring along the diabetes monster and make him dance!

Dance monster, dance!!!!!!

And how adorable is this little tutu wearing monster??

So why did we go this route when it seems more complicated?  After all, youngest daughter had been dancing just fine at the local studio that had an 'anything goes' approach to their variety of classes.  Type 1 diabetes was simple there and I could even walk into the dance room if I needed to. 

Kids first/diabetes second.  It just wasn't enough for youngest daughter. 

We chose this school after youngest daughter asked to learn more about ballet and wanted to one day be able to go en-pointe.  It was a wonderful fit for her personality as it was very structured but also, very rewarding.  By the end of the year, she was not only more graceful and poised, but also had a special self-confidence that is rare at an age of developing bodies and tween-years. 

After the recital, I was ready to shout out "we did it!  Kids first/diabetes second!!!!

With this new school and year of dance, also came a few challenges:  Pump on or pump off during her hour-long class?  G4 Sensor on or sensor off?  Infusion sites placed on arms or hidden on legs?  Glucagon in ballet bag or just a juice box?

It was even trickier as most days, the school closed off the viewing window so children could freely practice without parents or siblings distracting them.  That meant that I needed to rely on my youngest daughter's abilities to feel her blood sugars and to actively take care of them in the situation of a high or a low blood sugar.

We made it through and with great success.  Youngest daughter danced for three nights over the weekend and without back stage help from mom or dad.  Its easy to forget that she is 9 years old and just leaving 4th grade.  The maturity of our kids living with type 1 diabetes is AMAZING! 

So here are a few ways that we made our year of dance at a new school work:

1.)  Pump on or Pump Off:  For our family, most practice days were scheduled immediately after eating an after-school snack, which we tested blood glucose and bolused for the carbohydrates in the food.  Because of this regimen, youngest daughter was able to dance pump free for the hour-long class.  An exception was on days where blood sugar was too high upon entering class and for that, we had her wear her insulin pump on a clip that was attached to a ballet skirt worn on top of the leotard. 

2.)  Sensor On or Sensor Off:  Our dance studio did not allow bags to be brought into the classroom.  Therefore, bags were either placed in a locker without a lock or left near the coat racks.  Having a G4 that resembles an Ipod Nano seemed like an accident waiting to happen, so we opted to leave the receiver at home.  The sensor was left in place and we simply calibrated blood sugars to the receiver when our youngest was hooked back up to the pump.

3.)  Infusion Sites and Sensor Sites:  Since we rotate between legs, arms, stomach and tush, our youngest daughter did have days in the studio with having a site in a visual area.  This was the hardest part about dance as some kids did remark upon the site (usually in a curious kind of way) but youngest daughter wasn't too pleased about having to answer a ton of questions in the middle of a ballet class.  For the recital day, we carefully worked the site rotation to make sure that we could place it somewhere hidden so that no questions would be asked and our youngest daughter was free to go about her day with less worries.  One great tip is to practice role-playing with your child on how to answer some of the questions of "What is that?"  We tried to normalize the curiosity and help our youngest feel more confident in talking about type 1 diabetes.

4.) Recital Day:  Look carefully at the above picture.  Can you see the placement of her insulin pump?  It's there!   What we discovered is that another great place to tuck a pump is in the waistband of her tights, under the leotard.  It doesn't slip or move, even with twisting and turning around on the dance floor.  We loved this as her backstage and recital time away from mom and dad totaled about 2.5 hours.  That entire time, she was able to remote bolus using the Animas PING remote and her blood sugars stayed nice and steady.

Another great tip on recital day is to send your child with a cell phone.  While she was backstage, our youngest daughter was able to check her blood sugar and send me text updates with her numbers.  I felt calm, she felt independent and her time of dance wasn't overshadowed by type 1 diabetes.  Truly a win-win.

5.)  Glucagon or Candy (US) Smarties:  This year, we opted to send our child with candy and not with Glucagon.  Now, this may vary for you and definitely do what you think is right for your family.  With the bag issue, just like the G4 Receiver, I didn't want the Glucagon falling into the wrong hands.  We felt better with the idea of having candy in the bag.  You can also pack a juice box, some dried fruit, or any other number of things that your child uses to bring up a low blood sugar.  Just be sure to pack something. 

6.)  Tell Someone:  At the beginning of the year, I try to set up a plan - much like the 504 Plan - I build a 'team' of people that will be able to help if an emergency should arise.  At our studio this year, one of the receptionists was also a mom of a child with type 1 diabetes.  How did I find out?  By casually mentioning that my daughter had a bag of candy in her dance bag in case she had a low blood sugar.  This sparked a conversation which led to meeting the daughter, learning that she was pumping with an Omni Pod and discussing which candies taste better when dealing with a low blood sugar.  That mom turned out to be one of my biggest allies and because she knew the dance studio ropes, was able to give me great insight on the teachers, the best recital seats and where to save money on dance gear.  All because of one little conversation. 

7.)  Have Fun!  Don't let the diabetes monster get in the way of creating magical memories for you and your child.  With a little planning, patience and practice, your dance year will be magical too!


Youngest daughter is directly in the middle and is about to do her big finish!








Saturday, June 1, 2013

Sunday Serenity

Calm..


If you have watched Finding Nemo or forgot about loveable Dory, today is your day to 'just keep swimming'!

Love,
The Naturally Sweet Sisters