Peers

Forum Post: Re: Cord Blood Banking

jennagrant — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:59:00 GMT

There are other posts on this site on the topic so search around a bit. Basic consensus is that it's better to put the $$ in a college fund for your child since no researchers have been successful at turning stem cells into actively producing insulin cells.

Congratulations on your new baby.

Forum Post: Re: Want to conceive but need to get A1C down

jennagrant — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:56:00 GMT

Don't worry about how your baby will be born. You're not even pregnant yet! =)

First step is to have your diabetes in as good of shape as possible. Sounds like your first pregnancy was healthy so there is no reason your second won't be. You can deal with pregancy and birth issues as they come up.

The goal of "lowering your A1c" is big and hard to get your arms around. What's worked best for me is to have a low target number while have few hypoglycemias as much as possible. Work with your doctor to find a target that's safe. Especially since you have a young child that you take care of.

When pregnant I aimed for 80 because non-diabetic women have blood sugars in the 60 - 80 range. In the years since I don't like taking the time to maintain that tight of control and I aim for 100 and rarely have lows.

Try this for a couple months and assess your numbers based on your A1c and the % of tests that are within your target range (I use +/- 20, so I like to see about 80% of my tests between 80 - 120).

Forum Post: Re: VBAC w/ T1

KatherineW — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:02:00 GMT

Michelle, how's it going? I also want to VBAC the next time I get pregnant- hopefully in a few months when my A1C is better. I actually want to home birth, but I haven't talked to many people seriously about it to see if I will have the support to do it. But I at least want my A1C to be excellent so that I can have the confidence to insist that I go into labor on my own without an early induction (which to me means before 41 weeks!).

Please let me know if you are pregnant, or have had another baby yet, and your experience. I would also love an accountability partner if you are up for it! Thanks! Good luck and God bless!

Forum Post: Re: Sports

JSeltz — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:39:00 GMT

thanks! I do have a CGM, I just sometimes have difficulty with it staying in, so I rarely wear it. We think the high blood sugars were due to a virus that I had in my system, so fortunately my sugars are stable now.

Forum Post: Re: GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)

Amanda — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:40:00 GMT

Hey LoLoG!

I just wanted to update you on the whole GRE thing so far! So I submitted all the necessary paperwork and the fee, and called today to make sure they received it. So now I just have to wait for an email/phone call to go ahead and schedule the exam!

I want to thank you again for all of your help and advice. You're the best!! :)

Forum Post: Re: What's the hardest part about being a parent of a child with diabetes?

John — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:56:00 GMT

I'm glad she thinks it's a good idea! I'm trying to really rally my team to understand that more doctor time isn't necessarily what we need. T1D is different in that it's such a... life transformation. Some people see food, we just see 75 carbs with enough fat to require a dual wave bolus. You just can't take a day off. I can't imagine being a parent of a kid with t1d, seems really really tough. Thanks JG!

Forum Post: Re: Life with a T1D Toddler..... Any advice welcome

jennagrant — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:12:00 GMT

Both Joe and Ebgineer gave you good advice.

The parents of kids with diabetes are put under a lot of pressure these days. I was diagnosed back in the 1970's and took just one shot of long acting insulin a day. It wasn't ideal, but I'm glad I've had all these years to learn about insulin, carb counting and all the other stuff people with diabetes now do.

Don't put yourself under pressure to be perfect. It's impossible with diabetes. You need to visit with your doctor about how to fit diabetes management into your real life. All of us with diabetes manage it differently, so you need to find what works for your family.

If you're going to have tight control, you may want to check into getting an insulin pump. They provide a lot of flexibility. With shots you may have to lighten up on your control. That may mean having higher blood sugar in the morning, but not having lows or having to test through the night.

This is a weird example, but I always explain high blood sugars feel like a hang over... headachy, dry mouth, tired, sort of cranky but can manage. Low blood sugars feel like you're drunk... brain stops working, bad motor coordination, say silly things, and have irrational emotions. Sometimes I feel the highs and lows and sometimes I don't. Sometimes my emotions are related to my blood sugar and sometimes it's not.

It's okay for toddlers to have higher blood sugars since they are so sensitive to insulin. Just work with your doctor or certified diabetes educator and figure out an appropriate target blood sugar. Has your doctor given you a correction factor to treat high blood sugars?

Can you see if you can get an exemption from the Delaware daycare law? If your child does go to a medical daycare it's not necessarily a bad thing. Kids are adaptable. I grew up with an aunt who is my age who had Downs Syndrome. Her delayed development didn't impede mine, her disability made me a more compassionate person who knows that people deal with all sorts of challenges.

You sound like a really good mom. Your child is alive and thriving, so you're obviously doing something right! Just know you will learn as you go. If you have time to skim some books, I really recommend the ones below.

Kids First Diabetes Second: Tips for Parents a Child with Type 1 Diabetes by Leighann Calentine

50 Secrets of the Longest Living People with Diabetes by Sheri R. Colberg & Steven V. Edelman

Using Insulin by John Walsh

Pumping Insulin by John Walsh

Forum Post: Re: Pregnancy toolkit is now live on JDRF.org!!

jennagrant — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:02:00 GMT

This is so cool! Thank you.

Forum Post: Re: What they don't tell you when you young and newly dx'ed...

Christina — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 04:57:00 GMT

When I was diagnosed in 2004, (age, 19) I was told before leaving the hospital by a nurse I needed to have my eyes checked. She said there might be damage and I could go blind. What she didn't elaborate on was the fact that this happens after years of high blood sugars. Approaching my 9th year and still no eye damage!

Forum Post: Re: friend's just dont get what we have to deal with

Dsupergirl16 — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 02:18:00 GMT

good for you you have someone who you look up to. thats the most important thing in life. I understand what you mean but in a different way because i dont have diabetes. My best friend has it though and I have had kids in my class make fun of it and me because I was always praying for people with diabetes. they thought i was only doing it because of Nick Jonas and for a month i do admit that was the reason but i realized my best friend has it and some other people i care about have it and so many people around the world have it and i started doing it for those people all around the world. You are right anyone who has not been diagnosed with it doesnt understand what you are going through and though diabetics can sort of relate to eachother each person has a different story just like every snowflake is different. What matters isnt that you have friends who understand what your going through its that they support you and stay by your side because they will never know what you are going through but if they are sympathetic and stay by your side then you don't need them to understand exactly what your going through

Forum Post: Re: Why don't I have any friends?

Dsupergirl16 — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 02:06:00 GMT

you do have friends you just havent met them yet. you have friends here on this website and you have friends who you will meet in your future. Just because no one seams to be your friend in school doesn't mean you don't have friends it just means that you havent met the right people. I think you should just reflect on this poem. "When you get what you want in your struggle for self and the world makes you king for a day just go to the mirror and look at yourself and see what that man has to say for it isnt your father or mother or wife whos judgement upon you must pass the fellow whos verdict counts most in your life is the one staring back from the glass" basically you are going to meet alot of mean people. everyone does. but as long as you believe in yourself you will find that there are people who really want to be your friend and those are the people who will make you king or queen for eternity because they love you care about you and will always be there for you.

Forum Post: Re: I'm worrying my boyfriend sick.:( Advice please

Dsupergirl16 — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 01:42:00 GMT

I understand where your boyfriend is coming from. I worry alot about my best friend but ive realized that yes she does need me to be there for her but she doesnt need me babying her about it. I think what would help your boyfriend is if he had someone to talk to and to reassure him. I found that it took me talking to someone other than my friend to realize that she doesnt need to be reminded every second of her life. Maybe if he talked to someone who understood what its like to be worried about someone who means everything to you. Just remind him gently that you have other people in your life who care about you and who are making sure you are fine and that you dont need a reminder every second of your life because trust me its just as hard being the friend or boyfriend or girlfriend of a diabetic as it is being a diabetic. obviously in different ways but still. he is really worried about losing you if thats what he does and be thankful he hasnt broken up with you because of your diabetes. I will keep you in my thoughts as I keep every person who lives with diabetes there

Forum Post: Re: diabetes can ruin a friendship..

Dsupergirl16 — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 01:26:00 GMT

I'm so sorry you had to deal with that. My best friend has diabetes and I truely don't know if I could ever forgive myself if I did that to her. She means everything to me and is the only person I feel comfortable talking to in person. As a friend I find it my responsibility to be there for her when she needs me no matter how uncomfortable I may feel. Unless it made me feel sick to see blood I would never leave her if she had to check her blood sugar levels. I think your friend did overreact a little but that may be just because I've always been the kind of person who is fascinated when i get a vaccine shot or have to have my blood drawn and just stared in awe.I think you should try to find friends that will stick by your side through the good and the bad like a I do for my friend. And remember that there are people who care about you even if theyve never met you

Forum Post: Re: Teachers :(

ThatDiabeticGirlTori98 — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 02:46:00 GMT

Im sorry to hear about ur teachers...there not all like that mine r really understanding when i miss class and stuff they sumtimes gett an attitude but i mean idk dont let them bring u down they dont even know what diabetes is :/

Forum Post: Re: Contemplating a third pregnancy...

Gina — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:50:00 GMT

Hi Jordan,

I just had my first a little over two months ago. It was a fantastic pregnancy.

Getting back to what you said, I think that it sounds like you are more Con than Pro. I was always under the impression that you couldn't have more than two C-sections? My doctor told me if I were to have another he would then tie my tubes in the same surgery.

Forum Post: Re: Introduce yourself?

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 02:55:00 GMT

I've had t1 for 23 years. Work as a registered dietitian and diabetes educator. Wear an Animas Ping. Used to use a CGM but had to stop due to adhesive allergy. I blog at C's Life (cslifewithd.blogspot.com). I really love puppies. Especially mine.

Forum Post: Re: Diabetic retinopathy and pregnancy

Gina — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 06:21:00 GMT

Hi RRM,

I have mild retinopathy in my right eye and my eyes were checked during the pregnancy and I had no issues or progression. Everyone is different... so I think that if you keep in contact with your doctor with any changes in vision, (which can happen in people without D btw) They will be able to help you early on to prevent any further damage to your eyes. Have you talked with your eye doctor about your concerns he is probably the best person to ask about it.

What I can say is that you will be watched very closely by every single doctor you encounter during your pregnancy. Which is good and bad because after a while you are sick of them haha!

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, hopefully others have better insight.

Forum Post: Re: How to transfer responsibility to adult son

momtot1d — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 14:33:00 GMT

Jenna,

You are so helpful. This is exactly what I need to hear. I am beginning to feel like there is hope that he will not be our financial responsibility or obligation. You make some really good points on how care can be achieved on the cheap. He has said himself that we don't need to pay an expensive lab for an A1c because he knows he can go to CVS or Walgreens for the test. I didn't know that there were insulins available without a prescription for type I diabetes. I thought they were all for type 2.

His dr.'s office was really jerky not authorizing his refill for lantus. To the point it seems that they should be reprimanded. He was in for an appt. in March and they wouldn't authorize the refill here in December only 9 months from the appt. Left him with no slow acting which makes it really hard for him to balance his sugars. Hopefully moving forward we don't have any more issues like this. His endo (different dr.-same practice) wanted to see him again in a month, but said she understood if he couldn't afford to come for 6 months.

you are also so right that he knows how to adjust and manage his own insulin quite well on his own. He is impressed with this dr.'s knowledge and feels he could learn a lot from her. She was really trying to pinpoint with him when his lows hit after various workouts to adjust the timing of taking his lantus. He just loves to get to the nitty gritty of all this.

Again, thank you! I bought him some test strips, but told him that he would need to purchase the next box. That gives him a month. This all really boils down to him needing to take responsibility for his life. He lives with us, pays no rent, works less than 20 hours a week and ...It's a big task ahead, but you have given me some courage to press him to move forward.

Julie

Forum Post: Re: Diabetic Camps

Abby Pepper — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 02:34:00 GMT

Hi Ella! If you go to diabetescamps.org it gives you all the camps nearest to you. I plan on going to one in North Carolina this coming summer. I'm really excited because I've never been before! :) Hope this helps!

Forum Post: Re: I want to be normal again

Melissa — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 06:50:00 GMT

Thanks for the advice everyone. It definitely helps. I am still adjusting to it all and I feel fine about it most of the time, but on occasion I just get overwhelmed with it all and it really helps talking on here.