Monday, March 28, 2011
It only seems fair
If Hannah has to have type 1 diabetes, then so does her dolls. We ordered this cute handmade insulin pump and pump pack for her "American Girl" dolls. It was a sad day when Hannah told me "Olivia and Kit" have diabetes too. We were devistated. We decided that since the pump has been such a help for Hannah's diabetes management, that a pump would certainly make things easier for Olivia and Kit. Hannah thinks it's pretty cool and it only seems fair and another way Hannah can cope.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Why does it matter if I go to church?
Baseball fans go to baseball games. Football fans go to football games. People belong to health clubs. People join churches. Why?
Fans attend games because they love the game. Being among a loud and boisterous home crowd conveys the excitement and fervor of the moment better than watching the game on television at home alone. Even gathered among a few friends at home is better than just watching the Super Bowl alone.
The whole purpose of Weight Watchers is to meet every week to offer one another encouragement in the fight against the bulge. Rejoicing with those who have made progress and comforting those who have had set backs, is a prime reason for membership.
An individual can read the Bible alone, speak to the Lord in prayer alone, and sing praises to God alone. But the excitement of praising God with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is so much better even with a few friends. Being with fellow believers to celebrate the victory our God has won for us over sin, death, and the devil is such an encouragement to us as we live our lives here on earth.
We as believers join a church because we as Christians are not meant for isolation. The devil comes looking to tempt us when we are alone. He knows it is easier to get us to despair, to worry, and to be discouraged when we are alone. The encouragement of fellow believers is a prime reason for having a church to call home.
One may feel at times that they don't need the encouragement of others. The role God is playing in their life is good and they are happy. But another one of our roles as a believer is to serve one another in love. Our presence as part of a church is an encouragement to fellow believers. We can share how God is working in our lives, how we are comforted knowing he is in control of the world, how we have peace because we are forgiven for all we have done, and how we are sure of eternal life in heaven.
A piece of coal taken out of the fireplace and left to burn alone will soon grow cold. But those pieces of coal left together will burn bright and hot because of the coals around them. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
www.WELS.net
Fans attend games because they love the game. Being among a loud and boisterous home crowd conveys the excitement and fervor of the moment better than watching the game on television at home alone. Even gathered among a few friends at home is better than just watching the Super Bowl alone.
The whole purpose of Weight Watchers is to meet every week to offer one another encouragement in the fight against the bulge. Rejoicing with those who have made progress and comforting those who have had set backs, is a prime reason for membership.
An individual can read the Bible alone, speak to the Lord in prayer alone, and sing praises to God alone. But the excitement of praising God with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is so much better even with a few friends. Being with fellow believers to celebrate the victory our God has won for us over sin, death, and the devil is such an encouragement to us as we live our lives here on earth.
We as believers join a church because we as Christians are not meant for isolation. The devil comes looking to tempt us when we are alone. He knows it is easier to get us to despair, to worry, and to be discouraged when we are alone. The encouragement of fellow believers is a prime reason for having a church to call home.
One may feel at times that they don't need the encouragement of others. The role God is playing in their life is good and they are happy. But another one of our roles as a believer is to serve one another in love. Our presence as part of a church is an encouragement to fellow believers. We can share how God is working in our lives, how we are comforted knowing he is in control of the world, how we have peace because we are forgiven for all we have done, and how we are sure of eternal life in heaven.
A piece of coal taken out of the fireplace and left to burn alone will soon grow cold. But those pieces of coal left together will burn bright and hot because of the coals around them. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
www.WELS.net
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
all is well
Hannah has been doing really well over the last year with dealing with diabetes. May 6th marks her 1 year anniversary with the insulin pump. That piece of lifesaving equipment has been such a blessing in our lives in dealing with all of this. Her A1C has dropped more into the normal range, after being high for the first full year after diagnosis. Haven't quite made it into the "ideal range", but it gives me more confidence as I try to make sure she is getting what she needs. I feel like, by the A1C % I must be doing something right even though most days it doesn't feel like it.
She has become very independant in her own care, and knows the pump like anything else. She has gone to birthday parties and friends houses now, and it isn't as much of an issue...although when I hear birthday party or friends house, I go into a different mode, planning mode. We haven't done sleepovers yet, I'm sure that is next, but it still concerns me quite a bit. Pretty sure with a little extra planning it will work out too.
Her most recent diabetes appointment was mid- Feb., and that appointment also included annual labs. She was prepared and brave, and I do believe, even though she cried, she did better than she did last year for the blood draw. I reassured her she did really well and it's ok to cry, and I think next year she'll do even better. She agreed, because I'll be 10 !!, she says. Such a strong, brave girl comes out when she has to deal with this aweful disease. She is 60 lbs now and growing well. She is still on the thin side, and we are allowed to give her anything that will allow her to put on weight. The healthier, is of course, always better. Her thinness has limited the areas we can put her pump sites. Without much fatty areas, we are concerned of hitting muscle, which would hurt more than normal hurt when inserting a needle. We change her site every 3 days and are using the area on the upper part of her butt and alternate sides, it's the only area with enough fatty tissue. Areas we can use in the future are her tummy, sides, and thigh. Those will be the areas where she will be able to insert her own sites at some point.
Her annual labs all came back normal, which is always awesome news!!! Her thyroid stimulating hormone level (TSH) is getting close to the maximum range level. Last year it was 3.01 where this year it was 4.29 (range is 0.5 - 4.8). I was told she is in normal range via letter in the mail, but haven't had the chance to discuss the range and her higher level this year and what that may mean for the future. Her T4 level was good though, which is another thyroid test, and I believe the more significant one in dealing with thyroid issues. So...so far so good. Besides thyroid issues, celiac disease is common in type 1 diabetes, and she negative for that and is on the very low end at 0.6 (range: 0.0 - 6.9). Her cholesterol, triglycerides, and kidney function was excellent!! It will all be checked on a annual basis.
It was also noted that in our Minnesota winters, skin can get very dry, and Hannah is no exception. She has some very dry spots on her butt, elbows, feet and ankles. Weird places to have dry skin. Hannah needs her skin tended to with lotion. She LOVES the lotion massages she gets.
Another thing that was suggested that her eyes be checked and dialated before age 11
Eye problems and retinopathy are complications of diabetes later in life. She is still pretty young now, and before age 11 they suggest a baseline check. After age 11, or 4-5 years after diagnosis, she will most likely be checked every year. So I scheduled her for her next diabetes appt. and an eye exam all in the same day. It will be a long day.
May 4th is the day where she will have her diabetes appt. in the morning and we will have time to grab some lunch and then come back to the eye clinic early afternoon, which is in the same bldg. as her endocrinologist in Minnetonka.
They will do a complete eye exam and they told me the first exam can last 1-2 hours. So we should have a solid, complete baseline eye exam for the future.
Hannah has had one heck of a healthy winter and I am so thankful. Diabetes is so hard to figure out to begin with, and then add sickness, and it complicates things so much more. She has had 3 different bouts of the common cold, mostly nose and sinus issues off and on. It hasn't kept her down though, and she hasn't missed a day of school this year from being sick. We keep up with the humidifier in her room, and methalatum under her sore nose, along with plenty of sleep and fluids, and thankfully that's all that has been needed to keep her comfortable. I am so glad for the healthy winter we had this year, makes all those long months worth it and so glad that spring seems to be right around the corner.
She has become very independant in her own care, and knows the pump like anything else. She has gone to birthday parties and friends houses now, and it isn't as much of an issue...although when I hear birthday party or friends house, I go into a different mode, planning mode. We haven't done sleepovers yet, I'm sure that is next, but it still concerns me quite a bit. Pretty sure with a little extra planning it will work out too.
Her most recent diabetes appointment was mid- Feb., and that appointment also included annual labs. She was prepared and brave, and I do believe, even though she cried, she did better than she did last year for the blood draw. I reassured her she did really well and it's ok to cry, and I think next year she'll do even better. She agreed, because I'll be 10 !!, she says. Such a strong, brave girl comes out when she has to deal with this aweful disease. She is 60 lbs now and growing well. She is still on the thin side, and we are allowed to give her anything that will allow her to put on weight. The healthier, is of course, always better. Her thinness has limited the areas we can put her pump sites. Without much fatty areas, we are concerned of hitting muscle, which would hurt more than normal hurt when inserting a needle. We change her site every 3 days and are using the area on the upper part of her butt and alternate sides, it's the only area with enough fatty tissue. Areas we can use in the future are her tummy, sides, and thigh. Those will be the areas where she will be able to insert her own sites at some point.
Her annual labs all came back normal, which is always awesome news!!! Her thyroid stimulating hormone level (TSH) is getting close to the maximum range level. Last year it was 3.01 where this year it was 4.29 (range is 0.5 - 4.8). I was told she is in normal range via letter in the mail, but haven't had the chance to discuss the range and her higher level this year and what that may mean for the future. Her T4 level was good though, which is another thyroid test, and I believe the more significant one in dealing with thyroid issues. So...so far so good. Besides thyroid issues, celiac disease is common in type 1 diabetes, and she negative for that and is on the very low end at 0.6 (range: 0.0 - 6.9). Her cholesterol, triglycerides, and kidney function was excellent!! It will all be checked on a annual basis.
It was also noted that in our Minnesota winters, skin can get very dry, and Hannah is no exception. She has some very dry spots on her butt, elbows, feet and ankles. Weird places to have dry skin. Hannah needs her skin tended to with lotion. She LOVES the lotion massages she gets.
Another thing that was suggested that her eyes be checked and dialated before age 11
Eye problems and retinopathy are complications of diabetes later in life. She is still pretty young now, and before age 11 they suggest a baseline check. After age 11, or 4-5 years after diagnosis, she will most likely be checked every year. So I scheduled her for her next diabetes appt. and an eye exam all in the same day. It will be a long day.
May 4th is the day where she will have her diabetes appt. in the morning and we will have time to grab some lunch and then come back to the eye clinic early afternoon, which is in the same bldg. as her endocrinologist in Minnetonka.
They will do a complete eye exam and they told me the first exam can last 1-2 hours. So we should have a solid, complete baseline eye exam for the future.
Hannah has had one heck of a healthy winter and I am so thankful. Diabetes is so hard to figure out to begin with, and then add sickness, and it complicates things so much more. She has had 3 different bouts of the common cold, mostly nose and sinus issues off and on. It hasn't kept her down though, and she hasn't missed a day of school this year from being sick. We keep up with the humidifier in her room, and methalatum under her sore nose, along with plenty of sleep and fluids, and thankfully that's all that has been needed to keep her comfortable. I am so glad for the healthy winter we had this year, makes all those long months worth it and so glad that spring seems to be right around the corner.
Monday, March 14, 2011
a season in review
Bailey ended his PeeWee A hockey season on February 20, with a district playoff loss to Willmar. (2-3). They tied Willmar and beat them during the regular season. Certainly they had their chances, but with most of the first 2 periods consisting of too many penalties for our boys...it just didn't go our way. It was a good game and Bailey got to attempt a penalty shot. In the first period he was tripped as he had a breakaway shot. The trip landed him in the net, but not the puck. The excitement and nerves I felt as he waited to do his penalty shot were crazy. He looked calm, cool and collected however as he faced Willmar's goalie one on one. It will be one memory sketched into my brain, as he outwitted the goalie and SCORED!! It was so awesome. They all hoped to win that game, but it wasn't meant to be...and the season ended on that note. Some good and some not so good moments.
Bailey learned alot this season about the refs, checking, control, and being a team player. He did endure a concussion mid season that gave him headaches, dizziness, and some behavioral issues during the following weeks. Even though we didn't know at the time it was a concussion, since he was never unconscious at that moment, his behavior over the next week told us alot. He had to sit out a few games because of his physcial actions during a game following his injury, which in all reality was for the best both physically and emotionally. He was able to rest and refocus from... I hate hockey and wanting to quit, to allowing his brain to heal and getting back to a sport that he loves. It all worked out and he finished the season more controlled.
His team had a good weekend the end of January at Fergus Falls , and they won 3rd place in the tournament.
Next year he will begin skating as a Bantam, and I always worry about him in such a physical sport, as it definatly is getting more physical. So if you could say some prayers that he continues to have fun, learn, and stay safe I would appreciate it. This hockey mom loves hockey...but when it's your child out there getting hit, all I can do is pray.
He has been seeing a chiropractor for his migraines since the end of September. He was weaned off his medication and stopped seeing the neurologist in June. He had a few more severe migraines over the summer months, although, all in all his headaches were coming less often, which is why the decision to take him off the meds and see how he does. There was no medication that he was on that seemed to help much and the last one he was on, seemed to help the most, but it caused him to loose his appitite and not gain weight. He was on such a small dose at the end and getting less headaches overall, so the timing seemed right to get him off the drugs.
He started the chiropractor after I had been seeing one from my car accident. I had the idea in my head far before my accident, but I wasn't sold on the idea that it would help. After going to the chiropractor for the first time in my life and seeing the effects and how he drasticlly helped me, I decided to give it a try for Bailey. It has been amazing and I have learned alot about Bailey's migraines in general (and in detail), and what is causing them. He has been going mostly on a monthly basis for the past 6 months (more often in the beginning), and his migraines have significantly lessened even more. He has had a few related to hockey, but that has been it. The last 2 months he has had none. It's been wonderful. I trust my chiropractor and think he is amazing. It has been an added benefit to be seeing a chiropractor during hockey season as well. Bailey is once again gaining weight and went from a steady 85-86lbs to 95-96 plus pounds in less than 4 months. He's at 41st percentile for weight, and 43rd for height (as of Jan 14, 2011)
Even though chiropratic adjustments have been working wonders, it was a process. His neck (occipital bone, at the base of the skull) was out of alignment. I have reasearched it some and some from what the chiropractor has told me, his migraines have possibly been from being out of alignement already at birth. He was diagnosed at age 4, but that doesn't mean it wasn't present before. The bone out of alignment presses on nerves and blood vessels near the head and neck causing pressure and headaches.
He did have a difficult birth where they tried to use a vacuum and forceps for delivery, without success. He was stuck in the occiptial posterior position and slightly sideways, which is his head down, but facing up towards my stomach. Ideal position is anterior, which is head down, face down. I experienced alot of back labor, which is also sometimes a cause of baby in posterior position. It also has a higher occurance of assisted delievery and c-sections.
His difficult birth, I have learned is a "possible" cause of his migraines. Of course we can't be certain at this point. Since he has never been adjusted over the last 12-13 years, going to a chiropractor for 6 months seems to be a easy solution to a lifetime (Bailey's lifetime) of frustration and pain. I wish I would have known sooner. It so far, it has taken only about 6 months to keep his neck in alignment to avoid the pressure on the nerves and blood vessels whereas the drugs worked only off and on for over 2 years just covering up the true issue.
For the first few months of chiropractic treatments, we found that the occiput would come back, because it was used to being in that position for so long. I think we are finally on our way to a headache free exsistance for Bailey. I think a chiropractor would be beneficial for him long term anyway with his history and his choice of sport. In the world of chiropractic drugs are not the answer to any issue. They focus on the body and how it can heal itself, and I have truly become to believe that. Diet and lifestyle can also lessen the occurance of disease and cancer in the future. Prevention is the key.
Bailey learned alot this season about the refs, checking, control, and being a team player. He did endure a concussion mid season that gave him headaches, dizziness, and some behavioral issues during the following weeks. Even though we didn't know at the time it was a concussion, since he was never unconscious at that moment, his behavior over the next week told us alot. He had to sit out a few games because of his physcial actions during a game following his injury, which in all reality was for the best both physically and emotionally. He was able to rest and refocus from... I hate hockey and wanting to quit, to allowing his brain to heal and getting back to a sport that he loves. It all worked out and he finished the season more controlled.
His team had a good weekend the end of January at Fergus Falls , and they won 3rd place in the tournament.
Next year he will begin skating as a Bantam, and I always worry about him in such a physical sport, as it definatly is getting more physical. So if you could say some prayers that he continues to have fun, learn, and stay safe I would appreciate it. This hockey mom loves hockey...but when it's your child out there getting hit, all I can do is pray.
He has been seeing a chiropractor for his migraines since the end of September. He was weaned off his medication and stopped seeing the neurologist in June. He had a few more severe migraines over the summer months, although, all in all his headaches were coming less often, which is why the decision to take him off the meds and see how he does. There was no medication that he was on that seemed to help much and the last one he was on, seemed to help the most, but it caused him to loose his appitite and not gain weight. He was on such a small dose at the end and getting less headaches overall, so the timing seemed right to get him off the drugs.
He started the chiropractor after I had been seeing one from my car accident. I had the idea in my head far before my accident, but I wasn't sold on the idea that it would help. After going to the chiropractor for the first time in my life and seeing the effects and how he drasticlly helped me, I decided to give it a try for Bailey. It has been amazing and I have learned alot about Bailey's migraines in general (and in detail), and what is causing them. He has been going mostly on a monthly basis for the past 6 months (more often in the beginning), and his migraines have significantly lessened even more. He has had a few related to hockey, but that has been it. The last 2 months he has had none. It's been wonderful. I trust my chiropractor and think he is amazing. It has been an added benefit to be seeing a chiropractor during hockey season as well. Bailey is once again gaining weight and went from a steady 85-86lbs to 95-96 plus pounds in less than 4 months. He's at 41st percentile for weight, and 43rd for height (as of Jan 14, 2011)
Even though chiropratic adjustments have been working wonders, it was a process. His neck (occipital bone, at the base of the skull) was out of alignment. I have reasearched it some and some from what the chiropractor has told me, his migraines have possibly been from being out of alignement already at birth. He was diagnosed at age 4, but that doesn't mean it wasn't present before. The bone out of alignment presses on nerves and blood vessels near the head and neck causing pressure and headaches.
He did have a difficult birth where they tried to use a vacuum and forceps for delivery, without success. He was stuck in the occiptial posterior position and slightly sideways, which is his head down, but facing up towards my stomach. Ideal position is anterior, which is head down, face down. I experienced alot of back labor, which is also sometimes a cause of baby in posterior position. It also has a higher occurance of assisted delievery and c-sections.
His difficult birth, I have learned is a "possible" cause of his migraines. Of course we can't be certain at this point. Since he has never been adjusted over the last 12-13 years, going to a chiropractor for 6 months seems to be a easy solution to a lifetime (Bailey's lifetime) of frustration and pain. I wish I would have known sooner. It so far, it has taken only about 6 months to keep his neck in alignment to avoid the pressure on the nerves and blood vessels whereas the drugs worked only off and on for over 2 years just covering up the true issue.
For the first few months of chiropractic treatments, we found that the occiput would come back, because it was used to being in that position for so long. I think we are finally on our way to a headache free exsistance for Bailey. I think a chiropractor would be beneficial for him long term anyway with his history and his choice of sport. In the world of chiropractic drugs are not the answer to any issue. They focus on the body and how it can heal itself, and I have truly become to believe that. Diet and lifestyle can also lessen the occurance of disease and cancer in the future. Prevention is the key.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Help Find a Cure (Tribute to Lady Gaga)
Anybody find Lady Gaga songs catchy? Anybody love cute little girls in tutu's? Anybody wish there was a cure for type 1 diabetes? Watch this....
Thursday, March 3, 2011
JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes
Here are some pictures from the Walk to Cure Diabetes. It was Saturday Feb 26 2011, and Team "Hannah's Hopeful Hearts" raised a total of $1,055. It was expected that this years walk at the Mall of America raised a total of $2 million dollars. There were over 500 teams and close to 20,000 people walking, who had raised money for JDRF research and were there to support loved ones. These types of walks continue across the country, and we will be participating in a 5K JDRF Walk for a Cure on May 21 in Neenah, WI at Riverside Park. So if you were thinking of a donation and missed giving in time for the Mall of America walk, there is still time to give, or sign up and join our team and walk with us!!!
Go to www.walk.jdrf.org, go to the donate to walker section, and type in Hannah Emery/ team: Hannah's Hopeful Hearts, and location Wisconsin, or send a check made out to JDRF to us anytime, as each year we will continue to raise as much money as we can to support JDRF and their research for a cure.
The atmosphere is so inspiring and I enjoy the feelings that we are not in this alone. There are so many people counting on JDRF and their work towards a cure for our kids (and adults too)!! We all are there to support each other and this cause....Hannah does have alot of support and I am thankful for that. Diabetes does not define her life, but it is a part of her, and she has to learn how to cope as she grows up with this demanding disease.
Hannah (9) and Audri (8)
Hannah with Steve and I on walk day 2011
walking for a cure
all the amazing people-- post-walk celebration
Our 2011 walk team "Hannah's Hopeful Hearts"
Go to www.walk.jdrf.org, go to the donate to walker section, and type in Hannah Emery/ team: Hannah's Hopeful Hearts, and location Wisconsin, or send a check made out to JDRF to us anytime, as each year we will continue to raise as much money as we can to support JDRF and their research for a cure.
The atmosphere is so inspiring and I enjoy the feelings that we are not in this alone. There are so many people counting on JDRF and their work towards a cure for our kids (and adults too)!! We all are there to support each other and this cause....Hannah does have alot of support and I am thankful for that. Diabetes does not define her life, but it is a part of her, and she has to learn how to cope as she grows up with this demanding disease.
Hannah (9) and Audri (8)
Hannah with Steve and I on walk day 2011
walking for a cure
all the amazing people-- post-walk celebration
Our 2011 walk team "Hannah's Hopeful Hearts"
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