May 13, 2013

Dear Endo:

Hello all!! Thanks for the little blog rest after participating in the WEGO month long blog last month...whew! It was fun but I needed a break. So thank you for sticking with us!

This week is:





Today we are challenged to come up with what we really could tell our Endo or Diabetes Health Team. This is fitting as I've had both the girls in for their 3 month check ups in the past few days. I'm almost afraid to tell you this...but I LOVE my girls Endo. We didn't have her right at first diagnosis with Nora almost 8 years ago. We've had our share of icky, beat my head against a brick wall CNP's but found their Endo by a fluke and have kept her ever since! 

What I like the most about her is that she actually talks to my kids. She asks them what and how they are doing. She praises them when a job is well done and encourages them when needed. NEVER has she made us feel bad about a non-stellar A1C or harped on us for doing something or not doing something. The girls adore her. I also like that she is aware of how long we've been doing this. So she is courteous with our time. She is aggressive in her treatment but also listens to how I help "manage" the girl's diabetes and takes that into consideration. She is relevant and keeps up to date on new technology. She goes to diabetes camp as one of the Doc's and LOVES it!! She also cares about diabetes globally. She brought the film makers into our city and had a private screening of Life for a Child. She is just awesome...she is how other Endo's should model themselves after! If you ever happen to be in the Cincinnati, Ohio area and need a great Endo at Cincinnati Children's give Dr. Nancy Crimmins a try...I promise you'll love her!! 

HOWEVER, if you don't have the most awesome Endo ever and you DREAD going into yours this is what they should know.

1. Don't harp on the A1C. It's a freaking number...there is enough guilt us D-rents's live with that you don't need to add this on top of it. We consider it our Report Card. Is it not enough we are busting our ass trying to keep the D kid alive? We need encouragement NOT brow beating.

2. Talk to our kids. Ask them how they are doing. Get to know them. I'm not saying go on a family camping trip with them but LEARN something about them. They are kids first. Who just happen to have diabetes. 

3. Encourage, encourage, encourage. In everything.

4. Don't act like you know it all. Yes, you are the one with a MD behind your name but guess what...we do too (not really but we have an honorary MD). We know our kids D better than you do. So give us some credit. 

5. Praise. Even if it's a little victory. Praise it. There are lots of crappy days in dealing with D...we, D-rents try to find the joy in just one little victory. Acknowledge it. 

In closing, I would like you to think about YOUR health care provider. Are they working for you, against you or with you?