Wordless Wednesday #HAWMC Day 30!!

Insulin is NOT a cure. Insulin IS life. 

This is not any ordinary water droplet. 

This is insulin.

What keeps my diabetic daughters ALIVE.

Day 17: #HAWMC: Wordless Wednesday: Diabetes Wordle

DIABETES

I like the way this looks...like used test strips all over the floor! 

Interview with a Vampire...well, not really! ...Day 26 #NHBPM

Good Morning and welcome to day 26. Today I will interview "something" we, unfortunately, know all too well. "It" came 100% uninvited into all of our lives and yet we deal with "it" 24/7/365.

"It" is diabetes.

"Thank you for taking the time to sit down with me and let me ask you a few questions."

"Sure. It's not like I'm going anywhere."

"So how do you pick your, ahem, victims, shall we say?"

"That's easy. I don't discriminate. I'll choose young, school age, heck, I'll even go out and get me an adult. I like showing up when no one is expecting me."

"Why do you show up? I mean, we don't really want you around."

"Ahh...don't care for me 'eh? Well...I figure people really don't have enough going on in their lives that I'll give them something to do. I hate to brag, but I'm anything but boring."

"That's for sure. On to the next question...why do you like to make it really hard during holidays, playdates, SLEEPING?"

"I work everyday, all day. I love my job and NEVER take a day off so why should you? By the way, sleeping is sooo over rated, don't cha think?" (chuckle)

"Uh, yea. Over rated...pfft. What are your favorite things to do, since you never take a day off?"

"My favorite things to do are really quite fun for me. You know when your diabetic eats all that food for lunch and you've weighed and calculated every carb and have them bolus perfectly for it? Yea, I like to play with them and make them high or low...depends on my mood and what they have planned for the day. I try to complicate things the best I can. Oh...and for added kicks that same lunch they eat the next day...I'll do the opposite to them. Oooh!! I love doing this because you caregivers get your panties all in a ruffle...too much fun!!" (giddy with excitement)

"Nice. Well you know, there are some amazing scientists after you. They are trying to cure our diabetics. So what will you do, let's say, when you retire? Although, I personally, would rather see you dead."

"Death!? I'm truly offended. That's awfully harsh."

"Well, ya know. There is no love here."

"Ouch! (chuckle) I don't plan on going anywhere. Those amazing scientists have been after me for years. They can't catch me. I've eluded them for so long..."

I interrupt...
"Dr. Banting stopped you from killing kids."

"Ah...yes. Dr. Banting. umm...that's rather a sore subject with me."

"I bet. With his discovery of insulin, diabetes was no longer a death sentence. In fact, diabetics can live a long and healthy life WITH insulin."

"...ah, yes...umm...I...uh...."

"What?! Insulin got your tongue?"

"well...I've gotta run...I've got lots to do today. Bye."

*I'm so sorry, as you see, Diabetes cut the conversation short. I think I'VE ruffled "it's" feathers. I had lots more to say to "it" but I wouldn't be able to air it...a few choice words, if you catch my drift. I hope you've enjoyed my interview. Have a great day.

Watch out Mr. "Big, Bad" Insurance...this D Momma coming straight at ya!

We are in the process of trying to get Evelyn on insulin pump therapy. She knew before she was "officially" diagnosed that she would be getting a pink pump and a special pink skin to go with it. She had it all planned out! Unlike some kids you plan out what they will wear the next day or what they will major in for school my kid plans out her demise...if you will! Well, health insurance could possible be an issue for us. We haven't reached the mandatory six month waiting period but our pump company insurance liaison feels we have a shot since Nora is on a pump and has been since 2007. In order to get all our ducks in a row; we have letters from Evelyn's Endo, paperwork and more paperwork signed by the powers that be. In comes D Momma. The personal letter to the insurance company pleading our case. Why Evelyn wants to be on a pump. That we know what we are doing. I'm sure many of you have gone down this insurance road of hell! I just wrote the letter and wanted to share it with you! Fingers crossed, Blue Heels on, and a powerful letter will hopefully work. If not. It's okay...we wait till December 1st. But this D Momma likes a challenge. So look out Insurance Board of Approval...you have no idea what your up against!! 

9/23/12

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to you on behalf of my daughter, Evelyn Loving. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, June 1, 2012. Just a week after she graduated High School and only 5 days before she celebrated her 18^th birthday. Not only is this unfortunate for her but it has devastated our family. You see, our 11 year old daughter, Eleanore, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, June 13, 2005. She was 4 ½ years old. We KNOW diabetes. We LIVE diabetes. Every day. 24/7/365 x 7 years and counting.

The reason for my letter is for you to consider waiving the six month waiting period and allow my daughter, Evelyn, to be placed on insulin pump therapy. Her sister has been successfully pumping since 2007. She loves her pump and the convenience it allows her to live her life without the hassle of insulin syringe injections. Evelyn has seen the workings of the pump and how it has given her sister freedom. Freedom to be “normal”…to be discrete about her chronic condition.

Evelyn has been given herself 575 insulin injections JUST since June 1. That’s 575 different rotations of injections sites. Upper arms, inner/outer thighs, and belly. It doesn’t get any easier for her. She is a trooper but as a parent it rips my heart out with every injection she must endure. For every shot that hurts her; while it’s administering the life saving drug she needs, it’s hard to see her go through this. Having an insulin pump won’t cut down on the amount of insulin she will need. However, it will cut down on the amount of syringe piercings she will have to endure. To have a single pump site set that rotates with a new site set every 2 -3 days will save her skin from multiple injections, scars, and possible scar tissue. Not to mention the constant flow of insulin she will be receiving via her pump that will help her manage her diabetes more effectively. To get this constant flow of insulin gets rid of the peaks and valleys she sees when she takes her long lasting insulin. It’s just a better regime for her.

So please reflect on our specific case. We know insulin pumps. We are well educated on how a Minimed Revel Insulin Pump works. We know to call Minimed and/or Cincinnati Children’s Medical Hospital Center for any problems that we may encounter with the pump and/or insulin adjustments.  We can do this. More importantly, Evelyn, can do this. To be able to give my 18 year old daughter the freedom to be a young adult without the worry of embarrassment when she pulls out her insulin syringe during her classes to correct for a high blood sugar or snack; when mean the world to her; to us.

Thank you for your time,

Jennifer Loving

Mom to Two Type 1 Diabetics 

Wordless Wednesday

I LOVE  this photo. 

I'm biased. 

It's my girls. 

 They are united by blood AND insulin. 

Fighting together as T1D's.

 Fighting together for a cure!