Pumping it Up!

While it goes without saying, it has been a while since I have last posted! I am sorry! We got our insulin pump in October. And, I just wanted to share our experiences with you briefly here in case you are considering going to the pump with your child.

First, be ready to "start all over." The doses and learning curve are totally different via the pump, and you emotionally and literally start over. It can take two weeks to several months to fully get things regulated.

Second, at this point in time, Moye's is not a full fledged supplier of insulin pump supplies. While we might be able to order a few things for you that are pump-related, it is best at this point in time to go through the representative at your endocrinologist's office as to which pump manufacturer can work best with you and you insurance. We currently do not bill insurance for insulin pump supplies.

Third, the good news though is that one of your Moye's pharmacists and now been through this transition personally with her child, and I am definitely here for you! Feel free to post a comment under this post if you have any questions! While I certainly cannot be the substitute for the physician or the pump representative, I am absolutely here for you emotionally! Sometimes us moms know best, right?

In the photos I have posted, you can see the new way my child gets his insulin now, and the first 3 months of supplies we received. I did experience the initial frustrations of starting over, but now being a few months in I can tell you it really a positive thing when it's all said and done. Everyone said to me, "The pump will change your life." I am almost there! Maybe not quite all the way. But, I do see the light at the end of the tunnel.

So, if you are already pumping, happy pumping! Please share any tidbits of info you have!

Hug Time!

Thursday, November 11th, is National Hug-a-Diabetic Day!!! Take a few moments on this Thursday to think of the daily life diabetics live and pray for a cure! Some would even say to place a rubber band on your wrist and set a timer for every 2 hours. Every 2 hours snap the rubber band to feel the twinge of pain diabetics feel when they prick their fingers every two hours. And, at each meal and bedtime snap it three times to mimic the feeling of an insulin shot. Think about how every two hours you would need to eat even if you weren't hungry. Think about how in between the two hours you might not be able to eat or drink even if you are hungry. And, a real eye-opener (pun intended), set your alarm clock for 2:00 am and snap the rubber band to remind yourself of the middle of the night finger pricks. Send lots of hugs to anyone you know on this day that suffers from diabetes. Don't forget, too, to send support and hugs to the mommies, daddies, and other caregivers! They are up at 2:00 am as well!

Customer Appreciation Week!

Wow! I cannot believe it is almost October! My last post was before school started, and as you can see school starting means full plates for us momas of diabetic children (and all the other momas out there, too!) Sorry for the delay in updating you all. But, at least my new post will be exciting!!! I have a few things to fill you in on...

Moye's Pharmacy is having their first ever Customer Appreciation Week October 4th through the 8th. Stop in at any of our locations for free treats and special discounts including buy one, get one deals on our dollar items. Additionally, if you are interested in getting you or your diabetic child a flu shot this season, you can discuss that with your Moye's pharmacist. Our flu shots will be $25 this year. (Ask your pharmacist about insurance coverage of the flu shots.)

Second, we are due to start our insulin pump in just a few short weeks over here at our house. My son is turning six soon, and the doctors and I think he is ready. That is great news for any of you debating this big decision. We can be your guinea pigs!! I will be sure to keep you updated.

And, lastly keep your eyes out for an upcoming post about the coolest Christmas gift ever!! I will be doing my next post on the Didget. Your diabetic children will all be wanting one! Stay tuned!

Back to School Supplies

It is sadly that time of year again (well, maybe for some of you happily :)) for school to begin again. Parents will be bustling about buying school clothes, new shoes, notebook paper, pencils, etc. Open House is right around the corner and parents will receive their list of required supplies and begin marking off their list. However, there are supplies that our diabetic children need for school that will not be on that list! I am amazed how many children do not take glucagon emergency kits to keep at school. This is very important! Way more important than the glue sticks! I wanted this blog post to be a reminder (for me as well) as to what we need to pack up for the school. And, remember to update your school plan as well. If you are short on supplies, visit your local Moye's Pharmacy to stock up or get us to call your physician to renew your prescriptions.

Back to School Supply List:

1. Insulin and supplies: alcohol wipes, syringes
2. Ketone Strips
3. Emergency kit: 15 gm snack, juiceboxes, glucose tablets, glucagon pen
4. Glucometer with strips, lancet device, and lancets
5. Updated school plan including emergency contact phone numbers
6. Insulin pump supplies if applicable

It is also a good idea to include an instruction manual for your glucometer, pump, etc.

Enjoy the last few weeks of your summer! Wishing you and your child a fun, healthy, school year!

Toes in the Sand

Well, it is summertime!! Yay! Flip flops and crocs here we come!

Well, maybe.

For diabetics, foot health and proper footwear is SO important and can often be overlooked! We mostly think of foot infections and issues with older patients, but we should start early talking to our young diabetics about proper footcare and set an example early in life for them to follow as they get older.

The big picture behind foot issues and diabetes has to do with nerve damage done by constant, high blood sugars. So, patients may lose some sensation in their feet keeping them from knowing they might have a sore or cut. If they are unaware of a foot injury and it goes untreated and unnoticed, infection (keeping in mind high sugars make it hard to heal infections) could occur.

Hopefully, we are able to keep our kids' A1C levels low enough throughout the adolescence that they won't have any nerve damage. However, we should still discuss with them the importance of keeping their sugars in check and keeping their toes and feet clean, nails properly trimmed, and minimizing their risk of any infection by not going barefoot in unclean places. Additionally, children are always growing as are their feet, too! Donate or toss old shoes that have become too small and buy proper fitting shoes that don't cause blisters.

If you are an adult diabetic who reads the blog and struggle with poor circulation and foot health, feel free to call Sue at our Jodeco location at 770-507-1234. She can assist you with compression hosiery or diabetic socks.

Happy Summer!

Exciting News!

I realize all of my readers might not be dealing with juvenile diabetes, but as you all know it is most dear to my heart as my five-year old son suffers from juvenile type 1 diabetes. I wanted to start this blog as an outreach to other families affected by diabetes because if it weren't for a few special families there for me in the beginning I am not sure how I would have otherwise coped. Now, I am ready to give back. (Although, admittedly I still need lots of support myself! :) Don't we all?) So, tomorrow night I will be attending the JDRF Georgia Chapter's "Stories of Hope" fundraising Gala in Atlanta, and it will be my first volunteer position! I am very excited! In addition, the volunteer who is in charge of the support group and monthly meet-ups in our area needs someone to cover in her place this summer, and I was asked to take the job! Now, what does all this mean for you? Lots of things! First, I will be planning fun activities at least once a month for us to network and meet. Second, I will be on the frontlines with access to any new information the JDRF releases or fun activities that I can then pass on to you. And, third, it should better equip me overall. I hope I can learn tons of information, touch someone, and become an even better blogger for you all! I am getting warm fuzzies just thinking about being in the room tomorrow night when thousands of dollars will be raised for find a cure! I believe there is one! Won't you believe with me?

The Yellow Yuck

As many of you can tell just by walking out to your car, the pollen season is definitely here!! The car washes are fighting a losing battle, so just save your money and time! Finally, yesterday our area received some much needed rain! However, I just checked, and the forecast for our county looks pretty much dry for at least the next ten days, so we are definitely not through with it yet.

There are antihistamines over-the-counter approved for use in children, and if you would like a recommendation for your child visit your local Moye's Pharmacy where our pharmacists will be happy to help you! Additionally, there are antihistamines for children that are available in liquid form that contain less than five grams of total carbohydrates per dose!! Isn't that awesome!? In fact, most liquid OTC medications are safe to use in diabetics, but always check with your Moye's pharmacist first. (There are some exceptions..especially prescription formulations.) I personally have used liquid cetirizine for my son without it having any direct effect on his sugars.

A note to remember though...the allergies in general can cause some elevated blood sugars especially if it continues into an upper respiratory infection. Anytime the immune response is activated, it can affect the sugars. Hopefully though this pollen will make its grand exit really soon, and our children can get ready for a fun-filled summer!

That will call for another post though!! With summer comes swimming and lots of running around outside which also affects blood sugars! Stay tuned!