Survey Says

Survey Says

I don’t always get into “Repost this if you love your children”, “Like if you want a cure for Cancer” (or other attention-seeking posts) or surveys on Facebook, but I thought this one was kind of cute.  Granted, my “babies” are 11; I realize the answers would have been much funnier if they were 4, but I’m working with what I have.

I posed these questions to the twins.  Here are their answers:

Without ANY prompting ask your kids these questions. It's a great way to see what they think. Copy and repost

Asa & Aiden, Age 11.

1.      What is something I always say to you? 
I love you

(I really thought they would say “Check your blood sugar” or “Brush your teeth”.  Glad they hear “I love you” more than my nagging!)

2. What makes me happy? 
When we’re quiet.

(So much makes me happy, like good sugars, brushed teeth, good grades in school, decent behavior.  Quiet helps, too!)

3. What makes me sad?
Nothing makes you sad.

(I guess they don’t see me cry much really.  I try to keep too many negative emotions off their childhood plates.  Diabetes makes me sad…A LOT!)

4. How do I make you laugh? 
Asa says, by telling my awesome jokes!

(Admittedly, he’s a very funny kid, and he does make me laugh a lot!)

5. What was I like as a child? 

*I don’t remember how they answered this one* 

6. How old am I? 
41

(Can’t fool them anymore.  For the longest time, I had them convinced I was 29, which is odd since I was 30 when they were born.  Now, their math skills are too strong to blow that one by them!)

7. How tall am I? 
5’5”. 

(Yep, that’s it.  No secret)

8. What is my favorite thing to do?
Sleeping, and spending time with us

(Since I work so hard and Diabetes takes so much….yes, yes I like to sleep.  Spending fun times with them is great, too, because one day my nest will be empty)

9. What do I do when you're not around? 
Sleep

(See #8)

10. What am I really good at? 
Cooking

(Seeing how they reject a more-than-fair percentage of the meals I cook, I was a bit surprised by this response)

11. What am I not very good at? 
You’re good at everything.

(I beg to differ.  I can think of a good list of things I suck at)

12. What do I do for a job? 
Nurse

13. What is my favorite food?
Mexican food

(And one of the many reasons I am carrying too much weight right now!)

14. What do you enjoy doing with me?
Taking Walks and cuddling

(True story!).

So, have a little fun and ask your kid, too!

Rhonda

Detox

Detox

January 15, 2016

I was in the best physical shape of my life the two years before Diabetes struck our family!  Over the past couple of years, I have slowly put on 15 or so pounds. Diabetes, stress, fatigue, age…it all added up.  This doesn’t make me feel good, so I decided to take charge! Last fall, I decided to step up my fitness game (since I really had a pretty pathetic one) and started with a new local gym.  I did a “Challenge” over my busiest time of year.  Despite a vacation in Mexico, birthdays, lots of work, etc…I still lost 5 pounds.  It was just a little dent into the 20 pounds I wanted to lose, but it was a start.

After October, I continued 1-2 times per week doing weights and cardio at my regular gym, then I added twice-weekly fitness regime with the new gym.  Maintained during the holidays, so I consider that a win!  At the first of the year, my new gym, let me call it CoolGym, decided to host a “Detox”.  I needed another booster to jump start with weight loss, so I joined the 21-day challenge. 

Complete with signing up for the Detox, CoolGym provided access to a book written by a couple (I'll call them the Yuletides) who really believe what they’re selling. Of note, the Yuletides are “Health Promotion” experts, not physicians or nurses.  I'm not discounting their knowledge of their trade or nutrition, just stating a fact.   Frankly, I’m not much of a tree-hugger, but the underlying principle of what they had to say in their booklet IS valuable.  Basically, whole unprocessed foods.  Cut out the fats, trans fats, processed foods, caffeine, dairy, sugar, and much to my chagrin, alcohol.  Wine and cheese hiatus ensues.  The meat and bones of it is lean meats, loads of fresh veggies, tons of water. 

They make a lot of claims that by following this detox, one will have less constipation, bloating, fatigue, cravings, inflammation, stress, etc.  It’s all pretty true.  On my sixth day in, I have lost 3 pounds and my stomach went from looking like 7 months pregnant to 5 months. (I’m aiming for the non-pregnant look).  They go into a lot of detail about macros, pesticides, heavy metals (not the Metallica version), toxins, blah blah blah.  I really think some is very good and valuable information; some is a bit of a tree-hugging stretch; and some is downright hooey (I just really don't think the aluminum in my deodorant is going to give me Alzheimer's)!

It’s all good though.  As I’m reading this, I have an open mind, keeping my eye on the end goal.  Feeling better, losing weight.  I want to read and understand it all thoroughly, even though it really isn't rocket science to me. I dismiss the hooey, stick with the solid principles that I know to be true.  But then…then it happened. 

Exhale.  Shake my head.  Want to fire an email but realize you can’t fix dumb.  Brew about it. 

Under the heading AutoImmune Disorders, the Yuletide's write:

“Autoimmune diseases affect 24 million people and include but are not limited to:…Type One Diabetes. They are caused by the immune system losing its ability to differentiate between proteins belonging to our own bodies with proteins belonging to a foreign invader (bacteria, viruses, or parasites). Symptoms start to present when damage occurs to cells, tissues and/or organs in the body, this happens because our own immune system is attacking those cells. Each autoimmune disorder is determined by which proteins/cells are being attacked.”

(So far, so good, right).  Then they continue, “…Bottom line is that the root cause for all of the diseases listed above are the same. One can have a genetic predisposition to autoimmunity but 75% of your risk comes from environmental factors that include: diet, lifestyle, infections (prior and ongoing), exposure to toxins, hormones, weight, etc”   THIS is where they lost me.  Now, I rant!

75%?!  75%!   Guess what?  THIS is where I call BS!  The mere IMPLICATION that genetics only contributed 25% risk to this disease and the rest was CAUSED...caused by diet, lifestyle, etc!  GROWL! Tell the mother of the 8-month-old who had virtually nothing besides breast milk up until diagnosis that her baby’s diet and environment precipitated the onset of Diabetes. What about all the children whose parents let them be sedentary and feed them garbage?  They don’t get Type ONE because of it (Type 2 is a different story).

 I had two healthy seven-year-olds.  We limited processed foods or fast food.  They have a fruit and a veggie every meal.  They were active and of normal size.  Matter of fact, at dinner yesterday, they asked me for more KALE!  Since we were out, Aiden sauted up more himself!  KALE!  Unfortunately, they had a genetic predisposition to develop this craptastic disease, and even if I fed them completely organic, never vaccinated, or made them do hot yoga…it was going to happen.

I will concede the point that ABSOLUTELY diet is a huge contributing factor in the maintenance and control of many autoimmune disorders, but diet didn't cause them.  Diet, weight, and lifestyle are HUGE pieces of Type TWO Diabetes (which is NOT auto-immune).  As a matter of fact, in many cases, it can be halted by changing those things. A poor diet can precipitate exacerbations of certain diseases. A healthy diet with lean meats, veggies, fruits, no processed food, etc. is good for EVERYONE!  A healthy diet helps my boys maintain a steady glucose and lessens the amount of insulin they need.  However, diet alone will NEVER free them of the need for extrinsic insulin.  Only a cure will. 

I’m not sure how many people signed up for this Detox, or how many have done this before.  Regardless, let’s say easily hundreds of people read this information, thus “up to 75%” of them do not understand auto-immune diseases or Type One Diabetes.  Thus, that many people are fed incorrect information from non-medical professionals.  Which leads to an entire cascade of problems and misperceptions and dumb remarks.  Ask any T1D parent…we’ve heard them all!

 

So, for anyone out there who reads this, my chidren’s diagnosis was not caused by toxins, lifestyle, weight, hormones, or their diet.  It was caused by an auto-immune disease to which they were genetically predisposed.  (Same set of genes has yielded them gorgeous giant blue eyes, wicked above-average intelligence, and wit and charm!)   I DID NOTHING wrong to precipitate the disease.  Like most T1D kids, THEY are innocent children who did nothing wrong either.  It is what it is.

Through healthy diet (which I would promote regardless of T1D), exercise, AND the mandatory use of insulin, they will grow to be happy and healthy adults…adults with Type One Diabetes. 

Rant over.  Moving on.

 

Rhonda

It Could Be Worse

It Could Be Worse.


"It could be worse; it could be cancer!"  So many times, especially right after diagnosis, well-intentioned folks said such things.  It could be worse. Worse than Type One Diabetes.  Logically, I know this, but to have your situation, your mourning, your struggles downgraded is a bit demeaning. My boys' lives were forever changed in 2012, and that's nothing to downplay.


Fast forward almost four years.  1000s of shots.  1000s of finger sticks.  100s of doctor visits.  Way too many venipunctures.  Millions of carbs counted.  Countless sleepless, sleep-interrupted or sleep-deprived nights.  That's a small part of what Type One Diabetes entails.  Otherwise, I have happy, healthy, and thriving kids.  As long as I do everything right, as long as I teach them right, as long as Diabetes cooperates, it should stay that way.  Diligence and Perseverance.  I'll sleep when I'm dead.


I took my otherwise very healthy non-T1D son to the Ophthalmologist yesterday to follow up on an eye condition he's had since birth and follow up on his recent surgery.  Every time I am here....EVERY. TIME....  I see little preemies following up on possible or diagnosed retinopathy of prematurity.  There's no telling what other complications or struggles they're dealing with. It makes me so grateful my twins were born near-term at almost 36 weeks, healthy, never on oxygen.  The rest of my children were born healthy and term.


I see other kids with varying forms of cerebral palsy, and I am grateful all of mine were born healthy. I see little angels with different obvious syndromes, and I am grateful that the only negative genetic card we were dealt was the propensity to develop an autoimmune disease....because although it sucks, we can manage that!


Despite and with T1D, they are healthy and happy.  They are smart and caring.  They play.  They read.  They fight. They learn and excel in school.  Diabetes is a nuisance, scary, an every-day chore, but one day, my boys will be independent. One day they will go to college.  They will move out.  They will get married and have a family.


Sadly, way too many of the innocent children I see in that office will never have all that my boys have.  I am not saying their parents' struggles are worse than mine.  They may pity me for all I know.  Rather, we have a different kind of complicated to contend with...they have a kind of complicated I'm not sure I am equipped to handle. 


So, at times like this, I am reminded...there are worse things than Diabetes.


Rhonda

Thank You Sponsors!

The AA Team would like to thank their business team sponsors! 

Thank you to Chile Red Company  (The great printer of our shirts!)

Dr. Duran MD (Women's Healthcare)  - A fabulous women's physician with whom I work.  Go see her today!

Crowley Road Animal Clinic - A great, reasonable, honest and fair veterinarian whom I (and my parents) use for our furry babies!

Woods Financial Group  (My generous neighbor's business)

MIK Ortho  (The great Orthodontist who is personable, honest, and will be responsible, when it's all over, for fixing 4 of my 5 sons' teeth!)

Fort Worth Pediatric Dentistry  (The pediatric dentist we've used for all SEVEN kids, and who have known me since before the twins were even conceived!)

 and Texas Health Huguley  (Myawesome primary workplace who find little ways to make a big difference!)

Your support helps raise awareness and gets us closer to a cure!

Ignorance and The View

THE VIEW

September 16, 2015

In life we encounter uneducated idiots every day who say stupid things. Trust me, as a nurse AND as T1D mom, I could write a book!   Facebook has blown up about The View and their comments about Miss Colorado's monologue about nursing. Her costume, her "doctor's stethoscope".   I hesitate to give any more attention to such idiocy, but I feel the need to say a few things.

First, way to go Miss Colorado!  Beautiful AND intelligent. I know this.... It's difficult to be both! ;)

I went to four years of college, with a child, in a faltering marriage, to get my nursing degree.  I was poor, and I often look back, baffled, on how I survived, much less how I graduated Magna Cum Laude.  I worked hard to learn and grow as a new graduate in a profession that is difficult yet rewarding.  I still learn every day. When I graduated, I bought my own stethoscope so I could fully and accurately assess my patients.  Good thing they sell them at the doctor store!

As a nurse, I focus my practice on Women's Services.  Nothing makes me happier than healthy moms and healthy babies.  I have worked in Labor & Delivery, Newborn Nursery, Post-partum, Gynecology and Neonatal Intensive Care.  Now, I work to help teach and shape future nurses, too.  It's all very rewarding, and there is a lot of information stored under this skull!

As your nurse, I am the person who helps you through hours of labor, helping you breathe, encouraging you, managing your pain.  The doctor relies on my assessment and judgment, and arrives for all the glory at the end when the baby arrives.  A large part of your delivery success lies with your nursing care; I can keep you from having an unnecessary C-section and complications.

I am the person who resuscitates your baby when he doesn't follow the rules upon entry into the world.  Some babies think breathing is optional, and I have to correct their behavior. I use my trusty stethoscope to assess what's going on inside and intervene appropriately. There is no doctor there for the baby.  It's all me. 

I am the nurse, who at 2 am, notices a problem and intervenes to prevent complications and worsening conditions.  Because, nurses are here 24 hours a day, and most doctors are asleep at 2 am.  They can sleep because we're here and they trust us.  They rely on our judgment and assessments...back to that trusty stethoscope, along with our eyes, our ears and our gut feelings.

I am the nurse who found a rare complication in your baby that even the doctor missed.  This prevented major complications and perhaps even death.  Me and my trusty stethoscope.  That family didn't thank the doctor; they thanked me...the nurse.

I am the nurse who delivers your baby at 3 am because she was in a hurry and did not find it necessary to give ample notice or wait for anyone, much less the doctor who's traveling in from home.  I help that same baby breastfeed so she receives optimal nutrition. I encourage the same mother when she wants to give up because none of this happens like it does in the movies.

I am a mommy and a nurse, and I had to learn an entirely different aspect of nursing (and mommy-hood) when my boys became ill in 2012.  When this all started, I called a nurse to help me through.

Nurses are the first and last faces you see when you arrive at the hospital.  They are the ones you see the most.  They are the ones who will stop to help, even when off duty or out in public.  Nurses are the ones who hold your hand and cry with you when life is unfair and a baby dies.  Nurses educate you about your medications, your condition and prevention of complications.  And, to do all this, nurses spent a lot of time educating themselves and innately have a lot of heart and compassion.

You see, I am that nurse who gives up family time and precious sleep to take care of moms and babies. I expose myself to blood, body fluids and sometimes irrational and dangerous behavior in order to fulfill my calling and my mission in life.  I thoroughly enjoy following a few of "my" babies on Facebook who I delivered and/or resuscitated, without a doctor and with my trusty stethoscope....babies who are now in high school, driving, and graduating!  I enjoy being the one to help our future arrive in this world safe and healthy.  Future construction workers, doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, professional sports players, soldiers, musicians...heck, maybe one day one of them will be a talk show host.  Hopefully one who doesn't make defaming and ignorant remarks about one of the most respected and recognizable professions in the country.

Thank a nurse today!

Rhonda

Tearful Moment

Well, I really haven't been on vacation!  Keeping the boys entertained for the summer, working, getting all "oriented" to continue to teach nursing students, taking on a new work role at my primary job, working, getting the boys ready for school, being a wife and mother AND a pancreas....all of that has curbed my blog time.  All the while, I still kept the boys moving and entertained with swimming, park trips, Six Flags, Burger's Lake, Dave & Buster's, etc. while also volunteering for JDRF!  Not much down time to say the least.

Regardless, August 2 we celebrated Asa's three-year Diaversary.  Right on his brother's heels, that sweet smart little angel celebrated three years of battling and persevering with Type One Diabetes.  It's become like an old habit now; like that free-loading kid who won't move out of Momma's basement.  Some days are good, some days just plain suck.

I actually had a much more relaxed and reduced stress (never will I see stress-free) summer as the boys, at age 10 1/2, pretty much took over their own breakfasts and lunches.  The little Math Whizzes did a darned good job of counting carbs, considering every little thing that has carbs, writing their glucoses down so their OCD mother/pancreas can analyze the numbers, and dosing insulin.  They did fantastic of recognizing when their glucoses were climbing and they need a little bonus dose of insulin to bring it back in range.  Basically, everything I wanted them to do by middle school has happened a year early.  What a lucky Mommy Pancreas I am!  It really freed me up to do other things...you know, like sleep, after working 12 hour nights.

All of this random chatter has a point.  Today is the first day of school.  FINALLY, the Cruise Director can hang up her hat for the season.  She's tired.  As always, I take the obligatory "First Day of School" picture.  The boys don't care for all the photo sessions, but they tolerate it now.

After over three years of Diabetes, I *smh* or curse under my breath a lot, but I don't have many of those tearful moments.  Every now and then, one catches me by surprise.  Today when I took this photo, I had to choke back a moment.

First day of fifth grade

You see, they were diagnosed in First grade and the summer just before Second grade at the age of 7. I almost had one of those "moments" this morning when the boys cooperated and took this gorgeous photo. Without research and medical technology, such as those primarily supported by JDRF, these handsome dudes wouldn't have lived past 2nd grade. Today is the first day of Fifth Grade, and they're growing and thriving. I'm so fortunate, and I hope every day they will see a cure in their lifetimes so they don't have to spend every day carrying the burden of Type One Diabetes. Please help us help JDRF turn Type One into Type None. Join our team and Walk with us. Make a tax deductible donation (no gift too big or small). www2.jdrf.org/goto/FuseAATeam

Rhonda

Mommy Meme Blog

I can't believe I missed an entire month of blogging.  I'm way behind.  It's not been for lack of inspiration or material, but combine parenting + work + school's out + a couple of girls' trips = not much extra time to write.

Someone posted a thread by "Scary Mommy" on Facebook, and I ran with this idea.  She asked her "likers" to post their favorite Mommy Memes, and some made me laugh out loud.  So, I decided to share.  Granted, I don't support all the language some of the creators used, but I can certainly echo the sentiments.  I hope you enjoy, too!

Actually, I lived with my parents with my first child, so her room wasn't so special, but we certainly go all out for #1, don't we?

I planned four.  Someone tricked me on the fourth pregnancy and gave me an extra one!

I'm not above hiding and labeling food for this very reason!

Momma said there'd be days like this!

I have made this PROMISE MANY TIMES, and I've added for my sons that I will also pee on their floors.

Mine are getting better but they used to love to refuse what I cooked.  Diabetes took away my "eat or starve" power.

I have one who was in the ER 5 times by age 4.  Not sure at what point they call CPS.

They're also very smart because of all the fetal brain cell transfers that happened during pregnancy, rendering me borderline stupid

Who hasn't wanted to whoop Caillou!?

If only I had an off switch

Gotta keep them on their toes

I can wear the most basic simple, not nice stuff, and they say, "Why are you so dressed up?"

I have "I'm-Going-To-Kill-You" Mom Eyes that have stopped strangers' kids in their tracks

Or sit on the potty, or pick up the phone....

I have one right now who is the Master Interrupter and Interrogator!  I love his curiosity but it's exhausting.

All my work is totally fun and games!

Isn't what I have more than enough.

One boy was quite the artist and did this to many books and walls

I do point out to them how I asked 10 times nicely, then warned them...and they act like it's the first time I have spoken

Nope.  Not sad at all.

Bed time = Adult Time and I cherish it.

I have smuggled many bags to Goodwill while they were at school.  I've also had my van searched when they realize i have cleaned.

Back to the Interrogator and Selective Listeners

And Pinterest....  Doing my best here!

Diabetes took this response away :(