He's Sick Again

Riley's teacher called at lunch on Tuesday to say that Riley had a headache and he didn't eat all of his lunch. She was concerned because Riley always eats everything on his plate. Also, his sugar (which had been near perfect for about 2 days) was 256.

My mom went to school to pick get him. His temp was 99.8. He didn't really feel all that bad. I decided to wait and see.

He did OK. His temp got up to 100.1 at bedtime on Tuesday night. I gave him some Motrin. But, at 1:15 AM his temp was up to 102.2 and his sugar was 349.

I felt sick in my stomach. One of my greatest fears since Riley was diagnosed is that he would get the flu. I had heard horror stories of how diabetes and the flu don't mix.

I took him to the doctor first thing yesterday morning. His temp had come down but I couldn't get it below 100.o even though I was alternating giving him Tylenol and Motrin about every two hours.

Before we went to the doctor I sat down and talked to him. I told him that sometimes when people with diabetes gets sick they can get something in their bodies that can make them sicker. I explained ketones and told him how important it was that he drink plenty of fluids even if he didn't feel like it.

He did wonderful with that. During the day he would often ask for something to drink and say, "Because I don't want to get ketones in my body."

When we got to the doctor's office he examined him and couldn't find anything obviously wrong with him. He decided to test him for the flu.

Riley was not happy. He remembered what it was like the last time they tested him. As soon as the doctor said he was testing for the flu Riley started to cry.

He had stopped by the time the nurse had come in. She explained what she was going to do and that it would "tickle" a little bit. I was looking at her and thinking "liar". But, she didn't cram the swab way up his nose like the last nurse did. She swabbed just inside his nose. After she walked out Riley turned to me and said, "She was very gentle."

10 minutes later the doctor walked in and said, "He has the flu."

My heart dropped and tears started forming in my eyes. I blinked them back. I didn't want to scare Riley.

He gave me the whole spiel about ketones and sugars. He started Riley on Tamiflu to help control his symptoms. He also gave me a prescription for Holden to hopefully keep him from getting it too.

I also called my doctor and got Tamiflu for me and Michael and my mom and my dad are on it too. Hopefully none of us will get it.

As scared as I was it hasn't been that bad. Riley's had a couple of sugars in the 200s, but for the most part his sugars have been fine. He had trace ketones last night. But none before or since then. He hasn't run any temperature since late yesterday afternoon.

My mom looked at me yesterday and said "You'd never know he has the flu. He's running around like he's fine. I thought he would be worse than most because of his diabetes."

I just gave her the only explanation I could. Prayer. Plain and simple. God is looking out for my little man.

If his temp stays down he'll be able to go back to school tomorrow.

I feel so blessed that he is OK and that the worst (which wasn't all that bad) seems to be behind us.

Now if I could get him to take his Tamiflu without coughing and gagging we'd be OK.

It makes me put my hand over my heart

While standing for The National Anthem at one of Holden's basketball games last week I noticed that nearly every one was standing with their hand over thier heart.

It wasn't too many years ago that this wasn't such a common occurance. Yes, people stood in silence as our anthem was played, but usually there were only a few people with thier hands over their hearts. To be honest, I normally just stood with my hands at my sides.

On September 11, 2001 that all changed. When the planes hit the twin towers and thousands of people lost their lives we were reminded what is really important. We were reminded of how fleeting life can be. We were reminded how great our country really is. I think many of us had forgotten.

We just took for granted that we were safe. We thought we were untouchable. We had become comfortable as a world power.

I didn't know a single person killed on 9/11. Yet, I cried and I prayed for the families of those who had lost loved ones. It didn't matter that I didn't know anyone personally. What mattered is they were one of us and they were hurting.

Since 9/11 I have not stood for The National Anthem without putting my hand over my heart. I've even shed a few tears when I've heard the words: "And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.O say! does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

9/11 reminded me to put my hand over my heart and show respect for my flag and my country.

Recently I had let myself get lulled into diabetes complacency. Riley is OK. He's happy. He doesn't have any complications.

I hadn't really thought about a cure much lately. Yes, I still prayed for one every day. But, I think I had started thinking that if Riley does have diabetes for the rest of his life it will be OK.

Last week I went to a post and I read this story. My hand immediately flew to my heart.

Once again I cried and prayed for people I'll never know.

One of our own had been attacked. But, this time it wasn't by terrorists. This time it was by a disease, a disease that has taken up residence in my son's body, a disease that kills people every day.

How did I let myself forget that?

Do you know how many parents of newly diagnosed kids that I've told "it will get easier"? And, I'm not lying. It will get easier. But, it won't get any better.

It won't get any better until there is a cure. Sure there are bettter tools now and I'm sure there will be better tools in the future. But, the disease will still be there. The disease will still affect your kidneys, your heart, your nerves, your emotions.

I can't believe I had almost forgotten what is important. I can't believe I was ready to say Riley's OK no matter what.

Since I read that story I've written a few letters and I've joined a few message boards. I have a renewed sense of responsibility not only to my son but to anyone who deals with this disease every day.

It is up to us to spread awareness of this disease. But, we can't do that until we acknowledge how bad and how deadly it really is.

I will stand with my hand over my heart until a cure is found. I will not stop fighting. I will not stop praying. I will not stop raising money.

My son's life depends on it.

No words to describe

There is no way to describe the feeling you get when you check your child's sugar and it's 56 forty-five minutes after he ate a huge lunch. He has a boat load of insulin left on board and by boat load I mean enough to sustain the people on The Titanic.

I juiced him, fed him, and decreased his basal. Now, I'm bracing for the impending high sugar.

I hate this &*%@!#* disease!!!

Update and more pictures

Riley is doing much better. He's still taking his eye drops (which he hates) and his antibiotices (which he is not fond of either). But, he's feeling much better. He went to school this morning.

I guess we are all on the mend now. I got dizzy for a few minutes a few days ago, but not since then. Holden is all better now too. Now, I just pray that Michael doesn't come down with anything.

Here are some more diabetes 365 pictures. To read an explaination to go along with the pictures visit my diabetes 365 page.

Sickness Abounds

Now Riley is sick. He started with a little cough a couple of days ago. Then it progressed to a runny nose.

I sent him to school yesterday. He was feeling OK and he didn't have any fever. At lunchtime yesterday "Teacher" showed up on my cell phone. I assumed she was calling about his sugar.

When I answered the phone she said, "Riley is fine as far as his insulin is concerned, but he feels really bad. He's coughing and his nose is really red."

I told her I'd send my mom to pick him up. Mom called and said his temp was 99.5. That's not great but it's not horrible either. A couple of hours later she called and said his eyes were draining and getting red.

I called and made a doctor's appointment for late yesterday afternoon.

The verdict: ear and eye infection and a nasty cold. They tested him for the flu which, thankfully, he does not have. Riley had the flu shot but the doctor said that he is seeing a lot of kids now that got the flu shot and have the flu. He said it's a different strain than what the flu shot covers.

Now I'm terrified that Riley is going to get the flu. It's always been one of my biggest fears since he was diagnosed. Kids with diabetes and the flu don't mix very well.

The doctor didn't really think that he had the flu since he wasn't running much of a temperature. But, because of his diabetes, he tested him anyway. I'm glad. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Testing for the flu involoves sticking a long Q-tip way up both nostrils. It's not a pleasant experience.

The nurse was very kind and gentle, but I could see the pain on Riley's face as she jammed the giant Q-tip up his nose.

As soon as she finished she said, "It will take about 10 minutes to get the results." And then she was gone.

I turned and looked at Riley. Tears were brimming over from his eyes and spilling onto his cheeks. I gathered him up into my arms and the two of us cried together.

It's wierd. I've done a lot of crying over his diabetes. But, Riley has never seen me cry. Even in the hospital during the worst times like when they started his IV I held it together until I could be out of his sight to have my cry.

But, yesterday, I sat holding him and rocking him back and forth as he cried on my shoulder and all I could think was, "Isn't diabetes enough? Aren't the needle sticks enough? Does he have to go through this too?"

I know it was only a Q-tip. I know we are blessed that he has access to sugar machines, the pump, and insulin. I know I'm blessed to have him at all.

But, sitting there yesterday waiting for his test results I was once again reminded how unfair life is sometimes. And when that unfairness affects your child it is almost unbearable.

A Little of This and a Little of That

• First, I want to thank you guys for going over and giving some encouraging words to Lynnea. I remember how lost and alone I felt in the beginning of Riley's diagnosis. If I hadn't started this blog and met so many wonderful people who were going through the same thing I really don't know where I would be today.



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  Holden had his birthday celebration last night. We had lasagna at my mom's house. Lasagna is a rare treat around our house. It tends to wreak havoc on Riley's sugars. But, it's what Holden wanted for his birthday. We also had chocolate cake and ice cream. That usually doesn't affect his sugars too much, but that coupled with lasagna didn't help his numbers.



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  Holden opened his presents on his actual birthday. He got some money from family, the newest Family Guy movie (it has a Star Wars theme), and a Halo calander. Oh yeah, and he also got Rock Band. Michael and I and my parents all chipped in and got it for him. It's really the only thing he asked for. We started a band called Rodents Cry. (Those who know me well will understand the name.) I play lead guitar, Holden plays drums, and Michael plays bass. It's a pretty neat game. But, so far, I like Guitar Hero better.



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  Duke beat UNC last night!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you live in NC you know what a big deal that is. I stayed up and watched the game. I'm paying for that now. I didn't get much sleep last night. I got less sleep than I usually do.



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  I want to share Riley's sugars with you through the night. That will help explain the sleep issue.

5:36 PM: 241 (bolus given)

6:01 PM: 251 (ate lasagna, salad, cake, and ice cream and received a huge bolus

8:51 PM: 353 (got another correction bolus)

9:39 PM: 343 (ate some no sugar added yogurt, got a bolus, and Riley went to bed)

10:51 PM: 410 (got another bolus, start to wonder if it's the lasagna or a bad site)

11:20 PM: Duke beats UNC (jump and down and then go to bed)

12:33 AM: 402 (drag myself out of bed to do a site change)

12:37 AM: do a site change (hold back tears as Riley cries and wimpers)

12: 42 AM: kiss Riley on the head and tell him I'm sorry (crawl back into bed)

2:17 AM: 296 (hold off on a bolus because site changes tend to drop his sugar)

3:41 AM: 261 ( give him a bolus but less than what the pump suggests)

4:53 AM: 195 (still has plenty of insulin on board so we don't correct)

6:26 AM: 110 (Michael gets ready for work)

7:08 AM: 83 (Riley starts his day and I feel like I've put in a full day's work already)

• Holden's birthday celebrations are not over yet. I told him I'm going to have to learn how to make my birthday last a whole week too. Saturday we will start out by watching the last two Bourne movies. Then, we will have supper at a Japanese Steak House. Then, we will go bowling. Holden asked to do all of these things for his birthday. We'll have a full day on Saturday.





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  Spell check is not working on my blog so I probably have a few mispelled words in this post. (as well as the last few posts)
  


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  I really need to get to work. I hope all of you have a great day. I'm going to go drink some caffeine.

Show Some Love

Woo hoo!! I'm not dizzy anymore!!! I am trying to catch up on my blog reading but it's a slow process. (Holden's better too. He went to school today. We will have his birthday celebration tonight since he wasn't up to it last night.)


Anyway, just wanted to point you in the direction of a new blog I found. I can't remember if I found it through a comment or an email. But, I found it none the less.

It is written by a mom whose 4 year old son was just diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in December. Remember how those first few months (or in my case few years) were after diagnosis?

Go show her some love.

I'm on Drugs

I've got a viral inner ear infection. I have been dizzy ever since Saturday afternoon. I haven't been around reading blogs or anything. I've mainly been lying on the couch hoping the spinning will stop.

The doctor gave me a medicine to help the dizziness but it makes me very, very sleepy. I took one this morning and tried to go to work. But, now I'm just sitting here about to fall asleep. So, I'm leaving to go home.

Anyway, today is Holden's 17th birthday, but I don't have the energy or the right frame of mind to write a post. Maybe tomorrow things will be better. (BTW, Holden woke up this morning and threw up. He's home sick for his birthday.)

Anyway, I'll catch up on the posts as soon as I can. Right now I'm going home and crash on the couch.