Family Fun Day, well for the kids that is

Last week Diva had an appointment with her diabetic doctor. It went good. She’s growing, her numbers looked good and I think we are going to do a trial with a continuous glucose sensor. (I’m not going to get into that right now though because nothing has been set up yet, hopefully I’ll have an update on that soon.)

Anyway, it was also “Family Fun Day”. They take the kids and play games, have snack and they can win prizes. What’s really nice about it is they are around kids that have to do the same thing they do. Everyone has to check blood sugar. Diva “won” a Barbie in a swimsuit and was thrilled! Day made.

While the kids are having fun playing games the parents get together in a room and visit. Ask questions, share experiences, etc. I wouldn’t say it’s “fun” but it was nice. It was nice to hear the other parents have the same fears as us. It was nice to hear that they struggle sometimes too and it was really nice to hear the sound of hope. Hope for constant improvement.

As we went around the room and introduced ourselves we shared how old our children were when they were diagnosed and how old they are now. We were the second to “newest” parents there – with 7 months since our T1D diagnosis. There was a mother/grandmother there. They had recently found out the son has T1D (like not even a month yet). They didn’t talk much. They sat and listened. And they held back tears. I felt so bad for them. I know how they are feeling. Heck – I still hold back tears sometimes and it’s been 7 months. It’s a lot to take in. It’s overwhelming. It’s sad. It just is. I wanted to go give them a hug and tell them that we are all there. We are there to ask questions to. We are there to cry with. We are just there. And I wanted to tell them that it really does get better! About that time all the kids came back and Diva had to go to the bathroom. I took her and when we got back they were gone. I will always regret not saying something to this mom and grandmother. Maybe I’ll see them at next year’s Fun Day.

This was a great reminder for me – you never know what struggles a person/family is going through. So be kind often. I’m not sure where the below quote originally came from. But they are wise words, that I’ll take a little more to heart now.

XOXO

~ The Sheiliac

The “D” Word: 3 month Update

Today marks 3 months since Diva was diagnosed with T1D. I can’t believe it’s already been 3 months. AND we made it through the holidays.

Diva is doing great (all things considered). She has already gained 6 pounds! Yes – she was under weight in part due to undiagnosed T1D. Now that we know and are “treating” it, she is much healthier – gaining weight, growing like a weed and has better color. She can almost check her blood sugar all by herself – although one of us is always there with her. It’s just nice that she is taking ownership of it and already at 5 wants to do things herself. She has let her aunts, an uncle and even some cousins help her check blood sugar. She knows she has to have insulin after every meal and she reminds us. Yes – our sassy Diva reminds us she needs an injection. Children are amazing.

Are the emotions still there? Oh yeah.

1. Blame and Guilt. Let’s be honest no matter what the doctor’s say I’m always going to feel a little of this. Even though I know it’s nothing we did and nothing she did. I guess I’ll just have to remind myself over and over that T1D cannot be prevented. Hopefully someday they will have a “cure”.

2. Sorrow. This emotion will always be there. It might not be as bad as when we first found out and it will probably keep getting better with time but I’m still sad that this is her new “normal”. Plus – while I gave her insulin yesterday morning it started bleeding and a bruise appeared immediately. I felt horrible even though Diva told me it was ok. When my husband came in from chores to take the kids to school she told him that I did a “bad job” and he was doing it tomorrow. The only reason I know she said this is because G-Money came up and told me. She didn’t tell ME I did a bad job and like I said told me it was ok. She knows it is hard on us and didn’t want me to feel bad. How sweet is that?!

3. Fear. This is pretty much exactly the same as when I originally posted. I am still constantly thinking of her numbers. I still think about it every night when I’m trying to sleep and it’s the first thing I think about when I wake up. Yep –still scared of everything about T1D.

4. Frustration/Mad. I think as time goes on this will switch from me being frustrated and mad to Diva being frustrated and mad. She asked me the other day WHY she got T1D. I told her that it just happened – there was no reason. Her pancreas just decided it didn’t want to work anymore. She looked at me straight in the eyes and told me to tell her the truth. It BROKE MY HEART. I told her that was the truth. That the doctor’s didn’t know why and that it wasn’t anyone’s fault. I still don’t think she believes me.

5. Happy. I’m happy that she is adjusting. I’m happy that she knows she has to have insulin and doesn’t really fight it anymore.

Diva showing off her new meter bag given to her by a really awesome family in the community – the mom in this family also has T1D.

I started this post yesterday. I went to check email this morning and I found this video before I got it to. What are the chances that I would see this video on Diva’s 3 month T1D anniversary? I have three words: Powerful, Scary, Understand. Take the time to watch and share. (Diva is still in the “honeymoon stage” – which means her pancreas is still partially working.)

https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/inside-the-scary-battle-to-save-a-teens-life-a-109233855362.html

XOXO

~The Sheiliac

The “D” word.

My best friend has Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). She’s had it as long as I’ve known her. To be honest, I didn’t ever really think about it. I knew she had, she would go the bathroom after eating or give herself insulin at the table. It was NEVER a problem. It was NEVER an inconvenience. It NEVER changed our plans. She took care of it. End of story.

Then a couple of months ago – my five year old daughter starting sleep walking, she tried to go to the bathroom in random places – like by our bed, “in” her vanity chair and by the stairs. I honestly thought, “It’s a phase – it will end soon.” Then she stayed at my mother-in-laws and she said Diva got up and went to the bathroom 4 times in the night. Again – I thought it’s just a phase. No worries. But it didn’t end, and she started planning what she was going to drink for the night. I will never forget picking the kids up from school and on the way home Diva said, “When we get home I’m going to have strawberry milk, then juice, then water.” What?! What 5 year old plans what they are drinking when they get home – let alone 3 drinks?

So one Friday during FAW (Friday After Work) – more to come about that later – I was talking about it. One of the mom’s said – “Sheila take her in. I doubted it too – just take her in.” This mom has a teenage daughter that was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes just a year ago.

So Monday rolled around, I called the doctor and made an appointment. We went in and they tested her urine. As the doctor was playing with my daughter he turned and said, “Unfortunately, there is sugar in her urine. This typically means diabetes, but can also mean kidney problems.” We will take blood and see what comes back. Go grab a bite to eat and come back in an hour or so. I talked to my mother-in-law and then my husband. I was scared. I was worried terrified. My sister-in-law drove my husband down to meet us – so we didn’t have two cars, but truthfully it’s because she was concerned he was too upset to drive. Diva and I had a great lunch at Noodles and Company – one of our absolute favorites (because they have gluten free noodles). Then we went back to the doctor. We heard the words that changed our lives forever. “Your daughter’s blood sugar is 385, she has diabetes.” No parent should ever have to hear that. From that time on our life has been complete chaos completely different.

The next morning we were sitting with the specialist at 7:30 am. We spent hours learning about diabetes and what we had to do to keep our daughter healthy alive. It was simply the worst day of my life. I had to poke my daughter’s finger and give her an injection. It took two people to hold her down while I did it. I felt like the worst most horrible mother in the world. I cried for a long time. How could I do this to my daughter several times a day, every day? When it was finished, she kicked me, she hit me and I didn’t blame her. I just held her and cried. My husband cried. My mother-in-law cried. Truthfully, I’m crying typing this. You cannot imagine the emotions you go through.

1. Blame and Guilt. I know it’s ridiculous and the doctor’s tell you a hundred times that it’s nothing you did. It’s nothing she did. It just happens. They don’t know why yet. It just is. But you can’t help but think, what if… Then the doctor’s tell you again - Type 1 Diabetes cannot be prevented and it is not curable. Hopefully someday they will know why and they will be able to prevent and/or cure it.

2. Sorrow. The weird thing about sorrow is the range it spans. I am sad that she will never have a “normal” life. I am sad that her fingers are going to get callused from all the finger pokes. I’m sorry that she has to get at least 4 injections a day. It makes me sad that she always has to have supplies with her. 24/7. And it makes me sad that people don’t understand T1D.

3. Fear. This is a BIG one. I am constantly thinking of her numbers – I am so scarred that she is going to have a low. (Low blood sugars can lead to a coma or even death) I’ve never been one to be able to fall asleep quickly. Now it’s even worse. I can’t help but think what happens if she dips low while we are sleeping and I don’t know it?! I’m scared of her rebelling when she’s older and not taking care of it properly. Basically, I’m just scared of everything when it comes to T1D.

4. Frustration/Mad. Frustration is a daily feeling. I get frustrated when we are doing everything by the book and she still gets a low or high (blood sugars). I get frustrated when she is high and is crying, screaming and throwing a fit about something ridiculous. And the frustration with the health care system and insurance is the biggest. It is ridiculous what they charge for test strips to test blood sugars simply because they know we have to have them. I’m mad that my daughter has to deal with this and I’m mad that she has to deal with it at such a young age.

5. Happy. Ok – happy seems really weird especially given the other four emotions. But it’s true. I’m happy that I KNOW what is going on with her body. I’m happy that I live in the time that I do – and that insulin exists and I can get it. I’m happy that with proper management she can have a very “normal” life.

As the days go on, it gets “easier”. The school and all the staff have been AMAZING and I can’t thank them enough. The school nurse has made sending Diva to school not scary. She knows what to watch for. She checks her blood sugar before lunch, before snack and any other time Diva doesn’t feel the best. She sends me a text each time to let me know where her numbers are and if she isn’t sure about something she calls. She is so good that when we are at home Diva will occasionally request the school nurse give her the insulin. I then have to explain we are at home and she has to pick one of us there! The school is making everything go so smoothly and I know they will take the best care of Diva.

We are very lucky to have a lot of family close by. My in-laws live just a mile up the road from us and have been lifesavers! My mother-in-law has been to all the appointments with us and has helped me with every little detail while my husband was in the field. My husband’s sisters and their families also live close and have all been so supportive. Lots of thanks to all the Diva’s cousins who have made it “cool” and held her hand, watched or gave her a high five when she’s done getting an insulin injection or getting her finger poked for a blood sugar test.

(The first picture shows some of her supplies for the day: 4 insulin injections. At least 6 pokes for blood sugar testing, ketone strips and a juice in case of a low. The other picture shows Diva with a Frozen bag that was made for her by a really sweet couple in Jewell to hold her supplies. She loves the bag – it makes it easy for her to have her stuff with her 24/7.)

It’s amazing how your life can change in a matter of seconds. It’s amazing how different you see things and people. To my bestie with T1D – I’m sorry if I wasn’t compassionate enough. I’m sorry that I didn’t really understand your disease and I’m sorry I didn’t understand how amazingly strong you are. Thank you for being an amazing friend and for helping me through the first few weeks of my daughter’s diagnosis.

So why blog about it? Writing it down helps me put everything into perspective. The T1D community is amazing. So many people have reached out and said – call me, text me, email me with any questions, concerns or frustrations. They have given gifts from food scales and measuring cups (which get used every time we are going to eat anything) to princess teddy bears and coloring books/activities. Every single gift has made Diva and me smile. I want to return the favor and help someone that just found out their child has T1D. I want to tell them it will be ok. You can do this. Yes – it is sad and it is frustrating but you have an entire community of people willing to help out anytime, anywhere.

XOXO

~ The Sheiliac

Hey! I’m Sheila and I’m a Sheiliac. There I said it.

Hi everyone! My name is Sheila and I’m a Sheiliac. What’s a Sheiliac you ask? Well – it’s really just my name and Celiac Disease put together. Why? Because I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in the fall of 2012 and it’s who I am, it’s a big part of my life and it’s never going to go away. I’m also a farmwife and mom of two – a sweet farm boy (G-money) and a sassy Diva. Sophie (a miniature schnauzer) our inside dog and Lucy (a black lab) our outside dog complete our family.

I can’t forget my “other” full-time job! I work at the Iowa Turkey Federation as the Director of Membership Services. I love it. I get to visit with farmers and all the companies that supply goods to the farmers and I plan the parties – I mean meetings. I also design our magazine – Turkey Talk. It lets me be creative and showcase all the wonderful things our organization, famers and allied members do throughout the year.

Why I started blogging – well that’s actually a really long story but my friend Katie, from On the Banks of Squaw Creek – has told me and told me I needed to. I had seriously thought about it when I (and my daughter) were diagnosed with Celiac Disease but then my daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and I knew it was time.

So what is Sheiliac going to blog about anyway? Good question. Seriously. This is why it took me so long. What the heck did people want to read about and why would they want to read mine??? I struggled. Now – I know. Hearing other people’s struggles and success with Celiac Disease and Type 1 Diabetes has been a life saver. It makes it easier somehow. So….

• The Diva & Diabetes – I will share the stories about my sassy little Diva living with Type 1 Diabetes and anything else related to her – not to mention our favorite diabetic recipes.
• Sheiliac – it’s really all about me. LOL. Seriously though – my life, celiac disease and gluten free recipes. Trust me, my grandma (GG) is awesome at making recipes into GF recipes. LOVE HER.
• Sparkling Chaos – Life is awesome but let’s face it, it’s always a little chaotic. Plus I am a major sucker for fashion, glitter, sequins, design and parties.
• Levis & Boots – my husband and our little farm boy and of course our farm. What’s on the farm? Glad you asked – we are turkey farmers and we also row crop corn and soybeans. It’s awesome and I can’t wait to help you understand farming more.

Other stuff I love and that I just might blog about sometime – DIY, summer life – aww, warm nights and steamy days, water skiing, fitness and photography.

All of this makes up Sheilapalooza – it’s a crazy life but hey it is what it is. So let’s be friends – I’d love to know about your chaotic life too!

XOXO

~ The Sheiliac