Where do you live?
Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
What Makes You Laugh
We all try to find the humor in everything, who needs more stress. We love animated movies and are pretty big Disney fans! We took our family to Anaheim just 4 months after Ariel was diagnosed- little nerve racking for newbies -- but we had the best time!
Favorite Sports Team
Umm...really not sports fans here...but we ARE looking forward to the Winter Olympics this year. The Olympic torch passed through our town and our kids got to hold it briefly. We're all very excited to watch the events ;)
What Helps You Get Through
Sense of humor is HUGE...but also we have learned to allow people to help. It's been a huge blessing when ever anyone offers to lighten our load...day trips, sleepovers, at school, for birthday parties -- I'm always so greatful when others are willing to step into our world even if its only for a few hours
Favorite Meal
hmmm we maybe indulge Ariel a little too much when she has lows...she gets really excited when the "magic numbers" appear on her monitor. {"Mommy, Starbursts!!" } Favorite Snack right now is smoothies. The commercial ones are often loaded with sugar, so we make our own with frozen mixed berries, Low fat yogurt and a little skim milk. Very low carb, very healthy and very YUMmmmm!
Helpful Resources
ON-LINE resources! I am a huge fan of the on-line support groups, and websites like this one that give a wealth of information, tips, insight, covering every aspect of diabetic life.
Date Diagnosed
June 3rd, 2008
Question for Everyone
When our daughter was diagnosed at age 6, we didn't share any of the "bad things" associated with diabetes. She is perceptive though, and she pays attention to commercials about diabetes and other media -- and has questions. We try to be honest with out getting too detailed and scare her (er, scar her)....what is your advice to talking to my child about some of the "negative" aspects of diabetic life??
Diabetes Camp
 Not quite old enough yet...but we are looking into Family camps.
Vacation
We LOVE to go camping....well really we love to take our air conditioned holiday to our national parks. Love the change of atmosphere, being outside, biking, hiking and just sitting under the stars in front of a campfire. Our suggestion...double and triple check your supplies before heading out everyday -- everytime. For us, we've had a few times we've brought everything but the proverbial sink...and realize the container full of syringes didn't get restocked. Scrabbling to find a pharmacy kind of spoils the outing.
Question For Team
We are about 19 months into diabetes life, and we see that her insulin requirements are steadily increasing. Just how much insulin is she going to need when her pancreas completely stops making its own. She is currently on about 25 units for morning needle, and about 7 in the evening...this has doubled since last fall. We are just wondering what she may "top out" at...as it already seems like such a lot. I guess I don't understand enough about the progression of this condition....what "changes" can we expect in the next few years even.  (See the answer)
What Do You Think
Diabetes has changed our life quite a bit...and in some ways for the better. We don't take things for granted anymore, we understand just how quickly things can change, and we are more appreciative of the little victories.