Introducing Me Me...

Sweet Momma over at The Sugar Kids tagged me! So now it's my turn to do the Diabetes MeMe!

This meme has some miles on it! Heidi at D- Tales was tagged by Tracy at The Super Hero & The Princess who was tagged by Wendy at Candy Hearts...who was tagged by Meri at Our Diabetic Life...who was tagged by Laura at Houston, We Have a Problem…who was tagged by My Diabetic Child…who was tagged by Jen at I am Your Pancreas…who was tagged by Reyna Beta Buddies…who was tagged by Penny at A Sweet Grace...who accepted the meme challenge from Six Until Me.

What type of diabetes do you have:

Well, technically I don't have diabetes. Sweetpea does. Although it FEELS like I have diabetes sometimes. Without the physical symptoms, or course. And I would give anything to be able to take diabetes from her and give it to myself. She has Type 1. Yes, there are different types. And Yes - it does matter.

When were you diagnosed?

April 27, 2009

What's your current blood sugar:

101. Pretty good. No dinner spike which makes me SUPER happy. But she is going to bed so she's getting a Hershey Kiss because she still has a half a unit IOB.

What kind of meter do you use:

We use the One Touch Ping remote. Sweetpea has an Animas Ping pump and so we use the One Touch Ping remote so we can bolus her with that. It's so handy - no getting out the pump. Just bolus from the meter! I love it! EXCEPT for that dang ERROR 5 that Reyna was talking about. Grrrr....

How many times per day do you check your blood sugar:

Even though we have a Dexcom CGM, we still test on average 7-10 times a day. Sometimes less if it's a good day. Sometimes more if things aren't going our way.

What is a "HIGH" number for you:

Anything over 180 is technically high. But I'd say anything over 250 is what I consider high.

What do you consider "LOW":

Under 80 is low. I don't worry much unless it's under 70. Not that she feels it - 36 or 78- she still isn't alerting to her lows.

What is your favorite low blood sugar reaction treater:

We use juice at night. Juicy Juice 4 oz boxes in APPLE. She can slurp in her sleep! During the day it depends on how low she is. If it's mealtime and she's not under 70, we just let her eat and don't count a few grams. We use m&m's and Hershey Kisses if she needs just a little boost with some fat to slow absorption. If she's really low we use Smarties or juice. We just stared using Starburst.

Describe your dream endo:

We LOVE our endo! And she's not technically an endo! We see a nurse practitioner. She does everything an endo does - prescribes our medicines and everything. PLUS, because she's an RN, if we call in numbers we can talk to her! She works the phones on certain days so if we're having trouble and I need help, I'll call in and ask for her. I LOVE that because I feel like I'm getting advice from someone who KNOWS Sweetpea and KNOWS us. I think it's helped create a closer relationship between us. She's really kind and sweet. She takes her time with us and really helps us understand. She answers all of our questions. She really listens to us and takes our concerns seriously and she's willing to try new things. LOVE HER!

Who's on your support team:

I can't really say that J is on my support team because he does more than that! He standing right beside me - but he is a rock of support. He doesn't get uptight or upset about much. He rolls with it. He's the calm one.

My parents, Gaga and Mimi, are awesome! They take care of Sweetpea EVERYDAY after preschool until school is out for the day. They have learned to bolus, count carbs, read Dexie... all kids of stuff. Mimi even has her own little book of foods with carb amounts. They are the only ones who ever baby sit for us so we can go out because they are the only other people in our lives that know how to feed her and give insulin. Plus they love her pieces and always tell us we're doing a good job!

Our other family and friends are great! We are blessed with many people in our lives who show a deep concern for Sweetpea. Some are learning to test blood sugar and count carbs and working on being able to take care of her completely. And I can't tell you what a precious gift that is. Truly.

We have over 50 people signed up to walk with us at our JDRF walk in a few weeks. All of those people, people taking time out of their busy lives just to show us support and love.... they are all amazing and all part of our support network. I'm not sure they know how much we love and appreciate them - or how much it means to us!

Sweetpea's teachers and school CCA - Mrs. V, Mrs. W, and Mrs. S - they are beyond wonderful! They know how to care for her, they know what to look for... they KNOW her and know if she's not acting right, they alert me to any concerns, they count carbs and deal with treats... and they LOVE her. Priceless. They are priceless angels.

The DOC. I've "met" so many wonderful D Mamas (and a few Papas) in cyberspace. I count them as real friends. I pray for them. I think about them. I learn from them. They listen when I'm at the end of my rope or I'm angry or tired. THEY GET IT. Understanding.... TRUE understanding is priceless. I love you all! I would not be nearly as sane (stop laughing) without you!

Do you think there will be a cure in your lifetime:

I don't know. I hope so. I kinda doubt it but I'm not giving up the dream. And that may sound weird since I work SO HARD for JDRF and raising money... but it's not, really. Because I think it will happen... one day... in God's timing. And whether I'm alive to see it.... I'd like to be but in the end it doesn't really matter. I think it's a goal worth working for, fighting for... whether I'm alive to see it or not. Whether Sweetpea is alive to see it or not. Because no one should suffer with Type 1. No one.

What is a "cure" to you:

I've been thinking about this and I'm working on a post about this exact topic. So I won't give it all away... but a REAL cure is a working pancreas. No more pumps or injected insulin. It's the body working the way the body should. With no side effects.

The most annoying thing people say to you about your diabetes is:

Oh Dear Lord.... just ONE?!? I'd say it has to be when people ask if her numbers are "under control". Like it's that easy. Like that's even possible. I guess, technically, it is if you're talking about no high highs or low lows. But most people asking this are REALLY asking if it's all better now. They don't get that no matter how diligent you are, you still have highs and lows. I never know how to answer that. I started just saying "yeah, she is".

I just have to add this one, too... "Why do you still get up at night?" This is sometimes the follow up to me saying "Yeah, she is". I think I'm gonna start using Laura's quote..."If your child had a disease that could steal them away from you in the middle of the night, when would YOU stop checking?"

The most common misconception about diabetes:

That it's "just diabetes". I wrote an entire post about this called "If I Have to Explain..." It contains my most favorite quote about this. It's a quote I think of literally every. single. day. Check it out!

If you could say one thing to your pancreas, what would it be:

WTH? Seriously? You worked for a measly 2 1/2 years. Get your A$$ in gear and get back in the game!!!!

Then I'd beg... Please, please, please... we need you. We can't do this on our own. You can do so much better. Please don't leave us.

And then... well, then I'd say that maybe you get the bum deal. Everyone blames you. When is it really all your fault? Maybe we should be blaming the overactive immune system that killed off all your beta cells. Maybe you'd work if you could but you just keep getting attacked. I'm sorry. I know the feeling.

And, now, the meme goes to:

Misty at Life is Like a Box of Chocolates!