Nearly a year ago, our 16 year-old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Her life was forever changed with that diagnosis. That is why our family is walking and raising funds for the American Diabetes Association’s signature fundraising walk, Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes happening in September.
Every step we take and every dollar we raise will make a difference in the lives of 23.6 million Americans living with diabetes. By making a donation on my behalf, you will be helping the Association provide community-based education programs, protect the rights of people with diabetes and fund critical research for a cure.
Please visit my personal web page Hannah: The reason I am joining the Walk to Fight Diabetes to read about my daughter Hannah and her journey. Your 100% tax deductible donation can also be made by visiting this link. (If you do not want to donate online, please make your check payable to the American Diabetes Association and contact me for a mailing address. )
With the help of people like you, the American Diabetes Association can raise over $20 million to help stop diabetes.Please help me reach my goal by supporting me for this year's Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes. Together we can stop diabetes. One step at a time.
Thanks so much!
Monday, September 07, 2009
Monday, June 08, 2009
After the Drought
Well, I think it is safe to say this is the longest I've gone without updating my blog! Yikes! I knew it had been a long time...but nearly 3 months??? I have to give credit to my dear friend for the ever so soft nudging to get back to blogging. (Even if you didn't realize it Kimberly--it helped!)
So. Where to start.
I think after many months I'm just about ready to cancel my FaceBook page. Really not into the whole thing. It has been fun getting re-connected with long lost friends. However, due to choices in how I prefer to spend my time (not on facebook), I don't know how much "connecting" is really happening on my end of things. So...is it 'working' for me to feel the pressure of checking in on facebook and the 'need' to update my status regularly? Don't think so, but I'll keep pondering this a while longer.
Life continues to be an ever-growing experience. (Which is what it should be, right?) Life with two teenage girls, 15 and 16 (almost 17) is never dull and full of challenges right now. Actually, it is far from dull or quiet, it is rather very LOUD!! (Why am I so often reminded of life with my sisters during my high school years? It seemed like we were always mad at one another, or yelling, or upset about something... My poor mother!)
On the other side of things, they are both so delightful and a joy. My youngest is finishing her freshman year and has come through it well! She has always been one to join in and participate readily and she didn't disappoint this year at all! She joined choir, was one of 3 freshman allowed to be in the musical, and even ran for an office in the Student Body cabinet for next year. She was elected as the treasurer for the sophomore class! She also hit another miles stone in the past few weeks: she is now taller than me!! She has been a slow grower up to this point, but suddenly has hit a real growth spurt. Just a month ago she was about an inch shorter! So now it is official--I'm the shortest in my family!
My soon-to-be 17-year-old daughter is relieved that her SAT was completed last Saturday. It had been pressing in heavy on her. We are all in disbelief that her junior year is over already and that in just a few short months she will begin her last year of high school. (A year from now I will have 3 children out of high school!! How did that happen??) She has had a tough year, but one full of triumphs and joys as well. Of course the hardest, most jolting part of the year happened just a month into the school year when she was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. Needless to say, we have all been learning over the past many months how to incorporate diabetes into 'regular' life and what that looks like at school, doing musical productions, overnight-ers, etc. She has done remarkably well, but we have had our share of rough spots and lots of tears all around. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be for her at times. She has had real courage and such dedication in being an 'independent' diabetic. She continues to check her glucose about 5-6 times daily and gives herself a minimum of 5 shots of insulin a day. Amazing. Her Endocrinologist feels she is a good candidate for an insulin pump so that is something we will begin education on this next month. Most patients have to wait years until they are 'ready' for a pump, but her doctor feels my dear girl is a really good candidate at this age. So, that is a really big praise. We just continue to see the Lord's wisdom and discernment in this. One step at a time.
A big area of praise is that our daughters are getting well connected into a youth group. We have been visiting different fellowships for many months now and of course, one of the big criteria was finding a good youth group where our girls would feel challenged, excited and have that sense of 'belonging' that all teens need. The Lord has answered our prayers! We are so thankful that they are excited and comfortable to be in a group that includes many kids from their own high school. What impresses me even more is that they come home reporting what the worship and Bible teaching was about and how that applies to them. Good stuff! Thank you Lord!! My husband and I also have felt very welcomed in this new (to us) fellowship and have a real peace.
The past several months have been so refreshing and good for me in so many ways. I have such a sense of anticipation as we have begun to move past some painful things from the last 3 years and look toward tomorrow with hope and expectancy. I have been working hard at taking care of myself --not just emotionally and spiritually--but physically as well. Having gained a good amount of weight from stress eating over the past several years (and too much comfort food), I have not felt like "me" for quite a while. I'm happy to report that I've lost nearly 20 pounds since March and am just about down to where I was 2 years ago. However, I am very motivated to keep going and determined to get down to a healthier weight for me. (A place I haven't been for at least 8 years!) Like I said, I have more to go, but am so thankful to be heading in a positive direction and creating new life habits.
Next big event on the schedule is our second oldest son heading off to Lebanon on a missions trip. And just for you Oregonians...it isn't Lebanon, Oregon. (Believe me...many have asked!) I'm so proud of him to want to serve in this way. He is SO excited and eager to go. We are excited for him to go and as his parents will be prayerful about his safety. (Yet another exercise in releasing one's child and giving him to the Lord!) Actually, truthfully, we have great peace about him going. Please being praying that the rest of his support would come in quickly.
Our oldest son continues to work hard and loves being totally independent of Mom and Dad. He is living with two friends in a townhouse and is blessed to have a good full-time job. Even when others were being laid off, his managers assured him that he was staying and that they didn't want to lose him even though he had not been there very long. They have held true to their word!
My husband and I are thankful to have our jobs as well. With others getting laid off or routes being cut at UPS, my husband who has high seniority there, has actually had his work load increase. I still have my job as well and if anything am working more hours than I did a year ago at this time! God is so good to us.
That just about brings you all up to speed. I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting, or not addressing. I'll save those for subsequent 'blogs'. I'm going to work at this discipline and will strive to post more regularly.
Missed you all.
So. Where to start.
I think after many months I'm just about ready to cancel my FaceBook page. Really not into the whole thing. It has been fun getting re-connected with long lost friends. However, due to choices in how I prefer to spend my time (not on facebook), I don't know how much "connecting" is really happening on my end of things. So...is it 'working' for me to feel the pressure of checking in on facebook and the 'need' to update my status regularly? Don't think so, but I'll keep pondering this a while longer.
Life continues to be an ever-growing experience. (Which is what it should be, right?) Life with two teenage girls, 15 and 16 (almost 17) is never dull and full of challenges right now. Actually, it is far from dull or quiet, it is rather very LOUD!! (Why am I so often reminded of life with my sisters during my high school years? It seemed like we were always mad at one another, or yelling, or upset about something... My poor mother!)
On the other side of things, they are both so delightful and a joy. My youngest is finishing her freshman year and has come through it well! She has always been one to join in and participate readily and she didn't disappoint this year at all! She joined choir, was one of 3 freshman allowed to be in the musical, and even ran for an office in the Student Body cabinet for next year. She was elected as the treasurer for the sophomore class! She also hit another miles stone in the past few weeks: she is now taller than me!! She has been a slow grower up to this point, but suddenly has hit a real growth spurt. Just a month ago she was about an inch shorter! So now it is official--I'm the shortest in my family!
My soon-to-be 17-year-old daughter is relieved that her SAT was completed last Saturday. It had been pressing in heavy on her. We are all in disbelief that her junior year is over already and that in just a few short months she will begin her last year of high school. (A year from now I will have 3 children out of high school!! How did that happen??) She has had a tough year, but one full of triumphs and joys as well. Of course the hardest, most jolting part of the year happened just a month into the school year when she was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. Needless to say, we have all been learning over the past many months how to incorporate diabetes into 'regular' life and what that looks like at school, doing musical productions, overnight-ers, etc. She has done remarkably well, but we have had our share of rough spots and lots of tears all around. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be for her at times. She has had real courage and such dedication in being an 'independent' diabetic. She continues to check her glucose about 5-6 times daily and gives herself a minimum of 5 shots of insulin a day. Amazing. Her Endocrinologist feels she is a good candidate for an insulin pump so that is something we will begin education on this next month. Most patients have to wait years until they are 'ready' for a pump, but her doctor feels my dear girl is a really good candidate at this age. So, that is a really big praise. We just continue to see the Lord's wisdom and discernment in this. One step at a time.
A big area of praise is that our daughters are getting well connected into a youth group. We have been visiting different fellowships for many months now and of course, one of the big criteria was finding a good youth group where our girls would feel challenged, excited and have that sense of 'belonging' that all teens need. The Lord has answered our prayers! We are so thankful that they are excited and comfortable to be in a group that includes many kids from their own high school. What impresses me even more is that they come home reporting what the worship and Bible teaching was about and how that applies to them. Good stuff! Thank you Lord!! My husband and I also have felt very welcomed in this new (to us) fellowship and have a real peace.
The past several months have been so refreshing and good for me in so many ways. I have such a sense of anticipation as we have begun to move past some painful things from the last 3 years and look toward tomorrow with hope and expectancy. I have been working hard at taking care of myself --not just emotionally and spiritually--but physically as well. Having gained a good amount of weight from stress eating over the past several years (and too much comfort food), I have not felt like "me" for quite a while. I'm happy to report that I've lost nearly 20 pounds since March and am just about down to where I was 2 years ago. However, I am very motivated to keep going and determined to get down to a healthier weight for me. (A place I haven't been for at least 8 years!) Like I said, I have more to go, but am so thankful to be heading in a positive direction and creating new life habits.
Next big event on the schedule is our second oldest son heading off to Lebanon on a missions trip. And just for you Oregonians...it isn't Lebanon, Oregon. (Believe me...many have asked!) I'm so proud of him to want to serve in this way. He is SO excited and eager to go. We are excited for him to go and as his parents will be prayerful about his safety. (Yet another exercise in releasing one's child and giving him to the Lord!) Actually, truthfully, we have great peace about him going. Please being praying that the rest of his support would come in quickly.
Our oldest son continues to work hard and loves being totally independent of Mom and Dad. He is living with two friends in a townhouse and is blessed to have a good full-time job. Even when others were being laid off, his managers assured him that he was staying and that they didn't want to lose him even though he had not been there very long. They have held true to their word!
My husband and I are thankful to have our jobs as well. With others getting laid off or routes being cut at UPS, my husband who has high seniority there, has actually had his work load increase. I still have my job as well and if anything am working more hours than I did a year ago at this time! God is so good to us.
That just about brings you all up to speed. I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting, or not addressing. I'll save those for subsequent 'blogs'. I'm going to work at this discipline and will strive to post more regularly.
Missed you all.
Monday, March 16, 2009
One Year
This past weekend was the one-year mark since Mom died. Hard to believe it has been a year already. It has flown by, and so much about 'life' looks differently than it did last year at this time.
Many have asked my siblings and I how we're doing. As my sister had said to someone, 'we did our work all along the way [throughout the dying process], every step of the way, so we're doing well.' And I agree. Sure we have had to adjust to a year of 'firsts'--holidays, birthdays, graduations and other events --without Mom present, but it has been okay. There wasn't a lot of unfinished emotional business when Mom died. After providing 'round-the-clock care and grieving throughout the weeks/months leading up to her death, exhaustion, depletion, and fatigue have been the greatest affects that each of us has had to recover from during this last year.
I'm thankful to reach this one year mark. Life feels like it can move forward now with renewed energy and hope. I'm thankful to be moving forward.
Many have asked my siblings and I how we're doing. As my sister had said to someone, 'we did our work all along the way [throughout the dying process], every step of the way, so we're doing well.' And I agree. Sure we have had to adjust to a year of 'firsts'--holidays, birthdays, graduations and other events --without Mom present, but it has been okay. There wasn't a lot of unfinished emotional business when Mom died. After providing 'round-the-clock care and grieving throughout the weeks/months leading up to her death, exhaustion, depletion, and fatigue have been the greatest affects that each of us has had to recover from during this last year.
I'm thankful to reach this one year mark. Life feels like it can move forward now with renewed energy and hope. I'm thankful to be moving forward.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Catching up---Or at least trying to
It has been such a long time since I last posted something. Although life has been 'full', the writing well has been dry as I've struggled to put something--anything-- down in sentence form. There are periods of life when so much is happening internally and personally writing can be a burden rather than a joy. I think that's where I've been--or still am to some degree.
I have had some realizations over the past few months and thought I would jot them down. Some 'jottings' are ah-ha's I've had about myself, life or activities; others are reminders to me about how the Lord has been actively working in the day-to-day-ness of life.
These, by the way, are not in order of importance or discovery:
~ Facebook is a neat idea, but I really don't know that I want to put a lot of time into it. Well, actually, I haven't devoted a lot of time to it. I tend to check in once a week to get caught up with everyone and check their "status"--but currently it feels more like a "have to" rather than and "get to". And I have as yet to complete one of those survey things. I don't know...maybe I'll become an avid Facebook-er at some point..but it definitely isn't right now.
~ I don't pray big enough. The Lord has answered prayers in very BIG ways in the past couple of months. Things that seemed daunting and impossible have taken place, and these were all in direct response to the prayers of others; those whose gifting is prayer and pray with deep faith. I realized that sometimes when I pray, I have a question mark in my heart. When my lips are asking the Lord to 'make a way', in my heart I think I have prayed, 'are you able to make a way?' Yep...I've been learning more about prayer and God doing the seemingly impossible, because of the prayers of others.
~ I still have so many questions about being an authentic--real--follower of Jesus and what that looks like. I believe we are to walk in truth and unity as scripture says. With that as the directive, what do you do when really walking in truth affects others' lives? What if the truth in my life has the potential to affect others in very positive ways, yet the flip side is that others may suffer 'natural consequences' which may all be a part of how the Lord wants to bring about change and discipline? Do I have enough faith to live my real life as the Lord directs, fully aware there is always a personal 'cost' to me , or am I getting hung up on wanting to protect others (and myself) and keep them (and me) from pain of some sort? What if I'm circumventing the fullness of what God wants to do in their lives because I don't trust Him to be sovereign? What if I'm circumventing the fullness of what God wants to do in MY life, because I'm not willing to be faithful? This is my greatest spiritual battle right now.
~ I'm so thankful for my children and husband. I am continually encouraged how the Lord parents and teaches me to be a good wife. I fall short all the time in these areas, but He has been faithful in showing me how to do both. I'm thankful for forgiving children and a husband that love me in spite of my shortcomings and failings. I'm thankful for how the Lord has grown me and matured me as a person by allowing me to be a wife and mother.
~ Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy. This isn't just an ode to John Denver's song from the 70's, but a truth about me; I need the sunshine! And I'm so thankful for the few spring-inspired days we've had recently. Oh, it has been wonderful. I've even treated myself to some fresh cut tulips recently. It has been rejuvenating!
~ In the past few weeks I have felt a hopefulness that hasn't been there in a very long time. I want to move forward onto a new path. Begin life fresh. What that looks like...I have no idea. I'm praying that the Lord will show me.
~ Next November I will turn 50! That means I have 9 months to lose the stress weight I have put on over the last year and a half! Ugh!! I'll admit it isn't just for health reasons--although as I'm getting older, that is more of an issue--it is vanity as well. I don't want to look at pictures of myself from my 50th birthday party and think, "gosh, I'm so fat!" Instead, I'd prefer to look at the pictures and think, 'I look pretty good for an older gal!' Hey, whatever it takes to get the job done, right? So, this week, I need to determine the best plan of action and implement it!
~ I need a project. I have plenty of painting projects around my house, but I think I need some kind of creative outlet. I don't know for certain. Maybe if I started painting walls again I'd feel better? Not sure. I do know that I'm really antsy right now and am needing to keep my hands busy!
~ And finally, the one hope, the one anchor I have in this life is Jesus. Everyone and everything will fall short and disappoint, but He has been the one constant. He is trustworthy and He is faithful.
I have had some realizations over the past few months and thought I would jot them down. Some 'jottings' are ah-ha's I've had about myself, life or activities; others are reminders to me about how the Lord has been actively working in the day-to-day-ness of life.
These, by the way, are not in order of importance or discovery:
~ Facebook is a neat idea, but I really don't know that I want to put a lot of time into it. Well, actually, I haven't devoted a lot of time to it. I tend to check in once a week to get caught up with everyone and check their "status"--but currently it feels more like a "have to" rather than and "get to". And I have as yet to complete one of those survey things. I don't know...maybe I'll become an avid Facebook-er at some point..but it definitely isn't right now.
~ I don't pray big enough. The Lord has answered prayers in very BIG ways in the past couple of months. Things that seemed daunting and impossible have taken place, and these were all in direct response to the prayers of others; those whose gifting is prayer and pray with deep faith. I realized that sometimes when I pray, I have a question mark in my heart. When my lips are asking the Lord to 'make a way', in my heart I think I have prayed, 'are you able to make a way?' Yep...I've been learning more about prayer and God doing the seemingly impossible, because of the prayers of others.
~ The Holy Spirit has been leading. The Lord has been stretching my faith over the past several years and testing in so many ways. I have often prayed that He would 'tune my ears, eyes and heart' to hear him and seem him in action, and to follow Him. He has been so dear to confirm to me that I have been hearing Him, seeing Him and following Him. He is good to give this encouragement along the way. He has been increasing my faith in profound ways.
~ I still have so many questions about being an authentic--real--follower of Jesus and what that looks like. I believe we are to walk in truth and unity as scripture says. With that as the directive, what do you do when really walking in truth affects others' lives? What if the truth in my life has the potential to affect others in very positive ways, yet the flip side is that others may suffer 'natural consequences' which may all be a part of how the Lord wants to bring about change and discipline? Do I have enough faith to live my real life as the Lord directs, fully aware there is always a personal 'cost' to me , or am I getting hung up on wanting to protect others (and myself) and keep them (and me) from pain of some sort? What if I'm circumventing the fullness of what God wants to do in their lives because I don't trust Him to be sovereign? What if I'm circumventing the fullness of what God wants to do in MY life, because I'm not willing to be faithful? This is my greatest spiritual battle right now.
~ I'm so thankful for my children and husband. I am continually encouraged how the Lord parents and teaches me to be a good wife. I fall short all the time in these areas, but He has been faithful in showing me how to do both. I'm thankful for forgiving children and a husband that love me in spite of my shortcomings and failings. I'm thankful for how the Lord has grown me and matured me as a person by allowing me to be a wife and mother.
~ Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy. This isn't just an ode to John Denver's song from the 70's, but a truth about me; I need the sunshine! And I'm so thankful for the few spring-inspired days we've had recently. Oh, it has been wonderful. I've even treated myself to some fresh cut tulips recently. It has been rejuvenating!
~ In the past few weeks I have felt a hopefulness that hasn't been there in a very long time. I want to move forward onto a new path. Begin life fresh. What that looks like...I have no idea. I'm praying that the Lord will show me.
~ Next November I will turn 50! That means I have 9 months to lose the stress weight I have put on over the last year and a half! Ugh!! I'll admit it isn't just for health reasons--although as I'm getting older, that is more of an issue--it is vanity as well. I don't want to look at pictures of myself from my 50th birthday party and think, "gosh, I'm so fat!" Instead, I'd prefer to look at the pictures and think, 'I look pretty good for an older gal!' Hey, whatever it takes to get the job done, right? So, this week, I need to determine the best plan of action and implement it!
~ I need a project. I have plenty of painting projects around my house, but I think I need some kind of creative outlet. I don't know for certain. Maybe if I started painting walls again I'd feel better? Not sure. I do know that I'm really antsy right now and am needing to keep my hands busy!
~ And finally, the one hope, the one anchor I have in this life is Jesus. Everyone and everything will fall short and disappoint, but He has been the one constant. He is trustworthy and He is faithful.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
A Beautiful 6.5
There is so much to be thankful for as we head into 2009. Our family breathed a collective sigh of relief as we welcomed in the the new year; 2008 was not a great year for us, and so entering a new year feels hope-filled.
The most recent trial of 2008 was our 16 year-old daughter, H's, diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes that we received October 1st. Without any family history of diabetes, the thought of the disease was not even on our mental landscape, so it truly was a surprise in every way. When our daughter was admitted to the hospital 3 months ago, her blood glucose was 492. For perspective, non-diabetics have a blood glucose range from 70-120. The 3 day hospital stay was necessary for medical intervention to rehydrate H's body, get her blood sugar levels into a safe, healthy place, receive diabetes education and instruction, and conduct many other physical evaluations and blood tests. Among the blood tests conducted was the "HbA1c" or the "A1c" . We didn't know what it meant at the time, but were told that H's A1C was 17. 'Okay...is that good, bad or ugly?' Didn't know until a few day later what that meant.
According to our diabetes bible*, the A1C test: "Can be thought of as the "forest" and the blood sugars as the "trees"." The A1c test, "tells how often the sugars have been high for every second of the day for the past 90 days; [the test] should be done every three months; [and] should be in the desired range for a person to be in 'good sugar control'." As it was explained to us, the test measures how many sugar molecules have attached themselves to the red blood cells. The longevity of a red blood cell is about 90-100 days, so doing the test every 3 months gives a pretty good indication of how saturated the red blood cells are with glucose (sugar) over the cell lifespan, and will indicate if good blood sugar control is happening. It is important to have good sugar control because not only does a person feel better, but it also "lessens the risk for eye, kidney, nerve and heart problems from diabetes", which of course is our long-term concern for H. The "17" of H's A1c in the hospital meant that her red blood cells were 17% saturated with glucose for at least 3 months. A non-diabetic has a number ranging from 4.3-6.2%! Quite a difference there. For diabetic teens, the goal is 6.5 to 7 on an A1c scale.
Sorry to go all educational on you. I'll save further diabetes fun-facts-to-know-and-tell for subsequent blogs. Back to the A1C test...
Yesterday was the 3 month check up with H's endocrinologist. We have seen the doctor several times since October, but yesterday was the official 3 month mark since H's diagnosis, and so it was the first visit when an A1c would be conducted since the hospital test. Oh, let me digress just a little bit here (I know...like I haven't already digressed a few gazillion times...) I have to comment on the technology of all of this. At each visit H. takes her blood glucose monitor with her and gives it to the assistant at the office. Information from the blood glucose monitor is then downloaded into a computer program at the doctor's office that prints out the hourly/daily readings on a grid by time of day, daily, weekly and monthly and then gives an average of the readings for each time period of the day! Isn't that the coolest thing! Okay--back to yesterday's appointment.
Dr. L looked over H's print out of her "numbers" since the last appointment and said that she could tell that H. had been doing a great job in managing her "levels". (For someone H's age with diabetes, her 'good sugar control' target range is 80-150 at any given time of the day.) It was then time for 'the test' and Dr. L took H. into the other room to do the A1c. A small blood sample from a finger poke is put on a special test paper and then into the computer-scanner-thingy it goes. After about 6 minutes, the results are in.
H's A1c was a beautiful 6.5!
Woohoo! We were all so excited. I can't tell you how reassuring it was! I'm so aware of health complications that can arise from diabetes, and to know, that at least for the first 3 months of this disease, H is on a good road to protecting her health long-term.
It is so true that our perspective has changed over the last year. Four months ago we never gave a thought to diabetes, and now here we are embracing it as a part of "normal" life. It is amazing how we can adjust to things. In fact, that has been one of the biggest lessons that we have encountered repeatedly throughout 2008; every trial or challenging circumstance is an opportunity for the Lord to refine us deeper and for us to grow closer to Him as we experience more of His character. When my reserves have been so low and I have had no strength left to 'do life" in my own power, and the only thing I could do was to cling to Jesus...I've discovered it has been a place of blessing, comfort, peace and abundance in the midst of pain. (The "work" is learning to live consistently dependent on the Lord when times are pretty good and easy going!) Through circumstances of the past year, our entire family has also come to know that the Lord's presence and faithfulness in a way never experienced before. Although we are still grieving many losses--not just that of our mothers and grandmothers--but in many different ways, we are all still alive, still breathing and have been blessed as well. We are thankful to know the Lord more intimately and to feel his strength in us.
As we welcome 2009, we are filled with hope and expectation of what the Lord is doing and will continue to do and, I'll confess, praying that the year ahead will be a little less event-filled than 2008!
* A First Book for Understanding Diabetes by H. Peter Chase, MD
The most recent trial of 2008 was our 16 year-old daughter, H's, diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes that we received October 1st. Without any family history of diabetes, the thought of the disease was not even on our mental landscape, so it truly was a surprise in every way. When our daughter was admitted to the hospital 3 months ago, her blood glucose was 492. For perspective, non-diabetics have a blood glucose range from 70-120. The 3 day hospital stay was necessary for medical intervention to rehydrate H's body, get her blood sugar levels into a safe, healthy place, receive diabetes education and instruction, and conduct many other physical evaluations and blood tests. Among the blood tests conducted was the "HbA1c" or the "A1c" . We didn't know what it meant at the time, but were told that H's A1C was 17. 'Okay...is that good, bad or ugly?' Didn't know until a few day later what that meant.
According to our diabetes bible*, the A1C test: "Can be thought of as the "forest" and the blood sugars as the "trees"." The A1c test, "tells how often the sugars have been high for every second of the day for the past 90 days; [the test] should be done every three months; [and] should be in the desired range for a person to be in 'good sugar control'." As it was explained to us, the test measures how many sugar molecules have attached themselves to the red blood cells. The longevity of a red blood cell is about 90-100 days, so doing the test every 3 months gives a pretty good indication of how saturated the red blood cells are with glucose (sugar) over the cell lifespan, and will indicate if good blood sugar control is happening. It is important to have good sugar control because not only does a person feel better, but it also "lessens the risk for eye, kidney, nerve and heart problems from diabetes", which of course is our long-term concern for H. The "17" of H's A1c in the hospital meant that her red blood cells were 17% saturated with glucose for at least 3 months. A non-diabetic has a number ranging from 4.3-6.2%! Quite a difference there. For diabetic teens, the goal is 6.5 to 7 on an A1c scale.
We have already learned so much about this disease and have had to correct many wrong notions we had prior to being a family with diabetes. When H was first diagnosed, we immediately all thought, 'oh, this means she can't eat sugar'. Well, actually, she can eat sugar and any other carbohydrate--which all break down to sugar in the blood stream--she just has to give herself insulin for every carbohydrate gram she eats since her body in not producing the insulin that converts these sugars into energy. So this holiday season and all the special treats that come with it, was not a season of deprivation, but one of figuring out total carb amounts for favorite family recipes and treats, breaking these down to 'serving sizes' and carbs per serving, taking insulin accordingly and enjoying all the delicious special tastes of Christmas (and Thanksgiving). Did you know that a full batch of fudge has 1104 carbs and that Chex Muddy Buddies have a whopping 1230 carbs per batch? And I have to sing H's praises. She has been such a responsible young woman in managing her diabetes. Sure she has the days of being angry that she has to do this the rest of her life, or frustrated that she can't just snack like most young people her age, or tired of having to plan every event, every detail of going to a friend's house or even to the mall; but she has continued to be very diligent in her monitoring and injecting of insulin.
Sorry to go all educational on you. I'll save further diabetes fun-facts-to-know-and-tell for subsequent blogs. Back to the A1C test...
Yesterday was the 3 month check up with H's endocrinologist. We have seen the doctor several times since October, but yesterday was the official 3 month mark since H's diagnosis, and so it was the first visit when an A1c would be conducted since the hospital test. Oh, let me digress just a little bit here (I know...like I haven't already digressed a few gazillion times...) I have to comment on the technology of all of this. At each visit H. takes her blood glucose monitor with her and gives it to the assistant at the office. Information from the blood glucose monitor is then downloaded into a computer program at the doctor's office that prints out the hourly/daily readings on a grid by time of day, daily, weekly and monthly and then gives an average of the readings for each time period of the day! Isn't that the coolest thing! Okay--back to yesterday's appointment.
Dr. L looked over H's print out of her "numbers" since the last appointment and said that she could tell that H. had been doing a great job in managing her "levels". (For someone H's age with diabetes, her 'good sugar control' target range is 80-150 at any given time of the day.) It was then time for 'the test' and Dr. L took H. into the other room to do the A1c. A small blood sample from a finger poke is put on a special test paper and then into the computer-scanner-thingy it goes. After about 6 minutes, the results are in.
H's A1c was a beautiful 6.5!
Woohoo! We were all so excited. I can't tell you how reassuring it was! I'm so aware of health complications that can arise from diabetes, and to know, that at least for the first 3 months of this disease, H is on a good road to protecting her health long-term.
It is so true that our perspective has changed over the last year. Four months ago we never gave a thought to diabetes, and now here we are embracing it as a part of "normal" life. It is amazing how we can adjust to things. In fact, that has been one of the biggest lessons that we have encountered repeatedly throughout 2008; every trial or challenging circumstance is an opportunity for the Lord to refine us deeper and for us to grow closer to Him as we experience more of His character. When my reserves have been so low and I have had no strength left to 'do life" in my own power, and the only thing I could do was to cling to Jesus...I've discovered it has been a place of blessing, comfort, peace and abundance in the midst of pain. (The "work" is learning to live consistently dependent on the Lord when times are pretty good and easy going!) Through circumstances of the past year, our entire family has also come to know that the Lord's presence and faithfulness in a way never experienced before. Although we are still grieving many losses--not just that of our mothers and grandmothers--but in many different ways, we are all still alive, still breathing and have been blessed as well. We are thankful to know the Lord more intimately and to feel his strength in us.
As we welcome 2009, we are filled with hope and expectation of what the Lord is doing and will continue to do and, I'll confess, praying that the year ahead will be a little less event-filled than 2008!
* A First Book for Understanding Diabetes by H. Peter Chase, MD
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