Middle School and the 504 plan

Jessica is now is 6th grade, which is middle school where we live.  The school she attends has about 2100 kids in it, which is a big change from the intimate setting of elementary school.  Jessica has proven to be very responsible with her diabetic care and wants to be independent at school.  We have a 504 plan which outlines the following things:
-she can check her blood sugar when needed wherever she is
-she can drink and use the restroom when needed
-she can postpone taking a test if her blood sugar is high or low
-she will have someone walk with her to the office if she is not feeling well
-staff will be trained on the glucagon in the event she passes out
-she can eat if her blood sugar is low
-extra supplies are in the nurses office if needed
-she can use her phone for diabetic reasons to contact mom

So far blood sugars have been awesome and no real problems.She got student of the month her first month of school for academic achievement.  I am so proud of her.  She is navigating this all very well and we are determined that despite type 1 she will do everything her peers do.  She is in the village as we speak getting a small ice cream cone with her friends.  She looked up the carbs last night.  I sure love Jessica and couldn't be more proud!!!  She is my hero.

Lower carb pancakes

Once every couple of months we make German Pancakes. They are easy fun and much better on Jessica's blood sugar then regular pancakes. Here is the recipe: 3 T. Butter; 6 eggs; 1 cup milk; 1 cup flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt. Place butter in 13 by 9 inch glass baking dish. Place in 400 degree oven for 3-5 minutes. In a bowl beat eggs until combined. Add four, milk and salt. Beat till smooth. Immediately pour into the hot skillet. Bake about 25 minutes or till puffed and well browned. Cut into 6 peices. 1/6th or the recipee has 18 carbs. We top with 1/8 a cup of sugar free syrup which has 5 carbs for a total of 23 carbs. It is one of our favorites. I have tried making with whole wheat flour, but it did not puff :(.

The Roller Coaster of Diabetes

Today it is six months since Jessie was diagnosed with diabetes.  It seems like forever.  We can barely remember life before diagnosis.  Today on my morning walk I was reflecting all of the feelings and emotions we have had since diagnosis. 

First, we felt so grateful that we figured out what was wrong.   Jessica just hadn't been herself for a couple of months.  She had lost weight, her bubbly personality was gone and we just knew something was wrong.  What a relief that we could get our fun, go getting little girl back!!!

Second, I realized this beast called type one diabetes, was much more serious then I had initially thought.   Everyday Jessie's life is filled with blood sugar checks, insulin injections and carb counting. Every night we worry her blood sugar will go low and she won't wake up, which could cause a seizure, coma or even worse death.  We sleep with a monitor next to our bed, set our alarm for 2 am each morning and check her blood sugar every time we wake up.   

Third, we were so grateful my little Jessie was diagnosed in time.  The week before her diagnosis we were in Mexico on vacation visiting my father and step mother.  We realized Jessica was sick, she was so skinny, eating and drinking tons, no energy, and even had trouble breathing one day.  I didn't want to take her the hospital in Mexico in fear that she would be misdiagnosed or something worse would happen to her. As soon as we arrived back to the states we took her to the doctor.  She was admitted to the hospital for four days, one day in peds ICU.

Forth, I was so angry that my little girl had to go through this.  Diabetes stinks!! It never takes a break and it is never predictable. 

Fifth, we are so grateful that she lives in a time that a treatment is available and we are confident she can live a long full life.  Thank you to all the doctors, and scientists that have made this possible.

Jessica today after 6 months of insulin



Jessica in Mexico before diagnosis

 It has been a roller coaster, but we have no choice, so when we are down we wait for the ups and when we are up we celebrate the fight!!!