November is Diabetes Awareness Month
Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 10:54AM 
I am going to write about one small moment from each day in November as an attempt to shed some light on what living with diabetes is like for a family whose child has the disease. Each entry will be made to this post - they'll be longer then a tweet but short then a blog post.
Tuesday, November 1
I miss counted Arden's dinner carbohydrates sending her blood glucose soaring over 300. Kelly had to spend the evening trying to get it back in range. She was careful and caring, tired from a day of work and helping Arden with a school project. I was unable to help her because I was with our son at his sports practices. High BGs are stressful.
Wednesday, November 2 (1:00am)
Arden's blood glucose has fallen too far. The last bolus see received at 8pm ended up being too much. Her BG was now 57 and two hours of temp basal rates couldn't stop her slow decline. Kelly went to the kitchen for a juice box and then laid in bed next to Arden, I knelt on the floor at the opposite side of the bed holding the juice. We both tried to get the other to go to bed. I said, "Kel you have to get up early for work... you should go to bed, I can take care of Arden". Kelly replied, "I'm the one that gave her too much insulin, I'll wait with her". - We both waited until Arden was stable.
Thursday, November 3
Today I ramped up my diabetes advocacy x 1,000... I hope you all come along for the ride! All the details.
Friday, November 4
Wore something Blue for Blue Friday.
Saturday - Sunday
I seem to have taken the weekend off...
Monday, November 7
Watched Jay Cutler play for the Bears with Arden - Tweeted him after to say thank you for his transparency with his type I.
Tuesday, November 8
Spoke to a fellow blogger about ways to make her really great idea for awareness a reality!
Wednesday, November 9
We made a $75 donation to Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS - Karma
Thursday, November 10
I entered into an agreement today that will significantly help one family that struggles with the cost associated with their child's insulin pumping. I will make the announcement on Monday November 14th, with all of the details.
Friday, November 11
Arden's DexCom is wearing blue for Blue Friday!
Saturday, November 12
Took the Big Blue Test - http://www.bigbluetest.org
Sunday, November 13
Spoke to a wonderful attorney about the Untitled Giving Project
World Diabetes Day
Announced that we will be giving a 3 year supply of infusion sets away to a child in need.
Tuesday, November 14
Vacuuming, cleaning, doing the laundry. If I don't get this stuff done Kelly will kill me and then I won't be able to be an advocate for diabetes any longer. So really... this is for the cause more then you know! :)
Reader Comments (4)
i love this idea of posting moments from every day, great way to raise awareness of the daily challenges.
we were battling lows last night too. sigh.
Thanks Shannon! I'm excited to see how it turns out.
Hope tonight is better for you guys - Scott
Thank you Scott for your daily posts. I went back and read some of your older ones too and they were very helpful. My daughter was dianosed with Type 1 2 1/2 years ago. She has been on a Animas Ping Pump for 1 1/2 years. We have been struggling over the last month adjusting her basal rates. (She is tiny too and small amounts of insulin affect her a great deal) It is comforting to know that other people feel the same way we do and are struggling with all the same issues. We are active with JDRF but usually stay busy with the event at hand. When it is quiet and I have a few minutes, it is great to hear your perspective on the daily highs and lows, school worries, etc. Too few people realize how hard it is on these children. And you were accurate when you said the main thing is not being right but getting the best for your child and making every minute count. Keep up all your wonderful work.
Hi Micelle, Happily few people know the stress of trying to figure out how to inject a drop of insulin when the syringe doesn't go below 1/2 unit. I know what you are dealing with as Arden was all of 17 pounds when she was diagnosed in 2006. The good news is that our girls will grow and the battles that you are having will one day cease being struggles and their lesson will remain with you! The experience will leave you a zen master of type I diabetes management.
I appreciate that you are reading and finding comfort in the words - that is why I wrote them down and it's very comforting to know that my own battles are a source of comfort to you and your family. Please stay in touch! My best,