Saturday, September 22, 2007

Walk This Way...

The JDRF walk is only one week away. Our team - Team TJ - has raised a respectable $2500 so far, and the donations are still coming in. T-shirts have been made, and a pre-walk pasta dinner is in the works.

When I signed our family up for the walk, I was hoping it would be cathartic, or energizing, or something, and in many ways it has been. The true outpouring of support for our family is amazing. People from far and wide have donated money to support this important cause, and TJ's friends are all excited to walk with, and for, him.

But, on some level, the walk has added to the drain. One more thing (donations) to obsess over, a list of thank you cards to write, plans to make (getting to Boston by 9 AM!?!), diabetes in the front of my mind all the time.

I'm looking forward to the walk - don't get me wrong - the jury is still out, though, on the after-effects.

Monday, September 17, 2007

5 Months

1500 finger pricks.
450 shots...and this is only the beginning.

I have been trying to stay upbeat about things, but somehow, diabetes is just sucking the life out of me. And I am not the diabetic.

Monday, September 3, 2007

School Days...

The kids start school tomorrow. Even though I have actually started back (and had three days of classes) it still somehow feels like summer. I am NOT ready for what will surely be tomorrow mornings disaster! Even before diabetes we were a bit of an AM nightmare. I am the main problem (never ready on time), but the kids like to sleep in, too. I'm trying to turn over a new, more organized, leaf, but I can't make any promises.

Still, we are ready to give it our best go- clothes have been bought, tried on, and organized by outfit, book bags are packed, and I am printing out the photos TJ needs to share tomorrow.

Of course, add to the morning mess my mounting anxiety about TJ and school. Last week we met with the first grade teacher, who has not convinced Tom or I that she will be "on" the whole diabetes thing. She asked us to send in an index card with the times he needs to eat so she can tape it to the desk. Um...Ok?? Do they not have index cards at NFE? Can she not make her own?? (I know she's busy, but I'm a teacher, too - she's not THAT busy!). Does she realize that TJ can't tell time? She also said - at least five times - that she and Thomas would "eat our ways through the day." Even after I gave her his meal plan stuff. UGH! Clueless!!! When I explained that if they go out for extra activities she jumped right on the "oh yes, extra recess" bandwagon (UGH again!) but couldn't seem to understand how a cup of gatorade was different than WATERED DOWN gatorade. And how drinking it inside was not the same as taking it outside with him. Time for that 504!

The nurse is a blessing, though, so I'm sure it will be fine. I read so many blogs and comments of parents who are concerned about the nursing at their child's school. JH is amazing - thank God. She calls for everything even slightly out of the norm, but half the time I am thinking "well, what do YOU think I should do?". Thank goodness for simple gifts!

Off to bed - time to prepare for the whirlwind of getting out the door.