PE Tubes for Tate

Today Tate had PE Tubes put in both ears.  I know this is a simple procedure, and have been through it 4 times with Tucker.  However, this time was different because of Tate's diabetes.  I was very nervous for awhile.  His doctor's assured me he would be safe.

So this morning, Brian, Tate, and I headed downtown to Children's to have the procedure done.  We were first on the list so had to be there by 6 AM.  We went through all the normal procedures for checking in and getting ready plus all of the diabetes questions.  We started discussing the Dexcom CGM.  The nurse originally thought we would have to remove it.  Tate's endo told us he could keep it on, but they most likely wouldn't take the receiver with them because they are trained in using and understanding it.  However, when the anesthesiologist came in he said we could keep it on.  He also told us his wife is a T1D, also.  Immediately, I felt comfort.  He was familiar with diabetes...he sees it every day of his life.  He knew about the Dexcom, how to read and understand it, and actually wanted to take the receiver with him with Tate.  This made me feel so much peace.

After the procedure, the anesthesiologist came to check on Tate at least 3 times.  I could tell this was near and dear to his heart.

I am amazed at how God keeps placing people right where and when I need them most, especially when dealing with Tate's diabetes.
*The day of his diagnosis, there was a resident at the Pediatrician's office.  He was also at Children's that night and the entire time we were at Children's.  He checked on us throughout our stay even though he didn't have to.
*Danielle---his sitter who took this on without thinking twice.  She is so good!
*Preschool---during our initial meeting in May, we found out there is a childcare aide in the building with T1D.  We were able to meet her and talk to her.  Again, comfort.
*Today---the anesthesiologist's wife is also a T1D.

God is good!

T1D Milestone for Tate

Today Tate hit a milestone in the world of Diabetes.  This afternoon he was whining and asking for food. It was close to his dinner time, so I was getting it ready.  Then he said, "Daddy, I don't feel so good.  I am shaking and cold."  At that point, I thought he was probably low.  I checked his Dexcom and is said 110 going down fairly rapidly.  I checked his BG with his meter and it read 50 (80-150 normal for him).  He was definitely low.  This is the first time he has EVER verbalized how he felt during a low!!

Tate met another T1D today!

Today while we were at the pool, I noticed a girl with a Dexcom on her belly.  I pointed it out to Tate and asked him if he wanted to go talk to her.  Of course he said yes and we headed over to meet her.  When we got there, I told her that he wanted to tell her something. He looked right at her and said, "I have Diabetes, too."  I never told him what to say, he just said what was on his little mind!!  I think my heart melted right at that moment!!!!  I am so proud of the little guy I see growing and learning right in front of my eyes!

The girl was 12 years old and diagnosed when she was 3.  She asked me questions about Tate and was so nice to him.  She said she loves to meet other people with T1D.

Tate is "PUMPING"

It has been a little over a month with Tate's pump, and things have gone pretty well overall.  At first, his numbers went all out of whack, which was somewhat expected.  Now we are back to more of a "normal" range for him.  We typically figure things out for a week or two, and then have to make changes due to growth spurts.

I am very happy with the results I am seeing.  Because he is so young, we give him his insulin after he eats.  (Normally insulin is given before eating.)  So his insulin is always behind, and chasing his carbs.  With injections, his Dexcom reading would peak between 300 and 400 after eating.  Now, with the pump, he only peaks around 200 or 250.  This is GREAT news!

It is nice when we are out to dinner to not have to pull out a vial of insulin and a syringe.  Instead we pull out the little remote that goes with his pump, enter the carbs, and send it to the pump.  That simple.  The pump figures out all of the math for us.  It is waterproof so he can go swimming and still keep it on.  He is as typical as any other 2 year old.

Tate likes it, too.  If you ask if he wants his insulin with a shot or his pump, he always says, "My pump."  As usual, he is a trooper.  We have to change his site every other day.  We started by numbing him, but now we no longer need to do it. He lays down on a pillow for us, and waits for us to finish.  He doesn't even flinch when we stick him.  Amazing little guy to say the least.

We have received so much training over the summer from Cincinnati Children's Hospital.  We are so blessed to be so close to such a wonderful, knowledgable hospital.

Insulin Pump Update

Tate started using his pump on Monday.  We went through a 5 hour training at Children's Hospital with him with us...a little challenging to say the least, but we got through it and he, once again, did great.

They said to expect a few weeks to get everything ironed out.  He started off with his glucose numbers all out of wack...highs and lows, and very different than they were.  Now, on the 6th day, he has been running low.  Today, I have had to prick his finger 16 times since midnight, and there will still be more tonight.  No tears, though, and he says he likes his pump better than his shots.  Thank goodness we have his Dexcom CGM to help us monitor his levels because it has caught all of these lows before they were really low.

So, his pump is attached just below his waist line.  It is inserted with a needle, but the needle doesn't stay in.  Then there is tubing that goes from the infusion site to his pump (this is how the insulin gets from the pump to his body).  Then we hook the pump to his pants, but it seems to fall off a lot.  I guess because of how active he is.  We have to change this every 2 days.  It is a little challenging right now, but I know it will get easier with practice.  We do numb the site before we change it.  Yesterday, he did somehow pull the infusion set (what is attached to him) out...I have no idea how. He brought it to me:)  So, of course, I initially panicked because I didn't know what to do.  Then I calmed myself down and realized that I would just give him a shot for his lunch carbs and then put a new one on.  It all worked out.  Giving him his insulin through the pump is much easier than giving him shots!  I can't wait till we get all of his numbers smoothed out.

One of the toughest parts is that we have to check his glucose level every 3 hours around the clock.  It gets harder and harder, the older I get, to keep getting up through the night and then function during the day.  I'm glad it is summer and I don't have to go to work right now.  However, I will do ANYTHING for him.

Again, through all of this, Tate is Tate...a trooper.  He lets us do what we need to do when we need to do it.  He now "pretends" to read the carb counts on the labels of packages. He tells people that what they are eating has carbs in it.  It is hilarious!  He amazes me everyday with his knowledge and his easy go attitude.

Rough Patch

I always say that Tate is an amazing little guy.  On Monday, Brian was eating some chips and dip that was leftover from Father's Day. Tate was sitting by him and asked him, "Daddy, does that have carbs?"  He wanted some and knew that he couldn't have carbs at that time.  ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!  HE IS 2! In the moment, I didn't know if I should feel proud or sad, and I actually felt both.  Proud that he is learning, and sad that he actually has to know things like that as a child.  It gives me a whole new perspective on life, learning, and what is expected of our children.  Mine might not know his numbers or letters or pee on the potty, but he knows to count carbs, to drink juice when he is low, and how to check his blood sugar.  He will go to school with an entire different life experience than his peers.

Rough Patch
We are in a bit of a rough patch right now.  He is healthy and doing fine, but has been running high now for too long and we are having trouble getting his levels down. We made some changes last week that didn't work.  Then more over the weekend that didn't work.  Then another one today.  Now he is running low.  This is the frustrating part.  It is such a roller coaster ride...up and down.  It is sometimes hard to find that middle, level, in range number that he needs.  So now what?  I have no idea....we will just keep adjusting things until we get it right.

We do have his pump now, but will not start using it until July 27th when we take the training class at Children's hospital.  Excited, nervous, and anxious about this.

Dexcom CGM is wonderful and gives us so much peace of mind!

Dexcom CGM

We FINALLY have Tate's Dexcom CGM (continuous glucose monitor)!  On Monday, we went to a 4 hour training (with Tate) to learn how to use it, and how to put it on him.  This shows how great he is!  We were at Children's from 1:15-5:30 in a little room learning all of this information.  It was his nap time, too.  He was so good.  It is really unbelievable.  When we put the CGM on him, he did cry while we iced his leg to help him not feel the sting.  Then he stopped.  We showed him the CGM, told him what it was for, and told him not to touch it or pull at it.  He hasn't bothered it at all.  He has shown a few people, and sometimes he will tell me to "be easy" when I am changing his clothes:)  He is nothing but amazing!

The CGM is awesome and I am a little obsessed with it.  It tells us an "approximate" glucose reading, but more importantly has an alarm setting for if he goes below 90.  It also tells us if he is going up or down and how quickly.  I LOVE IT!!!!!  Last night Brian and I both got to sleep through the night.  This was the first time in over 6 months!  We still have to stick his finger to get an exact reading before eating and before doing treatment of any kind.

We are so thankful for technology like this!

AND....the pump is coming soon!  Hopefully he will have it and be using it by the end of the summer!