As World Diabetes Day (November 14) converges with skyrocketing health insurance premiums and the potential loss of marketplace subsidies, this story is a good reminder of the personal cost to many. Based on a quick Google search, it seems the need for affordable healthcare is something most Americans can agree on.
Read MoreMost young adults walk into the world of health insurance with no health issues, or perhaps one or two minor ones. That was the case with our older children who had made this transition. While there was some stress, it was not unlike other stressors in their new adventure of adulting.
But young adults with Type 1 Diabetes (or other major health issues) have additional struggles.
Read MoreMay I dance at your recital? Is that acceptable? I mean, if your teachers and professors and supervisors knew what I knew, if they had seen what I’ve seen, I think they’d dance too. Or at least they would understand if I got up and danced, right?
Read MoreI must have hit the grocery store right after "stock-up" day last week. As I walked through the aisles I noticed shelves filled to the edges with rows and rows of food and other necessities. Choices, choices, choices. And plenty of everything. I thought to myself how blessed we are to have such abundance. In stark contrast,
Read More...with so much energy focused on our new president, politics, and protests...I thought you could all use a little stress break! Pour that cup of coffee, that glass of wine, and get comfy...here we go again.
Read MoreI'm not always the "cool mom," but sometimes I hear I am. Cool...like when I TRY to be cool but don't quite get it. Like that morning when Chloe told me her friend complimented her hair, so when I saw her by her locker at school, I tried to do the same, in that same teenage lingo: "Chloe...your hair is 'point on' today." Bwahahahaha!
Read MoreSeasons have a funny way of bringing back memories and then repeating themselves in a similar, but new and different way. Now that summer has arrived, I catch myself reliving memories of past summers. Working in my garden makes me recall the summers I toiled and sweated to put in the plants that are now fully grown. It motivates me to keep planting new ones for the future.
Read MoreThe roads have been extremely treacherous this winter, and a couple of weeks ago on our way to school they were at their worst. The highway between here and school was snow-covered with icy patches, and several drifts were sneaking out into the driving lanes…
Read MoreSo for those who may have missed the last two blog posts, we have been researching, and debating, and trying out insulin pumps. We narrowed the playing field to our top two contenders: the Insulet OmniPod and the Tandem t:slim.
Read MoreWe have gathered info, listened to sales pitches, tried things out, made and received countless phone calls regarding insurance, and.......now we wait. Leah has made her decision, but we await the final answer on insurance.
Read More"When can I get a pump?" That was one of the first questions Leah wanted to ask her endocrinologist a month after her diabetes was diagnosed. She had heard about insulin pumps from friends and nurses within the first days (maybe even hours) of learning that her pancreas had shut down and was no longer producing insulin.
Read MoreThe girls got hair cuts yesterday...and Leah's is now just slightly below her chin! We love her new look! Her mini-makeover reminded me of the 3rd part of her story I keep meaning to sit down and write. I don't know why, but I'm finding this one challenging, and have been procrastinating for about two weeks.
Read MoreWe interrupt our story of spinal fusion, to bring you a Type 1 Diabetes intermission. Sorry for those waiting in suspense for part 3 of the spinal saga...it will arrive "straightaway!" Today was our first appointment with Leah's Endocrinologist.
Read MoreAbout four years ago, at an Edwardsburg High School Homecoming game, there was a surprise that blew everyone's minds...a flyover! While we had seen this type of thing before at huge Notre Dame games, we never imagined one at our little high school!
Read MoreI thought it was time to lighten things up a little, so I give you all a little "pancreas humor."
In conversations with friends over the past couple of weeks, one topic that seems to come up over and over when discussing diabetes, is Type 1 vs. Type 2. Maybe I'm bringing it up, because I'm wanting others to understand there is a difference.
Read MoreI'm not really sure what I'm going to write tonight because I've had so many thoughts and feelings over the past few days. So let's see where I go with this trio: Body, Mind, and Soul. First of all...the Body. Leah's body continues to strengthen, and for that we are thankful. Her blood sugars continue to come down a little more each day,
Read MoreSeeing Leah tonight, playing in the marching band, dancing and smiling, you might think that the only difference from a year ago, besides the haircut, was that she was a year older. It's hard to believe a week ago tonight we found out about Leah's diabetes. And nearly 10 weeks ago, she was recovering from spinal fusion surgery. She has (okay, we have) been through a LOT this year.
Read MoreToday was a roller coaster kind of day. We buckled ourselves in and started the upward climb...Leah and I stayed home this morning as I didn't want her to start out with a full day of school. Plus, we needed to run through her morning routine, which now takes about 20-30 minutes longer than before.
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