To Pump or Not to Pump

This is a decision that has been weighing heavily on our minds since Anastasia's diagnosis back in June.  At that point we were like ok it will make everything easier, no needles just moving an injection site every couple of days.  Done deal!

Then I was told the cost, and I just about choked....for 3 months worth of supplies and the pump it was just about $2,900!  For those of you who know me and my husband you know we do not have that money just laying around.  So we decided no.

Now Anastasia's numbers are fluctuating  a little too much and her endocrinologist feels it is time to put her on a pump.  I honestly feel that way too.  She has her good days and bad days when it's time to get her insulin.  The bad days make me feel horrible, but then I remember she is still 2 and she doesn't really understand what is going on yet.  

So now we save money, and pray that insurance will cover a little more than what they were going to cover 6 months ago and see what happens.  If she takes to it great, if not we can always try again...

A Thankful Heart

It's about 2 days before Thanksgiving, a day we are to give thanks for everything we have.  Reflecting over the past year I have a lot to be thankful for.  For one thing I am thankful that Anastasia is still here.  In June when she was not so healthy we could have lost her. I am also thankful for the support many many many people have given us since our diagnosis.  Whether its just someone asking how we are, to someone allowing me to vent.  Without that support system I probably would be insane by now.

I am also so thankful for my family who have taken on the challenge of caring for Anastasia when Alex & I have to work.  It is not easy anymore and I applaud them for helping us care for our girl.

Will the other shoe drop?

It's been about 5 months since our diagnosis and I keep waiting for the next bad thing to happen to our family.  A situation has presented itself to us and its not a good one.  I cannot go into details at this time but please if you are reading and following this blog pray or send us positive thoughts. 

Eventually I may be able to talk about this in detail but not on an open forum.  So please just pray...because the worst case scenario is not what we need at all.

And we are potty training!!!!!!!!!

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Ok so I don't have a picture of Anastasia on the potty for obvious reasons, but I figured I'd share one of the shorts we have seen on Disney Jr that has to deal with the potty.  

When Anastasia was diagnosed back in June, we hadn't been real serious about potty training her.  She would go on her potty occasionally, but we weren't strict about it.  We were told not to worry about it, especially since as a diabetic she drinks so much!

Imagine our surprise in late August when she asked us to go potty.  That turned out to be a one day thing, but now more and more she is asking or telling us that she has to go.  She has 1.5 rows of her potty chart filled, who knows how long this journey will take but at least it is one that makes me so proud.  

Follow up visit

A short post just to let all my followers know we had our second follow up visit at the endocrinologist today.  Anastasia is doing well and the best news is her diabetes is in control!  That makes me feel so good as a mom knowing that I am taking good care of her!

Not much else going on except my usual fall cold has made its appearance.  Joy of joys...luckily I don't have to work again until Saturday.

Balancing work and home

  (fyi this picture is from last year's set)

You might be surprised to hear this but I am a workaholic.  I have always been since I started working at Borders in 2003.  I was so excited to have a job in the "real world" that I took all the hours I could get.  When I felt I was qualified for promotions I applied for them.  I did whatever I could to move ahead.  Of course at the early point it was just me to worry about.  Yes I was in a relationship with Alex, but there were no combined bills, no child nothing just me and my bills.

As time went on I became obsessed with my job.  Not a day went by that I didn't talk about my job.  It got to the point where Alex had to make a rule that on my days off I could not talk about work.  Then the liquidation happened.  I had no job, we had to move out of our apartment because I didn't have my assistant manager's salary, and to top it off a couple weeks later I found out I was expecting.

That forced me to become obsessed with finding another job, after about 6 months of searching it was pretty apparent I wasn't going to find a position until the baby was born.  7 months after Anastasia was born I finally found a position at Hallmark.

It has been a struggle still to balance work and home, but I feel like I have done a better job of it than I used to.  It hit home that I still have issues with it right before Anastasia was diagnosed.  Alex had decided to take Anastasia to the ER (because she had labored breathing and was lithargic), and he called me at work to let me know.  If it hadn't been for my boss telling me to go punch out I don't know if I would have known what to do.  (so Lee if you're reading this THANK YOU).

This has been such a learning experience because now more than ever my daughter comes first.  I am still learning how to balance work and home and some days (especially now since it's our busy time and the most exciting time of our year) I do bring work home with me, but it's not as bad as 10 years ago.

Here's hoping I can improve even more with this... :)

A day in our life

Our life is a lot different than it was 3 months ago.  Our routine has changed quite a bit. I figured since I hadn't posted in a bit I would let you know our routine.

8:00 am-Wake up (sometimes Ana is up before hand), first blood test of the day, diaper change then her Lantus (long term insulin) injection.

8:30-9:00am breakfast, followed by carb counting and then figuring out her dose of Humalog (short term insulin).  After we figure out how many units of Humalog she needs .5-2.5 units depending on carbs and if she needs a correction from her first test.

9:00-12:00 playtime/or movies.  Sometimes we have a snack which is usually Cape Cod Potato Chips brand sea salt popcorn (4 carbs a snack cup).  She enjoys having her "juice" which is really water with flavor enhancers (0 carbs)

12:00-1:00 blood test #2 and then lunch.  After lunch we again count carbs and administer Humalog depending on carbs eaten and if she needs a correction.

1:00-3:00 prepare for a nap (which lasts 1-2 hours).

After nap until 6:00 more playtime and or movies (usually Disney Jr.)  Again we may have an occasional snack and juice cup.

6:00 is 3rd blood check and dinner, same routine as lunch and breakfast.

7:30-8:30 get ready for bed, after 9:00 bedtime blood check.  if it's over 300 we have to give insulin, but then she is down for the night.  She loves having a nighttime cup which is unsweetened almond milk (0 carbs :) )

2am-blood check, no adjustments given.  Usually a diaper change if wet and another cup of unsweetened almond milk.

2am kills me, usually I'm in bed by 11p-12a so 2am comes really quick for me, then it's hard for me to go back to sleep.

But that's our day in a nutshell.  We are more structured than we were 3 months ago, but I guess it's what we need to do.