Highs: They Run in our Blood ...

Have you ever seen an Endocrinologist speechless? Seeing them with nothing to say is the fun part.

What comes after . . . not so much.

The above picture depicts today's numbers. I thought it would be smart to let our viewers understand a "bad day" among the entirety of the Trio, not myself. The sad fact is that we all have bad numbers - super bad numbers. As you can see, when they all occur in one night, we are in for trouble.

Yet, as an optimist, hey! What's a bad A1C report? ? ? (cough cough) :)

When worried about the outcome of inevitable situations, (bad doctor appointments) the Type One Trio has learned to resort to other tactics beside concrete evidence such as our testers display . . . 

 

Initially, they will be upset . . . but really, how can you get mad at these faces?

Thankfully, we were able to find the source of our troubles! 

---- Faulty Insulin ---

After talking to our doctors, we came to the conclusion that the insulin had some definite issues. Both Hannah and Daniel drew out of the same vile of insulin, leading to the same effect on their blood sugars.

We resorted to syringes for them to help start the correction of the highs.

Once we reloaded the pumps and supplies with fresh insulin, our numbers began the downward descent towards good numbers! 

Thankfully, numbers are down into the 100-200s!  :)

 On a different note, we are all looking forward to the National Diabetes Awareness Month: November

Find out more at Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or American Diabetes Association!

College Highs

For future reference, college and Type One don't mix . . . 

(B.G. of 478)

As I stated in my last post, numbers have been way to high. Sadly, that fact is still true. I fight the highs with multiple injections, today I've had 8 so far! I'm in for another shot that will include Lantus (long-lasting insulin), and at this rate, I won't be surprised if I set a syringe by my bed tonight ...

For an example, this is what today consisted of ...

8:00 A.M. - 251 Blood Glucose *shot

 (Bad number to start with)

11:52 A.M. - 300 B.G. *shot

2:00 P.M. - 280 B.G.*shot

 Lunch *shot

5:44 P.M. - 350 B.G. *shot

Supper *shot

8:08 P.M. - 345 B.G. *shot

9:56 P.M. - 248 B.G. *shot

Lantus *shot

Trying to balance terrible numbers and a heavy school load can be overwhelming at times, yet I know it won't always be this hard! I just have to step back, take a breath, and trust God for strength each day.

Through all of this there is one thing I get to look forward to - my pump! It's sitting out in the front cabinet, waiting to whip my numbers into shape! I'm truly looking forward to hooking up to it, it has helped Hannah and Daniel, and I'm fairly confident it will help me too! 

November 15 is the start date ... 18 days to go! :)

 

Hyper-Highs

It's one thing to have a high blood sugar.

It's another thing to have a high blood sugar - for an extended period of time. 

One thing is for sure, a human body is not made to tolerate sugars over 120. 

Anything over that would be considered "high". 

After reading other Type One Diabetic's input on what they consider "high", I have come to this conclusion.

Our Type One Trio is in a "sticky wicket".

After reading on American Diabetes Association's site, I learned that one lady was terrified by any number over 180.

On average, 180 is a beautiful number to shoot for.

It has occurred to me that having three Type One's can destroy the fervency for targeting good blood sugars.

 

For instance: When one T1T member is hitting 450, all attention is trained on bringing those damagingly-high numbers down. At the same time, another T1T member is 250, but due to the difficult details involved in bringing down the 450 - the 250 seems much more minute. Along with such a situation, it takes a lot out of the entire family, when one T1T member's blood sugar is haywire. 

 

"Highs" distort the way a Type One feels, thinks, and acts.

 

This past month has been damaging . . . both for my upcoming A1C, and for my future health.

 That's the reality of Type One - of my life. 

As of the past week, I hit 520 last Sunday and 500 yesterday. 

 

I woke up to 380 this morning, and 400's throughout the day. Although I am not always this high, the re-occurrence of these hyper-highs are a bit of a nuisance.

 

Such numbers do not construct a "good report" for my Endo, or my future. 

Whether it is the stress of school, beautiful fall colds, or just good ole Type One giving me a run through; I've got to get these numbers under control. 

 Hyper-Highs are not cool, something needs to give. 

 

Something's got to give.

Type One vs Gen Psych!

School is ranging from a wide variety of subjects, each specially packed with an overdose of   mentally-grinding information.

One of my absolutely most drawn-out, dry, and thoroughly tedious classes is ...

General Psychology

The title alone affects my very blood sugar . . . literally.

The course of Gen. Psych presents it's students with a rather interesting instructor.

 "Dr. S." 

A man in his forties, quiet, clean, sharp, ex-tank-commander, lawyer, and presently - my teacher.

He begins every period with his typical "roll call", in which he proceeds to ask if any students where having an good day.

 To me, with his same question day-in-and-day-out, it was all boredom and much too repetition to my liking. 

He would then proceed to ask how many of us where having a gloomy day.

Instead of the normal silence that normally followed, I raised my hand.

"Mr. Hatchett, why are you having a bad day?" he asked.

"Actually, my blood sugar is 350, so yeah ..." 

The number 350, "stimulated a response" in each of my classmates. 

(psychology phrase)

A few thought I should be admitted into the hospital, a couple panicked, and the rest had no idea what I was talking about.

For me, it was my first opportunity to use humor, in a very dry class, through my very own Type One Diabetes! For some, this may come as a bit "boring", but when you can make someone like "Dr. S" laugh ... you have successfully seized the day!

Life in College - with Type One Diabetes :)

There is nothing like meeting a Type One while running around in the hectic busyness of life.

While at a gas station, I was waiting in line when the guy in front of me set down his keys.

I already know what your thinking ... yes, the keys are an important detail. :) 

ON the keyring, hung a tester, actually a "OneTouch" tester. (the same as me) I quickly introduced myself, and sparked a conversation. I found out that he has been living with Type One since he was seven years old. What made this so special to me was the fact that life seemed so normal to him. Had I not seen the tester, I would never have known.

As for my new found college-life, I can pretty much sum this up in one sentence ...

My life will not be the same for four years!

College consists of a lot of studying, homework, and a good bit of pressure.

All this, plus Type One, is definitely challenging- but I know that it is good for me. Probably the hardest thing, is how little everyone at college understands about Type One. The nice thing, is that I can leave the room if I need too give a shot. A little break from the classroom is well-received on my half! :)

Well, I apologize for such a delay in a Diabetes post! I will try to keep updating my next four years of life - in college - with type one diabetes! :)

May we Never Forget!

I know this has nothing to do with Type One Diabetes, but it has everything to do with remembering to mourn for ALL those who are grieving.

May we never forget!

God bless America!

T1T's Record Low

 This week, Daniel set a new record for the lowest number our family has seen. I decided since he lived the "experience", he should be the one to tell about it! :) 

"Well it all started when I went over to camp with my older brother Ben. Because he was late man I went to keep him company.

 It was about midnight when we both went down to the gym to play volleyball. I left my bag in the program room because I didn’t think I would need it. At about 2:00 in the morning I started to feel like I was about 80 or less, I walked up to the program room to test which took about 2 minutes. By the time I was there, I went right to the kitchen to get a pop because I knew I would need it. While I started drinking it, I walked into the program room. Immediately when I sat down it all hit me, I started to feel really sleepy and like my eyes wanted to close, I got my tester and tested, 

I was 33 (T1Trio Record ;)

When somebody is running this low (around 30), it is only a matter of minutes before they could pass out and go into a coma . . . thankfully, that wasn't the case for me! :)

Once I drank the pop, it didn’t take long for me to feel like my numbers were going up. We stayed up until 4:30, and by then I was feeling much better. I think the low has affected my numbers over the last 2 days, seeing that I have been in the 40s and 60s. I hope soon I can break some other T1Trio record, so I can post again! :)

I think Mom may disagree."

~ Daniel