Saturday, January 1, 2011

Things I learned about Diabetes this month... December edition

-I don't think I will ever be okay with how diabetes stole part of Elise's childhood. The other day I had the TV on and a commercial for Pillsbury cinnamon rolls came on. When Elise saw the cinnamon rolls, she turned to me and asked, "what are those?" When I told her, she asked, "are they good?" My almost 3 1/2 year old doesn't know what a cinnamon roll is. She doesn't even know if they're good. And that makes me sad. It's not that she'll never be able to have one. There are just certain foods I don't want to do battle with at this stage of her life.

-Even after 2 1/2 years, I still do battle with little glimmers of hope that she has magically been cured. The other day, her BG went almost 9 hours steady around 100. This was after breakfast, morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack; there was absolutely NO spike. Then right before dinner she started to creep up. Those 9 hours made me very happy.

-Diabetes has screwed up my sleep cycle something fierce. Even though I am exhausted, I can't go to sleep without the help of my friend Tylenol PM. If I don't take something, I lie in bed for hours, unable to fall asleep. I don't know why. I don't know what changed. All I know is I'm exhausted and I HATE having to take something to help me sleep. Does anybody else have trouble sleeping?

Happy New Year everyone... here's to a great 2011!

10 comments:

  1. Oh, the sleep aids! I have ambien, which I hate because it makes me feel hungover. I have Benadryl...same problem as Ambien. Tylenol PM, same thing. I finally resorted to taking Melatonin. Helps a bit, but doesn't help me stay asleep, unfortunately. That darn sandman has deserted us d-moms!

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  2. Oh, Joanne...I haven't had a good nights sleep in years :( D gives me such anxiety that I find it hard to fall asleep, and then when I do I am often waking up multiple times in the night worried about the girls.

    As for cinnamon rolls...I feel your pain. There are many foods that I have not brought in the home for fear of how it will affect my girls bg's. A few weeks ago a friend gave us some crispy creme doughnuts, Miss E looked at them and asked the same question...'what are those mommy?"

    Isn't it something, broke my heart...over a doughnut.

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  3. I completely get the sleep thing.
    However, the cinnamon rolls are a definite part of our lives. I think because my husband has type 1 and I'd never restrict what he eats based on it that he feels we shouldn't restrict Isaac either. We bake a lot. We measure meticulously and ride the BG wave, it's usually not too bad but we do plan ahead with predosing and checking more if necessary. The really funny thing is that usually Isaac doesn't even want the more carby more sweet things - we worry about what it'll do, measure, dose and then he chooses something less carby!
    I hope you have a fantastic 2011 and want you to know that I always look forward to your honest post.

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  4. Ah...the sleep thing. I had issues going back to sleep after the 2-3am check for about 3 years. My mind just could not slow down. I did take sleep aids when I worked the night shift...Benadryl - I developed a tolerance to. I think it was Unisom that I moved onto...just half a tab and I was out like a light!

    On the cinnamon buns...Joe hasn't had those...same thing as Connie with the doughnuts. He has had a doughnut twice in his life and went low both times...I think b/c of the high GI of the darn thing.

    Happy New Year Jo!

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  5. Yes I too have trouble sleeping. I have not turned to sleep aides because I am afraid of sleeping too deeply to hear the kids if they need me in the night. I used to make homemade cinnamon rolls all of the time (way better than Cinna-bon any day) but haven't made them since dx because I don't want to find out what they would do to her BG. Maybe for a birthday, I will replace the cake with cinnamon rolls if the kids ask for them.

    Happy New Year!

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  6. Thank your for mentioning the sleep aids!!!! I feel soooooooo guilty when I take my Benedryl or Simply Sleep (Tylenol PM without the Tylenol). If I don't, though, my mind decides to ramp up and I find myself either still awake for the 2am check, or just fallen alseep right before the 2am check.

    And, I have to confess, I LOVE sleep. Always have. In fact, I had a HUGE anxiety attack when I found out we were pregnant with our second child. (ironically it was Ellie; who is the reason I don't sleep now) I remembered the horrible sleep depreivation from our firstborn and I just cried thinking about going through all of that again.

    As for the foods, Ellie has tried about everything and was already 8yo when she was diagnosed, so my sadness comes from her KNOWING what she is missing.

    Sucks on both sides, sister.

    Looking forward to your January edition!

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  7. sleep? what is that? Yeah, I have a hard time sleeping no matter the situation, my mind doesn't stop. really frustrating when time to sleep is so limited as it is.
    when it comes to evil foods, I just cringe and bolus then deal with the aftermath. I never want Bryce feeling like he is missing out and possibly later deal with sneaking things. This doesn't mean he gets anything whenever, but treats are a part of our life for sure (much easier to deal with on a pump too)

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  8. I have the most trouble going back to sleep after I get up to check. I lay there for hours... friggin sucks!!

    Also, We do the Pillsburry Cinnamon rolls once in a while. We don't get the crazy pizza spike or anything. Maybe for her 4th birthday breakfast :)

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  9. My issue isn't so much falling asleep, but being able to fall back asleep when woken, even by the tiniest noise (or loud breathing husband!).

    We have cinnamon rolls regularly on the weekends. Sometimes (but not always) they spike Q's blood sugar. I check her before her morning snack and give her a correction if needed. Cinnamon rolls are yummy!

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  10. Diabetes teaches us every, single day!!
    Joaanne, I've been trying to contact you, but I don't have your email - could you please email me?
    kellykunik@gmail.com

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