The Life of a Trailblazer

This week we, well Westin, is trying Apidra, the newest fast acting insulin on the market. We are the first in our endo's office (as usual lately-we were the first on a continuous glucose monitor too) to try the newer insulin. Mind you, it has been on the market for a few years but is yet to be approved for children. But in the type 1 world, children are regularly written off label as it could take years to be approved for kids. Our endo wasn't encouraging but he did give in to my pleads. He is good that way :) That is the same thing that happened with getting Westin on a pump at 4 years old. I didn't have to plead too much with the cgms. The apidra I asked for via email and got a no. But I took up my plea again with him in person and he relented.

I have been watching a few families on Children with Diabetes that are using apidra. I really wanted to see how it would work with Westin. It is suppose to start a little faster and peak really fast. To compare, we used Novalog before and it would peak in 2 hours and last 4 or so hours. I never figured out exactly how long it would continue to tail. (That means it has this little tail that continues to lower sugar for some time.) Apidra is supposed to peak in an hour and last 2 hours. I know from last nights correction that it is lasting 4 hours but no real tail. The fast peak is what I really enjoy. I can see corrections working faster!

So far we have made minor basal changes but nothing major. I have a lot of basal testing to do before I know that other changes aren't needed. I am ready to stock up on plenty of carb free foods to get that testing done. I really can't do any other changes until I know the basals are set.

Oh, a little off topic, but I found this interesting interview with Denise Faustman. I think it does a great job at explaining her research. Check it out! http://www.diabetesdaily.com/edelman/2008/09/01/diabetes-cure-trial.pdf

Caught Off Guard by Emotion

Yesterday, September 11th, with the 7th year of the World Trade Center, I found myself remembering, "where were you that day?" kind of thoughts. I remember that day so clearly. Sure I remember the stuff on tv. But what really stands out in my mind is that was the day my mom returned to work after being off for a while for chemo. She was NED (no evidence of disease) and had returned to work that day for the City of Kalamazoo. Being a government building they were on lock down. I remember calling her that day to see what was happening in her building. That day will always be linked to that phone call. Just a few months later she started having some problems with her back and that is when we found out that her cancer had spread.

This morning I am sitting in the basement, watching Wieland play. He came across a box of some things I had packed away. One box that he hadn't actually been into yet. He pulled out my Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls my mom had made for me for Christmas one year. I wish I could remember what year. I know I was a teen. I had said I wanted some and she surprised me by making them for Christmas. She wasn't able to get the clothes done in time so I opened naked dolls on Christmas morning. I was really surprised.

As Wieland looked them over, of course he had to see if they had "butts" and I said, "Let's look. I think Mom put something on their butt." Nope, nothing. I guess I remembered wrong. A little later Wieland was pulling up their clothes and found a heart with the words, "I Love You" on their chest, right over their hearts. I said, "I don't think Grandma thought about the fact that one day her grandson would be playing with this doll. She loves you too." Tears started to flow from my eyes. I explained she was probably watching him right now from heaven. Then of course I had to explain heaven. Now I am having to explain, in Wieland's words, "Why am I just whining?" as he wipes my tears with my shirt collar.

I am so thankful that I have these surprise moments of memories. I am lucky that she hand made me such wonderful things that will be saved and played with for generations. She left us her music so we will always have her voice. I just wish she were still here.

Homeschooling on a TIGHT budget!

So I had big plans for curriculum this year but when it came time to order, I really didn't have the money. So, here is the plan as I see it at this point.

1. I ordered "Writing Strands 3" off ebay for a total of $11 and some change, including shipping. This was one item I really wanted an couldn't get at the library.

2. I have decided to work Westin through the Math U See online printable practice sheets rather than buy the entire curriculum at this time. I think we will finish with the section that I think he would be in and then when we are ready to move on, order the actual curriculum. He is kind of in the middle of a series at this point so I feel pretty comfortable with this decision.

3. For science we have decided to make use of this great telescope my dad is letting us borrow. So we are going to be studying astronomy.

4. For history we are continuing our study of US History. We are going to be using "The History of US" by Joy Hakim. I think we will start on volume 4.

5. We just finished reading "The Indian in the Cupboard" and even watched the movie. We have discovered there are numerous sequels to this book so we plan to go through those one by one.

6. As the election approaches we are going to learn about the voting process, presidential requirements and the electoral college. Why not, it only happens like this every 4 years!

7. I will be purchasing "Mind Benders" A1/A2 software for the computer. It is a logic game. I decided on the software as I tend to give too many hints. This way the computer can control it and deduct points.

Oh, and Wieland will be right along with us for most of it! (Ask me how I feel about that in a week) I am going to start him on "The Well Trained Mind".

If you are reading this, you might be thinking, "What would Michelle like for her birthday?" Amazon gift cards!