Type 1 Diabetes

April 13, 2015. 12 days ago, we received the confirmation I had suspected and dreaded.  Our oldest son, Cooper, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  I had made an appointment for him with our pediatrician after being suspicious of a few symptoms, namely, he had been drinking a ton of water and urinating frequently. The night before our appointment he was up in the night 4 or 5 times.  Our doctor immediately sent us to St. Luke's Children's Hospital in Boise for a 2 day stay.  (Most kids newly diagnosed with T1D are in the hospital for at least 4-5 days, so we felt blessed to get out of there as quickly as we did.)

In the hospital

 

I've learned that most people don't know that much about Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).  Many are familiar with Type 2 Diabetes, but Type 1 is quite a bit different.  It is an autoimmune disease that destroys the beta cells in the pancreas. The beta cells produce insulin that allows the body to use the glucose you get from food and turn it into energy.  It is genetic disease that requires constant treatment with insulin.  It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There's no way to prevent it, and while there are treatments for it, there is no cure.  Cooper is a growing boy, so unlike Type 2 diabetes, there are no carb restrictions--- except that we obviously want him to eat healthy, as everyone should, and we need to give him insulin for whatever carbs he eats.  And just because he CAN eat whatever he wants, it doesn't mean that he should based how high or low his BG levels are, and when he received his last insulin dose.

Cooper never really felt sick. Thankfully I recognized the signs and was able to get Cooper diagnosed before DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis) set in.  DKA is very dangerous. It's when your body breaks down fat stores because without insulin, your body can't utilize the glucose in your body.  This leads to the production of ketones.  When ketones get too high, ketoacidosis sets in, which can cause seizures, coma, brain damage and even death.  Although Cooper's blood glucose levels were well over 400, he only had a trace of ketones.

Happy to go home after a 2 day stay in the hospital!

 

I don't know why Cooper developed Type 1 Diabetes.  He's a healthy active 9 year old boy. We are a healthy active family.  We don't really have any family history of T1D.  Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine something like this would happen to us.  I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that I will likely never again get a good night's sleep.  Right now we get up 2-5 times a night to check Cooper's blood glucose (BG) levels.  Even when things settle down, we'll still need to check him in the middle of the night.  The fear of Cooper's BG getting too high or too low is very real: too high leads to DKA.  Too low, which we've learned happens SO fast, leads to confusion, diabetic coma and even death.

 

My life is now consumed with though of Cooper's chronic condition.  What are Cooper's BG levels right now?  Is he too high or too low?  How many carbs are in the snack he is eating? How much insulin should I give him? Is he going to be running around after he eats and cause his BG levels to drop quicker than expected?  I'm most anxious when I'm not with him- school, scouts, field trips.  I have become a hovering mother who doesn't want to let him out of my sight. 

Despite all the worries, I am incredibly grateful for the decision I made as a college freshman to study nutrition and become a registered dietitian.  That knowledge is now incredibly invaluable to me.  It hasn't changed the anxiety I feel as a mother, but my knowledge of nutrition and how insulin works has made it easier to know how to best treat Cooper.  I'm also grateful for a friend and roommate, Brittany McIntosh, for everything she taught me about T1D. Watching her has given me comfort that Cooper can live a full and normal life, and that in time, T1D will only be background noise to both Cooper and our family.  There will always be things that keep us on our toes, but I have faith that we can handle it.

I'm also incredibly grateful for modern medicine.  100 years ago this disease would have killed him.  There was no treatment.  And while there are still risks, we know that if we work diligently to control his BG and keep it within normal ranges, Cooper can and will lead a long, healthy and happy life.  I'm determined to make that a reality.  We have an amazing pediatric endocrinology team in Boise we're working closely with.  There's new research underway to come up with better treatment options, and hopefully one day, they'll find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

Cooper on his field trip this week- The Old Idaho Penitentiary (and yes, I chaperoned!)

Lazy Summer Mornings...

This post is going to be pictureless (is that even a word?), but a couple cute/funny things have happened the last few days and I want to write them down.

Last week the boys (Cooper and Carson) were out feeding the calves and they needed help with something.  I went out to help them, then decided to water my flowers before coming back in.  Lainee and Ashlin were supposed to be getting dressed for the day.  When I came back in I came in the front door.  I could here Ashlin talking from a distance, but didn't know where she was.  Little did I know, she had gone out the back door looking for me.  When I finally found her she was coming back into the garage.  She had taken off her pajamas and diaper, then put on her pink cowboy boots and gone outside- completely naked!  I just laughed when I saw her.  She kept saying ouch and scratching her belly.  We have really bad mosquitos in the morning, and she had bites all over her bare bum and belly.  I told her, "Ashlin, you can't go outside naked!"  She replied, "But I was looking for you mommy!"  I wish I had taken a picture, but she was so itchy I just hurried to find something to put on her bites.

A few days ago I woke up and decided to enjoy the quiet house while the kids were still sleeping.  Randall was already gone to work, so I stayed in bed and read for a while.  I heard Cooper wake up; he came into my room, crawled in bed with me and snuggled up.  As he was laying there I couldn't help but smile and think to myself... I am so grateful for this moment.  Cooper is 8 years old and I don't know how much longer he will want to snuggle up to his mom.  The doctor made a comment about 3rd graders (the grade Cooper is going into) starting to turn their attention more toward their friends than their families.  It made me sad, and more aware that I need to spend as much quality time with my children as possible.

Out of the mouth of babes...

Carson said something really funny the other day.  He was at a friend's house...

Carson: "You know, helicopters can fly without anyone driving them.
Friend: "Ya, that's called auto pilot."
Carson: "Yeah, so there's someone named 'Auto' sitting in there flying it, huh!"

Haha!  Can you tell he's watched Wall-E  a time or two?

A Birthday and a Baptism!

Cooper turned 8 on June 1st.  His birthday happened to be on a Saturday, and since our church building has it's own baptismal font, Cooper decided he wanted to be baptized on his birthday.  He had his own special program, and it made for a very special birthday.  A birthday I hope he'll never forget.

I've watched this firstborn child of mine grow from a beautiful newborn baby, to a happy toothy-grinned toddler, to a sociable pre-schooler, and now to a handsome, quick-learning, determined and stubborn, sensitive, caring and helpful 8 year old boy.

Cooper was so excited to be baptized.  He planned the whole thing out--- who he wanted to speak, who he wanted to invite, and what he wanted to eat for the dinner afterward.  He invited lots of friends, including many who are not members of our church.  It was neat to see them come and witness a Church of Jesus Christ of Latte Day Saint baptism.  Yes, my 8 year old little boy is a better missionary than his mom!  It comes quite naturally to him.

We had a wonderful turn-out.  Most of our family members were able to make it.  Randall's family came just for the day--- his sister Maureah was in the process of moving to Texas.  Many of my family members (my parents, brother Wyakin, sister Shalani, and sister Kiana and her husband Spence, came and stayed for the weekend.  It was nice to have visitors, especially my family.  I love them and I don't get to spend nearly as much time with them as I'd like.

Cooper looked so handsome in his new suit jacket he received for his birthday.  And he looked so clean and pure and HAPPY in his white baptism suit.  I'm so grateful for a wonderful husband who was able to baptize Cooper.  Randall is a great dad, and I'm more thankful everyday for the best decision I ever made- to marry him.  I can't imagine my life without him.  He loves me and our children more than anything.  He is a worthy priesthood holder who loves and honors God.  He is hard-working and super intelligent.  I've thought about my choices leading up to marrying him a lot lately.  (It must have something to do with teaching the young women in our ward- I worry about them and about the choices they are making now that will affect them for the rest of their lives!)  I am grateful for good parents and good friends who were good examples to me and encouraged me to set goals and not settle for anything less than an eternal marriage.

I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and cares about me and my family.  I am so thankful for that knowledge---it has helped me get through many difficult and trying situations.  I hope I can instill that knowledge in my children.  They are growing up so fast and I feel like the amount of influence I have on them is quickly diminishing as they grow and spend more time at school and outside of our home.

So proud of my boy!

I wish I would have taken a few more pictures, but I was so busy running around trying to make sure everything was in order that I forgot to take pictures.  Next time I'll assign someone to take pictures for me!

Cooper with his Grandma & Grandpa Raymond

Cooper with Aunt Maureah & Scott... who just moved to Texas :(

 

Spring Break Fun

The boys enjoyed their Spring Break from school last week.  Actually... we all enjoyed their break!  We kicked off the beginning weekend with a trip to Eastern Idaho to visit grandparents and family.  Randall's mom had given all the adult girls tickets to Time Out For Women- a conference for women with motivational speakers and performers, put on by Deseret Book.  Randall and the other dads took care of the kids, and we attended the conference Friday night and Saturday morning.  The conference was wonderful- I came away feeling very enlightened and inspired.  It was fun to hang out with Randall's mom and sisters and have some girl time.

Saturday evening we celebrated a few birthdays, and Sunday morning Randall, his Dad, his brother Kade, and brother-in-law Brian sang a beautiful musical number in church- "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy."

Sunday evening Randall and Brian headed home so they could work.  Cali and I stayed a few extra days.  Monday we went to see my family for the day.  We went to get lunch with my mom, visited with my Grandma Wilcox (she's nearly 92 years old and still looks great!), then we picked up Shalani from school.  Dallin brought Suri out for dinner and the kids enjoyed playing with her.  Wyakin came in from working for a bit, much to Lainee's delight.  Lainee has a unique bond with her uncle Wyakin--- it's really cute.  Before we left my dad was sure to give and receive lots of bear hugs!  We love visits with Grandma and Grandpa.  We visited with my good friend Emily before coming home Tuesday.  We really had a fun trip.

Friday we took the kids to Wahooz in Meridian for a family fun day.  We went bowling, the boys rode Go-Karts, and Lainee and Ashlin played a few arcade games.  We went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse- a family favorite before heading home.

 

 Cooper getting set for his first Go-Kart ride!

 

Carson wasn't quite tall enough to go on the go-karts by himself, so Randall took him on the big track.  They had a blast and finished in 1st place!

See that #12 on top of the leader board?!!!

Saturday the kids hit the locoal Easter Egg hunt, then our good friends Paul and Joni came for a visit with their 3 adorable kids.  After they left I put the kids to work in the yard picking up all the branches that were scattered all over the lawn from the spring wind.

I'd say we had a fun and busy week!

Happy Easter 2013!

Easter this year was on March 31... my birthday!  This is the 2nd time in my life Easter has fallen on my birthday.  The first was in 1991 when I was 9 years old.  It makes for a pretty special day!  I looked it up and the next time Easter will be on my birthday is in 2024 and 2086.  So, unless i live to be 104, it will only happen once more in my lifetime.  Since it was also 5th Sunday at church, Randall was home for an extra hour and helped get the kids ready for church.  It's so nice to have some help on Sunday mornings!  As a result, we were ready for church early and had a chance to snap a few pictures.

 

I am truly blessed to have such a beautiful family.  The day was absolutely gorgeous.  A balmy 73 degrees, sunny and NO wind!  We went for a walk/bike ride, visited with neighbors and enjoyed spending time together as a family.  It was a terrific end to the kids' spring break week! 

I am truly grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice he made for me, my family, and all mankind. Because of his ultimate sacrifice, I can enjoy my family for all eternity!

 

We took the kids to the Easter Egg Hunt in Grand View on Saturday. I was helping the girls, so they are the only ones I was able to get pictures of. They all had fun, and after it was over they handed out chocolate milk and toothbrushes.

 

 

 

Feeding the Lambs

We have some friends with a lot of orphan baby lambs.  They asked Randall to take a look at a few of them that were not doing very well (there is always a need for a good veterinarian!).  We took the kids over there during feeding time so they could help with the bottles.  The kids loved it!  The little lambs are so cute and fun to watch.