tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12170516375120336712011-08-07T06:54:09.901-04:00mothering, diabetes, and more...Christinenoreply@blogger.comBlogger441100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-34912095214760892012010-07-01T16:26:00.002-04:002010-07-01T16:58:02.031-04:00

Over the past month or so, Tom and I have both been feeling like TJ's numbers have been in range - some highs, but mostly solid numbers, with what feels like many lows scattered throughout. I was happily anticipating our three month check-in with the fabulous Deb at the Joslin Clinic, where I was sure we would be applauded for our wonderful diabetes management, and ability to bring his A1C so

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-52606202005728517632010-06-27T18:30:00.010-04:002010-06-28T10:02:18.332-04:00

Towards the end of Friday's outing to Woodneck beach, TJ's pump started emitting a sound not unlike the alarm that the national weather service puts out. Buried in his cargo shorts, under a towel, it was subtle, but persistent. We have had very few issues with the relatively new Animas, and the code "Call Service/Delivery Stopped" was a new one for us.We were already considering our departure

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-80140241020065414662010-06-24T21:33:00.001-04:002010-06-24T21:34:07.224-04:00

Spring was chalk full of soccer, lacrosse, concerts, and school events, but summer is being ushered in, for sure, by baseball. Many, many nights watching a fantastic group of little guys play their hearts out. And every time this boy takes the mound and throws stikes, I can't help but think that he is showing diabetes who's boss.

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-18806131719154658352010-05-24T21:25:00.004-04:002010-05-24T21:50:43.056-04:00

Beautiful morning on the boat; salt air, sun, family :: no lunch...blood sugar is too high, and we didn't bring a site changeBaseball game; a nail-biting tie featuring TJ as the saving pitcher :: a shot and the second site change of the morning...in the dugout right before the gameCelebrating the tie with flav-or-ice :: watching friends have flav-or-ice...it has too much sugarJumping on the

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-68169445617246159642010-05-16T21:45:00.000-04:002010-05-16T21:45:27.403-04:00

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-29962139794322076792009-08-02T20:10:00.004-04:002009-08-02T20:15:58.053-04:00

How quickly we settle into vacation. One day in, with Tom headed to Stellwagen in search of tuna, we settled into our slow paced routine of beach, reading, puzzles, and solitaire. I love how much my children were looking forward to Marshfield. The activities - the games, the beach trip - even the exact puzzles - have become a "tradition."

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-54668410340639353072009-08-02T18:39:00.001-04:002009-08-02T18:57:07.064-04:00

There does not seem to be anything that is more quintessentially summer than a rope swing. Pure summer love.Both Gwen and TJ were so much more brave then I imagined they would be when we arrived at the swinging spot - letting the rope take them far out over the pond over and over. Just by chance, TJ's cozmo insulin pump is right up front and center in the photos I took of him swinging. On the

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-86293382839263152912009-08-01T22:59:00.005-04:002009-08-01T23:29:06.892-04:00

Many years, the coming on of August causes me to panic. In so many ways I have yet to settle into a summer routine, yet all of a sudden the end is in sight. This summer - one filled with unpredictable weather, a busy work schedule, and a two-week stay away from home - I find myself entering August with a sinking feeling that summer will end and I will not have lived it.But, in reality, summer

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-2895088506147907222009-07-26T20:12:00.001-04:002009-07-26T20:13:56.781-04:00

A (long ago, at this point) April vacation trip to Fenway...the first night was rained out, so we ventured to the city again the next day for the make up game. Lots of Fenway franks, and lots of fun. Click on the photo for a full size look.

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-70135905642666663942009-05-18T18:13:00.002-04:002009-05-18T18:17:03.320-04:00

I'm SO honored to be hosted as a "guest blogger" today over at my favorite blog, Six Until Me. Kerri has been an inspiration to me since TJ was diagnosed, and I am still in awe that she would share her space with me. Check it out here!

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-36078692303432249932009-05-18T18:02:00.003-04:002009-05-18T18:13:53.714-04:00

Thomas had his appointment with our nurse educator Deb last Friday. Both Tom and I were excited for the appointment, because TJ has had what seem like great numbers lately and we were anticipating a fantastic A1C (and what, getting a gold star? I don't know). The appointment went really well - Deb is pleased with his numbers, pleased with the adjustments we had made ourselves to his insulin/

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-4359506294427642652009-04-17T22:51:00.003-04:002009-04-17T22:59:24.328-04:00

Today marks Thomas' two year anniversary with diabetes. Two years of diabetes. Two years of finger sticks, shots, site changes, carb counting, lows, highs, middle of the night wake-ups. Two years of worry, heartache, learning, growing, adjusting. Two years. Two years that could be two minutes or two thousand years. It's amazing how this disease can be so much a part of everything, and still a

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-28359848008526529922009-01-31T09:09:00.003-05:002009-01-31T09:23:49.964-05:00

Of course, winter has taken over, and blog posting has gone by the wayside. I have been busy, I think. Not sure what, exactly, I have accomplished, but every minute has felt scheduled and my house is NOT clean!Thomas had a trip to Joslin in December - right before Christmas - and met his new endo. I liked his old endo, but love, love, love his new one. Dr. Ricker is fantastic. She is laid

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-6348999909003135172008-11-02T10:04:00.003-05:002008-11-02T10:16:22.543-05:00

It's been a fall chalk full of soccer, trips, beaches, pumpkins, geocaching, and wonderful time with family. Too many sights, sounds, and events to list each one...(click on the photo collage to see a large image)

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-30456700051459250492008-11-02T08:24:00.001-05:002008-11-02T08:33:56.207-05:00

At the North Falmouth Elementary Halloween Parade... And later, before trick-or-treating with our good friends Sarah and Abigail Lott. Sarah, Abigail, Amy and Ed's neighborhood, Pirate's Cove, has long been home to our annual candy-collecting event. We love sharing pizza and beer with them, and making the quiet trek along the water. There always seem to be just enough other children and stops

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-52376909169650901022008-10-20T21:09:00.003-04:002008-10-20T21:12:31.870-04:00

Did I ever live without picassa? Suddenly the thousands of digital photos I have on my computer have a purpose. Cropping, adding effects and text, removing red eye, making collages, and uploading online albums all in the matter of seconds? Seriously.Is there anything better than Google? I think not.

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-58132849711865903762008-10-20T20:47:00.005-04:002008-10-20T21:06:36.530-04:00

Over the past six months, diabetes has been as present as ever in our lives. Thomas started on an insulin pump, but the daily in and out of diabetes is the same. Testing. Bolusing. Site changes. Rinse and repeat. Somehow, though, diabetes has receded; become less. While the daily chores are the same, the emotional toll is so greatly diminished. The day school started in Bourne, TJ's pump

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-44527463955258423432008-10-19T23:00:00.000-04:002008-10-19T23:00:41.751-04:00

Look what we made this morning... all lit up...

Christinenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-24114324313692512002008-10-19T21:31:00.006-04:002008-10-26T21:01:48.965-04:00

"Team TJ" came out of retirement to strut it's stuff on October 4th in Boston, and strut we did. The day was fantastic, falling into place amazingly. We took the T in from Cambridge, met up with the other team members easily, and walked at the front of the pack in beautiful weather.This year our team grew. All of the Kerrigans came out to support us. We were especially happy to have Warnick

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-65076635124911994472008-07-08T09:39:00.003-04:002008-07-08T16:29:54.257-04:00

Today on facebook, Joslin shared a list of all of their recent research finds. These are obviously meant to be positive - possible hopes for a future cure.This piece, however, struck an unintended nerve:Study Finds Individuals with Long-Term Type 1 Diabetes Still Capable of Producing Insulin: Surprising Finding Gives Hope to All With DiseaseJune 8, 2008 – Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-72729336975037304922008-07-06T09:48:00.003-04:002008-07-06T10:07:50.659-04:00

After struggling through Saturday evening with keytones, we put Thomas to bed in the 300's, with keytones going down. At 9:30 things looked good, with a number nicely in range. He needed a correction (by injection) again at 11:30, but the keytones were still low. I kept the temp basal up for another hour, just to see if I could keep the keytones at bay for good.Tom checked at 12:30 - great

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-85254426044617502852008-07-05T22:00:00.002-04:002008-07-05T22:16:39.278-04:00

It was a definite non-beach-day today, so we decided to embark on an "adventure" with the Earleys and explore some of the caches in the Nickerson State Park in Brewster.The day started off traffic-y - which shouldn't have been a surprise, I suppose, for Saturday July5th on Cape Cod. Out of character, Tom hadn't objected when I mentioned our plan - but then again, he wasn't coming.We did make it

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-73624745334182888102008-07-04T14:17:00.005-04:002008-07-06T10:02:02.887-04:00

Today marks the end of the kids week at Camp Farley!Although I had driven by a few times, I had never given the camp a second thought until Sally mentioned that she would be sending her kids, and that the camp employed a full time nurse. (As always, my friends are graciously looking after TJ.)I was nervous at first, but met with the nurse last week. She was eager to do anything I asked, and I

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-36474009992161496072008-06-05T14:24:00.003-04:002008-06-05T14:31:02.067-04:00

At baseball last Saturday, Thomas' pump escaped from his waistband while he was running home. Not to be deterred in his (automatic - this is junior baseball, after all) score of a run, he grabbed the pump by the tubing and continued on.As he returned to the bench, Tom witnessed the following conversation (and yes, this whole post is hearsay, but still, a mom's gotta brag every now and then):

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-60660680746308705712008-06-05T14:12:00.004-04:002008-06-05T14:24:46.990-04:00

Well, despite a two month hiatus from blogging, Thomas is pumping with the best of them. I have actually been holding off on this blog post until I could include a photo or two, but life has been a whirlwind, and I don't have any photos. I do have a day, off, however, so I'm updating the blog. Words only will have to do.Thomas was "officially" hooked up over April vacation, and things have

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-61022281599441498912008-04-04T15:09:00.012-04:002008-04-04T15:36:48.045-04:00

When Thomas was admitted to Children's Hospital almost a year ago, the constant message from the doctors, nurses, social workers, and child life staff was "you can do it." A large team of (very-well paid) cheerleaders, the CH crew made it their goal to drive home the message that life with diabetes was manageable, even swell.Part of this, I'm sure, is survival on their part. There is a lot that

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-84000181605998814682008-03-22T19:38:00.006-04:002008-03-22T19:58:33.553-04:00

Last weekend the whole family trekked into the city to attend the Diabetes EXPO at the seaport world trade center. Although none of us were entirely sure what to expect, I had heard rumors of 'freebies,' and really wanted to get my hands on some! On top of the EXPO (which I worried might be rather boring for the kids) there was the Joslin Teddy Bear Clinic, one of the most well advertised

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-4151484515426970452008-03-14T21:01:00.005-04:002008-03-14T21:36:25.587-04:00

So much has been going on...which seems to leave very little time for blogging. But, much of it has been good, exciting, and fun - a needed change. So, in no particular order, a few D updates:We had our two pump visits in January and February (complete with math homework). The first was less than successful, ending in frustration followed by an A1C result of 10.1. (Yes, that's right, over TEN

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-64390127007433303832008-02-19T17:38:00.003-05:002008-02-19T18:28:51.730-05:00

Over the past 10 months, our close friends - family now - have banned together to be sure that even with diabetes, life for TJ can be the same as it was pre-diagnoses. The many adults in our lives: S and K, S and M, A and E, not to mention Mimi, Papa, and Grandma, have learned to work the meter, count carbs, and recognize a low so that Thomas can play wherever he wants, whenever he would

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-46734043148432866512008-02-07T20:04:00.002-05:002008-02-17T21:26:34.537-05:00

In my memories of school, no class stands out more than Algebra. Which is interesting, since I hated math. Moreover, Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 were most certainly top contenders for my two lowest grades ever. (This may be genetic, I recall Dan struggling through Algebra, too) Despite my longstanding inability to get along with math, though, the class seems somehow branded in my memory. The

Christinenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-16593706813230535562008-02-04T17:45:00.000-05:002008-02-04T19:15:23.960-05:00

At TJ's last endo appointment we took a (small) beating from Dr. W for failing to: a) control TJ's numbers tightly enough and b) call in to Joslin when things weren't working. Both Tom and I had began to frustratedly resign ourselves to crappy numbers, but, as so clearly illustrated by his A1C of 10 (YUP - 10!) we have to buck up and deal a little better.And, we have. Already in the first

Christinenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-66996104032699473932008-01-25T21:05:00.000-05:002008-01-25T21:18:08.523-05:00

For months now, Thomas has been totally cool with being diabetic. He came home from the hospital calling himself diabetes boy, adapted to BG testing and shots in about one minute, and NEVER complains about diet, shots, being low - nothing. No matter how much Tom or I struggle, worry, and stress, Thomas just rolls with the punches. He truly is amazing.Last Friday was Joslin - a marathon visit

Christinenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-90589805217756985762007-11-25T12:02:00.000-05:002008-01-25T21:24:04.195-05:00

At Karate Thursday, TJ seemed to misplace his fantastic multi-click lancet device. I LOVE this lancet thing-y. It holds six needles in a barrel, so there are no "sharps." You just rotate the barrel to change the lancet, instead of take one out and put a new one in, so you have no trash if you do change for each test (or even every other), and the barrel lasts easily for a day - no carrying

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-69366311709118449162007-11-25T11:49:00.000-05:002007-11-25T12:02:02.327-05:00

Well, we are WAY behind on updates...the walk was, in fact, two months ago. And it was hugely successful! Our friends and family raised an amazing $5,000 for diabetes reasearch. I can't even begin to say how wonderful this is. To all of you who gave so generously - a huge heartfelt thank you!After weeks of work, and ironing MANY t-shirts, we walked on a beautiful fall day, both sides of the

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-19432706460144669262007-09-22T16:39:00.000-04:002007-09-22T16:45:58.700-04:00

The JDRF walk is only one week away. Our team - Team TJ - has raised a respectable $2500 so far, and the donations are still coming in. T-shirts have been made, and a pre-walk pasta dinner is in the works.When I signed our family up for the walk, I was hoping it would be cathartic, or energizing, or something, and in many ways it has been. The true outpouring of support for our family is

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-32344989055399156412007-09-17T19:04:00.000-04:002007-09-22T16:39:06.279-04:00

1500 finger pricks.450 shots...and this is only the beginning.I have been trying to stay upbeat about things, but somehow, diabetes is just sucking the life out of me. And I am not the diabetic.

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-35151853271086465522007-09-03T21:28:00.000-04:002007-09-03T21:38:20.113-04:00

The kids start school tomorrow. Even though I have actually started back (and had three days of classes) it still somehow feels like summer. I am NOT ready for what will surely be tomorrow mornings disaster! Even before diabetes we were a bit of an AM nightmare. I am the main problem (never ready on time), but the kids like to sleep in, too. I'm trying to turn over a new, more organized,

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-67880988385662986082007-08-20T20:19:00.000-04:002007-08-20T20:59:14.978-04:00

After a long day of swimming yesterday, both Tom and TJ come home looking a little green. Pool water ingestion. Tom manages to rally and bring Gwen to Jake and Samantha's birthday party, but Thomas tosses his cookies just before leaving (better than in the car, I suppose!).Suddenly, we are in the middle of the day I have been hoping to avoid. The ominous "SICK DAY."There is more to know about

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-50737362320034723752007-08-20T20:03:00.000-04:002007-08-21T19:05:50.150-04:00

A truly unexpected positive by-product of TJ's diagnosis is that friends, family, and even strangers have come from far and wide to offer support.After his stay in Children's, TJ was selected to participate in the Tek's 33s program, sponsored by none other than Red Sox catcher and team captain Jason Varitek. Our family (along with the amazing "aunt" Amy) attend the August 14th Sox game against

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-7578471745084465862007-08-20T10:43:00.000-04:002007-08-20T19:59:47.002-04:00

After months of anticipation, Thomas' 6th birthday finally arrived! A clear disadvantage to the "summer birthday" is that you go to a bunch of classmates parties during the school year, but have to wait what seems to be an endless amount of time to plan your own.For the first time, after many years of getting off the hook with a simple cookout, we planned a true party for TJ - complete with

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-45699580306794392532007-08-12T20:19:00.000-04:002007-08-12T20:32:49.162-04:00

So...summer sucks. Alright, thats a little harsh. Our family has shared some wonderful days at the beach, on the boat, on vacation, and at Cape League games, but managing TJ's diabetes is sending me over the edge.Let me backtrack a little. Although April was a whirlwind, May and June felt relatively "back to normal." Thomas' numbers were pretty good (with a lot of help from the "honeymoon")

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-75968181892278925912007-08-12T19:49:00.000-04:002007-08-12T19:54:16.938-04:00

I am fully in a fog for the entire moth of April, but somehow feel I can gain a little control by shopping.It started in the hospital, when I had no clothes to wear because I was already in Boston when we found out Thomas would need to be admitted. I could barely stop crying, but in between tears I kept thinking "God, I would feel a lot better if I could just pick up some sweatpants at Target."

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-67258059422471620302007-08-12T09:10:00.000-04:002007-08-12T09:11:31.304-04:00

Tuesday morning...I have a meeting in Boston, but Tom makes the appointment for TJ to see the pediatrician. Like every good working mother, I leave my phone on during my meeting, even though I am secretly still thinking there is NO WAY TJ has diabetes, and we will be laughing about our over-parenting soon.Instead my phone rings half way through the meeting. Tom has collected information from the

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1217051637512033671.post-22205534146620441132007-08-12T09:07:00.000-04:002007-08-12T09:10:22.288-04:00

Thomas is wetting his bed. A lot. Not the regular soak through the Pull-Up wet, but a deluge-like wet. We put him down at 8 and his bed is soaked by 10. Change his sheets, he's in our room soaked again by midnight. I have been peed on in my own bed. It has made for some good story-telling at work, but truly I am losing it.Needless to say, I thought I'd be over these kinds of parenting humps by

Christinenoreply@blogger.com0