He is a warrior

8 years ago today, (while at the cabin)

 our sweet Carson was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. 

I wouldn't consider today a celebration by any means, but I want to acknowledge the challenges and triumphs that have come with the diagnosis, and the amazing young man Carson has become

 through this journey that is just part of who he is.

He is a regular 12 year old boy with Type 1 diabetes, 

it doesnt define him, and he is nothing but perfect in every way. 

He is such an Example of bravery, and has never skipped a beat in his young life.

 Carson is a competitor, he plays basketball, baseball and flag football.

He’s a math & reading whiz, and loves to learn.

Carson loves to build and figure things out!

 He is kind, sweet, and a little gentleman.

 Did I mention very handsome with the best smile ever.

Type 1 diabetes is a complex, never-ending, life changing, 24/7, relentless autoimmune disease. 

"Disease" doesn't fit for diabetes.

Diabetes is more of a life style with out a choice!

It happens when a persons own immune sustem attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. It's not completely clear yet what triggers it. There is no cure, can’t prevent it, 

can’t reverse it, don't outgrow it, and it’s not caused by a poor diet, or too much sugar.

Carson is dependent on synthetic insulin, He wears 2 little devices on his body, one to continuously monitor his blood sugars and one that is filled with insulin and can give small doses of insulin called a basal rate, it can also give bolus’s when Carson eats or if his blood sugar gets too high. 

It’s controlled by his Omnipod! 

He’s basically got to the point now where he is on top of monitoring his blood sugars and figures his own carbohydrates. (with the supervision of his parents). 

Speaking of parents…..

These 2 are amazing!

It’s not something that you just figure out!

 Diabetes is a rollercoaster, there’s a lot of guessing, calculating, hoping and praying. 

Together they have managed this disease, from extreme highs to scary lows. 

There have been many sleepless nights and some almost perfect days.

They have helped Carson to manage and take charge. 

Never underestimate the strength of a parent with a child who has diabetes

They are is amazing!!! 

 

He’s got a big sis who has much love and concern for him

And grandparents who knew they needed to jump right on the diabetes learning curve… 

My fishing buddy

Grandpa teaching him how to kick

Surrounded by love

A regular boy and his family.

96 years ago today.....

This day has great significance to me, 

but it's not about me,

 it's more about my precious grandson Carson who has Type 1 diabetes.

But imagine this days significance for 14 year old Leonard Thompson and his family.

 96 years ago today young Leonard was the first person to receive an insulin injection.

I won't lie... I hate that this even has to be a special day for our family, BUT...

 I'm forever grateful for the two men who cared enough to discover this liquid gold. 

Without the discovery of synthetic insulin, type 1 diabetics would die, as they did many years ago.

The early stages of treatment was a diet low in carbohydrates and high in fat and protein, 

this diet allowed Type 1 diabetes to live about a year. 

Diet  cannot save a Type 1 Diabetic. 

Unfortunately it's an autoimmune disease in which the body decides to attack the
insulin producing cells in the pancreas.... the pancreas stops producing insulin.

The harsh reality is that we need insulin to live!

 Because of the two men (featured in the article above), todays Type 1 diabetics 

can live a long happy, healthy life!

It's not an easy life. 

Managing the blood sugars of and active, growing, little one is challenging to say the least! 

For the parents... it's a full time job act of love!

 and as his grandparents we are committed to share in the challenge for a little boy who we love so much! We are thankful that his mom & dad trust us with him! 

My heart!!!

Still praying for a miracle cure for this dreadful disease

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

 I won't lie...

It pains me as I reflect and go back to June of 2016. 

A family vacation that our family will never forget. 

The day Carson was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes. 

We were 290 miles from home with a small community hospital only 6 miles from our cabin.

Carson was quickly diagnosed with a blood sugar near 800 (normal is 70 -100)

the rest is a blur..... Read my initial post here

A photo taken by my daughter Brianna as her son Carson is being reassured by 

a flight nurses from Mayo Clinic's  air ambulance, "Mayo Air".

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

This post is not intended to dwell on the sad and scary moments of more than

 a year ago, but those feelings are still very real even today.

Instead I hope to educate. 

This has been a learning curve for our entire family but mostly for Carson and his parents, 

who might I add... ARE AMAZING!

There is a lot of truth to the saying below for both parents of T1D.

Type one diabetes (in children especially) is a very unpredictable disease, with so many factors that affect blood sugars which in turn affects the immediate and overall health of the diabetic.

Growth, trauma, mood, temperature, illness, activity, hormones, stress etc

Carson is our Super hero, but Brianna & Chris...

you rank right up there in the super hero category! 

Rick and I have been learning and education ourselves about the disease,
sometimes it is mind boggling when we read about all the many things that come into play when it comes to managing the minute by minute, and day by day
ups and downs of blood sugars in a child with T1D.

I'm a nurse folks and really had NO IDEA the complexity of this disease!!!

Rick and I have been spending time in the car reading and learning all we can about T1D.
We have learned so much from the book called "THINK like a Pancreas"
 The author, Gary Scheinet lives it, he is a type 1 diabetic and a
  certified diabetes educator, insulin pump user and exercise physiologist.

FACT:
Everything that Carson eats has to be covered by insulin, unless of course
he is low and needs to eats something just to get his blood sugar up to normal.
(I recently counted up all the carbs in this meal for Carson)

sometimes it takes some figuring. 

For me a little longer to figure since I don't do it everyday like his parents. 

This iPhone is Carson's....no it's not for texting and Snap-chatting his friends, 

instead it picks up the reading from his dexcom... 

...a little meter with a small needle that is usually on  his arm. 

The Dexcom measures Carons blood sugar and through a bluetooth connection 

that's transmitted to this iPhone.

A continuous Blood sugar reading is very reassuring and helps to replaces many 

finger pokes throughout the day. It also helps to monitor Carson's blood sugars so that 

his parents can be on top of his high's and low's

FACT:

Yes, children with Type 1 diabetes can eat cookies, candy, pizza and 

anything they want, just like you and I. 

The difference being, they will need insulin injected into their bodies to help transport that sugar into the bloodstream that their pancreas no longer produces. 

I never thought I would be saying, "It's such a blessing that we have synthetic insulin", but I do and I am so grateful, because without it.....well I don't even want to go there.

Through all of this, I have begun to relinquish all the what if's and rely on God's promises.

Carson is a healthy, happy, strong, smart beautiful child who is thriving and growing just like any boy his age. I pray every morning for God to keep him safe, as I do all my grandchildren. 

and I pray for the miracle of healing, how ever that comes.

 Today in National Diabetes Awareness Day

 I hope I have helped to make you a little bit more aware.

I remember feeling broken hearted and  crushed in spirit, but the Lord was near me through it all,

It just took some time to let him in and remind me how very precious Carson is to Him as well.

He really does rescue those come to Him, He is patient and is always ready to listen.

When anguish falls in your lap...

This is not a post of complaint or of whoa-is me, but a post that comes form the heart of grieving grandma, grief is not only for times of death, it also strikes in times of tragedy and illness and when what was normal is taken away and replaced with something that is scary, confusing
and may never go away.... and it involves someone who is part of my heart.

1 year old today my Grandson's life changed forever.

Last year several weeks after diagnosis.
That life change trickled down to his parents, sister, and extended family.
Type 1 diabetes happens to innocence, and there is nothing you can do to
 prevent it or heal it, although
I do believe in a God of miracles and I'm hopeful for
a cure through the research being done for T1 diabetes.
* * * * * * * *
Afflictions and heartbreaks are different for Everyone.
When all seems hopeless, when anguish falls in your lap, what's left?

One year ago in a small ER in Northern Minnesota....

When struck with sudden tragedy... anger, anxiety, sadness and disbelief settle in around and a storm begins to brew. It's a slow moving storm, the kind that rumbles intermittently in the background.
That sound is fading and peace is starting to work its way back into my soul.
It's been a year since his diagnosis, but I'm still caught off guard when panic sneaks up on me and
out of no where comes a sudden audible gasp followed by sobs of heartache?
I find myself asking why? "Why did sweet little Carson get such a horrible disease"?
After all, I've been praying since before he was born for God to keep him safe and
 protect him from horrible accidents and diseases!
Yes, those have always been my exact words,
 I prayed this everyday for all my grandchildren.

I know it's ok to ask God why? He wants us to come to Him with our questions,
but I quickly ask God for something else,
 "Please Lord, remove the power of darkness from my surroundings because
 I believe he (the evil one) is stirring up my delicate grandma heart
and causing me to question your goodness".
As I pray calmness settles in and the sobs become praise in knowing that God is good.
 I have some work to do, but I'm getting there.
At first, when I was so angry, my questions was, "well now what do I pray for"?
I'm afraid to pray... the very thing I prayed not to happen... happened, ugh!
But as my senses start to come back to me I am reminded that
God did not promise a trouble-free life here on earth,
but He promises to be with us through our heartache.
He is right beside us, reminding us that He loves us and will never leave us, and I know
most of all he loves Carson.

For several months I was afraid to pray for my grand babies,
or to ask God for much of any thing, but over time I have changed my tune.
Something changed as the Holy Spirit began to patch my grandma heart. I now speak prayers of thanksgiving more so than prayers of "here's what you can do God"

As I've learned more about the awful effects that Type1 Diabetes can have on the
  human body, I now thank God that Carson ONLY has Diabetes,
sounds weird I know, but I am thankful that is all he has...
Type1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is sometimes accompanied by many other illnesses such as thyroid & Celiacs disease. We won't even talk about the havoc this disease can have on the major organs the body, ugh. Instead I thank the Lord that we have Carson, he is my hero!
He is such an amazing little boy that is happy and thriving!
But on that note, it remains a scary thing for him and that's a hard thing to see.
He doesn't like it, he knows he has it, but he's barely 5 and easily distractible.
This little boy has had to endure pain from multiple pokes, feeling yucky from highs and lows and has legitimate worries about pumps things attached to him.
It's all very scary, especially for a little one!

His mamma, changing pump settings on a particularly "low day".
Despite Type 1 diabetes, and all that goes with it....
 Carson is a perfect boy in every way!

He is blessed to have a sweet momma and daddy to reassured him, care for him and face this heartache head on. This is a relentless disease but Chris and Brie are diligent in doing what is best for Carson and I love them for that.  I am thankful for Caron's family, he has the best mom, dad and sister, and we feel blessed to live close enough to be part of this little guys life. Rick and I are grateful that Brianna & Chris trust us to keep him with us for hours at a time. We are reading and learning about Type 1 diabetes, there's a lot to know and try and understand.

We are on our 2nd book, Think like a Pancreas by Gary Scheiner who is a Type1 diabetic himself.

This last year has been a rollercoaster for sure...just ask Carson and his parents!
Never in my life did I think I would have to ever poke my grandbabies fingers to get blood to check his glucose level, but he makes it easier when he says, "It didn't even hurt Grandma".
He is so brave, and so strong and so wonderful,
Carson is our hero, and I will never stop praying for
God's grace and peace over this sweet boy and his family.

 I thank God daily for His patience with me as I still try to make sense of all this.
When I start to tumble, and that audible sob slips from the back of my throat, I let it come, but only for a moment as I quickly direct my thoughts to my stronghold and feel His peace again...
It's then that I'm reminded of His love and promises,
Thank you Lord for this beautiful gift, our amazing grandson,
Sweet Carson!

God will do great things with this little boy,

 "and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him"

Romans 8:28

So thankful for this little guy and all that he is teaching me through it all.

God is good in all Days!
He is the Lord of misery and the Lord of celebration, and He uses both to accomplish His will.
In all eternity this life is but a split second, but if even for a second,
I thank God for all that He is and all that He has done and will continue to do for us.
Dear Lord, help me to trust you until the time when I can see from your perspective.

God is good....all the time.

This boy...my hero

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH

My little hero, so brave, and strong!

This post is a little long but I hope that you will read it and maybe learn a little about

 a disease that affects sooooo many, especially little ones, 

 TYPE 1 DIABETES

A disease that most know little about!

I know I didn't, Until.....

5 months ago my daughters family was turned upside down! 

While Brianna and the kids were on vacation at our cabin,

 little Carson just 4 years old became quite sick and was diagnosed with Type1 diabetes.

 I'm a nurse and so is my daughter, so when Carson had been exhibiting subtle symptoms, 

we talked to each other about the "what if"... it's diabetes.

 but then you quickly deny the possibility and say, Nooo, it can't be that! 

The symptoms....what are they you ask?

Carson's symptoms had started a week or so before the vacation,

 Brianna noticed that he was drinking and peeing A LOT.

He had lost a few pounds but easy to contribute that to an active boy.

He was hungry all the time.

He was moody & irritable, (so unlike Carson)!

The night before his diagnosis, he complained of a headache...

 4 year olds usually don't say, "My head hurts mamma"

The day of diagnosis.... increased lethargy, headache, then vomiting.... UGH!

The thing that made Rick and I most proud was the way Chris and Brianna so bravely handled this new diagnosis, it's such a scary thing, so much to learn and I mean LEARN FAST. They also had another child to care for, her needs were important as well, she was scared and worried, they kept her in the loop, and she's learning right along with the rest of us.

 Brianna and Chris are in the thick of it every single day, they live it every hour, 24 hours a day. 

There is no vacation from diabetes. They are amazing and are doing a great managing Carson's diabetes, learning as they go about a disease that has no boundaries!

Blood sugars are affected by so much! Illness, activity, temperature to name a few.

Your day (24 hours) centers around, carb counting, finger poking and insulin giving... 

I never knew how all encompassing it was.

Luckily Carson has a mommy & daddy who have kept life normal and fun!

Rick and I have read some books and are trying to learn as much as we can, we want to be educated and active in Carson's life!  For now we have learned how to check his blood sugar, we are learning about carb counting, what he can have for snacks and meals. Next step will be actually giving him insulin injections. Sigh,... do you know how many times I have given injections in my 35 years of nursing.... I can do it blindfolded, but you guys, this is different, this is my sweet grandchild!

It's only been 5 months, we want to get to this point so we can have the kids sleep over night at our house again... I miss that! As hard as it is, we want to be ALL-IN

We are getting there!   

We are thankful for Carson, our  hero!

 He is a brave, active, goofy, happy, thriving little boy. 

The facts will tell you that there is NO CURE, but I will not stop hoping for one!

 I also believe in a God of miracles, you never know... 

Praying for a miracle!

Family vacation part two, The part that still makes me sad.....

Two weeks ago today, my sweet little grandsons life changed forever

 as did his parents and sister's life as they know it.... 

which tickles down to us the grandparents.

 We were at our cabin in northern Minnesota for our "Family week" with all our kids and grands. 

It was suppose to be a wonderful experience with 

time spent together, making new memories as a family.

It was great, we had 4 sort of wonderful days.....

See my previous post HERE

My daughter warned me on the 4 1/2 hour drive that we may have to stop often because Carson has been having to "pee a lot"! I didn't think much of it, if we have to stop, then that's what we do.

Skip ahead a day or two...

Carson was not himself at the cabin, 

 Peeing, drinking, moody, whiny, 

clinging to his mamma and hungry all the time.

The peeing and drinking were excessive, Brianna and I talked like nurses do, 

"What if its Diabetes?" 

In my heart I wasn't having it, but in my mind I was worried....hoping all this was a phase, 

maybe he was growing, or was just out of sorts.

Things became worse by day 4, Carson wasn't perking up. 

After Breakfast (which consisted of 4 good-size pancakes and apple sauce) 

he started complaining of  a headache and shortly after vomited twice, UGH!

Brianna really just wanted to get back to Rochester but we both new what we had to do.

Park Rapids is a small town in northern Minnesota with a small hospital and ER, 

it's no Mayo Clinic but it would due in a pinch.

We decided that we at least needed to get his blood drawn and check for the dreaded disease that both of us knew but didn't want to admit was probably the culprit, sigh

On the 5 mile trek to the hospital Carson became quite lethargic. 

I sat in the back with him talking to him wanting him to stay awake,

 we were all a bit scared, especially sweet Carson as he audible said over and over, "I'm Scared". 

 It still breaks my heart as I hear his little voice in my head even today, 

and yes I still cry a little when ever I go back to that car ride.

(taking a break to wipe the tears)

Little Park Rapids hospital was great! 

They were friendly, they worked quickly to diagnose and begin treatment for

a newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetic Carson. 

Yes.... What Brianna and I knew in our heads was confirmed, Carson has Diabetes.

Normal blood sugar for Carson's age is about 70 -150

Carson's was 759

He was quickly started on an insulin drip to get his blood sugar in a safe range. 

Between finger sticks,  blood draws and IV attempts I think I counted 10 pokes for this sweet little boy. He was brave and soooo good for all that was happening to him.  

 Grandma on the other hand was a puddle, it was too much for my heart to bear. 

Carson knew grandma was having a hard time, so he quietly rubbed my hand with his bunny. 

Pretty sad when the little one who was so sick had to comfort his grandma. 

I love this boy so much, but I had to leave the room

 each time they came in to poke him again....and again.

Can I talk for a moment about Carson's mom (my amazing daughter).

  Brianna was a ROCK! strong, stable, unmoving. 

She went into protective mamma mode and took the situation by the reins," like a boss", maintaining her composure in front of her son, during this very stressful and scary time, making phone calls with the news to Carson's daddy (who was in Rochester), making decisions for Carson, consoling her blubbering mother, and finally making many phone calls to get Carson transported
 back to Rochester to be admitted to St. Mary's hospital.

About 7 hours after we arrived at Park Rapids hospital Carson, Brianna and big sister Audrey we flying home to Rochester by "Mayo Air" one of Mayo Clinics services that we are thankful for. 

It only took 25 minutes to get home. 

So glad Audrey was allowed to fly home with mom and Carson. She needed to be with them, Very scary for a 7 year old!!! 

 Luckily this was all caught before Carson got much sicker, so he was able to be
admitted to the Pediatric Floor vs the Peds ICU....thankful!

 It's amazing how good a little one can feel when he has normal blood glucose level.

Carson is learning here how to give his kitty insulin. 

The Child-life people were wonderful, helping Carson to learn about his new life change.

They all said that Carson is so smart and that he is already "getting this"

Two weeks later, things are better but still scary and hard. 

Carson's mom and dad are amazing, they have taken this disease by the horns and

 are learning as they go. 

Rick and I are reading books on Type 1 diabetes 

and trying to learn as much as we can.

 We are so proud Chris and Brianna as they are beginning to figure out this horrible disease. 

It takes a toll on everything, yes everything is different! 

 We are thankful that Carson is a happy little boy with a sweet and caring big sister, 

and a mom and dad who love him like no other! 

They are doing a wonderful job taking care of their baby!

With that being said,

 I also know that this disease is all-consuming, it's HARD, and it SUCKS and why
did it have to happen to the sweetest boy on earth?????? 

I'm still having a hard time with it all.... 

Since the day Carson was born (and even before) I have prayed for God to protect him from accidents, illness, cancer and horrible diseases i.e diabetes! 

Were those prayers in vain?????

NO..... 

God never promised that we would be free from all these things, 

but he did promise to always be with us, he was in Park Rapids, He still is

and always will be. 

God is with us in good times and bad.  

How do you suppose Brianna was functioning all the while her little one was being poked

 and being told her 4 year old was a newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic????

Perhaps unknowingly....through it all she drew that strength through the one who 

knows all to well what it's like to feel pain for a Son.

"O Lord, my strength and my stronghold my refuge in the day of trouble" Jeremiah 16:19

I know, God is good... all the time,

but it's still hard!!!

Slowly, I'm beginning to feel it again

It'll take time.

Family vacation and our joy before we knew.....

 Diabetes sucks but I refuse to let it steal our joy before we knew.....

June 24th, 2016 

The week marked for our family vacation at the cabin with the kids and grandkids.

We had a fun-filled 4 days before Carson (our grandson) 

became ill and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes while at the cabin.

That blog will come later, but for now

 I choose "JOY" and great memories in the 4 days before everything changed....

We had a wonderful time as a family, swimming, boating, laughing, 

playing games and making memories.

 Carson driving the boat with Grandpa

Uncle Brice and Audrey always up to their shananaghans, 

while uncle Gavin encourages Scarlett to watch.

 Playing in the sand

Scarlett was not about to let go of Auntie Brie 

 They love their Uncle Gavin

 We ventured over to our beloved Camp "Pine Haven" 

just around the bend from our cabin. Playing Carpetball

 

all 3 grands swinging, I love this one.

  

Little Scarlett with her mamma (Jennifer)

watchin' the ducks

Morning talks (sister in laws)

found this idea in Pinterest

Brice is gonna take this dandy off the hook for me

Gavin's getting ready to tube

boat rides 

 playin' in the sand

 

 On the boat with daddy, 

My son Brice and granddaughter Scarlett

I love fishing off the dock

Carson loved letting the water hit his hand

 Brianna & Audrey loved tubing together

Carson caught about 5 sunny's, The look on his face was priceless

 

Miss Audrey caught a big one!

 Playing games with Grandpa

This girl LOVES the water  (Audrey)

Cousins, I love these three so much!!!

 She loved playing in the sand  (Scarlett)

 Brice and Scarlett out for a Kayak ride

and you cant be together at the cabin without some jams

I love our family like no other, 

we are blessed to have each other, and I'm glad we were together to support each other 

when we got the news of Carson's diabetes.

We are missing Chris (carson's daddy) in this photo, 

but he was with us through phone calls and "facetime" (in Rochester)

 We are thankful for technology.

Thanks for hanging in there through all the photo's....

see, we really did have a lot of fun.

Update to follow on the not-so-happy part of our vacation... stay tuned