Jun. 24, 2009
Wednesday - dinner time
Just a short update while I have a few moments. I started this in the early afternoon, but then we had some visitors and meeting with the doctor and now it's dinner time. I'll try to quickly finish this and perhaps post more later if there is more time.
Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragment. We do appreciate them.
Thank ypu also for the advice on not looking things up. I really wasn't trying to look up info - just trying to find out when our local walk for Juvenile Diabetes was occuring. It was then that I stumbled on to the other page. I have plenty of info here to read and am just going to look at that.
I think we'll be staying another day in order to make sure that we are comfortable with all we need to do to treat Joshua during the days and also in the event of an emergency. I know that some of my issues with leaving early are from leaving early after Eliana's heart surgery. This ended up being a difficult thing for us when we got home. I talked about this with the night nurse and she said that she has only sent one family home as early as we would be if we left today. That made me feel better and I don't feel like we are being rushed out of here either. Everyone has encouraged us to take the time we need here. That is a really nice thing!
We've met with one of the doctors this morning to review information and esp what to do when/if Joshua has low blood sugars. This is a potentially dangerous thing for him, It's good to know, but can also be a little overwhelming to think about too. I'm trying to focus on the facts which can help me to remain calm, but for me, there is a little boy behind all of these facts that bring in my emotions and heart,
I've done the insulin shots several times now (at least 4?) and am pretty comfortable with giving it. The hardest part is mixing the different types into one shot and getting the doses completely accurate (with no air bubbbles) and seeing the tiny half markings on the bottle.
I did the first finger prick today too. I was caught a little off guard - just someone walking in and asking. That was probably good as it didn't give me a lot of time to think about it. I still started tearing up. I am not sure why I'm so uncomfortable with this part of it, but I am. The doctor and others seem surprised that I'm OK giving the shots and not the prick. I can't explain it, but hopefully I'll get more comfortable with it. I'm sure I will as I will be getting a lot of practice.
Just got a phone call from Roger and we have a sick child. :-( Throwing up. One more good reason to stay. Would you pray for health and healing for our family? I really don't want this sweeping through the family and most especially not Joshua.
More to write, but need to go read with Joshua. Thank you friends for your visits, gifts and phone calls. We appreciate all of them! If you have sent an email, I most likely have not gotten it. I use webmail here and most of my mail has gone to my home where I can't get to it until I'm home too. Confusing, but it is the way it is.
*** More from the afternoon. We visited the playroom which is really nice. I'll post pics later if I can. We (Roger and I) had another meeting/teaching time with the doctor. She is really nice and does a great job both encouraging and explaining things to us.
Roger also got a turn to try the finger prick and giving shot. Neither of us have been successful in using our testing machine (can't remember the name of it) because so much blood has to go for the test strip for the hospital that there hasn't been enough left for our strip. Roger did let me test his blood (and it looked great!) so we could see if the machine worked.
This is feeling factual. Things are going pretty well. We are learning a lot and it is a little overwhelming. The need for structure and details in order to manage this something that doesn't come naturally for me. I am organized (not structured). I've learned a lot though with Eliana about how to manage things outside of my comfort zone. This will be a challenge, but one that I'm sure we'll all learn to manage together.
I wanted to post some pics, but I have to say thank you to our friends that have been sooo sweet! Thank you for bringing food to my family at home, taking the kids swimming, visitors for Joshua, balloons, cards, games and even a photo album for him, a new CD and trail mix for us too. We are so blessed to have such dear friends caring for us - in prayer and in other ways too. Thank you - all of you!!!
As I was praying and feeling a little overwhelmed, God reminded me of a verse. I thought was a good one for a number of reasons. I loved where it is found too. I also appreciated that this is a verse that I learned from a children's heart and it also reminded me how important it is to hide God's word in my heart. (And to help my children to do the same!)
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
God is commanding us to be strong and courageous and not to be overwhelmed or discouraged by all that is going on. How can we do this? By knowing that God is with us wherever we go. I love the promise in this! God is good.
Blessings
Leslie
Comments
Jun. 24, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by healthyhomeschool
Leslie, it's so good to read an update from you. I've been thinking about you bunches. I hope your sick child at home is better soon. We're praying for all of you.
Love,
Lynn
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Jun. 24, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by HarvestChristian
So glad you decided to stay. Continued prayers for all of you, my friend.
Love,
Hollie
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Jun. 25, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Cyndi
Dear Sweet Leslie,
I haven't checked in for a few days, but you have been on my mind and heart...now I know why! I'm praying for you, Joshua and Roger, and I know God is right by your side as you begin this new journey.
Love and a Big Hug to you,
Cydni
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Jun. 25, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
(((((Leslie))))) (((((Joshua)))))
I'm so glad you get to be going home soon, and that you're so surrounded by love and support as you get through these first few days!!! Things are insane here, which is why you haven't heard from me more often. ;-) But remember that, insane or not, we're here if you need us. Just let me know!
Love,
Lea (remembered this time!)
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Jun. 25, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
Our prayers are with you. I am glad that you have great doctors that are helping you all make the need adjustments. I hope the illness at home does not spread.
Blessings,
Dawn
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Jun. 25, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Sheri
We'll be praying for you Leslie! You have such a strong spirit.
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Jun. 25, 2009 - Praying for you!
Posted by Anonymous
Still praying for all of you. That verse is one of my favorites too!
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Jun. 25, 2009 - I'm praying for you all!
Posted by Anonymous
I have a niece who was diagnosed at age 8, and a nephew at 13 mos., and I remember how hard it was for my sister in law, who is a nurse! It's a steep learning curve, but it won't be that way forever. I am so sorry this is the road you are walking now, but so glad you know God brought you here and is walking with you. I love you, my sweet sister in Christ.
Jill Spicer
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Jun. 25, 2009 - Joshua
Posted by Terri & Tyler
Dear Leslie- i've just read your last few days of posts, and wanted to let you know im thinking about you and your family and praying, especially for Joshua. Poor little guy, to have to go through all of this. UNC is great, unfirtunately, Tyler and I have spent quality time in the playroom. i hope you are coming home soon, if you arent home already, and i wish you strength and courage as you travel yet another rough path. By the way, your last posts were not emotionless - my heart filled with concern as i read your words. remember that you are stronger than you know, and Joshua is blessed to have a mom like you!
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Jun. 25, 2009 - Nutrients to Control Diabetes
Posted by Suzanne
Dear Leslie,
I just came across your blog today in looking up workboxes, but was amazed at God's providence: Our family struggles with blood-sugar issues also. We control them with careful attention to nutrients (see article links below). Joshua may need more medical intervention, but I believe knowledge of useful nutrients will help him too.
Here is one article: http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/diabetes.html
The first half of the article is about understanding blood-sugar diseases, in layman's terms. The second half is about specific nutrients such as minerals (especially zinc, chromium, vanadium) and vitamins (especially B6, A, and D3). My family also finds another mineral, iron, to be very important.
Also, the article talks about the importance of having lots of protein and *healthy* fats (like olive oil, flax oil, cod liver oil, and coconut oil). Literally, my kids and I eat them off the spoon, every day, to make sure we get enough.
The article also talks about the importance of severely restricting carbohydrates.
Lots of protein and fats, very little carbohydrates. And make the carbs be whole grains, brown rice, etc.
Soaking the grains and flours for 12-24 hours before cooking is very important too, because it deactivates the phytates. Basically, you want to get the grains ready to sprout, even though you don't need to actually sprout them. Phytates are what prevent the seed from sprouting in humid weather, but they are deactivated by prolonged soaking--which is why the seed eventually sprouts.
The reason we humans need the phytates deactivated, as I understand it, is that the phytates interfere with mineral absorption--and remember how important the zinc, chromium, vanadium, and other minerals are to blood sugar control.
Lastly, for special treats, use honey, maple syrup, and stevia instead of regular sugars. Yes, honey and maple syrup are sugar--but they are high in minerals, so they work well for my family.
Stevia is not actually a sugar, but a ground-up plant leaf. You can grow it in your garden, or buy it already powdered at a health-food store. I like it by itself, but my kids will eat it only if I use half stevia, and half honey or maple syrup. Stevia is considered perfectly safe for children and pregnant women. It is completely natural, not artificial. Stevia is powerfully sweet--watch out! Use only 1/8 tsp to equal 1 tsp sugar.
Feel free to ask me questions. My email is pianoteachersuzanne {at}yahoo{dot}com. May God bless you and heal your whole family as you work with this cross. It is an opportunity to draw closer to Him, and He will use it for His glory, to help you all become more like Christ. That's a good thing to be. :) God works all things for good for those who believe.
With love in Christ,
Suzanne Lichtenstein
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