Lou Lou

We had to put our sweet dog Lou Lou to sleep a few months ago.  Her hip went out on her, and she was in really bad shape.  We had known for about a month that she was slowing down, but she went from bad to worse overnight.  Emily loved Lou and was crushed.  It broke my heart to watch her say goodbye.  The worst was when she chased her dad down the street when he took Lou away. 

We buried her in Morgan at Travis' parents house.  They were so sweet to tie a ribbon around the fence post and place a big rock where she was buried so Emily could find her easily when she wanted to visit.

I had Travis keep her collar for Emily.  She placed the collar and Lou's blanket in a box.  I came upstairs a few days ago to find Emily laying on the couch, in tears, hugging the box.  We need to get this girl a new puppy soon!

Anyway, the reason I posted this is because of a conversation I had with Kate yesterday.  She asked me where Lou was, and I told her she was at Grandma's house.  She thought for a minute and replied, "Is Grandma's house heaven?"

Pretty sweet :)

Growing up

Emily asked me this morning if we could curl her hair.  She HATES to spend time on her hair.  She would much rather be doing something more important.  When I asked her why, she explained to me that a boy at school had a crush on her was chasing her around at recess.  She wanted to "look different" so he wouldn't recognize her. 

You tell me.... was that REALLY her intention?

Can't post pictures

I have been trying and trying, unsuccessfully, to post pictures to my blog.  Anyone out there know what is going on? 

My Story

November is National Diabetes Month.  I got an e-mail, encouraging those with diabetes to post their stories on Facebook.  I thought it would be a better idea to blog Gavin's story instead.

 

Gavin's Story

 

My name is Gavin Barnes.  I have had Type 1 Diabetes for 6 months, and 1 day.  I am such a brave boy, and I hardly ever complain.  My family and I are learning a lot about diabetes.  More than my mom thought I would ever have to learn! My mom was really worried when I was diagnosed. She was so afraid that she did something to cause me to get it.  Type 1 Diabetes is NOT caused by eating too much sugar.  Type 1 Diabetes is not contagious, just for kids, caused by an unhealthy lifestyle or diet, preventable, or something you outgrow.  There is no cure for Type 1 Diabetes.  Diabetes is an auto-immune disease, meaning that the antibodies in your body attack your pancreas.  The pancreas is a small organ behind the stomach that produces insulin.  When the pancreas no longer works, insulin injections are required to keep the body healthy and functioning properly.  I am still a normal, healthy, fun loving boy.  I love pizza, playing sports, and Lego Ninjago.  I am like most of the other boys my age, I just require insulin to keep my body healthy.

Diabetes has had a physical, emotional and financial toll on my family.  My mom worries about me a lot.  She worries about me while I'm at school, church, playing outside with my friends, or even while I am sleeping.  Diabetes is time consuming.  My mom has to read all the nutrition labels at the grocery store.  We have been surprised what is really in the food that we were eating.  If you've never read labels, you should try it!  It takes a lot of organization and planning to manage diabetes.

An extraordinary effort goes into living an ordinary day.  I have to test my blood levels when I wake up, before lunch, before dinner, before bedtime, and any other time I feel like my blood sugar is low, or if I need something to eat.  I usually test my blood levels 6 or 7 times a day.  My normal blood glucose range is 80-150. 
 

After checking my blood levels, I have to inject insulin.  I am getting really good at doing all this on my own!  I do it by myself every day at school.  I have to rotate my injection sites.  This prevents scar tissue from building up in my body.  I can have shots in my arms, legs, bottom and stomach.  I don't like shots in my tummy.  My mom says there isn't enough fat there, so it hurts more.  Before I give myself a shot, my mom counts all the carbohydrates in the food that I am going to eat.  I give myself insulin according to the amount of carbs in my food.  My mom says when I get a little bigger, and better at math, I'll be able to do all this myself.  I have injections of insulin before eating breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and bedtime.  Usually 5, sometimes 6 shots a day.  My mom says I am the bravest boy she knows!

I am getting really good at recognizing when my blood sugar is low.  I feel shaky, dizzy, sweaty and sometimes confused.  After testing myself, I get to eat something from my "low box".  I really like fruit snacks.  They bring up my blood levels pretty quick!  After eating my snack, I have to rest for 15 minutes.  I retest myself after 15 minutes to make sure that my blood levels are back to normal.

When my blood levels are high, I feel irritable.  I also feel very thirsty, hungry, and have to use the bathroom a lot.  It's a little frustrating to have high blood levels because I often feel hungry.  If I have something to eat, it makes my levels even higher.  Sometimes it makes me mad that I can't have anything to eat.  When my levels are  high, exercise helps bring me back down to normal range.  It's also important for me to stay hydrated.  If my blood levels are high before a meal, I give myself extra insulin.

Sometimes it's hard to have diabetes.  It's hard to have to stay in from recess when my blood sugar is low.  It's hard to have to trade my birthday snack for a beef jerky, and bring the treat home from school.  Sometimes it's hard to have to put my soccer treats in my "low box".  I wonder what I will do with all the candy that I get for Halloween?  Mom says I can keep 5 or 6 pieces, put a few more in my low box and trade the rest for some money or a prize from the store.

I have had the opportunity to meet many amazing people because of my diabetes.  I love my doctor, Dr. Lindsay.  He is very funny and thinks I am very smart.  I went to Diabetes camp in July and made some great friends.  Candy, Dr. Lindsay's nurse, was my counselor at camp!  My mom felt a little more relaxed knowing that I would be well taken care of.

 

Lots of people ask me about when I'm going to get a pump.  The truth is, I don't really know.  My doctor wants me to wait until I'm old enough to understand how it works.  My mom thinks this is a wise decision.  I am not even really sure if I want one.  I've seen the needles that they use to insert the pump and they scare me a little bit.  You only have to rotate it every three days, but that needle is BIG!  For now, I'm happy with the shots, but I may change my mind in the future.

Diabetes is a lot of work, worries and struggles.  There are also triumphs that go along with it.  It feels really good when my levels are normal for an entire day.  We have seen a lot of blessings as well.  When my sister, Emily, was in Kindergarten, she made friends with the 504 nurse (the nurse that takes care of me) at school.  She would play with Mrs. Maedgen at recess and refer to her as her very best friend.  Because of this, my mom has come to know and love Mrs. Maedgen as well.  My aunt Jamie also got the school nurse job at my school this year.  She is there to check on me once a week.  My mom feels like her prayers have been answered!  She feels confident (as confident as she can.....) sending me to school knowing that I am in good hands!

 

I don't let diabetes get me down, and I don't use Diabetes as an excuse.  I DON'T and I will NEVER let diabetes limit me.  I can still live the life I have always wanted to live.  I can play soccer, basketball, and baseball.  I can swim and play at the park.  I am brave, strong, tough and I am NOT afraid of Diabetes!

Heart of Gold

We have an upcoming Disneyland trip that have been planning for quite some time.  Travis found out yesterday that he has a regional manager coming into town for a planning meeting the same time as our family vacation.  It is pretty important for his career that he attends this meeting.  We were discussing some options this morning.  Gavin was quietly eating his breakfast, listening intently.  After a few minutes, he spoke up and said, "Dad, I will go to work for you so you can go to Disneyland." 

He was sincere with his offering.  How many six year olds do you know that would be willing to sacrifice his Disneyland vacation so that his dad could go instead?  I am amazed more and more every day by this boy.  He has a heart of gold!

Stinky Lake

It is an overcast, slightly rainy day today.  That means Syracuse doesn't smell very good!  Kate and I went outside to run some errands and here's how the conversation went:

Kate:  Mom, what is that smell?
Mom:  It's the Lake.
Kate:  A NASTY, STINKY lake.....

Love my girl :)

Best Buds

Gavin is lucky to have some really great friends!  They often roam the neighborhood and love to spend time together.  Last night they were playing outside and Gavin told them that he felt low.  These two boys emptied out Chase's wagon, and loaded Gavin up.  They pulled him in a wagon with broken wheels all the way home.  Skyler rushed into the house and let me know that Gavin wasn't feeling well.  I tested Gavin's levels, and sure enough, he was low.  I got a little emotional as I hugged these cute boys and thanked them for looking after, and taking care of their friend.  We are blessed to live in such a great neighborhood with some really amazing friends!  Thanks for making things a little easier to cope with!!!