The BEST support network EVER

(NaBloPoMo Day 30, whew!)

When The Superhero was diagnosed with T1 diabetes, we knew our lives were going to change. We had NO IDEA just how much things would change.

Our lives became so consumed with diabetes that it became difficult to have relationships with the friends in our lives. Our life was so much different than theirs. Of course we still love those friends, things are just different now.

Before The Superhero was even released from the hospital my dad had found Children With Diabetes and sent the link my way. I signed up and started reading while The Superhero was still in ICU. I felt a connection to the people and posts I was reading.

I also found a local yahoo group for families with T1 Diabetes. This is an online group of families living in our area that post messages to each other online and have meet ups in person once in a while.

Over time, I started "friending" many of the D Mamas on facebook and we got to know each other more and more. The connection continued to grow as I posted and read status updates about blood sugars, site changes, insulin, hospital trips, etc. I never felt like any of us were complaining, we were just looking for the "I have been there" or the "Sorry you have to deal with that" or the "Sorry he/she has been high/low all night and you got no sleep" comments.

It meant A LOT to have the support from other families who knew exactly what every day and every night were like for us in our house.

Then I read some posts with links to BLOGS. After reading a few of them (Wendy, Beth, and Leigh) I decided to start my own. Then Wendy got me joining in on Sunday chats with some of the other D Mamas and I felt such a strong connection to these women scattered throughout the US and Canada.

I became friends with all of them through facebook too. We have formed such a strong bond with one another and I feel incredibly Blessed to have each one of them in my life.

We share Christmas Cards. We have gift exchanges. We have participated in a kids gift exchange. We check on each other when someone goes MIA for a while. We pray for each other. We give virtual (((HUGS))) and support each other like I could never have imagined.

D Mamas are always there when you need them. Someone is always available through text or chat. And D Mamas ALWAYS support each other in times of need.

And it is ALWAYS fun when we get to meet in person!

I posted about a play date with Wendy and her girls, which was mostly fun.

I also posted about a gathering among some other D Mama Bloggers.

Laura posted about the first time she met Joanne.

Laura posted about a play date with Joanne and Jessica.

Wendy posted about her WDD meet up with several D Mamas. Heidi posted about WDD as well.

Wendy posted about her awesome D Mama meet up in VEGAS with Shamae and Megann.

Wendy posted about several local D Mama meet-ups. Our local support in AZ is pretty awesome, I think you ALL should move here. :-)

Wendy posted about a D pot luck even in which she forgot the INSULIN. Thank goodness for D Mamas who can come to the rescue!

Joanne posted about how much she loves the DOC.

Heidi posted about how Every Dark Cloud has a Silver Lining.

Hallie posted about meeting Lora and her meet up with Misty.

Hallie also posted about meeting The Princess and I in September.

More posts about the AWESOMENESS of the DOC (Diabetes Online Community):

Lora posted about how blogging helped lift a fog.

Meri posted about the friendships she has found inside her computer.

Nicole posted about the DOC being one of their biggest supporters.

Laura also posted about the DOC being her biggest supporter.

Heidi posted about her online friends she has never met.

I honestly don't know how I would get through each day without them. Lots of love to you all!

I hate that we have diabetes in our lives, but I LOVE that we are lucky enough to have the BEST support network, EVER.


Diabetes Fact #30: Diabetes sucks, but, we have the BEST support network EVER.

Diabetes Fact #29: It is important to know and understand the signs of a HIGH blood sugar for a person with T1 Diabetes.

Diabetes Fact #28: The siblings of people with T1 Diabetes are AMAZING.

Diabetes Fact #27: Knowing the signs of a LOW blood sugar and how to treat the low can save someone's life!

Diabetes Fact #26: Adults and children with T1 Diabetes are incredibly BRAVE and STRONG.

Diabetes Fact #25:A Diabetes diagnosis can put strain on the marriage of the person with T1 (for adults) or for the parents of the child diagnosed.

Diabetes Fact #24:Complications from out of range blood sugars with T1 Diabetics are very real and very worrisome to those living with the disease (and their parents/loved ones).

Diabetes Fact #23:The only thing constant with Diabetes, is that nothing stays the same.

Diabetes Fact #22:Diabetes is a family disease and affects every person in the family, near and far.

Diabetes Fact #21:Having Type 1 Diabetes means finger pokes 8-10 times per day (or more) and YES that means using BLOOD to do this.

Diabetes Fact #20:Despite always injecting the proper amount of insulin, people with type 1 Diabetes face many other factors that can adversely affect efforts to tightly control blood sugar levels. These factors include stress, hormonal changes, periods of growth, physical activity, medications, illness/infection, fatigue, and EVERYTHING they do or don't do every.single.day.

Diabetes Fact #19: T1 Diabetes is a 24/7/365 disease. It NEVER sleeps and neither do the parents of the children who have it (or the T1 people themselves).

Diabetes Fact #18: T1 Diabetes can happen to ANYONE, it is not necessarily hereditary. This means that yes, it CAN happen to YOU or to someone YOU know.

Diabetes Fact #17: People with T1 or T2 Diabetes (and their caregivers) are more likely to experience depression than their peers without Diabetes.

Diabetes Fact #16: The out of pocket cost of managing T1 Diabetes is EXPENSIVE.

Diabetes Fact #15: Having Type 1 and getting an illness (especially a tummy bug) CAN be dangerous.

Diabetes Fact #14: Without insulin, a person with T1 Diabetes would DIE within ONE week.

Diabetes Fact #13: Type 1 Diabetes usually strikes children, adolescents, and young adults, but it CAN be diagnosed in adults as well.

Diabetes Fact #12: It is important for families of Diabetic children or the people with Diabetes themselves to genuinely try to understand what we go through, to learn about Diabetes along with us, and to support us through encouraging comments.

Diabetes Fact #11: Diabetes is ALL consuming. It is NOT our life, but it is a HUGE part of it.

Diabetes Fact #10: Parents of children with Diabetes HATE when people say "I could NEVER do it!" when referring to the management of their kid's disease. In reality, YOU could, and WOULD do it if you HAD to. We probably had the same thoughts as you and now look at us, doing it 24/7.

Diabetes Fact #9: The term "Juvenile Diabetes" is outdated. We now call it "T1 Diabetes" or "Insulin Dependent Diabetes". People with this type of Diabetes will NEVER outgrow it. EVER. They will have this relentless disease until a CURE is found.

Diabetes Fact #8: A cure would be great, but a long life without complications is a close second for people with T1 Diabetes.

Diabetes Fact #7: Diabetes kills more people each year than cancer and AIDS combined. It is serious. We NEED a cure!

Diabetes Fact #6: While people with T1 Diabetes strive for blood glucose (BG) numbers from 80-120, it is NOT uncommon to see numbers MUCH lower or MUCH higher. There are SO many factors that go into each number and it is very challenging to see readings that are “in range” for EVERY reading.

Diabetes Fact #5: Type 1 Diabetes strikes 15,000 children every year in the US. That's 40 children per day. On July 10, 2008 The Superhero was one of the 40. Today, it could be YOUR child, or someone you know. This is why it is SO important to take the time to learn about the disease.

Diabetes Fact #4: Type 1 Diabetics may take insulin through syringes, insulin pens, or insulin pumps. What they use is a reflection of their choice and/or finances, NOT disease severity.

Diabetes Fact #3: People with Diabetes CAN eat anything they want as long as they match the carbohydrates with insulin.

Diabetes Fact #2: T1 Diabetes is NOT caused by eating too much sugar or being over weight. It IS an autoimmune disease and cannot be prevented.

Diabetes Fact #1: T1 Diabetes CANNOT be treated with medication. The only way to manage T1 Diabetes is with insulin. Without insulin, T1 Diabetics would die. Period.

*Disclaimer: I am a mom of a T1 Diabetic child. I am NOT a doctor. I just play one in real life. Please do not take anything in this post or any other post on this blog as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns of your own, please seek advice from your doctor.*