Isn't It Ironic?

When Kyle was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes at 22 months, I cried so hard till I can't cry anymore. I was really devastated to the point that for months, I refused to give him shots. I can't accept the fact that his life is now dependent on insulin...needles...syringes...on lifetime insulin shots and finger pricking...that he must follow a strict diet... learn how to count carbs and read the nutrition facts on every package of foods/drinks that he's going to eat/drink...no sleep over...no sleep in...no spontaneity for he has to follow a schedule...of when and how much to eat,when not to eat, what not to eat. You have to watch him like a hawk to look for symptoms of hypoglycemia and you have to check his urine if he's spilling ketones in the event that his blood glucose shoots to the roof.


When I finally come to terms with his sickness, my only regret then was SANA MEDYO MALAKI NA SYA BAGO NAGKASAKIT AT LEAST MARAMI NG NATIKMANG PAGKAIN AT MASASABI NYA KUNG ANO NARARAMDAMAN NYA.


And now after almost four years, I've read about SULPHONYLUREA AND MONOGENIC DIABETES. I thought I stumbled on a gold mine! I thought, THIS IS IT! But then, as I keep on reading, the BIG disappointment...for you must be diagnosed within the first 6 months of life to be considered for genetic testing and there is only a small percentage of people who actually have "sleeping" insulin- producing cells and by taking Sulphonylurea these cells can be activated.


Ngayon alam nyo ba wish ko? SANA NA-DIAGNOSED NA LANG SYA NG MAS BATA PA AT BAKA SAKALING PWEDE SA KANYA ITO.


Nakakatawa ano?


At nakakalungkot din.


BUT


I am NOT giving up hope...for THE GREAT HEALER is with us...AMEN!

Private Nurse

Hindi nakapasok ang asawa ko kanina sa trabaho. Lumala ang matanda! Lalong nawala ang boses, nilagnat uli at very dry ang ubo. Gumawa na sya ng appointment at kaninang hapon kasama si Kaye, dumiretso sila sa ospital. Naiwan ako sa bahay para naman bantayan si Kyle na may sakit pa rin.


Niresetahan na sya ng antibiotic at Lidocaine Hydrochloride. Inaadvisan pa nga sya na magpahinga pa at wag munang pumasok bukas pero matigas ang ulo. Papasok daw sya.


Aga ko gumising kaninang umaga. Alas sais pa lang kasi hindi sya makatayo kaya ako nag-asikaso sa mga bata. Napilitan tuloy akong magluto. Sabagay madali lang naman niluto ko, pritong itlog, hotdog at bacon.


Ako rin naghatid sa kanila sa school. Si Kristine, hinatid ko sa bus stop ng mag-aalas siyete. Pagsakay ng school bus, uwi ako at si Kaye naman ang hinatid ko. Napakaginaw pa naman! Pag-uwi ko tuloy, nagtalukbong at natulog uli ako.


May sakit pa rin si Kyle. On and off ang lagnat, grabe ang ubo at wala ring boses. Puro bulong lang kami mag-usap. But the good thing is, okey na ang ihi nya,negative na sa ketone. Bumaba nga ang sugar nya around midnight (67) kaya sinuspend ko muna yung pump at kahit tulog, pinainom ko ng orange juice at pinakain ng crackers. Mga ala-una, umakyat na sa 94. Hinintay ko pa na tumaas ng konti bago ko ni-resume. Kailangan kasi mga 100 bago ko uli i-on ang pump. Mga 1:30 a.m. nasa 97 na sya.


Mga 2:30 a.m. pinainom ko naman ng gamot at tsinek uli ang dugo. Nang masiguro ko na okey na sya, natulog na ako. Nagising ako uli nung nag-alarm na yung cellphone ng 4:00 a.m. para i-check uli ang dugo at temperature nya.


Ang tahimik ng bahay. Palibhasa'y malat pareho yung maiingay. Puro tunog ng TV ang maririnig at manaka-nakang hagikgikan ng dalawang babae sa itaas at madalas na pagtahol nitong dalawang pasyente ko. Si Kyle walang ganang maglaro. Gusto lagi lang nakadikit sa akin. Nakalayo lang ako sa kanya ngayon kasi tulog na naman. Pagkatapos nyang maghapunan, nahiga na at pagod daw sya. Ganon din sya kagabi, tulog ng tulog e pag ganon mas lalo akong kabado kaya wala akong ginawa kundi tusukin sa daliri kada dalawang oras para masiguro kong ayos.
Hay hirap! Pati tuloy ako matamlay....o baka naman SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder aka Winter Depression) na ito? Di kaya?


Meron din palang ganito pag summer?! Ang tawag naman Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder. Ano ba yan! Kung anu-anong klase ng depression meron dito sa Tate, nakakaloka!!!

Not Again!

Kyle is down with sore throat, cough and fever since Sunday.

Just checked his temperature at around 7:00 pm and it was 101.4F.


Checked his blood glucose and it was 531! I immediately checked for ketones-POSITIVE!

Changed insulin set and site. Gave correction bolus of 0.4 via pump and an extra 2 units Novolog via injection.

Now I have to wait for two hours to check his blood glucose, check for ketones and his temperature. Time for next medication is at 10pm. He is sound asleep now...so peaceful...so innocent. Poor guy, so young but he's going through a lot.

My husband is also sick. Same thing with what my son has. He was not able to report for work Monday and Tuesday. We thought that by the time his days-off are over (Wednesday and Thursday) he'll be fine. Not! He is a lot worse! But he already decided that he's going to report for work tomorrow...rain, sleet or snow!

Time to fumigate!

Sagot Sa Aking Dasal?

From this magazine article, I visited JDRF's website to do some research on Monogenic Diabetes. And here's what I've found out:

What is Monogenic Diabetes?

The most common forms of diabetes, type 1 and type 2, are polygenic, meaning the risk of developing these forms of diabetes is related to multiple genes. But some rare forms of diabetes result from mutations in a single gene and are called monogenic. Monogenic forms of diabetes may account for about 1 to 2 percent of all cases of diabetes in young people. In some cases of monogenic diabetes, the gene mutation is inherited; but in others, the gene mutation develops spontaneously. Most mutations in monogenic diabetes reduce the body's ability to produce insulin, a protein produced in the pancreas that is essential for the body to use glucose for energy. As a result, monogenic diabetes can easily be mistaken for type 1 diabetes.

Types of monogenic diabetesPermanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PND), transient neonatal diabetes (TND), and maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) are the main forms of monogenic diabetes. These forms of diabetes can include a group of different genes; some respond to treatment, while others are mild and should not be treated. MODY is the more common form. PND and TND first occur in newborns and young infants; MODY usually first occurs in children or adolescents but may be mild and not detected until adulthood. Genetic testing can diagnose many forms of monogenic diabetes. If a diagnosis based on genetic testing is not made, people with monogenic diabetes may appear to have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
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I consulted Dr. Jennifer Cook, a Pediatric Endocrinologist about this and asked if it is possible for Kyle to get tested. The answer is a very disappointing NO. I asked if she thinks that Kyle had this kind of diabetes and her reply was " I doubt it".

I sort of expected that answer because from what I've read, there are guidelines to be followed for you to be considered a candidate. Here's the article:

Who Should Be Tested?

Genetic testing can diagnose many forms of monogenic diabetes. Because it is so rare, relatively few people will be diagnosed with monogenic diabetes, as Lilly Jaffe was. But the number could run into the tens of thousands, worldwide. And it clearly illustrates how research advances can quickly and dramatically change the lives of people with diabetes for the better. You might want to consider testing for monogenic diabetes if you or your family member meet the following criteria:

diagnosed with diabetes during the first six months of life,

familial diabetes with a parent affected,

mild fasting hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), especially if young or familial,

and/or diabetes associated with extra pancreatic features.

Some tests that help differentiate monogenic diabetes from type 1 diabetes are simple and relatively inexpensive; parents of children who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at an early age should discuss with their physician whether such a test was conducted at the time of diagnosis, as such testing is typically not done. A correct diagnosis that allows the proper treatment to be selected should lead to better glucose control and improved health in the long term. Testing of other family members may also be indicated to determine whether they are at risk for diabetes.
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Sa una palang, bagsak na! Kyle was diagnosed when he was 22 months old. But still, I am hoping against hope for them to consider my request. Pano kung posible pala yung older than 6 months e maging positive sa genetic testing na yun? We will never know unless we try, right? But then his doctor said, it's not on top of her list.

Kaya kanina sa ospital, I can't help but tear up in front of the doctor. I feel so helpless and hopeless. My heart bleeds for my little boy. In a way, I am thankful that he's so young to understand all these. I don't know how he can handle the disappointment.

As for me? Oh...Believed me, you don't wanna to know....

Daddy's Rules For Dating

Rule One:If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're surely not picking anything up.

Rule Two:You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.

Rule Three:I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.

Rule Four:I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a 'Barrier method' of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule Five:It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is: 'early.'

Rule Six:I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

Rule Seven:As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process than can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

Rule Eight:The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing or holding hands. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual themes are to be avoided; movies that feature chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.

Rule Nine:Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a potbellied, balding, middle-aged, dimwitted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.

Rule Ten:Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi. When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit the car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.

Taon nga ng Daga...

Me---------------------------------------------------------jobless

Husband---------------------------------------------------soon to be unemployed

How to pay the bills----------------------------------------don't have any idea

Family bonding-------------------------------------------priceless

Pero di ba, mas masarap magbonding kung walang problemang pinansyal? Ang mga bata pa naman, kalakas ng pakiramdam. Makita ka lang tahimik at medyo nakakunot ang noo, susulyap-sulyap na at nakikiramdam rin.

Nataon pa naman na nagpabili ako sa asawa ko ng red wine . Hindi naman talaga ako umiinom impak, masinghot ko nga lang kahit beer, lashing na ako. Eniwey, isang hapon try ko uminom. Lagay ng konti sa baso, tikim ng konti at pweee! ang panget ng lasa!

Dinagdagan ko ng sangkatutak na orange juice, tikim uli at hmmnn, masarap! Naubos ko nga e yung sinalin ko sa baso. Wala pang limang minuto super pula na ng leeg ko hanggang mukha. Nahilo-hilo ang byuti ko kaya humiga ako sandali sa sofa. Akala siguro ng dalawang anak ko, tulog ako. Narinig ko yung bulungan nila.

Kaye : Bakit ba umiinom si Mama? Ha, Kristine?
Kristine : Ewan ko nga e. Alam kaya ni Papa?
Kaye : Bakit kaya ano?
Kristine : Baka lubog sa problema kaya naglalasing.


Nadala ako. Hindi na ako umulit. Ayokong tumanim sa isip ng mga anak ko na alkohol ang sagot sa problema. Ayoko ring isipin nila na kung kailan ako tumanda at saka pa ako natutong uminom. Isa pa, ama nga nila hindi uminom, ako pa? May nagsabi lang kasi sa akin na maganda raw ang red wine sa health kaya try ko naman.

Susundin ko na lang sabi sa akin ng asawa ko...."Tumawag ka sa doktor natin at gumawa ka ng appointment para sa annual physical mo. Yan ang mabuti sa health."

Kaya on January 30 @ 2:00 pm, go kami sa doktor para sa complete check-up naming dalawa. Mas mabuti ng masiguro naming healthy kaming dalawa para sa mga anak namin. Ang mga bata tapos na sa mga check-ups nila. Dental appointment na lang bukas.

Pangit ang dating ng bagong taon sa amin sa aspetong pinansyal kaya doble ingat na lang pagdating sa kalusugan. Di ba sabi nga, HEALTH IS WEALTH?

Scared to Death!

I received a call from Kyle's school nurse early Monday morning and it scared the daylights out of me! I almost fainted when she told me that my son's blood glucose was 534! AND spilling LARGE ketones!




I immediately drove to his school, changed the site of his insulin pump and gave him an additional 5 units of Humalog via shot at left thigh. At around noon, his blood sugar was down to 142 with small urine ketones. He was back in class after lunch break.




I went home at around 1:00 pm to shower and have some coffee. Then back to school at 2:15 to check on Kyle. By this time, his blood glucose was 169 and NEGATIVE ketones. What a day!AND what a way to start the week ha?




Life is a like a roller coaster ride...with ups and downs...fast and slow...you don't have any idea what will happen next. You thought that everything is okay then suddenly something goes wrong.
Okey lang ang problema....PERO WAG NAMAN LUNES NA LUNES AT WAG NAMAN GANYANG KLASE!




Kung pwede lang naman....