Diabetes Awareness: But she's too skinny to have diabetes......

We have been extremely busy the last few months and I have gotten behind on my bloggin'.....A lot has happened in the Dean house since my last post so I have plans for several posts over the next few weeks!

However, with this post I want to discuss type 1 diabetes misconceptions.  I've touched on this topic in the past, but this issue has been coming up a lot more lately.  I used to get defensive when people would make these types of comments, but then I realized its because they don't know any better.

There are many misconceptions about this disease, but I've put together the ones I feel strongly about.  Here is my top 5 list of type 1 diabetes misconceptions:

1. "But she's too skinny to have diabetes." Although diet and weight are factors for type 2 diabetes, it is not the cause of type 1 diabetes.
2. "She can't eat that cupcake." As is should be for us all, moderation is key.  Also, there are times when sugar levels can drop too low and sugar is needed to raise it.
3. "She can't play sports because her sugar will drop." Exercise is important for everyone including those with diabetes.  Precautionary measures like eating snacks and frequent bg checks can help avoid hypoglycemia.
4. "She'll never be able to have children."  Diabetic pregnancy require closer monitoring, but there is no reason,  with excellent blood sugar control and diabetes management, that mother and baby will remain healthy throughout the pregnancy and birth.
5. "Taking insulin will cure diabetes." Insulin is not a cure, it is their life support.  Unfortunately there currently is no cure for diabetes.

Enjoying the summer!!

What's been going on.....

Whew....well things are going well with Alyssa!  She is healthy and active and enjoying the summer!  Life is busy and hectic for our whole family and I haven't had the time to catch up our blog!

Before school got out Alyssa's elementary school held a Kid's Walk to Cure Diabetes (JDRF) and Alyssa raised the most money out of the entire school!  She was gifted a huge care package from Chick Fil-A as well as many other prizes from JDRF!

On June 15th Alyssa celebrated her 10th birthday with a party with her friends at the park!

Now we are preppy for walk season and looking forward to taking part in all the activities!  In the meantime Alyssa is working hard at the thing she loves the most, competitive cheer and enjoying the summer!!

Our insulin pump is the best!

We are approaching our six month mark since starting on the pump.  I have to tell you that getting used to the pump did take some time, but I honestly feel it was the best decision we could have made.  Alyssa has adjusted nicely and honestly knows how to work it better than I do.  Site changes have become much easier and we have had little problems.  I still get up and check her blood sugar between 2 and 3 am, depending on what time she went to bed.  She sleeps right through this check and this makes me sleep much better.  This has helped me catch a couple of lows as well as make corrections for any night time highs. 

In our case the pump has also helped with lows that are the result of exercise.  We disconnect during cheer practice and performances and have had only 2 or 3 lows.  This is because with the pump, Alyssa no longer needs her long lasting insulin that's peak can be unpredictable.  We check blood sugar levels before and after and correct accordingly.