Some of you have asked how Adrienne's diabetes will affect my cooking...
We're trying not to change things too much, since we can adjust her insulin dose according to what she eats in a meal. But on the other hand, we don't want her to get used to eating whatever she wants and making her blood sugar jump up and down drastically. So I'm trying to cook meals that we can measure out her carbs and let her fill up on protein and vegetables, which are "free" (we don't have to count any of them).
I was directed to an excellent website that some of you may be interested in. You can enter in your recipe, and it basically gives you a nutrition label for it. Pretty cool. I'm entering a bunch of recipes so I can find home made stuff that is within her target carb intake for snacks.
Click on "Eat Well, Live Well", and then click on "Recipe Analyzer".
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Grateful
Today has been a refreshing day.
This morning there was a prayer time at church. We went forward for prayer, and our pastor just sensed we needed the Body around us (he didn't know what was going on). There were many people surrounding us physically and in prayer. It was so encouraging. Of course we are going to pray for healing for Adrienne, but Daryl and I both have such peace that right now this is what God is asking us to walk through.
Adrienne did better with her needles today. She actually carried her little insulin case in from the van (she wouldn't go near it yesterday), and threw away the garbage from her blood test.
I have been very thankful today that it is not anything worse that we are dealing with. When I looked around at church, I saw people that have been crippled and are in wheelchairs, people whose loved one is in the hospital with not much hope for recovery, and others. Diabetes still seems like a pretty big deal to us, but it could be so much worse. Thank you Lord.
This morning there was a prayer time at church. We went forward for prayer, and our pastor just sensed we needed the Body around us (he didn't know what was going on). There were many people surrounding us physically and in prayer. It was so encouraging. Of course we are going to pray for healing for Adrienne, but Daryl and I both have such peace that right now this is what God is asking us to walk through.
Adrienne did better with her needles today. She actually carried her little insulin case in from the van (she wouldn't go near it yesterday), and threw away the garbage from her blood test.
I have been very thankful today that it is not anything worse that we are dealing with. When I looked around at church, I saw people that have been crippled and are in wheelchairs, people whose loved one is in the hospital with not much hope for recovery, and others. Diabetes still seems like a pretty big deal to us, but it could be so much worse. Thank you Lord.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
For the past 24 hours, I've been "writing" this post in my head, and trying to think of how to convey everything that has happened in the past few days.
Since most of you would probably guess the end of the story, I'll just say right now that on Thursday, Adrienne was diagnosed with diabetes. Here's the rest of the story...
For about the past week, Daryl and I had both been noticing Adrienne's incredible hunger and thirst. She was only asking for water, which in itself is rare for her. She could drink an entire glass of water without stopping, and then ask for more. We were a little concerned, but just thought that, paired with the ravenous hunger, it was probably a growth spurt. Daryl kept making comments that he's worried about diabetes, but we just kept brushing it off, and praying it would pass. Each day I thought that she was better, but then the girls' birthdays came, and of course with that came lots of cake and other sweet treats, and elevated her blood sugar causing her to be even thirstier.
Wednesday night was the last straw, so to speak. I was watering the potted plants outside, and Adrienne asked me for a drink from the hose. I wanted to see just how desperate she was, so I purposely said "no" just to see what she'd do. Pretty soon she noticed the water running out from under my pots onto the sidewalk, and we saw her kneeling on the steps sucking water off the cement. We watched her for a bit, and decided that it was difinitely time to get it checked out.
Thursday at noon, Daryl brought home some urine test strips and checked her a couple of times. Both times there were significant ketones in it, and he told me that when that's present, it's pretty much for sure that diabetes is the cause. My heart sank, of course. But the dr. he called wanted us there in 45 minutes, so there wasn't much time to think.
When we got to the clinic, they checked her right away and her blood sugar was 30. Normal for her should be somewhere between 6 and 12. They gave her insulin right away, and within about 30 minutes, we noticed a definite change in her. She perked right up, and we realized how grumpy and tired she had been for probably 1-2 weeks! (I had attributed it to cutting molars)
Adrienne has Type 1 diabetes, which means that for some reason her pancreas has failed to produce insulin. I learned that it is an autoimmune disease, in which her immune system is working against her pancreas. The nurses and doctors were very careful to tell us that no one knows for sure why this happens, and that there is nothing anyone could have done to prevent this. Diabetes research used to seem so distant, and, I have to admit, quite unimportant. All of a sudden, I want to know all I can about it!
We spent the rest of the afternoon at the clinic, learning how to check blood sugars and give insulin, and learning how her body is working right now.
After the feeling of being hit by a truck passed, we started to think very practically, and it felt good to be learning and putting things into practise.
On Friday, we spent most of the day getting farther educated on diabetes. There's still lots to learn, but we are practising doing the insulin:carbs ratio, and in general just getting the hang of the balancing act that we will have to do every day (balancing insulin and excercize on one side and blood sugar on the other).
I was very thankful to my sister in law, Tammy, for taking the 2 oldest girls overnight and keeping them all day on Friday while we were at the clinic!
By last night, we were quite tired, and ready to be alone. So we checked into a hotel, got some supper, and sat and watched tv all night! It was good to "forget" a little of real life and just hang out with our kids. This morning we swam in the pool and then came home.
I'm sure I'm leaving something out that I thought I would say. If you have any questions feel free to leave them in comments or email me. We certainly have felt the prayers of those of you who knew about this a few days ago.
I really feel like we are dealing well with this. Adrienne is doing well. She hates the needles of course, but who can blame her? I think she is almost to the point of being okay with the insulin injection, but she hates seeing her blood come out for the sugar check.
I will try and update this more often...
Since most of you would probably guess the end of the story, I'll just say right now that on Thursday, Adrienne was diagnosed with diabetes. Here's the rest of the story...
For about the past week, Daryl and I had both been noticing Adrienne's incredible hunger and thirst. She was only asking for water, which in itself is rare for her. She could drink an entire glass of water without stopping, and then ask for more. We were a little concerned, but just thought that, paired with the ravenous hunger, it was probably a growth spurt. Daryl kept making comments that he's worried about diabetes, but we just kept brushing it off, and praying it would pass. Each day I thought that she was better, but then the girls' birthdays came, and of course with that came lots of cake and other sweet treats, and elevated her blood sugar causing her to be even thirstier.
Wednesday night was the last straw, so to speak. I was watering the potted plants outside, and Adrienne asked me for a drink from the hose. I wanted to see just how desperate she was, so I purposely said "no" just to see what she'd do. Pretty soon she noticed the water running out from under my pots onto the sidewalk, and we saw her kneeling on the steps sucking water off the cement. We watched her for a bit, and decided that it was difinitely time to get it checked out.
Thursday at noon, Daryl brought home some urine test strips and checked her a couple of times. Both times there were significant ketones in it, and he told me that when that's present, it's pretty much for sure that diabetes is the cause. My heart sank, of course. But the dr. he called wanted us there in 45 minutes, so there wasn't much time to think.
When we got to the clinic, they checked her right away and her blood sugar was 30. Normal for her should be somewhere between 6 and 12. They gave her insulin right away, and within about 30 minutes, we noticed a definite change in her. She perked right up, and we realized how grumpy and tired she had been for probably 1-2 weeks! (I had attributed it to cutting molars)
Adrienne has Type 1 diabetes, which means that for some reason her pancreas has failed to produce insulin. I learned that it is an autoimmune disease, in which her immune system is working against her pancreas. The nurses and doctors were very careful to tell us that no one knows for sure why this happens, and that there is nothing anyone could have done to prevent this. Diabetes research used to seem so distant, and, I have to admit, quite unimportant. All of a sudden, I want to know all I can about it!
We spent the rest of the afternoon at the clinic, learning how to check blood sugars and give insulin, and learning how her body is working right now.
After the feeling of being hit by a truck passed, we started to think very practically, and it felt good to be learning and putting things into practise.
On Friday, we spent most of the day getting farther educated on diabetes. There's still lots to learn, but we are practising doing the insulin:carbs ratio, and in general just getting the hang of the balancing act that we will have to do every day (balancing insulin and excercize on one side and blood sugar on the other).
I was very thankful to my sister in law, Tammy, for taking the 2 oldest girls overnight and keeping them all day on Friday while we were at the clinic!
By last night, we were quite tired, and ready to be alone. So we checked into a hotel, got some supper, and sat and watched tv all night! It was good to "forget" a little of real life and just hang out with our kids. This morning we swam in the pool and then came home.
I'm sure I'm leaving something out that I thought I would say. If you have any questions feel free to leave them in comments or email me. We certainly have felt the prayers of those of you who knew about this a few days ago.
I really feel like we are dealing well with this. Adrienne is doing well. She hates the needles of course, but who can blame her? I think she is almost to the point of being okay with the insulin injection, but she hates seeing her blood come out for the sugar check.
I will try and update this more often...
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
A New Toy
How could I forget to mention this...
I am now the proud owner of a Nutrimill Grain Mill. I'm so happy! :-) I am waiting on some wheat and possibly other grains (through a friend of a friend who just has those connections), and then I will be baking up a storm. I can't wait to try all the possibilities. One thing I'm so excited to try is grinding popcorn to make the ultimate (so I'm told) cornbread.
Any of you have a similar grain mill? What do you like to grind? What recipes do you use?
I'd love to hear from you.
I am now the proud owner of a Nutrimill Grain Mill. I'm so happy! :-) I am waiting on some wheat and possibly other grains (through a friend of a friend who just has those connections), and then I will be baking up a storm. I can't wait to try all the possibilities. One thing I'm so excited to try is grinding popcorn to make the ultimate (so I'm told) cornbread.
Any of you have a similar grain mill? What do you like to grind? What recipes do you use?
I'd love to hear from you.
Monday, July 14, 2008
I'm Still Here, I'm Just Quiet (for once)
*I can't seem to catch up with anything right now. Be it cooking, cleaning, laundry, blogging...you name it, I can't catch it. Any great ideas??? (Other than a maid?)
*We had a fun weekend. Started off Friday with our annual strawberry picking trip. It was Daryl's last minute idea, so we scarfed down some lunch, packed up the kids and the bug spray and headed out. It was really windy, which was awesome for keeping mosquitoes away. We picked 6 gallons, and came home and had homemade strawberry shortcake and ice cream for supper. (Yes, that's all we had)
*On Saturday it was Anna-Christina's birthday. Since the weather was out, we had our picnic with friends indoors, and then went to an indoor mini-golf which was really neat. When I asked her how her birthday was at the end of the day, she said, "GREAT!", so I guess that's a good sign. :-) We ended it ordering pizza with our friends who stayed to hang out after the par-tay.
*Our 81 year old neighbor man suddenly passed away last week. They have very little family here and the ones they do have don't seem to stick together. So it is a good way for us to practise being the hands and feet of Jesus.
*There is a baby screaming, another birthday cake (Olivia's) waiting to be frosted, and a bed calling me. Photos will have to wait until later. Good night
*We had a fun weekend. Started off Friday with our annual strawberry picking trip. It was Daryl's last minute idea, so we scarfed down some lunch, packed up the kids and the bug spray and headed out. It was really windy, which was awesome for keeping mosquitoes away. We picked 6 gallons, and came home and had homemade strawberry shortcake and ice cream for supper. (Yes, that's all we had)
*On Saturday it was Anna-Christina's birthday. Since the weather was out, we had our picnic with friends indoors, and then went to an indoor mini-golf which was really neat. When I asked her how her birthday was at the end of the day, she said, "GREAT!", so I guess that's a good sign. :-) We ended it ordering pizza with our friends who stayed to hang out after the par-tay.
*Our 81 year old neighbor man suddenly passed away last week. They have very little family here and the ones they do have don't seem to stick together. So it is a good way for us to practise being the hands and feet of Jesus.
*There is a baby screaming, another birthday cake (Olivia's) waiting to be frosted, and a bed calling me. Photos will have to wait until later. Good night
Thursday, July 03, 2008
My Babies
Watching echos with Daddy - he was explaining everything aloud and she seemed to be paying close attention.
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