More pre-term labor

Last night as I was being a good girl and just laying in bed and watching tv I started having some heavy duty contractions. They really came out of no where. We were about an hour out of Bret getting home from work, but that gave me time to alert the calvary (THANK YOU Becca and Mark for practically spending the night at our house). We got to IMC's labor and delivery around 10:30 and it took until 3:00 to get my labor under control. I had to take A LOT of drugs to stop things. Some that made me feel pretty crummy. I did enjoy whatever it was they gave me for pain. Poor Bret had just worked a 10 hour day, and we didn't get home and to bed until 4:30AM. And he got up, got the kids fed and ready, and worked another 10 hour day. I am now dilated 4 cm, 70% effaced, and a -2 station. The drs want me to go, at the very least, until this weekend. My OB would really like me to make it about 10 more days (if not more). Some days I just want her to stay in as long as possible. Others I just want her out of me. But I DO NOT want a baby in the newborn ICU. So, I will continue to stay in bed and try to find things to occupy my time. It's boring and it is mostly uncomfortable (hanging out at 4cms and trying to stave off contractions isn't what nature inteded). And the drugs are yucky. But I will do this for Eliza and pray she is a VERY good baby :)

I hate hospitals

I never used to, but I've seen my share of them lately. I went into labor late Saturday (March 14th) and was put on hospital bedrest. Today (March 18) they have let me come home on strict bedrest. So, this will be a very short post. We need Eliza to hold out another 2-4 weeks. I need to get back in bed. I'm very open to phone calls and visitors as bedrest is incredibly boring.

My Hero!!

How is it possible that a 2 year old little girl is my hero?

The fact is that Darci has been and is stronger than both Bret and I during this trial in our life. She is only a week into her type-1 diabetes diagnosis and she has proven to have so much strength and endurance. She already sits still for her finger pokes and insulin shots. At this point in her treatment there are a lot. I think the most we counted one day was 13 finger pokes. When we pull out the glucose meter she starts looking at her fingers and then offers the one she would like us to use. Yesterday at breakfast I was preparing her insulin and she pulled up the leg on her pants and pointed to where she wanted her shot. She sometimes whimpers a little, but she never fights it or cries much. We always give her praise and love when we are done and let her know we love her.

Darci, thank you for being the sweet and special little girl you are. You give me the strength to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.

So many misconceptions

I've been amazed at how many questions and statements people have made to me since Darci got diagnosed. Things that are misunderstood or just completely wrong about Type-1 Diabetes.

So, I'm going to clear a few things up as I understand them so far.

* Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes are completely different. With Type-2 your pancreas produces insulin, but your body doesn't use it and so you build up too many blood sugars in your body. With Type-1 your pancreas doesn't work. You don't produce the insulin that your body needs at all.

* Because your pancreas doesn't produce insulin in Type-1 you are completely insulin dependant. There isn't a pill form of insulin. You recieve insulin through injections or a special pump that injects it for you.

* There is currently no cure for Type-1. If diagnosed you will have it and insulin needs the rest of your life. There are no miracle diets or pills that work.

* There are no food restrictions. It's a balancing act of carbs, blood sugars, and insulin. If Darci goes to a birthday party she can have a piece of cake. She will just have insulin needs when eating it depending on her blood sugars.

I'm sure I'll think of more as more people approach me with questions and good intentioned advice.

Audra, correct me if I'm wrong on anything.

http://www.jdrf.org/

Where Do I Even Begin?

For several weeks now Darci has been exhibiting some of the signs and symptoms of diabetes. Extreme thirst, frequent urination, and irritability (more than is normal for a 2 year old). We were kind of beating around the bush getting her checked, because she was just checked several months ago and it was negative. Then, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes... a type of diabetes you only get in pregnancy. I have to control this type with diet and close monitoring of my blood glucose with a meter. On Monday, March 2nd I finally decided that we couldn't hold off on Darci anymore and scheduled her an appointment. But her pediatrician was out of town and couldn't see her for a week. Being the impatient person I am and having this new gadget to check blood glucose, I decided to check her fasting glucose the next morning. When I checked her on Tuesday her blood glucose levels were 322. A child her age should never be above 170. We were off to Primary Children's Medical Center.

On Tuesday, March 2, 2009 my sweet Darci was diagnosed with Type-1 (or Juvenile) Diabetes. We were admitted to the hospital for 3 days of intense education on how to care for this disease. There are so many misconceptions about it. Darci hates all the pokes and needles, but she's getting better. We have a wonderful sister-in-law (Audra) and nephew (Brady, 4 years old)... you, too, Nate and Elise... who did this 2 years ago. Audra has been such a source of support, love, and information. She also referred us to Brady's pediatric endocrinologist, who we have already developed a good rapport with.

I'm sure there is a lot more info for us to share, but we're a little on info overload at the moment. We're home now and adjusting. This is an extremely hard trial, but there have been many, MANY blessings along the way.