The Olsen Update

Like Tony Stark, Alana's Insulin Pump keeps her alive... Copyright  www.AlanasBraveCrew.com In honor of Alana being on the insulin pump for a whole day, we decided to mark the event with a mini photo shoot in my studio. Alana an her sisters all love Iron man. This image only seemed fitting. Enjoy. (feel free to share this image but please give credit/link) Lets find a cure for TYPE 1 DIABETES! www2.jdrf.org/goto/ABC  

Who said diabetes couldn't be fun. Here are two projects I've made in the last two days... We bejeweled Alana's test strip container... Lenny also got his very own insulin pump! I made it out of Oven Clay, a clear tile, and infusion set (donated by our Medtronic rep Debbie) and a few rhinestones.    Now he just needs a pump pouch like Alana!

I can't believe this day is here.  It's been almost 7 months since Alana's diagnosis with type 1 diabetes. The day I thought would never come is here.  Alana was hooked up to her pump. I had done a lot of training ahead of time to prepare for our training class and I'm glad I did.  I feel 100% comfortable with managing the pump.  If you would have asked me a few days ago things would have been different. Our Diabetes team is AMAZING!  They're like our family.  We text and call, joke, play and pick on each other.  It's the best. Even sport AlanasBraveCrew bracelets! { Alana right after we hooked up her pump for the first time. }  { Sweet little Lenny.  The newest member of the Olsen Family. I think he needs an Alana's Brave Crew Walk to cure shirt.  Don't you? } I'm excited for this new chapter.  I know with out a doubt that the pump is going to help prolong Alana's life and give her a better quality life.  Let...

She's a crack up. I loved her reaction when I told her that she wan't getting her night time injection anymore.

I think this is a great video.  I want all our friends and family to realize that carbs are what effect a Type 1 Diabetics blood sugar.  NOT SUGAR.  Halloween is coming up and Alana will be on her shiny new insulin pump. Yes we will still have our target carb numbers each day. BUT COME ON.... Halloween is only once a year.  LET THERE BE CHOCOLATE!!!!!

I found a new channel on Youtube that I LOVE. I'm sure you'll be seeing lots of video posts from them Enjoy this video from humaBLOG...

I love this video.  Rock your glasses and pump!  Alana is getting close to wearing glasses again (She wore them when she was two.  SO CUTE). We have to got to the eye Dr. soon to have a check up because Alana had her eye test at school and she was on the boarder of failing the test.  Not sure what her blood sugar was when they did it,  but I know that could effect her sight as well.  

This week we had a meeting with Alana's Diabetes team to talk about the pump. It seemed that Alana was coming out of the so called HONEYMOON PHASE that most Type 1's go through.  I think her pancreas is saying good by forever (or till they find a cure).  So now it's time to move on to her artificial pancreas  (insulin pump).  We let Alana choose the color and she went with purple. We're all a bit excited and can't wait for it to get here tomorrow. Part of me is very happy to just get on with it all.  Alana has been T1D for nearly 7 months now and the ups and downs of the honeymoon were really getting to us.  Her pancreas was saying..  "hey.. I think I'll spit out some insulin today."    UGGGGGHHH!!! I can say that I'm grateful it didn't last as long as many go through.  She only went a month with out any fast acting insulin injections (Novolog).   Many go for a year.  Now we can settle...

We raised $22 just by carrying Alana's Brave Crew bracelets around school today. I didn't even solicit it. They sell themselves. Starting next week Mossman  Elementary  will have them in their Student Store! How cool is that? We're also working on getting Krogar's approval to sell them in front of their store. Updates to come. We currently have kids at Clear Creek High who are selling bracelets for us. If you're interested in helping us please send me a message or post a comment here.  Thank you all for what you do.

One of the hardest parts of being a Type 1 Diabetic is the hormones involved.  Today was a tough day for my Sweet Alana.  She woke up kind of off, and stayed that way.  We had a site change this morning for her CGM (Continuous Blood Glucose Monitor) and we taught Daddy how to do it since he hasn't gone through the training yet.  I drove her to school and dropped her off in the office.  She seemed fine at that point.  So I went off to my meeting for room moms.  About a hour later I got a call from the school nurse.  Alana was in her office. In TEARS. No real reason. Her blood sugar was stable. Just emotional.  So I left the meeting to go see my princess.  Her eyes were red.  Suddenly I had my 7 year old glued to me. I tried to calm her down but all she wanted was for me to hold her. There we sat till I thought she was calm again.  It was hard. I wanted to just pick up her things and take her home and snuggle with her all ...

The life of a diabetic involves an exhaustive number of components for monitoring blood glucose levels. The Cactus concept combines all the necessities into one compact unit that fits perfectly into the modern lifestyle. One end measures glucose levels and the other injects the insulin amount automatically gauged from the first read. Wireless syncing to smart phones or tablets make it a dream-come-true for doctors and patients, making it possible to record and analyze results in less than half the time. Check out the vid! Read more at http://www.yankodesign.com/2012/09/11/easing-the-diabetic-burden/#yf3EjX04ukWJ1Oru.99   So what do you think?  Great new innovation?  Or... Just another gadget?