The Olsen Update

Today is Alana's 2nd "Diaversary".  I'm so proud of her and how far we have come. I remember sitting in the ICU with my 6 year old, who was dying before my eyes.  She was weak and not there.  Alana was so brave.  She saw the pain  in my eyes and would tell me that she was going to be Okay. Jen (Alana's first DIAbuddy) and Wendy where the first people I called. I know they came into our lives when they did for a reason.  With out them I may have fallen apart. It seemed like a whirl-wind. Dr.s, nurses, educators.  I felt like I was in a dream land.  There's no way that this was happening to my child. She was perfect.  After four days in the ICU we were left to medically care for someone who's life now relied so heavily on us and insulin.  Alana was thrilled to go home.  I on the other hand was scared to death.  As we drove away from the hospital, I half wanted to turn back. As I look back at these events, I think ...

While at fundraising event for our Walk to Cure team, I was asked the same question several times.       So who's Alana? After pointing her out their response to her was... But you don't look sick. How many times do you look at a person with a handicap permit and say... They don't need that.   They look fine. I'll admit.  I've shamefully said it before.  So many of us look at people with a disease or disability as if it's something you have to see for it to be real. If you don't see Alana's insulin pump or see her check her blood sugar, you might not realize she has a disease at all.  She's a pretty healthy kid, diabetes aside. She rides her bike, swims, climbs the monkey bars and gets good grades. But we're that family.  The one who's counting every single carb that enters Alana's body.  Always referring to our Calorie King app for the right numbers.  We're that family who dreads pizza night because we know that it make...

Tonight I met Mrs. Darring at a vendor event/fundraiser for Alana's Brave Crew.  She was sweet and kind and I could tell that she has a huge heart.  She asked if she could share a little piece about us one her page Anne B Darring For Judge .  It warms my sole to read this.  Thank you Anne. And Good luck in the election.   The Face of Juvenile Diabetes This is Alana Olsen with her mom Carina. Alana has juvenile diabetes and has to wear an insulin pump at all times. Her brave battle is undetectable through her enthusiasm and cheerful energy. The thing is,  juvenile diabetes is incurable at this point. Research is the key. We must find a way to bring an end to this suffering. This is a life-threatening autoimmune disease in which a person's pancreas stops producing insulin - a hormone essential to the ability to get energy from food. It strikes both children and adults suddenly and changes life as they know it forever. On October 26th there is Walk...

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 ...