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 ...

Here's another!

I've had a few people ask me what I want for my birthday and rather than responding to these messages one by one, I think I'll post it here for all to see.  What do I want? I want a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. I know that seems to be an odd thing to ask for. Maybe unreasonable, but even my little Alana asked for it for Christmas last year. I want my daughter to have the childhood that she once had. I want her to be free from finger pricks, site changes and getting her insu lin pump tubing stuck on door knobs. I want her to be able to pushed into the pool by her friends (with out the worries that it will kill her pump). I want her to be able to eat carbs with out counting them and indulge in chocolate and ice cream with out an injection or fear that her blood sugar will be high.  This is my simple birthday wish. Please donate to JDRF and type one diabetes research. Help us find that cure. Even if its a dollar. Every cent counts. Thanks. ♥

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...

Just a few days away  from celebrating Alana's first "DIAVERSARY", we received the news we had been waiting for.  Check out the video for our results... YIPEEE!!! YEP!  Ariana is not likely to EVER develop an auto immune disease.   Thank you God! It's likely that both girls had a virus that was causing their blood sugar to fluctuate.  Testing will eventually be done on Amelia as well.

When I watched this video I cried like a little baby.  Tears ran down my face.  Janet's video is a great message to ANYONE battling ANYTHING.

This is what we did instead of getting work done today. Happy Spring Break EVERYONE!!!

Some days like today, I wonder what my true calling in life is. When you have a love for one thing...  The thing that has devoured your life since your youth.  Then this new thing... something totally out of left field hits you and you begin to question yourself. Was my passion just a passion? Is this NEW THING your life's calling? It has been waiting to hit you like a ton of bricks. You just didn't know it.         ... and then it lands on you like the anvil from the Wile E Coyote cartoons. I'm really not sure what's bringing this all on right now.  There's a little flame in my head that's burning away at me. Call it Mothers Intuition... I'm not sure. Maybe I'm waiting to see what happens.  There are several things just UP IN THE AIR right now... Time will tell. I'm living in limbo... or maybe on the TV show LOST.  There's this smoky monster called DIABETES lurking around the corner and in a flash....It's eaten up an...

I know a lot of people have been waiting to hear from me since yesterday.  To be honest  I'm not  sure what I'm supposed to think at this point. To lighten the mood.  Here's a pic of Ariana in what she wore to the DR. appointment. It went a little like this... Dr. Riley sat Ariana and I down.  He gave her a look over and looked at her charts and results from the test done by  Dr. Sim. He then quickly jumped in telling me about the different studies he had worked on for over thirty years. Two of which was geared towards us. The first was a study where they tested siblings of T1D patients for the markers of T1D.  Those who had the markers (classified as T1D Dysglycemic) would be tracked by the Doctors to see what happened with their blood sugar leading up to going "full blown".  What they found was, in the weeks, months or even years before they were full blown, their Blood Sugar would do this little ...

I just feel for her right now.  The poor thing is having her first migraine. JUST MISERABLE.   I put her in a dark room, gave her some medicine and covered her eyes with her blanket. It really seemed to calm her down.  Just like her Momma. Only I get several a month.  It puts me out of commission.  Chris used to get them when he was a kid too.  Alana started getting them before her diagnoses with type 1 diabetes.  I'm hoping this is not another sign...

This morning I woke up frustrated.  Both Ariana and Amelia's blood sugar both are up... AGAIN.  I hate waiting for results. Ariana's morning fasting BG: 134 Amelia's morning fasting BG: 138 UUUUUugggggghhhhh!!!!! Today I took Cupcakes to Ariana's school to celebrate her birthday.  She wore yellow.... AGAIN.  I'm guessing it's a yellow kind of week. There is a tention in the air in the Olsen home.  Not understanding whats going on in these girls bodies. Is this what Alana's blood sugar did before she was diagnosed? The ideas keep rushing by us so fast and no one thing makes since. ...still waiting for test results...

After yesterday's testing, Ariana wanted to wear her favorite color to school.  Can you tell what it is? It's so weird that I'm bloging about Ariana and Amelia on Alana's blog.  I hope this doesn't become habit. Ariana's Morning fasting BG: 124 Amelia's Morning fasting BG: 108 Still waiting for test results. What the heck is causing them to flux?

Let's face it.  I'm a HUGE fan of KFC's Famous bowls.  So last night I made my own version. Garlic mashed potatoes Gravy Cheese Corn Fried chicken PURE HEAVEN!!! Alana's serving (pictured above) was about 55g of carbs.  The girls loved it.  I mean LOVED it!  Licked the bowls clean.  This will be making our monthly meal rotation for sure.

After all of this weekend's events with the girls.  I feel calm.  Slightly stressed.  But calm.  Ky White (a very dear family friend) came and gave Ariana a blessing tonight and I got that "All is well" feeling.   No matter what happens we'll make it through.   Type 1 diabetes is a scary beast.  But I have faith that the Lord knows what burdens we can take on. My heart is heavy with the love and support our friends, family, Dia-buddies and even my clients at Kat's Photography  have shared.  It is the most sincere prayer that Ariana and Amelia will be diabetes free their entire lives.

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...

 I was reading one of my favorite diabetes blogs when I found this great recipe.  The kids love it and it was easy to make. Ingredients: 6 eggs 1/2 c ground meat or bacon bits (I used the bacon bits!) 1/2 c diced green bell peppers 1/8 c mayonaise 1/8 c water salt and pepper to taste Prep: Preheat your oven to 350F Grease 6 muffin tins with cooking spray, or coconut oil Beat the eggs and add the ground meat, bell peppers, water, mayonnaise and season with salt and or pepper.  Combine well. Scoop equal portions into the 6 muffin tins  Bake for about 18 minutes or until a knife inserted into the muffins comes out clean Remove from the oven, let cool and dive in! Enjoy!