Young Divabetic

Children with Diabetes Support Weekend

Dr. Bland at Howard University's Diabetes Treatment Center rented out the Bowling Alley for the families & children with type 1 diabetes to meet and share.  It was a blessing.  Dr. Bland's staff came out to support her fellowship.  I recommend the Howard to everyone.  Dr. Bland and her staff go above and beyond.

And then, Sunday INOVA Fairfax Diabetes Treatment Center hosted a meeting for families with children with diabetes.  They had break out groups for parents and age-related groups for the children.  They did a terrific job - we discussed our preparations for the upcoming walks for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

What a blessing to have a Type 1 Endocrinologist Fellow during our visit

During our visit to Dr. Bland at Howard University's Diabetes Treatment Center, she learned that her fellow, Dr. Erik Heinert has been a type 1 diabetic since he was 12.  And he shared his successful diabetes management credit goes to him consistently testing his blood sugar.  He shared that although it sucks, he knows that it is necessary so he can eat the foods he enjoys.  And it allows him to have the power to eat when he wants and what he wants.  GOD never fails to amaze me, by placing the right people at the right time in Nasara's life. 

A letter from a friend - GOD knows what you need

Hi Mrs. Williams and Nasara:

Hi, I'm the CT Tech who saw Nasara today while she was in the PEDS ER and came in for her CT Scan.  I just wanted to send you an email and say I hope Nasara is doing well!  I got a little excited when I saw the post saying she was ready to go home, thinking that was today, then I read the date.  I hope she's doing well and feeling better!

I read the blog that you gave me the card to after I got home from work and I must say it looks like you both have a great way of dealing with the disease.  I think the blog was a great idea, not only does it give others great information about the issues surrounding diabetes but it also gives some insight into your lives which is a great thing for other children trying to deal with the entire process, seeing that there are others out there going through the same thing.  LOL when I was diagnosed the internet hadn't really happened yet but it would have been nice to see and hear from others going through the same things.  I definitely have to commend you for starting the support group!  I think it not only helps Nasara but also all the other children as well.

Mrs. Williams, since I did direct most of the attention towards Nasara while we were in the CT suite, I did want to tell you from the sounds of everything it sounds like you are doing a great job.  I must say you sound a little more understanding than my parents were when I was first diagnosed, especially when you said you work with her on the "sweet tooth".  For the first 3-4 years after I became diabetic I don't think we had a single piece of cake, candy or the like in the house.  I remember doing the "sneaking" thing and going to the corner store and buying something just to have it LOL, but then I always ran into the same situation with the blood sugars that spiked and having to try to "explain" those :-).  But I'm happy to see you seem a little more understanding about that, and trust me even if Nasara doesn't appreciate it now, she will.  I never thought the day would come when I could see it from both sides of the fence, not only the parent's side but also the child's side, granted I'm only 29 but I do definitely understand it better now than I did back then.  I guess some things take a while to set in :).

I wish you both the best, and tell Nasara I said to I hope she's feeling better and to hang in there, it does get somewhat easier.  As I tried to point out there is no such thing as the "perfect diabetic" but she will learn how to adapt to those bad diabetic moments when the chocolate cake is just to tempting to pass up :).

Joe Hindinger, RT(R)
CT/MRI Technologist
Howard University Hospital Radiology Department

Diabetic Nutrition is vital to overall Diabetic Management

Dr. Barrett supported our natural & clean foods lifestyle and she informed me that I should only count half of the amount of the fiber and/or protein (for 5grams of more) number before adding them together to subtract from the total carb amount for a meal.  And we were able to share with her the new 2010 Calorie King.

 

What we want you to know about living with Type 1 Diabetes

How to Get Free Medicine for Diabetes

 Instructions

• Step 1:
  Contact The Bureau of Primary Health Care division of nHealth Resources and Services Administration. This organization has a network of clinics where you can get services and medications on a sliding scale or at no cost at all. You can check their website for a simple search engine interface that will list the clinics in your community (see Resources below).
• Step 2:
  Locate a hospital, clinic or other health care facility that participates in the Hill-Burton program. This is a government program that grants hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities funding for construction or equipment upgrades in exchange for free or reduced cost services for their community. Get a list of these hospitals on the HRSA website (see Resources below).
• Step 3:
  Apply for free or low-cost health insurance for your child with diabetes through your state. These programs are available in each state through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and while it will not directly provide you with free medicine for diabetes, it will provide you with insurance, which will likely cover your costs. Find your local office and even apply online (see Resources below).
• Step 4:
  Review the programs available through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance Program. Literally hundreds of options are available depending on your state and particular medication needs. You can see an entire list of programs or get a list of programs that you may be eligible for by using the interactive program search (see Resources below).
• Step 5:
  Apply for Medicare or Medicaid. These programs are not only able to provide some free medications directly, but they also make you eligible for other government programs that provide free medicines for diabetes. Check the Medicare website for free or lost-cost programs (see Resources below).
• Step 6:
  Ask your doctor for suggestions. She may be able to help you locate an assistance program, or provide you with free sample medicines for your diabetes.

Tips & Warnings

• Never accept an old prescription from another person. These older prescriptions may be out of date and no longer effective to help control your diabetes, or they may be the wrong dosage, which could cause multiple problems and even more medical expenses.

Resources

• Heath Resources and Services Administration
• HRSA Hill-Burton Program Participants
• SCHIP location and application website
• Complete list of Partnership for Prescription Assistance programs
• Search assistant for PPA
• Medcare website for free or low cost medicine programs
• from EHow.com

Stomach virus + type 1 diabetes + DKA = Emergency Room

 
   
Nasara was blessed with being a priority in the ER and giving the next available bed.  Oh, she was SO tired - my poor baby.  The minutes seemed like hours.

 The IV Drip

 
 

And after 6 hours of 3 bolus bags of fluids and check her blood sugar every 30 minutes - oh and the medicine to stop the nausa and other activity.

Smiles all around - we are ready to go home!

Here we go again two weeks later, but not as bad - her systems needing some adjusting. 

This is Howard University's ER

Dr. Bland follow-up on her patient during her ER stay.  She has the golden touch in the ER.

 

The ER Dr. & Nurse team that was warm and kind to Nasara during her stay.  God Bless You