Saturday, January 30, 2010

The Endo....

DUN DUN DUUNNNN (enter mysterious music here)

I was talking to my friend, NaTasha, on my home from taking the kids to the Endocrinologist yesterday and once she found out where I had been she asked "So was the 'Good Mommy' report ok today?" Let me translate, the only info she really knows about diabetes is what I have taught her. She knows how I feel about the kids A1c and how I automatically relate it to my self esteem. (more on why I do this in a minute) Her little joke about it being my "Good Mommy" report actually made me laugh, mostly because I had good news to report. Not that the appointment wasn't stressful, because it totally was, but their A1c's are not as bad as I had expected.

When I picked the Princess up from school and told her where we were going she almost instantly got grumpy. It came out of left field since she has always loved going to see Dr. Chad and Dr. Swinyard (They really are THE best doctors in the world. I can't say that enough!) She just pouted the entire way there, but when we walked into the office, she flipped out. Need I remind you that she is almost 6? A little too big (in my mind) to be throwing fits like this in public. Problem is though, she has been doing this a lot lately. Imagine this, we where at the bridal store with my sister in law looking at wedding dresses. A 5 year old girl's dream. Something didn't go her way and she ended up on the floor in the middle of the store kicking her feet and screaming and crying. I immediately tested her blood sugar and it was perfectly normal. I was shocked. I tried to deal with it the best I could and put her in a time out and talked to her, but it took her a good 15 - 20 minutes to calm down. Then a few nights later I was trying to get her to drink a glass of milk and she did the same thing. She even headbutted me and made my lip bleed. I went to bed so mad and confused. So in a small way I was happy the Dr. office could witness what was going so I could ask a few questions about it. Problem is though this terrible mood was picked up my my Little Man and he was throwing a fit too. By the time Dr. Chad came in to see us I was sitting in the room crying. We were all a bit of a mess. We talked for a bit and he offered some help. He said that it might be nothing more than her just throwing a fit...being moody. But it could be more (I agree and that is what I was afraid of) nothing major but just stress of life (a hem, is this not all my life consists of?) compounded with 2 kids being diabetic and all of us, including the kids, are in survival mode trying to cope with everything. Our family is just going through a lot right now. So he gave me a few numbers to social workers that deal mainly with families/kids/adolescence/ that have diabetes. He said to see if we can take the family in and find a way to all work through it. This may or may not be needed but I tell you what, I am more that willing to give it a try. I need a little fresh air and this just might be the only way I can find it so I am calling on Monday.

When Dr. Chad and I were talking he said "We all know that even under the stress of life you and your husband are doing a great job. We know this because 'Princess' A1c is 7.4 and 'Little Man's' is at 5.8." I was pretty excited to hear those numbers, but don't get me wrong the first thought that went through my head was "that is why I let the A1c's determine my self esteem because the doctor in a way does." Not that this is bad. For all he knows I could be at home letting my kids eat whatever they want and put on their log sheets whatever I want. The only true test is that darn A1c. Thankfully they are pretty good even after the longest and hardest 2 months of my life.

So we made a few changes with both kids. We all left with smiles mostly because the kids got candy and a toy and I got some help. It was a rough visit, but as NaTasha put it "It seems that it had to happen that way so you could find the answers that you truly needed." She is right!

7 comments:

The Piquant Storyteller said...

My first thought when I read this post was that your kids would really like my invention of telepatienting!

In all seriousness though, diabetes is a very emotionally complex monster. I think it's smart to talk to a social worker. I'm interested in hearing how that goes. Congratulations on their awesome A1C results.

Remember, you can call me anytime.

Hallie said...

Woo Hoo on the A1c!!!

I hate fits in public. I always feel like I should be able to handle it or stop it or something.

I think a social worker is a great option! We talked to someone who worked with diabetics shortly after dx when Ave was totally losing it over shots and we were at the end or our ropes. It can't hurt! I hope it helps you!

Hang in there - no matter what the A1c said or says in the future, you ARE doing an amazing job! You love your children and are doing the best you can (which is very very good!) to make sure that they ALL are happy and healthy!

(((hugs)))

Meri said...

Love NaTasha!
Love Dr. Chad!
Love surprise great A1C's!

If diabetes has taught me anything, it's that hard work pays off! So happy your day turned out good! (Meltdowns aren't fun, but i agree with NaTasha.)

Ours are in a couple weeks...I try not to think about it.

Wendy said...

I LOVE Dr. Chad and Dr. Swinyard!! They are Averys Dr.s too! Such a small world. I wouldnt have been able to survive these last 8 months without them. Good job on the A1cs mommy! I love it when Averys are good too.. its the best part of my month. Please let me know if there is anything i can do for you. I really look forward to getting to know you and your sweet kids better!

Mike LeBlanc said...

Hi Shannon,

Thanks for your comment on my blog. Congrats on the excellent A1C. That damn test makes or wrecks my day every time. My wife says that we shouldn't even ask to see the results since technically, we're ALWAYS doing the best that we possibly can.

Shamae said...

Do you go to the "U" for your kids appts? We might have to try your doc. We drive there once a year for our appt for Syd. It's a long drive. Last time we waited for 4 hours!!!! We saw the dietician and the doc for a total of about 20 min. I was going crazy mad at this point!! And the dietician kept talking about syd's honeymoon...i was like, "she is a year and a half into this. Her honeymoon is over." Argghhh!! ANyway I might try your docs. I will have to see if they are in network.

BTW...if it helps. Tyson's A1C is below dx levels now. :-) Over 6 is a diabetes dx. I know he still has it but it's a great A1C!

Holly Reed said...

I'd be sitting in the room crying too. I've wanted to that with Robbie just at his regular well-child visits because he screamed for an hour after getting an immunization shot. Trust me, we all know and admire how strong you are to do this day after day. You're amazing and I'm glad you're asking for the help you need. We all need to take a lesson on this.