Addison informed me a few weeks ago that his favorite number was the number 8. It's a great number right? What's not to like. It has symmetry. It becomes the symbol for infinity when you turn it on its side. It has really nice curves. That number 8 is all right.
Yesterday though, I wasn't sure exactly what I thought about good old number 8. As it turned out, Addison's A1c went up over the past few months from a lovely 7.4 to an 8. It was a bit of a surprise to hear it said aloud. I felt disappointed. I mean, we have Dexie now so it feels like we have been working twice as hard as before to dial everything in. We watch trends and adjust, adjust, adjust. Lately, it feels like we have been working over time, not only thanks to the additional Dexom info but also because we have been having major trouble with our pump sites and tubing. Pretty much every site has bubble issues in the tube no matter what method we try in preparing the cartridge and priming the tubing. Our sites have been lasting only 2 days most of the time. Addison shoots up to the 300's when his sites go bad and that number won't go away until we change the site out. BTW, these bubble-in-the-tubing-sites-gone-bad incidents most often happen right around bedtime. Lately, bedtime has become almost 10pm for Addison and this does not a happy mama and papa pancreas make. I just have this funny picture of me and Chris, dark circles under our eyes, hair all crazy like Albert Einstein, standing over our child, armed with alcohol swabs, dexcom sites, pump sites, baby oil (for getting off the old site), a neon green glow light flickering on and off behind us, our child lying in bed as we reach over him like a grand science experiment.
So, back to that A1c. I had to ask myself, is it worth it to feel badly about this number 8? And honestly, I could tell myself no. Of course I strive to do the best I can for Addison and so does my husband. But, Addison is a happy, healthy little guy. He is living a good life. He is getting the most excellent care from his mama and papa pancreas'. Sure, it is difficult when you see an A1c of 8 when so many of your rockin' mama pancreas friends are able to achieve 6's and 7's. It is hard for me not to compare myself to others and feel inadequate. But it is something I work on every day. And when I really think about, what matters most is not what anyone else does. It matters most that I do the absolute best I can and that my family is happy and healthy. And if this number were higher? Same. We do our very best. Sometimes there are things that are just not in our control with D. Do I want to try for better next time? Of course! I will carry on and keep on working hard with all the technology and resources we have at our disposal. I will work just as hard at making a good life for ourselves and try and keep everything in balance and perspective. So...number 8..I still like ya. You are all right.
Yesterday though, I wasn't sure exactly what I thought about good old number 8. As it turned out, Addison's A1c went up over the past few months from a lovely 7.4 to an 8. It was a bit of a surprise to hear it said aloud. I felt disappointed. I mean, we have Dexie now so it feels like we have been working twice as hard as before to dial everything in. We watch trends and adjust, adjust, adjust. Lately, it feels like we have been working over time, not only thanks to the additional Dexom info but also because we have been having major trouble with our pump sites and tubing. Pretty much every site has bubble issues in the tube no matter what method we try in preparing the cartridge and priming the tubing. Our sites have been lasting only 2 days most of the time. Addison shoots up to the 300's when his sites go bad and that number won't go away until we change the site out. BTW, these bubble-in-the-tubing-sites-gone-bad incidents most often happen right around bedtime. Lately, bedtime has become almost 10pm for Addison and this does not a happy mama and papa pancreas make. I just have this funny picture of me and Chris, dark circles under our eyes, hair all crazy like Albert Einstein, standing over our child, armed with alcohol swabs, dexcom sites, pump sites, baby oil (for getting off the old site), a neon green glow light flickering on and off behind us, our child lying in bed as we reach over him like a grand science experiment.
So, back to that A1c. I had to ask myself, is it worth it to feel badly about this number 8? And honestly, I could tell myself no. Of course I strive to do the best I can for Addison and so does my husband. But, Addison is a happy, healthy little guy. He is living a good life. He is getting the most excellent care from his mama and papa pancreas'. Sure, it is difficult when you see an A1c of 8 when so many of your rockin' mama pancreas friends are able to achieve 6's and 7's. It is hard for me not to compare myself to others and feel inadequate. But it is something I work on every day. And when I really think about, what matters most is not what anyone else does. It matters most that I do the absolute best I can and that my family is happy and healthy. And if this number were higher? Same. We do our very best. Sometimes there are things that are just not in our control with D. Do I want to try for better next time? Of course! I will carry on and keep on working hard with all the technology and resources we have at our disposal. I will work just as hard at making a good life for ourselves and try and keep everything in balance and perspective. So...number 8..I still like ya. You are all right.
14 comments:
I just wrote on Denise's blog about this yesterday, but we're in the 8 range, too. Like you said, there's some stuff that just isn't up to you. And, my dr was actually really happy with our A1C. Maybe that means while bloggers can make you envious with their super A1Cs, a lot of the population is no where near where we are. No where near even an 8. We're lucky have a solid understanding to help our kids.( And, I love the they might be giants addition. As you know, we're big fans.)
BTW, if you need to be a little bit higher sometimes to avoid the lows and protect the brain, I don't care if A1C suffers a little. When they're this little, that's my main concern.
first LOVE LOVE the video!! BIG TIME!!
I think I may just be dancing all day to the number 8. and second I wish we were in the 8 range...soon hopefully I will get there!!
and third keep doing the best you can because your great just like the number 8 :)
yep, getting an a1c of 7.9 yesterday stung but it really is a great number for kiddos this age and that is the most important thing to remember.
Aw yes, you and Hallie - such similar posts.
Why do the site issues always seem to come about at night? During the day they are a walk in the park. I totally relate to your depiction there - can see it very clearly - I'm standing right next to the two of you!
Just remember, you are doing an awesome job. I know it's hard to feel that way when the A1C isn't what you wanted. Bee's last A1C was up from 7.8 to 8.2 despite my best efforts. But we do the best we can and that's all we can do. (((HUGS)))
Great attitude. I find that so refreshing.
It sounds as if the trouble with his pump may have raised the A1C and, well, that could be fixed in the future?
Zac's A1C is 8.2
But he is a teen and wants to have the regular ice cream with his friends. Some kids rebel in their teen years because they are so controlled by their parents for so long, they just burn out. Needing some control and acceptance for who they are is always an issue with older children. Avoiding this problem has been one of my main goals from the beginning.
So anyway, that is my long winded way of saying that I think you are approaching this news very smartly!
Great attitude, Jen, it's the only sane way. It's a fine A1C. Loved the video. Have always loved "They Might be Giants" but had forgotten to listen to them recently. Will get onto that this weekend ...
8 is my favourtie number too! But in the end it's just a number...you put in hard work day to day and thats what's important. Great post.
It's okay. You will get the A1c back down. It's only a three month period of time. I think ours will be higher next time also. Sometimes life gets in the way. D seems to like regularity, schedules, routine. Can't always keep to the routine 1,000 percemt, even though we try.
Awww 8 is a grand number. The curves. The symmetry...all of it. For his age it is fine. It is great. You are doing a fabulous job ensuring his life is full of kid fun and not structured around diabetes. You are allowing him to be a "kid". That is HUGE. I love you and thank you for your support today. I appreciate it more than you know.
Well... Hello A1c and Post twin!! I just want to say- SAME to everything you wrote!! Great post- great attitude. And you know what? 8 is ok with me, too!
We have bubble issues lately too!!! I can't figure out what has changed... cuz we never had bubble issues before. I have been running half the insulin out just trying to prime. It is driving me crazy!!!!
That is a great A1C BTW...
I'm proud of you for puting the number 8 in its place!! All we can do is our best...you are doing a great job pancreating!
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