Sunday, May 31, 2009

Get down tonight...

Add ImageHere's some pics from our day of fun at the Taste of Pinellas-an event that helps raise money for the hospital I work at, All Children's. From fun on the slides with Jilli, a dog/frisbee demonstration, the drum circle (which was an AWESOME time - but I don't have any pics because I was playing the drums and tamborine, but my moms blog might have some),to the grand finale of the day, a most excellent concert by KC and the Sunshine Band.
Dog doing back flip off trainers chest to catch frisbee:
Me and Jilli on slide:
Jilli at the "lunchables" pizza fun area
Just clownin' around:
A quiet moment by the water looking for fishies:
Daddy's turn with Jilli on the slide:
Grandma Terri and Tyler:
Terri and Renee
Mom and Dad
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OK, well not everyone was impressed by KC as I was:

KC!!!(Who told all the kids in the crowd, "I was your mom's NSync. Get a close look, this is
what Justin Timberlake will look like in 30 years!") too, too funny!!

Friday, May 29, 2009

It's over???

For Tyler, the school year is over!! Due to his excellent grades and no absences, he was able to exempt all his exams. So, today was his last day. I cannot believe our young man has completed his first year of high school. Where does the time go?
This summer he'll be volunteering 6 days month at the children's hospital I work at, practicing baseball and he also turns 15 in just over 3 weeks, so I'm sure we'll be practicing driving as well. (yikes - prayers please) ;-)

Awesome year Tyler...we are SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!

WAY TO GO TEAM JILLI-BEAN!!!

We came away with quite a few awards last night at the post-walk Reception. We won best over-all team t-shirt which had this picture, utilizing the Rockin' for Research theme, on it:


(Many, many thanks to my Dad for the idea, my Mom for the pic and Jilli's Grandpa Jeff for making the shirts)

We also were honored with 3rd place overall New family team for raising $4, 650.00!!! And many of us were mentioned for our individual monies raised, but to me it was ALL a team effort.
Thank you again, everyone for all your love and support. We are all most certainly doing our part to help fund the cure.

Save the date: 3/13/10
JDRF WALK for a CURE - we would be honored for you to join us next year!!

Love to all!!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Dr.'s appt

Hi everyone,
Jilli had her Endocrinology appt yesterday. The outcome wasn't what we were thinking it would be. While her A1C, (A test that measures how much glucose has been sticking during the past 3-4 months to hemoglobin, the substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to the cells of the body. The A1C test is important in diabetes as a long-term measure of control over blood glucose. Even outside of diabetes, an elevated A1C level may be a cardiovascular risk factor.) was ever so slightly down, the Dr thought we should add a 3rd injection a day at dinner time. She'll still get her 2 injections every morning, and the sliding scale at lunch and dinner as well, if needed.
We actually thought that her A1C would be much lower because her AM and lunch (blood sugar) readings have been pretty close to where they should be. But, since her bedtime readings did typically run high, that kept her A1C up.
This also means we will be back to middle of the night checks, at least for a little while again.

Sweet, sweet baby girl.
He did mention the pump. But Buddy and I feel that the pump is a decision Jilli should be able to make when she is older. Right now, I just do not know if a 2 1/2 year old can full grasp what the device is and why it is attached to her 24/7 and that she cannot pull on it. So, until then, we remain on injections.

Please keep our little bean in your thoughts and prayers.

Love to all,
B,B,T & J

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

HOPE is in the CURE

March 9, 2009, Washington, DC -- The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a leader in setting the agenda for diabetes research worldwide and the largest charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research, praised President Barack Obama for the Executive Order officially repealing the existing policy limiting federal research funding for embryonic stem cell research to cell lines established prior to August 9, 2001. "We're very grateful to President Obama for setting in place a policy to fully explore this promising field of science," said new JDRF President and CEO, Dr. Alan Lewis. "President Obama's Executive Order is a strong signal to patients, scientists, and the nation that we have his full support to pursue science that may accelerate progress to new treatments and possible cures for diabetes." Type 1 diabetes affects as many as 3 million people in the U.S., causing the immune system to attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas so that the body no longer uses sugar to create energy. There is no cure for type 1 diabetes. Research into human embryonic stem cells could speed the development of a cure for diabetes by helping researchers better understand how the disease occurs and eventually derive insulin-producing cells that are safe to use for transplantation. These discoveries are years away, but federal guidance and funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will help speed scientific progress. "This is an exciting day for children and adults living with type 1 diabetes, their families, and everyone with a connection to diabetes who have worked for years to remove restrictions to this research," said Dr. Lewis. "Now researchers, physicians, and ethicists at NIH can make decisions on ethical research based purely on sound science."

Sotomayor's Diabetes: Will It Be a Handicap?

As President Obama's first nominee to the Supreme Court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor approaches the bench with a number of firsts. If she is confirmed to the lifelong post, as is widely expected, Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic to sit on the high court, and she would also be the first Justice with Type 1 diabetes...
Once known as juvenile diabetes, Type 1 diabetes typically begins in childhood — Sotomayor was diagnosed at age 8 — eventually causing the body to slow production of insulin, the hormone necessary to break down sugars found in food. While it is not yet clear what causes Type 1 diabetes, some experts believe that a patient's own immune system starts to attack insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, ultimately leading to a drop-off in hormone production.
Without enough naturally produced insulin, Type 1 diabetes patients must rely on an artificial source; some patients wear insulin pumps, which are permanently inserted under the skin to deliver a dose of the hormone after each meal or snack, while others self-administer regular insulin injections to sustain normal levels throughout the day.
The proper management of blood-sugar levels, say experts, can keep many diabetes-related complications at bay. The more successful a patient is at maintaining consistently normal blood-sugar levels, the more likely she will be able to avoid damage to the heart, kidney or other organs.
"In the days leading up to this nomination, there were several media reports suggesting that Judge Sotomayor should not be considered for this position simply because she has Type 1 diabetes," said Dr. R. Paul Robertson, president of the American Diabetes Association, in a statement following Sotomayor's nomination. "The advancements in the management of Type 1 diabetes have been just amazing over the last two decades, and the ability of people to manage their diabetes successfully has been proven. People with diabetes can function and live a long and healthy life."

So, to answer the question, NO - it will NOT be a handicap. But let's hope it raises Type I awareness to FIND A CURE!!