Today I went to a local shopping centre with 5 children. Four of them were my DDs and one was my niece. I did have my mum with me (I'm not totally crazy). She brought my niece with her as she was baby sitting for the day.
Getting back to ice skating. The first day of the school holidays my DD#1 C put together two lists. One was "Things to do" and the other was "People to catch up with". As soon as she started listing things I knew that they were ambitious lists. She wanting to go iceskating. I said that that just wasn't going to happen. The seed of this idea was planted by my DH who took all 4 DDs to look at the iceskating in the CBD 2 weeks ago.
Skip to tonight and iceskating can be crossed off her list. It has been accomplished. I am surpirised that the opportunity presented itself but pleased that I could help a wish come true.
So the shopping centre had a small rink and 45min cost $10 or a certain spend at participating stores. So after my mum and I completed our shopping we could getting 3 free sessions and only had to pay for one. DD#4 F had to miss out as I thought she was way too young and I don't even think they would have let her one the ice. I wasn't going to go out there, so the girls were on there own. They only fell a few times and had a great time. A success.
DD#1 C also gets to cross off seeing cousins as well.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Toy Sales - Fun Friday
I just love looking through the Toy Sale catalogues here. Myer, Big W and Kmart catalogues are all available now and Target is not far behind. My DDs don't need anything really but it is fun to look. And I do have some nieces and nephews to buy birthday and Christmas presents for sometime.
A friend has been posting about toys recently and has included some solutions to excess and simple gift ideas. I love most of the ideas but I am still having heaps of fun looking through the catalogues and searching for ideal gifts.
A friend has been posting about toys recently and has included some solutions to excess and simple gift ideas. I love most of the ideas but I am still having heaps of fun looking through the catalogues and searching for ideal gifts.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Lows and sickness.
We have various sicknesses in the family over the past couple of weeks. Ranging from the sniffles through to vomiting and diarrhoea but nothing too serious or lasting long enought o warrant a doctor visit.
But the most surprising and worrying thing has been the lows DD#4 Miss F has had. In the last 7 months since transferring to glibenclamide (glyburide) from insulin I have become used to F's BGLs being pretty even. I am still testing at least 4 times a day but the numbers don't move too much. If she is sick they usually go up slightly.
This time is has been different. She has gone low. Not really low but 2.1, 2.6 and 2.4 have been seen over the weekend. So Saturday around midnight found me spooning apple puree into Miss F. She was 3.5 at breakfast which was reasonable I thought. I then halved her dose and got some better numbers for the day.
I have also only given her her suspension after I have seen how much she has eaten as she has been only eating smaller amounts. Yesterday one BGL reading was 10.1, so I have since increased the dosage to 2 thirds her normal dose as long as she has eaten.
In amongst this all I was trying to extend the time we use her bottle of medication last Thrusday and Friday. The pharmacy recommends using each bottle for only a week. I would dearly love not to have to trot off to the hospital each week. So I will have to experiment a lttle bit again when she is well. Now I don't know if the lower numbers I was getting mean that the suspension is fine to use for up to 2 weeks or more or if F's BGLs were lower because she was getting sick. Back to the drawing board.
But the most surprising and worrying thing has been the lows DD#4 Miss F has had. In the last 7 months since transferring to glibenclamide (glyburide) from insulin I have become used to F's BGLs being pretty even. I am still testing at least 4 times a day but the numbers don't move too much. If she is sick they usually go up slightly.
This time is has been different. She has gone low. Not really low but 2.1, 2.6 and 2.4 have been seen over the weekend. So Saturday around midnight found me spooning apple puree into Miss F. She was 3.5 at breakfast which was reasonable I thought. I then halved her dose and got some better numbers for the day.
I have also only given her her suspension after I have seen how much she has eaten as she has been only eating smaller amounts. Yesterday one BGL reading was 10.1, so I have since increased the dosage to 2 thirds her normal dose as long as she has eaten.
In amongst this all I was trying to extend the time we use her bottle of medication last Thrusday and Friday. The pharmacy recommends using each bottle for only a week. I would dearly love not to have to trot off to the hospital each week. So I will have to experiment a lttle bit again when she is well. Now I don't know if the lower numbers I was getting mean that the suspension is fine to use for up to 2 weeks or more or if F's BGLs were lower because she was getting sick. Back to the drawing board.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Bouncycle?? - Fun Friday
I saw this Bouncycle "bike" in a catalogue today. I'm not sure what to make of it. It does look like fun.There are now trikes, balance bikes (no pedals), bouncycles, and normal bikes with training wheels that are all marketed at pretty much the same age group. Am I supposed to buy them all. Not likely. There might be something else that I have missed.
Will my girls suffer because they missed out the "gross motor development as well as balance and co-ordination skills"? Actually maybe I should get one.
If you have one, no offence is intended but I just don't think we need another bike.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Boxes, boxes, boxes
Today I spent a couple of hours sorting through boxes. Some I haven't opened for at least ethe 9 years we have lived in this house. I am aiming to avoid featuring on a episode of "Hoarders". I am gradually filling our recycling bin and creating a pile of things to give away. In amongst it all I have found some gems.
- A locket that I recieved when I was confirmed at 13
- The "key" that was signed at my 21st birthday party
Friday, June 10, 2011
Fun Friday - Lots of books
I bought this book 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up from the school book club a little while ago. Today I started check it out. It is a great list of books from childhood favourites to recent publications. I can hardly wait to see what books my DD's will decide are their favourites.I loved the Anne of Green Gables series and hope to introduce my DD's to them when they can read that well. I must check if they are in book. Yep, It's there.
What book was your favourite as a child? Is there one you really want your children to like?
Image from shop.abc.net.au The Initial Diagnosis
The start of F's D diagnosis story is here. Failure to Thrive is not what you want to hear about your new baby. As a mum you want your baby to grow and thrive, so to hear that that just isn't happening is a bit crushing. From the 12th October I weighed Felicity each week at the Child Health Clinic. She was so small and her tummy was so big. She seemed to be drinking ‘enough’ but not gaining weight.
Throughout this journey I knew I was right there was something wrong. God gave me confidence to keep pushing the doctors for answers. I now wish I had pushed harder and got answers for my DD sooner but I did what I could.
In November we went to Paed 1 and although she seemed reasonably healthly he agreed she wasn't "thriving". He sent us for a test of her stool. He thought is was most probably a cows’ milk protein allergy as she was put on formula while I was in ICU. The test came back positive for alpha 1 antitrypsin for he said that something was irritating her digestive system. I started her on Neocate LCP formula on 7th November 2009 and excluded dairy and dairy containing products from my diet so I could continue to breast feed as well. She did gain weight a little bit more on this formula but not much. I tried to get to see Paed 1 again before Christmas as I didn’t think she was really responding to it but he didn’t want me to come in again. I decided that we would try annother Paed after Christmas.
In January – I went to Paed 2 as I was still very concerned about her not again weight and having very bloated looking tummy. He referred us to Paedatric Gastroentrologist.
In February - Paed Gastro did Gastroscopy at just over 7 months old. She was so small they couldn’t get the camera through the duodenum so they took pictures and a few samples. Tests came back clear. A friend with diabetes came with me to the hospital that day and actually asked the Paed Gastro if it could be diabetes but he said no. The tests ruled out most digestive problems so we were sent back to the Paed 2 to see what he said.
22nd February I did a test weigh before and after a feed at the child health clinic just to check she really was getting enough milk. 330g after a 15 minute feed She is definately getting plenty of milk.
By March Felicity was having 5 breastfeeds and 3 formula feeds per day and not really growing consistently. One of the GPs suggested a urine test for diabetes insipida but I was unable to ever get a sample. Nobody actually suggested testing for Diabetes Mellitus.
In March - Went back to Paed 2 - He said she is most probably just a small baby. I insisted on more tests I knew things just weren't right. He gave me a referral for blood tests, and possibly urine and stool samples. He said to introduce gluten containing foods (to check for coeliac disease) and then do the blood test after about 4 weeks. I introduced gluten to her diet and wait about 4 weeks. Then I had cracked nipples and I didn’t want my blood to mess with results.
In the month of waiting I also followed up on Felicity’s urine output which seemed a bit high. I got an email from the child health nurse with details on 19/4/10 I had weighed nappies for a few days prior. Felicity output of 7-10 ml/kg/hr was a bit high. Normal is 2-3ml/kg/hr The Child health nurse said it might be nothing but to mention it at the next doctors appointment. She was very helpful but I don't think she wanted to worry me too much.
I made an appointment with our GP to ask if they thought any other tests were necessary. I just wasn’t confident that Paed 2 would include enough stuff as he didn’t really think tests were necessary.
On 28th April 2010 I finally got to the GP and they rang Paed 2 and asked if separating testing and adding a couple was OK. We got the blood tests done before going home. Blood tests on an alomost 9 month old baby are not easy. F was particularly small for her age as well. I found it pretty distressing. I went home thinking that it would be good to get some answers soon. I was not expecting to hear back too soon though, tests take a couple of days usually.
BUT I got a call that night about 8:30pm from our GP to take Felicity to hospital her BGL was 29. EEK!! I was home alone with 4 sleeping children so I called my DH at work to come home ASAP.
I was surprised it was Diabetes but not that there was something major wrong.
I somehow had the presence of mind to pack a bag for hospital and have a shower before DH got home. I made a couple of calls to our parents. Both sets insisted that they would come and look after they other girls. I thankfully said yes to my mum and DH and I were both able to go the hospital.
F put on more than 1000g in less than 3 weeks after being diagnosed with diabetes. She was no longer starved for food from the inside. Even though it was a huge thing to deal with and lots to learn I was thankful for an answer to our search.
Throughout this journey I knew I was right there was something wrong. God gave me confidence to keep pushing the doctors for answers. I now wish I had pushed harder and got answers for my DD sooner but I did what I could.
In November we went to Paed 1 and although she seemed reasonably healthly he agreed she wasn't "thriving". He sent us for a test of her stool. He thought is was most probably a cows’ milk protein allergy as she was put on formula while I was in ICU. The test came back positive for alpha 1 antitrypsin for he said that something was irritating her digestive system. I started her on Neocate LCP formula on 7th November 2009 and excluded dairy and dairy containing products from my diet so I could continue to breast feed as well. She did gain weight a little bit more on this formula but not much. I tried to get to see Paed 1 again before Christmas as I didn’t think she was really responding to it but he didn’t want me to come in again. I decided that we would try annother Paed after Christmas.
In January – I went to Paed 2 as I was still very concerned about her not again weight and having very bloated looking tummy. He referred us to Paedatric Gastroentrologist.
In February - Paed Gastro did Gastroscopy at just over 7 months old. She was so small they couldn’t get the camera through the duodenum so they took pictures and a few samples. Tests came back clear. A friend with diabetes came with me to the hospital that day and actually asked the Paed Gastro if it could be diabetes but he said no. The tests ruled out most digestive problems so we were sent back to the Paed 2 to see what he said.
22nd February I did a test weigh before and after a feed at the child health clinic just to check she really was getting enough milk. 330g after a 15 minute feed She is definately getting plenty of milk.
By March Felicity was having 5 breastfeeds and 3 formula feeds per day and not really growing consistently. One of the GPs suggested a urine test for diabetes insipida but I was unable to ever get a sample. Nobody actually suggested testing for Diabetes Mellitus.
In March - Went back to Paed 2 - He said she is most probably just a small baby. I insisted on more tests I knew things just weren't right. He gave me a referral for blood tests, and possibly urine and stool samples. He said to introduce gluten containing foods (to check for coeliac disease) and then do the blood test after about 4 weeks. I introduced gluten to her diet and wait about 4 weeks. Then I had cracked nipples and I didn’t want my blood to mess with results.
In the month of waiting I also followed up on Felicity’s urine output which seemed a bit high. I got an email from the child health nurse with details on 19/4/10 I had weighed nappies for a few days prior. Felicity output of 7-10 ml/kg/hr was a bit high. Normal is 2-3ml/kg/hr The Child health nurse said it might be nothing but to mention it at the next doctors appointment. She was very helpful but I don't think she wanted to worry me too much.
I made an appointment with our GP to ask if they thought any other tests were necessary. I just wasn’t confident that Paed 2 would include enough stuff as he didn’t really think tests were necessary.
On 28th April 2010 I finally got to the GP and they rang Paed 2 and asked if separating testing and adding a couple was OK. We got the blood tests done before going home. Blood tests on an alomost 9 month old baby are not easy. F was particularly small for her age as well. I found it pretty distressing. I went home thinking that it would be good to get some answers soon. I was not expecting to hear back too soon though, tests take a couple of days usually.
BUT I got a call that night about 8:30pm from our GP to take Felicity to hospital her BGL was 29. EEK!! I was home alone with 4 sleeping children so I called my DH at work to come home ASAP.
I was surprised it was Diabetes but not that there was something major wrong.
I somehow had the presence of mind to pack a bag for hospital and have a shower before DH got home. I made a couple of calls to our parents. Both sets insisted that they would come and look after they other girls. I thankfully said yes to my mum and DH and I were both able to go the hospital.
F put on more than 1000g in less than 3 weeks after being diagnosed with diabetes. She was no longer starved for food from the inside. Even though it was a huge thing to deal with and lots to learn I was thankful for an answer to our search.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Insulin for Life and more fridge space
Yesterday I finally posted off our extra insulin. I have kept 4 vials of Novorapid but the rest of the Novorapid, the Levemir and Protophane are now on the way to helping someone else.
I posted a while back about the need for insulin and other diabetes supplies both in developing countries and after disasters in first world countries. I'm glad that our surplus can help someone in need.
As I showed in the photos during Diabetes Blog Week we don't need all the supplies that we used to since DD#4 F transitioned to glibenclamide (glyburide). Sending the supplies to Insulin for Life Australia has been on my to do list since January. I finally get to cross it off the list. And I get some space back in my fridge and pantry (the diabetes supply shelf is less crowded now.) I also sent off some pens, needles, lancets and lancing devices that we don't use.
I posted a while back about the need for insulin and other diabetes supplies both in developing countries and after disasters in first world countries. I'm glad that our surplus can help someone in need.
Friday, June 3, 2011
"Our" park open again - Fun Friday
Our local park opened again after the January floods about 2 weeks ago. We have been stopping there after school drop off or after school pick up nearly every day. It is so great that it is open again. The girls really enjoy the flying fox and spiders web. I like that they are having fun and being active.
So many parks are still closed including some of our favourites but I am very thankful that "our" park is open again.
Do you have a park that you call your own? What do you enjoy most about it?
So many parks are still closed including some of our favourites but I am very thankful that "our" park is open again.
Do you have a park that you call your own? What do you enjoy most about it?
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