JDRF Walk 2010

This year, Jeremy formed a team for the 2010 JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.  The walk was held at the zoo with the theme "Follow The Yellow Brick Road".   Our team name was "Dr. Jain's Crew". We had quite a team, and despite it raining the first 10 minutes of the walk (literally, we crossed the start and it started to rain) it was a great day! Thank you to all of the walkers on our team, to everyone who donated, and to all of those who, like Jeremy, continue to thrive while living with diabetes!

Dr. Jain & Jeremy

 Dr. Jain's Crew
JDRF Walk To Cure Diabetes 2010

To check out some awesome stuff JDRF has going on (like the artifical pancreas project!), click HERE.
To see a really cool timeline of how far treatment of diabetes has come and more milestones, click HERE.

Chugs and Kisses

AJ's preschool class exchanged Valentine treat bags.  The kids were sent home with a paper lunch bag to decorate and some suggestions as to what should go in the bag.  Suggestions: Juice Box, Cookie, Fruit or Fruit Snack, Stickers.

We were given a challenge!  I wasn't going to mention this on the blog, but since I know a few of you follow Jeremy's diabetic links on the sidebar, I thought we'd include the details of how this came about.  AJ was given N's bag to decorate.  N is a diabetic. Now, who better to put together his treat bag than AJ, with his Daddy being a RN CDE (Registered Nurse-Certified Diabetes Educator)?!

So, what should we put in the bag?  If you look at the suggestions above, and put your diabetes glasses on for a moment, it really reads carbs, sugar, carbs, sugar. N has a certain # of carbs he can have for a snack. I spent part of one morning at the store scouring the snack and sweets aisles.  You know those 100 calorie packs?  Fantastic idea, right?  Sure, till you look at the carbs.  The magic number here was 15g, so I was looking at the serving size and how many carbs accordingly.  I only found one that was under 15g.  None of them were 15g even.  Most were 16, 17, or 19.  Yes I know they could have counted out how many pieces from the 100 calorie bag he could of had, but I was trying to avoid that. I was aiming for something on the sweeter side, since it was supposed to be a treat bag.  

If you are thinking, did you try sugar free items?  I did.  I looked at the sugar free cookies.  He could have one chocolate chip cookie.  That would have been "ok", but I really didn't want this to just be "ok" for N.  Jeremy (yes hon, I'm bringing you into this!) has talked about how it felt to be a kid with diabetes on certain holidays when he couldn't eat the candy the other kids were eating.  There are ways around those feelings gosh darn it!  We're determined!!

I went to the candy aisle.  EEK!  Heidi, you just typed about sugar and carbs and more sugar being no, no, bad.  What on earth were you doing in the candy aisle?  First let me say, diabetics CAN have sugar.  Big misconception.  I could write a whole post about that.  But moving on... Blam the candy aisle on my Grandma.  She has discovered the sugar free versions of  Russell Stover Peanut Butter Cups, Pecan Clusters, Mint Patties...need I go on?  Hershey's has sugar free candies too.  I picked up the bag of Hershey's Sugar Free Chocolate nuggets and read the label.  5 pieces (serving size) = 25g carbs.  BINGO!  He can have not 1, not 2, but 3!  I found the rest of the items for N's bag and left rather pleased.

On the way to pick AJ up from school, I called Jeremy and shared my frustration.  How frustrating to not be able to find fun foods for a diabetic kiddo for snack.  Do you feel a brainstorming coming? I do!

Below is N's bag.  I watched him tear into his bag today during the class party.  His face just lit up when he pulled out his treats. He was thrilled when he learned he could eat not 1, not 2, but all 3 chocolates! He also enjoyed the transformation of his water, exclaiming "red"! (See below)  His reaction totally made my day and made AJ giggle!

"Ingredients"
-Water Bottle
-Single Serving Sugar Free Drink Mix Packet (Cherry)
-3 Sugar Free Chocolate Nuggets
-Light Up Yo-Yo
-Playdoh
-Brown bag
-AJ's coloring skills
-Valentine paper
-Sandwich baggie (top cut off)
-Silver cord

AJ colored the bag

Finished Product

I wrapped the water bottle, drink packet, and playdoh in fun V-day paper:

Jer, if you have anything you want to add to this, COMMENT!

Passion in Life

AJ's Grandpa Doug

For those of you that don't know, AJ's Dad is very active in the world of Diabetes. AJ's Dad was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes (Type 1) at age 10. In addition, AJ's Grandpa Doug also had Type 1 from age 14 on. Sadly, AJ's Grandpa Doug passed away in 2000 from a stroke and several other complications due to uncontrolled diabetes.

For those reasons, AJ's Dad has made the world of diabetes his passion.

At age 16, AJ's Dad was admitted to Columbia Hospital with the flu. Due to a busy flu season, and no beds available at Children's Hospital, he was sent to Columbia. At the time there were no pediatric endocrinologists available in the area. AJ's Dad was met at the door by Dr. J. AJ's Dad was very stubborn (his words not AJ's Mom's!) and refused to go back to a pediatric endocrinologist. He asked Dr. J if he would be his doctor. Dr. J stated that he did not see patients under the age of 18, but if AJ's Dad would be compliant and do what Dr. J asked, he would take him on as his first adolescent patient. AJ's Dad agreed. As AJ's Dad and Dr. J's relationship grew, AJ's Dad said, "One day I'm going to come work for you."

12 years later, he did just that. AJ's Dad currently works as a Registered Nurse-Diabetic Educator for Dr. J. He educates newly diagnosed patients, long-time patients, and everyone inbetween. Patients listen to him because he "knows" what it is like to live with diabetes. AJ's Dad is also a certified insulin pump trainer for all of the major insulin pumps. He also wears a pump.

Recently, Nick, one of the members of the popular music group the Jonas Brothers learned he has Type 1 Diabetes. He was featured in the magazine Diabetes Forecast. He wrote a song about his diagnosis and the days following entitled "A Little Bit Longer." AJ's Dad is a big fan of this song and wanted to share it with everyone. You may not like the music, but AJ's Dad's is asking you to listen to the lyrics. The last verse says:

So I'll wait 'til kingdom come.
All the highs and lows are gone.
A little bit longer and I'll be fine.
I'll be...fine.

AJ's Dad says hopefully a cure won't take that long....You can listen to the song on our playlist (top of our blog). Please also check out the Diabetes Links. Leave a comment if you have questions or comments for AJ's Dad regarding the world of Diabetes.