2 weeks from today!!

  Well, I must say this is a first for me blogging at 4:30 a.m.Who can sleep?? The day I have prayed for is exactly 2 weeks from today.. Sammie will be admitted to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus Ohio on January 13th. She will have a antroduodenal manometry and then the 14th , she will get her temporary pacemaker. Is it possible to be happy and sad at the same time? I am so happy and excited and thankful she is getting a pacer but sad to be away from home for so long, worried about my love ones I must leave in Franklin Furnace. Happy and blessed that Nationwide Hospital offers such a great amount of support for families, one of us can stay in the room with Sammie , the other parent will stay in The Ronald McDonald House located across the street from the hospital, anxious and scared to death that this procedure may not work and that would be devastating. I know that it is in the Lords hands. I am thankful for the support of my brothers and sisters, I am blessed with an amazing family, I am thankful for the support of dear friends  and scared and worried for my Sammie, she has such a long road ahead of her. She has had much to deal with the last 6 years. Monday, January 3rd, is Sammie's  diagnosis anniversary. Our lives changed forever that day.
  I am so thankful for my husband Randy, he is a great dad and husband, I would be lost without him. Ok, I am rambling, this emotional mommy better try to get some sleep.
Love, Caroline

Endo appointment

  Well, Sammie had her 3 month Endocrinologist appt today.     Our A1C was not that great 7.5, dissappointed that number was so high. Maintaining good blood sugar numbers is very difficult when you have gastroparesis. On a happier note Sammie is spending the afternoon with her best friends, this really cheered her up. Thanks Elizaabeth and Jessica!!!! 18 more days until Sammie gets her pacemaker!!!

Sammie's Story

        Today, our local newspaper ran a story about Sammie. I thought I would update our story from the beginning.
       Sammie has been  a Type 1 diabetic for almost 6 years.  The first 5 years , Sammie did not have any major complications. Her average blood sugars ranged between 170 - 190.  Last year , during basketball season Sammie started complaining of foot pain, after a game at Clay Sammie said "mom, I really think you should know my feet feel like there are asleep" Things began progressing fast, she was diagnosed with the beginning of neuropathy ( nerve damage).  The neuropathy did not stop with her feet, it is now in her hands. Our Neurologist explained that neuropathy in someone this age and with diabetes for only almost 6 years is rare. The doctor seemed concerned about the neuropathy possibly moving to the nerves on the inside. This could be stopped by having tight control of blood sugars, after a follow up with our diabetes doctor, we all felt sure the neuropathy would not spread.
     In July 2010, I took Sammie to her diabetes doctor because of random vomiting. Her A1c was great, 6.6. ( that is good, our average blood sugars were 160) Sammie went home thinking it was a virus. She would get better for a couple days and then the vomiting would start again. Our doctor this time tested her for celiac disease ( a disease where your body can not digest gluten ) , this test came back negative.  September 2010 , things fell apart. Sammie spent 5 days in Cabell Huntington Hospital. She left the hospital with a diagnosis, it was gastroparesis. The neuropathy had damaged her nerve that controls stomach function. Sammie's stomach is paralyzed causing severe nausea and vomiting. Our doctor tried many different medications that aid in stomach function, nothing helped. 
    Currently, Sammie is scheduled to get a gastric pacemaker implanted in mid January, at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus. 
   Diabetes isn't something that happens to other people.  To people with a family history.  To people who are overweight.  It can happen to you.  

Know the warning signs.  Know they can occur suddenly.

Extreme thirst Frequent urination Sudden vision changes Sugar in urine Fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath	Increased appetite Sudden weight loss Drowsiness, lethargy Heavy, labored breathing Stupor, unconsciousness

This is the reason I work so hard.  This is the reason I blog, I advocate, I educate, I care. 
Help us find a cure!

Have you ever wondered what would happen if the grinch had Diabetes ???

Have you ever wondered what would happen if THE GRINCH had DIABETES???

Click HERE to read it for yourself!

New Surgery Date !!!!!!!!!!

    Our surgeon's office called and told us that Sammie's surgery needs to be moved from February 1st to January 14th.  OMG, that is in 28 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I wish she felt like celebrating!! She is really been struggling the past couple days :(   She really is just tired of being sick, she is missing school and her friends. She wants to go Christmas shopping and to basketball games.  28  more days!!!!!!!!!!

FINALLY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Today, we finally got the call we have been waiting and praying for, a set date for Sammie's surgery.

   FEBRUARY 1st.

  February 1st , Sammie will get a temporary pacemaker. Two insulated wires will go down her nose and attach to her stomach. The pacemaker will hang around her neck. She will stay like this for 3 days ,making sure the pacemaker is doing it's job. After those 3 days, if things are working well, she will get the permanent pacemaker.

  In the permanent surgery each lead is placed in the muscle wall of the stomach. The lead bodies are then routed under the skin to the pacemaker. The pacemaker will be placed in a pocket just beneath the skin in the lower abdominal area. She will get to go home 3 or 4 days later.

  I am so thankful but extremely anxious , I just hope and pray this will help Sammie.

ONLY 47 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!

Update on Sammie

    Progress is going so slow. Our appointment with Dr. Teich was Monday, December 6th. Today is December 10th and still there is not a set surgery date. Sammie has not had a good day, I have been in touch with doctor in Huntington and doctors in Columbus, if Sammie has not improved by morning , she will have to be admitted to Cabell Huntington Hospital. I feel so helpless!!! Sammie's blood sugars are crazy, which is not normal for her. Typically, she averages 152 a day, today it has been more like 352.  I am praying tomorrow will be better. Praying everyone else who is struggling has a better day tomorrow. ( Kelli and Kat )