Boaz's 3rd Diagnosis....

    Early last week, we had to get blood work done for Boaz. It was just routine endocrine blood work and he did AMAZINGLY getting it drawn. Then we got a call that some of his levels were elevated and we needed to do a repeat.  So we went back to Nemours (which thankfully is only 30 minutes away now) and had more blood drawn.  I got a call from his doctor ealier today telling me that his levels were indeed too high, and that he officially has Hashimotos's.  We are starting him on some thyroid hormone therapy, and....yeah, that's all I've got to say.  We have a lot to learn! 

    Hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is when the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood are abnormally low. Thyroid hormone deficiency slows body processes and may lead to fatigue, a slow heart rate, dry skin, weight gain, constipation, and, in kids, slowing of growth and delayed puberty.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which results from an autoimmune process that damages the thyroid and blocks thyroid hormone production, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in kids. Infants can also be born with an absent or underdeveloped thyroid gland, resulting in hypothyroidism. It can be treated with oral thyroid hormone replacement.

Cloth Diapering: Rookie Mistakes

    I have only been cloth diapering for two months, (except for that week where I couldn't get them clean, but we'll get there), so I know I will have many more rookie mistakes but I figured I could share what I have learned so far. 

1. Not owning enough.  I made this mistake when I first started cloth diapering. I was so excited about the concept of cloth diapering, and I bought as much as I could afford: two. Now quit laughing. Ok. I knew then that two wasn't enough, but I was determined to cloth diaper. But even with determination and excitement, part cloth diapering and part disposables, does not work for one day.  

2. Not having a network of cloth diapering friends.  I had ONE friend that cloth diapered, but that is not enough.  I found a couple cloth diapering groups on Facebook, and have never looked back. They are SO useful, I don't know what I would do without them. I also have a couple of internet friends that I have bought cloth diapers from (and also some that have given me a couple). Without my internet friends, I would only have 4 diapers. Also, make sure to find your local babywearing/cloth diapering group on Facebook.  I have only met a couple of those 'friends' in person, but it is very helpful to have local people to help answer questions.  

3. Using 'Cloth Diaper Safe Detergent'.   Ok this is a super easy rookie mistake to make.  It says it's FOR cloth diapers, so why wouldn't you use it?  Well, because it doesn't clean well, that's why!  This is what happened when I had to quit for a week.  I had been using a cloth diaper safe detergent, and I COULD. NOT. GET. THEM. CLEAN. It was driving me insane. I posted in tons of different cloth diaper groups and could not figure out what was wrong. My cleaning ritual was perfect, so what could be going wrong? Finally someone asked what I was using for detergent and she told me to use an all and clear detergent instead of a cloth diapering one. Sounded insane, but she has been CDing for a lot longer than I have so I gave it a try. A lot if people use tide, but I LOVE all things Method, so of course I used my Method Free and Clear Detergent. Completely solved the issues of smelly diapers even after washing!    I did strip (or bleach) a couple of inserts that I was still having problems with, but for the most part just switching detergents took care of all my issues! 

4. Not putting an extra insert in the diaper for nighttime. This one didn't take long to figure out.  Once your child soaks through his diaper, you'll realize that you need an extra insert. 

That's all the rookie mistakes that I can think of, so when I make more, I will let you know so you don't have to make them too!  

A Great Reminder!

Matthew 5:14-16;6:1-4

      "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.......Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.  Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

World Diabetes Day!

    Last Thursday, November 14th, was World Diabetes Day and we had a lot of fun raising awareness and answering questions!  As promised, we posted every single diabetes related thing we did on Instagram. I also asked people to wear blue and/or write 'hope' on their hands to show their support for Boaz and to tag me in the photos.  We had a lot of submissions and Boaz loved looking at the pictures! 

Here is what our day looked like on World Diabetes Day! 

 Reading the label to count carbs. 

 Breakfast: 32g of carbs. 

 Sometimes, Dexter and his meter numbers don't match. Thankfully, all we have to do is type the meter number into Dexter to calibrate it. 

 I needed to put some IV tape over his Dexcom sensor to make sure it didn't fall off. 

 We did check his sugar here and gave him insulin, but I showed that in a video and I can't upload it. 

Blood in the Pump Tubing? Problem Solved

     Sometimes super scary things like this happen.  But apparently, blood in the tubing is completely normal and just requires a pump site change. But until you figure out the cause and solution, things like this can seem pretty scary. 

497. 152. 155.

    We were so excited to see 497 on the meter! Weird, but that meant his insulin was working! When we checked an hour later, he was 152 and 155, and Dexter is working again!  Yay!  Thank you all for your prayers! 

Pray for Boaz

Yesterday I posted this picture for Diabetes Awareness Month, today, it couldn't be more true.  As I write, Boaz's sugar is over 500 (his meter reads HI over 500, so I'm not exactly sure how high) and we have given him several boluses and he has not come down for hours.  He so high now that Dexter can't read it and decided to fail.  The doctor I spoke to just wants me to keep giving boluses (and a shot if needed) until it comes down. Pray that his sugar comes down quickly.  At this point, I'm ready to just be in the hospital to get him fluids. Pray also for our judgment, that we would make the right descision in taking him, or not taking him to the hospital.