Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Endo Visit

Today was Cale's three month endo visit. I had some concerns going into this appointment. Just within the last week, Cale has been breaking out in a rash underneath his pod. It bothered him so much that he actually woke me up at 1:30 this morning complaining and wanting it changed (I had just put it on a little over 24 hours prior). It was soooooo red and raised and itchy. We cleaned it off and then lathered his arm in hydrocortizone cream. Then we placed the new one on his back. Back to bed he went. I made him shower in the morning to remove anything left from the old pod and sent him off to school. Well, he comes home and it is all red under the new pod site. I make him keep it on (horrible mother!!!) so that the doctor can see it. Deep inside, my heart is breaking because I know that he is allergic to something in the adhesive for the pod and I'm wondering if this could mean the end of the pump....any pump. I keep a brave face on and tell him that Dr. C will know exactly what we can do to stop the itching. AND HE DOES!!! I was told that it most likely is an allergy to something in the adhesive and even though he has been on the pod since February, it could have taken that long for his body to realize it. It also could just be something in this batch of pods and the adhesive on it (fingers crossed on that one). However, in the meantime, I am to use skin prep on the pod site and then place a Tegaderm HP patch over that and THEN put the pod on. I can do that!! And I did just that as soon as we got home and so far so good (knock on wood). That was about 7 hours ago. I really hope this either works or it was a fluke allergic reaction to this batch. sigh.......

On to the appointment also know as Mommy's Report Card. I, or course, have no idea what to really expect. Cale's numbers were unbelievably within range throughout most of the summer. Then school started and, well, not so much. I was lost. A tweaked Basal here and a tweaked Insulin to Carb Ratio there. Tweaks would work for a couple of days and then BAM!!!! Craziness!!! Tweak again, within range, then crazy!!

So we gave our nurse his numbers log, reviewed all of our presets on the PDM, marked his height and weight on the chart (over the 95% in height - he's 4'8" and about 85% in weight - he's 70.9 lbs - yes, he is signed up for Basketball in November!!), checked his blood pressure, she chatted with him a little and then it was my time. I held my breath and waited....6.7%!!!!! YES!!!!! Now I know that he has had some highs and some lows that basically "cancel" each other out, but I was just looking back at his log and that has only been over the last couple of weeks. It seemed so much longer in my mind! Needless to say, I am a happy Mommy! Dr. C high fived him when he got into the room and he gave him the once over with eyes, ears and what not, we revised a couple of Basal rate times, discussed what to do with the allergy, discussed what to do with Basketball, updated our scripts and then he wished us a Happy Everything and we were sent on our way until January!!

I walked into the appointment totally worried about the allergy (still a little worried, but glad we have some options) and left feeling pretty good about things. I even got another "You are doing a good job" from my husband (I wish I had a tape recorder for that...I am always being told that I shouldn't worry so much about the overnight numbers. Now he sees why I check when I do and why I sacrifice my sleep for our son's well being and future.) Ok...done tooting my own horn now. Now I just have to focus on doing as I have been and see where there can be some improvements. And maybe catch a few zzzzz's before BG check time.

2 comments:

:) Tracie said...

YOU SUCK!!!!! 6.7 !!!!!

Way to go Mommy!!

I've heard about the rash thing with the site's....it applies to all the pump site's, not just the pod. The Tegaderm patch should do the trick and hopefully it was just a batch problem.
We had a wonderful bleeding site on Monday night. She took off her tummy side site area for a bath and site change later, and the thing was pulsating blood for what seemed like 5 min.. With a little pressure, all was solved. But wow, that was an experience!

Boy do we have lots to talk about with our Endo Friday morning.........bleeding sites, forgotten dose before school that wasn't caught until 430 at lunch (i know!), and the crazy soccer game numbers....I don't wanna go! So much for our last visit and the thought of a 7.9 A1C....we're probably going to be in the 8's again.

So glad you guys are doing great! Now I know what to send for your Birthday.....a hand held tape recorder!

papa said...

Congats Mom !!! You sure do take good care of our Grandson. Thanks!

Nonnie and Papa