The kids and I have completed one month of school. We are finding a good rhythm, thanks to our kitchen being 98% complete, and to having an after-school nanny. Both kids, and I, really became accustomed to the convenience of them riding the bus home from school last year. This year school start times moved up by an hour, which moved the time they got home to an hour earlier. There is just no way for me to get home in time to get them off the bus.
There is an afterschool program at school that they could do, but honestly, they just want to get home after school, and so do I. Also, I didn’t feel super-confident with the diabetes management in the after school program, especially due to Blaine tending to run low in the afternoons. Thankfully, we have a sitter who has been getting them off the bus, taking the dogs out, getting snacks and homework going and helping with little things like the dishwasher or laundry. This has allowed me to do my errands after school or work a little later if needed. Fingers crossed that this continues to work!
Blaine is enjoying his tennis clinics and lessons. He didn’t feel ready for a match this month, but hopefully by October he will be. Aislin is getting ready for her first football game this weekend and is still doing tumble every other week. She is determined to get her front walk over soon. They are both just growing up and maturing so much. It seems to happen every school year. This past week, Aislin has gotten herself completely ready for bed and gone to sleep early, by her own choice, every night. Sometimes I miss the fact that she doesn’t ask me to read with her, or lay with her as she falls asleep.
This week we had Blaine’s endocrinologist appointment. I was holding my breath and bracing for a higher a1c. The last one was 7% (which is an average BG of 150 over the past 3 months). This time it was 6.8%! I was so excited. I know that some extreme lows may have contributed to the a1c, but I was still happy. We had our first good appointment.
I’ve not been thrilled with the doctor we saw last time and was braced for feeling like crap when we left the appointment, but this was not to be the case. This appointment was great.
I can’t remember the name of the women we saw, but this is what I do remember. She smiled, she listened, she paraphrased back what we said to make sure she understood us, she took her time with us, and for the first time ever she said to both of us, “Blaine you look great! You are a healthy and strong boy that will live to be 100 with no complications!” I wanted to cry when she said this.
I realize she has no idea if what she said was true. She has no idea how long he will live. But, she was going off the fact that each day we are choosing to be present and manage this blasted disease. She gave me hope that if we continue on this track there is no reason to believe that Blaine won’t have these things.
I was so encouraged. Not simply because of his numbers, but because of the human interaction from the appointment.
It made me think, in my profession, do I give other parents hope? Sometimes, no, a lot of times, I am working with frustrated parents, teachers and children. I have no idea what parents think when they hear that their child has a learning disability, ADHD or autism. I hope that I am able to give the slightest bit of hope or comfort to these parents. I now realize that it can make a world of difference.
