This is the place to tell your D story - im sure that some of the posts will be long - that is ok; your story needs to be told and people need to hear it! http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/list.php?12 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:44:49 -0700 Phorum 5.2.11 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,2146,2146#msg-2146 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,2146,2146#msg-2146 I have 2 roommates. One takes my son when the other needs to go with me as my back up for nutrition classes, pump training, and getting my DAD. Both have been very supportive. It has meant good healthy eating for all of us and it helps to have the moral support. It has been 4 years now. I still forget things " Do you have your meter? Your test strips?" and "Do you need to test?" are heard around the house all the time. The newest one is "Lucas is trying to tell you something." I am much more comfortable with it and my DAD is the biggest help of all!]]> equineacres The Face of Diabetes Sat, 07 Aug 2010 07:57:48 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,1885,1885#msg-1885 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,1885,1885#msg-1885
Megan and Emily took part in the study the first week of April. Megan's results were negative. Emily's came back positive for the antibodies. Emily will continue to take part in the study and will be having more tests. I'm just not sure what to expect and would love to hear from anyone who has gone through this.

Thanks!]]> Shana Eppler The Face of Diabetes Fri, 28 May 2010 07:20:09 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,1446,1446#msg-1446 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,1446,1446#msg-1446
Where to start? We have six members in our family. Myself (mum) Carl (dad) Antonia 15 (older long suffering teenager) Joshua 12 (Trouble with a capital T) Renee 10 (Mischief with a capital M) and Zahra (our most talented dog. I wouldn't want to go up against her in an IQ test she just might beat me!.)

Our son Joshua was diagnosed with diabetes in September of 2006 while we were living in England. He like a lot of children has had a rough ride. Starting out with passing kidney stones soon after he was diagnosed. And been plagued with stomach migraines that have only just be treated. He suffers from anxiety which is frustrating for me at times but completely debilitating for him in certain situations.

I love dogs and even though we could not own one in England as we lived in a rental I dog walked my boss's two for three years, and got paid to do it, what a job!!. Then I started doing some research about assistant dogs for diabetics. We asked our landlord and he agreed that we could get a dog. I researched types of dogs and decided on a labradoodle. I found zahra who was already 5 months old. She had been living with her mum and dad and three brothers and sisters. Some may wonder what is wrong with them if they couldn't sell the puppies but I just knew when I saw her that she was the one for us. There are two places in England training dogs for diabetics and we had applied to one for training when my husband was made redundant. With how things were in the financial sector of London we decided to come home to New Zealand.

We couldn't leave Zahra behind even though there we many people who wanted to keep her. We had already researched before getting a dog importation rules for NZ and knew that she would not have to go into quarantine. I must say that getting Zahra here cost more than my three children combined. She was and is worth it.

Once we were in NZ we found out that a) no one trains here for diabetic assistance dogs b) we will not be able to get service dog status so no public access. So basic training continued between finding house and schools and hospital visits. And I continued to research on how to train Zahra on scent detection. And I think I have got a plan now. Along with all your helpful advice on this forum I'm going to train Zahra on my own. And if I get it completely wrong then she will just be one clever pet dog and I will start all over again with another.

Zahra will be two in August and picks up things so fast. Good and bad. We clicker train and use treats and play rewards.

Joshua picks up his low blood sugars in the day but completely sleeps though them at night. He is not so aware of high blood sugars in the day or night. Quite often I ask him to test because his behavior is off or he is drinking lots and he will have high blood sugars.

Any questions feel free to ask.

Louise
Ngileah.blogspot.com (There is a photo of Zahra under the title Labradoodle on the left)]]> NotAllThere The Face of Diabetes Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:31:53 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,1143,1143#msg-1143 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,1143,1143#msg-1143

About two years ago, I began to notice a change in Trevor's shock episodes. Not only were his lows coming quicker, but they changed "shape," if that makes any sense. His body (and brain) began to do strange things - and I knew we were on a new path with this disease we had not seen before. His lows hit a new low, so to speak, from which we were all struggling to recover. After a mission trip to New Orleans, a friend showed us the article on HSP in People magazine and I persued it with vigor! I just KNEW this was our answer. A Diabetic Alert Dog would help me to help Trevor by alerting us (or me) before Trevor's sugar got too low. It seemed perfect.


But, God had a different plan. And he put steel girders around Trevor's heart that I could not break through. In the end, Trevor decided he was not ready. He was not ready for the stigma, he didn't want the label, he felt sure things would "level out" eventually and after about six months of hounding him (I know, I know... I'm bad like that!) I finally let it go. That February class at HSP (which ironically included the Thorntons, I believe) came and went and we were still struggling with Trevor's changing body chemistry.


Fast forward a year and an episode of insulin shock/seizure that required the EMTs to our house at 1am. My kids were in a panic, Trevor wasn't breathing and I went to my knees in prayer. "I can't do this anymore," I cried out to the Lord. "I can't be the one to wonder what happens if I don't wake up! What happens if Trevor is travelling on business and he goes into shock. What happens if one morning, I wake up to my husband who is healed and in heaven." I cried out to several true prayer warriors and asked that they would secretly pray for Trevor's heart to be opened to the idea of the D.A.D. This was really the first time that I had ever spoken out about what it's like to live with a diabetic.


Within 48 hours, Trevor came to me - completely out of the blue - and said "It's time for us to get the dog." It was a true testimony, for us, about what GOD can do when we get out of his way. And we committed ourselves to simply being transparent in what it means to live with diabetes day to day. We committed to allowing God to use us however he so desired and we committed to doing whatever it took to get our D.A.D.


I began an internet research project that un-earthed the story of HSP. Praise GOD he stopped us from persuing that option 18 months prior! His refining work on us wasn't complete and we would have been part of the horror story of this organization. I followed up on every lead, talked to anyone who would talk to me, poured over this website, found trainers, learned as much as I could and finally landed at Wildrose Kennels. On December 26, we sent an email letter to our closest friends and family and their response has been a miracle. The support we have received, the encouragement, the prayers, the "I had no idea what this was really like," has been tremendous. Bear in mind: not everyone has been so convinced. Some people say that we shouldn't be spreading our business all over town. Some people believe that we should have kept our story (and our need in fundraising) to ourselves. And every now and then, an arrow of judgement pierces our hearts and makes us sad. But overall, we believe the Lord is building a testimony in us and in our family that will glorify Him.


We are 85% there in our fundraising. And we are now looking for opportunities to share our story with anyone who will listen! We don't have our dog yet and we are so excited to meet this new addition to our family (born March, 2010). We have been blessed beyond belief by this community (of D.A.D. owners), by our community at home and by our God. We anxiously await the next chapter!]]> mission-dad The Face of Diabetes Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:34:54 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,1043,1043#msg-1043 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,1043,1043#msg-1043
By the way I live in southeast Michigan and am 38 years old and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 28 years ago .I have been unaware of my low blood sugars for about 18 years now.I even had my drivers licence taken away for about 8 years because I passed out while driving due to a low blood sugar.Thank goodness I have it back now but I am ALWAYS nervous when I get behind the wheel.

Any info you guys could give would be great.

Thanks a bunch,
Kim
sk6771@comcast.net]]> Kimmer The Face of Diabetes Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:35:58 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,1013,1013#msg-1013 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,1013,1013#msg-1013
I am new to this forum & love it! We are in the process of searching for a D.A.D. & are so thankful for all the helpful people out there!!!

I have just started a blog with our story...please feel free to visit! I thought it would be easier to click the link to read & see pictures, than to re-type it. Let me know if it doesn't work.

[avantsweethome.blogspot.com]

Thank you all for being such an encouragement!!! Have a Happy New Year!

Missy]]> luvmykidz The Face of Diabetes Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:11:04 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,719,719#msg-719 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,719,719#msg-719 So we seem to have two options-let our blood sugars run at higher levels to prevent seizures and comas but, have to face serious medical complications later or be dliligent about not have high blood sugar and significantly increase our risk of seizures. How in the world do you choose between those options???
For some of us diabetic alert dogs is the answer. We are able to be very diligent about not having high blood sugar but, we can prevent the severe hypoglycemia, seizures and comas because we know our dogs will let us the second we start to go low. For many of us the dogs alerts far in advance of the low blood sugar.
I'm a BIG fan of that third option!!! I have faith that having lucy will significantly reduce my chances of kidney failure, going blind or having a sudden heart attack. I have faith that through lucy I will be able to have a heathly pregnancy one day. and I know that having lucy has made a drastic increase in my quality of life on a day to day basis.]]> Valliegirl The Face of Diabetes Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:13:40 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,643,643#msg-643 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,643,643#msg-643
Please see the latest DAD article Oct 11, 09 on the Stone Family [www.dallasnews.com]...; The article itself "could" be better as most news stories go. But that is not where my beef lies, it is with the comments made to the article (which I know are made by ignoramus types. BUT it is my belief that IF those comments are left unchallenged we with DADs will be affected negatively and some Diabetic might not get a dog that could really be helped by one. Some comments left are not just misleading the public BUT some are down right mean. We need to stand up for ourselves and those that may need a dog in the future. At this point any attack on ANY DAD, trained by ANY one or ANY center......hurts us all.

We need to do this for Diabetics everywhere. When evil goes unchallenged....evil wins by default. Please read and watch the video and do what you feel is best. Sorry, to get worked up, but this type of media is even more far reaching than a store that refuses access to one of our teams.]]> minnesota.ann The Face of Diabetes Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:13:24 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,210,210#msg-210 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,210,210#msg-210
It was devastating to find out. I always knew the chance was there, but so hoped for it not to happen to him]]> courtnek The Face of Diabetes Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:28:51 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,66,66#msg-66 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,66,66#msg-66
We lived in Europe when Andrew was diagnosed and we were completely isolated. Strange as it may seem, take a moment to think back ten years...few cell phones, few home computers, the infancy of the internet and globalization of trade. We had no English language books readily available, no 'Googling', and no support groups to join. We had learned the language well enough to get by but trying to join a conversation about diabetes, spoken in Dutch...? Didn't happen. Now a decade later and we've come such a long way. Our beautiful new dog Charlie will replace me for the 3 a.m. blood sugar checks when Andrew goes away to college next year and a new chapter of his life begins.

Bless you and your courage for continuing this fight for life with us.]]> Keegans The Face of Diabetes Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:10:37 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,28,28#msg-28 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,28,28#msg-28
Late in the year of 2004, Abi (who is NEVER sick) began to have bouts of nausea and
intense vomiting. Initially, I dismissed her sporadic sicknesses as a stomach virus
that one of her friends might have 'shared' with her or I dismissed it as evidence that
we had been up late or not slept right or had eaten too much holiday food.

BUT, the instances of vomiting became more and more intense and more and
more frequent. She lost sooo much weight (over 20 lbs!!). She was so thirsty all the
time. Hunger plagued her, but she always threw up after eating. . . so, she was
embarrassed to be with friends or in public when it was time for a meal - Some
people cruelly 'joked' that she might be bulimic.

I was certain that there was something serious going on, but the doctors kept telling
me that it was a virus. I can't count how many times I was told 'clear liquids and a
bland diet" I finally demanded that someone take me serious. But, by this time, she
was so desperately sick. She couldn't even sit in the waiting room at the doctor's
office– she waited in the bathroom, throwing up the whole time. She was so ashen
and her eyes were sunken and she had lost so much weight. The doctor barely
looked at her and said 'oh, she is dehydrated; she needs fluids. Go straight on over to
the hospital – go straight to the ward and I have called ahead to order IV fluids."

Less than 10 minutes later, at the hospital, she was non-responsive. I wheeled her
onto the pediatric ward in a wheelchair, having to hold her up as I pushed her in
because she couldn't even sit up by herself. I headed for the assigned room (where
there was an IV of SUGAR based fluids waiting to be pumped into her!! What an
unspeakable blessing that there was a discerning doctor on call, sitting behind the
nurses' desk as I wheeled by with Abi. He jumped up, grabbed the handles of that
wheel chair, spun her around and ordered me to follow him to ICU. As I ran along
beside him, he informed me that she was in a state called Diabetic KetoAcidosis and
would need insulin FAST – she was non-responsive; she was slipping into a coma! I
argued that she was just dehydrated, that we were just being sent over for fluids – I
had never seen this doctor before and he had never seen mydaughter. His discerning
intervention saved my daughter's life!!

In the ICU, her blood sugar (which should have been 90-110) was over 1,300. We
were in ICU for a few days. I can't describe my emotions: my husband was serving in
Mosul, Iraq – I felt so overwhelmed, confused . . . much to learn - our lives would
never be the same. After a week in the hospital, we were sent home with syringes,
insulin, a blood sugar meter, lancets, test strips, ketone strips etc.

We are constantly challenged by the changing needs of her body. Just when we
think that we have her diabetes figured out and under control, we are left dizzy from
re-calculation. We are thankful for the many advances made in recent history, but
Juvenile Diabetes remains an intimidating disease in the lives of too many children!!
Darcy who can alert us to dangerous blood sugar levels are an invaluable
tool to Abi's health.]]> Abi&Darcy The Face of Diabetes Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:29:14 -0700 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,17,17#msg-17 http://diabeticalertdog.com/forum/read.php?12,17,17#msg-17
The next day the school nurse called to say that Mary Kathryn had come to her office because her tummy was hurting. The nurse checked her temperature, which was fine. I asked her if she thought I should come and get my daughter and she didn't seem to think that was necessary. I told her about Mary Kathryn drinking more fluids and the nurse asked if we had had her blood glucose levels checked and I said no. And I asked if higher fluid intake could relate to a viral type infection and the nurse said yes. I spoke to Mary Kathryn's teacher and asked her to keep an extra close watch on Mary Kathryn and call me if she thought I needed to come and get her. The next contact that I received from her teacher was that Mary Kathryn seemed fine and to be feeling better.

On Wednesday of that week, Mary Kathryn got up feeling more sick and complained about her tummy hurting. Fearing that she had contracted a stomach virus from school, I kept her home that day. For the most part, she would rest on the couch. She ate some jello and fruit, apple and grapes, her favorites and she was drinking a lot, but she wasn't running a fever so I kept waiting for the inevitable trips to the bathroom to help her with and got the Lysol disinfectant ready.

Thursday was a repeat of Wednesday. She never vomited, but she kept complaining that her tummy didn't feel well. When I got up on Friday I thought, surely she's coming around the corner today with this sickness, but when she wasn't any better, I reminded myself that my 8 year old was sick on the couch for 5 days with the stomach flu before he finally got better, so I assumed she was going to be the same way. But on Saturday, she was so weak that I sat and held her most of the day. I gave her anything she asked for Popsicles, Coke, apples, Jello, water all in hopes that any of it would help her to start feeling better, amidst all this, almost constant trips to the bathroom. By late in the afternoon, I had gotten scared that something else was going on. She was just so incredibly weak, I knew that I had to get her to the hospital.

I arrived at Guntersville Hospital ER at around 6:30 p.m. We didn't have to wait long to be seen by the triage nurses. They asked what was going on with Mary Kathryn and I told them that she was complaining about her tummy bothering her, but she was so weak and her breathing was labored. I also told them that she had started drinking more fluids and going to the bathroom a lot. They exchanged knowing looks and ordered a blood glucose test. When the results came back, they showed that Mary Kathryn had SOJD, Type 1 Diabetes. I was shocked we didn't have a family history of diabetes. The doctor told me that didn't matter. Having a family history of diabetes only increases the risk to other family members it doesn't guarantee that if you don't have a history of diabetes that that means you're home free and can't get diabetes.

Because of the immediate medical needs of my daughter, she was transferred to Huntsville Hospital's Pediatric ICU. We arrived at that hospital by 10:30 p.m. I had to wait for an hour while the nurses and doctor got her situated in her room. By the time the doctor was ready to speak to me, my husband had also arrived at the hospital. The doctor explained that what was going on with Mary Kathryn at the moment was called Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Because Mary Kathryn's pancreas had shut down, her body had no way of making insulin, which is what the body needs in order to metabolize sugar in the body so that it can be used to fuel the cells. The only way to flush out excess glucose in the body is for fluid to bind with the glucose so that it can be flushed from the body. Which is why Mary Kathryn's thirst had increased and also why she needed to use the bathroom more. Another side effect from DKA is that the patient can't drink enough fluid that the body needs to help flush the glucose out of their system so the body also starts robbing fluids from fat tissues, muscle tissues and even the organs of the body. As it turned out, Mary Kathryn was extremely dehydrated because of her condition.

I stayed by her bed in the ICU as every intervention, on Mary Kathryn's behalf was made by the doctors and nurses. I would hold her hand and talk to her. Every time her big brown eyes would open, I would stand up next to her and tell her that I loved her. She'd ask, "When can I go home, mommy?" and I'd say "soon". The last time she opened her eyes, I stood up next to her and whispered in her ear, "Mary Kathryn, I love you" and she said, "I love you too, mommy". Those were the last words she ever spoke. She would later become unresponsive, she went into a coma, and later we found out that because she was so dehydrated and during the process of hydrating her, plus trying to stabilize her blood glucose levels, her brain swelled and herniated causing brain death. From the time I found out that my daughter was a diabetic, until the time that she died, was a period of less than 18 hours. And the medical community readily admits that first time presentations of patients suffering from Sudden Onset Juvenile Diabetes (SOJD) is commonly in a hospital ER setting to be followed up by a stay in ICU. Most patients live, but there are others, like my daughter that do not.

You might ask, "Do you blame yourself?" My honest answer would be "yes". I've tried to blame myself every way imaginable. After all, I'm a pretty educated parent, right? But, here's the sad truth, I can't even take the morbid pleasure in kicking myself because I'm an idiot, because some doctors have missed it in their patients and some of them have missed it in their own children. Well, okay I concede that I'm not as smart as a Medical Doctor, but it's my fault I should have gotten her to the hospital earlier. I am at fault there, right? You might think so, until I found out that patients have shown up at hospitals in worse shape than my daughter and with higher blood glucose levels than she did and they lived. So, I'm left with no one to blame except for the lack of information out there and the silent epidemic that no one wants to talk about.

for more info on this famiy and thier story ,
click here: Mary Kathryn's Story]]> nobodybutjustme The Face of Diabetes Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:25:16 -0700