I promise to catch up... one of these days... here's a start.

I promise I will start blogging about this journey soon. It's been so crazy lately that I just haven't had time to sit and type. I do want to share a moment from last night. First off, I don't want anyone to be fooled that this transition hasn’t had its challenges.  Like most everyone I tend to show the “all rainbows and butterflies” side of the story on social media. The fact is… ADA is only 17 weeks old and still learning. She’s doing amazing and has such incredible potential and is/(will be) a fantastic service dog. As she continues to “hone in” on her skills and we (humans and ADA) begin to understand each other a little better “alerts” will become clearer to us (humans).

With that said… Last night in typical fashion our house got CRAZY. The kids were wild. ADA was wild. Jeff and I were reaching our limits of sanity. I thought ADA was feeding off the kids. She was “bouncy” and “running” and refused to settle. Jeff even came in and said… “She’s like Tigger… she won’t stop jumping.” I took her out- I tried to walk her- eventually she calmed down… and laid down. At the beginning of the “crazy” I had glanced over at the MySentry… and saw he was 190. I remember thinking… okay… he’s fine.

Now… had I done – what I was supposed to do- I would have realized that ADA was not just “acting out” but actually trying to “alert.” When I finally realized…. almost 35 min later (which happened to be when I glanced over at the MySentry and saw 90 two arrows down) I checked him and he was 55.

I can’t explain it. I don’t fully understand the science behind it… and I know we’re in the process of “perfecting” it. But I can say… ADA is pretty amazing… and we are so thankful to have her in our family and taking care of Saul.

A Dog For Saul Website

Anxiously awaiting "the call"

I spent the morning watching videos of DAD's (Diabetic Alert Dogs) in action- alerting, retrieving and dialing 911.

 

I won't lie... I'm nervous. It's gonna be a lot of work (and we still have so much money left to fundraise) but in the end I know it will be so so worth it. I will forever be indebted to all the folks... friends, friends from the past, family members, kind-hearted people I don't even know, animal lovers.... all helping us... helping Saul to live a more "normal" life. A life where Diabetes doesn't stop him from doing all the "stuff" other kids do... A life where he feels additional support, knowing he will always have someone watching him and alerting him. There are so many video's I'd love to post... so many stories of hope and miracles that have occurred through the use of DAD's.

 

I'll leave you with this one.

Oh you know... Just a Monday Ramble.

I’m not sure if it was Mabel’s passing, crappy weather, or just a stint of the “blah’s” whatever the case- last week can best be summed up as “ugh.” I ended Friday night in the fetal position on the recliner… okay okay… not really… but the thought was tempting.

I had zero energy. Zero creativity.  I had 2 nights of sleeping through Saul’s 3 a.m. BG checks. Friday morning Saul was in DKA. I don’t have it confirmed by a medical professional- but I also don’t need the confirmation because I saw it with my own eyes.

According to the MySentry he ran in the 400 for at least 6 hours… whatever the cause - (kinked tubing? old insulin?) who knows… I nearly passed out when his ketone check was 3.3.

He was a beast. Oh… friends… when he’s high… he’s such a beast. And now that he’s learning to verbalize (which is what I've been wanting all along) … I find dealing with his highs and lows way more emotional (for me) -  instead of just screaming or crying… He actually uses angry, hateful words…. On Friday morning as I was attempting to pump fluids and insulin in him - he was swatting at me screaming “NO MOMMY! NO MOMMY!”  

It was all I could do... to keep myself from envisioning a “future me” wrangling a “future” 17 year old man-boy to the ground and forcing him to comply to my treatment demands… “Oh you’re gonna get this insulin punk… whether you want it or not … cause… “ I’M YOUR MAMA… and you don’t MESS WITH YOUR MAMA!!!!”””

I know it’s difficult when you’re diabetic and you go through these hypo and hyper episodes… I’ve heard/read about and witnessed (not just with Solly) so many T1’s not being fully aware of the behaviors they are exhibiting during highs and lows…. It still doesn’t make it any easier for me. During 2 of Saul’s “hyper” episodes last week I bolused a correction of insulin gave him fluids and then left him lying by himself in his crib… because that’s what he was demanding. Every offer to hold him, carry him, cuddle him, move him to the couch, recliner to watch TV or sit quietly was met with “NOOOOO!!!!” “ME BED!!!!!!!!” “NO MOMMY!!! NO MOMMY!!!” So I would patiently wait outside his bedroom door for Bruce Banner to make his appearance again and for The Hulk to disappear so that we could once again resume our daily lives.

I won’t lie… I would much rather treat lows than highs…. Even though the lows are scarier… a bit more dangerous… def. more urgent… treating highs is just flat out exhausting.

Our house continues to seem quieter with Mabel’s absence. 

While I know Saul’s DAD is not pet and will not be a pet… it has given us all something to look forward to, think about and anticipate.  Sebulsky and I have been trying to out-do each other on the clever scale… thinking up names for our DAD. Most service dogs are given “special names” sometimes related to their line of work. A lot of the great ones have already been used…. “Siren” “Radar” “Meter” “BG” “Tracker.” Jeff came up with one that we both really loved… but Saul has trouble saying it… so we put it on a “maybe” list. However- out of the blue this afternoon - I thought up the bestest name ever. Sebulsky has since confirmed that I am currently in 1^st place and we do, indeed have a “winner.” Since the boys are sleeping I can’t get Saul to practice saying it… so we’ll have to wait and see how it comes out of little Sollys mouth first before declaring success. Meanwhile, Harper insists on calling the dog “Leslie.” I’m not sure where she heard that name- or why she likes it… but she’s renamed all her stuffed animals that, and the random 3 hour pet turtle we kept in the yard a few weeks ago, and she anticipates naming her “future bird” Leslie… All I can think about is that crazy white-haired guy who used to make those stupid movies with O.J. Simpson… wasn’t his name Leslie?

Oh… and back to Harper… Saul (much to Sebulsky’s dismay and disapproval) calls her “Sissy” actually it’s more like “Tissy” which I think is cute… Jeff… not so much so. During Saul’s last site change (after the 2^nd change out in 24 hours) he started crying and then demanding “NO TISSY DO IT” “TISSY DO IT” when it came to inserting the needle. I asked Harper if she wanted to try and she said… “ah… I better just hold his hand.” Which she did… and then wiped the little drops of blood from his old site with a tissue, then gave his 25 hugs and kisses, then sat with him on the couch and watched and episode of “Little Einstein’s” she’s seen 35 times. While she is a bit rotten, a little mischievous, a lot manipulative and way to smart for her own good…. Most of the time she’s a pretty good “Tissy.”

 

I’ve officially rambled way more than publically allowed.

So… here’s to a better week…

I hope we can all find more laughter than tears and more smiles than frowns.

 

 

 

Shew Wee... is it Friday yet?

What. A. Week. AND IT'S ONLY WEDNESDAY (it is Wednesday... right?)

Sunday: We recovered from the absolute madness of Saturday and Evans Orchard. We all took naps (well Mawmaw who never naps) didn't take one... but I'm pretty sure the rest of us did. I did. And really... that was all that mattered. Sunday night we took the kids to Gattitown for Diabetes Education Night which was sponsored through the company Animas. We were one of two families there. We got some sweet free diabetes swag. Harper scored 15 dinosaurs, and two stuffed animals. This girl is either super lucky or really, really, good at playing "carnival" games. Jeff swears the latter is true. Either way... she had a total blast... and... well... Saul ran around like a crazy TWO YEAR OLD... screaming "No" at everyone and everything. Pictures can be viewed here.

Monday: I did an observation of Harper's Montessori classroom in the morning. It was incredible. I was amazed.. It made me miss my kiddos at school. I am blown away by the progress Harper has made in just a short two months. She is already reading simple words, spelling and mastering so many skills. Her ability to focus and concentrate on work is fascinating to watch in the Montessori setting. I hugged Ms. Watt (her teacher) and told her I was grateful- I would have kissed her but I thought that might have crossed the line. From one teacher to another I will forever be appreciative that Harper's first introduction to "school" was in a caring, rigorous learning environment, with a teacher who encourages her to be an independent, well-rounded, life-long learner. *Can I also give a heart-felt-shout-out-virtual-hug and kiss to Grandma & Pap... without them... Harper would not be having this experience.

Tuesday: Saul had his 2 year checkup. Prepared for the inevitable meltdowns... a possible "hulk out" high or a "lethargic low" I packed as much "crap" as I could fit in my book bag purse…it entertained him about half the time we were there... the other half of the Dr's apt was spent with me repeating "no" and chasing him around as he attempted to pull off the tegaderm on his leg site. Stats: 30 some inches tall? 27 some lbs? (I think?) not really sure about percentiles and all that jazz... just know we got a clean bill of health and are growing and gaining weight beautifully... normally... like any kid... like a kid who wasn't diagnosed with diabetes at age 15 months. I have quickly learned that growing and gaining weight is critical for young children with an early T1 diagnosis. So far... 9 months in to diagnosis... we're doing great.

The girls had and eventful Tuesday afternoon- filled with a trip to the library for new books AND meeting a not-so-friendly, overly-feisty, fast and furious "turtle" that came to visit the Grimes-Sebulsky house for a few hours. Folks... it's the little things in life. lol. Seriously.

Now that I've bombarded you with 500 links... I'll leave you with a few pictures.

 

We've had some random breakfast guests lately

Solly & I enjoying a ride.

Little Solly looking not so "little"

Scored "D" swag

 

Girls making Saul bday cupcakes

The boys enjoying aforementioned cupcakes 

Harper's 2-hour pet "Leslie"
 

EH & MD posing with "Leslie"

 

A quilt in progress by one of Harper's classmates. 5 year olds in EH's class are sewing individual 9 piece quilts. I love it!

 

One of the books we checked out at the library yesterday. Preparing our kiddos for our future DAD!!!

 

Oh... yeah... have you heard!?!?! Solly is on his way to getting a diabetic alert dog? Keep up to date here and here. Thank you to everyone who has donated and spread the word! Keep the donations rolling. Lil buddy says "Tank Tu!" 

Hey Ya'll! Let's get a dog for Saul!

Well...after weeks of hem-hawing and stressing... I We finally just put it out there. I reluctantly hit "publish" and "post" and "like this page" and well... now there's no turning back.... grammatical errors and all... out there for the world to see... and despite my stressin and frettin and fussin the entire Grimes-Sebulsky household is SO excited to start the process of Saul acquiring his DAD.

After researching for quite some time, contacting a number of various diabetic alert dog agencies across the US and weighing all Saul's options we decided that helping Saul to acquire a DAD would be a life-changing- life-saving investment like no other.

If you are in the market for a diabetic alert dog, if you are looking for an incredible organization to support, if you happen to have a few extra dollars just burning in your pocket.... I urge you to check out Warren Retrievers and Guardian Angel Service Dogs and make a donation on Saul Sebulsky's behalf.

We chose this organization based on a number of recommendations.  They are reputable. They are legitimate. They are concerned... and... after speaking directly with Dan Warren on the phone I knew this non-profit agency was our "perfect match."

Saul will acquire his DAD in approximately 6 months. We have already started the countdown and the arduous task of thinking up the perfect "diabetic" name for Saul's 4-legged friend. I am currently looking for children’s books on service dogs and talking to Harper about "service dogs" versus "family dogs" versus "therapy dogs" so that she can better (advocate for) and explain our DAD to others.

So... without furthur adieu check out the site.

Spread the word.

Let's get a dog for Saul ya'll!