8 Tracks to a Cure

On nights when Chase has a pump site change his blood sugar numbers tend to go drastically low (it's the only common theme we've encountered with type 1). Last night, as I lay in bed next to him waiting for his monitor to alarm, I had an epiphany. It's about time, because I've always wanted to have an epiphany.

It may have come from updating our iPod earlier in the day, because memories of my childhood and music came rushing back to me. My first memory of portable music came in the form of 8 track tapes. When I was old enough to save up money for my own music, I purchased 45 records (I still remember my first was the Go-Go's "Vacation"). Then came cassette tapes to play in my boombox. I'd always have a blank cassette in the box just in case a song I loved came on the radio & I could tape it (no iTunes to buy that single song for $1.29). Of course, then came along a huge collection of CDs which now occupy space in my basement because my collection is now on the iPod.

My mind then started to race to other areas where I've seen amazing changes:

I've gone from my first video game of Pong to the endless games available on the Wii.

In high school, I learned keyboarding on a Radio Shack Tandy computer with a 5 1/4 inch floppy drive. I now type on an HP Pavilion laptop which can do a heck of a lot more than a Tandy computer! A lot more - and it's more portable.

On family car rides, I literally had to roll our windows down. There was no pushing a button. Or how about dimming headlights? Okay, I actually miss the switch on the left side of the floorboard you pushed with your foot.

1984 is when my dad bought our first VCR. I remember the day he set it up. We had no clue what he was talking about, but he was excited and it changed our lives (we could record Days of Our Lives!!!). If we wanted to rent a movie, we headed to Wally's Supermarket, where we could rent an extra VCR for the night, too. I now enjoy Netflix movies streamed instantly through my Blu-ray player. On my computer I can catch up on recent TV episodes on Hulu.com.

So many changes in what seems like a short time. As I reflect on the changes that I've seen just in my life, I hold on to hope for amazing changes in Chase's. I was once told by one of Chase's medical team members that Chase is in a great era when it comes to the technology available to manage his diabetes. Right now we are benefiting from an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor.

Just thinking about going from an 8 track tape to an iPod made me realize that an artificial pancreas will happen in Chase's lifetime. Or even better - a cure.

Daily Reminders

Can you spot the insulin pump in this picture?

By now you should all know how I feel about insulin pumps. My feelings are obvious. I sometimes feel Medtronic should give Chase a lifetime discount (or shares of stock) for as often I recommend their product.

A few years ago I use to frequent an online support group for parents of T1 kids. One common concern I saw with parents of non-pumping kids was that the pump would be a daily reminder that their child has diabetes. Years and years later, I still scratch my head over that concern. When, during a normal day, do you forget that your child is a diabetic?

Daily, I find myself frantically searching for my car keys in my Grandma Helen purse. Every day damn day. My hand always touches the glucometer case and glucagon I carry with me where ever I go.

Then there is Chase's other glucometer, test strips, and lancet that have a permanent home on our kitchen counter. It's hard to miss because it's always there.

I also see Chase's blood anywhere between 5 to 10 times a day. Every day.

Chase prefers to have his toes tested instead of his fingers, so I am guaranteed to find a lone sock on the floor. Everyday.

And, no matter how hard I try to throw them away, a used test strip ALWAYS seems to show up somewhere. Everyday.

None of the photos above were staged. They didn't need to be. They are my constant reminders.