Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Diabetes Clinic Update

Just a short update on our clinic visit yesterday.  It was a good visit.  The staff there are very nice. 

I was eager to see his A1C number.  This number measures his blood sugar levels over the last 3 months.  For a non-diabetic person, normal is below 6.  When Joshua was admitted to the hospital at diagnosis, his level was 15.6.  That is so high it isn't on most of the charts.  At our first Diabetes clinic visit, it had dropped to 12.  Yesterday it was a 9!  Yippee!!!  They were pleased with this number and so am I.  Our goal now is to get below an 8. 

There was concern that he is still seeing some 300s for his blood sugars.  We may be changing some of his med dosages if this continues.  I don't want to see those either - but prefer that to the lows!  The dr did say that they didn't want to see lows either because going too low can cause "brain damage".  I really wish she hadn't said that in front of Joshua.  :-(  Hoping it went over his head - but not much does to be honest. 

We received information on getting a pump.  We need to attend a carb counting class and a workshop on the various pumps.  Both classes on only once per month and on the night of Joshua's football, so I'm not sure when we'll be going.  Not this month for sure given the dates.  I don't think he wants to get the pump until after football anyway.  We'll see. 

One other piece of information was a surprise for me.  The dr mentioned the celiac screen.  He had that done at the hospital and it came back negative.  I was very thankful for this!  What I didn't know is that this can change and isn't a permanent thing.  Bummer!  Apparently there are several autoimmune things that Joshua will continue to be checked for including celiac and thyroid.  (Diabetes is also autoimmune.)  I hate that there are so many other things that can be attached to diabetes.  I'm thankful that we aren't dealing with them now.  I'm thankful that we follow and serve a God who will carry us through whatever we will face. 

So, all in all, a good visit.  The dr gave me her email and phone so we could keep in contact about his numbers and changing his doses if needed.  I'm thankful that there is such a great team of drs that we see!  We won't be back until December.  Hopefully we'll see really good numbers then too!

I'll be doing some retroposting for some of the next posts - our start to school and some of what we've been up to.  Lots of pictures.  :-)

Thank you for your prayers for our family. 

Blessings
Leslie