Ol' Blue in action

Yesterday we went to Cardon Children's Hospital for our second and last pump training class. 

Connor and I were both so excited. It was the day that ended his Multiple Daily Injections or MDI in the diabetic world. We went in and met once again with Martha our instructor for the day. 

We went over the procedures for the next few days and then proceeded to get out all of Connor's pump supplies. This last week Connor has been connected to his pump but no insulin was put in it only saline. This allowed us to be able to learn how to use the pump with out fear of "messing something up." Yesterday was different. Yesterday we went "live." All insulin all the time.

Tools of the trade (Insulin Pen, Alcohol Swabs, Reservoir, Infusion Set)

We calculated how much insulin would be required for the next 2-3days, filled the reservoir (thing on right side of picture that looks like a syringe) then uncoiled the tubing from the infusion set (blue disc shaped object in lower middle of picture) and locked everything in place. Adjusted all the settings and then attached the site to Connor. 

As of 10:15 yesterday morning Connor's external pancreas (his insulin pump) was fully functional. 

The next several minutes were spent on showing me how to do different functions using the pump. Things to watch out for procedures to to follow. We talked about our kids. Martha has a 16 year old son who is also a type 1 diabetic and is currently using an insulin pump. As we chatted Connor sat across the room coloring a picture. When the time came I gathered all of my paper work and his supplies. Connor finished up his drawing and handed it to Martha. It was a picture of Cardon Childrens Hospital and very well done I might add. 

The best part was the neatly printed words on the top of Connor's creation.

Written in his best hand writing were the words

"Never Give Up"

 

As we drove away the reminder on his pump went off telling Connor to check his blood sugar. 176. Slightly out of his range Connor was able to give a correction dose (a dose of insulin to help bring down blood sugar levels) using his pump. This level of control was not available to us using MDI. Using an insulin pen we dealt in doses using whole units. With the pump we can give Connor a dose of insulin as small as 0.025 of a unit allowing him better control.

As we headed home I needed to stop at Costco so we decided that we would eat lunch there. Connor got a hot dog and a drink. Entered the carbs into his pump. The pump calculated his insulin dosage. Connor hit the ACT button and started eating. No alcohol swabs. No pen needle. No flicking air bubbles out of the pen. No people staring at me strangely as I inject my child. Holy cow this is AWESOME!

After Connor was done inhaling his hot dog he quickly informed me that he was still hungry and wanted another one. We proceeded to repeat the above mentioned process still with the same amount of awesomeness. 

So if you're keeping score that's Ol' Blue (the pump) 3 - Injections 0

and that was only in the first 2 hours.

Later in the afternoon once my other 2 children were home from school they all wanted a snack. This time Connor didn't flinch one bit about having a snack. Before his decision was based on whether or not he was willing to take another shot and not on whether or not he was hungry. This time he didn't even have to think about it. He was hungry so he ate.

This process was repeated as he ate dinner and again with a snack before bed.

8:00pm came and we got excited all over again when we remembered that Connor no longer had to take his long acting insulin (given everyday at 8:00pm to help maintain his levels all day) This process has now been taken over by Ol' Blue. Ol' Blue gives Connor small doses of insulin throughout the day to maintain his blood sugar, no longer requiring him to take his daily dose of Levimer.

When I checked his blood sugar at 3 am (I do this almost daily at midnight and 3 am to prevent lows/highs to keep him safe) the meter read 242. Too high. I grabbed his pump which had already calculated the correction dose and pressed ACT. His pump was quickly at work lowering his blood sugar while Connor was sound asleep. Once again I was deeply thankful for Ol' Blue because I didn't have to give a shot to my sleeping child.

Total score for the first day?

Ol' Blue 8 - Injections 0

I would call that a huge success!

With the pump hopefully now we will see less of this

4 months worth of syringes, pen needles, and lancets (used to test blood sugar)

and more of this

That sweet genuine smile that has been long absent from his cute face.

Ol' Blue is not a cure it's just another way to manage the disease that is with Connor 24/7/365. What Ol' Blue is, is the freedom to be a kid. To be able to push a button and go. It's less painful and can keep him healthier because of tighter control.

It is also a visual reminder of everyone that helped us get to where we are right now. We wouldn't have had a day like today with out your help. It's a blessing. It's a miracle. It's hope.

It's also a reminder to, in the words of Connor,

"Never Give Up!"

On your mark get set GO!

When we were holding the fundraiser for Connor we were lead to The Prayer Child Foundation. They donated $1000 to help Connor get his insulin pump. Last Saturday April 9th there was a Prayer Child run held to raise money for other children in need. Connor was invited to be the special ambassador and to count down the start of the race.

As they introduced Connor my heart just swelled with pride. We've come so far in the last few months. I was proud of how courageous he is and how strong he is. As his story was told I saw several people wipe their eyes, moved to tears by my cute 9 year old son. When asked if he'd like to say anything, all he could say was, "I'm just so glad to have my pump!"

It was raining and so very cold. You could see your breath! Crazy weather since it was only a few days before that the temperature was hovering around 100 degrees. That being said the bad weather didn't stop people from coming. There was still a great turn out.

 

He was so excited to be able to count down to start the race. Who wouldn't want to hold a bullhorn and yell at a bunch of strangers? 

Despite the cold and the rain it was such a fun day. What an amazing honor this was. I hope that the run raised a ton of money to be able to help other children with medical needs. The prayer child foundation was such a blessing to our family and to Connor. I hope that many children will feel of the love and hope that we have been witness to.

It's here, it's here, it's here!

Guess what the UPS man delivered to our house today?

Yep, that's right Connor got his pump!

As he opened the box to see what was inside he found lots of new gadgets that we

have to learn how to use.

A new meter that sends is blood sugar automatically to his pump.

Then there came the Care link system which is this awesome computer program that

we can plug his pump into and it will download all of the information off of his pump.

Then there it was,

The box that we've been waiting forever months for.

The Medtronic MiniMed Paradigm Revel Insulin Pump.

This is what we've all worked so hard for.

It's a little surreal to see him hold it in his hands.

This thing that seemed like a far off dream.

How blessed we are to have been surrounded by so many people 

who cared so much to help make this dream a reality for Connor.

Here it is in all it's blue glory.

It's amazing how something so small can be so life changing.

This will give Connor the freedom that every child deserves,

the chance to be a kid!

It's funny how you can get so emotional over something cold and plastic.

As I sit here and look at this pump sitting on my kitchen table

I am overwhelmed to know how many hands came to our rescue.

This little piece of technological bliss is a tangible reminder of how loved we are

and how generous and kind others can be.

 Once again THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart

for changing our lives forever.

Check back soon to see "Ol' Blue" in action.

We are waiting to attend our training class before we can begin pumping.

Which should be in the next week!

We did it!!!!

It's been a long amazing journey. I can't believe all that we've accomplished together in the last month. We started out with the goal to help Connor get his insulin pump. I figured this would take months and months of planning garage sales, car washes, and saving every dime. I never dreamed that people would be so willing to help my son and our family. This whole experience has taught me to have faith. Faith in others, faith in my family, and faith in myself. It's so hard to ask others for help but what I've learned is that when you are in need there are others who are right there waiting, waiting to help you in any way that they can. People are more kind and generous than I'd ever imagined. Please watch the video below and see what you helped to make happen by being one of Connor's Commandos.

In a month we were able to raise not only enough money to get Connor his pump but to pay for all of his medical needs this year and then some. We are currently working with his doctor, the insurance company, and the pump manufacturer to get Connor what we've all worked so hard for, his pump! We are hoping that after some training he will be pumping in the next couple of weeks. (Pictures and update to come)

Again thank you from the bottom of my heart for changing our lives forever with your kindness. We will never forget how so many hands came to help in our time of need. Thank you for helping to ease some of the burden that my son must bear everyday for the rest of his life. Thank you for being that Elite Special Force that has once again brought a smile to his face. I know there will still be hard days ahead of us, and when those days come I will look at his pump and be reminded how loved we are and how blessed we've been to have had this experience of a life time and to have been witness to the miracle that has taken place in our family.


For an more detailed update please visit our family blog at Bless Our Nest

Update on our fundraiser

It's hard to know where to begin. I don't seem to have the right words to express the gratitude in my heart. Saying thank you just doesn't seem enough. I am in awe at the generosity of others. That people are so willing to help my son, a stranger to some, is simply amazing.

When we came up with the idea for the name Connor's Commandos it was originally the name for our Walk to Cure Diabetes JDRF team. My son loves G.I. Joe and anything that has to do with wearing camouflage. So we thought it was a fitting name. After starting this blog I looked up the definition of the term commando. According to  Wikipedia the term commando stands for elite light infantry and/or special forces units. Those of you who have given of your time, have bought bake sale items, or have made donations in the form of monetary gifts or items that we can sell truly are an elite special force. We couldn't have come so far with out you! Because of you we have raised over $1000 for Connor. That doesn't include the items that have been donated waiting to be sold at our upcoming garage sale.

We were also blessed to be lead to a wonderful organization called The Prayer Child Foundation. They are an amazing foundation that helps children in need. We told them about our son Connor and what we were trying to do for him. We were just recently informed that Connor had been granted $1000 to put toward purchasing his insulin pump. Once again I have no words to convey the depth of my gratitude. All I can do is simply spread the word so that other deserving children may also be blessed like we have. The Prayer Child Foundation will be holding a walk/run on April 9, 2011 to raise money to help other children like my cute Connor. For more information please visit http://www.prayerchildrun.com/

In just a few weeks time we have raised just over $2000 of the $3000 that Connor needs to be able to get his insulin pump. I never dreamed we would have raised so much in such a short amount of time. I wish I could hug each of you and share how much joy and hope you have given to our family and my son. A simple thank you isn't enough. But, from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU so very much!



We are still collecting items to be sold at our garage sale. If you have any items that you no longer need and are willing to donate please let us know. We would be more than happy to come pick up your items from you. Still want to help but aren't sure how? Become one of Connor's Commandos and click on the donate button located on the left side of this blog.

For more about what's happening in our family please visit our other blog Bless Our Nest

Bake sale pre-orders

We are off to a good start. Thank you to those that contributed to our fundraiser so far. I can't even begin to express my gratitude to you. Your generosity and support have meant the world to our family. As we've started to sell some of our baked goods or have received donated items to sell I've noticed a change in Connor. There is once again a sparkle in his eyes. That little glimmer of hope. And for that I will be forever grateful.

I wanted to give everyone an update on our bake sale items. We are currently taking pre-orders and are filling them as soon as we can. Bake sale items will also be available on the days of the garage sale.

Bake sale items:

Homemade beef tamales $20 per dozen or $2 individual
Salsa $5 per pint (courtesy of El Rico's )
Homemade cinnamon rolls $7 for a box of 4 or $2 individual
Caramel corn $3 (approximately 8 cups)

We still need help with items to sell at the garage sale. If you have any items that you no longer need and would be willing to donate to help us raise the money for Connor's insulin pump please let us know. We'd be more than happy to come and pick up your items from you. We will be collecting items until February 21st.

Again thank your for your support. We can't do it without you!


Still want to help but are unable to attend the fundraiser or don't have any items to donate? Become one of Connor's Commandos and make a donation. Simply click on the donate button on the left side of this blog.

For more details of what's been going on with our family please visit our other blog at Bless our Nest

Funraiser garage sale/ bake sale

Calling all potential commandos!!! We need your help! We want to recruit you in the battle against type 1 diabetes and to help Connor raise enough money to purchase an insulin pump. We will be holding a garage sale/bake sale on Friday February 25th and Saturday February 26th. We need to raise $3000 and we can't do it with out you. Here's how you can help. If you have any gently used items that you no longer need and would be willing to donate to help us succeed in our mission please let us know. We'd be more than happy to come pick up your items from you. We will be collecting items to be sold from now until February 21st. In regards to the bake sale portion we are hoping to sell homemade beef and pork tamales, homemade cinnamon rolls, and caramel corn. We have a few more things in the works and I will update you when we know for sure. Please let me know if you would be interested in pre-ordering any of these items. Thank you for your help and your generosity. I know that together we can help make a difference for Connor.


Still want to help but not sure how? Be one of Connor's Commandos by making a donation. Simply click on the donate button located on the left side of this blog. Every little bit helps.