Well consider this my first post of many exciting one's to come! I finally did it. Nick and I met a lady online who has a diabetic alert dog (DAD) for her sons; both of which have type 1 diabetes. I was amazed that one dog could work with two people. So I sent her a little message asking how that worked. 2 months later I have put a deposit down on my own DAD. I never thought I would do it. I'm not a huge dog lover, and I've already got 2 wiener dogs at home. Unfortunately after having my second son I was having so many lows that couldn't be explained. It got to the point that Nick (my husband) wouldn't go to work in the office anymore (he only works from home now on his laptop).
Last night for example I checked my blood sugar: 72. We went out for dinner and then I came home and had my insulin. 45 minutes later I was reading a story to Cooper (my 4 year old) and the words were blurry. I couldn't make sense of the words. I checked my blood-sugar and I was 33. I drank a huge glass of milk (my go to when I'm low) and checked 10 minutes later: 30! I was DROPPING. Another huge glass of milk (I probably weigh 20 pounds more now too!) and then I recheck. 36. What the heck??? I ate out and took my regular insulin. I SHOULD be on the higher side of a perfect number! I check a few minutes after and now I'm 46. I hover around this number for 45 minutes before getting back to my safe zone of low 70ish area.
So that was the point we said "enough is enough." I work so hard to have perfect numbers. I am doing everything I can. I looked into the CGM's (continuous glucose monitors) but quickly decided that was NOT for me. I started researching DAD's and always ended back at the Warren Retrievers. I LOVE that they create a plan that works around your family. Here, I'll just make a list of what I love about them:
1. They work around YOUR wants and needs.
2. You get the D.A.D as a young puppy so it is trained on your/my scent, not someone else's
3. They are supported by JDRF
4. My money is partially turned into donations towards JDRF that will find my cure. So really, I am getting a dog for free that can save my life while supporting funding for my cure. :)
5. They work with any family (more than one type 1 in the house, if you have tiny kids, if you have other dogs...)
6. I don't have to pay for the dog up front. I pay my down payment to get on the waiting list, then do fundraisers to achieve my personalized goal that we set up for my cost. Its all about me and my family!
7. They help find ways to do fundraisers, its like a separate family.
8. Once I paid my down payment, Dan, the head hauncho ( insert smiley face here) said "welcome to the family." Really? My heart pounded because this darn disease often makes us feel so alone, and for once it made me really thankful to have it. Not to be diabetic, but to have something that can bring me closet to others for such an important reason. Does that make sense?
There is so much more that I will soon get to! Keep checking back!
