It takes a village.

Technological advances in caring for people with type one diabetes has really taken off over the last 5 years. Tom started his pump 8 years ago and we have seen many new things come onto the market that make the management of type one diabetes easier.

That said, it comes with a cost. CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) technology is taking off in leaps and bounds but it doesn't come cheaply. Not only does CGM read blood sugar levels every 5 minutes, it also can be set up to send readings to a carer's phone/pebble watch  anywhere in the world. It can also stop insulin if bsl is dropping too fast or alarm when bsl are rising too fast. Full price for a box of 5 CGM sensors, is $500.00. A sensor is guaranteed to work for at least 6 days but sometimes we have extended the life of the sensor and had them work for 10 days. To pay $100.00 for 6 days would mean that we would need a box of 5 each month. That would equal $6000.00 for one child and $18000 for 3.

 Medtronic though realise that this is pretty un-affordable for most people so they have an offer. Sign up for 12 months of CGM, they will give us the sensors for half price. We did this for Chris last January and it has been the best thing. His bsl's have improved profoundly with the insight CGM gives us. I loved it but I was also aware to sign up all three of our children for CGM, would be pretty hard financially.

I decided to reach out to our local Lions club. I sent them a letter and they invited me to come and talk at their meeting about living with three children with diabetes. After that, they meet and discussed what they could do for us and a couple of weeks ago, they came and presented us with a cheque to help get CGM for all three.

The money has been a God send and I am so grateful for the support the Lions has been able to give us. In September, Tom started on the 640g pump and Medtronic gave us 10 free sensors. When the 10 sensors have been used, we will be using the money from the Lions to start Tom on the 12 month subscription. Amelia will not be on the 640g pump till August next year so I am going to look into getting her onto The Libre once it is approved for under 18 year old in Australia.

I am truly humbled by the care many people have shown for us and for our children's health. Apart from the Lions donation and the 10 free sensors from Medtronic, I also had a friend offer me a free computer because she knew we were having problems uploading the children's pumps with our computers that run on windows 10. Without having weekly uploads, it is harder to manage and see where changes need to be made. We will get the new computer tomorrow and I am looking forward to uploading all the pumps and seeing what changes we can make to get better control for all three.

I am closing this post with a clip Today Tonight ran a year ago about the Danii Foundation. Danii Foundation has been on the top of my lists of help since the middle of last year. Thank you to the Danii Foundation, Medtronic. Lions Port Augusta and Toni and Bob for all your support. We really appreciate the help you have given us in looking after our children and their health needs.

Thankful Thursday.

It is the second week of the holidays here and I am thankful for so many things.

First, I am thankful for new quilts and covers to keep Christopher and Joseph warm this winter.

I am thankful for our quieter house and that my older three children are all living together.

I am thankful that Daniel has the opportunity to go to World Youth Day again.

I am thankful my new laundry. (pictures coming)

I am thankful that Steve and I still get out alone at least once a week. Today we had lunch together at Cafe Primo.

I am thankful for the strong wind that dried all our washing today.

I am thankful for bloglovin and been able to follow my favourite blogs.

What are you thankful for?

Therese.

Thankful Thursday. We have a new Pope. Giving thanks for the church.

Last night before I went to bed, I set my alarm for 4.30 because I knew that that was the time that smoke would be coming out of the Vatican chimney. I woke up pretty quickly and went to facebook because I knew that my peeps would be posting if we had a new Pope. I noticed after a couple of minutes that my conclave app had an update and it was saying White smoke coming out of the Vatican chimney so jumped out of bed and got Steve up too. We turned on EWTN and saw the Vatican chimney and the Vatican Bells ringing. We sat waiting for the announcement and then Pope Francis came out. It was quite a joyful moment for us all here. Because it was so early, I taped the program for the children to watch rather than waking them so early.

A couple of years ago, a non Catholic challenged me in my faith in God because I am Catholic. At the time, he said to  me that we could discuss anything I wanted and he would prove to me that the Catholic church was not from God and that in being a Catholic, I was not following God's plan for my life.

I challenged him with the fact that God started a church and that the Bible was a product of the church, not the church a product of the bible. We had quite a few notes back and forth about this and he showed me lots of Catholic sinners and lots of how his own interpretation of the bible contradicted some of the churches teachings. At the end of it though, he wasn't able to show me that Jesus didn't start a church because it is obvious from scripture that he did.

I am so grateful that God started the Catholic church and that the church guides us in to full truth. He promised us that the gates of hell would never prevail against her and that he would be with us always. For me, the new Pope is a sign that God is faithful in his words and that he is with us.

Therese.

Thankful Thursday.

Our new car

It is a Nissan Dualis + 2

The + 2 is for 2 small seats in the boot

The front seats. 

The boot seats. Sorry they are so dark. 

Middle Seats. 

Front passenger seat. This is the most comfortable seat I have ever sat in in a car. 

These are pictures of our new car which we picked up yesterday. We git it just in time to take Tom, Amelia and Christopher to Adelaide for an appointment with their endocrinologist.  Our other "big" car has been having some issues so we didn't want to take it to Adelaide. If we didn't get this car in time, I would have had to driven our "little" car down with the three children. Steve would have had to stay home with Joseph and it just would have been a really hard long day for all of us.
So today I give thanks that we got our car in time and that we have a nice car to drive our children in.

Thankful Thursday.

It is a week since I have posted on my blog and I thought I really should post on here and give thanks for all the good things in our life.

Today Joseph turns 3 and I am thankful for the blessing he is to our family.

We also found out today that he does not have type one diabetes anti bodies. I am thankful that we know this.

Tonight Madeline, Tom, Amelia and Christopher started musical theatre.I am thankful that  they have the opportunity to learn dance and mix with children outside of school.

Thankful Thursday.

The week is just slipping through my fingers here and I cannot believe it is Friday tomorrow. It is time to give thanks for all the good things we have.

This week I am thankful for the schools our children are attending. I am thankful that they help us in educating our children and that our children are so happy there.

I am thankful that Steve has just about finished our new laundry.

I am thankful that I have more time with Joseph. We went to the pool today and out to the park on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tomorrow will be another visit to the park for his exercises.

Our new car is not here yet. They had to get it from overseas because we want a white one. I am still thankful that we have it coming though.

Thanks for dropping by. I am also thankful for friends that come and visit.

Therese.

Thankful Thursday.

Today is the feast of All Saints. Our parish church is All Saints so it is our feast day today. We had mass tonight followed by a shared BBQ. It was a great night with good food and good company. I am thankful to God for the fellowship we all had.

I am also thankful for all the saints and the example they are to us in living  the gospel message.

I am also thankful for all my friends and family that encourage me in living for God and a life of faith.

Therese.

Thankful Thursday.

It is Thursday again and time to stop and give thanks for the good things in our lives.

This week we are on school holidays. I am thankful for the extra time with the family. I am thankful that Daniel is here with us and that he bought two of our nephews up to visit.

I am thankful for the extra time to do sewing and baking. Today I made hot cross buns and meat pies. I also sewed some leggings for me.

What are you thankful for today?

Therese.

Thankful Thursday

Today I give thanks for Madeline and the blessing she has been to our family for the last 17 years. Happy birthday Madeline. We love you.

Thankful Thursday.

For the last two days, I have had flu symptoms. I didn't sleep that well last night so decided to have a day off today and try and get over it.
My friend Ellie came and picked up Christopher and took him out for the morning.
I jumped into bed with Joseph. I didn't really expect him to sleep but he did so I did too. By 1.00 I was feeling much better but still stayed in bed. I got up at 3.00 when Madeline needed to be picked up from school. After coffee with Steve I was feeling like I could cope with everything again. Steve and I went to pick up Joseph's glasses and then I cgot the children cleaning up while I cooked tea.
So today I am thankful that Christopher had a morning out and for Ellie taking him. I am thankful that Joseph had a sleep and that I did too. I am thankful for Joseph's new glasses and that so far he seems to like wearing them.
What are you thankful for today?
Therese.

Thankful Thursday.

Well it is Thursday again and time to give thanks to God for all the blessings in our lives.

Today I give thanks for daily mass. It has been such a blessing to me to be able to go each day and take the boys.

I am thankful for our air conditioner. This week we have had temperatures in the 30's and it has made the house more comfortable.

I am thankful for Sunday. Steve and I were able to get out together and our older children looked after the younger ones.

I am thankful for the long weekend we had. Daniel was able to come down for a visit.

What are you thankful for today?

Therese.

Thankful Thursday.

During lent, I have been listening to XT3's Lenten reflections. This morning it was on thankfulness. I realised while I was watching the video that I don't give enough thanks for all the blessings I have in my life so I want to start doing a weekly post on thankfulness.

This week, the eye specialist that is seeing Brigette and Joseph got in touch with me. Since seeing his MRI, she wants him to have glasses.

I am thankful that we have found this out early. I am thankful for all the support we have had with him also from all the different specialists.

I am also thankful for Steve and our children.

Thankful for our extended family.

Thankful for the internet.

Therese.

Small Successes and Thankful Thursday.

Thanks so much to Sherri from Chocolate for your brain for hosting Small Successes each week.

I have a few this week.

First, we went on Tuesday to see Cars two. It was a great movie.

Second, Steve and I have been to mass everyday.

Third, we took Madeline and Brigette to YCS camp on Monday. We also kept up with all the house work while they were gone.

fourth, we walked to mass on Tuesday with our younger 4 children. Joseph went in the pusher and all the others said they wished they were small still and could have a ride in it.

As well as these successes, I am thankful this week for:

The school holidays and spending time together as a family.

Going to see Cars two with the children.

A big pot of pumpkin soup sitting on our stove top.

A freezer that will take the excess for another meal, another night.

Small Successes and Thankful Thursday.

Thanks so much to Sherry from Chocolate for your brain for hosting Small Success each week.

We have had a great week here with the start of the school holidays. Here are a few of the small successes I have had.

-1-

We went to Adelaide for a few days. We only saw family this time because we were only there for a couple of days. My mother is having a month in respite care at Southern Cross Homes in Klemzig. We spent a fair bit of time helping her pack up some things in her house. She will probably have to move soon into assisted living soon because she has so much trouble moving around.

-2-

Today we got back to Port Augusta by 1.00 so after unpacking the car and having some lunch, Steve and I walked to the bakery in town to get bread for the rest of the week. I think it was probably about 7 km round trip.

-3-

Changes have happened with the bedrooms at our house this afternoon too.

Up to today, the little boys room has been for Tom and Christopher. Now it is for Tom, Christopher and Joseph. I have moved the baby out of our room. He sleeps pretty well all night. I think being in the boys room will mean we will take longer to wake us if he wakes so maybe he will start sleeping right through till 7.00 when the other boys do. Well I can dream about this happening.

This week I am thankful for:

Our family holiday and the chance to catch up with family.

Joseph growing up.

Steve's sister having us stay while we were in Adelaide.

Going out for tea with Steve's sister.

Thankful Thursday.

Yet another Thursday that I need to remember the things that are good in our life.

-1-

All the children and Steve ended up getting the gastro that was going through the house. I am the only one that hasn't got it and I am very thankful for that.

-2-

I am thankful for the doctors that look after Tom and that we have the technology to get him well quickly.

-3-

I am thankful for all the people that read about Tom and prayed for us.

-4-

I am thankful that we just have one day and one week left of term 2. Next week will be a bit of a quieter week and I will start planning for term 3.

-5-

I am thankful for the new spelling program that we have for Tom and Amelia. I have always struggled with the best way to teach them spelling and it was certainly their weakest subject. The new program I have seems to really work for them. The program I am using is called The Phonetic Zoo.

Therese.

Thankful Thursday.

This week has been a tough week. I have had a lot of trouble with Tom's blood sugar levels. Whenever things get tough, I really start to hate this insidious disease. I start to wonder why me and wish that both my boys didn't have to deal with it.

This was topped off by waking yesterday with a pretty bad headache. I felt so bad that I asked Steve to take a family leave day to help out with home schooling and all the other things I need to do for the day.

My natural reaction to all these negatives in my life is to sit and mope about it and how hard it really is. I mope around and feel sorry for myself. This is very self destructive though. To get over it, I really need to sit back and be thankful for all the good things in my life. That is why I decided to write another Thankful Thursday post tonight.

So today I am thankful for the research that could lead to an artificial pancreas and would help both my boys lead a more normal life:

I am thankful that we have the means to check our boys blood sugar level and treat with insulin.

I am thankful for the boys team of doctors and diabetes educators that can support and help me look after the boys.

I am thankful for carelink. I can upload the boys pumps onto the internet and the endocrinologist and diabetes educators can look at all the data. This has been a great help to the boys management.

I am thankful for the online diabetes community. I have a couple of support groups on facebook and yahoo groups. They have been there whenever I have felt down or wanted advise about what to do to look after the boys.

I am also thankful for all you that read and follow my blog. It is always good to know that if anything goes really wrong with either of my boys, I can type up a prayer request and will have people praying for me and my boys. Thanks for all those that have supported me spiritually and given words of encouragement.

Thankful Thursday.

Today I give thanks for the summer holidays. We are spending our days together as a family. We have been to mass nearly everyday.

I am thankful for Joseph. He will be 11 months old on Friday. Only 1 month till his first birthday.

I am thankful for all my online friends.

What are you thankful for today?

Think about this.

A Friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package:
'This, - he said - isn't any ordinary package.'
He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.
'She got this the first time we went to New York , 8 or 9 years ago.
She has never put it on , was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is it.'
He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothing
he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died.
He turned to me and said:
'Never save something for a special occasion.
Every day in your life is a special occasion'.

I still think those words changed my life.
Now I read more and clean less.
I sit on the porch without worrying about anything.
I spend more time with my family, and less at work.
I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through.
I no longer keep anything.
I use crystal glasses every day...
I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like it.
I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to.
The words 'Someday...' and 'One Day...' are fading away from my dictionary.
If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now...
I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell.
I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends.
She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels.
I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese, her favourite food.
It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come..
Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.
Live for today, for tomorrow is promised to no-one.
If you got this, it's because someone cares for you and because, probably, there's someone you care about.
If you're too busy to send this out to other people and you say to yourself that you will send it
'One of these days', remember that 'One day' is far away... or might never come...
No matter if you're superstitious or not, spend some time reading it.
It holds useful messages for the soul.

A thankful womens book of blessings.

Things I am thankful for this week:

1. Feeling well and the pregnancy progressing.

2. School this week has run really smoothly.

3. My husbands support in the home and running of day to day chores.

4. Fresh vegetables from the garden.

Judy hosts A Thankful Womens book of blessings each week.

Therese

A thankful womens book of blessings.

thanks so much Judy for hosting A Thankful womens book of blessings each week.

I am thankful for the following:

1: Our little baby that is growing in my womb.

2: Hearing the babies heartbeat yesterday.

3: All our children that add so much to our family.

4: All my blogging friends and their enthusiasm about our new baby.

What are you thankful for?