Leighann Calentine's Blog, page 30

{Kids First, Diabetes Second} Ketone Testing

(See advertiser disclosure below.)

Since illness is already circulating through the schools, I figured it was a good time to talk about ketone testing. If there is one thing that is frustrating about diabetes, it’s checking for ketones, especially in younger kids. Finding out about blood ketone meters was life changing and I couldn’t believe no one had told us about them sooner!

Here is an excerpt from my book Kids First, Diabetes Second about checking for ketones.

CHAPTER FOUR: Diabetes 10...

{As Seen on D-Mom Blog} Sugar Medical Supply Pump and CGM Pouch

Sugar Medical Supply

Q has been using a Sugar Medical Supply pouch to carry her insulin pump PDM for quite a while. She was so happy to see that one of their latest designs comes in her favrite color combo: black, pink, and white. I just had to laugh because the day that her new pouch arrived she was wearing a dress that was black with white polka dots and pink trim…just like her new pouch!

The company has expanded their line of diabetes accessories beyond glucose meter cases and Omnipod PDM...

{As Seen On D-Mom Blog} Pocket Innerwear T1D Techwear

Pocket Innerwear Pump and CGM Tank

Pocket Innerwear is a company that makes clothing with a pocket for carrying a cell phone or for security while traveling. They also have a line called “T1D Techwear” that includes tanks, bands, shirts, and shorts for men, women, and children. These clothing items have a pocket to hide or carry an insulin pump or CGM. They even have a hole to thread pump tubing through.

Tween T1D PumpTank. Image courtesy Pocket Innerwear.

Their “Tween T1D PumpTank” is custo...

{Type 1 Tuesday} 12.01.15 Diabetes at School

Here are some tidbits that I have found interesting and wanted to share…

Many Schools Failing on Diabetes Care

It’s great to see the New York Times highlighting the issue of medical care for children with diabetes while at school.

Read Many Schools Failing on Diabetes Care on New York Times.

Share your story about diabetes in school with NYT.

More Info About Diabetes at School

There is A LOT of information about diabetes at school right here on D-Mom Blog.

504 Plans (Sanofi The DX) My interv...

Winter Holidays With Diabetes

The holidays can be daunting, especially for parents of children recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. You may think that you need to change some of your traditions, especially if they are food-based. The reality is that you can make most anything work.

You just got through Halloween and Thanksgiving. Maybe things went smoothly; maybe you learned a thing or two.

Here are some posts that I have written that I think will be particularly useful for newly diagnosed and veteran diabetes familie...

Get Kids First, Diabetes Second At An Additional 30% Off

Have you been wanting to purchase my book Kids First, Diabetes Second? Well now’s a good time! Amazon has the book listed at $13 which is already a discounted price, and through November 30, 2015 you can get an extra 30% any one print book. That takes it down to about $9.

From Amazon: To use this promotion, you must enter “HOLIDAY30” at checkout under the “Gift cards & promotional codes” section to receive 30% off any ONE (1) book, with a maximum discount of $10.

Click over to Amazon to purc...

{Type 1 Tuesday} 11.17.15 Diabetes Burnout

Last week I shared a section of my book Kids First, Diabetes Second called “Diabetes Burnout.” Here is information on how to take care of ourselves as caregivers and how having a positive outlook can help.

Caregiver Happiness

As caregivers, we tend to take care of everyone except ourselves.

My friend Ginger Vieira, author of the book Dealing With Diabetes Burnout, was kind enough to let me pick her brain for some strategies for dealing with the stress that comes with caregiving.

Read Life W...

{As Seen On D-Mom Blog} Tallygear DexCom CGM Wallet

Tallygear DexCom G4/G5 Share CGM Wallet

Ever since getting a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), Q has usually worn the receiver in a waist pack. She’s a big fan of Too Sweet Boutique and has them in lots of colors and designs. When she’s wearing a dress she always wears “playground shorts” underneath (not related to diabetes) and just hikes up her dress when she needs to look at her CGM. She also likes the Tallygear case that she can wear on a lanyard or clip to a belt loop.

Because she had to...

Thanksgiving Carb Counting

For my American friends (and those who just like turkey and stuffing and cranberry sauce and pie), here are carb counts of common Thanksgiving fare. Best practice is to look at the packages of the food you are making because it can vary. This chart is a quick reference especially if you find yourself at someone else’s t-day table and need to SWAG* the meal.

Oh, and the next well-intentioned person who buys sugar-free Cool-Whip is going to get a pumpkin pie in the face. It has more carbs!**

R...

{Kids First, Diabetes Second} Diabetes Burnout

November is Diabetes Awareness Month and you might be saying “Yeah, but diabetes is every single day.” When Diabetes Awareness Month is over, our child’s diabetes continues. Because diabetes affects every minute of every day, it’s easy for a child to get burned out. It’s even easy for the parent or caregiver to get burned out! (Lack of sleep, anyone?!) Here is an excerpt from Kids First, Diabetes Second where I discuss some signs of burn out and suggestions to deal with it.

Dealing With Bu...