On the morning of Sunday, February 15th, we had a big scare. Daddy, Ringo and I woke up like normal. We noticed Mommy was still asleep. Daddy looked at her, she wasn't sleeping in her usual position. He felt her and she was sweating from head to toe. Daddy quickly ran to grab a soda and a meter called a glucometer to test Mommy's blood sugar (glucose). Mommy has always been able to wake up when her glucose gets too low; this time she did not. It was 34! Normal glucose is 70 - 100. This reading was dangerously low. We are so grateful we woke up when we did, otherwise Mommy might not be here today. Daddy was awesome. He got her to drink enough soda to pull her out of it.
Mommy was in a deep dream like state and kept asking strange questions. She tried laying down and drinking her soda at the same time. Daddy stayed focused. After 20 minutes or so, Mommy's glucose was 62. A few minutes later, Mommy woke up completely and asked what was going on. You could tell she was exhausted. I think everyone was. We were scared!
Mommy has T1D, also known as Type 1 Diabetes. In 2003, Mommy had a pancreas transplant that temporarily cured the diabetes, but it started failing about 8 months ago. Now she must take insulin again. People with T1D need to have insulin everyday. They must monitor their glucose frequently, eat throughout the day and pay attention to every thing. The challenge is to lower the blood sugar, but not so low that it gets acutely dangerous.
Exercise, stress, illnesses, metabolism and normal activity can affect glucose levels. This is our new reality. Ringo and I are fairly new to this. We have a lot to learn. Mommy and Daddy remember it from before the pancreas transplant. This was a scary wake up call for all of us. A new adventure. We have done some research on T1D and found some encouraging news. Researchers in Boston are working on a bionic pancreas and hope to have it available in 2017! It would work like a human pancreas, so low blood sugars wouldn't happen!
T1D is a devastating condition. It took Mommy's eyesight and kidneys. It usually happens to children; Mommy was 9 when she got it. It would be great if a cure could be found so the disease never existed.
Someone from the Boston team named David Panzirer said, "It is the only disease I know of where you are making dosing decisions with a medicine that can kill you if you get it wrong. You are doing those decisions 24-7."
This blog is a bit different from the norm. We felt the need to share this information to bring awareness to T1D. We hope a cure is in the near future. Thanks for giving us this outlet, all of you probably know someone with diabetes - you just might not know who yet.
Love,
Boomer, the Mellow Yellow Lab
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Catching Up
When the weather is unpredictable, it is hard to know what toy to play with outside. The wind could blow the Frisbee out of the yard. The rolling wheel doesn't provide enough exercise in the cold. The ball is good for these cold, windy days because it is heavy and Daddy can throw it very far. Sunny, calm days are my favorite because I love to play Frisbee and Ringo is content chasing me.
On January 30, we lit a candle for Rudy. It's hard to believe he went to Heaven two years ago. We miss him so much. He did a great job picking out Ringo to join our family. We can see a lot of Rudyisms in Ringo. It makes us smile.
Mommy and Daddy had an event at the Cannon River Winery on Saturday, February 7. It was for local authors. They had a wine tasting, live music and eight authors. It was a good time, they met some nice people, made a few contacts, tasted some wine and sold some books! Ringo and I went to our friend, Jennifer's house. We saw our friends, both human and canine. Charming little Ringo met a new girl friend named Zoe! They were inseparable and cute. I got tired and took a nap on Jennifer's bed. We like it over there, it's fun!
Link to the Cannon River Winery event pictures.
Our book sales have been steady, which is quite nice. We'll never be millionaires, but everything helps. We had a big order (16 books) from a Children's Hospital in Missouri!
Mommy hopes she can stop using her crutches in a week or so. She'll still need the cast, but she can walk on it. Paws crossed! We're shooting for Spring!
Love,
Boomer the Mellow Yellow Lab
On January 30, we lit a candle for Rudy. It's hard to believe he went to Heaven two years ago. We miss him so much. He did a great job picking out Ringo to join our family. We can see a lot of Rudyisms in Ringo. It makes us smile.
Mommy and Daddy had an event at the Cannon River Winery on Saturday, February 7. It was for local authors. They had a wine tasting, live music and eight authors. It was a good time, they met some nice people, made a few contacts, tasted some wine and sold some books! Ringo and I went to our friend, Jennifer's house. We saw our friends, both human and canine. Charming little Ringo met a new girl friend named Zoe! They were inseparable and cute. I got tired and took a nap on Jennifer's bed. We like it over there, it's fun!
Link to the Cannon River Winery event pictures.
Our book sales have been steady, which is quite nice. We'll never be millionaires, but everything helps. We had a big order (16 books) from a Children's Hospital in Missouri!
Mommy hopes she can stop using her crutches in a week or so. She'll still need the cast, but she can walk on it. Paws crossed! We're shooting for Spring!
Love,
Boomer the Mellow Yellow Lab
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Our Friend Hobey Baker
Last week, a very dear friend and neighbor went to Heaven. Hobey Baker was a very wonderful boy who loved to run and rarely barked. He's a lot like me. We also have being mellow and loving our family in common. We loved to run the fence line together and he was the fastest of all of us. He was very special to brothers Rudy, Ringo and me. We will miss him very much.
Hobey had a tough start to his life, but was so lucky to be adopted by his people who gave him the TLC he needed and deserved. He came from the Red Lake Reservation, where he spent most of his time outside. When his people adopted him, he had a badly infected leg. They got him the medical attention necessary and saved the leg!
Like my brother, Rudy, his life on Earth was far too short. He loved life and touched the hearts of many. We knew his people loved hockey because of Hobey's name. Hobey Baker was named after a college hockey player from a long time ago. They have a trophy named after him that they give out to the best college hockey player every year. The name really fits our friend, Hobey Baker - because he's the best!
We included the link to little video of Hobey enjoying his Christmas present from us this year. What a happy boy! We love you, Hobey!
http://youtu.be/viPIUiXdPvg
Love,
Boomer! the Mellow Yellow Lab
Hobey had a tough start to his life, but was so lucky to be adopted by his people who gave him the TLC he needed and deserved. He came from the Red Lake Reservation, where he spent most of his time outside. When his people adopted him, he had a badly infected leg. They got him the medical attention necessary and saved the leg!
Like my brother, Rudy, his life on Earth was far too short. He loved life and touched the hearts of many. We knew his people loved hockey because of Hobey's name. Hobey Baker was named after a college hockey player from a long time ago. They have a trophy named after him that they give out to the best college hockey player every year. The name really fits our friend, Hobey Baker - because he's the best!
We included the link to little video of Hobey enjoying his Christmas present from us this year. What a happy boy! We love you, Hobey!
http://youtu.be/viPIUiXdPvg
Love,
Boomer! the Mellow Yellow Lab
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Parallel Lives
Hello everyone! For this entry, I have asked Mommy to be our guest blogger. She has written a piece that I thought might interest all of you. I have also included a link* to a 4 minute video that Daddy made called "Everything Happens for a Reason." I hope you enjoy. I'll be back next time.
Love,
Boomer the Mellow Yellow Lab
Recently in the news, I heard about a woman named Amy Purdy, a paralympic bronze medallist and contestant on “Dancing with the Stars.” At the age of 19, she had meningitis, which caused the loss of her legs below the knee and ultimately a kidney transplant 2 years later.
I can’t help but wonder if 19 isn’t a mysterious age where cataclysmic events occur? My life somewhat parallels that of Amy. Instead of losing my legs, I lost my eyes. I too had meningitis, but mine triggered Type I (juvenile) diabetes. Like Purdy, my life changed dramatically at 19, when I lost my sight after a 5-month struggle. At 31 I had my first kidney transplant. I also had a pancreas transplant at 39, and another kidney transplant at 45. Amidst all of the transplants, other health issues intruded.
Unfortunately, I am still trying to earn my “medal” and haven’t been on DWTS (although I’d love it!) I am trying to stand “On My Own Two Feet” (title of Amy's book) by also being an author. I pen the children’s series, “Rudy’s Little World” and currently have 6 published books about a variety of atypical subjects. I also speak to audiences of all ages and sizes, sharing my story and proving you can overcome challenges! Again, like Amy Purdy, I don’t let challenges keep me from obtaining my goals. I also believe everything happens for a reason.
Love,
Boomer the Mellow Yellow Lab
Recently in the news, I heard about a woman named Amy Purdy, a paralympic bronze medallist and contestant on “Dancing with the Stars.” At the age of 19, she had meningitis, which caused the loss of her legs below the knee and ultimately a kidney transplant 2 years later.
I can’t help but wonder if 19 isn’t a mysterious age where cataclysmic events occur? My life somewhat parallels that of Amy. Instead of losing my legs, I lost my eyes. I too had meningitis, but mine triggered Type I (juvenile) diabetes. Like Purdy, my life changed dramatically at 19, when I lost my sight after a 5-month struggle. At 31 I had my first kidney transplant. I also had a pancreas transplant at 39, and another kidney transplant at 45. Amidst all of the transplants, other health issues intruded.
Unfortunately, I am still trying to earn my “medal” and haven’t been on DWTS (although I’d love it!) I am trying to stand “On My Own Two Feet” (title of Amy's book) by also being an author. I pen the children’s series, “Rudy’s Little World” and currently have 6 published books about a variety of atypical subjects. I also speak to audiences of all ages and sizes, sharing my story and proving you can overcome challenges! Again, like Amy Purdy, I don’t let challenges keep me from obtaining my goals. I also believe everything happens for a reason.
*Everything Happens for a Reason link
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Saying Good Bye to 2014
Our family really tried to get into the Christmas spirit, then it hit the wall. Choral Concerts, shopping and wrapping for our church's "Adopt a Family," donated books to a Children's Hospital, two parties and a nicely planned Christmas dinner turned into quiet, lay low and try to keep any thing in to stay hydrated. That's right - Mommy and Daddy got the nasty flu! Not the short kind, either. The long, lingering body aches, high fever, nausea, feel like you are coughing up a lung kind.
Ringo and I did our best to take care of them. They rested quite a bit (not like them at all) so we tried to be really quiet. We like taking naps anyway, so it wasn't too hard. Every once in a while, we gave them a kiss to make sure they were still breathing. It's a good thing I don't have to write an essay on "What I did on my Christmas Vacation," it would be pretty boring.
They are starting to feel better now, just in time for Daddy to go back to work. They still have the cough. Mommy had to go to the doctor Monday for her yearly cancer screening. That always causes a little stress. Ringo and I are keeping our paws crossed.
The last few days have been extremely cold! Below zero! At least the Sun has come out! We had a couple inches of snow, so that was nice to play in for a while. We are ready to start a new year! We hope you all have a great new year in 2015! Thanks everyone for a great 2014!
Love,
Boomer! the Mellow Yellow Lab
Ringo and I did our best to take care of them. They rested quite a bit (not like them at all) so we tried to be really quiet. We like taking naps anyway, so it wasn't too hard. Every once in a while, we gave them a kiss to make sure they were still breathing. It's a good thing I don't have to write an essay on "What I did on my Christmas Vacation," it would be pretty boring.
They are starting to feel better now, just in time for Daddy to go back to work. They still have the cough. Mommy had to go to the doctor Monday for her yearly cancer screening. That always causes a little stress. Ringo and I are keeping our paws crossed.
The last few days have been extremely cold! Below zero! At least the Sun has come out! We had a couple inches of snow, so that was nice to play in for a while. We are ready to start a new year! We hope you all have a great new year in 2015! Thanks everyone for a great 2014!
Love,
Boomer! the Mellow Yellow Lab
Monday, December 22, 2014
Happy Birthday, Ringo!
Ringo turned one year old today. He's very excited! He loves his new birthday toy, and had us sing "Ringo Bells" all day.
Love,
Boomer! The Mellow Yellow Lab
Love,
Boomer! The Mellow Yellow Lab
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Holiday Cheer
It has been a busy month for us. The first weeks Mommy and Daddy went to a beautiful Choral concert - a real treat for them since they both were in choir many years ago. The next day, they bought gifts for our church's "Adopt-A-Families" and then wrapped them. They said that was very fun. We also bought a couple of gifts for the "Toys for Tots" program.
Daddy had an all day seminar, so Ringo and I went over to our friend, Jennifer's house for a play date. We really enjoyed playing with our puppy and human friends! Ringo is a real character!
This past week Mommy and Daddy went to two Christmas parties. The first one was for the Writers' Group. It was great seeing all of our old friends and catching up. The next day they went to a party at Mommy's friend Sheila's house. They have known each other for many years. It was very festive and had a Danish theme! A lot of fun!
Our dear friend, Kathy gave Ringo his first Christmas present. It was for both of us, but I let Ringo open it. He was very excited - they were home made doggy treats! I know he will share with me because I taught him how to share. He is a good boy!
Ringo's first birthday is December 22nd! We are very excited about it, it is hard to believe he has been with us for 5 months - time really flies!
Along with all the outings, we managed to hang up our Christmas stockings, send a few cards and wrap a few presents. We don't put up a tree because the ornaments are too tempting for a puppy!
We also donated a few books to a Children's Hospital in Wisconsin, filled a few book orders and sent out a couple promo videos. Very, very busy!
Mommy found out her foot had multiple fractures and three torn tendons, so she is in a tall boot and on crutches. It had been misdiagnosed a few months ago, so there are some stress fractures, too. She is adjusting quickly and chasing us around with her little scooter. It's race time down the hallways at our house! Never a dull moment.....
Love,
Boomer! The Mellow Yellow Lab
Daddy had an all day seminar, so Ringo and I went over to our friend, Jennifer's house for a play date. We really enjoyed playing with our puppy and human friends! Ringo is a real character!
This past week Mommy and Daddy went to two Christmas parties. The first one was for the Writers' Group. It was great seeing all of our old friends and catching up. The next day they went to a party at Mommy's friend Sheila's house. They have known each other for many years. It was very festive and had a Danish theme! A lot of fun!
Our dear friend, Kathy gave Ringo his first Christmas present. It was for both of us, but I let Ringo open it. He was very excited - they were home made doggy treats! I know he will share with me because I taught him how to share. He is a good boy!
Ringo's first birthday is December 22nd! We are very excited about it, it is hard to believe he has been with us for 5 months - time really flies!
Along with all the outings, we managed to hang up our Christmas stockings, send a few cards and wrap a few presents. We don't put up a tree because the ornaments are too tempting for a puppy!
We also donated a few books to a Children's Hospital in Wisconsin, filled a few book orders and sent out a couple promo videos. Very, very busy!
Mommy found out her foot had multiple fractures and three torn tendons, so she is in a tall boot and on crutches. It had been misdiagnosed a few months ago, so there are some stress fractures, too. She is adjusting quickly and chasing us around with her little scooter. It's race time down the hallways at our house! Never a dull moment.....
Love,
Boomer! The Mellow Yellow Lab
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