A New Year, A New Challenge

I don't like to talk too much about myself on this blog, because I want to focus on Brandon's journey.  But this is also about family, friends, school and health care professionals during Brandon's journey and that includes me.  Many of you may relate to this blog today. 

My mother and my grandmother both had/have diabetes.  They both were diagnosed with full blown diabetes around age 48.  My mother is now 90 and my grandmother lived until 92.  They managed to control their diabetes.  They both did this through diet.  My father died of a heart attack at age 69, but both of his sisters are still living and they are 90 and 92.  Over the years working with families of kids with special needs I have seen that the stress on their bodies sometimes results in health issues at an earlier age than expected.  I won't go into all the diagnosis because there is no one certain condition, just an awareness that stress really does take a toll on your health unless you really take care of yourself as well as you take care of your child.  Before Brandon was born I had a diagnosis of pre-diabetes.  I didn't really pay much attention to the diagnosis.  Then Brandon was born.  I had little sleep for many years; many new illnesses to understand, absorb and let go; bad food choices because it was difficult to get to the store; no exercise because I couldn't leave Brandon alone; and I ignored going to the doctor because Brandon was always at the doctor.  I don't think I am the exception, but I don't want to use that as an excuse. 

When I turned 48, I had a health scare that made me wake up and find a good endocrinologist.  Sure enough my night sweats for several years, my constantly being tired, my never ending need for water was a sure sign of full blown diabetes.  Not surprising with my family history, but if I had taken better care of myself maybe I could have slowed the onset.  I managed to lose weight, eat healthier and get my diabetes under control right before Brandon's second foot surgery and then Brandon's H1N1.  But once again the stress of no sleep, being in the hospital, no access to healthy food, no time for exercise and no ability to run over to the grocery store lead to me gaining weight again and not having my diabetes under control.  The cycle never stopped.

Before Christmas I met with my endocrinologist and I realized that now I am developing high blood pressure as a result of the weight.  I just cant go there.  So I have no excuse.  I have to get my health back in check and I need to build healthy eating, exercise, and taking care of myself into my schedule.  So for the new year I have a new challenge.  But this year the challenge is about me and my desire to be healthy and to hope that means I will be here longer for Brandon.  So any of you up for a walk on the trail or ready for a healthy meal, I am in. 

A little Brandon update.  Brandon is back at school after Christmas.  He has started having more seizures again.  I am going to take him to a seizure specialist here in Austin to see if we can get these better under control.  In the meantime I have scheduled Brandon for a dental cleaning.  I know why am I talking about that.  For Brandon a dental cleaning means out-patient hospitalization under general anesthesia.  So next Friday he will have the outpatient procedure at Dell Children's.  We have to go to Dell due to the seizures.  I am also going to a meeting at Dell Children's to talk about a new pilot they are seeking to become the medical home for kids like Brandon through Specially for Children.  This is an interesting concept that I should consider.  I will let you know more about this later. 

But for now a New Year and a New Healthier Leah and Brandon. 
More later.
Leah