urbanhomesteader

I'm Back!!! August 16, 2007

Ok, actually I've been back since Friday evening and came into work this weekend but we've been so busy I haven't had a chance to post.

What an awsome week at Diabetes Camp last week!!! Got there on Friday the 3rd, settled in and went to dinner with about 12-13 other early arivers - what a hoot that was!! So much fun. I haven't had an evening out in so long. Anyway, Saturday was orientation. They ran us thru the paces, rules and some case studies to remind/teach about insulin pumps. Saturday night almost all of our medical staff went out but I chose to stay in and veg. I just don't seem to get into the bar scene anymore. Sunday morning was last minute reminders and the campers came around noon. I helped out with the 9 year old girls. There were 12 of them, all a delight. 3 had pumps the rest were injections. My job was to help with carb counting at meals, help figure out insulin doses, help draw up the correct amount of insulin, keep track of the blood sugars, and do teaching as needed. We tested before all 3 meals and if they wanted at each of the two snacks (morning and evening).  The rest of the day our Medical director made out a schedule where a volunteer was paired up with a RN or Doctor at an activity - boating, swimming, fishing, basketball, flag football, archary, ect.... we brought a cooler with granola bars and juice and our fanny packs stocked with blood glucose meters, strips, lancets (pokers LOL), cotton balls and a pen and paper. If a camper wanted to check for any reason, we let them and kept track of the name, what cabin they were in and what the reading was. If they were low, we treated them and wrote down how we treated them. Lots of down time - we could pretty much do what ever. Read, join in on the activities with the kids, go for walks, you name it. I had an awsome time and learned a lot, made new friends, and had some quality "Me and God " time in the early mornings durning my walk / meditation time. It's a beautiful camp and well planned as far as the lay out.

When I got back there was tons of laundry - I had done some on Tuesday and had planned for Thursday as well but there was a line up for the 4 washers so I decided not to stress over it. My daughter also had a lot of laundry for me. She had stayed at my Aunt and Uncle's house for the week. They live 3 hours south of our house so it was on the way. They live in the middle of nowhere in a cranberry marsh LOL. Lovely spot tho. They are a good Christian family who embraced having her. Their daughter is the same age and included Nicole in all her activities. Molly's friends and their families embraced Nicole and included her in all their outings and gatherings. Of course, once we got home Nicole reverted back to her unresponsible self but for a week at least she had every opportunity to reach back out to God for guidance. My Aunt writes bible verses on cards every morning for each of her 3 children and included Nicole in the ritual. I was so greatful to them for all their efforts. She went to Church with them on Sunday as well.

Weather here??? Well, last week it was soooo hot and muggy - nothing like the triple diget folks I'm sure but for around here, 100% humidity is awful! We haven't had rain in so long. When I left for camp, things were green. Now they are brown and crunchy - Uff Da. It has cooled down tho. Been highs in low to mid 70's during the day and 30's to 40's at night. Good sleeping weather all around. Picked a couple buckets of blackberries. Mmmmmm. Don't have much time right now to do anything but freeze them but I'm off again the next couple weeks so will plan a day to simply can and make jelly. I've beans to take care of too. Will get everything else at the farmer's market Saturday and spend the cooler parts of the days canning veggies. I'm thinking chicken soup for supper. Had a huge salad last evening.

Well, better go do morning chores. Love and Fuzzies. Hope all are well.

Michele