The rest of the summer has been full of fun and excitement, with a little trouble mixed in to keep it interesting. I figured I would just update by person instead of trying to piece everything in order.
Micheala - Kla has been getting use to using the diabetic pump. It has not been an easy road, but a road that is getting smoother. She really has a great deal of anxiety when we have to change her pump site. It is a painless process and only has to be done every 3 days, but she still gets all worked up about it. We have good days and bad days. Some days she'll really embrace the fact that her and her daddy are a lot alike, and other days she'll say that she doesn't want to have diabetes anymore. There's been a few days in which she had some moments that absolutely broke my heart. On day she asked me who gave her diabetes and I had to tell her that I did. We had a long talk about it afterwards in which I stressed that being diabetic didn't mean she was bad, just that she had to take extra special care of herself. I also walked in on one of her friends tell a group of kids at our house that "having diabetes is bad and it means you're going to die". Once this kid spotted me, they were quick to change their story. Kla didn't react to what was being said, but it just made me wonder, why would anyone say such hurtful things around her. She is now a 4 year old preschooler and really loves going to school. She is doing quite well and is managing her diabetes in school really well with the help of our school nurse. She has just started dance, which seems to be the highlight of her winter.
Dylanne - Heather and I have tried to focus more on Dylanne as she seems to find herself on the back burner most of the time. We have spent some one on one time with her really pushing positive enforcement. She is super smart and is really progressing well at school. She is losing her hair and nobody seems to have an answer why. Right now they are saying it is due to stress, but who knows. My heart breaks for her as she sometimes gets dumped on by her friends. Dylanne by all means is no angel, but on a few occassions, mom and dad had to sit in talk with a crying child after some mean and hurtful things were said to her. I chalk it up to growing up and am trying to teach her to be nice at all times and things will come full circle. Dylanne is starting cheerleading camp this week and will be performing this Friday at the football game. She has also started dance class and really enjoys dancing with her friends.
Heather - well the whole cancer thing has resurfaced which pretty much puts my life on hold. It is very scary having to wait for test results and think about what or could happen. Luckily the lumps in her throat are going to be treated with medication and an additional, more scary cancer that was believed to be present, ended up not being present. Heather and I have talked laetly about how we are in a "good place" right now. Despite some of the scares that we've had and our busy agendas, we love the way things are going. Heather just started a new job with the Health Department and really likes it so far. I'm not real crazy about it only because now I have to get up early in the morning and take the kids to school.
Mike - what to say about me. Hawkeye football is in full swing and that consumes many of my thoughts. I have been busy painting cornhole boards for people, which is nice to make some extra cash and I love to do it. The insulin pump has changed my life, not only health wise but mentally as well. I seem to have a more positive outlook on things and quite frankly stopped caring about what people think of me and my crazy ways. I just figured that I am having fun, and that's what matters to me. I really love this time of year because I get to spend every other weekend with my parents at Hawkeye football games. I wish my wife was able to come, but somebody has to watch the kids. Soon enough Heather, soon enough. My job is still up in the air. The Linn County Board of Supervisors seem to think that shelter care is not priority, even though that all the shelters in Linn County and Johnson County are currently full of kids. In the last 2 days we had to turn 8 kids away due to being full. I think there is a need.
I hosted the 2nd Annual Schrock's Black and Gold Blowout on September 26. This year my neighbor and I built a 9' X 12' screen and projected the game outdoors. The early rain was a bit of a scare, but it cleared away and 75-100 of our friends and family got to watch the Hawkeyes upset Penn State. The evening was highlighted with many beers, plenty of food, great people, an airbrush tattoo artists and everyone dressed in Hawkeye gear. Alan Brecht won the annual Keepin It Real award for showing the most Hawkeye spirit by dressing in the full Hawkeye uniform. Although the party takes a lot of little pety work, and is stressful in preperation, it was all worth it in the end. Thanks to all that came. Below is a picture of the party right before game time.
