22 Things I Learned in 2022 and My Hopes for 2023

2022 was without a doubt the hardest year of my life.  I got the idea for this post a few weeks ago and thought after the year we’ve had, it might be interesting to document.  I’m not holding anything back.  There has been a lot of stress, angst, and worry.  There have been happy tears and grief and disappointment.

 22 Things I Learned in 2022

1. Baby giggles are the best sound.
2. Type 1 diabetes is more than just food. There’s long-acting insulin, short-acting insulin, basal rates, boluses, ICRs, correction factors, and what worked one day will not work the same the next day.
3. Being an organ 24/7 to your child to keep them alive is terrifying and amazing at the same time.
4. If you ever wish you would get the stomach flu so you can get a break (even if it is spent throwing up), you have a 75% chance your child will end up hospitalized within two weeks.
5. Normal people don’t wish for the flu, even when they are burnt out.
6. Donated PTO is an amazing thing. Thank you to any coworker who has ever donated!
7. There are some amazing people out there who get it. Like maybe not first-hand get it, but understand and show up every time.
8. There are also people who don’t get it and don’t try to learn more. They make life hard.
9. I have the bravest son.
10. It is far easier to be angry than sad. When you are angry, you can still be productive.
11. Society may say one’s worth is not in what they do, but society does not live that out to be true.
12. It can take an entire month of Saturdays (5+ hours each) to determine what baby clothes are insulin shot friendly and will keep your baby warm in the fall and winter.
13. After you figure out the clothing, your baby will then get an insulin pump and you will spend even more time trying to find a pocket to hold the pump that is small enough for their petite size and footed pajamas that allow access to the pump when he is sleeping.
14. Revel Wear makes bands with insulin pump pockets in XXS that will fit a baby under 17lbs and they have the BEST customer service!
15. 10 puffs equal 1 carb.
16. Only our hospital’s pharmacy can make diluted insulin which then is transferred to the clinic pharmacy. It takes a full day to prepare it, we live an hour away, and it goes bad 28 days from the day it’s made.  As opposed to regular insulin can be found at any pharmacy and is good in the refrigerator for a year and only has a 28-day shelf life after it’s been opened.
17. How to catch your baby’s pee with saran wrap in their diaper so you can check for ketones.
18. And how to pack a suitcase in 5 minutes flat while watching for diaper leaks with saran wrap method above.
19. Ashwagandha supplements can help with stress – if you remember to take them.
20. The Home Edit line at Walmart is amazing for so many things but especially works well to organize CGM and pump supplies.
21. Sleep is a hot commodity that will forever be interrupted with CGM alarms.
22. Landon is the only person to truly understand because it’s his daily life too. We need each other more than ever and if this has to be my life, I’m glad it’s with him. ❤️

Hopes for 2023

I pray that we find rest this year.  That we continue to find joy in the little things Everett does.  I may hate diabetes but I love that boy more than anything.

I hope we have less hospitalizations.  That maybe one day of PTO can be used for something fun, not just doctor appointments and therapy.

I hope us continuing to advocate for Down syndrome and Type 1 shows to be fruitful.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t absolutely terrified of the challenges this new year will bring.  Many of the same things will continue but 12 months of them instead of 7 seems like cruel punishment.  I don’t want to live my life in between the Dexcom numbers.

May this truly be a Happy New Year to you and yours!