The Twins T1D Journey

For about a year pre diagnosis for Chase, he had really bad stomach pain. In the beginning we thought it might of been anxiety because he and Zakary weren’t in the same class and it seemed to be more prone when Zak had a dr appointment and wasn’t at school. The dr appointments for Zak were pretty frequent so were the pains.

They would get so bad sometimes in the middle of the night that Chase would be up screaming in pain!!! In January of 2022, his pediatrician started running bloodwork and tests but everything was coming back normal. He began to miss A LOT of school and in March of 2022 we got in to see a GI dr. At that time, his A1C was elevated (only 5.8 level) but still enough to then make him pre diabetic. In June, he saw an endo and had more bloodwork done and his A1C went down and he was no longer elevated. July he had a scope with the GI and we were told he had Helicobacter Helmanii. He had 30 days of vigorous antibiotics and we had hoped for the best.

The pain never stopped and more ER visits were had including lots of ultrasounds, X-rays & a CT Scan. Everything always came back normal. In November, Chase was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. It’s pretty common for kids to have stomach pain & go through a full GI workup before the diagnosis, since there really isn’t much of a “warning” before getting diagnosed except SOMETIMES chronic stomach pain.

It seemed to subside for a period of time but this year it has been back with a vengeance. Now he randomly throws up also with the intensity of the pain sometimes. We mentioned it to the pediatrician over the summer and now we went to a new GI. She seemed informative & came up with a plan of the possible “cause” to these issues. After reviewing his old scope right away after our appointment yesterday, she messaged and wants another upper GI scope done right away. In our discussion I felt like this was the last option she was going to do.

Now…..because of being type 1 this complicates things a little bit since there’s prep that needs to be done before he goes under. Working alongside his endo and with a good team of doctors & nurses at CHOW main campus, we are hopeful to get Chase some answers this time around 🙏🏻

Yesterday we have an eventful day! Zakary hurt his wrist at school on Monday & yesterday we found out he fractured it. It’s called a Buckle Fracture and it’s basically when the bone does just that “buckles” or bends. So a cast for the next four weeks is on his agenda!

Things like this make it a bit tough with diabetes because of where the fracture was located at the one it affected his insulin pump. The X-ray tech was like well can’t you just take it off. Ummmm no sir I’m sorry but we can’t. I’ve already been here for 2 hours and I’m not sure how much longer it will be, he can’t go with out his insulin. Can’t YOU just cover it up? Thankfully we figured out a way and they got what they needed.

So here is ‘Zakary’s Journey’ from start to finish yesterday……

Yes even adults can get ‘Juvenile Diabetes’……

It’s officially that month again and we are here as a family of SIX with TWO kids that are Type 1, to talk about 30 days of diabetes FACTS!!!

Sharing because it needs to be shared 💙🫶🏻

https://www.facebook.com/100064799228060/posts/727292526107382/?mibextid=adzO7l

If anyone ever sees you checking your blood sugar or administering insulin and suggest you “should go do that in private” just show them this photo of Mark Andrews checking his blood sugar on the sidelines of tonight’s Baltimore Ravens game!

We attended the JDRF One Walk - Milwaukee today with some of our friends & Family! It turned out to be a beautiful day here in Wisconsin after all when the sun came out just in time for the walk to start. Both Zakary & Chase were One Walk V1P which means they raised over $1000 on their own 💚💙

Our team as a whole raised OVER $2500!!!

Donations can still be made for this awesome cause here:

https://app.jdrf.org/e/edyKX8CL5Db

November is diabetes awareness month and this has been our FAVORITE shirt thus far-it’s also our teams walk shirts this year!

If you are interested in a shirt, let me know! There is a blood drop on the ribbon in ‘Together’ and $10 from each shirt goes to JDRF!

Click the link below to order-it’s the last day to order to be here in time for the walk NEXT Saturday!!

You can order here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyN594-9v0dpm-PqEpMs_pT2K_wDq6RfGTIYX4xJxzWfvVvw/viewform?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

JOIN OUR WALK team or donate here: https://app.jdrf.org/e/Bt1Q7QIIRDb

Happy Heavenly Birthday Kycie 💗



https://www.facebook.com/100064706467521/posts/729149165918626/?mibextid=cr9u03

Today would be Kycie’s 14th birthday. Wish Kyc a happy birthday by sharing the signs and symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes and encourage anyone showing symptoms to be tested.

The Twins T1D Journey 2023 T-Shirt Sign Up Shirts are $15 with $10 being donated from each shirt to JDRF. Deadline to order shirts for the event is Friday, October 13th, 2023. If you would like to donate extra to our team, you can donate to our walk directly by clicking here.

The link to order this years JDRF One Walk shirt is NOW available! I know so many of you have been asking and we can't thank you enough for being so patient with us 💚💙

Everyone participating in the walk SHOULD order a t-shirt from us!!

The Twins T1D Journey 2023 T-Shirt Sign Up Shirts are $15 with $10 being donated from each shirt to JDRF. Deadline to order shirts for the event is Friday, October 13th, 2023. If you would like to donate extra to our team, you can donate to our walk directly by clicking here.

PLEASE RSVP if you are planning to come!!!

JOIN US 🎥 🍿 🌭 🍔

All are welcome at the JDRF Movie Night Fundraiser with The T1D Twins 🍿

Come join us as we close our our 2023 JDRF Fundraising season with our last efforts of raising funds for our JDRF One Walk 💚💙

Friday the 13th we will have a DOUBLE FEATURE movie complete with a meal deal & popcorn 🍿

Promptly at 7pm we will play Hocus Pocus followed by Hocus Pocus 2 at 9pm. Feel free to come for one or BOTH Movies 🎥

Meal Deal Options:

Hot dog, chips & drink $5

Hamburger, chips & drink $6

TICKETS must be purchased in advance 🎟️
We do not want to waste funds hence the advance ticket purchase required!

Please help us fundraise for Zakary & Chase’s 2023 JDRF One Walk on October 21!!!

*Picture of the boys having some pre homecoming FUNNNN!

JOIN US 🎥 🍿 🌭 🍔

All are welcome at the JDRF Movie Night Fundraiser with The T1D Twins 🍿

Come join us as we close our our 2023 JDRF Fundraising season with our last efforts of raising funds for our JDRF One Walk 💚💙

Friday the 13th we will have a DOUBLE FEATURE movie complete with a meal deal & popcorn 🍿

Promptly at 7pm we will play Hocus Pocus followed by Hocus Pocus 2 at 9pm. Feel free to come for one or BOTH Movies 🎥

Meal Deal Options:

Hot dog, chips & drink $5

Hamburger, chips & drink $6

TICKETS must be purchased in advance 🎟️
We do not want to waste funds hence the advance ticket purchase required!

Please help us fundraise for Zakary & Chase’s 2023 JDRF One Walk on October 21!!!

*Picture of the boys having some pre homecoming FUNNNN!

Every day this week LOTS of things are happening and TODAY we want YOU to JOIN OUR WALK TEAM-it doesn’t cost anything to sign up but we could get $500 added to our team if you sign up and make a donation on YOUR behalf…..even $5!!!

Check out the email info below ⬇️

Contest #1: Team Member Mania; Wednesday September 20th

Which team can rally the most registered team members to self-donate? Encourage your teammates to register and make a donation, and you could win a $500 donation to your team!

REGISTER HERE:

Join our JDRF One Walk team and help create a world without type 1 diabetes (T1D). Our team is walking and raising funds to support the most promising, cutting-edge science to create a world without T1D. Join us!

Susie Sainski thank you so much for your donation 💚💙

🚨 TODAY ONLY help Zakary & Chase become a VIP at the wall by DONATING to our walk, the person with the most funding gets to be a VIP for the day, so if you donate to Zak then please donate to Chase. If you donate to Chase then please donate to Zak. Even $5 CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, so PLEASE help us find a cure for our boys 💚💙 and everyone else!

For the single team member who secures the largest NUMBER of gifts TODAY (Sept. 19), they will also get an instant ADDITIONAL $1,000 from Connexus Cares, a generous sponsor of our Wisconsin Walks!!! Gift size doesn't matter, PLEASE just DONATE today!!!

Zakary’s link: https://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?fr_id=9288&pg=team&team_id=336359

Chases Link: https://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?fr_id=9288&pg=personal&px=13630676
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➡️Also PLEASE JOIN US for our third and first annual JDRF walk by visiting the event page here:

Zakary & Chase’s 2023 JDRF One Walk

You can JOIN us and help raise funds by registering here (plus it’s free!):

https://www2.jdrf.org/site/TRR/Walk/WisconsinChapter4728/322739941?pg=utype&fr_id=9288

Last but not least PLEASE SHARE‼️

Jess Myszewski thank you so much for your walk donation!!!

What if even just ONE goldfish cracker made the BIGGEST difference?

With a Type 1 diabetic the weight of every cracker matters.

What if EVERY morning while making your kids lunch you had to have every cracker accounted for? If you drop one on the floor and the dog eats it, you HAVE to replace it once it’s weighed out.

With a Type 1 diabetic every ounce matters.

Help us find a cure for our boys by donating to our TEAM for our 3rd Annual JDRF One Walk - Milwaukee. This year we are walking for our TWO WARRIORS 💚💙

Join our team and raise your OWN funds to help!

Zakary & Chase’s 2023 JDRF One Walk

Donate or join us today ⬇️

https://facebook.com/donate/267869249136223/

Can you HELP US get some additional fundraising from ford today???

In celebration of their 25th Anniversary of partnership with JDRF, Ford Motor Company and the Ford Global Action Team wants to help accelerate our fundraising!

Starting RIGHT NOW, they will match our first $25 dollars raised online up to $20,000!!!

This anniversary match is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the Ford Motor Company and its employees to moving critical research for T1D forward. Since 1998, over $75 million has been raised through the Ford Global Action Team and its creative fundraising initiatives.

We’re so thankful for everyone at Ford Motor Company who will stop at nothing until we have cures for everyone impacted by T1D-we truly love how THEY care about kids like US 💚💙

DONATE TO CHASE HERE:

https://www2.jdrf.org/site/Donation2?idb=1179379988&df_id=22642&FR_ID=9288&mfc_pref=T&PROXY_ID=13630676&PROXY_TYPE=20&22642.donation=form1

DONATE TO ZAKARY HERE:

https://www2.jdrf.org/site/Donation2?idb=888113543&df_id=22642&FR_ID=9288&mfc_pref=T&PROXY_ID=13368883&PROXY_TYPE=20&22642.donation=form1

Today our Mom trained 16 people that are now part of our 2023-2024 school support team. She taught them what to do when we have low blood sugars and each of them had the opportunity to use our emergency medicine Baqsimi. It’s always a great thing to practice and know what happens before an emergency takes place.

We told them what our signs & symptoms were for each of us when we have a low or high blood sugar. It’s important to have staffing to know what to do in these instances. We are looking forward to an awesome school year 🍎✏️📄

Chase is out there doing his soccer thing and trying to live his best life ⚽️

Meanwhile I’ll be sitting here, checking his sugars & feeding him snacks secretly from the sideline so he can do so…..

Tonight was baseball Wednesday ⚾️ you can see Chase on first base and Zakary on 2nd base. Because of high temperatures and the extremely warm weather, it makes the insulin in their pods go bad faster. So tonight ended up being pump change night too since we had some high blood sugars that wouldn’t come down. The boys are such troopers through it all!

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Devices like their insulin pump & CGM device wouldn’t be possible with out research & funding from the JDRF. Please consider donating to Zakary & Chase’s 2023 JDRF One Walk to help keep research going & the possibility of a cure for our boys one day!

It’s always a good day when you get an email that donations will be MATCHED at a TRIPLE amount 😱 especially on a day that you made $63 just in donations by telling people who come to your lemonade stand that you are trying to raise $7500 by October for research to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes because you are identical twins and you are both Type 1.

Coming from the mounts of 8 year old boys who both have Type 1 diabetes. BOTH who would love nothing more then to be cured from this horrible disease but BOTH who don’t believe there will ever be a cure in their lifetime 😢 JDRF funds research to help further advance medicine & medical equipment BOTH boys wear & our entire family is hopeful there will some day be a medical device if not a cure to be close.

Please donate to their walk this year, especially on a DOUBLE OR TRIPLE day which are very far and few between. ANG dollar amount helps us get closer to our GOAL which looks so far away…..

Click the link below to go right to the site, the money is split between both boys equally so just ONE donation to either boy to the team is PERFECT 💚💙

https://facebook.com/donate/267869249136223/

Our bracelets have arrived and they couldn’t be more perfect 💚💙🩸

These are PuraVida customized bracelets I ordered to kick off our fundraising season for Zakary & Chase’s 2023 JDRF One Walk in October. The bracelets are $8 each with $1 from each bracelet supporting each kids cause-totaling $2 per bracelet going towards our teams $7500 fundraising goal.

You can order a bracelet here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTn8AUrdlp22Hc55OWXoneIv3OeRLH8ghtkmzYwfp18DpfxA/viewform?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

*Limited Quantities* ARE available for immediate shipment or pickup.

If you ordered in the first round but didn’t pay yet, I’ll be connecting with people tomorrow who filled out forms. If you aren’t sure and fill out another one now, I can delete the other one with no problem or check for you

Did you know today was world diabetes day???

In 1921 Dr. Frederick Banting was the first person to successfully extract insulin and administer it to patients with diabetes.

Prior to 1921 diabetes had a 0% survival rate.

November 14th, Dr. Bantings birthday, has been recognized as World Diabetes Day.

Our family wore our Blue shirts proud today as we started a new journey for Zaks twin brother Chase at the endocrine clinic. Chase was also diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes this last weekend.

The whole month of November is Diabetes Awareness Month and we’d love to see you when you wear blue too!

Insulin isn’t a “drug” in the same sense some other medications are. It’s a hormone. Whether you make it yourself with your perfectly healthy pancreas (like me), or you need to inject it somehow because your pancreas stopped producing insulin (like my son) — it doesn’t matter how you get it, as long as you get it.
Insulin is required by every body everywhere in order to live. Without insulin, there is no chance of survival. Not for very long.

That’s why the team that discovered insulin only accepted $1 each for the patent — they knew it was a requirement for life.

Insulin is a human right.

Image credit: unknown

It has a been a while since we have posted and I’m very sorry for that. Life has been life-crazy, hectic & stressful. Since Christmas we have celebrated the new year, vacationed (which was much needed), been sick A LOT, started on an insulin pump and finally things have seemed to settle down with high blood sugars.

Many times people just don’t understand Type 1, the things we go through and stuff Zak can/cannot eat. He CAN eat anything he wants and ISNT limited to what he’s eating. Although I will say, as parents we HATE pizza 🤣 but yet we still give it to him every Friday night because #1 he’s a kid #2 it isn’t his fault he has this and #3 he still gets to sleep as we are creeping into his room to correct his blood sugars those nights into the wee hours of the morning. Don’t be stupid like his principal and say “Can Zak even eat Cheetos? Like should he have them at all. They don’t seem very healthy.” Ummm dude your an idiot, thanks for reading the paper I gave you about the basics of diabetes and lastly .

So here is a great link with some diabetes info from JDRF for your reading pleasure….

https://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/about/?fbclid=IwAR0ORTXiDIEfqFQn5XSjcQQ1AU-BuoNnravHUBksEIU0biFjuxS0hT2xoEA

T1D Basics - JDRF JDRF outlines the basics about diabetes including the differences between type 1 and type 2, type 1 causes, symptoms, diagnoses, treatment,and insulin.

Unfortunately diabetes takes no break, not even on Christmas 💔 Zakary was very low today, almost to the point we thought we were going to have to use his emergency medicine baqsimi and then call 911. Thankfully he finally started to come back up but it took almost 45 fast acting carbs to get him out of this danger zone ⛔️

I don’t say this for you to feel bad but to see the reality that there really is never a break with this horrible disease

So true 💔 Zak can’t even just enjoy the fun of recess with out an alarm going off for a low blood sugar or how about going to gym class with out having to shove a snack down his throat before hand.