Finding The Silver Lining...

Wow! Two posts in one month, wooo hooo!

Well here is a picture of Addison and I with my brother while he was home over the holidays. This picture was taken one night when we out to dinner before he had to go back to Texas. We just found out that he should be getting out of the Army in August, which is a few months sooner than we thought! We are excited about that and can't wait until he is home for good!
Addison went sledding this month for the first time! She was all bundled up and resembled Randy from a Christmas Story (Ralphie's little brother). She had fun and we can't wait to go again!



Well the last few years have started off with some big BANGS.. and so why should this year be any different? I finally talked Jason into going to the doctor for a rash on his arm that he has had for longer than we can remember (we were thinking it is some type of heat related eczema). For anyone that really knows Jason, you know he doesn't 'do doctors'. The last time he was at the doctors was 2003 because he and I were passing colds back and forth for a few months, and he came home diagnosed with sleep apnea! Prior to that, he was probably 7 years old when he had had a traumatic experience getting lab work done and he has written off going to any type of doctors since. So needless to say it was like pulling teeth to get him to finally go to the doctor's to figure out this rash deal. His doctor decided it would be a good idea to have some lab work done, and an overall physical, because it has been so long since he's been seen. The lab work comes back the same day with a phone call: 'You need to come back to the office tomorrow'. This time, we come home with a diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2. What? We came in for a rash and now we're leaving with a glucometer?! This was approximately two weeks ago. The first few days were filled with a lot of emotions for the both of us. We came to terms with it pretty quickly and have been working to get Jason's sugars down into a 'normal range'. When he had his lab work done, his blood sugar level was 348. The 'normal range' is 80-140. It's been almost two weeks since the diagnosis and already his levels are in the normal range. He has cut out drinking regular sodas and switched to diet sodas, diet iced teas and water. He is also eating regularly and watching what he is eating. We met today with a diabetic nutritionist and a diabetic nurse who gave us a lot of information about the disease, how to control it, how to live with it, what he can eat and how much. It's been a lot of information in a short amount of time, but we're getting there. Both Jason's doctors and I are so proud of him at how well he has done with bringing his numbers down so rapidly. He is taking this diagnosis very seriously (as he should be) and it shows. We now are also working on some exercise routines and bringing down his cholesterol. It's a lot to tackle but we are getting there.
I am taking this shocking diagnosis as a blessing in disguise, and trying to find the silver lining in it all. We are very thankful that the diagnosis was caught before something tragic or irreversible happened to Jason's health. Let's face it, we could both stand to lose a few pounds and eat healthy and exercise. Now we don't have a choice, this is going to be our new way of life. Because we will be eating healthier and exercising, Addison will grow up not knowing any other way. She won't have poor diet and exercise habits. Hopefully we can help prevent her from developing this disease.
So other than a lot of doctor's appointments this month, there hasn't been a whole lot going on otherwise. Addison goes to the doctors mid-February for her 15 month check-up so that is something to look forward to. I love seeing how much she has grown between check-ups!