[tri-med] Philina Update

Hi all,

As you may remember, Philina tested 'diabetic under control' (a blood sugar
3 month average of 6) at her physical last August.  Only treatment requested
by her GP was putting her on a diabetic diet (cut out concentrated sugar and
starches).  However, she was already dropping weight (1 1/2 lbs since the
previous Aug, and 3 lbs for the year before that), so I was hesitant to
follow the letter of his request.  He wasn't concerned about her weight
though, and said 106 1/2 (fully dressed) was fine.  And as long as she
stayed above 100 lbs he felt that keeping her on the thin side was best for
her health.  So unbeknownst to him, I just cut out the sugar and left the
starches.  And he was pleased with her next 3 month average blood sugar
results!  She dropped a whole .1 (or just down into the normal range).  But
to accomplish that .1 drop, she also lost 6 1/2 lbs in 3 months (cutting out
her beloved gummy bears, and switched her to Diet Coke & no sugar added
fruit cups, puddings & Jell-O in her program lunches).  So NOW he's worried
about her weight, and wants me to stuff her full of fat (no sugar added milk
shakes & hot cocoa)!  Not sure that her cardiologist will be overly pleased
with that one.  It's a no win situation!  Oh and I tried giving her lite
fruit juice in her lunch (instead of Diet Coke), but with just one single
serving bottle of cran grape juice, her old g-tube site reopened and started
draining again.  (But immediately reclosed when I didn't give her any more.)
So much for that idea!  My current approach is to provide her with all the
macaroni & cheese she'll ingest between meals.  That, the hot cocoa w/ no
sugar added Cool Whip, and no sugar added fruit pie w/ sugar free ice cream
is our current approach.  Aside from the blood sugar/weight issue, her
health is good!  Oh and cutting out sugar hasn't had any affect at all on
her energy level or how warm she feels all the time, so she evidently just
naturally has a high metabolism.  Will update you again in about another 3
months.

Fawna, Research coordinator TRIS Project, mom
to Thom & Rhonda, Lara, & Philina 25yrs (PT6p
& Moya Moya Syndrome), Escondido, CA USA
http://home.mindspring.com/~fawna33/

                  Building ___ooOOoo__ Rainbows
                       www.trisomyonline.org
                  Families Helping Families On-line

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