Sometimes our struggles seem almost more than we can bear. They definitely test our faith and leave us wondering WHY.
On June 12, 2017 my 10 year old son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. We went to the doctor because he was feeling unwell. From there he was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance where he spent 5 days, two in the pediatric ICU.
NO you can NOT fix type 1 with diet and exercise or weight loss. There is NOTHING you do to get it and there is NOTHING you can do to take it away. You have to count every carb you take in and counter it with insulin. Yes shots! For EVERY meal and snack per your carb ratio and at bedtime. It will NEVER go away! It's a life sentence! It needs a cure!
WHY my child?
WHY can't I take this instead?
WHY any child for that matter?
WHY is there not a cure for this?
WHY does my baby have to cry himself to sleep about this sometimes?
WHY so many pokes to get blood for blood sugar checks?
WHY does he have to get shots just to eat?
WHY does he have to carry an emergency injection in case his blood sugar drops too low and passes out?
WHY does he have to depend on others to know what to do in that situation?
WHY has the joy been sucked from my happy go lucky boy?
WHY does my once happy little character now seem so down all of the time?
WHY does this mama shed more tears now?
WHY do so many know so little about this?
Why why WHY???!!!!!!!!!!
Almost more than we can bear.
I thank God for an appointment within 30 minutes of me calling.
I thank God for a doctor that knew exactly what to check for.
I thank God for local medical care.
If you want to learn more about type 1, PLEASE do. If you have something to share with us about it (we are still learning) AWESOME! If you want to pray for us, YES we will accept every bit of prayer you want to offer up for us.
I just discovered your blog & have been browsing the posts. I am married to a type I diabetic who was diagnosed at age 36...strange to be diagnosed at that age but that's how it is. His mother was type 1, diagnosed at age 21 & his little brother is also type 1 diagnosed at age 12. He also has quite a few cousins who are type 1...it is rampant in his family.
ReplyDeleteSo when he was diagnosed 20 years ago this month neither of us really felt like it was a life sentence. He grew up with his mother daily taking care of her own diabetes then his brother. Of course we both knew it was very serious & we took it seriously from the very beginning.
The best things for us, he has lived with it all these years with no serious complications, no damage to organs or eyes, ect. The learning curve is hard if you know nothing about it but it is possible to live a full happy life with it.
My husband works full time, is the best dad, the most fun grandad & loves all the great things we get to do together. He wears the V-Go & it has absolutely changed his life...it's almost like having a real pancreas! He does still take shots as well if his meal has more than 15 to 20 carbs...we try to keep his meals below 20 carbs when we can. But the V-Go means most days he doesn't need a shot, just the many finger pricks.
The V-Go probably isn't something that would work well for a child because of the changes his body will go through as he grows into adulthood & how that all affects the disease. But maybe it's something for his future.
Just do your best to treat your son a a normal boy as much as possible. Help him see that he can still be successful, kind & productive even when he feels bad....it's super hard to do but what a gift to the world & those he comes into contact with if he can learn that young.
Best luck to you & your family.
DeleteHi Jenny, thank you for your comments. It is very encouraging to hear from others that have been dealing with this for a long time and know that they have been able to thrive in spite of all the extra work involved to live and be healthy. I can honestly say I have never heard of a V-Go. Is that some type of insulin pump?