Three Years

A urine test and a phone call three years ago today changed our lives forever.  I still remember taking her back for a blood draw, then waiting in the pediatricians office waiting for the results.  I remember the one doctor telling us that she has Type 1 Diabetes and we need to call our insurance company to find out what Endocrinologists and what, if any, of the Children's Hospitals were in our network.  They explained that she needed to be admitted to a hospital, started on insulin and an IV to start bringing her blood sugar down.  We could either take her straight to Children's or they would admit her to Lima Memorial, get her started, then transfer her by ambulance later that evening.

Talk about over whelming.  It all sounded so foreign and nothing made sense.  What does all of this mean?  We decided to admit her to Memorial, then transfer to Columbus.  Josh toke her up to the room they got ready for her while I went to the library to get a few books to read over the next few days at the hospital, because I had no idea what we were in for.  And I hate not knowing.

680 was the first blood test that game back at Memorial.  I remember walking into the room as they were giving her the first injection of insulin.  It was a grim sight of what would be the norm for the next three days - one or two of us to hold her down as much as we could while a nurse gave her a shot... every time she ate.  If ever there were a moment when you would give any thing to trade places with your child, this was it!  It was the day after her 4th birthday and she just seemed so little to have to take these shots.  I also remember that ambulance ride to Columbus with  her.  She had to be strapped onto the bed during the whole ride, so all she could do was watch out the back window.  She said something about wondering where we were, and it just so happened that we were getting ready to drive past her friends house.  As we went past, I pointed out a century light that she was able to see and told her that light was at Savannah's house.  She fell asleep shortly afterwards so the EMT and I chatted for awhile and ended up talking about "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" (a non-profit organization).

Here we are... three years later!  Some of the best advice that I read was "don't let diabetes control you, you control the diabetes."  And that is what I strive so hard for!  We celebrated her 7th birthday this past week and here she is, an otherwise healthy girl who is active, plays soccer, is enjoying Girl Scouts, and is doing great in school!  If it weren't for the pump attached to her, you'd never know any thing was wrong with her!

I've said all along that she makes this so much easier on us.  With in the first month after we were out of the hospital, she started checking her own sugar!  We've been through syringes, pens, and now on a pump!  Don't get me wrong, she has her moments, but who can blame her with everything she has to go through?!