Type 1 Diabetes Day
A week after his 14th birthday this August my 2nd son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
The Ebbs & Flows ~ Adjusting to Diabetes (<- the post from that time)
While we are getting used to the constant blood glucose testing and the insulin injections for every meal (at least 4 times a day) especially for my son being a pin cushion has not become routine.
It stinks.
Every time.
The moments that bring him down, I pray that God would give me the words to help him. Sometimes he questions his faith and yet it is this very struggle that will make him stronger and more compassionate. God is molding him in the refining fire and will bring good out of any suffering...
We look to the cross.
Providentially we also have others to look to for inspiration and help.
Saint Jose Maria Escriva and Saint Paulina of Brazil are heavenly intercessors.
There's this yahoo email group - http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CatholicT1/
There's this Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Moms-and-Dads-of-type-one-diabetics/285243471492005
There's this blogger - http://aussiecoffeeshop.blogspot.com/
And many others....
Even Twitter has been a source of instant links to updates for the cure.
Once again, the internet can be used for good to serve us and we are grateful for that....while we pray for a cure. November is National Diabetes awareness month. http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/programs/american-diabetes-month/
Understanding the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes - http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/programs/american-diabetes-month/
Do you have a resource to share. Please leave a comment, if you do. We continue to learn....
Hey, you forgot me!! (haha just kidding)
ReplyDeleteAt least he's not a woman....when I'm pregnant, I need to test my blood sugars 8-10 times per day!!! Before I eat, and an hour after, and during the night, the doctors like to get 2 am testings.
I need to take 5 shots instead of 4, and I need to go to my Endocrinologist monthly for my A1C--(which is at 5.7 right now)
He could look on the bright side, he'll never be pregnant and have to do all this!!
I was 10 when diagnosed and my hardest thing, even today is every time I test, it draws attention to me and brings out the stupid questions and a kid just wants to be normal. I hated the questions. I went through a stage where I didn't test or take care of myself, because I didn't want anyone to know I was a diabetic. I always hated how my aunts would say things like "Do you want a piece of cake, Jamie?" "Oh, sorry, I forgot" then their fake smiles, like oops.
Now with carb counting, I can eat anything anyone else can. Obviously within reason and you always have to count. It's doable. It's just hard to see that as a kid. It's hard as a kid to stop to "take care of yourself" I've found it even harder to "stop to take care of myself" with 5 kiddos wanting my attention.
It hasn't been that long, it hasn't become second nature yet. Some things that might make it easier is that you can re-use those finger prickers til they are dull...til they start hurting. They actually hurt when brand new then in the middle, they don't hurt much, if at all...then when they are dull, they start to hurt again...
You can also re-use needles. I only change my needles, oh, maybe once every few weeks, again, when they start getting dull, then it's time to change needles.
I even poke right through my clothes. I've done it for over 20 years. When a doctor told me these things were ok. It saves time and money. You can be much more discreet.
When I first became diabetic, the only way they could check sugars was with urine, hey, at least he doesn't have to pee in a cup 4 times a day...that sucked!! (sorry for my language) but it did!! And it was soooooo inaccurate!!! It's so nice to get the actual blood sugar and fix it right away. There's so much better control now then 30 years ago (32 to be exact for me)
Anyway....I probably said too much.
He's still a great kid.
He's still him.
He will probably be much healthier than all of his friends. That's what I've found, because we eat balanced meals.
Some day it will all make sense to him. It will.
I do remember you writing about it, Jamie and thank you.
ReplyDeleteTherese in Australia writes about it from a mom and kids perspective.
You are right about him still being him...and we are grateful for so many things. But like you said, it makes you feel different.
I do hope that God gives him glimpses along the way to help him make sense of it. Of all my children, God knew who could handle it best.
Hugs.
I will keep him in my prayers. It is so hard to understand or accept the suffering of children. I need to pray for myself in this area!
ReplyDeleteMay God continue to bless all of you,
Lisa
Continued prayers, Allison! +JMJ+
ReplyDeletePrayers for your son's Cross that will surely refine him to perfection:)And Mama's too!
ReplyDeleteHello, a fellow Catholic homeschool mom has a son with diabetes too. Thought your son might relate to his story. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCRQ9AU3BHc
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog. I appreciate reading what other Catholic homeschoolers are doing!
Thanks for the link Allison. There are days we wish we didn't have to deal with D but overall, we just accept it like any other thing that we need to cope with. Time to check the boys levels before bed.
ReplyDelete