Monday, February 6, 2006 -
Diabetes and Homeschooling

... Posted in Everyday life

Diabetes is a scary thing, and grossly misunderstood by many. Our daughter J is diabetic. She's 12, and has been living with it for nearly 7 years. It was frightening to see an energetic, vocal (read: loud), healthy kid suddenly become listless, scrawny, and barely able to whisper. It seemed like one week she was fine, the next, she was in PICU.

There were signs: she was thirsty- like all the time. At night we noticed it more because she was getting up to pee (and get a drink) a dozen times a night, and would turn all the lights on in the house as she went. She was hungry. My grandmother would've said she had worms (wasn't that the catch-all diagnosis?). She started losing weight- rapidly. She went down to 30 lbs. Had no energy... would sit on the steps instead of playing in the yard... started having pains in her stomache, and throwing up. By the time we thought that maybe it wasn't stomache flu, she could barely stand on her own. At the doctor's office, they wanted a pee sample and I had to prop her up against the wall to put the lid on the bottle... and she slid to the floor in slow motion. The doctor told us to go right to emerg, and he called ahead for them to expect us. She was thisclose to slipping into a diabetic coma. When test results came back, her blood sugar was 52 (in the US, a different scale is used... here in Canada, 5.4 is considered normal. Well, anything between 3.9 and 7.1), and she was also dealing with ketoacidosis. She was extremely dehydrated. It was scary, yet a relief to know what we had to deal with. The love and prayers were amazing. It made a huge difference in how we handled it. J barely even remembers the being sick part.

Fast forward 7 years. We've been dealing with meal plans, insulin, finger picks, for what seems like a lifetime. Almost is, for J. She barely remembers life before diabetes. She doesn't use an insulin pump... they are incredibly expensive here, and not covered by our insurance (which, btw, is also different than in the US.. we carry insurance for prescriptions, dental, eyes, and private hospital rooms. Hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, medical testing... all free). She counts carbs, and takes insulin by injection 5 times a day, sometimes 6. Finger picks (to test blood sugar) sometimes more than that. Never less.

She is a tall girl, and willowy. My mother had the "privilege" to try to sell a JDRF Walk for the Cure sneaker to this lady a few years back, who rudely told her that if they all weren't so fat and ate so much sugar there wouldn't be a problem. Mom got out a picture of J. Said, "This is my granddaughter, J. She is diabetic, and gets 5 needles a day. Plus finger picks. She was 5 when she was diagnosed, and will have to live with it the rest of her life unless they find a cure."

Diabetes is not a walk in the park. It's a part of our lives here, and it has really become "normal"...  the other kids are incredibly observant, and they all watch out for signs she's going too low. Meals are like clockwork around here (no waiting until AFTER pm church to eat supper)... sometimes it seems the day is one giant meal.

Homeschooling definitely makes it easier. We hs'ed before she was diagnosed, and it sure enables her to have better control. We understand the way her sugars mess with her head. Too high or too low can cause confusion, and lack of concentration. We don't excuse rudeness or nastiness, but we can make allowances for the time it takes to process information.

Years ago, people just died from this. Maybe someday, needles and picks will also be a thing of the past.

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Comments

Monday, February 6, 2006 - ((((((((hugs))))))))

Posted by isthecoffeeready

praying for you and your daughter. what a blessing to have a mother like you!

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Monday, February 6, 2006 - My Neighbour

Posted by hsing2busykids

My neighbour's little girl (then seven years old) went through the very same thing. It's amazing how similar your stories are. It was so frightening for everyone, so I have a pretty good image of how terrified you must have been.

My neighbour (now living in Newfoundland) sent her kids to school, so she was there every day, several times a day, to make sure that her daughter tested her sugar, took her insulin, and got her snacks. My neighbour pretty much lived at the school. Homeschooling just wasn't an option for her because "school was the best place for her kids" *sigh*

I always buy a "shoe" for diabetes research. My grandfather was also diabetic and took daily needles. It's a scary thing and so misunderstood.

Penelope

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Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - Sugar Babies

Posted by wrenthomas

That's a term I heard many years ago, referring to diabetic children. I liked it and that's how I thought of my boys when they were much younger - my sugar babies! Like your daughter, both of my boys are slender like their dad. I remember thinking that they were going to get fat, because of the diabetes. Now I know that diabetics come in all shapes, sizes and ages. I pray that your daughter and my sons will not have to live with the endless rounds of checking their blood, taking insulin, counting carbohydrates,and eating on schedules for the rest of their lives. That cure is coming! :) I thank God that we live in the time that we do.

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Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by JenIG

that sounds like a scary thing; i'm glad you posted it tho, thanks for the warning signs to look out for.
:) love jen

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Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - Howdy!

Posted by Lazycreek

Just enjoying your blog, here, Jen. Thanks for stopping by mine.
I can't imagine trying to give your daughter a good life in the public system, especially so young. At home, she has people who know what to watch for, who'll help her get through her daily routine, plus you know she's learning.
Love the Timbits graphic and the Moncton picture. Our former pastor and wife, our mentors, have retired there, so at some point (maybe even this year or next) we'll be out your way.
I'm meeting enough Canucks that I'm now going to have to start a separate set of links just for their blogs. :~)

Blessings,

Cat, Lazy Creek Zookeeper
featuring... a whole lot of quiet! Finally!

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Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Happyhome

My dh has been diabetic for 32 years...diagnosed when he was six...on Valentine's Day none the less. Fortunately, he is not brittle in his sugars, and has them very much under control. I credit his parents for the discipline and control they taught him growing up. Your daughter is very blessed to have you as a mom.

Blessings,

Angela

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Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - Thank you for stopping by!

Posted by ByHisGraceInColorado

Our stories are very similar! I don't know if you were able to go to the link and read the whole story I wrote about my son Char at his diagnosis. I may just have to post it---
Please join our yahoo group if you like! We just talk and pray for one another, maybe once or twice a month. It's not a daily thing so it's not time consuming. It is just nice to know you can talk to another mom who is going through the same type of thing.
I am going to add you to my friends list and hope to visit again soon. Prayers going up for you, dear Sister! God is faithful to help us and teach us through this---and a huge hug for your dear daughter.
love,
Nancy

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Thursday, February 23, 2006 - Juvenile Diabetes

Posted by KittyCatGirlHappyHomemaker

Thank you for sharing your family's journey with diabetes. I'm new on the blog and plan to share our story to encourage and educate. Last June the day before his 18th birthday I took my son to the ER (same story as your daughters 6 foot 160 lb young man wittled down to 125 in one month!) with Ketoacidosis, 4 days in ICU and a life-altering diagnosis. Trust in God, educating everyone we meet and working together as a family is the key. Just imagine how beautiful heaven will be!
~Judy (happy homemaker)

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