Saturday, July 28, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
"The Honeymoon!"
Today we officially entered "The Honeymoon". We were warned of this process in the hospital, and even with that warning, it hasn't made the last couple of days any easier.
Diabetes is a roller coaster of emotions. It is DEFINITELY a constantly changing disease that sends us up and down figuratively and in actuality. Kaelyn's pancreas has decided it would wake up again. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is about 80-90% damaged at the time of diagnosis. Often, people will have a time where they need less insulin than before, and this is called the honeymoon period. During this time, Kaelyn's body is producing some insulin again.
Well, for Kaelyn, this has come about rather suddenly. In the past three days, she has not needed any insulin to cover the carbs in her food. This may sound like GREAT News, and I guess in some ways it is.
But...
I like routine. I like to follow the rules. And what I'm learning in this process is that diabetes doesn't really follow the rules. Kaelyn is now running very low, and we're adjusting her morning Lantus dose to see if we can even her Blood Glucose levels out again. Lows are scary to me at this point. Especially at night. She is pretty good at monitoring them during the day, but at night it's hard for all of us.
This honeymoon may last for a few days, a few months, or maybe even up to a year! They warned us in the hospital that there would be days where we would think maybe she was misdiagnosed, maybe she's cured. I have to admit those thoughts have surfaced in the last two days. God could heal her. I know that, but I also know that at this time there is not medical cure for diabetes. I can tell you this has become our prayer!
At this time, Kaelyn may suddenly need more insulin again, or she may not need any or very much for a while.
We are just getting the process of giving insulin, testing levels, figuring out corrections and figuring out the insulin needed to cover the carbs she is eating. This process alone has changed 6 times in the two and half weeks since she was diagnosed. (Not a good fact for a routine person like me!)
Now, she's running low, waking up low, and we aren't sure if this is a temporary time frame, or if this will be another new normal for a while.
We know that eventually her pancreas will stop producing insulin completely. This is the sad reality of Type 1. This is why we need a cure.
Until then, we will try to embrace each moment as it comes, and pray that we have the knowledge and flexibility to adapt to another change. For today, we're thankful for less shots, and hopeful that her numbers will be more even again.
Kaelyn is easy going, and adaptable. I guess I need to take a lesson from her. She is definitely taking it all in stride...I need to choose to take it one day at a time too. I will try to embrace the honeymoon.
Diabetes is a roller coaster of emotions. It is DEFINITELY a constantly changing disease that sends us up and down figuratively and in actuality. Kaelyn's pancreas has decided it would wake up again. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is about 80-90% damaged at the time of diagnosis. Often, people will have a time where they need less insulin than before, and this is called the honeymoon period. During this time, Kaelyn's body is producing some insulin again.
Well, for Kaelyn, this has come about rather suddenly. In the past three days, she has not needed any insulin to cover the carbs in her food. This may sound like GREAT News, and I guess in some ways it is.
But...
I like routine. I like to follow the rules. And what I'm learning in this process is that diabetes doesn't really follow the rules. Kaelyn is now running very low, and we're adjusting her morning Lantus dose to see if we can even her Blood Glucose levels out again. Lows are scary to me at this point. Especially at night. She is pretty good at monitoring them during the day, but at night it's hard for all of us.
This honeymoon may last for a few days, a few months, or maybe even up to a year! They warned us in the hospital that there would be days where we would think maybe she was misdiagnosed, maybe she's cured. I have to admit those thoughts have surfaced in the last two days. God could heal her. I know that, but I also know that at this time there is not medical cure for diabetes. I can tell you this has become our prayer!
At this time, Kaelyn may suddenly need more insulin again, or she may not need any or very much for a while.
We are just getting the process of giving insulin, testing levels, figuring out corrections and figuring out the insulin needed to cover the carbs she is eating. This process alone has changed 6 times in the two and half weeks since she was diagnosed. (Not a good fact for a routine person like me!)
Now, she's running low, waking up low, and we aren't sure if this is a temporary time frame, or if this will be another new normal for a while.
We know that eventually her pancreas will stop producing insulin completely. This is the sad reality of Type 1. This is why we need a cure.
Until then, we will try to embrace each moment as it comes, and pray that we have the knowledge and flexibility to adapt to another change. For today, we're thankful for less shots, and hopeful that her numbers will be more even again.
Kaelyn is easy going, and adaptable. I guess I need to take a lesson from her. She is definitely taking it all in stride...I need to choose to take it one day at a time too. I will try to embrace the honeymoon.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Blessings in raindrops...
As I sat in the hospital two weeks ago taking in the new diagnosis, I was scared, angry, and confused. I lay awake waiting for the next time the nurses would come in to check on Kaelyn. As I prayed, I was reminded of God's faithfulness. In the midst of the pain, I realized that He was continuing to take care of us. He was continuing to be amidst the details of our life.
Here are a few ways we saw His hand at work....
We were squeezed in to see our pediatrician on her lunch break. She has loved Kaelyn since she was born, and with tears in her eyes, she shared the diagnosis. I am so thankful she was there, and that we were not seen by someone who did not know us.
As we entered the emergency room of the huge children's hospital, the room was EMPTY! There was not a single other child or parent in the whole place. This spoke volumes to me. God knows how much I struggle with anxiety, and provided a warm welcome with two workers behind the desk who were waiting for us, and a quick trip to triage. We were quickly brought into our own room in the ER.
My sister was in town. She is often gone, and was not only in town, but able to come and see us in the ER while Kaelyn was starving and wanted Aunt E! This was such a blessing. And she brought me dinner too!
God has provided two good friends who are in the trenches with their own daughters in dealing with this disease. They have fielded many calls, covered us in prayer and spent time answering question after question. It's amazing how God has allowed our paths to cross, and how He knew.
Kaelyn will not be the only type 1 diabetic at school next year. Out of 20 kids, there will be two of them walking this road together. I would not wish it on anyone, but I am thankful my girl will have a pal who "gets it".
The day of Kaelyn's diagnosis was the beginning of the ONLY week this summer that we had NO plans, no trips and no commitments. God provided us with our own doctor, and thankfully she didn't get sick when we were galavanting around the country.
We have all summer to get acclimated to our new normal. Both of us our off, and we have time. Time to process, time to grieve, time to learn, and yes, even time to play. Thank God!
Kaelyn has an incredible mind, a determined spirit, and is willing to go through the process. She doesn't like it, but she's willing to accept it, allow it to become a part of who she is but not define who she is. She is an amazing kid. I wish I had half of her courage and strength.
We were blessed with some of the most beautiful fireworks I have EVER seen. We watched them right from our hospital room. They were incredible! It was a wonderful memory!
At Vacation Bible School this week we learned that No Matter What...TRUST GOD! I think it's amazing how God used that week with kids to remind me that He is worthy of our trust, and still on the throne!
I continue to be scared, confused, and at times overwhelmed. But God has shown me His blessings in our trials. I am thankful for His gifts in each day.
Here are a few ways we saw His hand at work....
We were squeezed in to see our pediatrician on her lunch break. She has loved Kaelyn since she was born, and with tears in her eyes, she shared the diagnosis. I am so thankful she was there, and that we were not seen by someone who did not know us.
As we entered the emergency room of the huge children's hospital, the room was EMPTY! There was not a single other child or parent in the whole place. This spoke volumes to me. God knows how much I struggle with anxiety, and provided a warm welcome with two workers behind the desk who were waiting for us, and a quick trip to triage. We were quickly brought into our own room in the ER.
My sister was in town. She is often gone, and was not only in town, but able to come and see us in the ER while Kaelyn was starving and wanted Aunt E! This was such a blessing. And she brought me dinner too!
God has provided two good friends who are in the trenches with their own daughters in dealing with this disease. They have fielded many calls, covered us in prayer and spent time answering question after question. It's amazing how God has allowed our paths to cross, and how He knew.
Kaelyn will not be the only type 1 diabetic at school next year. Out of 20 kids, there will be two of them walking this road together. I would not wish it on anyone, but I am thankful my girl will have a pal who "gets it".
The day of Kaelyn's diagnosis was the beginning of the ONLY week this summer that we had NO plans, no trips and no commitments. God provided us with our own doctor, and thankfully she didn't get sick when we were galavanting around the country.
We have all summer to get acclimated to our new normal. Both of us our off, and we have time. Time to process, time to grieve, time to learn, and yes, even time to play. Thank God!
Kaelyn has an incredible mind, a determined spirit, and is willing to go through the process. She doesn't like it, but she's willing to accept it, allow it to become a part of who she is but not define who she is. She is an amazing kid. I wish I had half of her courage and strength.
We were blessed with some of the most beautiful fireworks I have EVER seen. We watched them right from our hospital room. They were incredible! It was a wonderful memory!
At Vacation Bible School this week we learned that No Matter What...TRUST GOD! I think it's amazing how God used that week with kids to remind me that He is worthy of our trust, and still on the throne!
I continue to be scared, confused, and at times overwhelmed. But God has shown me His blessings in our trials. I am thankful for His gifts in each day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)