It's been a year since Kaelyn was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. 1 year ago on July 2, 2012, our lives were turned upside down with a daunting and new diagnosis.
In the past year, we have learned to count carbs, monitor blood sugars, plan ahead, check and correct, and live without a functioning pancreas.
In the past year, Kaelyn has had to adjust to a new diagnosis.
To checking her blood sugar AT LEAST 12 times a day. *(This requires a finger poke strong enough to draw blood!)
To counting carbs for everything she wants to eat.
To stopping her play when she feels low and shaky or high and grumpy.
To waking in the middle of the night to check for highs and lows.
To give HERSELF a shot...in fact, to give herself 4-6 shots a day.
To getting a pump.
To deal with pod changes every three days.
To adjust to having an apparatus attached to her by adhesive 24 hours a day keeping her alive.
To adjust to having to change that pod when it hurts, runs out of insulin, malfunctions, burns, or just when the time is up...every 72 hours.
She has gone through 365 x 12 finger pokes: 4,380 finger pokes (at least!)
She has gone through 118 pod changes
She gave herself about 720 shots...not including the ones she still has to do occasionally when we have a pod failure.
She has to deal with the questions and comments from people...some well meaning...who don't GET what diabetes is. Who don't get that it's not going away.
She has made new friends who also have diabetes
This year, she wanted to have a team for Beat the Bridge, and she wanted to raise 1000 dollars for a cure. She prays for a cure. She wishes for a cure!
She has memorized hundreds of foods and their carb counts.
She doesn't complain when she can't have the juice after soccer, or when she has to wait to eat something because of a high blood sugar.
She recognizes her lows and knows how to treat them.
She has continued to play soccer, to swim, and to play softball. She loves to ride her bike and play outside.
Kaelyn proudly talks about her challenges of living with diabetes. She willingly shows her pod to people, and demonstrates how to do a finger poke.
She teaches kids about pancreases and diabetes.
She keeps it in line with a great sense of humor...even telling people that she is a robot!
Kaelyn has proven to be bold. She is courageous and strong. She takes things in stride...most of the time. It's amazing when I think about all of the changes we have gone through in the past year. We have grown, we have changed. We are stronger! Praise God!
This year, diabetes tried to take something from her. In some ways it did. But she is fighting back. She is making the best of living with diabetes.
Diabetes does not define her...it is part of her.
I love my precious girl. This year has reminded me of how precious life is.
We will keep fighting as we pray for cure! Kaelyn is worth it.
