Most of you who've read me for any length of time know that my little grandson, Cameron, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes just before he turned two years old. He just turned three a month ago. I take care of Cameron at least one day and sometimes more every week. So as horrified as I was, I had no choice but to make sure I learned everything I possibly could about his disease.
Cameron has been in the hospital twice, as close to going into a coma as he could possibly be without actually going into a coma. Both times, he was in the hospital for five days before his blood glucose was brought back under control. You can't begin to imagine how frightening that is.
I remember when he was first diagnosed, Krissy told me I'd have to do this several times a day.
And based on the reading I got on his monitor, I'd probably have to give him a shot. Several times a day.
It took me one week to find the courage to go down to her house and let her show me how to stick his finger and then give him a shot.
The first time I gave him a shot, I was shaking so badly I was afraid I'd break the needle off in his little behind. A two year old's behind is very little and fragile looking and it killed me to stick a needle in his. There's just something not right about having to pull a diaper down to give a child a shot.
Now? It's almost annoying to have to stop constantly during the day to check his blood glucose level and give him a shot. He and I both take it so in stride that it's become something we do practically on the run, all.day.long.
My friend GiBee at Kisses of Sunshine has written an outstanding post on juvenile diabetes. Her niece (her sister's daughter) has the disease and GiBee included her sister's thoughts on the "pump" and how her daughter has reacted to it and why.
If I had read GiBee's post fifteen months ago, I would have said,"Huh? I didn't know that!" I was absolutely amazed when I realized I knew every single thing she and her sister are telling us in this post. Absolutely amazing...how much knowledge you accidentally pick up when you have no choice but to know about something.
Cameron's blood glucose levels run at the 300 to 400 mark all the time if we don't make a huge effort to control his carb intake and give him the right amount of insulin exactly when he needs it. He's very little and it's very difficult at this point. But all of us are working diligently to get his diabetes under control.
Those numbers will mean more to you if you read GiBee's post. Here's a clue. Cameron's blood glucose is WAY too high WAY too often right now. But we're working on it - all of us - his whole family.
And you can bet that we're praying for a cure - soon. And you can also bet that we're holding our breath, waiting to see if little Avery is going to be diabetic.
I can promise her this, if she is. She'll be in good hands.
If you'd like to arm yourself with even more knowledge after you read GiBee's post, you can come back here and click on this JDRF icon. This is Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International and these are the miracle workers who are going to rid the world of this terrible disease someday.
Like GiBee said in her post, if our child has to have a disease, thank goodness it's this one because it's controllable with knowledge and diligence. There are so many far worse diseases a child could have. But I can assure you, this one is bad enough and it definitely keeps us all on our toes.
Right now, our goal is to bring his A1C number down so that he hopefully qualifies for a pump before he starts grade school. Parents have to prove they have a child's diabetes under control before their child can get a prescription for the pump.
That's diabetes talk, our second language around here. If you don't know what that means, you'll find out over at GiBee's place.
Funny. I sat down with every intention of reposting a great summer recipe I posted last year. But I read GiBee's post first and totally changed my mind.
I'll post that recipe tomorrow. :-)
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19 comments:
Thanks for being obedient to the prompt to keep getting the word out. Sending that big 3 year old lots of hugs. xxxooogretchen
This is a great post Barb and you're definitely getting out the word on Juvenile Diabetes.
Hugs and wishes for a great day :)
As a mom to a daughter with Type 1, I really appreciate this post. My daughter was diagnosed at 18 - older than usual. As much as I worry about her, it's hard to imagine dealing with this in a toddler. You are a great grandma to take care of him and learn how to handle his blood sugars. My daughter has a pump now and really likes it. I know that will come for Cameron too. We too are praying for a cure!
This was a great post, Barb. Also GiBee's post. It's so important to get the information out there.
Elliott Yamin, who was on American Idol a few years ago, has diabetes and is doing a lot himself to make people more aware of the disease.
I'm sure this past year has been very hard on your family. You're all doing a great job with Cameron, and I'm sure that his numbers will be coming down to a better range soon. Hopefully Avery will be spared.
I think about your family a lot. Cameron is such a "big boy" to endure the finger sticks and the shots. I know you're all proud of him.
JDRF needs everyone's help. I'm donating in Cameron's name.
barb, i can imagine how hard this is for a child because my mom has diabetes too. let me just say a short prayer for cameron.
Lord, i lift up cameron to you. i pray that you will miraculously heal this beautiful child for i know that healing is your will for all of us. i pray that cameron will never have to go through the ordeal of having diabetes until his old age. Father, i believe that you will heal cameron. thank you for your goodness and mercy upon us. thank you, Lord, in Jesus' name, amen.
As an "old" (just turned 54) juvenile diabetic, I can't imagine what it would be like for one so little.
I still remember when my doctor told me her youngest patient was only three months old.
There has to be a cure someday, soon I hope. Especially for the little ones.
We have friends whose child was diagnosed also, and boy have we learned a lot from them! Praying that cure comes quickly and in the hope that it does we as a family give towards it!
I'm grown up, (so they tell me, anyway!) and I hate to stick my fingers! I'd rather have a gaping wound! I don't know why it bothers me so much. It's not the pain, honestly.
I hope and pray that Cam is able to get the pump soon. I've heard nothing but good stuff about them.
And I'm praying that Avery is blessed and doesn't have diabetes, bless her heart.
Bet the recipe you were going to share is for BLT pasta. ;o)
Love and hugs,
Diane
Such an important post! Back in the 7th grade, my friend's sister was diagnosed. She was in 3rd grade at the time and I recall talk of the family learning how to administer her insulin injections. It was a major life change for them all.
Blessings,
~Toni~
I am so glad you posted this, Barb. Knowledge and awareness are powerful things. It is amazing how quickly you learn things when lives depend on that knowledge, ajust as you have done with Cameron. I am praying for his levels to settle down. And for a cure. Big things are also possible.
My heart goes out to you, and to every parent that takes care of a little one with diabetes. I currently have gestational diabetes, controlled by insulin, and never before realized how intensive treating diabetes could be.
Thank you for the links!
Blessings,
beck
I just saw in the bulletin this week at church our past worship leader's little boy was diagnosed. I knew from hearing about Cameron what a life changer that will be, since he's only 4 years old. Thank goodness we catch it so early so we can begin to monitor and treat, and yes, hopefully a cure is just around the corner.
I pray every day for a cure for my baby's food allergies. I will add a cure for your baby's JD to my list. This is a wonderful and educating post, Barb. Thanks so much for sharing it and educating us on JD.
Barb, I so hope you are right about a cure for juvenile diabetes. I have a little grand-niece who has it--she's 7, and she and her mom take it in stride now, but I know it is a pain in many ways.
I discovered last September that I have Type 2, and it seems to be so much more easily managed than Type 1. Here's hoping and praying for a cure!
Oh Barb - having lived with this disease for over 40 years I know exactly what you mean. I think most people think (as I did before my husband was diagnosed) you just take insulin and everything is fine. I won't go into all the difficulties he has endured along the way. I will tell you that the best thing that ever happened in his treatment is getting an insulin pump. He is doing amazingly well with control since he has been on one. Had he had it from the beginning he wouldn't have lost as much as he has.
I pray Cameron will be able to get one as soon as he is old enough. It is an amazing tool.
I'm still scared to give Cameron a shot. But I guess I will have to learn soon, because with us moving back I may find myself doing babysitting and sleepovers with Cam and Aaron.
I hope a cure is found soon! It breaks my heart that little ones (and their parents) are having to deal with this on a daily basis. My mom was diagnosed with late onset diabetes in her mid 40's. I worry that I will suffer the same fate.
Thanks for sharing.
Our ds has type1 too, he was almost 10 when he was diagnosed & is now 18. We too continue to pray for a cure. It is such a roller coaster ride trying to keep their blood sugar numbers within a good range. Best wishes to all of you as you take care of your sweet little one! Sharon
I'll tell you ... nothing... NOTHING ... rips a mother's heart apart like hearing the diagnosis that her child has juv. diabetes. Nothing.
It is awful, and we are praying like crazy for a cure!!!
Thanks, Barb for team tagging with me!!!
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