2 years and half a life time

Last week while I was preparing supper, I asked Chase to test his blood. While he was washing his hands, he turned to his baby sister and said, "Leah, I have diabetes. You don't have diabetes." To which I quickly added, "And we don't want her to ever get diabetes because diabetes stinks. Right, Buddy?" In a "mom you're crazy" tone, he simply replied, "No it doesn't."

Tomorrow marks the day that Chase will have had diabetes for half of his life. He hasn't known life any other way.

Two years ago, Gary and I were trying to figure out why Chase was drinking water constantly. He'd wake up in the middle of the night and ask for water. We'd get up to get him a glass only to discover a saturated diaper and wet bed.

Were we concerned he had diabetes? Yes and no. A few weeks prior to his diagnosis, he was in the clinic for his 2 year check up. I brought up our concerns about his "drinking problem" to his former pediatrician. She waved it off - even after I brought up our family history type 1 diabetes. For two weeks we went with her advice of waiting it out - that it would clear up on its own.

He wasn't getting any better. He became more and more irritable and his breathing started to become shallow. We prayed it was just a cold. On the advice of a mom at his day care who is a nurse, we took him to the public health office to have his blood tested. 348. He had diabetes.

I haven't really touched on faith much since starting this blog. It is something that is rather personal and private to me, but in two years, it is what has keep me going.

Two years ago I asked God, "Why my child?" and "Why not?" is what I heard back. Not really the response I was hoping for at the time. But, in that time, I've realized that we are lucky. We have awesome health care coverage, a wonderful medical team, and Gary and I will do whatever it takes to insure that Chase is happy and healthy. Some kids aren't so lucky. Mine is.