(Our "D Day" story can be found here: A Retrospective To the Moon and Back)
I've kept this blog to record our journey and to educate. Below are the questions that I am asked most frequently:
#1 Most asked question - What were the signs?
Excessive thirst and frequent urination. Since drinking and peeing go together, it took a little while to realize something was not right. We remember vividly Chase sucking the juice out of an orange, asking for a 2nd, then a 3rd and then a 4th. Unknowingly, we were only raising his blood sugar higher.
#2 What is a normal blood sugar?
On average, I like to say 100. On D Day, Chase had fasted for 12 hours and his blood was 348.
#3 What is he not allowed to eat?
Nothing! We don't limit carbs, but diabetes has made us make healthier choices all around. I do believe that fruit snacks are evil and they are only used to bring up blood sugar numbers - much to my children's dismay.
And then, there are the questions I think that I should be not be held legally responsible for if I should say, hurt someone for asking:
He doesn't look overweight. Did he eat a lot of sugar as a baby?
Well, Gary and I used to like to give him a 2# bag of Crystal sugar and a spoon. Is that wrong? In all seriousness, it is the #1 most frustrating question I get. NO. NO. NO. It's an autoimmune disorder. His body attacked his insulin producing cells. It has NOTHING to do with weight or sugar intake. It is just a shitty card he was handed at far too young an age.
Will he outgrow it?
No (this is the most painful question to answer). Not until a cure is found...which is why I am so passionate to find a cure & educate people in the meanwhile.
And then, there are the comments:
"At least it can be managed."
Yes, with constant vigilance, it can. We test blood 5 or more times a day, count every carb that passes his lips, give insulin accordingly & change pump sights religiously in order to avoid comas, amputations, nerve, kidney and eye damage. All this is done while trying to manage whatever else life throws our way.
"I could never do that to my child."
It's a small price to have that little boy in my life. He is the double layer of frosting on a cake. He is that first sip of coffee in the morning. He is the most awesome Lego set ever created. Doing nothing or even just 90% is not an option. Until a cure is found, I will give 100% & more.
