Monday, September 24, 2018

He's Type 1

"He's type 1" 

Those words echo through my mind.  Last week I received the text that one of my best friend's child was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Never in a millions years would I imagine myself bantering back and forth with them about the words and topics that have become so normal to me, and now to them. 

 Bolus, Basal, Insulin, Blood Sugars, a1C.   

I felt my heart sink as the text came in telling me what the results of the blood test said.  While they told me his symptoms, I couldn't be sure that diabetes was going to be the diagnosis. I hoped that it wouldn't be. I hoped that it was something temporary, a cold, the flu, not type 1 diabetes - please not this time.  But, as my phone vibrated, and I read the text aloud, tears fell down my cheeks as I thought to myself, "Damn You Diabetes..." 

It has been almost ten years since my diagnosis. Ten years of blood sugar checks, insulin doses, a1C counts and juice boxes.  Diabetes has become second nature for me, while never quite running smoothly in the background, it is what my life has been made up around.   When they told me the news, that they were now entering that world, my mind quickly flashed through all the journeys diabetes was going to take them on. All the obstacles that they will now have to face and the heartache and frustrations that comes with managing a disease that never quite sits quietly in the background. 

While I know many, many children, teens and adults alike living with type 1 diabetes, anytime I hear of a new diagnosis the same feeling of anger ignites in me.  Why? Why them? Remembering the last time I saw my friend's full-of-energy son, bouncing around on a trampoline as us adults enjoyed a BBQ and laughter.  Helping him with his dinner, scooping potatoes until he said 'stop' and filling him a glass of water.  Remembering all of these moments that seemed so normal, but meanwhile diabetes was slowly working its way into his body, causing the excessive thirst, bathroom visits and belly aches.  

While I'd do anything to take the disease and burden of diabetes away, instead I have to know that there is hope in technology and support.  In the exact ways that I found strength and courage, I only hope he can find those too.


 Kayla 
Gift I made for their son.
Gift that I made for their son.