Monday, November 16, 2015

Type One Dia-Bad-Ass

November is Diabetes awareness month.....I happen to have a Type 1 Diabetic child aka a T1D. She was diagnoses late last April....to be honest it's all still new and yet already old hat. I have to tell you....I fucking hate diabetes. I hate that she can't just grab a muffin and eat it on the way to school. She has to check her blood and count her carbs and then shoot up the proper amount of insulin then eat. Oh then we all pray it works...because in the world of diabetes..no matter what you do, no matter how on point you are....everything changes constantly and every damn thing affects you. While your kid packs his bag...stuffing in homework and gaming device and wonders what excuse he will give the teacher as to why he didn't do his homework....my T1D does all that and checks her emergency snacks, glucose monitor, test strips, insulin and double checks that her medical alert bracelet is on....oh and her "excuse" as to why something wasn't done or why she is late is because she was high or low and up all night correcting it....you know life and death... While your daughter comes home upset because someone didn't like her shoes....mine comes home and cries because a classmate told her she does all this testing and snacks and resting and water drinking and multiple nurse trips just to get attention. (I know it's wrong to want to punch a child in the face...so I will just pray that a squirrel bites him on the ass).... Your child can get new shoes...my child will always be diabetic.
You put your children on the bus...grab coffee and head to work or whatever...I say a prayer that in the time she's on the bus nothing goes wrong...because there is no one there to help her...and I just want her to be where there is someone trained to assist her.... Yes I could drive her everyday...but she wants to be normal for 20 minuets a day...it's something I think about everyday. Her health is important but so is her heart and her soul. I do my best to balance it all.... You finish watching The Big Bang Theory and head off to bed for a solid 6-7 hours....I get up at 2am to check her blood and usually there is some correction to be made....either I wake her up to eat and then recheck and recheck again because I won't sleep if I'm not sure....or if she's high....I wake her so she can take insulin, drink water and walk around the neighborhood to get her blood levels down...oh then check and re check...... sweet dreams. You have your kids play outside while you do laundry etc..I watch mine like a hawk in case she gets a sudden low.....I get nothing done. You wonder if your child should get a new gaming system and how to pay for that...I long for a dex com but know I can't afford the co pays that come with it and pray to win the lottery. Even with all this....my girl is amazing....she won't let anyone dose her...she takes control...she does get pissy but who wouldn't. She hula hoops like a pro, she swims like mermaid, she crafts, she loves the beach and time with friends.... She sings like no one is listening and just wants to love everyone.....I'm so very proud of my T1D ...she's a badass... So while you plan your holidays....do me a favor...count all the carbs....add them up and think...whoa...I can eat all this and just be happy with my family. My family will be skipping a few of the usual sides this year....going lower carb... making sure she doses correctly and hoping that she doesn't get some weird reaction to green bean casserole. I am thankful that I even get to rant all over the place about this...... I don't want your pity...I don't want your help...I want you to be fully aware that this could happen to your child. PLEASE know the signs...please be patient with parents who have a child that requires extra attention...we are edgy from lack of sleep and being in a constant state of Momma Bear. Please pray for a cure. Thank you. Peace Out.