It's been quite the past few days. This past Thursday at 5:30 PM we took our girls to the Doctor and were immediately sent with Lily down to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City. (aprox. 40 minutes South of here). You know how the saying goes, hindsight is 20/20? Well, the time that it took to drive to the Emergency Room was just enough to begin the process of putting several pieces of Lily's puzzle together. Right now Kurt and I are franticly working to learn about how to care for this little girl who so quickly became seriously ill. With all that there is to do, and learn, the miracle of God's hands in our lives has been so evident that I can honestly say I have more to be grateful for than ever before. Is this a life changing development? Yes. But at the forefront of every moment is hope. Hope, and gratitude. Gratitude for the medical and technological advances that have made Juvenile Diabetes into a disease that can be monitored and manages. Twenty or Thirty years ago Lily's diagnosis would have been frightening - a life filled with uncertainty. But now, so much has changed, not only in the way of medical developments but also in the way of Patient and Family support.
The first long night at the hospital was surreal. We must have seen half a dozen doctors and even more nurses. But it wasn't until around midnight when a nurse was telling me about all of the organizations dedicated to Type 1 Diabetes: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, The American Diabetes Association, Children with Diabetes, and the Foundation for Children and Youth with Diabetes - which is a CAMP for kids. That one sentence, "They even have summer camps just for children with type 1 Diabetes" was the sentence that hit me at the core. Summer Camp? Like, meaning, she couldn't go to any normal camp, so they have camps just for her?
I have so much more to say, and write - about the dozens of miracles, the disease itself, the unexpected impact on our other kids, and the way these things resolve. But for now, I'm off to bed. With good news though -
Lily's Blood Glucose just tested within her normal range!!!
Wahoo!!!!
Woohoo! That's a GREAT note to end on and hit the sack. :) I can't believe she got sick so fast and that it was like all a whirlwind. Good thing it got taken care of so quickly. You will now enter a new world, won't you? Wow. Keep the faith girl.
ReplyDeleteStaci
Wow! What a hard reality. I am so sorry. My sister just went through this same situation a couple of years ago with her 11yr old daughter. It's quite a learning curve. I'm impressed with your positive outlook. It's so true. My little girl has arthritis which is easily cared for now. (Much more than diabetes.) Thank goodness for wise doctors and God's inspiration. Good luck, Nicole.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing awesome! Stay positive! I am only a phone call away if you need to talk. I know it is not easy. It will all become a part of life before you know it.
ReplyDeleteKatie