November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, but this year it holds a special significance for our family. Ten years ago, on August 25th, 2010, we were introduced to a “new normal.”
Our oldest child was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
She was five years old and had just started kindergarten three days prior. Every year we identify and celebrate the anniversary of her diagnosis day. We first heard the term “Diaversary” a few months after diagnosis, and I remember thinking it was the craziest thing I had ever heard. Then that first-year Diaversary came, and I realized that we needed that celebration.
The Diagnosis
A few months before her diagnosis, symptoms began to appear. Initially, her symptoms seem to have other explanations. About three weeks before school started, she began to lose weight, feel sick after eating, eat and drink excessively, have heavy breathing while resting, and just not being herself.
On the afternoon of the 25th, we had a final dress fitting for her uncle’s wedding. Her dress that had fit her perfectly just over a month before was two sizes too big. After rechecking the tag on the dress to be sure we had the right size, I realized I needed to make a phone call. I called her doctor and set up an appointment for the next morning. Driving home, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we shouldn’t wait to see the pediatrician and went straight to the hospital.
Knowing the signs of diabetes and learning your child has diabetes are two things that do not come together easily. At the hospital, we learned her sugar level was 731, and she was in danger of her organs shutting down. A week later, we left the hospital. Excited to go home but terrified to be heading home in my new role as a stand-in pancreas.
The Beginning
The first year celebration was more of a “survival” kind of feeling. The next few years continued with quarterly check-ups and blood work. She played soccer, softball and knew she could do anything any other child could with the right snacks and management. We accepted that diabetes management was a daily battle. What worked yesterday may not work today or tomorrow. We would find what worked for her.
The Rough Patch
In Year Five, we were reminded of how quickly things could go awry. She woke early one morning feeling very sick with a high blood sugar level that did not respond to our allowed insulin dosing. Again, she was admitted to the hospital for treatment.
The next few years brought on the tween and teen years that are difficult to navigate. Additional growth and hormone changes brought new challenges to managing diabetes. She experienced periods of anger and depression. At one point, she even wanted to stop checking her sugar and skipped insulin doses. There was a lot of anger in her and much tension between us. I would have done almost anything to take away her pain and anger.
Time for Celebrations
As we entered Year Nine, the emotional rollercoaster had slowed down. A renewed strength began to show. She entered the 9th grade with the typical nervousness and excitement.
Looking forward to the ten-year mark approaching, it seemed a true “Diaversary” celebration had been earned. Unfortunately, 2020 has had other plans, and with the safety guidelines regarding COVID, we would need to get creative. After a good bit of brainstorming, she decided the best way to celebrate this year would be to treat it as a new beginning. After all, managing diabetes is a daily job that requires adaptation and changes more than we ever imagined.
Support and Encouragement
The tools, medications, and other resources available have advanced tremendously over the years. My daughter wears a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that transmits data to her insulin pump and cell phone to manage her diabetes. We are so very grateful for all the research and advancements in diabetes care.
Still, we hope a cure is closer.
Beyond all the negatives, this journey has provided some true gifts as well. Meeting other families along this journey is one of the most rewarding.
My daughter is finding her own path but the friendships and connections she has made because diabetes connected them has given her encouragement and motivation to stay the course.
Know the Signs
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Extreme hunger
- Unintended weight loss
- Irritability and other mood changes
- Fatigue and weakness
- Blurred vision
