The D Word

We debated on whether or not we would post this bit of family news. It came down to Ally's decision. After mulling it over for about a week, she's decided that, yes, as just about everyone around us on a day to day basis knows, we may as well let other family and friends know as well.

Ally was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on March 27th. The girls spent the beginning part of their spring break with my parents. They brought them back on Tuesday evening (I flew out to LA on Tues am). My mom mentioned to Tom that Ally was drinking a lot of water and had we ever had her tested for diabetes. Because Ally, since she was a toddler, has always preferred water to any other beverage Tom didn't think much of it. He did mention it to me when I got back from my trip on Thursday. I also blew off my mom's observation with the same reasoning that Tom used. However, after watching her down a significant amount of water on Thursday evening, I googled the symptoms and reflected that Ally had demonstrated most of them sometime over the past few months, but still wasn't convinced since each could be written off to something else. On Friday morning she wasn't feeling the greatest, so I decided that I'd take her to see her pediatrician and let him tell me that I was over-reacting. Not so much. After getting back her glucose level, he sent us directly to Peoria to the diabetes resource center. We spent the day there with them bringing down her blood sugar, and learning how to count carbs, give shots and many other things about type 1 diabetes.

The four of us are getting used to it and are mostly over our shock and initial freak out. Ally quickly took to the routine of glucose testing, insulin shots and carb counting. While there's a bit to worry about in the future, we're focusing on the short term and keeping her healthy in order to minimize problems in the future. We're keeping this in perspective and acknowledge that considering the news some families receive about their children's health, diabetes may be life altering but with proper care it is not life ending.

We consider ourselves very fortunate that my mom had the perspective of not seeing Ally for a while to notice the change. From what we've been told, most families find out when their child is so sick that they've ended up in the ER and get plunked in the hospital for a few days. We were happy to avoid that drama.

I can't let this pass without sharing some humor, though! Tom has relayed to a few friends his perspective of me calling him at work on Friday morning to tell him we were picking him up and going to Peoria: "It's one thing to get a call from college buddies to see if you want to meet them in Peoria on a Friday night for a guys' night, but a whole other one to be called by your wife on Friday morning to be told that she and your eight year old daughter are picking you up to go straight to the Peoria Diabetes Resource Center!"

One of Ally's perspectives on having diabetes made us laugh out loud. As many of you know, our family loves spending time in Chicago and we try to find any excuse to get up there. We enjoy the Taste of Chicago quite a bit. As we were discussing how diabetes would impact us, the topic of the Taste came up and Ally commented, "Well, I guess I'll be just like a pin cushion that day!"

Ally has determined that there are certain foods that are most definitely shot worthy: chocolate, chocolate and chocolate!

So far, we haven't mentioned Lena specifically. However, this impacts her just as much as it does the rest of us. She is steadily adjusting to the extra attention that Ally is receiving. Lena is helping us count Ally's carbs and calculate her insulin dosages. She's been extremely understanding and eager to learn all she can about diabetes.

Tom and I feel shortchanged, however. We thought that the diagnosis would get us at least a few days of no sibling conflict. Again, not so much. One day...that's all we got! I guess we should consider ourselves lucky that life quickly reverted back to normal (though, somewhat adjusted). But, come on, can you blame us for hoping!?!

Despite the large impact in our lives the diabetes diagnosis is making, we do have other things going on as well!

Lena turned thirteen on April 8th! Really, Tom and I are much too young to have a teenager. I can still distinctly remember the day she was born and the day we brought her home from the hospital. She just keeps getting more interesting and wonderful with each passing year. However, there is a bit of "wonderfulness" that we have determined that we are ready to pass over: eye rolling and muttering under her breath. Seriously, though, she is a good kid.

Aside from classes, Lena has been keeping busy with her two night a week tumbling classes as well as rehearsals for the school play. They are performing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on May 2nd. Lena is the Head Oompa-Loompa! She is so excited and has been diligently practicing her lines.

Until next time...take care!