Inspiring Stories

My Inspirational Son- Grant

A week prior to my son's 5th birthday I noticed that he had mosquito bites that did not seem to heal quickly, a glassy look to his beautiful blue eyes and a thirst that he was unable to satisfy. I had always been on the look out for signs of diabetes since his birthmother was a type 1, diagnosed a week after her 5th birthday and his birthfather was a type 2. We celebrated Grant's birthday in Spiderman style and the following morning went to our pediatrician. She confirmed what I already knew, told me to go home and pack for being gone 3-4 days and on our way to Akron Children's Hospital we went. After meeting with the diabetes teams, nutritionists, and Dr. Riley we were confident that we could handle this for our son. Grant was on shots for the first year and then at the age of 6 before he went to kindergarden he wanted to try the pump. Four years later I must say what an invention for diabetic patients. Grant can do everything that kids his age can do while also taking great care of himself and having freedom in his range of foods. He plays football, does karate and rides dirtbikes. There are days that we have our small melt-downs and he asks "why me" but we are firm in our belief that there will be a cure and pray for those who are not able to manage as well as we have been able to. His AIC runs around 7.4% consistently but that is from being diligent about eating right, exercising, and following his EzCarb and EzBG routine everyday. I love my son and I am so proud of what he has accomplished the past 5 years, and not letting diabetes hold him back.

Anonymous
Leetonia, OH

Addison

I remember laying in bed one night after being woken up for the third time by Addison, 2 1/2 years old, to go potty AGAIN, and remembering all the trips to the bathroom earlier that day, it hit me! This horrible, gut wrenching feeling, I remembered reading an article in one of my parenting magazines, of a dad recalling his child having frequent urination, a symptom of Type I Diabetes. It was a feeling that kept me up for a couple of hours, until I finally "convinced" myself that, no, it wasn't diabetes. That would never happen to "my" daughter, it was probably just a UTI. The next day I called and made a doctors appointment for the following day.

When we got to the doctors office, Addi had to go potty. By the way, a 2 year old peeing in a plastic cup while mom holds it, is not easy, yes, my hand got wet! :) The doctor came in, told us that Addi's BG was over 600 and that we needed to be flown to Albuquerque. After lots of hidden tears, mine; and making plans for our other kids, a 5 year old & a 5 month old, to stay with grandparents; a few hours later, we flew to Albuquerque; where we learned about our new lifestyle, from some really great people. We stayed there for 4 nights & 5 days.

Now, 16 months later, besides the countless finger pokes, at least 4 shots a day, & numerous ER visits, Addison is a normal 4 year old. She just finished dance and swimming lessons, she loves to run around and play with her brothers, and she is getting ready to start preschool. She has recently figured out when she's feeling low, so she's able to tells us she's "shaky" or "tired". And yes, we get the occasional "I don't like diabetes!" comments, but I remind her every time that there are lots of diabetics, that there will be a cure, and that she is a Strong little girl, and not everybody could do what she does every day!

Anonymous
Roswell, NM

About to start first year of high school newly diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes

My beautiful, smart and outgoing 14 year old was diagnosed just 3 weeks ago. She had been getting headaches and was tired all the time. One night she had enough and said she wanted to go to the Doctor. Between the headaches, being tired and thirsty no matter how much she drank she knew something was wrong. We do not have anyone in the family that has been affected with Diabetes but I knew the signs. I took her to the Doctor with the hopes of me being diagnosed as a hypochondriac parent. Fortunately her Pediatrician was amazing and picked up on the symptoms immediately. We were sent to do labs. McKenzie got close to hyperventilating in the lab. Her biggest fear is needles and blood. Within hours she was admitted into the hospital and had dozens of pokes. I was amazed and so proud of how she was taking everything given her fear. She has done amazing with everything these past three weeks. She has kept her levels within normal range, she has made good choices and learned a ton.

Our biggest concern that is being presented now is that she is starting high school in 3 weeks. For most children beginning high school can be a bit scary and intimidating but going into it with this new lifestyle change has been very overwhelming for her. She has always been a very social and fun child that would never miss a day of school unless she was super sick and now she is asking to be home schooled. I have encouraged her to get involved in diabetes groups but she does not want to do that at this point. Any tips, hints or advice from anyone who has gone through this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all! I wish everyone that is dealing with this or have a love one dealing with this all the best, love and comfort possible. xoxo ~ Jamie

Jamie
Beaumont, CA

Silent Killer

My mother told me when i was in utero that doctors were expecting me to be a rather large baby and weren't exactly sure what would be when i would come into the world.They told her I may not live very long. When I was born I was as healthy as could be.
I remember I was overweight and always thirsty. I would tell my mom that i had an itch and i couldn't stand it. I couldn't take it anymore and told the school nurse. I can still remember the look on her face when she asked me to open my legs. She was beside her self. She called my mother and told her I was in need of medical attention.
I was in kindergarten, when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. The dr advised my parents I would need to travel eight hours to the nearest hospital that treated juvenile diabetics.
I didn't comprehend the severity of the issue. .When I was taught how to administer insulin, I wasn't phased by any of it.
It wasn't until after I got into middle school and started to deal with kids bullying me for being over weight that it started to effect me.I started becoming withdrawn and felt alone. I didn't want to deal with this disease anymore. It was making me feel isolated and so different. My parents didn't know how to deal with it either. I stopped going to see my endocrinologist and gained even more weight. I wish I would've been taught more discipline and guided better by the ones who were supposed to be examples in my life. When they were threatened to have to go to court for child neglect, they made me wright a letter saying I begged them not to take me and that I was fault for the missed appointments.Even if I did pitch a fit, why would a parent allow there diabetic daughter to win this battle that clearly wasn't any good for her?
I am 27 years old now and suffer from peripheral neuropathy.

Samantha
TUCSON, AZ

What....I have Diabetes...what is that?

I was at the Mall with my Mum and couldn't get enough to drink felt like I had sand in mouth. I had 2 cans of soda while we were at the mall we left as I didn't feel very well. The next day I couldn't get out of bed couldn't lift my head off the pillow, my Dad carried me to the car we had no idea what was wrong with me and headed to the local clinic. They took me into the Emergency area as I was barely conscious I threw up bile everywhere...I will never forget the taste of that disgusting stuff. The nursing staff went into panic mode pricking me prodding me they found my sugar level was elevated and ordered an ambulance to take me to the regional hospital.

Came to find out I had Type 1 Diabetes....I had never ever heard of Diabetes what was this? At the age of 16 my life was changed for ever I'm now 41 and glad to say I haven't had any complications from the disease yet. I'd love to say I have good control but I'd like to have BETTER control of it. People ask how do you live with it I say I'd rather have Diabetes than many other conditions that you can't live a normal life with. I try to stay positive and active I have been lucky enough to be a mother of 2 boys. When I was first diagnosed they said I shouldn't have children being pregnant was far too risky, well I'm glad times have changed and got to experience being a Mother even though pregnancy was a lot to keep up with I'm glad to say both my boys are happy and healthy because of the medical teams that helped me through the 9 months.

I don't give up hope that one day there will be a cure and Diabetes will be a disease of the past!

Annalee
Groton, MA

40 Years

This coming March will mark the 40th anniversary of my diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. In that time I have gone through many changes and advancements in the treatment of the disease. In the 40 years with type 1, there are still many people out there that still have no idea what it is all about, and hopefully I can educate them a little better on what it is like. I also like to help those who have had the disease or have been recently diagnosed with it and share some of the things that have worked for me and have helped me along the way. I always feel better when I'm having a tough time to be able to talk to someone with diabetes because I feel they have a better understanding.

Kevin Yurkanin
Drums, PA

My Type 1 Diabetic Story

I'm Shelby King from Tennessee, and I was 4 years old when I found out I had Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes, I am now about to turn 15. I found I was diabetic when I was drinking a whole lot and using the bathroom every 5 minutes. My mama did everything to try and stop my thirst thinking that was why I was using the bathroom all the time. I also would have real bad fits and the doctors at Vanderbilt told us that it was from my blood glucose being high. My mama then took me to the doctor and they rushed me to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital with a my blood sugar being 728. Over the years I have learned how to manage my diabetes and I now have an insulin pump from Animas. I wanted to share my story with you because I see how everyone always gets theirs out there and I wanted to share mine.

Shelby King
Beersheba Springs, TN

A Never Ending Battle

My name is Robin and I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 6 years old. I was like any other kid, playing outside, scraping my knees, laughing with my friends and my sister, and checking my blood sugars. It was normal for me, until I hit my adolescent age. Then things really started to change. Around 12 years old, I started experiencing feelings of overwhelming loneliness. I was so tired of having diabetes that I thought that maybe if I stopped acknowledging it, it'll go away. Boy, was I wrong! Then around 19 years old, I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, a goiter and Grave's disease. Then, in 2009 at the age of 22, I woke up one morning and couldn't see. After numerous doctor appointments, I was told I had gone blind in my right eye. Then, at 24 years old, I found out my kidneys were failing. Less than a year later, in November of 2012, I started dialysis. However, through all these complications, there was still a light at the end of my dark tunnel. I was told that I would make a perfect candidate for a double transplant. Having never heard of this before, I inquired more information about it. What a double transplant means is I would get a new kidney along with a new pancreas. Wait... What?! No more kidney failure and no more diabetes? All I could do was cry tears of joy. Something I only dreamt about for 20 years was actually going to come true. A normal life, without diabetes, is in my future. August 16, 2013 is when I'll go in for my first evaluation to determine if I really do make an ideal candidate for a double transplant. So, my advice to those with diabetes is even when you feel the battle is never ending, that you just can't take anymore, please always remember that even though it's raining now, doesn't mean sunshine isn't soon to follow. Stay strong, we're all in this together.

Robin Knight
Buford, GA

Jackson's Story

Jackson was six years old and it was summertime. I didn't notice
Jackson guzzling waters and soft drinks because it was hot and no big deal. For about two weeks he wet the bed every night. I just thought he was exhausted and drank too much before bed. Well, my washing machine broke and I needed a replacement. I called my mother to explain my situation and how I had to wash all the bed linen because of the bed wetting and I really needed a new washer ASAP. My mother having a strong family diabetic background knew right away something was wrong. She insisted that I check his blood sugar with her glucometer in the parking lot at Lowes. He was 302. We called the pediatrician and were instructed to go to children's immediately. After 3 days in the hospital I was emotionally drained and completely exhausted. The one good thing that happened to Jackson was that his diabetes was virtually caught the minute it started because of my mother. He was never "sick" other than the bed wetting and lethargy. He was in his honeymoon phase for weeks after being diagnosed. He's very fortunate we caught it before he went into diabetic coma.
Its been 3 years now and We've had many ups and downs, But my son is my hero! He has never once complained about having diabetes. Only once did he lay on my bed and say "Mom I wish I didn't have diabetes." It took everything inside of me To not completely fall apart. I simply said to him "I wish you didn't have diabetes either, but you have to look on the bright side of things. At least you don't have a disease that kept you in the hospital. You were able to come home with your mommy and daddy. Think about the children who didn't get to come home." He never said it again. My son Jackson Mercer is MY HERO!!!! I love him with ALL my heart! Diabetes doesn't control us! We control diabetes!!!!!

Mindy Mercer
Washington, PA

Conquering type 1 diabetes

I was a very active teenager, just finishing out 8th grade, getting ready for the summer when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I was at graduation parties chugging cans of pop because I was so thirsty. I was eating nonstop, yet lost about 20 lbs in 2 weeks. I was in the bathroom every 5 minutes, and hardly had energy to walk up a flight of stairs. An older lady from my church pulled me aside one day and told me that if I needed someone to talk to about anorexia, she would be willing to meet with me. My friends thought I was bulemic, and the muscle cramps I got in the middle of the night were becoming unbearable. One saturday morning, my mom decided to bring me to the doctor. It was a complete shock being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, as the only thing I knew about it was that it was the "one with the shots". I spent several minutes during each mealtime just trying to build up the courage to give myself a shot. About a year and a half later, I was able to go on a pump. It was a big day for me, as I felt that I got a lot of freedom back. I soon realized that I may have had a little TOO much freedom, as I was eating anything I wanted, whenever I wanted to. 9 years later, I have found my passion in seeking out other diabetics and helping them increase the value of their life by helping them reach their health and fitness goals. Knowing there are people in your life that love and support you is important, but there is nothing like connecting with fellow diabetics who walk the same walk you do, day after day. The lifestyle of a diabetic isn't an easy one as the pokes, headaches, diziness, frustration, and the sense of lonliness can be a daily occurance. Conquering diabetes is much easier to do when you have a community of fellow diabetics walking the path with you.

Hannah Bartlett
Newton, IA