Saturday, March 26th--Yes, it's been 4 years since Brady was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Does it get easier? Depends on the day. I spend the months October to March with knots in my stomach, praying he won't get a nasty cold or flu that'll put him in the ER. I thank God regularly that that's only happened once since his diagnosis.Considering all that goes into a day in the life of this little man, he's doing really well. His glucose levels are, for the most part, pretty stable and his pediatric endocrinologist appointments produce positive results almost every time. If you ever look at him and think "You'd never k
now." it's because a lot goes on behind the scenes to make sure he can run around, play and be crazy, just as he does. His attitude helps too. Being poked everyday, several times a day, having a large needle inserted into his skin every 3 days (for his insulin pump site), you would think it would make him cranky and frustrated but it doesn't seem to. If it were me, I sure would be! Just one of the many tender mercies. Brady is my hero and I know this trial in his life strengthens him and makes him brave.I often wonder how many people know the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Did Brady get this disease because of how we feed him or our parenting choices? No way. He's a pretty healthy eater. He's tall (insanely tall!) but not overweight. His height has nothing to do with the disease--it's just one of those things that we passed on in our genetics. He's quite active and loves to be so. Type 1, just like Type 2, is genetic. Type 2 may or may not manifest itself in someones lifetime (a healthy lifestyle will usually avoid it). Type 1, not the case. There's usually no rhyme or reason as to when someone develops the disease. Type 2 can usually be managed with oral meds, healthy diet and exercise. Type 1 cannot. Type 1 means complete insulin dependance because the pancreas no longer produces it. Stomach acids break down insulin so there's no oral insulin options. Insulin needs to be injected via syringe or an under-the-skin-catheter/pump. Finger pokes are required 4-8 times a day to determine blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetics also need to do finger pokes but usually not as often. Insulin is not a cure. Over time, even with the best of care, health complications will arise. That part of it terrifies me! So, I hope this sheds a little light on the two different types. There's times I get looks from people and get some pretty ignorant questions asked that lead me to believe there's not enough of an understanding between the two. It frustrates me. The last thing I need is for someone to judge us because they think we caused this disease by allowing him to overeat and live an unhealthy lifestyle. Not the case, nor has it ever been. If in doubt, just ask---please don't assume.
I pray for a cure everyday. I volunteer for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and am excited to be a mentor to families that have been recently diagnosed. We raised money for research last year and will be doing so again this year. I've been told we'll have a cure within Brady's lifetime, hopefully sooner than later. In the meantime, we plug along day by day. We watch Brady laugh, run, play baseball and basketball, make jokes, get crazy whenever Spongebob Squarepants comes on. He practically jumps for joy when his bloodsugars are low because that means he can have his all-time favorites: fruitsnacks! Keep my little hero in your prayers please!
