A change of direction - a new perspective
Sunday afternoon we rushed our 8yr. old daughter Maggie to the ER because she was having trouble breathing. Within minutes of arriving a new and totally unexpected reality was thrust upon us as we came to realize that our little girl was most likely suffering from Type I diabetes. Her blood sugar was 433 —she was in diabetic ketoacidosis. She was rushed to Penn State Hershey Medical Center where she has been receiving excellent care. The last 30 hours have been very frightening for all of us but we are relieved to know that Maggie is going to be OK. She does indeed have Type I Diabetes and will be on insulin for the rest of her life.
Right now are just trying to get used to the idea of it all. We know that this is a disease that can be lived with and adjusted to well but there are still emotions to deal with when your child is suddenly struck with something that is so potentially life threatening. Among other things it leaves you feeling scared, grateful, protective and oh so vulnerable.
We know that God is in control and we have felt His love very tangibly through this difficult time. We are ever so grateful for the prayers of the family of God, both locally and far and wide. We are thankful for Fr. Matthew who anointed her in the ER and Fr. Leo and Fr. Chuks who prayed over and for her, as well as Fr. Bernard who prays for her from afar.
Maggie is doing very well and will be going home sometime tomorrow. We have been learning how to care for her (I gave her her first shot of insulin tonight) and will be having a detailed, intensive training session tomorrow before we go home. Further prayers for all of us as we adjust to the changes are greatly appreciated.
We’ve had a change of direction and it came with a new perspective. We knew that our life was mightly blessed before but we know it even more so now.
Thank you again for all your prayers –they are truly appreciated!
Thank you also to everyone who has offered to help in terms of the actual living with and understanding diabetes. We are being inundated with information at the moment and have many people helping us to learn what we need to, but we are glad to know there are others we can ask for advice should the need arise.
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May 5, 2008 - 08:05:46I will pray for your daughter. I am also a diabetic, although mine it type 2, so I can appreciate, to some extent, what you are dealing with - although as an adult, I understand the perils of foods and why I have to say no to things.
I wish you the best in this new “adventure” and I will remember all of you in my prayers.
Michele, you guys have been in our prayers and will continue to be. Praise God for His love and His care. Maryam has been really worried about Maggie and asking about her all the time. She will be overjoyed for this update and to know that she will be coming home soon. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you guys.
Praise God for prompt medical attention! Praying for your dear daughter and your family during this new challenge. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for them…
Oh Michele, thank you for the update and prayers continue for you all!! May God continue to bless you through all of this.
My prayers are with you tonight. Although my daughter doesn’t have anything quite as severe, she has very bad allergies and asthma, and just started receiving immunotherapy for them yesterday. It’s been an adjustment, as I don’t know a lot about asthma and worry about her a lot. I can only imagine what it must have been like for you and your poor little girl. Thanks be to God she is doing okay, and for all the wonderful support you have. God is truly with you during this difficult time.
Wow, we will keep you all and your daughter in our prayers! One year ago we were at the same place you are with our now two year old son. So much learning goes on in a year and many blessings too. We are so acutely aware of the gift of life every time we give insulin and I have a very close relationship with my son due to having to be so vigilant to his possible lows and highs during a time when he could not yet communicate with words. In a year everyone in the family will be so familiar with the language of diabetes (even my three year old talks about “carbs” , “ounces of juice”, and numbers that are “high” or “low”). The closeness of homeschooling becomes a double blessing as you move forward in life with type 1 diabetes.
Praying for Maggie and for you, Michele.
Michele! I was just checking in to see how you were doing since leaving FCL. I’m so very sorry, but thankful that everything will be alright. I’ll continue to pray, this will be hard on Maggie, and all of you until you adjust.
Love you and many prayers
Lorraine