So many questions?

Let me say ~ we have as many questions as each of you. Why did this happen? How long has it been? How could we have missed these signs? I really don't have very many firm answers but I can tell you a bit of the story of how we ended up with our dignosis. Some of you are here in Dallas and we see you daily ~ many of you are reading from Canada, Georgia or Oklahoma.

Lindsey Kate had been having a few hard weeks. Many many tears over small things ~ the decision of what to choose for breakfast would reduce us to big tears and fits. I sent many text to Brett saying "hmmm, 5 years old might not be my favorite age so far with our daughter !" She would be very very cranky for long periods at a time ~ just being more like an angry drunk then a normal 5 year old girl...but then kids do odd things sometimes, yes? I just put into practice parenting principles we thought might help...

Then the bedwetting began ~ and this was very puzzling. I threatened, I punished and then I got worried ~ as even when Lindsey dozed off for two seconds ~ she would wet the bed, couch, carseat, etc. This was disturbing as clearly our kindergarden bound daughter had not had these issues for a long while. We limited her fluids before bed ~ she became crazed thirsty. She would take the loooongest nighttime showers ~ often standing in the stream of water for 10 minutes. I noticed in hindsight that she was gulping water from waterbottles during cheerleading so much so that her face would turn blue from her NOT stopping for even air. Finally, after a week or two ~ we knew something was very wrong. At the end of a cartrip she drifted off and wet the carseat ~ and let me say this isn't a small amount ~ for those of you who may wonder ~ it's not that small accident that comes from not wanting to stop playing for a tee tee break !

In a move of fate that must have been planned, my dearest friend has a son who is diabetic. She confirmed with me over many texts and calls that many of the signs I was seeing were diabetic signals ~ she graciously met us late at our house when we returned from our trip and tested Lindsey's bloodsugar and urine for keytones. It was all high. We watched Lindsey through a sleepless night and the next morning we went to our family doctor who admitted us straight to childrens hostpial and then into the diabetic endo ward for the start of our journey.

Those hours are all a blur of failed IV attemtps, sticks and really an epic amount of tears and fear. There was no question Lindsey had Type 1 Diabetes. I think both Brett and I felt like in a moment our daughter ~ who had been a normal, witty, funny, sweet and energetic child without any health issues was being stolen from us with each poke and visit by another doctor. We both felt like scooping her up and running ~ as if that would solve the problem ~ ultimately we knew this was reality and settled into our awareness of Diabetes.

Fast forward a couple of days ~ we felt lucky. We are lucky we caught this, that we have health insurance, that childrens is here in Dallas, that our family and friends rushed to our side and supported us instantly . We are lucky for so many reasons in so many aspects ~ Lindsey wasn't in a chronic state of pain or suffering ~ she had not been sick for weeks or months ~ she wasn't put into intensive care.

Sure, right now it feels a bit like having a newborn ~ we are unsure, finding our way, surrounded by strange new things, we have tired days and joyful days. Our routine is WAY different from diet to schedules. I am having a hard time meeting Lindsey daily at preschool for midday insulin testing and lunch but in all ~ it gets better daily.

Off to test bloodsugar for nighttime snack and the last shot of the day. I mentioned already that is a welcome time in the day ~ I see Lindsey relax and our whole house laughs and plays before bed knowing we made it another day ~ and everyone is still standing !