A 10th Diaversary

What is a diaversary, you ask? It is what some people who have Type 1 Diabetes call their diagnosis date. Some mark it as a day of reflection or celebration for all they have overcome. Some ignore the date and just carry on with their lives without any kind of acknowledgement. No matter how T1Ders acknowledge the day, it is a day that changed their lives forever. I don’t have Type 1 Diabetes, but my son does. On April 28, 2010, my eight year old son became my inspiration and a hero in my heart and mind. Because of all he and our family has endured in the ten years since, I choose to reflect, celebrate and educate. Yes, it is going to be a teaching post, but I promise there won’t be a test at the end!

On the evening of April 27, 2010, we were all doing our own thing at home. I was working at the computer and I noticed Connor go down the hall and he used the bathroom. About ten minutes later, I saw him go down the hall again to use the bathroom. I am so glad I noticed this little thing! I asked him if he had to go to the bathroom a lot and he said he did. Worried that he might have some sort of urinary or bladder infection, I told him we would go to the doctor and get it checked out. The next afternoon after school, we visited the pediatrician. Within a matter of five minutes, the doctor sat us down and delivered the life changing news: Connor had a very high glucose number and he had Type 1 Diabetes.

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After the appointment, we went home and tried to digest it all. Connor is very smart. At just eight years old, he immediately understood the implications of the diagnosis and the impact it would have on his life. The plan that was set in motion after the diagnosis involved getting Connor to the hospital. Thankfully, Connor was not displaying too many other side effects that often impact those not diagnosed but suffering with Type 1 diabetes, such as ketoacidosis which is acidosis caused by the increased production of ketone bodies, as in diabetic acidosis. Follow up definition time! Acidosis is a blood condition in which the bicarbonate concentration is below normal. Still not following? Neither was I! Basically, insulin is not being produced and your body revolts. This will often lead to comas and death. In Connor’s case, he was doing okay. We were able to go to the hospital the next day instead of immediately which was good because there was no room at the inn that day and we had to wait for an open bed.

At the hospital the following two days, Connor was monitored and we had a crash course in bolus, basal, carb ratios and correction factors and learned how to test glucose and how to calculate how much insulin to inject. It was a whirlwind experience! Connor’s life and ours were forever changed. The year that followed was focused on learning and teaching those who were caretakers for Connor how to help manage his diabetes. Wanting to help find a cure became a family focus and the next year we started participating in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes with our family team, Connor’s Clan.

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Connor has had to endure countless finger pricks and insulin injections and high glucose and low glucose events. He was hospitalized with ketoacidosis in August of 2016. It was the worst experience of his life to date and it ranks as one of my worst ones, too. He has definitely had obstacles to overcome and always will. The way he handles it all is admirable!

For me, it also was eye opening for me to learn the difference between Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. There are such misconceptions about what type 1 diabetes is. It is NOT the same as type 2 diabetes, in fact very different. I sometimes wish they had different names entirely. Type 1 is juvenile diabetes and usually affects children, but adults can be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, too. With Type 1, the pancreas stops producing insulin-maybe due to a virus or autoimmune disorder and the body does not recognize the pancreas as part of itself and attacks the organ, thereby affecting the production of insulin. Type 2 occurs when the body produces insulin, but is less efficient at moving sugar out of the bloodstream. Type 2 was always thought to be “adult onset” diabetes, however, more and more children are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.  Diet, exercise and weight loss are some treatments for Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetics must rely on insulin injections to survive. One common misconception is that having Type 1 Diabetes means you can’t have sugar. Not true! Understanding how to properly administer insulin to counteract the sugar and carbs combined with knowing your body and your glucose number are contributing factors that help allow those with Type 1 Diabetes maintain a “normal” diet.

Connor went almost five years with an average of SEVEN insulin shots PER DAY until he finally decided to use an insulin pump. I never pressured him to get a pump, even though I hoped that he would one day use one and that it would help make his life a little easier. I felt very strongly that starting insulin therapy via an insulin pump had to be something he wanted in order for the transition to be smooth. It was smooth! Now he has a continuous glucose monitor, as well, which helps him eliminate pricking his finger. Amazing technology and advances! It is obviously my hope that there will be a cure in his lifetime. In the meantime, I am grateful that he and our family have been able to adjust and grow as a result of his diagnosis in ways that I could never have imagined.