Some may wonder how I find luck in having Diabetes, but I do. And there are many reasons that I see and experience everyday that affirm my views of being lucky to have the D.
As a Mom, we have a closeness with our children and a bond that is indescribable until you become one. You develop a gut instinct for how your child is feeling and when to listen to it. As a Diabetic Mom to a Diabetic child, I have always felt a small sense of guilt that it came from me, and my coin pocket in the gene's. I am lucky to have that insight into how he feels and being able to talk him through the feelings of a hypo, instead of feeling alone as your blood sugar is dropping and everything seems confusing enough as it is. But more importantly, I feel lucky that he is my son and that I get to raise him with Diabetes and educate him about our condition. We are never given more than we can handle. That's why again, I say I am lucky that he and I were diagnosed with the D as it is the only condition that is 100% in your control. He and I decide how long we live and how healthy we will be. Every other condition, in my opiniion, your fate is decided for you.
Today was a site change day and it was time to move it to T's stomach. For any of you reading this that do not know what I am talking about...here is a picture of what a "site" is in regards to being on insulin pump therapy:
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/pumps/sets-inset.htm
Sites are changed approximately every 3 days or sooner if site is not infusing insulin properly. The toosh is the preferred spot for both T and I as we have been blessed with a solid booty. The stomach however, is not. With both of us being lean in this area, it presents challenges with insertion and also discomfort due to lack of fat or cushion for the insertion needle/cannula to be introduced into.
When T knows it's a stomach site change, the anxiety starts to build quickly. We have a routine, all in his control, that has to be followed in order for him to feel "calm" and ultimately just in control. Today was no different, pillows stacked behind him as he sat upright on the sofa in the playroom. Me, kneeling in front of him and trying to pinch any skin that I can in order to insert the site. We count down...3..2..1 and then he exhales a hard breath as I release the trigger on the inserter. Usually there is a wince from him, and it pains my heart every time I hear that from him, as I know that feeling, truly, I do. As he looked up at me, with his big beautiful brown eyes, he smiled and said "wow, that didn't hurt at all! I feel so lucky to have you Mom, you just get this Diabetes thing". I smiled back as I fought off the tears and replied "yes, I suppose I do get this Diabetes thing pretty well, don't I".
So who is the lucky one? Both of us. We have each other to lean on and travel the road of D with. A road trip is always better when you've got someone with you! Even if they are still in a booster in the backseat of the car.
K
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