It is looking more and more everyday like S has started his "honeymoon period." And no, I don't mean what the name implies. If you ask me it is a ridiculous name!! What is it? Well before S's diagnosis his pancreas was trying REALLY hard to do more work than it was intended to do, and it was failing...thus the diagnosis...then after diagnosis, "we," his external pancreas, did the work for it and allowed it to breathe a sigh of relief and take a much needed break...but it doesn't want to be out of a job forever. So, it finally kicks back in to release its own insulin for awhile, "the honeymoon," until every last islet cell is destroyed...the death of the pancreas... It is usually characterized by a decrease in the need for injected insulin for awhile...which is a good thing, but until you realize it is here, it usually means a lot more low blood sugars, until you find a happy dose to do keep his blood sugars controlled along WITH the pancreas. Well, if I had a vote I'd much rather the pancreas keep it's job!! But since it can't, this is a little more challenging of a time. Tonight I was all ready to go to bed...I had the alarm set for 2am, as I have every night since coming home from the hospital, but when I tried to close my eyes, I couldn't...the little voice..."You better just go check now." Although 2 hours doesn't seem like a long time...and it isn't when you are taking about sleep ;), 2 hours is a REALLY long time if his blood sugars are falling with no way to correct or recognize it! So out of bed I went to check on my sleeping boy...he sort of sleeps through the pokes now, but he tosses and turns every once in awhile while I try to steady his hand for the poke...tonight was one of this nights...but I managed to get it and...low...Thank you Lord for not letting me rest until I assured my baby was ok!!! So with droopy eyelids, half awake, half asleep he gets woken up to eat some carbs...a recheck, and momma can go back to sleep for a couple more hours...although I get much less sleep some nights, my baby is soooo worth it!!!! I love my kids and no sacrifice is too much for them!!
My 8 year old daughter was diagnosed on 2/4/13 with T1D. Similarly we are going through the honeymoon phase. While it has made going to Disneyland and the movies much more manageable the fear of going low at night has gripped us as well. Our endo recommended giving her some milk or a graham cracker, a slow acting carb if she is hovering around 100. This has actually worked quite well. The midnight and 3am checks continue but we forge on. Starting on an insulin pen next week. Hang in there we are all in this together and the online community as well as local JDRF chapters are a great resource. Phil, I am on twitter @dmgolfer, not much of a fb person..
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