Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Another Little Hospital Stay

Well things have been a little crazy around here. We have been having some unexplained low blood sugars with Syd. Sunday night she ended up in the hospital because we couldn't get them to come up. Even with carbs and completely disconnecting the pump, she would still be dropping. That evening she dropped to 37. It was pretty scary. She got really zoned out. She couldn't make eye contact or respond to me. They think she might have had a little seizure (which is not uncommon in diabetics.) So, naturally, I freaked out. I called our diabetes person, Nancy, and she had me give her more carbs. Syd had about 60 carbs. We disconnected her pump so she wasn't getting any insulin. She slowly climbed up to 75 and then w/in 10 minutes she had dropped to 54 again. This is so odd because with that many carbs, she should have been really high. So at that point Nancy told us to take her to the ER. The pediatrician met us down there (I love that our clinic always has an on call doc to meet at the ER and to talk to 24/7) Anyway he wanted to admit her because he wasn't comfortable sending her home with unexplained low sugars. So then we began the hospital stay. She did the same thing in the hospital. Even after an IV of glucose fluids her sugars jumped for about 30 minutes and then started crashing again. Basically everything they were doing at the hospital we could do at home so they let us go. Since we left, we have still be keeping in close contact with our wonderful and amazing diabetic nurses, Deb and Nancy. These women are seriously amazing. I can't imagine doing this without them. I have their home numbers and cell numbers and they are fine with us calling anytime we have issues. They are so great.

So through this whole ordeal I must say how loved we feel. It has been a trial for us but it could be so much worse and I am really so grateful that we are living in a day and age where they can treat diabetes. Even 75-100 years ago Sydney would have already been dead. 50 years ago the prognosis was, "you will be lucky to have her live into her twenties." So how could I not be grateful for a disease that has been studied and lets my baby girl live a long and normal life? Sure it is hard and very trying at times but my brave little soul (Sydney) has brought my family close together to rally around her. My brave little soul has provided opportunities for people to learn about this disease. She has provided opportunities for people to love and serve her. It might be a trial we live with, but it has been a trial that has allowed people to receive blessings because of it. I guess that makes this whole thing a little easier of a load to bear. People have gone out of their way to help or just to say they are saying prayers for us. I have a couple of close friends who have gone above and beyond. My friend Jen sat with me and syd in the ER and up on the peds floor until 12:30 a.m. just because she said she knew I needed some moral support. Loren and Morgan were sick so I didn't want them up there but Jen took their place (I didn't ask, she volunteered) and I am so grateful for that sacrifice of hers. Then Jen called yesterday and said she was bringing us dinner. I said she didn't need to do that. I mean this poor woman had already sat up til after midnight and had to listen to a weepy, sleep deprived mom. (I was the one in sleep induced delirium.) And still Jen wanted to bring us dinner. I told her I can cook and she said, "Shamae you haven't hardly slept. Morgan and Loren are sick. Syd has been in the hospital, I am bringing you dinner. Just say thank you." (Just a side note, she brought an amazingly yummy dinner! I am going to start calling her Chef Jen.) We have just seen so much support and love since Syd's diagnosis from so many people! I don't know how I got blessed to have so many wonderful, supportive, and loving friends.

Basically, I feel very blessed right now...very tired and very blessed. Oh and one more thing to be said about Sydney...she is so brave. She got her IV put in Sunday night about 11 p.m. or so. She was tired and she was scared. I told her that it was ok to cry but she can't move or it will hurt more and it will be harder for them. Sydney started crying. She was sitting in my lap and Jen was holding her one hand. The nurse began putting it in and Syd just started crying so hard. We kept telling her it would be done soon. Through it all, she did not move one muscle....not 1! She sat perfectly still and cried and cried but she didn't move her arm or her hand or anything. She is amazing. I will attach a few pics for you guys...they are from our stay. Oh and I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.













The night we were in the hospital our town got DUMPED on with snow! This is what we came home too!!


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Shamae, I hope your little Syd is okay. Have a Merry Christmas!

Erin said...

I am so sorry. It is amazing how far we have come with the knowledge of Diabetes. Hope you enjoy your Christmas. Love Ya Erin

Micah and Jen said...

Oh I am so glad she is okay. I too am so thankful for modern technology....I wouldn't be here today either without it! SHe is a brave little soul...I HATE getting IV's and usually wiggle all over and it takes 4 nurses before anyone can get one in! Thinking of you guys and have a merry Christmas!

ashycam said...

I am so sorry to hear about Syd. I am trying not to let the tears flow since I am at my in-laws with all the family. We hope things get better for you syd. We love you guys so much and we hope you have a Very Very Merry Christmas. Miss ya, and wish we could have there to help out. We will keep you in our prayers. Hannah says she hopes that Sydney get better soon and she misses her so much.

Jayson & Carrie said...

We love you Syd! Way to be brave! I can barely get a needle stuck in me without flinching. :) We love you Shamae and Loren! Merry Christmas!

Tara said...

shamae you guys are so strong i dont really know how you do it. i cry just reading your posts. i dont know how i would deal with it on a daily basis!! if you need anything or just a break let me know i would love to have the girls for a few hours sometime!!