Thursday, August 6, 2009

Thankful Thursday Follow-up

Wendy from "Candy Hearts" has 3 beautiful little girls, Addy, Kaelyn, and Maya. Addy was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was 2 and nearly died at diagnosis because she was in a very severe state of ketoacidosis. I have loved reading her blog over the past 6 months or so. She has a great attitude and wonderful personality. She has very strong spiritual beliefs that have helped carry her through difficult times. I admire that. Since Type 1 is an auto-immune disease, the chances of developing another auto immune disease is more common. To add to her burden of Type 1, Addy was also diagnosed with Celiac Disease this past December. This morning I was trying to catch up on google reader and came across this post. I am going to copy some of it here because it describes how I feel alot of the times too. I'm sure most of us T1 moms can relate. I don't like putting my burden out there on others. I don't want people to be bugged by the rigorous demands of D-life. But, just the same, I wish I could change things but I can't. These demands keep Syd alive.

"I'm sorry if all the drama in my world annoys you. I wish I could get a life that didn't involve diabetes and celiac and figuring out how to manage it all at school. I wish I could get a life that doesn't keep me up every night checking and re-checking blood sugars while trying to troubleshoot these crazy numbers that invade our life. I wish I could get a life that doesn't require learning how to cook gluten free food from scratch -- and then trying to figure out how many carbs are in each bite. I wish I could get a life that doesn't require pump site changes, battery changes, supply changes, prescription changes, tubing changes, insulin changes, basal changes, ratio changes....change, change, change...a life that doesn't constantly revolve around change. It is what it is...and, diabetes or not, I'm quite thankful for all if it. If I didn't have all that stuff cramming my world, I would be mourning the death of my firstborn child. I praise Jesus every day for Addy's life and thank God she's alive."

The Type 1 life does revolve around change and it's not always easy. A must for us all is to have some supportive friends who help to ease those burdens a bit. I know people don't always understand but just having a listening ear is great. Loren and I have been blessed with some really wonderful friends...I know, I know I say that all the time. But I don't think they realize, just in the little things they do, what it means to us. Sometimes public "thank yous" are necessary.

I don't wanna anyone to feel left out but I had to add these pics below of one such friend. Jes is very interested in learning more about Type 1. She didn't have much experience with it prior to our friendship. She really wanted to know how it felt to wear one of Sydney's sites. Of course, Sydney was thrilled at the idea. The other night Loren went out to the movies with a friend of his and Jessie came over for some girl time. She is wanting to learn how to manage diabetes so that when our anniversary rolls around in Nov., she can keep Sydney for us so we can go out. Of course her baby will only be like 2 months old so it's doubtful I will take her up on that offer, but the thought means so much. I have another friend who jumped right into learning how to change syd's sites and give her insulin for the same reason as Jessie, just so we could have a bit of a break if we needed it. The past couple weeks I have had a few more folks express interest in learning how to care for Sydney. I know they don't realize the emotions that well up inside me when this happens because I don't wear my emotions on my sleeve--I wear them on my blog apparently--but it is such a neat feeling to know that, even though our lives revolve around so many obstacles with diabetes, they don't mind and they care enough to want to help out. So thanks guys. I know this is long. I think I wrote this out more for my benefit but somethings just need to be said. The T1 life is hard and I know it's not always easy to stick around when we are dealing with highs and lows and site changes and carb counting/guessing and all the other parts of this life. So gracias.

And to Wendy from "Candy Hearts," you are doing a great job. Don't let people bring you down. We are all given certain challenges in life. Embrace the friends who love you through the challenges and ditch the ones who won't give that to you. There is no "cookie cutter" life and we all need support.

~Jessie and Syd. You can see the excitement on Syd's face because Jessie did this. :-) It made her whole day.













~She was so brave. No tears. ha ha ha

12 comments:

The Lane Family said...

Shamae, I think that is the wonderful thing about blogging it is a chance to share and connect with others who are struggling with the same issues. It is a chance to express your feelings and emotions and that is very important I believe.

I cannot imagine the pressure and challenges that come with having to help your daughter deal with this terrible disease but I think your guys do an amazing job.

I am sure it is hard but let your friends help you out occasionally that's what friends do :)

wendys said...

I'm glad you can find so much support with other Type one moms who really understand what you are going through.

Meri said...

It is just such a relief to know we are not alone. I mean, we KNOW we're not alone, but to read the words of another mother and think, "amen sister, I've been there!" It just helps.

I am so thankful that I have found such a wonderful blogging community!

Wendy said...

WWWWWWAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! Oh, Shamae. You just don't know how much this meant to me today. Thank you for the encouragement. Your words couldn't have arrived at a better moment in my life.

I'm incredibly thankful for your sweet friends too. Somehow just knowing that there's another family out there facing the same daily struggles...with people who love them enough to learn what it takes to send them off on a date...well, it just warms my heart.

So, to Shamae's loving friends, I thank you too. You guys are awesome and, Jessie, YOU ROCK with the site :)

To the DOC and all my blog pals, I know we're not next door to each other, but I never feel alone anymore. If I'm having an "alone" moment, I can just check the blog roll and there you guys are. With open arms and an understanding post...Sniff Sniff...

I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I'm very thankful today to have found you. All of you.

So (wiping tears) it's back to reality. Gotta check the kiddo and contemplate dinner. (((HUGS)))

Thank you. Thank you more than you could ever know...

Rachel said...

You are in deed very lucky to have such friends. Unfortunately we have nobody who know how to manage Tristan's diabetes. A few weeks ago (during a fight) I had to explain to my mom how it made me feel knowing that if something happened to my husband and I, they couldn't help Tristan. I had to tell her how important it is for me that she learn and show an interest in it... blah blab etc etc etc...

You are very lucky! You have amazing friends and Sydney is very lucky to have them watch over her also! :)

Priscilla said...

Ok- so tomorrow I get my second lesson? (Does tonight count as the first one?!) LOL! I still have the site in. :) I think I'll make a post on my blog about diabetes (and what little I know about it

Amy said...

Since moving back to Alaska- we have been blessed to have SO many of our friends who have learned how to take Jada's blood sugar and are very intent on learning what all those numbers mean and what to do with them. It means the world to Jeff and I!
Great post Shamae! Warmed my heart!

Dawn said...

Jessie needs a gold medal. That is great that she is not only wants to help but that wants to try and get a better look at what Syd goes through.

irbuanosraL said...

Amazing! What an incredible friend to do that with Sydney. This post warmed my heart. I appreciate you posting your feelings about your experiences. It really helps me have more compassion and understanding for the people in my life with type 1.

Shannon said...

Oh I too was really touched by Wendy. I am so glad that you posted this! It really does need to be said!

That is so cool that your friends are willing to get a site put in! That is going the extra mile!

Jen B said...

Wow! Go Jessie!!! Yeah, by the way Shamae (lol, that rhymed!) when are you going out again? I was suppose to do it for your b-day, which if I remember correctly, was in JUNE! I'm sure how you talked me out of watching the girls!! You are tricky! We will be having a chat soon! Love ya!

tiburon said...

That was very sweet :) I am sure that Sydney appreciated the support :)