Hello, I’m Emily. My son has been managing Type 1 diabetes since January 2020, marking a decade of navigating this condition. But let me rewind and share the story from its inception.
In 2009, I found myself bittersweetly adjusting to life as a newly divorced woman. At that time, my son was immersed in studying foreign languages, especially French and Mandarin, while juggling various freelance gigs to help us stay afloat. Amidst the rapidly declining economy and an impending real estate crash, our lives felt chaotic, much like a heavy bamboo leaf precariously hanging over us during monsoon season, offering little protection from the storm of emotions and financial strain that was about to unfold.
Then came the moment that changed everything. “Mom,” he said, “I’ve had this cough for six months. Something feels off.” Alarmed, I suggested he see a doctor, and he readily agreed.
When the test results came back, everything appeared normal—except for his blood sugar levels, which were alarmingly high. One profound lesson I learned during this overwhelming time was how life can shift dramatically in emotionally charged moments. There was no soundtrack, no dialogue, just a piercing realization as fear crept in: my son had Type 1 diabetes.
“Am I going to die?” he asked, his eyes wide with confusion and fear. As terrified as I was, I knew we couldn’t just wait for answers to come. I reached out to a certified endocrinologist I remembered from my student days, conveniently located just a 45-minute drive away. I told my son to pack some essentials; we were about to embark on a journey of uncertainty.
Upon our arrival, the endocrinologist quickly admitted my son. He was placed in a room with two elderly patients recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and a younger man whose confusion was evident in his tear-filled eyes. After the introductions, my son was immediately given intravenous rapid-acting insulin to lower his blood sugar levels and eliminate any ketone bodies that had built up due to insufficient insulin production.
Type 1 diabetes results from insulin insufficiency, a condition where the pancreas’s beta cells are destroyed, whether due to illness, genetic factors, or other triggers that provoke an autoimmune response. Crucially, unlike many other cells, beta cells do not regenerate. Even if they could, the antibodies present at diagnosis would likely attack the pancreas repeatedly, leaving few, if any, beta cells remaining. At that moment, my son was unaware of the intricate mechanisms behind his condition, and perhaps it was better that way.
As time passed in that sterile hospital room, we found comfort in each other’s presence. I had never considered myself overly attached as a parent, but in that moment, it was just the two of us: one searching for hope while the other faced fears. It became a silent dance of emotions reflected in our eyes, love multiplying exponentially.
When I say “I appreciate Type 1 diabetes,” I certainly don’t mean it in a literal sense. Rather, it has facilitated a reconnection with the essential aspects of life. To borrow a quote from the brilliant Morgan Freeman in “Through The Wormhole,” “Mythology says that the gods envy our mortality. Our mortality is what makes life precious and something to be savored.” This journey has been both challenging and enlightening, reminding us of what truly matters.
For more insights about navigating life’s unexpected challenges, you can check out our blog at Home Insemination Kit. Also, for further information on artificial insemination, visit Make a Mom. If you’re curious about the IVF process, Parents.com has excellent resources on that topic as well.
In summary, my son’s unexpected diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes transformed our lives in profound ways, leading us to deeper connections and a renewed appreciation for what matters most.
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