Our diagnosis story!!

Kerstyn has always suffered from stomach aches, headaches, constipation and extremely dry skin to name a few health complaints since birth; she has been seen by a gastroenterologist, dermatologist, optometrist and any other “ologist” out there. She is nine so she does not have to ask us for water and we have never restricted our kids from drinking as much water as they wanted so we did not notice her drinking a ton of water. She had a complete physical with complete lab work up the end of September so when she started wetting her pants I thought for sure she had an infection. On Wednesday night she had wet her pants at school and then as soon as I dropped her off at her Missionettes class I was standing out in the hallway and she went running by with a panicked look on her face. When I got into the bathroom she was bawling. We left immediately and went home with her still crying because she was missing the Christmas party her class was having and how she misses out on “everything”. I had the weirdest feeling that I had to take her to the doctor’s office the next morning not Shawn. We arrived at 8 am as a walk-in that Thursday December 17th. The doctor came in and I went through the whole story and of course say that I am thinking UTI. They had her pee in a cup, then they leave the room. About 20 minutes later the doctor came back in and said there was sugar in her urine the nurse would be in to check her blood and leaves, um ok so what does all this mean?? What seemed like an eternity, but in reality probably 5 minutes later, the nurse came in with a meter (of course then I had no idea what her little gadget was). I asked her what she found (because asking never hurts but also never gets you an answer J). All she said was the doctor will be back to talk to me. Another eternity wait and by this time I am getting uneasy, finally the doctor comes in.
Dr.: “Kerstyn’s blood sugar is 512”,
Me: “Ok, should I go get more labs done still?”,
Dr.: “No, the labs are the least of our worries right now your daughter has sugar in her blood”, Me: “Ok, so what does that mean?”
Dr.: “You are not going anywhere but the waiting room right out here until I say different”,
Me: well I was speechless for one of the first times in my life- to her at least.
Next conversation went like this-
Me: “(must read very fast to get the whole effect) Shawn are you at your computer, look up blood sugar and what normal ranges are then see what a blood sugar of 512 means , hurry, don’t ask questions just tell me what it means, I’ll tell you after you tell me, come on already… you’re mumbling I need you to talk clearly but fast, no go to webmd they will have the answers (seemed like it was taking him an eternity).
Shawn: “normal blood sugars are (blah blah blah is all I heard, until he said) you said 512?
Me: “yes yes yes what does it say?”
Shawn: “Um it says go straight to the ER”
Both of us: Silence…..
About that time the doctor walks in and tells me they have contacted Valley Children’s Hospital (2 hours away) we need to go straight there and this is who to ask for…..they are waiting for us.
So we get in the car and I call my mom, up until this point I am completely strong, until I hear my mom’s voice. I got the biggest lump in my throat and could not speak at least where she could understand me and I could keep from crying. I tried and nothing so I finally whelped out we are going to children’s we have to go straight there. My poor mom she was like what in the heck, who are you and where is my daughter I was babbling and then trying to tell Kerstyn everything was fine hahaha do you think she believed me, not at all, I scared her so then I felt awful and more crying took place LOL. I asked my mom (finally) if she would help me by researching while I ran to get Shawn and hit the freeway. She called me back a few times with what she had found, then my dad called and said he talked to someone he knew who went through this a couple years ago (of course my dad knows everyone- thankfully) and gave us their specialist in Fresno phone number.
I called and was greeted by a very sweet lady on the phone that said please hold while I get the doctor she will want to speak to you directly. My husband and I were amazed a doctor that wants to talk to us and we are not even a patient yet?? Wonderful!! She asked one question- where are you? Um like 20 miles until we get off this freeway to the next freeway going to children’s. Okay so I will see you in like 25 minutes. Whoa, I said well we were told we need to go straight to the hospital. She said you can if you want to expose your diabetic daughter to all the other viruses at a hospital ER and spend 5 days in the hospital or you can come here and I can do everything they will do. What’s your address LOL.
That day we met the most amazing, type 1 diabetic, endocrinologist. Yes, yet another “ologist” in our lives. Within 10 minutes of walking in her door we were sitting in front of her and Kerstyn was getting her first (of many) shots of insulin. She saw us for 2 months, 7 visits for free. Our insurance that we had through December did not accept her and we were changing January 1st then you have to wait for the referral yada yada yada. We have been blessed during a time we thought our life was over as we knew it.
Shawn and I were going to Fresno for a concert that night anyways for a concert, babysitters were lined up and everything. So she got us out the door from our first training (insulin injections) in time to get to the concert where Kerstyn, Shawn and I just kinda sat and held each other while rocking out to some of the best Christian artists around. Kerstyn enjoyed telling everyone she could she has diabetes and we did not stop her, just smiled listening to her talk to the lady serving her, her diet pepsi, the people in line for the restroom, the nice young men sitting next to us... I will slowly blog about all our first experiences including our first with (ever so noisy) sugar free candy :).

First all day field trip

So today was once again a second- first time for us. So I have sent her off to several field trips in her now 5 years of school but today was different. Like everything else that has happened since December 17th has been different. It is something that had to happen whether it be today or next school year. She is spreading her wings and has amazed me every step of the way!! We met a 6:45 bus was leaving at 7:00 and won't return until 5:00 tonight. They will be 3 hours from home. All the kids were excited, as this was a first for all of them because they were taking a big bus, so all were excited. I liked it because while I knew Kerstyn was jittery mostly because this was a huge first for her being that far away for that long without us, I liked you could not see it she looked "normal" and noone but us knew what she was really anxious about!!
By 8:08 she spiked to 400 8-/ eeks what? she was 120 at breakfast at 6:30 and got her insulin??? Normally nerves and excitement drop her, once again this shows how incredibly unpredictible this crazy disease is. And I was so worried about lows :) Thank goodness I sent her insulin with her and she was so brave, and yet again strong, she drew up her insulin, teacher checked it and she injected it in the bus with all her peers. I am so excited to pick her up today and hear all about her fun day at the Mission. I am thankful everyday but today has really struck me and made me realize I have sooooo much more than ever to be thankful for!!

Our first blog!!

Kerstyn and I are sitting on the couch having fun creating a blog spot!! I hope you have fun following along with our wild, crazy, mixed up but always amazing family.