True or False

Welcome to our family blog!
You're just in time to take our pop quiz. It's only four little questions and who knows maybe you'll learn something along the way! Good luck!

DIABETES QUIZ

1. Diabetes is not a killer disease.
2. Diabetes is heavily funded globally.
3. Diabetes only affects old people.
4. Diabetes is the result of unhealthy "lifestyles."
   

So, how do you think you did?

What if I told you diabetes kills some 3.8 million people a year. In fact, every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes. "For the first time, a non-infectious disease has been seen as posing as serious a global health threat as infectious epidemics such as HIV/AIDS." (International Diabetes Federation)

Official Overseas Development Aid to the health sector in 2002 reached 2.9 billion, of which a mere 0.1% went to fund ALL non-communicable chronic diseases. Most of the 2.9 billion went to support HIV/AIDS. Despite diabetes having a deadly global impact comparable to HIV/AIDS, it had to share the tiny 0.1% of the total NCD funding. In addition, the World Bank gave 4.2 billion in loans for health, population and nutrition between 1997 and 2002. Only 2.5% of the 4.2 billion went to chronic diseases. Where did the rest go?

The reality is that the poor and children have limited choices when it comes to living conditions, diet and education.

NOW, how do you think you did? If you answered FALSE to ALL four questions, you got 100%! If not, don't worry, I won't post your scores IF you'll promise to take a look at how YOU can help save the life of a child. It's simple, just visit my sister blog, A Lil' Bit This... A Lil' Bit That... Look for the post titled, "Life For A Child" and leave a comment to let me know you stopped by. You'll get the pure satisfaction of knowing how YOU can make a difference in another's life. What other prize or giveaway can be as fulfilling as that?

A Mom's Promise

She walks down the hallway in silence so deep,
Keeping watch over him, as her little one sleeps.
With meter in hand, she opens his door,
Making sure not to wake him as she crosses the floor.

She sits on his bedside and brushes his hair,
As he dreams of shooting baskets, without a 'D' care.
She holds his hand softly; his fingers so small,
As she watches and wonders why 'D' came to call.

While she watches him sleeping, so peaceful and warm,
The forces inside him fight a constant 'D' storm.
Will he ever be free of shots and blood testing?
She sits and she wonders as she watches him resting.

The beep of the meter breaks the silence of the night,
A small drop of blood tells if everything's right.
The seconds count down to the final display,
I hate this damn meter; I want to throw it away.

The number is fine, one down, a lifetime to go,
As he turns in his sleep, will he ever know?
Why does this ‘D’ happen to someone so small?
My son is my hero, but my baby most of all.

She turns at his doorway, looking back one more time,
It's a nightly routine of the very worst kind.
She walks down the hallway and time passes by,
As she sits in dark silence and quietly cries.

I have to stay strong, and for him I will fight,
We’ll battle this ‘D’ with all of our might.
I’ll teach him to master and conquer this foe,
This 'D' will not stop him, I promised him so.

Gary Hempleman

3 years ago May 31, 2008

Seven years after our middle son Ethan was diagnosed, our baby, Caleb was also diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Caleb was seven years old on May 31, 2005 when we were given the dreadful news. We'd suspected the sad possibility, but were holding out for good news. It was in the Wendy's parking lot, after getting Chicken Nuggets and french fries, (Caleb's favorite) that I remember reaching out for Mark's arms. I broke down sobbing, "Why? Why another?" Then in silence, we held each other for what seemed like forever...

Caleb? He was a trooper! He always thought he'd have diabetes too, after he was old enough to realize what was going on with Ethan. Sadly enough, he was right. However, he didn't have to stay in the hospital as Ethan did. The Endocrinologist, didn't feel there was a need since we had seven years of taking care of Ethan under our belts. Looking back now, I feel it would've been better if he had. Caleb didn't transition as well as Ethan. Checking his blood sugar and the shots were a bit frightening in the beginning, but not for long, as he'd seen big brother do it for years. The diet on the other hand, that was a whole different story. I blame this partly on the age difference between Ethan and Caleb when they were diagnosed. Ethan was four and Caleb was seven. It's amazing what a difference three years can make.

You see, Ethan has never known life without diabetes. When you ask him, he cannot tell you a time when he didn't have it. I hate that for him, yet because of this, his diabetes is second nature to him now. Somewhat like brushing your teeth if you will. This is a little boy who at the age of 10 had never had a 3 Musketeers bite-size candy bar. On the other hand, Caleb, at age seven, had already experienced many of the things Ethan had not. He unfortunately knew what he was missing out on and so it was harder for him to not want the things he had required a taste for.

I also blame us, his parents, for not helping to make Caleb's transition smoother. One of my sister's hit the nail on the head, when she said, "You haven't been as proactive with Caleb as you were with Ethan." Sad enough but true, this has been a huge factor in dealing with his diabetes for all of us.

As a parent, we do the best we can with what we have and what we know at the time. Yet, in our boys' case, we can't afford to "slack off." If you are a parent reading this and your child has a special health concern, I ask that you stop and consider, "What can I do to make sure my child's health is a top priority in my daily life?" None of us mean to harm our children, yet many of us get caught up in this thing we call "life" and forget that the little things are what add up in the end. Please comment below with any ideas, thoughts, or suggestions, you and your family have dealt with in your journey with diabetes or any other child-related disorder or disease. You may remain anonymous if you wish. God bless.

10 Years Ago Today-Part 4

After all the lessons and getting Ethan's blood sugar under control, it was time to leave the hospital and try what we learned in the real world. The only problem was, Mark and I were not ready to go. It was like leaving the hospital with a new born baby for the first time all over again. What if? and How do we? and Will he? were just a few of the questions which filled our timid minds. We didn't get a mile from the hospital when Ethan bellowed out, "I'm hungry!" He wanted a corn dog. Great! Just great! That meant giving him insulin and than what if... and...the questions resurfaced all over again. We gave in, since starving him wouldn't end up any better, and he happily chowed down on a corn dog and french fries. Our timidness behavior stayed with us for some time. In fact, I'm not sure when we started feeling "at home." However, one thing I do know, is since the day we walked out of the hospital Ethan's life has never been the same.

Checking blood sugars five to seven times a day is an interruption in any kids life. Seriously? What child would want to stop playing hide and seek or be last out the door to go sledding because they have to check their blood sugar? Then,if his blood sugars aren't "good", they can keep him from doing things he wants to do. Both high and low blood sugars have kept Ethan from playing football,the love of his life, more than once. Erratic blood sugars have also kept him from getting to go places his big brother got to go. Sick days? Being sick with diabetes is a lot more complicated with lots of extra pricks and pokes. Not to mention when his asthma flares up and he's put on Prednisone, a steroid for swelling and inflammation. It causes blood sugars to go through the roof! I kid you not, there was a time I had to give Ethan 10+ shots in a period of a few hours just to counteract the Prednisone in his little body. The list goes on and on...

So, when you hear things like, "Diabetes is manageable" or "What are they complaining about? All he has to do is take a little shot and watch what he eats." Think again!

1.Not all types of diabetes are treated the same.
2.There is more than one type of diabetes (see post on sister blog).
3.Manageable doesn't mean easy or a cure!
4.Walk in the shoes of any diabetic child, THAN you can see how you feel.

At the same time, know we are SO thankful that Ethan wasn't diagnosed with something more serious than Type 1 diabetes. Sadly enough, there is always someone, somewhere, worse off than yourself. We've tried to instill this in all of our children and to be thankful in ALL things. Some days are just better than others.

10 Years Ago Today-Part 3

Time seemed to slow down through out the rest of the day, but just as I was ready to throw in the towel, the love of my life walked through the door. I was thrilled to see him! We hugged, but I think he was anxious to see his little boy than anything else. Under the circumstances, who could blame him? He went straight to Ethan's bedside, our 4 year old who had been diagnosed earlier that day with Type 1 Diabetes. Ethan was excited to see daddy and began telling him about everything he had missed. He was upbeat and smiling. Of all things...smiling! That's our Ethan!

Ethan has always had a smile that lit up a room. His dad has the same smile. He doesn't know what a stranger is, isn't the least bit shy, and is the "social-butterfly" of our family (not including myself of course!). He has always been VERY inquisitive, smart, and a perfectionist (which he comes by naturally from his father & grandfather.) He also has the biggest heart of any kid I've known! He was always a strong kid, (he had to be with his older brother, Logan, pushing him around all the time), but after diagnosis he grew even stronger. There isn't a day that goes by that I am not amazed by Ethan's strength and determination. I am blessed to have him as my son and lil' protector.

We all stayed a week at the hospital attending classes and going through training on how to take care of Ethan and his diabetes. When it came time to learn how to give him his insulin shot, the diabetic educator had Mark and I give ourselves a shot of saline first. Her theory was that many parents feel they are hurting their child, when in reality it is nothing more than a little poke. It would be easier to give him his shots if we knew how it felt. I wasn't convinced of her theory, but soon learned there was no turning back. 1...2...3... and Mark was done. Me on the other hand, I'm not sure how long we were there. I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably for about 10 minutes. Finally, I closed my eyes (yeah, not the smartest thing to do) and stuck it in. Mark's first words were, "See, that wasn't so bad." I opened my eyes and glared at him. Poor guy, he was just trying to help.

After the traumatic lesson on giving shots, Ethan learned how to check his own blood sugar. He did a great job! And when the nurse gave him his first shot that week it was the ONLY time he cried. (I must say on his behalf however, the lady did NOT know what she was doing and had NO bedside manners!) Before we left, Daddy gave him a shot. They both survived it, with daddy being overly cautious and Ethan reassuring him, "It's okay daddy, it didn't hurt that bad."

10 Years Ago Today-Part 2

My father and I were holding each other and crying when my four year old said, "What's wrong mommy?" I quickly tried wiping the tears away, as my father said, "Mama's just sad honey." I stammered to regain my composure as I went over to sit down beside him. "Ethan sweetie, that was the lady with your results from the test we've been taking." "What did she say mommy?" I choked down more tears as I pulled him closer, "She said you have something called diabetes. You have to stay in the hospital for a few days until we get things under control. Mommy will be right here and daddy will be here soon" to which I started crying again. "What's diabetes?" he asked innocently as he looked up at me with his big brown eyes and face full of freckles. "Well, sweetie, it's what Pappy has. Remember when you watch him test his blood sugars or get him juice when he goes low? You will have to do the same thing now too, but the doctors will teach us all about it and what daddy and I need to do to help you. Okay?"

During this time, my father was on the other side of the room, with tear-filled eyes and a pain stricken heart. I knew from the past, this was the last thing my father, my children's "Pappy" wanted for any of his loved ones. He felt a personal responsibility for Ethan, my four year old, developing diabetes. Yet, we both knew it was no ones fault. We couldn't have stopped this from happening. It was not in our power. It was only in the hands of the Lord now and all we could do was trust in Him. Ethan became concerned about both of us. "What's the big deal mommy? Why is Pappy crying?" I explained to him that Pappy was just sad like mommy and felt like it was his fault. "Pappy didn't do this. It's okay."

That was all it took for me to realize the strength of my little one and that he would always be my little hero! I knew he didn't understand the depth of what having diabetes meant, but yet, I was at peace knowing he was going to be alright. If it had to happen to one of my children, the Lord definitely knew which one could handle it, for this I was thankful.

It took awhile before they were able to get us into a hospital room. While we were waiting, I called my husband at work to give him the dreadful news. I heard his voice and immediately broke down yet again. It was hard to find the words. He was so sure that his lil' boy didn't have anything seriously wrong with him, yet I had to be the bearer of bad news. "Are they sure? Is there anything else it could be?" he questioned. He didn't want to accept the news anymore than the rest of us did. However, deep down he knew what this meant for Ethan and the years to come.

National Diabetes Awareness Month-November!

November is American Diabetes Month, a time to bring even greater awareness and attention to the seriousness of diabetes, its deadly complications, and the importance of proper diabetes control. This year, the American Diabetes Association is asking the American public, "Why should you care about diabetes?"

Throughout the month, my sister blog, Lil' Bit This...Lil' Bit That... will encourage others to get involved in efforts to raise awareness about diabetes and its serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputations.

This disease hits close to home with us, as two of our three children have Type 1 Diabetes. It's a 365/24/7 life-threatening disease that insulin is NOT a cure for, but a mere band-aid! Please join in our efforts as we help raise awareness of this epidemic.