Thursday, October 06, 2011

Happy 6th

Six years ago today my world, the world of my 3 year old son, and my family’s world was turned upside down by six little words:  “Your son has Type 1 diabetes.”  We were all suddenly thrust into a world of carbs and insulin.  My little man was thrust into a world of endless needle sticks and food restrictions.  My husband and I were thrust into night upon night of interrupted sleep. 

Looking back on that day I had no idea what was really in store for us.  I knew it was going to be hard, but I couldn’t fully comprehend just how achingly hard it would be.  All I knew was how hard it was to stick my child with a needle or how hard it was to tell him he couldn’t eat or drink something.  I know now, that was the easy part. 

I now know the hard part is the fear.   The fear of waking up one morning and finding him dead in bed.   The fear that I’m really not strong enough to handle it; that I have no clue what I’m doing and that instead of helping him I’m really harming him.  The fear that one day he will rebel against this disease and just stop managing it at all.  The fear of blindness, limb amputation, kidney failure.  The fear that there will never be a cure. 

For six years I’ve been carrying around these fears.  The pain from this fear isn’t as stabbing as it once was.  It’s softened around the edges, but it’s still there.  And, I suppose it always will be.   I’ve learned to live with it, not to let it rule my thoughts like it once did.  Yes, it’s brought to the forefront from time to time, like when I hear of another child whose life was cut short by this terrible disease.  But, for the most part it sits quietly in the back of my brain. 

Every year we “celebrate” Riley’s anniversary.  We go out to the restaurant of his choice and for an activity.  This year it is Sappari and bowling.  People often don’t understand how we can celebrate such a thing.  I once felt that way too.  But, we are not celebrating that he got diabetes.  We are celebrating that it hasn’t beaten him.  We are celebrating that he is free from complications, that he’s never been hospitalized, and, basically, that he’s living and breathing.  Not just living and breathing but having a wonderful time doing it. 

I celebrate the fact that he can still participate in any activity he wants.  He is so happy.  He loves life.  He loves his video games and his big brother.  I celebrate the fact that while this disease has left scars on his body, it has not left scars on his heart or his soul.  And, if anything, this disease has made him a better person, a more compassionate person. 

And, I celebrate all that it has taught me.  I believe there is a lesson in anything if you just look for it.  I’ve learned that you can chose to be happy or you can chose to be miserable, right where you are.  The situation you are in may not be optimal.  It may not be what you always dreamed of.  But, it’s where you are.  Make the best of it.  I’ve learned not to take anything or anyone in your life for granted. Tomorrow they may not be there.    Don’t take anything for granted that you have right now, not your health, not your family, not your relationships. Six years ago I thought I could never ever be happy again.  I’ve learned not to look towards the future for my happiness, but to look right where I am right now.  

Right now is really all that I have.  And, right now I have a little boy with the most beautiful brown eyes I’ve ever seen.   He’s happy and, by God, he’s healthy.  He’s got an insulin pump tethered to his side and a huge smile on his face.   And, right now, that makes me happy.

“To get up each morning with the resolve to be happy... is to set our own conditions to the events of each day. To do this is to condition circumstances instead of being conditioned by them.” Ralph Waldo Trine

21 comments:

Kelly said...

Happy D Day to you all :) our 5 year is fast approaching, just like you have mentioned, it's amazing how far we have come.....AMAZING!! I hope you never forget that your blog was the first that sucked me in! You were the one who blogged what I felt when my heart was still too broken to acknowledge the jumbled emotions. I love you always! Dont forget to Celebrate your own milestones today too Penny, 6 years of being an awesome D mom!

Anonymous said...

That brought tears to my eyes. Lovely post! (Hope we're there after another year or two.) Happy diaversary!

Unknown said...

Beautiful.

On 7/25, we also entered Year 6.

It seems so long ago...yet just like yesterday.

Thanks for sharing this heartwarming post, and here's to many healthy happy years ahead! CHEERS!

Mama said...

You are the most amazing person I know. I'm so proud of you! God made you that way so you could show the rest of us how to face your battles head on and still be thankful for everyday blessings. God certainly made Riley amazing too (I'm not prejudice either) The way he was handled all of this has been an inspiration to all who know him.

Amy said...

Happy 6!!! Time is flying....your blog is one of the first that I found after Jada was diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago...way to go Riley and mom!!!

Bruce said...

Thanks for a great post
Diabetes remedies and treatment

Anonymous said...

The more different are among them, in my point of view, Very well written and certainly a pleasure to get into a blog

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Anonymous said...

Thanks for the encouragement son has type 1 struggling it has only been 7 weeks.

Anonymous said...

It has been 3 months for us. My son is 13 and very angry and I can't make it better. For the first time I can't make it better. It's killing me. Thanks for ur encouraging words.

Anonymous said...

My beautiful princess has got t 1 diabetes only found out 5 days ago age 3 1/2 I feel my life has ended why her and not me
I could cope better if it was me I cry every night so my Other kids don't see how this is tearing me apart
She begs me not to stick the needles in her saying not again please
Words I can't get out my head
I feel so sad for her so young every day is a battle at the moment people say it will get easier let's hope so

PL said...

To those who commented above regarding their children's recent diagnosis: I want to say, I know how it feels. I know that you feel helpless. I know it feels hopeless. I cried my eyes out. I begged, prayed, and wished that God would take it away from my son and give it to me. I would have done anything to take it away from him and take it on myself. I'm so sorry for what each of you are going through. I don't wish to ever re-live those days. Riley has beend dealing with this 6 1/2 years now. I want to give you some hope. It will get better. You won't always cry your eyes out. My best advice is to learn all you can about it and do the best you can. The sugars are going to do what they want to do for the most part. Riley just got over a virus. He didn't have but a few sugars under 200 for three days straight. That used to would have sent me in a tailspin. But, now, we deal with it, keep him hydrated to keep ketones away and wait for the virus to pass. I don't mean to sound dismissive. I'm not. I guess what I'm saying is whether you want it to or not one day all of this will be second nature for you. Some more advice: be vigilant but let you kid be a kid. Hugs to you all.

Anonymous said...

HOW I GET CURE OF DIABETES WITH DR SABI HERBAL MEDICINE!
I was suffering from Diabetes since 3yrs and I have been taking some medications from my Doctor and there was no improvement, my life was gradually coming to an end, I faithful day i was searching some remedy on the internet and i saw a post in a health forum about a herbal doctor from Africa who prepares herbal remedy to cure all kind of diseases including Diabetes, at first i doubted if it was real but with much pressure i decided to give it a try, when i contact this herbal doctor via his email, dr.sabiherbscure@gmail.com he reply me and assure me that he is going to cure me that news brought happiness into my life, After all the procedures he prepared a herbal remedy and sent it to me via courier service, when i received this herbal remedy, he gave me instructions on how to apply it, After i finish applied it as instructed, i was cured of this deadly disease within 14days of usage, If you are out there suffering from this disease you can contact him and get cure with the help of Dr. Sabi powerful root & herbs, email;dr.sabiherbscure@gmail.com or call/whatsapp him +2348168257144,

Thank you.

Aliasha said...

I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Diabetes diet and exercise did not help me. I researched online and this is what I had, it is called Dawn Phenomenon where my glucose would be high during the night and early morning hours (between 3:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m). I found a natural Phillippine remedy "Dr. Sebi" and now my blood sugar levels are back to normal. My glucose numbers in the morning were from 117 to 119. When I take Dr. Sebi Product daily as soon as I get up on a empty stomach (30 minutes before eating), the numbers go down to 101 to 104 after drinking it for only 4 days.I promise to tell the world about him. You can contact Dr. Sebi Office on info.drsebiscellfood@gmail.com on How to Live long Healthy Life.

williams said...


Great write up!! well, I was diagnosed with diabetes type 2, this got me devastated; after some few days I went for medication and this got me so sick, right there in my stomach. One month later I knew about Dr.Nee and his herbal medicine, assured me it won’t take more than a month for me to get rid of diabetes if I took his medicine. Thought he was just trying to sell his product but got no choice so I enquired more about the medication. I believed doctor Nee because he gave me his words and a money back guarantee. Took the evominor herbal content for some days and my blood sugar level was regulated, now I’m no longer taking diabetes medicines. I recommended Dr. Nee’s evominor herbal medicine for diabetes for my cousin who also had diabetes a month ago and his diabetes is dropping, blood sugar went down to 170 In a very short period of time and it’s still dropping, so if you are out there and struggling with diabetes I strongly recommend evominor herbal medicine by the Nato Nature heals you can contact them through nato@natonatureheals.com or check their website www.natonatureheals.com . It worked for me, you can be cured too.

devansh said...

Thanks to Dr Williams I am so happy today, I have been suffering from diabetes for the past 8 years now, and i have spent a lot on western drugs which has all proved abortive, i have tried all means in life to become diabetes free , but there was no answer until i decided to try herbal solution and i found Dr Williams online and i contacted him and after I took his medication as instructed, i am now completely free from diabtes within those week of usage, i am so much happy, thanks to Dr Williams for helping me get my life back again without any form of crisis, i promise to tell your name and good deeds to the whole world,if you have diabetes you can email him on drwilliams098675@gmail.com for more information

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Lilian Wale said...

There are some natural remedies that can be used in the prevention and eliminate diabetes totally. However, the single most important aspect of a diabetes control plan is adopting a wholesome life style Inner Peace, Nutritious and Healthy Diet, and Regular Physical Exercise. A state of inner peace and self-contentment is essential to enjoying a good physical health and over all well-being. The inner peace and self contentment is a just a state of mind.People with diabetes diseases often use complementary and alternative medicine. I diagnosed diabetes in 2010. Was at work feeling unusually tired and sleepy. I borrowed a glucometer from a co-worker and tested at 760. Went immediately to my doctor and he gave me prescibtion like: Insulin ,Sulfonylureas,Thiazolidinediones but Icould not get the cure rather to reduce the pain abd brink back the pain again. i found a woman testimony name Comfort online how Dr Akhigbe cure her HIV  and I aslo contacted the doctor and after I took his medication as instructed, I am now completely free from diabtes by doctor Akhigbe herbal medicine.So diabetes patients reading this testimony to contact his email     drrealakhigbe@gmail.com   or his Number   +2348142454860   He also use his herbal herbs to diseases like:SPIDER BITE, SCHIZOPHRENIA, LUPUS,EXTERNAL INFECTION, COMMON COLD, JOINT PAIN, EPILEPSY,STROKE,TUBERCULOSIS ,STOMACH DISEASE. ECZEMA, PROGERIA, EATING DISORDER, LOWER RESPIRATORY INFECTION,  DIABETICS,HERPES,HIV/AIDS, ;ALS,  CANCER , MENINGITIS,HEPATITIS A AND B,ASTHMA, HEART DISEASE, CHRONIC DISEASE. NAUSEA VOMITING OR DIARRHEA,KIDNEY DISEASE. HEARING LOSSDr Akhigbe is a good man and he heal any body that come to him. here is email    drrealakhigbe@gmail.com    and his Number +2349010754824

Damaris Sosa said...


I have been suffering from (HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS) disease for the past four years and had constant pain. During the first year, I had faith in God that i would be healed someday.This disease started circulating all over my body and i have been taking treatment from my doctor, few weeks ago i came on search on the internet if i could get any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from Herpes Simplex Virus by this Man Dr.Sebi and she also gave the email address of this man and advise anyone to contact him for any kind of problem that he would be of help, so i wrote to voodoosputuralspell@gmail.com telling him about my (Herpes Virus) he told me not to worry that i was going to be cured!! Though i never believed it,, well after all the procedures and remedy given to me by this man few weeks later i started experiencing changes all over me as the Priest Ola assured me, after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if i have be finally healed behold it was TRUE, So friends if anyone have such problem and need help visit Dr. Vadoo website https://bit.ly/2MVU2O8 or him Email: voodoosputuralspell@gmail.com

Lilian Wale said...

There are some natural remedies that can be used in the prevention and eliminate diabetes totally. However, the single most important aspect of a diabetes control plan is adopting a wholesome life style Inner Peace, Nutritious and Healthy Diet, and Regular Physical Exercise. A state of inner peace and self-contentment is essential to enjoying a good physical health and over all well-being. The inner peace and self contentment is a just a state of mind.People with diabetes diseases often use complementary and alternative medicine. I diagnosed diabetes in 2010. Was at work feeling unusually tired and sleepy. I borrowed a cyclometer from a co-worker and tested at 760. Went immediately to my doctor and he gave me prescription like: Insulin ,Sulfonamides,Thiazolidinediones but Could not get the cure rather to reduce the pain but brink back the pain again. i found a woman testimony name Comfort online how Dr Akhigbe cure her HIV  and I also contacted the doctor and after I took his medication as instructed, I am now completely free from diabetes by doctor Akhigbe herbal medicine.So diabetes patients reading this testimony to contact his email     drrealakhigbe@gmail.com   or his Number   +2348142454860   He also use his herbal herbs to diseases like:SPIDER BITE, SCHIZOPHRENIA, LUPUS,EXTERNAL INFECTION, COMMON COLD, JOINT PAIN, EPILEPSY,STROKE,TUBERCULOSIS ,STOMACH DISEASE. ECZEMA, PROGENITOR, EATING DISORDER, LOWER RESPIRATORY INFECTION,  DIABETICS,HERPES,HIV/AIDS, ;ALS,  CANCER , MENINGITIS,HEPATITIS A AND B,ASTHMA, HEART DISEASE, CHRONIC DISEASE. NAUSEA VOMITING OR DIARRHEA,KIDNEY DISEASE. HEARING  LOSSDr Akhigbe is a good man and he heal any body that come to him. here is email    drrealakhigbe@gmail.com    and his Number +2349010754824

Rose Jurgen said...

Here is  my testimony on how I was cured of HIV by Dr Akhigbe,with his natural herbal medicine.  on a regular basis in efforts to help others when I could. As you may know, each donation is tested.  Well, on July 6th I had a meeting with a Red Cross representative and was told that I had HIV. “What went through your mind when you heard that "Rose" Good question reader! To be honest, I thought my life was over, that I would ever find love, get married, have children or anything normal. Lucky for me I have an amazing support system.  My family supported me then I never thought that I was invincible to STD s or pregnancy or anything else parents warn their kids about. I just didn’t think about it. I was in a monogamous relationship and thought that I asked the right questions.  We even talked about marriage Scary.  During that time I was in college and donated blood on a re as well. who helped me in search of cure through the media.there we saw a good testimony of sister 'Kate' about the good work of Dr Akhigbe natural herbal medicine cure.then I copied his email address and contacted him. A good herbalist doctor with a good heart, he is kind, loving and caring. He replied back to my message and told me what to do. After a week the doctor sent me my herbal medicine and instructed me how to take it.Yes it worked very well, after drinking it I went to the hospital for another test and everything turned negative. What a wonderful testimony I can never forget in my life. Dr Akhigbe is a man who gave me a life to live happily forever so all I want you all to believe and know that cure of HIV is real and herbs is a powerful medicine and it works and heals.  Dr Akhigbe also used his herbal medicine to cure diseases like:   HERPES, DIABETES, SCABIES, HEPATITIS A/B, STROKE, CANCER, ALS, TUBERCULOSIS, ASTHMA, PENIS ENLARGEMENT, MALARIA, LUPUS, LIVER CIRRHOSIS, DEPRESSION, HIV/AIDS, EPILEPSY, BACTERIAL, DIARRHEA, HEART DISEASES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, PARKINSON'S, ALZHEIMER, COLD URTICARIA, HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS,INSOMNIA,  BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS, SCHIZOPHRENIA, JOINT PAIN, STOMACH PAIN, CHROME DISEASES, CHLAMYDIA, INSOMNIA HEARTBURN, ,  THYROID, MAR BURG DISEASES, MENINGITIS, ARTHRITIS, BODY WEAK, ANTI VIRUS, SMALLPOX, DENGUE, FEVER, CURBS, CHANCRE, AND OTHERS VARIOUS DISEASES/ VIRUS.   You are there and you find yourself in any of these situations, kindly contact Dr Akhigbe now to help you get rid of it. Here is his email address:
   drrealakhigbe@gmail.com      or you can write to him on whats app with his phone number:   +2348025012866
  My appreciation is to share his testimony for the world to know the good work Dr Akhigbe has done for me and he will do the same for you.

Rachael Aleman said...

I have been suffering from (HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS) disease for the past four years and had constant pain. During the first year, I had faith in God that i would be healed someday. This disease started circulating all over my body and i have been taking treatment from my doctor, few weeks ago i came on search on the internet if i could get any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search i saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from Herpes Simplex Virus by this Man Priest Wanama and she also gave the email address of this man and advise anyone to contact him for any kind of problem that he would be of help, so i wrote to Priest Wanama telling him about my (Herpes Virus) he told me not to worry that i was going to be cured!! Though i never believed it,, well after all the procedures and remedy given to me by this man few weeks later i started experiencing changes all over me as the assured me, after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if i have be finally healed behold it was TRUE, So friends if anyone have such problem and need help contact Priest Wanama via email {priestwanama0@gmail.com} https://rb.gy/jfwati