Happy because Eliana is a confident, energetic, and joyful seven year old.
Happy because the stomach problems that plagued her for the first few months after her diagnosis are gone now.
Happy because the kid who was crying her eyes out the first week of school now enters the building without any fear.
Happy because she is healthy and active - always on her scooter, bicycle, or jump rope, always learning new things, with wonderful, creative ideas and excitement for life.
Happy because despite all of the attention and constant management this disease requires, she still manages to look on the bright side of things. I found this little book in her school binder this week. It almost made me cry . . ok, maybe it did just a little.
Her cover is her pink glucometer, with a perfect 100 blood sugar! She mentions the new friends she has made because of diabetes, her upcoming diaversary, how she misses CHOP, the technology that assists her, the privilege of buying lunch first in the cafeteria, and her hopefulness that a cure will be found soon.
There's plenty of negative stuff she could have written about. Checking her blood sugar ten times a day. Getting injections before every meal and snack. Having to wait around while her slow parents figure out her carbohydrate count. Being told she can't have something to eat because her blood sugar is way too high and we have to let it come down first. Kids asking questions all the time about her Dexcom. Having to miss class, and even worse recess, because of constantly reporting to the nurse's office. The terrible, shaky, weak feeling of a blood sugar in the 50's.
But in this little book, as in her daily life, she is focused on the positive things. She's been able to make new friends with diabetes - there is an instant connection when T1D kids meet and spend time together. She's had countless juice boxes, which are always a treat for her, and plenty of milk and cookies before bed to combat falling blood sugars. (She takes a bite of cookie, a sip of milk, smiles and says, "Thank you Diabetes!") The whole family got to experience a Diabetes Family Weekend at the Double H Ranch. Eliana did a high ropes course, zip lined down, was in a talent show, played games, swam, did arts and crafts, and so much more! Her frequent trips to CHOP are exciting for her because it is one of her favorite places. She was part of a JDRF Walk to End Diabetes and is already planning for next year's walk. Counting carbs are fun for her because she uses the scale and the calculator and she impresses everyone, including herself, with her math skills. Even pump shopping is fun . . she loves gadgets and technology and pushing buttons.
Of course it is not all positive. She complains plenty too. She has her moments of moaning and yelling and crying. But that has not been the defining characteristic of this past year in any way. Eliana just turned 7. Every other year she has been super anxious to get to the next age. For the first time, this year she said that she didn't want to turn 7 because she loved being 6 so much she wanted to stay 6 for another year. Her sixth year was so difficult for me and Pete in a lot of ways. So many sleepless nights because of plummeting and skyrocketing blood sugars. So many hours on the phone with insurance companies advocating for supplies. So many tense conversations with folks at her school to ensure that they are doing what they should to care for her. Trying to balance the extra attention with extra attention for our sweet Leah. Concern for her future with every research article read about long term effects of this disease. Concern for her with every story heard from another T1D parent about the emergency, crisis situations that can arise. But, Eliana was spared all of that, at least for now. She had a great 6th year, and that is a reason to be happy. Really, really happy.
And lastly, after a year of learning so much about type 1, I have a far deeper appreciation for the fact that Eliana was diagnosed without ever becoming very ill. I've talked with so many parents of T1D kids this year, and many of them still seem traumatized by how very sick their children were before they were diagnosed. They talk of things like the ICU, seizures, comas, severe dehydration and weight loss, and life and death situations. When I think back to how we managed to be spared, I am so thankful to God for my very wise Mom. After sharing my concerns with her about Eliana going to the bathroom constantly and drinking all the time, she fully supported getting blood work done. My plan was to wait until her next doctor's appointment. After the folks came to visit and Mom saw how much Eliana was drinking she very definitively said, "Don't wait, take her sooner." She didn't know any more about T1D than I did, but she had the wisdom not to wait. Postponing her bloodwork for another week and a half could have very easily meant a very different diagnosis story. So, thanks Mom. Just goes to show, as we all know, no matter how old you are you still need your Mom.
So, here's to Eliana! And her Diaversary! And to all of you . . . family, old friends, and new friends . . who helped us through this first year.
I am sure Eliana will have plenty of ideas of how we should celebrate!
