Friday, June 26, 2009

Fri afternoon update on Joshua

Thank you for your prayers!!!


I did talk with the doctor.  The plan is to watch his blood sugars and to check them every 2 hours if they are far from normal.   More opportunities to practice. 


The blood prick at 12:30 went pretty well.  I still had to do it 2 times.  The first couldn't get enough blood (I think I was too close to the center of his finger), the second one worked like a charm.  We did lots of warming and massaging.  I'm hoping that the second one is our new track.  :)


I talked with Joshua about how brave he is.  We talked more about the verse God gave us the other day - Joshua 1:9.  We talked about how God had to tell Joshua 3 times to be strong and courageous.  I don't think that this meant that Joshua had no fear.  Certainly being brave does not mean that there is no fear.  It does mean doing what you are called to do in the face of your fear.  We are both having to do that as we learn how to manage his diabetes.  It is a learning curve for our whole family. 


Something neat happened today that I know was God just reminding us of His love for us.  After his blood draw, I brought up a card that he had received in the mail.  On the front of the card was a verse ... Joshua 1:9.  We talked about how  God sometimes gives us the same verse more than once because He really wants us to hear it.  I love that!  Thank you to the GAA staff for sending this sweet card!


His numbers at lunch were good (in the normal range in fact!) and he hasn't gotten sick again.  I just gave him some toast, so we'll see.  I also checked his ketones which were small.  This is another thing to keep an eye on so that he does not go into DKA (long name for too many ketones in urine while having diabetes).  It is something that would send him to the hospital.  They were surprised that he was not in this state when we brought him in.  He would have been had we come in later.  Thank you God.


I'm hoping we can manage this and that it will pass quickly.  Wondering if it is viral or a reaction to something he ate?  Not sure how I would know either???  How soon would something like that show up?  And is it different if he is newly diabetic with his numbers still really fluctuating greatly!!!  (Differences of more than 250 in just a few hours)


That is probably a good question for the doctor.  I'll update as I can.  Need to go check on my boy and try to get something to eat myself.  Also have a few others calling out to me.  More later.


Thank you for your prayers.  God is good!


Blessings


Leslie

6 comments:

  1. Praising God that things seem to be settling down! O/

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  2. Hi Leslie,


    I just heard the news about Joshua and all you guys are going through. I am so sorry. You're in my prayers. ((((hugs)))

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  3. Leslie,


    I was trying to add you as a friend to my blog, and it won't work--can you please add me when you get a chance?? Thanks!! (Heather4Him)

    (I'm Heather (WI) on the FIAR boards.)

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  4. Leslie,


    I am so sorry about this new medical diagnosis for Joshua. The first several months are hard. I have a niece with JD, and her mom is a diabetes nurse educator, and it was still a difficult transition for them both. She is five years after diagnosis now, and she is thriving. She did have to go to a pump for her insulin though. She has a type of JD called "fragile." Her numbers fluctuated like you described for the first year, and they had to put her on the pump, and it has been much better for her levels. I know that your boys already see an opthamologist. It is very important for children with JD to be checked frequently. My niece developed cataracts within 10 mos of diagnosis from the fluctuations in her levels. I am not trying to scare you with this info. I want you to be proactive. And it is good that Joshua has a history with his opthamologist.


    It is easy to lose heart when you do everything you can and still there is a big fluctuation. So be encouraged that you will all get better at the finger sticks and meals. And sickness will always cause fluctuations.


    I also am a certified phlebotomist. And if he is very anxious, it will decrease the blood flow. So the warming and massaging will help. And maybe you will come up with a routine that helps ease his fears to also increase the blood flow to his fingers. Maybe a song or a funny poem can become a part of the process. Of course, prayer, too. Eventually, he will be able to do it all himself.


    If I can hook you up with any of my resources, let me know! I have my SIL, plus I have two internet friends with children with JD.


    Love, Tami

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  5. Leslie, I know I am not the only one who appreciates the updates and thinks it is very kind of you to give the updates. I have been thinking about you and Joshua very much and wondering how you are doing.


    I, too, am glad that the throwing up at least is settling down. I hope there's no more of that.


    Praying still,

    Lynn

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  6. Praying for you, Leslie, as you navigate these new, uncharted waters.


    Bo

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