Thursday, March 26, 2009

Madi + Diabetes

Things are finally settling down after a crazy weekend and week. Madi has been diagnosed with Diabetes but she reminds us or Ben that she is not sick. She is doing well and is back at school with the help of a wonderful school staff.
God works in mysterious ways! In my last post I told you about Michelle from thesweetgardenia. I just met her last Friday and then the next Friday she practically saved my child's life. We had gotten together on Friday morning, and I was tired and yawning and she asked why I was so tired. I said Madi gets up 4 times during the night to drink water and go to the bathroom. Well Michelle stopped by my house just minutes after school on Friday and while all the kids were playing Madi's drinking and peeing came up again. Michelle mentioned that is a sign of diabetes. Michelle is a Diabetic herself and suggested checking Madi's blood sugar. So while Michelle went to get her meter I was nervous, my intuition really had been making me think something was wrong and I called Steve who was down at the Braves Spring Training in Orlando. He said if I wasn't up for it to wait and when he got home we could take Madi to her pediatrician. Michelle said she wouldn't leave unless I checked Madi's glucose. So we made it fun and checked all the kids. Everyone was in the low 100's but Madi's read High Glucose over 600. Michelle said "Jeni you have to take her in right now". We are not from here but I had heard through the grapevine of a satellite clinic of the Atlanta's Healthcare for Children in Morrow and thought that would be a better place to go than our local ER. Michelle went with us and I owe her so much for helping me and willing to do anything for us we needed at that time. Madi was seen instantly and they said we need to be transported in an ambulance to the Children's Hospital downtown. Under the circumstances, everything was wonderful. The most kind people helped us in the clinic, we had four more on our ambulance ride and doctors waiting for us when we arrived at the hospital.
In the picture above...Madi insisted on wearing her jeans with her hospital gown on too...whatever.
Madi has done so well...I could not ask for a better kid! She likes to have her finger poked to check her blood. I think she likes knowing her number...it lets her know all is well I guess. She doesn't like her 4 shots she needs throughout the day but dealing with it amazingly, never fights getting them....doesn't even cry just a tear on a few of them.

Here is a picture of Madi when we were getting ready to leave the hospital. She insisted on wearing her knew t-shirt on her first day back to school too.
For all you moms out there...we were able to catch this early before any permanent damage was done.... she didn't even have any ketones in her urine when we got to the hospital. Signs just started showing up. We had gone on our cruise at the beginning of February and also had the vacation with Steve's family at the cabin and Madi never got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Looking back we also noticed at Madi 's last two basketball games she was not as much of the beast she usually was but didn't ever really think anything of it but in hindsight we do see things. Madi has always eaten lots of food and is still a little bitty thing but did loose 8-10 lbs. the last month. So we know it wasn't until after the middle of February when this started. You just have to watch and know their routines and I am so glad I did.
Steve's family came instantly to take care of Ben...THANK YOU Alicia! Teresa my mother-in-law came Saturday from Savannah and stayed with us until last night. She said the ladies in her office check into my blog time to time so THANK YOU for supporting Teresa so she could stay and help us too. Ben loved hanging our with his cousins in Macon and then having Nana totally spoil him here at home while Steve and I stayed with Madi at the hospital.

25 comments:

Amber M. said...

Holy crap, Jeni. I've been missing your posts but had no idea your family was undergoing such a scare!

Tell Madi I think she's so brave. Thinking of you and sending much love your way.

Every Day Gourmet said...

Jeni, like always your family handled the situation so well. I agree with you that Michelle was placed in your life by God to help your family! Who else could have such perfect timing?!! We are thinking of all of you! Madi is such a brave girl. I am glad she is handling all of this.

Unknown said...

Wow I am so glad she is ok now how scary! Tell her she is brave little girl.

Montay said...

I found your blog thru Amber and I have a good friend who's daughter also was diagnosed with Diabetes she just got a pump and they love it. check out her blog maybe the girls could be pen pals.
www.jensens7.blogspot.com

Betsy said...

Oh my goodness. So much in such a short time. What a trooper she is. I am sure you are so overwhelmed. Hang in there. Glad you found it in time.

Madison Sanders said...

Children's Healthcare(Scottish Rite and Egelston) is one of the best hospitals I've been too.

Yes, it's great that they have those satellite campuses in many different locations.

Glad you caught it in time.

My name is Madison too. :)

ReminisceHeirlooms said...

What a trooper. Tell her she looks like a doll in that tee. :)

Shell in your Pocket said...

Wow..what a blessing to find out without anymore serious things...hope this all goes well and they find the easiest way to deal with diabetes~
sandy toe

the dahle family said...

I had been missing your fun posts! What a scary situation but luckily you were blessed to have a amazing friend there at the right time. Glad to hear Madi is doing well and dealing wonderfully with it all.

jen said...

Wow!! That must have been a scare!! I pray all is smooth sailing from now on!

Jen

Michelle said...

Hey Jeni glad to hear things are settling down again. Madi looks great, it's amazing how one thing can cause so much craziness, our bodies silently scream trying to tell us somethings wrong. Anyway i'll be giving you a call when I'm back in town, I've gone to Iowa to spend time with family and do a little junk'n. God Bless Michelle

CMB said...

So sorry to hear about all that Madi ( and the rest of you have been thru) glad that Michelle was around and you got it taken care of right away. Atlanta children's health care is the best...when we lived in that area I used that very same satellite office many times! Keep us posted on how Madi is doing, my thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Belinda said...

Jeni,
glad everything is better now! I guess you got a crash course in being diabetic over the past few days! it can be so scary! I had Gestational diabetes and had to take 4 shots a day and it was though trying to read you body! sending prayers to Madi!
B

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

What a story....I am so glad you got her to the doctor when you did. The timing and the turn of events is almost unbelievable.

Madi is such a sweet little girl and seems to be handling this whole thing very well. It also sounds like you have tons of support from family and friends that were willing to step in when needed....that is awesome.

Keep us posted.

Lisa

Our Complete Family said...

Wowee Jeni! Talk about an up and down past week for you sweetie.
The turn of events is amazing in what led you to treatment for her~ what a blessing that was!
One of B's soccer team mates has an elementary school aged sister that was diagnosed a few weeks ago. It blows my mind how well kiddos handle things like this. Sounds like Miss Madi is going to be great and do great with this diagnosis!
Many prayers, much love and blessings to you and your sweet family. xo Les

Shannon said...

Wow. What a huge change. She sounds like such a trooper. It was truely from God that you met your new friend who also has diabetes. Madi is so precious.

Darlene said...

Thank GOODNESS Michelle was right there and recognized the signs. I am so glad that Madi is doing so well now. She is very brave with all those shots.♥

Brittany said...

Just wanted to stop by and say hello, and then I read this! I am so sorry, but it sounds like she has a positive attitude! And, what a wonderful friend to have at a time like this. Funny how God works!

Betsy said...

I'm so glad she's doing well now Jeni! What a stressful time! My little niece has diabetes as well and is doing very well now.

We'll be praying for her to continue to do well. What a brave girl and Mom!

Georgia Girl said...

Jeni...Oh my I am so glad everything is ok with Madi. I know just how you felt..I went through something a month ago and am so thankful God watched over us, but I knew he would!

Yes we meet people for reasons in life and some we don't know but God did this for you all. Thank goodness she is better and now you can control this. How brave of her for taking shots every day...She has more strength than I would..I hate shots.

You don't worry not one bit about the mail...Madi is the main concern!
Take care and know I am very grateful I have met you as a friend and maybe soon we can meet also in person.
Beth

Joyce said...

Wow, Michelle was like an angel coming into your life at this time. Madi is a brave little girl to only shed a little tear. Kids are amazing. Children's is a wonderful hospital with super services around GA. Please give Madi a big Hug from me.
Joyce

Jo said...

What an amazing story. How wonderful that Michelle came into your life and was able to assist you before Madi had any serious problems.

What a brave little girl and taking this all so well ~ she's a cutie!

Jo

Jenni said...

Hi Jeni~
Oh my goodness! You have had so much going on! I am glad that everything turned out all right in the end, and that Madi is doing okay. But wow! This is a lot for your family to deal with! I am so glad that you had family to help, and a new friend to save the day! I will keep you all in my prayers. :) Please take care!

Montee said...

Your Madi is being a real trooper. She is a sweetie. My son has a bad kidney and he just takes it all in stride. He even thinks a transplant would be cool. What?! I guess kids just don't have our mindset about things.

I do believe that God brought Michelle to you just in time. He does work in mysterious ways and His miracles never cease to amaze me.

Stacy said...

Hi there.

My name is Stacy and a sweet fellow blogger by the name of Jill just sent me an email telling me that I might want to check your blog out. You see, my 6 year old daughter Abigail was just diagnosed with Type 1 at the end of February. It happened just the way yours did. Found sugar in her urine at a routine check up. Tested glucose in the exam room. Came up at 554. Next think we knew we were being rushed into Boston and our world had flipped upside down.

I would love to talk more with you if you would like! My email is stacy.theberge@gmail.com

Here is where I wrote about my daughters diagnosis: http://19butternut.blogspot.com/search?q=diabetes

Best of luck and hope to talk soon!

Peace Love & Insulin,
~Stacy