Wow...what a ride it has been the last couple of weeks! My little niece Courtney, who's 6, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. It's been an emotional ride for the whole family, but that little bugger is doing so well with it! She's such a good little girl. She's a kind and sincere kid who you'd never know she was so sick!
I was on a trip to Texas at a steel guitar show with my Uncle Merle (he was playing at it) and she was scheduled to go in for an evaluation the day I left. Her school teacher suspected she may have it because of some symptoms she saw during the day. I called to get a report and mom told me she was admitted into intensive care with a blood sugar level of over 500! It was all I could do not to hop on the next flight home that very night. But I knew there was nothing I could do....so I stayed. It was the longest weekend of my life I think! While I had a wonderful time at the show visiting with friends I hadn't seen in a very long time, my thoughts were always on that kid at home and I couldn't wait to get back!
Since I've been home, I've been doing lots of reading and research. Our diets have changed (for the better!) and we're doing what Courtney's doing. Everyone should eat like a diabetic! Watching sugar intake and counting carbs...definitely a better way to live!
While coloring after supper on Sunday, she quietly said to me, "DeeDee, why do I have to have diabetes?" I didn't know what to say to her...my heart just broke. I said, "Well honey, a lot of other people had diabetes too....it's just something that some people have to go through I guess." And then she said, "What was your trial when you were a kid?" Ok....here's a kid 6 years old and she's saying this??? She's more mature then me some days! I knew she had probably asked mom because that's SUCH a mom response...."This is just your trial"....ahh the wisdom! hehe! So anyway, I proceeded to tell her some things that weren't easy to live with when I was young. But I do have to admit...I haven't gone through anything like she's had to go through! She's a special little girl! On a happy note....I hit the grocery stores yesterday on my lunch hour in search for "Courtney Food!" And low and behold I found low carb pasta. I made some last night and it's delicious!!! And I also discovered that light cream has less carbs in it then milk....GREAT for cooking! I've learned a lot as far as cooking for her goes. I made a chocolate cream pie for her last night and brought it down to her along with dinner for tonight. I had to sample the pie and dinner and it was tasty! Sugar free pudding (made with light cream not milk), real whipped cream with sugar substitute and vanilla! no crust...and for dinner I made some ziti pasta alfredo with grilled chicken and spinach. YUMMY!!
So it's a work in progress but we're learning every day!
While coloring after supper on Sunday, she quietly said to me, "DeeDee, why do I have to have diabetes?" I didn't know what to say to her...my heart just broke. I said, "Well honey, a lot of other people had diabetes too....it's just something that some people have to go through I guess." And then she said, "What was your trial when you were a kid?" Ok....here's a kid 6 years old and she's saying this??? She's more mature then me some days! I knew she had probably asked mom because that's SUCH a mom response...."This is just your trial"....ahh the wisdom! hehe! So anyway, I proceeded to tell her some things that weren't easy to live with when I was young. But I do have to admit...I haven't gone through anything like she's had to go through! She's a special little girl! On a happy note....I hit the grocery stores yesterday on my lunch hour in search for "Courtney Food!" And low and behold I found low carb pasta. I made some last night and it's delicious!!! And I also discovered that light cream has less carbs in it then milk....GREAT for cooking! I've learned a lot as far as cooking for her goes. I made a chocolate cream pie for her last night and brought it down to her along with dinner for tonight. I had to sample the pie and dinner and it was tasty! Sugar free pudding (made with light cream not milk), real whipped cream with sugar substitute and vanilla! no crust...and for dinner I made some ziti pasta alfredo with grilled chicken and spinach. YUMMY!!
So it's a work in progress but we're learning every day!
Here is a picture of Courtney in the hospital with one of the
Harlem Globe Trotters that was visiting.
