Luke was diagnosed on August 5, 2013 with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes.
News of this diagnosis came in the middle of Godchild Faith Week and the one year anniversary of the 9 day span between when Tony was lost and laid to rest.
Luke has done an excellent job of learning quickly to adjust to taking his blood sugars and even administering his insulin.
Yesterday we got a call from DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids requesting to have Luke come immediately for care. We caught Luke’s condition so early that he has been able to remain outpatient. Today was a draining and exhausting day for both Luke and myself. We are early in the stages of education and adjusting his insulin doses and learning how to keep him safe.
Everyone has been so wonderfully supportive, caring and attentive as we have begun to share this condition and how it impacts our family. It is very understandable that you and your child who is friends with Luke has questions.
The physicians have given us a crash course of common misconceptions and concerns people may wonder about with this disease and I myself was unaware of many of these details even though my godson has had diabetes since he was 14.
A Snapshot of Juvenile Diabetes for you and Children who love and support Luke:
1. You can not catch diabetes.
2. Diabetes is not a child’s fault for eating too much sugar. It is an autoimmune disease.
3. Luke has not had diabetes for more than a few months at most; Type 1 is triggered by either a virus or stress. The stress of losing his father is most likely the source.
4. Luke is getting excellent care and his wonderful staff at school is keeping him very safe.
5. Keeping Luke “safe” is important; however, Luke is a child who has diabetes- not ‘a diabetic’. It is very important he be seen as a normal child who loves to play, run and be with his friends.
6. Luke uses needles to test his blood sugar before meals, when he feels ‘off’ and at bedtime. He must take insulin by injection for a period of time before the pump can be considered. It is at the discretion of his doctors to see when he may be ready to consider it if ever.
7. Luke is able to go and play with friends. We will simply go over the safety plan and I will be involved to work the get together carefully around his schedule.
8. Luke is actually feeling really good now that his blood sugar is under control but he does have days when he has physical activity or exerts a lot of energy there is a certain protocol we are learning to adapt to and he gets wiped out easily.
9. Luke can do everything he did before.
10. Encouragement, supportive words and prayers will help Luke adapt to this immensely! Losing his father comes with the natural consequence of feeling different. Dealing with diabetes makes for another burden.
Thank YOU for your love and constant care in our lives. We pray in thanksgiving that we are blessed with excellent medical care, amazing family and friends and the blessing of each new day.
Each of you are at the forefront of our prayers for all you carry in your lives.
Much Love, Colleen
Love, Light and Miracles 