A New Bend in the Road

As I was busily preparing the table for breakfast a few mornings ago, one brother comes into the kitchen a bit distressed telling me that Nathanael has the "blood sugar thing" all out and is about to use it.  Since it contains sharp pieces, I hurried to the dining room, where Nathanael had already climbed into his chair.  I found him with the glucometer in his hand, testing strip out of the bottle and inserted properly, tapping the baby's finger and saying, "blood on it" matter-of-factly in his sweet way.  I smiled as I realized that he was sharing his experience with his baby, just like previously he would put the baby to bed and give it a blanket.  This is the unexpected corner we have rounded in our lives.
A month or so ago, we noticed Nathanael, who just last month turned two, was all of a sudden VERY thirsty.  He was guzzling cup of water after cup of water.  He was soaking through clothes during the day and night.  Then he started feeling tired.  He got so lethargic that he didn't want to do anything but sit in my lap.  He started losing weight.  So I took him to the doctor.  They suggested blood work to investigate.  In the meantime, I saw a friend who is a nurse and she apologetically told me that it sounded an awful lot like diabetes.  Even his breathing began to be labored and David and I knew that something was dangerously wrong with our little boy.  David said, "He's just wasting away."
And as the truth sunk in of the seriousness of it, I began to feel anxious.  As we waited for results from the blood work, I could concentrate on very little, as my mind kept wandering to Nathanael and diabetes.  My heart cried out to God for strength for him and for me.  I have learned one thing throughout the last few years, though, and it is this: My thoughts must stay fixed on Jesus!  Focusing on problems or difficulties always make them feel bigger and me feel helpless, but focusing on Jesus puts my life in the proper perspective, helping me see my life is about His glory and reminding me that the God who made the world is my strength and joy and Rock!  The Spirit brought to mind the well-loved passage in Philippians, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God, and the peace of God, which passes all knowledge, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  And so holding his listless body in my arms, I just praised Him, sang to Him, thanked Him.  And this is eternal life right now!!
The first blood draw revealed some incredibly high numbers so they wanted to do it again.  Again, the same results.  The pediatrician himself called to tell us to take him to the ER at once.  Once at the hospital, he was officially diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and they began to work toward bringing down his glucose levels (well over 500) and "closing the gap," which had to do with ketones and the acidity level in his blood, which was also very high.  About 2am, in the PICU, we got the good news that his levels were in the target range and he was going to be ok!  What a relief!

after a night in the PICU

His first meal!  He couldn't eat until his numbers were down.  Boy was he happy to see that applesauce and cheerios!

Then, we began the journey of learning to take care of our little boy on a whole new level.  I spent one of those first couple of nights grieving over all that he had lost in the diagnosis.  Don't get me wrong-- I am very grateful for medical technology and the chance it gives him to live a relatively normal life.  But day to day life will never be carefree for him.  Though I am sure that grieving and frustration is not over for us yet, I am able to see that this hardship will afford us many more opportunities for friendship and for speaking about His goodness in the midst of difficulty.
It was really a miracle to watch him come alive again!  It almost brought tears to my friend's eyes when she came to see him after two days in the hospital, and found him light up at their appearance and play on the floor.

This was his last day in the hospital.  He was reading books on his couch!

Now he is happy and healthy and clowning around and saying all the cute two year old things, just like before.  The only difference now is that we have to check his blood glucose levels every 2-3 hours, give him 4 insulin shots a day, and monitor and measure very carefully everything he eats!  It is a lot of work!  And we still have a lot to learn. And he has lots of "pokes" every single day.   But God gives grace when it is needed, and I have really felt a peace about it all.  God showed me 2 Corinthians 9:8 a while ago and showed me his abundant grace for every situation in a powerful way.  Here it is:

       “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you always  having

        All sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance  for every good work.”

 Again, I know the fight with this thing is not over, but the victory is God's!  I feel sure of it! The road turned abruptly, but it's ok.  We are walking with Jesus and for Jesus and that makes all the difference.