Credits: Falling Blooms by Twin Mom Scraps


Journaling:
Dear Rachel,
February 4, 1999. You were too litle to remembe rthis day, but it is a day I will
remember forever, this is the day our lives changed forever. This is the day
that diabetes entered our lives. It had started out a normal day with your 18
month well baby check up, although I suspected we were there for much more than
a check up. We signed in, and went through the process of height and weight and
your nurse, Phyllis looked at me questioningly when she removed your very full wet
diaper. I informed her it had been changed 10 minutes prior, she looked confused
and I then told yes that we needed THAT checked. She knew what I was referring
to and found a nurse with a blood glucose monitor and then Doctor Horton poked
your finger. I will never forget what I saw then, 372 way too high. We were then
told to head to Children’s Hospital of Austin and the pediatric endocrinologist would be
waiting. The next 5 days were a whirlwind of learning and poking and injections.
There have been lots of good, there has been lots of bad in the 12 years
since that day. You have had plenty of days of illness, bad Diabetes Days
and some hospital stays. But there have been lots of great things come to
us because of diabetes. We have traveled to California for Diabetes conferences
and visited Disneyland and Universal Studios while we were there. We made a
quilt square (our friend Abigail sewed it for us) which has been displayed all
over the world. We have traveled to Florida for conferences as well and
visited Disney World too. We have met famous people like Gary Hall, Olympic
swimmer and Miss America 1999, Nicole Johnson.We met and had dinner with
the band members of Yellowcard. We have been to Congressional hearings and
met everyday people that live life the same way we do day to with diabetes. We have
met adults who have grown up with diabetes and have become very successful. You
have learned to poke your finger to test your blood, give your self an insulin shot and change
your insulin pump site. You have taught other people, kids and adults, to appreciate
life and to live life for all its worth and not dwell on the things in life for which we
can not control. You have attended diabetes camps and made lifelong friends.
You have participated in Girl Scouts, band, theater and church activities. You have
shown the world around you how to live life what all it’s worth and to do so without
fear. You have been an ambassador for diabetes walks and told a room full
of Dell executives what it is like to be a six year old with diabetes. You have
told Congress people and Senators why we need more research and why we must
have a cure soon. You have lost friends to this horrible disease, yet you stand
strong everyday. BUT most important you have learned that you are a TEENAGER
with diabetes and not a teenager with DIABETES. You have learned to control
the disease and not let the disease control you. Despite the struggles you have
faced, you have grown into a wonderful, loving, happy, carefree young lady.
I am very proud of you and very proud to tell the world that you are my daughter!
Love you always, Mom