Hi there,
In the last few days, I've been going through something I hope I never have to experience again! Many of you know my 21 year old son is a Type 1 Diabetic. He's had the disease since he was three years old. For the past 18 years he has done so well dealing with this nasty disease. He has been doing great on his own, managing and balancing his food intake, exercise and insulin needs, for many years now. But when he started to throw up on Sunday morning, it all took a turn for the worst.
I figured he had the stomach flu, which can be dangerous for a diabetic. But we've been through it before, so we both knew what to do, what he needed, etc. Come Monday morning, looking at his sweet face, I knew we needed help. I've never seen those big, beautiful eyes so sunk-in looking. He was very lethargic, barely able to move, and that's when I made the decision to take him to the hospital.
They finally released him today and we are back home - yay! So relieved! To make a long story short, and to try and keep it simple for those of you who don't know much about this disease, he had what diabetics can get when they're glucose runs way too high for too long. It's called Ketoacidosis and it can be life threatening. He was actually in the ICU unit of the hospital for the last three days.
He is feeling so much better now, resting upstairs as I type this. He and I both talked about how impressed all the nurses and hospital staff were at the fact that he has never had Ketoacidosis in the 18 years with the disease. They were all very surprised it was his first time ever experiencing it, and told him quite often how good he must be at managing his diabetes. That made both of us feel better and less guilty! I kept telling myself I should have thought it might be Ketoacidosis, but since he had never had it before, it didn't even come to my mind - I just thought he had the flu. You can bet if it happens again, I will definitely be thinking about it!
So, with all the drama, fear and stress of the last few days, I wanted to sit down to check in here and over on Flickr. Boy have I missed a lot! You've all been creating some fabulous cards! I can't wait to eventually catch up with everyone and start commenting again!
I've also been doing a little creating today - feels soooo good! :)
46 comments:
Oh, my word!!! I had noticed you had been absent from the boards and commenting for a while and wondered if you were OK. I figured it was August and you had taken a little break. So glad to hear your son is OK. What a fright that must have been! Good wishes going your way for quick recovery and that it doesn't happen again any time soon.
What a couple of days you've had! So very glad that your son recovered so fast! Glad you are all well and home and crafting again!
Barb, I'm sorry to hear that you and your son had to endure all of that, both short term and long term. So glad he's doing well now. I'm just getting back from a trip and I've seen that I've missed out on quite a lot too!
I'm so very sorry for this harrowing experience, Barb! I had 2 boys with diabetes 1 in my class when I taught 6th grade, one of which, ended up with Ketoacidosis, in ICU for several days as well. Quite scary for all of us as he did start with the throwing up in my classroom!
Hugs and prayers to you and your son!
Oh Barb - thank God he's feeling better. That's one feeling he will NEVR want to have again and he will remember this episode. Love the fact he takes care of himself - I'm sure MOM has a lot to do with that! Boys/men don't inherently take care of the details of good health Give him a secret hug from me, sweetie! Hugs, Marcy xo
Boy, Barb, it is certainly understandable why you haven't been around and please do not sweat it. Your son's health is most important, and I am so glad to hear that he is feeling better now. What a mature young man he must be, to be managing his diabetes so well for so long. We are all learning along the way...chalk it up to another learning experience. So glad he is home and feeling better now!
Oh Barb, I didn't now this about your son, but I am so glad that he doing better. You both must be exhausted after all that! It sounds like he takes good care of himself (unusual for a man!) so I wish him continued good health in the future.
Now you can sit down, relax, and craft with peace of mind!
Take care XXX
Oh Barb!!! So glad he is feeling better now. I am sure you were going thru a difficult time but keep faith...it will all be over in no time. You were missed.
A thousand hugs to you Barb! I can not image what you have been through over the last few days. THANK GOD your son is doing well and that YOU followed your mother's intiution or a nudge from a higher being to take him in.
xxxxooooooo
This must have been a very stressful few days for you Barb, it's great to hear that your son is doing so much better and that he's back home with you. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Oh my goodness... Barb, I am so pleased that there has been a successful outcome to this episode with your son. Typoe 1 is such a difficult disease to live with. I commend you and your son for your ability to control it so well. I have Type 2 and struggle with that... nothing compared to the struggle your son lives with every day. Sending big hugs to you both...
Oh Barb. I am so glad he is back home and better. So sorry you all had such a rough go of it. Sending you big hugs.
So glad he's better Barb!! Thinking of you both!! Hugs!!
Consider yourself hugged but good, sweet friend! Thank God your boy is home and feeling better. What a blessing that he is so meticulous with monitoring his condition, I know that's so important (my sis in law has Type 1 also). Get some rest, I'm sure you need it.
I love your new blog look!
Hello Barb
Yes it is frightening, and unfortunately it will more than likely happen again, but you had the acumen to recognise that things were not right, next time you will just drive to the hospital; you did good Barb, do not feel guilty, your son is okay, but I can well imagine how sick in the stomach you must feel when reliving the episode.
Now you need to de-stress your self, and if you want a smile put on your face hop over to my blog.
Hugs and smiles:)
Sue
How stressful for you both, there is nothing worse than when your child is sick (at any age). Glad to hear he's on the mend!
{Hugs} from here too.
So thankful to hear that everything turn out well. That is amazing how well both you and he have managed the diabetes. Thinking of you and hope you get some time to relax now.
Oh Barb! So sorry your son (and you!) had to go through this!! I'm so glad he's doing better and is now recovering at home!! Sending you both some hugs!! I'll keep you all in my prayers! Robin:)
Barb, I'm so thankful he is okay. I'm sure this week was really scary for you. Sending lots of prayers to your beautiful boy and your entire family.
That is so scary, Barb! I'm glad that he is on the mend and feeling better; can only imagine what you both went through during those scary days. Thanks so much for the education, as I have no experience at all with this scary disease. Will keep you both in my prayers.
So sorry to hear about your son but glad that he's on the mend and you know what to look out for if it happens again.
Sending you hugs and hope he's back to his normal self soon!
Oh, Barb! How scary for you! I'm so glad it all turned out okay. You are a wonderful mother.
OH, Sweet Barb, I'm sending you lots of BIG HUGS! I'm SO sorry you and your son had to go through this. But thank God your son is out of the hospital and doing better. You get your much needed rest.
Much love & HUGS!
So glad that he is recovering nicely. what a scare!
Hi, Barb! So sorry to hear that your son has had such a rough time with this complication of diabetes. But, I am very glad to hear that he is home and on the mend. It should be a big comfort to you to know that he has been doing everything right for so long. I think it was perfectly normal for you to think it was just the flu in the beginning. Now you will know what to look for in the future.
Will keep you and your son in my prayers!!!
Hi Barb, I am so glad to hear that your son is better and back at home. Ketoacidosis is so scary. And I know what you mean with thinking it is the flu.....symptoms are so similar. Clarice did have the stomach flu this past winter and her ketones skyrocketed but we were able to turn it around in time. Thank goodness you decided to go to the emergency room when you did. I hope that you soon will be able to see his "real" eyes again and not the sick eyes that I can all too well picutre. Hugs to you my friend.
Dear Barb, I'm so happy your son and you are doing well again! This must have been so scary. Thank You for sharing your story, I learnt a lot.
Hugs~
Hi Barb (& Barb's son :D) I am so glad that everyone is ok. Sending huge hugs your way to you both. At least now you know to keep an eye out for this part of the disease now. Wishing you both the very best xoxoxo
Hi Barb, I am soo glad your son is now ok and doing well. My brother also suffers Type 1 diabetes and has had Ketoacidosis before so i know how scary it can be. So happy he is back at home resting and on the mend. Sending you both big hugs xoxo
Hi Barb, I didn't know this about your son but am certainly glad that he is doing well. It must have been a tremendously stress imposed upon your family with this.
So happy that he is back on his own feet and looking forward to seeing your beautiful cards soon!
So sorry to hear that you and family had such rough time in the last few days, Barb!! I hope you don't have to go through this again. Hopefully with this incident, it will help to be aware and manage this health issue better. Sending you BIG BIG hugs!! Miss ya!
Hi Barb,
I am sorry to hear about all the stress that you have gone through this week. And so glad to hear that your Son is feeling so much better. I will keep him in my prayers for his continued recovery. Take care and God bless. Hugs to you.
Oh Barb, I can only imagine how scary these past few days have been for you & your family, especially your son. I'm so glad he is better and at home now. Sending you lots of hugs & healing thoughts!
Oh my sweet sweet friend, I cannot imagine the frightened feeling that you and your family must have been feeling, my heart goes out to you all and I cannot tell you what a relief it is to know he is on the mend...rest up sweet girl and take your time coming back...love you...
On a crafty note, love your new blog design :)
Hugs
Dear Barb, I just saw your post today and I am so happy it all turned out well. I can feel your fear and I am so happy it is over. I wish your son a speedy recovery.
How very frightening for you both - I am glad the worst is over and that your son is recovering well, Barb!
It is testament to the care and management paid to your son's condition, that this is the first occurrence (and hopefully last) of this complication :)
I was glad to read that he is feeling better!
Hi Barb, I just read this today as I am behind on my blog reading. Thanks goodness that your son is well and recovering. That must be scary. I hope you & your family will never have to go through that again. Blessing to you my friend.
Oh, Barb - so glad that things are better, but so sorry you and your family had to go through this scare! Would have kept you in my prayers, had I known. Still will! You are a wonderful Mom....bless your heart.
Dear Barb I am so glad this stressful bout of time has come to an end and your son is feeling better. Thinking of you and sending healthy happy wishes to your son.
Wow, Barb, I'm so sorry about your son and so glad he is feeling better now. I have not been in blogland lately so I wasn't aware. My sister is a diabetic too, so I know how scary it can be when they get that sick. I hope he continues to feel much, much better. Thinking about both of you and sending hugs.
How terrifying! So, so glad he's recovered! It is amazing this is his first episode of DKA--truly shows how well he (& you) manage this disease.
Hug Barb!
So glad that he is doing much better. sounds like you have both done an amazing job of managing his diabetes over the years! My son is type 2 and was diagnosed when he was hospitalized with ketoacidosis and he had a stay in ICU also. But he is doing well now. Wishing your son continued good health!!!
Oh Barb! You must have gotten such a scare, your son too! I am so thankful that they were able to diagnose it quickly and treat him. Diabetes is hard on it's own, but with it's list of possible complications it can be quite scary.
I am just glad that he is fine.
Sending you and your family lots of hugs! Love, Brenda.
I'm sorry that I'm only reading about this today! Big hugs to you and your son and I'm so glad he is fully recovered from such a scare. Take good care of each other! HUGS!
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