This is my sweet baby girl…who, let’s be honest, it not really a baby anymore. One year ago today, I took her into the doctor because I had a gut feeling she had Type 1 diabetes. She had been drinking non stop and peeing all day (literally) and even waking up in the night because she was thirsty and needed to go to the bathroom…again.
Unfortunately I was right. Or rather, the spirit that keep quietly nudging me towards thinking it was Type 1, was right. We went striaght from the doctors office to the hospital for three days. She was so brave. I remember sitting in the car, talking to Jasper on the phone, telling him they wanted to keep her at the hospital. She became so terrified because she thought they wanted to keep her forever. It was so sad. We pulled into my driveway before going to the hospital crying. We were entering such an unknown world. Four year old Tae climbed onto my lap in the drivers seat and we cried together. A tender moment for me.
Most people think Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are the same. I’m here to tell you- they are NOT.
Type 1 or Juvenile Diabetes is incurable. The kids are insulin dependent for the rest of their lives. They don’t have to stay away from carbs or sugar like Type 2. They just have to be dosed with insulin whenever they eat carbs.
Up to date, Tae has had over 1,475 shots, and 2,390 finger pokes. That’s only ONE years worth of the many years ahead of her. She has been simply amazing. She cried and cried at every finger poke (to check her blood sugar) and each shot in the hospital. As soon as we got home, never again did she cry. Prayers were surely answered on her behalf, especially on my mental state. I don’t know if I could have dealt well with crying 4-6 times a day.
To celebrate her victory over the 365 day stretch to her one year mark we decided to do a photo shoot just for her. We only had 15 minutes and it was really cold, but we did it.
I decided a year ago after reading numerous diabetes blogs that I wouldn’t let this stop our family in any way. That it wouldn’t take over our life, or make us bitter. I’ve had many hard days that were accompanied by tears, but I’ve done my best to make it just another hurtle in our lives that we can simply jump each day. I don’t ever want Tae to feel like her spirit is broken like her pancreas. I want her spirit to make up for the broken body. I can say, so far, it certainly has. She can do hard things.
Today I’m thankful for her health, and for the health of my four other children who have also worked so hard to help her and learn to take care of her. I’m thankful for the many people who have helped and given support to us this past year, it has been humbling in so many ways. People are so good. So full of love and compassion. Thank you. Thank you.
My Tae Tae…
13 comments
Meredith - Love her. Love you. You both are amazing! And she is so dang cute! (Love that jacket, btw. If I ever have a girl (HA!) you need to fill me in on where to get cute stuff like that!)February 21, 2012 – 7:45 pm
Jessica - Oh she is so adorable! What a brave girl…and brave mama:)February 21, 2012 – 7:50 pm
Joy - This post wrenched my heart. The stress of a mother trying to protect her child from something she can’t is the worst thing in the world. But, you will both become stronger through this… something Brooklyn and I remind ourselves of often about a few things we go through, always adding, “but it still sucks.”February 21, 2012 – 7:51 pm
Andrea - I love this: “I want her spirit to make up for the broken body. I can say, so far, it certainly has. She can do hard things.” Love the photos, love the personality of her you captured, love that you took a few minutes to celebrate her victory and strength. You’re a good mama- no matter you have such beautiful, wonderful kids. Okay, Jasper probably helped a little.
February 21, 2012 – 8:00 pm
Emily - Love these! You did a fabulous job (at the creation of the energetic girl and the pictures)! I especially love the ones on her belly on the bench. I don’t know why, but they just seem so “her.” I love you and that sweet girl! I will never forget that day either, and we all stand in awe of the strength and tenacity of this beautiful girl (and her gorgeous Mama)!February 21, 2012 – 8:10 pm
Elle/Lelainia - Gorgeous girl! Only fifteen minutes?? Every shot is amazing! Your daughter’s beauty and spirit radiate from these images in a profound way! Her eyes are mesmerizing. Thank you for taking the time to post some of your experiences. I admire you for your honesty, strength, wisdom, talents, but most of all, for the grace you possess that allows your “sweet baby girl” to thrive in spite of having diabetes. Your pictures in this special shoot are a testament to this amazing grace you have as a mother.February 21, 2012 – 8:32 pm
Christine - You’re my hero TaeTae!! And Jen, you’re supermom, and your whole little family is superfamily! And FREAKING cute pics!February 21, 2012 – 9:14 pm
Lisa Aldridge - What a beautiful little girl you have Jen. You are so amazing and have such strength. Your little girl is just like her mom. Love you guys.February 21, 2012 – 9:41 pm
Great aunt Bonbon - Love permeates your souls.February 21, 2012 – 10:16 pm
Kim - You seriously have beautiful kiddos. Love her big brown eyes… *sigh*. You are an amazing mom Jen. I admire so many things about you!!!February 21, 2012 – 10:58 pm
Rachel Clare - Love her, love you. Grateful she’s doing well, and grateful for answered prayers on your behalf. xoxoFebruary 21, 2012 – 11:25 pm
Anneliese - What a sweetheart! These are beautiful photos, but the story is even more beautiful.February 21, 2012 – 11:50 pm
Amy Jo - What a brave girl! I love your pictures/blog. What a great story, and what a cute girl!February 22, 2012 – 11:28 am