The Diagnosis

When Maybel was 11 months old, she got really, really sick. We visited our pediatrician 4 days in a row. Continued to check all the things, typical for her age, and for things going around at this time. Covid had made a comeback but we were in the clear. After cranking her full of fluids, smoothies, juice, Pedisure, Pedialyte, anything and everything we could get her to drink, she just looked like a zombie. I mean sitting at the dinner table looking like she was going to pass out. Lethargic. On the fourth visit, they decided to check her urine. They discovered her protein was over the normal range. They said, well for good measure, let's check her glucose. They refused to send us home until we had some more answers. Maybel was looking rough.

They checked her glucose and then sent us to the emergency room immediately. Luckily Magnus was with Brett during all of this, and I didn't have to worry about coordinating child care for him. Maybel was being sent to the PICU at the University of Vermont Medical after finding her glucose was over 1000. This is where things got even more hectic. Covid was still lingering and Vermont took Covid very seriously. They did a COVID test on Maybel and she was negative. I had my vaccines up to date but because I hadn't been tested for COVID that day, they weren't going to let me ride with her in the ambulance.

All of this took place in Middlebury, VT. It's a beautiful small town, an hour away from UVM. I was not about to let them take her that far without me. It's never easy to drive yourself under that much stress, find parking, and then try to find where she is after I arrive. Its anxiety-inducing. I couldn't do anything to rectify the situation. They tested me once they found out it was needed to ride along with my daughter and the nurse put a rush on it. As they are loading her into the ambulance, the nurse comes running out yelling "She's negative, let her ride!" I understand policies are in place to protect everyone, it was just really difficult to imagine this insane situation and not be with my daughter.

Once we arrived they got her checked in, and vitals, gave her insulin, gave me a brief rundown that she needed insulin and the doctors would be there tomorrow to chat with me. Overnight there wasn't much action but the next morning, it felt like a whirlwind. They checked the glucose and her blood sugar was incredibly low. They gave her maple syrup (I know, typical Vermont ha!) to bring her glucose back into range.

The doctors came in and told me that Maybel was being diagnosed with type one diabetes. Well, ok, but what is type one diabetes? Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that prevents the pancreas from producing or producing very little insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels by moving glucose from the bloodstream into cells, where it's used for energy. Without insulin, blood sugar builds up in the bloodstream, which can lead to many of the symptoms and complications of diabetes. Without insulin, people with type 1 diabetes can become extremely unwell and face life-threatening complications and even death.  Excess insulin in the bloodstream can cause cells in your body to absorb too much glucose (sugar) from your blood. It also causes the liver to release less glucose. Together, these two effects create dangerously low glucose levels in your blood. This condition is called hypoglycemia. This can be very serious. The worst cases can make you feel disorientated, cause you to have seizures, cause brain damage, and could lead to death. All around, it's a shitty autoimmune disease. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, but it's thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors or autoimmune reactions. 

Autoimmune reaction: The body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the pancreas' insulin-producing cells, called beta cells. This process can take months or years before symptoms appear. 

Genetics: Some people have genes that increase their risk of developing type 1 diabetes, such as a family history of the disease. However, even people with these genes may not develop the disease.

Environmental factors: Exposure to certain viruses or other environmental factors may also play a role. Stress may also be a potential trigger. 

This chronic disease prevents the pancreas from making insulin, and people with T1D need to manage it for life with insulin injections, blood sugar monitoring, and sometimes an insulin pump or automated insulin delivery system. As of today, there is no cure for type 1 diabetes, a lifelong condition. Maybel is insulin-dependent for the rest of her life. It's shitty. The worst part is insurance makes it ridiculously difficult to get the medicine she needs to freaking survive.

During our 5 day stay in the hospital, we had to undergo loads of education. The endocrinology staff met with us daily to help us learn what it is, and how to manage it. You get insulin for food so sounds easy right? Wrong. Gosh, it is so much more. SO. Much. More.

I want to take a moment to thank our pediatricians and OB/Midwives. They were the most supportive and loving people I have ever met. They helped us through many hurdles with all 3 of our children. They treated us like family. I am still so thankful for them!

Thank you Porter Women's Health staff. Thank you Rainbow Pediatrics staff! Love you all!