Shock, confusion, determination, acceptance.

All of those feelings within two days time. Monday morning, January 19th, I took Jordan to the pediatrician because I suspected she may have diabetes (increased thirst and frequent trips to the bathroom). The doctor finds glucose in her urine and sends us to an outside lab for blood work. Then we wait. Around 3:00 the doctor calls to let us know that her blood glucose was at 251 (this was her fasting number - she didn't eat breakfast because I had a feeling she'd need to have lab work done). The doctor tells me that a person without diabetes would have a blood glucose number between 70-100.

We have an appointment with an endocrinologist at 9:00 on Tuesday, January 20th. Jordan's glucose is tested again and this time (after eating breakfast) it's 459. Not good. Her A1C is 12.4 (at that point I don't know what an A1C is so this didn't register any emotion). The endocrinologist explains what has happened to Jordan's pancreas, gives us a WHOLE BUNCH of new information (some of which I remember and some that will come back to me later), and proceeds to talk about the different types of insulin and glucose meters. She (the doctor) gives us the insulin and meter that our insurance will cover and I get to give Jordan her first insulin injection - the Lantus - and her second - the Novalog. Our next stop is the lab for more intensive blood work before we go to our 1:00 appointment with the diebetes clinicians (three of them - very knowledgable young ladies). **In between this time I have to go get Maddie because nobody will be home to meet her after school and Jordan needs to eat some lunch - we barely make the 1:00 appointment** The Diabetes Treatment Center at Bon Secours was a huge help to us in explaining how Jordan didn't really need to change her diet, but she did need to begin "carb counting" so she could calculate the amount of insulin she receives at each meal. At this meeting, Jordan gave herself a saline injection so she would be able to administer her own insulin. At 4:00 we left with a wealth of new information, lots of books to read, and reference materials. Jordan felt well enough to attend play rehearsal so I dropped her off there while Maddie and I ran over to Costco for some healthy food choices.

Wednesday, January 21st, I brought Jordan to school and stopped by the clinic to drop off her "bag" (insulin, meter, emergency glucose). The nurse gave me lots of good information and shows me what she does for her other diabetic student. I felt good leaving Jordan in her hands. Then I was off to the pharmacy to pick up the prescriptions. I won't even go into the scene with the police officer that pulled me over for having a Virginia inspection sticker and Texas plates (and that I was speeding "a little" - 2 miles over). He gave me a ticket.

This is the point where I am not okay anymore. I picked up this load of prescriptions and the pharmacist tells me "my heart went out to you yesterday when these prescriptions were called in". She is so nice, giving me all the written and on-line information she thinks I could use. She went through the multitude of boxes in front of me and then I was really overwhelmed. Once I got home, all I could think about was if I felt like this, how must Jordan be feeling. Jordan did very well on this day - called me both times she checked her glucose at school. I think she was comforted after meeting the other student in school with diabetes.

Thankfully, we had another appointment with the Diabetes Treatment Center on Thursday, January 22nd. We (Pete was able to attend this meeting) spoke with a nurse who happens to be the mother of two diabetic teenagers (these girls were diagnosed when they were four). Obviously, she knows her stuff. She really set our minds at ease. We all felt so much better after this meeting. She answered all of Jordan's questions and went over a new insulin dosage with us. Whew!!

Two days later and the only thing I am afraid of now is a low blood sugar episode during the night. We can't wait to be able to use an insulin pump. Hopefully, next week we'll be able to find out when Jordan can get hers.