I’m walking for a cure
On February 23rd, I’ll be taking part in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes. I am walking for my friend’s daughter’s team; Payton’s Promise. Payton is a strong little girl who loves things many kindergarten girls love; including dresses and Hannah Montana. Since Payton was diagnosed with diabetes a little over a year ago, she has seen a lot of changes in her life. But she’s handling it all like a champ.
I’d like to share a bit of the letter her mom sent inviting me to walk with their team this year.
It’s 2AM right now, and I just finished my common nightly ritual of waking up from a not so sound sleep, to place my hand on Payton’s chest to make sure she is still breathing, feel her forehead to make sure she isn’t sweating (a common symptom of low blood sugar) and of course to reassure myself with a quick finger poke to check her blood sugar. She is 383! Well, I can’t go back to bed now since I need to retest her in an hour so I thought this would be a good time to catch everyone up to date. This year has brought so many changes in our lives. After about 8 month of shots, Payton was lucky enough to be recommended by our DR’s office for Pump Therapy. At first we weren’t sure how we would feel about seeing Payton run around with a pager like device delivering her insulin, attached to her at all times. I was afraid she would be teased by her friends, or that it would get in her way, but Payton has such an amazing ability to adapt. Believe it or not she is already able to work the gadget herself! She is so computer savvy! (She must get that from her daddy!) Payton started Kindergarten this fall and thankfully was somewhat adjusted to her new way of life by the time school was underway. Eric and I were so thankful that we didn’t have to hold her down anymore to give her the 7 shots a day she needed, we started to overlook the bulky machine that she wore on her belt loop and we have began finding new and creative ways to wear her pump under a dress, because as we all very well know, Payton is definitely a girly girl!
Even thought this new way of managing her diabetes is easier for Payton in the big picture, it is not without down falls. Every 3 days we have to change Payton’s “site.” This of course entails yet another poke, and this one is a larger poke then the needles she was used to. We are still diligent about testing her blood sugar approx 9 times a day so as you can imagine, her tiny little fingers are already building up calluses. She must still remain on a tight schedule of food versus insulin. Now add a little exercise or a growth spurt in there and you just never know what to expect. We have awoken in the morning to find she is 32, (very low!). We have experienced sick days with Payton when she is 500+ and then on average, only about 35-45% of the time is Payton within the normal range of 80-120, even with all of our efforts. It can be frustrating! Unfortunately, we know over time the swings of highs and lows will take there toll on her tiny little body. So we continue to do our best, and we still pray for a cure.
Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes, is a devastating, often deadly disease that affects millions of people–a large and growing percentage of them children.
Many people think type 1 diabetes can be controlled by insulin. While insulin does keep people with type 1 diabetes alive, it is NOT a cure. Aside from the daily challenges of living with type 1 diabetes, there are many severe, often fatal, complications caused by the disease.
That’s the bad news… and yes, it’s pretty bad.
The good news, though, is that a cure for type 1 diabetes is within reach. In fact, JDRF funding and leadership is associated with most major scientific breakthroughs in type 1 diabetes research to date. And JDRF funds a major portion of all type 1 diabetes research worldwide, more than any other charity.
How can you help?
There are two things you can do to help.
(1) You can leave a comment on my post. I will donate $1 for every single person who leaves a comment on this post by midnight central time on February 20th.
(2) You can also give your own donation online.
Visiting my Walk webpage if want to see how close I am to reaching my personal goal. Although I set that goal really, really low and I’m hoping to blow it out of the water. Please help me with that goal.
What a great thing you’re doing! My neice (and our family in essence) has struggled with Type 1 Diabetes for many years as well. You’re awesome! Your friend is lucky to have your support!
[...] I’m walking for a cure By Christine On February 23rd, I’ll be taking part in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes. I am walking for my friend’s daughter’s team; Payton’s Promise. Payton is a strong little girl who loves things many … The Bean Blog - http://www.thebeanblog.com [...]
Let me be the first to comment and wish Peyton the best! This reminds me that it is time to send Jared a donation for his walk. I am pretty sure they kept it going after they moved and do a walk in their area.
I know how much Peyton & her family appreciate your support year round - not just during JD month.
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Good luck to you on your walk.
You can this information along to Peyton and her parents… My husband was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a child, and is now almost 39 years old. He is on his fourth insulin pump (he replaces them every 4 years as the insurance allows). I will honestly tell you that the pumps are a GODSEND. They have saved his life, and allow him to live a normal life. People are shocked when they hear he is a very brittle diabetic, and is insulin dependent.
Just wanted to let you know there are amazing things going in the world of diabetes research thanks to people like you that do the walk and raise money each year (we do too)…
Good luck to Peyton and her family and God Bless.
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Wow! I just cannot even imagine the sacrifices and life-changes that must be made in order to cope with the disease. What an amazing little girl and awesome parents. Thanks for posting this!
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Comment: Done.
THANK YOU!
Donation: Later today or tomorrow when a check clears.
Thank you: Here it is
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Good for you for participating in something so very worthy. I know Payton and her parents are grateful for every ounce of support they get. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for them to live with something like that every day.
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Way to go Christine… though you are right that your goal is too low. You have already met it with my contribution. Your dollars from these comments will put you over
My 6-year old son was also diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes 3 months ago. I can heart-felt the kind of frustration which Payton’s mom has. She is so lucky to have a loving friend like you. I keep my fingers crossed for a cure of T1D.
Ok, I increased it. It was really low. Let’s blow the new goal out of the water.
Christine’s last blog post..I’m walking for a cure
Good luck with the walk!!
I love that you are donating for each comment. What a great cause. I participated a few years back and was truly touched by the stories that were shared.
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Awesome! Husband has type 1, but wasn’t diagnosed until he was about 38, even being in the military,they never caught it until he had an infection, went to the hospital, and had blood sugar around 500. The signs were all there, but we had no idea that ALL people weren’t so tired after a meal that they went right to sleep. Anyway, he’s pretty lucky, he only does 2 shots a day, and they keep him controlled. One of T’s friends has type 1 and he’s 12, it’s a much different thing for kids…pretty tough. I’m gonna click and go to your donation site~good luck with the walk! I’ve always wanted to do an epilepsy walk for T.
baseballmom’s last blog post..It’s coming…
Okay~I linked to you on my blog too~hopefully someone will come visit and donate like I did!
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[...] you know I’m walking for a cure for juvenile diabetes? And you can help. Come on over to my post and leave a comment. I’m donating $1 for every [...]
baseballmom sent me over - good luck with the walk!
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She is a cutie! Good Luck on the walk and with your goal.
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A great cause! And what a darling, brave little girl!
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Here from the league to support you in your goal! Good luck
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I just stopped over from the LEW to wish you, and Payton the best of luck. She is so precious.
I am working on driving more traffic to your blog from my friends!! Hopefully, you will have to contribute more
Love,
Mom
I linked thru baseball mom’s blog. This is a wonderful thing you are doing for Payton and all who suffer from this awful disease.
Walk on Woman!!
Hi Christine
That’s a really sad story about little Payton but also very moving. I think the JDRF is a good organisation and I’m happy to sponsor you. Funnily enough even though I have type 1 diabetes I don’t give them money as it feels like giving money to myself - not really charity if you see what I mean! But in this case I’m happy to help your walk - good for you.
Payton does seem to suffer from some swings in her blood glucose level. You might tell your friend that one of the things that has really helped me is switching to a low carb diet. The result is much more stable blood sugar levels - fewer swings. It also means much lower doses of insulin, so your friend would not have to worry about whether Payton is breathing - that’s very scary and a heartbreaking fear but only a large overdose of insulin would lead to a fatality like that. With low insulin doses the possibility is even more remote.
If your friend wants to chat to me about that, your Mom has my email address so you can put your friend in touch.
Best of luck with your walk and thank you so much for your good efforts.
Spike
I myself have type 1 diabetes, I am 19 years old and was diagnosed with it at the age of 3. It is a hard disease but everyone will get throug it especially with a “involved” Parent like yourself. It will be hard for her but she will adapt and the only thing she can do is make it the best. Best wishes,
Jake
I myself have type 1 diabetes, I am 19 years old and was diagnosed with it at the age of 3. It is a hard disease but everyone will get throug it especially with a “involved” Parent like yourself. It will be hard for her but she will adapt and the only thing she can do is make it the best. Best wishes,Best of luck,
Jake