My D Hero

I want to tell you a little bit about my Diabetic Hero. We all have one. That person who’s strength and courage when dealing with D amazes and astounds. I have met many over the years. Seeing little children testing and taking shots with no complaint. The dozens of Diabetics who are faced with complications and amputations and just keep on going. Sometimes it makes me feel so amazed how strong anyone with D has to be.

This particular hero was in her thirties when she was diagnosed with type 1. I met her a year ago and at that time she really had not accepted that she was a diabetic yet. She ate all wrong. Not that a D has to avoid all “unhealthy” foods but she would tell you herself that she rarely ate healthy food at all. She didn’t test her sugar enough, she wasn’t too interested in learning about her disease and what she could do to take better care of herself. The idea of pump therapy was not something she would even consider.

So, as bad she was doing, she knew inside that something had to change. So she started coming to the Young Women’s Support Group. My first thought of her was “uh oh, she is in trouble”. I remember worrying that she was headed down a really bad path. Being a part of this support group meant we cried together, laughed together and ultimately we would help to form ACT1 together along with some other amazing women. I noticed a much healthier approach to her D but she really had a long way to go.

Saying that she had a long way to go is a little misleading actually. What Diabetic doesn’t have room for improvement? This is not a disease that is easy to deal with and/or stops being so at any time. Whether you are type 1 or 2 your body changes over times as does the disease and it’s requirements for care. You can never be too lazy for too long with this disease without paying a price.

Last year you can imagine the surprise and joy that the members of ACT1 felt when it was announced that our friend (my hero) was pregnant. I think she was as surprised as we were. Pregnancy and D is no small thing. Most doctors recommend that you get your A1c down to below 6.5 before trying to get pregnant. My friend really wasn’t close to that number when she found out she was having a baby.

(here’s where she becomes my hero):

It seemed like from the moment this lady found out she was carrying another little person inside her she did a complete 180 in her D care. She ate better, she tested more, she even went on a pump and CGM. Understand, all this happened in a couple of short months. This little baby was her sole focus. She turned her body from a messy motel to a four star hotel. It was the most amazing transformation.

Truth be told it was scary. She didn’t know what damage may have been done before the complete turn around took place. So we did what ACT1 does best; we cried together, we laughed together and held her hand while she waited to see how the baby would be.

When she found out she was having a girl I automatically began dreaming of shopping. Then when the news came that the baby seemed OK I began to shop in real life. There was a onesie I wanted to make that I knew I couldn’t find in any store. It was orange, in honor of ACT1 and read “My Mommy Changed Her A1c For Me”. Let’s face it, pregnancy isn’t easy on anyone but D Moms really have it harder than healthy non D Mom’s. What my hero did for her baby was astounding! She changed her whole life and made it possible for this baby to grow strong within her.

In May of this year my friend Genevieve, my hero, gave birth to a beautiful, strong, healthy little girl. I was lucky enough to meet her earlier this week. With her strong grip and her precious smile she took my breath away. Her Mommy was tired (what new Mommy isn’t) and played down how much she did to get this little girl here safe and sound. We talked about how it never ends, all the testing and caring for her D is even more vital now that the princess is her. After all she needs her Mommy to be healthy, so she will be there for her as she grows.

Cutest little tootsies

To Gen and John congratulations on a perfect little girl. To the princess, you are one lucky baby, your Mommy and Daddy are going to do a great job and whenever they get tired, Auntie Tina will gladly come to hold you again