l 20. For a while it was ordinary, then it became a day that we would never forget. Our daughter Brynn called and said she and my granddaughter Courtney were at the hospital in Frederick, MD. Courtney had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, commonly known as Children's Diabetes. SHE IS 8 YEARS OLD! Brynn said she noticed that Courtney was drinking constantly and going to the bathroom more that usual for a couple weeks. Knew that something was wrong so she researched it on the web and immediately scheduled an appointment at the doctor for her. The doctor sent her to the hospital in Frederick where they confirmed the doctor's diagnosis. After being kept at the hospital for a few hours, they was transferred to Children's Hospital in Washington DC for more testing and to help the family learn how to treat and deal with Courtney's disease. Type 1 diabetes is treatable, but the constant shots and testing of your blood sugar with a prick of your finger and a meter reading are very tough on anyone, let alone a child. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. Type 1 is treated with insulin replacement therapy—usually by insulin injection or insulin pump, along with attention to dietary management, typically including carbohydrate tracking, and careful monitoring of blood sugar levels using a glucose meter. In Courtney's case, she had to start with two shots of insulin in the morning and one at supper followed by one at bed time. After a few months of monitoring by Brynn and husband Dave, the Children's Hospital, and her doctor, Courtney is now getting a shot with every meal and an additional extended release injection at supper. She can have small doses of insulin if needed depending on what she eats and if her test results show that her blood sugar is too high. Readings that show that her blood sugar is too low result in her having to eat glucose tablets that look like candy wafers. Quite a routine for a child. Remember when you were a child, just how scared you were of getting a shot at the doctors. Courtney needs daily shots! She is now able to give herself shots in her stomach, but at times feels better if her mom or dad give her the shots which are usually administered in her arm. And, at times they hurt! She's a brave little girl, but, she has no choice!! Brynn and Dave as well as Courtney and sister Camille have had to adjust to a change in their lifestyle. We always knew that our daughter Brynn was a very special person, but through the events of the past several months, we now realize just how special she has become to both Courtney and to her family. Diabetes is a disease that doesn't take a break when you go on vacation, have a birthday, want to go on a sleepover, or catch a cold. It is constantly with you for the rest of your life. The only way to stop it is if there is a cure for it in the future. And, that's where all my readers can help Courtney. Dave's football team, the Quince Orchard Cougars, will play a game against their biggest rivals, Damascus on Sept. 20. Both teams will have a week-long contest ahead of time to see which school can raise the most money to go towards Juvenile Diabetes. Here's hoping that it will make a difference in the life of our granddaughter, Courtney. She needs a break as well as her family! If any of you can also help, please send a contribution to Diabetes Action. Diabetes Action is a non-profit 501(c)3 foundation that relies solely on the generous donations from people like you to fund vital diabetes research and education programs. Please make a tax deductible donation today to help conquer diabetes. Mail your check made payable to "Diabetes Action" to 426 C Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. Love You Courtney!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The "You Can Make A Difference! Donate to Diabetes Action" Story
It was an ordinary day. Friday, April 20. For a while it was ordinary, then it became a day that we would never forget. Our daughter Brynn called and said she and my granddaughter Courtney were at the hospital in Frederick, MD. Courtney had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, commonly known as Children's Diabetes. SHE IS 8 YEARS OLD! Brynn said she noticed that Courtney was drinking constantly and going to the bathroom more that usual for a couple weeks. Knew that something was wrong so she researched it on the web and immediately scheduled an appointment at the doctor for her. The doctor sent her to the hospital in Frederick where they confirmed the doctor's diagnosis. After being kept at the hospital for a few hours, they was transferred to Children's Hospital in Washington DC for more testing and to help the family learn how to treat and deal with Courtney's disease. Type 1 diabetes is treatable, but the constant shots and testing of your blood sugar with a prick of your finger and a meter reading are very tough on anyone, let alone a child. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. Type 1 is treated with insulin replacement therapy—usually by insulin injection or insulin pump, along with attention to dietary management, typically including carbohydrate tracking, and careful monitoring of blood sugar levels using a glucose meter. In Courtney's case, she had to start with two shots of insulin in the morning and one at supper followed by one at bed time. After a few months of monitoring by Brynn and husband Dave, the Children's Hospital, and her doctor, Courtney is now getting a shot with every meal and an additional extended release injection at supper. She can have small doses of insulin if needed depending on what she eats and if her test results show that her blood sugar is too high. Readings that show that her blood sugar is too low result in her having to eat glucose tablets that look like candy wafers. Quite a routine for a child. Remember when you were a child, just how scared you were of getting a shot at the doctors. Courtney needs daily shots! She is now able to give herself shots in her stomach, but at times feels better if her mom or dad give her the shots which are usually administered in her arm. And, at times they hurt! She's a brave little girl, but, she has no choice!! Brynn and Dave as well as Courtney and sister Camille have had to adjust to a change in their lifestyle. We always knew that our daughter Brynn was a very special person, but through the events of the past several months, we now realize just how special she has become to both Courtney and to her family. Diabetes is a disease that doesn't take a break when you go on vacation, have a birthday, want to go on a sleepover, or catch a cold. It is constantly with you for the rest of your life. The only way to stop it is if there is a cure for it in the future. And, that's where all my readers can help Courtney. Dave's football team, the Quince Orchard Cougars, will play a game against their biggest rivals, Damascus on Sept. 20. Both teams will have a week-long contest ahead of time to see which school can raise the most money to go towards Juvenile Diabetes. Here's hoping that it will make a difference in the life of our granddaughter, Courtney. She needs a break as well as her family! If any of you can also help, please send a contribution to Diabetes Action. Diabetes Action is a non-profit 501(c)3 foundation that relies solely on the generous donations from people like you to fund vital diabetes research and education programs. Please make a tax deductible donation today to help conquer diabetes. Mail your check made payable to "Diabetes Action" to 426 C Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. Love You Courtney!
l 20. For a while it was ordinary, then it became a day that we would never forget. Our daughter Brynn called and said she and my granddaughter Courtney were at the hospital in Frederick, MD. Courtney had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, commonly known as Children's Diabetes. SHE IS 8 YEARS OLD! Brynn said she noticed that Courtney was drinking constantly and going to the bathroom more that usual for a couple weeks. Knew that something was wrong so she researched it on the web and immediately scheduled an appointment at the doctor for her. The doctor sent her to the hospital in Frederick where they confirmed the doctor's diagnosis. After being kept at the hospital for a few hours, they was transferred to Children's Hospital in Washington DC for more testing and to help the family learn how to treat and deal with Courtney's disease. Type 1 diabetes is treatable, but the constant shots and testing of your blood sugar with a prick of your finger and a meter reading are very tough on anyone, let alone a child. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. Type 1 is treated with insulin replacement therapy—usually by insulin injection or insulin pump, along with attention to dietary management, typically including carbohydrate tracking, and careful monitoring of blood sugar levels using a glucose meter. In Courtney's case, she had to start with two shots of insulin in the morning and one at supper followed by one at bed time. After a few months of monitoring by Brynn and husband Dave, the Children's Hospital, and her doctor, Courtney is now getting a shot with every meal and an additional extended release injection at supper. She can have small doses of insulin if needed depending on what she eats and if her test results show that her blood sugar is too high. Readings that show that her blood sugar is too low result in her having to eat glucose tablets that look like candy wafers. Quite a routine for a child. Remember when you were a child, just how scared you were of getting a shot at the doctors. Courtney needs daily shots! She is now able to give herself shots in her stomach, but at times feels better if her mom or dad give her the shots which are usually administered in her arm. And, at times they hurt! She's a brave little girl, but, she has no choice!! Brynn and Dave as well as Courtney and sister Camille have had to adjust to a change in their lifestyle. We always knew that our daughter Brynn was a very special person, but through the events of the past several months, we now realize just how special she has become to both Courtney and to her family. Diabetes is a disease that doesn't take a break when you go on vacation, have a birthday, want to go on a sleepover, or catch a cold. It is constantly with you for the rest of your life. The only way to stop it is if there is a cure for it in the future. And, that's where all my readers can help Courtney. Dave's football team, the Quince Orchard Cougars, will play a game against their biggest rivals, Damascus on Sept. 20. Both teams will have a week-long contest ahead of time to see which school can raise the most money to go towards Juvenile Diabetes. Here's hoping that it will make a difference in the life of our granddaughter, Courtney. She needs a break as well as her family! If any of you can also help, please send a contribution to Diabetes Action. Diabetes Action is a non-profit 501(c)3 foundation that relies solely on the generous donations from people like you to fund vital diabetes research and education programs. Please make a tax deductible donation today to help conquer diabetes. Mail your check made payable to "Diabetes Action" to 426 C Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. Love You Courtney!
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Thanks, Dad. Love you. Brynn
ReplyDeleteThank you Tampah I love you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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