Rylan in the hospital

It is really hard to write this post. Right now I am in the hospital, with one of our sweet daughters, Rylan (age 6). We just got the news that she has Type 1 Diabetes. We really did not know much about Type 1 diabetes but now we have been overwhelmed with all the information. Basically it is an autoimmune disease that she has always had, but it just hadn't manifested yet. Her pancreas has stopped working properly (it usually produces insulin that breaks down glucose and makes into energy). Now the pancreas does not have insulin to secrete the glucose so the glucose running loose in the bloodstream. This results in a high sugar blood which is not good. The body also has to look for more energy somewhere so it starts going to the fat to take energy. Unfortunately there is no cure. She will now be dependent on insulin and will have to change what she eats and when she eats it. She will have to get at least 3-4 shots a day as well as have her hand pricked for blood. Some people may ask how she got it? We do not no how but we do know that she was born with it. She nor we caused it. It was something that eventually would come out.

You are probably wondering how did we get here? It only happened as results of an infection Rylan had which lead to a urine test which resulted an immediate rush to the ER at Texas Childrens hospital. When we got here, her glucose level was almost at 600 which it should be at 100. They pricked her first, but the machine could not read it because it was so high so they had to take blood. They admitted her Saturday night and said she would stay until we get her sugar level at a manageable level as well as teach us how to live with this illness. Chris and I are completely shocked as well as sadden to know that how child will have to live with this for the rest of her life. I have cried alot and seem it is hard to talk about it because I am just overcomed with emotions.

How is Rylan you may ask? She looks great and would never know she is sick. However she has no clue that when we go home things will change drastically. Right now she is excited to have people visit, bring fun gifts, and have food brought to her. I have tried talking to her about how she will be limited with what she can eat, but she really does not understand. I am at a loss of how to talk to a 6 year old about how this will last for her lifetime. It is also hard to imagine trying how to navigate through this with 3 other kids at home and two still not in school yet.

I ask for prayers and wisdom of how we get through this. Lord, give Chris and I the words to talk to Rylan as well as are other children. I pray that we will not question why her? But instead ask how God will use Rylan with this illness. I know that we are humbled and realize that we could have got worse news, but at the sametime no one wants their child to have more difficulty in their life.

How am I doing? I wish I could just pretend this was not real or just flee the whole situation but that does no good for anyone. I am just on my knees asking for God to give us strength to help Rylan. I will try to blog more about this as we learn more. I am sorry for writing so much but it allows me to feel better when I write down my thoughts. We just ask that you pray...