The flu can level any unsuspecting person but when you have type 1 diabetes (t1d) it can be even worse. Before Landon was diagnosed with t1d I had no idea the complications that could arise. Because of that I am super vigilant in keeping my kids away from sickness and in sanitizing my house. I wouldn't consider myself a germaphobe by any means. I won't shy away from shaking some one's hand or anything like that but I am a religious hand washer to avoid spreading germs around my house.
A little over a week ago Landon got the stomach flu. It is hard for any parent to stand by, helpless, while their child is suffering. I feel that way every time my kids get sick but there is a very real danger that comes with having any sickness and t1d. On top of the normal issues like muscle aches, stomach cramps, pain and dehydration we also have to try to manage erratic blood glucose (BG) levels. Thankfully, we have a great diabetic health care team on call who gives us advice when we need it.
I read a statistic that people with diabetes are three times more likely to be hospitalized if they get the flu. This is usually because of dangerous BG levels, either extremely high or low. When you are sick your body produces stress hormones that cause the BG to rise. Extremely high BG levels can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. Not to get too detailed on the science of it all but the general definition of ketoacidosis is when the body breaks down fat for energy instead of glucose and then deposits ketones, which are toxic acids, into the blood. Everyone gets ketones when they are sick but when your pancreas works it gives you enough insulin to bring your BG down. Not so much when you pancreas up and quit over a year ago. When his BG is high Landon has to check to make sure that he doesn't have ketones present in his system. If his ketone level is too high then we have to go to the hospital because ketoacidosis can be life-threatening.
When he is dehydrated and needs to replace electrolytes in his system Landon is unable to drink juice or sports drinks. If his BG is already high the sugar in the drinks will just result in an even higher BG. We generally stick with water to keep him hydrated. Chris was even able to make soup for Landon so he could replace some of the electrolytes with the broth.
There is also the possibility that his BG will drop too low when he is sick. If Landon eats a meal, we give him insulin to cover the carbohydrates that he eats and then he throws up he is in danger of his BG crashing. This is because he has insulin in his body but no food. Normally we would treat a low BG with fast acting carbs...but that doesn't work well if you are throwing up.
I knew Landon wasn't feeling well because my normally energetic, non-stop-moving kid laid in bed and barely moved for four days. FOUR DAYS. That is so unlike him and it was hard to see him like that. He is normally smiling, laughing, singing and talking constantly.
The thing about diabetes is it doesn't play fair. Just when I think I've got this down and managed it throws us another curveball. So many times I try to remind myself that diabetes is not going to slow him down. Landon can do anything anyone else can do - diabetes won't stop him. But then there are times like this where I seriously question everything I know and whether I am capable of handling this.
It would be easy to get angry at God for giving Landon diabetes. But I refuse to even entertain that thought and I cling to the promise that God made in Romans 8:28 "and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." It was not a mistake that God caused Landon's pancreas to stop working. We may never fully understand His ways. But we know that He caused this so that we can have joy knowing that this trial will teach Landon, and all of us, the ability to withstand the pressures of various trials when they come.
I am so thankful that Landon is back to his usual self. There's that smile that I love..
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