4th Di-aversary Letter

February 9, 2011


Dear Family & Friends,

Today is EA’s 4^th Anniversary of being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  We pause to remember the day with some sadness and much thanksgiving.  We are thankful for how she has grown despite this difficult disease which wars against her body, 24/7.  We are thankful for Jerry’s job that provides for our much needed medical insurance and medical supplies.  We are thankful that I can stay home to manage her care and home school her in Kindergarten.

We are thankful for EA’s bravery and long-suffering in spite of the pain she goes through on a daily basis.  We estimate she has endured 10,220 blood sugar checks on fingers and toes with a lancet device (8 per day for 3 years and 4 per day for 1 year) and over 1,000 needle injections and/or pump cannulla insertions via needle.  To give you an idea what a blessing the insulin pump is, if she were on daily shots, she would’ve endured 7,300 needle injections instead of the 1,000 needle injections to date.  Aside from this, she has had dozens of labs performed, countless Doctor Appointments and her Mom following her about watching every bite of food she puts into her mouth.   Truly, she is a little girl with big courage and this makes it easier for us her parents.  We are also thankful for Pumpy the Insulin Pump monkey who has become another member of the family and who makes dealing with diabetes a bit easier for her.  (see pictures attached)

We are thankful for EL who loves her sister and is another set of eyes and ears for EA.  I am thankful for all the times she hears her sister’s sensor alarming at 5am with a Low Blood Sugar, yelling for Mom to come check EA.  I am thankful for her patience as she waits for her dinner while I check Blood sugar, or finish a medical procedure before addressing her need.  We are thankful that she does not harbor anger or resentment as the “Healthy Child”.

We are thankful for insulin, which although it is not a cure, it is a life saving medicine.  We are thankful for God’s strength and grace that has sustained us these four years.  Reading this scripture encourages my heart as I know God is watching her during those hours we are all asleep.   These verses have given us hope.

Psalm 121: 1-4

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains— 
   where does my help come from? 
² My help comes from the LORD, 
   the Maker of heaven and earth.
³ He will not let your foot slip— 
   he who watches over you will not slumber; 
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel 
   will neither slumber nor sleep.

Lastly, we are thankful for you, our family and friends who provide a support system around us.  We love you and thank God for you.  When you think of us, please pray for us as we hope to keep things as balanced as possible for both girls.  We pray for healing one day, be it an act of God or a medical cure.  Until then, we know God is helping us through the storm and that makes all the difference.

Here are some pictures through the years.

With Love,

Jessica & Jerry

EA: 15 months in the Hospital, Diagnosis Feb. 0

EA at the beach, 19 months, pumping since 18 mo. old

EA & EL the day Pumpernickle arrived

 EA, 5 years old at Children's Museum: Making pizza!