This Time Last Year

   We are soon approaching 1 year since M was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  February 6th to be exact.  There were many times in this past year that I couldn't help but compare this, M's first year with diabetes, to the previous year, her last year without diabetes.  These are just a few of the times my thoughts started with, this time last year....

     Easter:  This time last year I didn't have to worry about what was in her Easter basket.  I didn't have to worry about what candy she would get at the egg hunt.

     Her Birthday:  This time last year I didn't have to pull her aside, while all of her friends continued to play and have a good time to check her blood sugar and give her an injection of insulin.

     Her Dance Recital:  This time last year I was able to watch her dance on stage without thinking, does she look low... does she seem high?  I didn't have to worry about the 3 plus hours she would be backstage without me
 
    The Summer:  This time last year was carefree.  She could swim for hours or run on the playground with no worries of treating a low blood sugar. Snacks after soccer games were not a cause for stress as I didn't have to tell her that she could not eat right now because her blood sugar was too high.

   Back to School:  This time last year my back to school list did not include diabetes supplies.  I didn't have to meet with the nurse and teacher before the start of school.  This time last year I didn't even know the school nurse's name.

    Christmas:   This time last year I didn't have to give her her shot of Lantus while we were on the Polar express train ride.  This time last year I didn't have to figure out the carbs in the cookies I was making.  This time last year I didn't have to guess the carbs in foods at holiday parties.

  This time last year I didn't know how an insulin pump works, I didn't know what a CGM was, I didn't know how to carb count.  This time last year my daughter didn't have to poke her fingers up to 12 times a day or inject herself with insulin.  This time last year I didn't have to watch my daughter cry because the sight where we put her pod on hurt.

   As we approach this last week of January and into February, I think of this time last year.  This is when I first saw the signs of diabetes.  M was constantly thirsty, she would take two drinks in her lunch.  She was also going to the bathroom it seemed like every hour.  She was always hungry, and when I weighed her I was shocked at how much weight she had lost. This time last year is when I knew.  I knew she had Type 1 Diabetes before I even made the phone call to her doctor. 

  The most frightening thought is that this time last year, my daughter could have died.  If I hadn't recognized the signs of diabetes or made that appointment with her doctor, I hate to think of what would have happened.   So when February 6th come along, I will try not to think that this time last year my daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.  Instead I will try to think that this time last year I saved my daughter's life.