Our Sweet Caleb

The day started out as any other. Caleb had been having some weird symptoms and after throwing up on Sunday I told him I would schedule an appointment for Monday. At 9am we took the kids to school. Keaton to pre-school and then went to McDonalds for breakfast. Caleb wanted pancakes and I ran out of time so I took him to get some. He ended up eating a bacon biscuit. We went to his appointment at 10. We talked with the Dr. for a minute and then he was off to collect a urine sample. After just a quick minute, the Dr. came back and asked me to step outside the room. Not usually the best news. She told me there was A LOT of sugar in his urine and that he most likely had diabetes. I was fine until she asked me if I was ok. My immediate response was, I am just glad he doesn't have cancer. :-) Of course then I was a disaster the rest of the day. After checking his blood sugar, she told us to immediately head to Children's Hospital in Seattle for a 3 day stay. WOW! I called Dave hysterical, he came right home. My friend Michele took the little guys. We kept Canon with us. (He was admitted as well for a very sore circumcision- that's another story) Long story short, we spent the next 4 days and 3 nights in the Hospital with Caleb. His blood sugar was 682. His normal range is 80-180. They started him on an insulin drip. His blood sugar was dropping too fast so he was also on an IV drip of sugar water. This was all confusing to me at the time but is now clear. His body needed the insulin to flush all the Ketones or toxins out of his body. Hence he needed the insulin for that and the sugar water to keep him from crashing. Caleb has been amazing through all of this. He started testing his own sugar levels in the hospital. He has had a great attitude. The first day he could not eat while they tried to bring him within range. He didn't eat for 24 hours making that McDonalds breakfast so memorable. :-) Dave stayed nights 1 and 3. I stayed the second night. It reminded me of when you have a baby and they are in ALL night long to check vitals. We didn't sleep too well. We spent 3 days in classes to teach us all about diabetes and how to manage Caleb. I am so sad this has happened but very grateful for the amazing Dr.'s and people to help us. All day on Monday the words- you are never given more than you can handle, just ran through my mind. I know this is true but kind of felt like, seriously! We have been home for 2 weeks with 2 new boys now this? I am grateful for the love and support we have received. My sisters came on Tuesday night to help out and spend the Holiday with us. We had been planning on driving to Boise on Wed. We now poke Caleb about 10-15 times a day. (or he pokes himself)
He continues to be upbeat. While sitting in the ER he said, "for some reason this isn't the worst day of my life." "I'm going to be optimistic all the way through this." That is is trying to be. Lot's of love to Caleb!
Heading to his room from the ER
Once served breakfast around 10, he was so excited to eat he practically inhaled it.


Finger pokes and insulin at 3am each day!!
He received cards from his classmates and scout troop. We laughed for almost an hour reading through them. He has a new pencil collection. He also got an eraser, glue stick and other funny things. Our favorite was -do you have the swine flu asked over and over and I hope you don't die in one card. :-)

Caleb was more nervous to have his 2nd IV out. He hated having the tape removed. He said it was worse than all the shots. :-)
Heading home on Thanksgiving Day.


My mom has Type 1 diabetes. She was diagnosed just 4 years ago. She has had a really tough go at it so far. I am grateful for what she has gone through as it has prepared us a little for this time. I am also grateful that now we understand more what she has to go through and maybe we can support her better. Love you mom!!