Dear adult daughter:

It occurred to me yesterday as I was looking for a new lancet device, to add to the list of what we will do for our daughter as an adult (see #2). Of course we hope to be the parents of adults who are always there for each of our children. We don't want to be taken advantage of or taken for granted, but I hope we can be relied upon for emotional or, if needed, financial, needs. K's in a unique situation though compared to her two older brothers, so here's what we'll say to her:

Dear adult daughter:

Please know that your father and I will always be there for you. You can call us anytime (or text, or whatever the THING to do is once you're an adult) for whatever reason. When it comes to your diabetes, we hope we have taught you well. We have taken care of you the way you need to take care of yourself for the rest of your life so that you can live a long and healthy one. Here are a few things we promise to you:

1. We know diabetes management is a big responsibility and a lot of work, and unlike a job or school or any other commitment (including parenthood!) you never get a break from it. If there is ever a day or group of days in which you "don't want to do diabetes", come to us. We'll count your carbs and bolus for food, we'll check your BG and correct if needed, we'll go over your numbers to see if settings should be changed, and we'll change your pump if needed.

2. Having diabetes is also expensive. You'll have medical costs as a young adult most people your age will never have to consider! We will always pay for those extra expenses, until you're worth more than we are :)

3. We will go to your endocrinology appointments with you when you want - because sometimes two sets of ears are better than one.

We love you so very much,
Mom and Dad

Most her life...

If my cursory math is correct, today marks the day my daughter has had t1d half her life. So from here on out, she'll have had it "most her life." She's getting more adept at dosing herself (with supervision) and understanding how many carbs are in commonly eaten items. At the same time she's becoming more vocal with her displeasure of having diabetes, such as after the girl scout meeting the other night when she couldn't have snack because her blood sugar was too high, repeating, "I hate having diabetes" multiple times. In these moments, I let her know she has every right to be angry and hate diabetes once in a while.

I think it will be easier that having t1d is all she knows, but she sees the rest of us around her and knows that although frequent BG checks, counting carbs, bolusing (dosing), pump changes, and waiting to eat because of high BGs are her "normal" - they're not "normal".

I'm sensing a theme...

At dinner on New Year's Eve, we went around the table with our resolutions. When it was K's turn, she said, "to be rid of diabetes." She then had a teary conversation with her dad while the rest of us tried to be festive. Last night, while celebrating her birthday, she said her birthday wish was "to not have diabetes anymore." I could have been sassy and told her that because she didn't keep her wish a secret, it wouldn't come true, but I only said, "probably not this year, honey." We hugged, no tears (by her...).

Which brings me to my JDRF fundraising recap: as any of you who kindly donated know, we raised over $14,000 towards a cure for type one diabetes this past fall. We will keep working for a cure and are excited by the new discoveries and advances we hear about. A lot WILL happen in K's lifetime - and until then, we are vigilant with carb counting and BG checks and remind ourselves as well as K, that she can do anything other kids can do (except drink juice or soda). Of course, it's not that easy, and K's biggest complaint is having to wait to eat when her BG is too high. She cannot be as impulsive or "free" as other kids/people - but she can do the same things -and eat the same things, just not as freely (or quantity in some cases...).

On this day, 3 years ago, K started getting insulin from her Animas pump. It changed all of our lives dramatically. The previous 5.5 months of shots were some of the hardest months of my life. She NEVER got used to shots, and she got them multiple times a day, including during sleep (if her BG was too high). As I've said before, the insulin pump is not a cure, it is (exhausting, frustrating, amazing, yet still fallible) life support.

We always appreciate your continuing emotional support!!