we head to Madison,Wi to pack up my middle daughter from her first year at college. Wow! I can't believe that this year has passed so quickly. She is my child who has Type 1 Diabetes and we have been preparing her to leave home and manage her health on her own in college for about two years prior up to her leaving last year. And I can't begin to tell you how unbelievably stressed out and fearful we were about her leaving us and being on her own. Last August, well, the whole of last summer was rough! But she has done well...super in fact in managing her health. She even was hit with Mono while in college this year and refused to come home as she needed to prepare for midterms. So, she had a really miserable and hard time but she came out of it knowing that she could take care of herself. She is also on an insulin pump. What this does is drip insulin into her every three minutes. Pumps are designed to mimic the workings of our pancreas so when a Type 1 Diabetic has a pump it is connected to their body all the time except when they are showering or swimming. Without it that person risks coma and death. I tell you this because this week was final exams for my daughter and this week was the week that her pump decided to malfunction and break. She had been having erratic blood glucose readings for a bit but thought it was stress over upcoming exams. So, again, she refused our help, and contacted the company on her own, arranged for a new pump to be overnighted to her and then in the intervening day and night she set her alarm and woke herself up every 2 to 3 hours to manually inject herself with insulin. And, she had a big exam the next day. And, while I know what she had to do to get to her exam, while I have been in the position of helping her in the past, I can never fully understand what she had to deal with and how she felt dealing with her disease and the curveballs it throws her and any other people who are dependent upon artificial means to stay alive. I commend her. I am proud of her. And I love that she knows that she CAN take care of herself.
So, I have made her a card, for when she is back home. I tried to think of all the different reasons why I was giving her this card.....for a successful school year, for learning how to take care of herself, for staying healthy, for coming back home etc......and all of my various reasons are contained in this simple word "because". Because of pride, love, excitement, concern,....because of all the life "moments" we tried to prepare her for and because of all the ones she had to handle on her own. And, because, we couldn't be happier, prouder or more in awe of our little Clarice.
It feels good, very good to be on the other side of this year. It was a "first" that was inevitable but all the same, I am glad that it is over and for the summer....probably our last summer together so we can baby her again.
Be well,
Sheila
7 comments:
Sheila, this is just so precious. How absolutely amazing what your daughter has done AND you have to know that she is able to do this because of the love she has from you! Kudos to your daughter. :)
I will be in prayer for her as she continues to study and be on her own AND praying for you too because as Mom our children are ALWAYS our children no matter how old they are.
BTW - the card is amazing :)
Oh, Sheila! Sounds like your daughter has been extremely successful in college this year!! My daughter graduated from UW Madison and when she left home she was a severe asthmatic (I carried adrenaline in my purse!) and I worried about her managing her health, too! I envy your trip to Madison (it's home for us) and I congratulate you on preparing your daughter so well to manage her health!! The card is beautiful!! Have a great summer with her ...
You already know how much I can relate to this post, having a son with Type 1 Diabetes too. What awful timing on her pump malfunctioning! It's such a tough disease, but whenever things like this happen, she will only gain more knowledge and confidence to continue managing her health even better. How proud you must be! Love your card for her - enjoy having her home this summer, Sheila - hugs to you both! :)
What a wonderful post. So glad your daughter has had a good year. Hope you'll have a great summer together. I know that card will be very special to her.
what an amazing young woman Sheila....takes after her Mum no doubt....Your special card will mean so much to her as it does to you. I commend her, being able to take care of herself. Type 1 diabetes must be so horrid to deal with... I struggle with Type 2 and it's nothing as bad as Clarice deals with. Enjoy your summer with her and the family. Hugs to you all
It's so hard to let go of our kids as they go about making their way in the world, but it sounds like Clarice has been successful in her college endeavors and, also, managing her diabetes. I commend you for giving her the proper training and knowledge to do so on her own. Have a great summer, Sheila! And, I know Clarice will love the beautiful card you have made for her.
You must be just bursting with pride for your daughter Sheila!!! And what a comfort to know that whatever life throws at her she is well prepared to deal with it on her own :) Enjoy every moment with her this summer! She will greatly appreciate your beautiful and thoughtful card!
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