PeekabooNWA

“Hi, My name is Katelyn and I have Type 1 Diabetes”

Posted on 30. Aug, 2009 by admin in Personal Stories

It was 1:30 a.m., and my daughter couldn’t catch her breath. She was so thirsty and would try to drink but couldn’t hold anything down. Her face was pale, eyes haunting, and her body hurt. As I carried my limp daughter down the stairs, my husband, Brant, called Washington Regional Medical Center so they could prepare for our arrival. It was the scariest moment of my life.

At 3:00 a.m., her lab results were in. Katelyn was in DKA, known as Diabetic Keto-acidosis. Her body, in attempt to process sugar, was eating all the muscle, fat, or organ that it could to function normally. WHY?? I stood strong while holding her little boney hand, but inside, I was asking myself and God, WHY?? “Only God knows, and I am sure there is a logical reason.” However, I wasn’t thinking logically. At 4:30 a.m., Dr. David Jackson told us, “Your daughter is DKA; her pancreas is shutting down. She has Type 1 Diabetes and needs insulin to survive.” I heard the words; I understood what diabetes was; I didn’t believe it. I wanted her cured. Now.He continued, “We have contacted Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) and the helicopter can be here shortly. If it were my child, I’d go.” That was all I needed to hear.

By 9:00 am, Katelyn was at ACH, receiving insulin and getting constant and personalized care. She was sleeping, but every hour she was getting blood drawn, fingers pricked, temperatures taken, monitors adjusted, and receiving a constant flow of fluids and medicine being fed through her veins. All week, we were at her side.

Katelyn’s diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes was a shock. Katelyn had not seemed to display any symptoms that we would associate with diabetes. The day prior to diagnosis was the first day we thought something might be wrong, and I made an appointment to see the doctor on Monday. We have no family history of the disease. A common misconception is that diabetes has something to do with eating too much sugar. It does not. Katelyn didn’t eat many sweets and didn’t really like soda. Doctors have not found a reason for this disease, but things are moving in the right direction. With the advance in stem cell technology and organ replacement, there will be a cure for diabetes hopefully in our lifetime. These advancements, however, would not be possible if it weren’t for JDRF, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. When I was little, I remember Mary Tyler Moore advertising for this foundation, but didn’t ever think anything of it. I think that is what most people think- nothing about it.

Now, since Katelyn’s diagnosis on October 27, 2008, there is at least one diagnosis of Juvenile Type 1 Diabetes a month in Northwest Arkansas alone!

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is a strong organization. The JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes takes place all over the country and in Northwest Arkansas in September. Katelyn is putting together her team and wants you to help. The first thing Katelyn’s counselor at Arkansas Children’s Hospital asked her at our first clinic appointment is what scared her about having diabetes. Katelyn said, “Not being able to find a cure.” “What?” I thought. My nine-year old sounded like my Mom. They talked about fears, happy times, teaching others about diabetes, her friends, and her family. Katelyn has grown up so fast in these eight months. She understands what it takes to live every day. It takes four insulin shots, eight finger pricks, a urine test or two, and a lifetime of tons of support.

JDRF and all the children with Type 1 Diabetes need your help, your time, your generosity. Believe it or not, 85 percent of all the money given to JDRF goes towards research to find a cure. WOW! If you’re trying to decide on a charitable cause to give to this year, we hope you will join us in finding a cure for over 19 million kids and adults with diabetes.

If you would like to join our walk team or donate to Katelyn’s Kids for a Kure JDRF campaign, go to www.jdrf.org. Simply go to Walk Central in the middle of the page and click on donate. Then go to the box that reads “Support a Walker” and enter Katelyn Dowse and Arkansas. Click on Katelyn Dowse, and it will take you directly to her web page where you can join our team or make a donation.

Walk to Cure Diabetes is Sat. Sept. 12, 2009 at the University of Arkansas – The Gardens. To walk or for more information visit www.jdrf.org/nwark or call 479.443.9190