She had questions on what are we doing, why are we walking, etc. I explained that there will be other kids with T1D with their family and friends walking and raising money for a cure.
P - "what's a cure?"
Me - "a cure means you wouldn't have diabetes anymore"
This look of complete sadness came over her. She told me no! I tried to explain that this would be good and it would mean no more checking sugars or getting new medicine (pump site changes)...she wouldn't need her pump or Dex. This is where she got really upset.
Initially, my heart just broke.
This is ALL she knows. This is her life. She began pumping at 22 months then we added Dex when she was 2 and a half. They've always been there. I tell her that her pump gives her medicine and Dex keeps her safe.
These things are her security. She's never been scared of having diabetes because she has her medicine and Dex. Then to tell her that hopefully one day she won't need them anymore, just rocked her world.
And of course, I didn't know how to respond to this. Then she just went back to playing with her ponies.
Once I saw her move on, I immediately became so proud of this feisty, crazy, curly-headed cutie. She has embraced diabetes and all the gear that she wears. It doesn't phase her because this is her normal; this is her everyday.
At school I come to the playground her check her BG. All the kids are just mesmerized with what I'm doing and ask all sorts of questions. P is like, "I'm checking my sugar; I have diabetes". She says it with the so what attitude and let's move on and get back to playing. Fills this momma's heart with so much joy.
Her attitude towards herself and D has made this long road easier to travel, and I pray it stays with her the rest of her life. I can definitely learn some life lessons from my sweet Piper Bear.
