Day 21: Becoming “Normal”

Four years ago, 9 days after her 10th birthday, Tessie was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She spent three days in the hospital and I didn’t leave for even a minute. The doctors wouldn’t release her until Pete and I had the proper education so we can care for her on our own. I joined a Touched by Type 1 page on Facebook that was recommended to me by one of Tessie’s teammate’s mom (the younger brother was T1D).

Three years ago, one of the moms posted about celebrating her daughter’s Diaversary – the anniversary of being diagnosed. I didn’t understand why anyone celebrated the day you are diagnosed with a lifelong condition that needs constant care, but she then explained that they celebrate years of being strong, brave, resilient, and healthy. I mentioned this to Tessie, told her I can take a personal day, take her out of school, and we can do whatever she wants for the day. She was all about it! She planned a day of shopping in the city and lunch and dinner at her favorite places.

Two years ago we were on “lockdown” so we spent the day at home, learning remotely.

One year ago we acknowledged it and she got to pick out dinner and dessert for that night.

Today I had to remind her at dinner. Tessie said, “Oh you should have told me. I didn’t remember that. Um, do you think John could go get us ice cream from Dairy Queen? I’ll change my pump while he goes so that way I won’t go too high when I eat my Oreo cheesecake blizzard.”

In some ways, this is a lifelong burden she will have to deal with every second of every day of her life, but in other ways, this is just her new normal.