Saturday, October 9, 2010

JDRF Walk 2010

We didn't really make plans for the walk this year. We didn't raise money or form a team. My girls and niece and I just went.

It was a very sobering year. Just days before the walk, we got news that one of Amanda's camp friends had died as a result of her diabetes. It was devastating news. Amanda had roomed with her at camp for 2 years.

What we understand is that her blood sugars had been quite erratic all week. She was checked during the night twice. Once her blood sugar was low and the second time it was normal. But the next morning she was in a diabetic coma. She was already brain dead. They are suspecting that her blood sugar had spiked and her ketones went very high and she went into a coma.

This is frightening news for a parent. I went to the pharmacy to stock up on ketone strips. It is a simple urine test that can be done if your blood sugars are over 240 or if you are sick to measure the ketones in the body. Ketones are a result of your body using its own fat for energy. I had always assumed that if the blood sugar came down so would the ketones. I've learned it is not necessarily true. So, Amanda will always check her ketones along with her blood sugar.

I want Amanda to learn that she is to be responsible in caring for herself and at the same time trust in the Sovereignty of God. I feel like God must have been ready for sweet Lindsi to come home. I know she was well cared for. This walk was dedicated to her.