Monday, April 11, 2011

Bean's Diagnosis, part one

It was a beautiful Saturday in June 2010.  The 5th to be exact. We had been enjoying a relaxing day and during Bug's nap, Bean was getting ready for a birthday party.

It had been an interesting week.

Ubergeek and I had escaped together for Memorial Day Weekend, leaving Bean (6 and almost a half) and Bug (two) with his parents for their first overnight together.  We returned Monday evening to two worn out Grandparents and two girls who were happy to see us, but didn't want Grandma and Grandpa to leave!

Tuesday brought a dentist appointment for Bean.  They had her step on the scale; odd I thought for the dentist, but whatever.  She was down 4 pounds...more than 10% of her weight.  Yes, she's on the petite end of the gene pool; always hanging out between the 5th and 10th percentile since birth.  Ubergeek had commented a week or so ago that he thought she was looking thin, but I dismissed it with the 'she must have spurted up before chunking up like she usually does.'

The rest of the week brought endless water bottle fill ups ~ something both Bean and I were kinda proud of since drinking water had been something she had been struggling with at Kindergarten and something she needs to be doing because of a bladder condition.  She was going through about 80 ounces a day.

It also brought endless hunger.  It was like she was a teenage boy in football training.  She had breakfast, she was still hungry.  She had a snack, she was still hungry.  She had lunch, she was still hungry.  She had a snack, she was still hungry.  She had another snack, she was still hungry.  Get the picture?

And then there were the constant trips to the bathroom.  Not totally out of the ordinary since Bean is a 'frequent goer' because of her bladder condition, but it was over the top even for her.  And with that, the overflowing pull-ups at night creating the need for washing sheets everyday.  By Saturday, that was getting old!

Back to Saturday...Bug was napping, Bean was 'party prepping' and I was venting to Ubergeek about the sheets washing and eating and drinking.  He put that together with the weight loss and said, "that's classic diabetes."  Now, before you go assuming he's a doctor, he's not...but he likes to say that he plays one as a dad.  He's a recovering germ-a-phobe and thus is one of those people who knows way too much about medical stuff.  He suggested, well kinda insisted, that we have Bean pee on a strip...back to that bladder condition!  The strips are primarily to detect an infection, but they also just happen to have a square to detect glucose.

So, off to the bathroom to pee in a cup; something Bean actually enjoys doing, so it wasn't a big deal.  We waited the designated time and holy cow!  Urine glucose levels were showing in the 600-1000 range.  Not Good!  Next, we decide to test her blood glucose level with Ubergeek's meter.  No, he doesn't have diabetes, but type 2 runs in his family, so he has a meter just in case...trust me, it's not that odd if you know him! :)

So, finger poke (ouch!), blood on the strip, and wait.....570.  Not Good!  Not good at all and now we're in 'what the hell are we supposed to do now' mode.

I call Bean's pediatrician's office...thankfully they have hours on Saturdays and it actually during those hours when we called!  I had to leave a message for the nurse.  Not what I wanted to do, but they are pretty good about quick call backs, so I did it.

Five minutes pass.

Ten minutes pass.

Nothing.

Ubergeek is starting to move into 'freak out' mode while I'm still relatively calm for some odd reason....it's usually the other way around.  He insists I call Bean's urologist.  I, of course, get the answering service.  After explaining what was going on, she said she would have our doctor call us.  He did in about two minutes.  He told us that we needed to get Bean to the hospital as things could take a turn for the worse quickly with a situation like ours.  He also said that he would call our ped's office and have them call us immediately.

I was off the phone with him for maybe a minute when the ped's office called.  Their advice was the same:  get to the hospital quickly and it might be a good idea to pack an overnight bag because we'd most  likely be admitted.

So, instead of 'party prepping' we started 'hospital prepping.'  Not Fun!  I packed Bean's bag while Ubergeek called his parents to let them know they would be hosting Bug for the day, night, and not sure how long. Thank goodness the previous weekend had gone well!! :)  I didn't, however even think about packing a bag for Ubergeek and me...shows you how clearly I was thinking!

In the car and off we went.....

9 comments:

  1. Each diagnosis story transports me back...makes my heart somewhat heavy, knowing you and "supergeek" (as you so eloquently call him) were going through so many painful emotions.

    "HI", I am Reyna from Beta Buddies. I apologize that I haven't made it over here sooner. Thank you so much for your support of me and your well wishes for Joe's health and wellbeing. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

    Welcome to the DOC. I have only been around for a little over a year and cannot believe I went so long without this kind of support and knowledge base for 3 1/2 years into Joe's diagnosis. You will love it here.

    Welcome.

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  2. Hi and welcome. Not a group youd ask to be a part of but one you surely fall in love with.

    Im Alexis and I look forward to reading more from you!

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  3. Hi...I'm Michelle from Sugar Coated! I just started blogging a few months ago, but had started reading a few blogs over the past few years since Charlotte's diagnosis. I just found you through Joanne's blog. Welcome to the DOC...wish none of us had to be part of this group, but glad we're all here (since we are)!

    Looking forward to reading more of your posts!

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  4. HI! I found your blog from another and wanted to stop in! I am shannon from The new normal life. It is not a fun club to join but once you are here the support is great!! Let us know if you need anything!

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  5. Hi and welcome! Wanted to thank you for all of your wonderful comments on my blog as well. :o) I look forward to reading your posts!

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  6. Hi Denise!! Glad I found your blog!! Bean's dx is my birthday... :( Glad you find the DOC... I hope you find as much comfort here as I have!!

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  7. Hello! I'm Nikki from My Diabetic Warrior. I look forward to reading your posts!

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  8. Oh, I'm tearing up! I hate reading the diagnosis stories, but I feel like I have to. They tell so much about each family and how we all handle having our worlds flipped upside down.

    Welcome to the DOC! None of us would wish to be a part of this club, but now that we are, we're all so happy to have the support and to be able to offer support to others!

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  9. You are an inspiration for so many of us!!

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Hey, Thanks for sharing!! Your comments make me :)!!
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