What followed after the diagnosis was a three day hospital stay. When most people are diagnosed with diabetes, they are in pretty tough shape. Since the early symptoms of high blood glucose levels are similar to the flu, most don't go to the doctor until they have run very high glucose levels for several days. They are often very sick by this time. Since Kadie and Skeeter went to the doctor’s office so quickly, Skeeter was in comparatively good shape.
During the three days in the hospital, Kadie and I went through a detailed educational experience. We spent our time with nurses, pediatric endocrinologists, and registered dietitians. We learned about the various kinds of insulin, the safe places for injections, carbohydrates, and the "honeymoon period" (during which the pancreas continues to produce some small degree of insulin) . We received a lot of reading material and free samples of syringes, glucose monitors and strips.
During this time in the hospital we also got a sense of what Skeeter is made of. The first day she was in the hospital, they gave her insulin through the intravenous drip. But the second day they showed her how to give herself injections. The nurse began by patiently giving step by step instructions. She was going to explain each step one at a time. She showed us how to prepare the syringe, and then wiped her leg with the alcohol wipe. But as the nurse prepared to giver Skeeter her next instruction, Skeeter plunged the syringe into her thigh without a moment’s hesitation. (While I cringed).
And she's done it three times a day ever since.
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