Sherri Wind is walking on March 8, 2008 in Treasure Coast, FL.
To my friends and family,
Most of you know by now that Alex was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes in January during Christmas break. Alex continually reminds me that it really wasnt just the flu, especially when he wants something (like his new X-Box) since as a mom I had diagnosed him during the holidays with the flu. He spent 3 days at St. Marys in the Pediatric ICU in West Palm Beach with awesome care and caring vampires that checked his blood sugar 24/7. Little did I know that the symptoms were always there. Since my dad is a Type II diabetic and one of my closest friends is a Type I diabetic youd think I should have known. I thought the flu would subside and Alex would be feeling better soon. Since this was much more than just the flu living with knowing your child has diabetes is so much better than not knowing. I contributed the normal teenage phase of fatigue, moodiness, etc to just being 13 years old. I found out it was much more than being high for a diabetic teenager not properly diagnosed is a different thing altogether. Yes, Alex was High just how high his blood sugar was well never know. When Alex was admitted in ER at St. Marys he somehow weighed 89 pounds for a 57 8 th grader. His body had consumed all of his fat and muscle and Alex had lost 25 pounds in a matter of less than two weeks. Guess it was more than just the flu! His Christmas gift of a mini fridge for his room should have been a clue, since a case of water in less than a week was normal for Alex in our house; somehow we missed the excessive thirst symptom!
Alex is doing awesome; he has gained all 25 pounds back and has taken responsibility for his own daily testing and insulin injections. Somehow it has become part of our normal life of , check your sugar, take your insulin, brush your teeth, clean your room, off the phone and computer for which just fits in for every teenager. Alex tests 5 times a day and injects himself daily with insulin and is successful in keeping his sugar between 80 and 200. Its a big difference from when he was checked in the hospital at 400 which was most likely his normal . Now with daily insulin injections Alex has a new normal and we have a new Alex. We are so fortunate to have Alex diagnosed in order to control his disease. I hope by walking on March 8th I can raise awareness for the Diabetics who havent yet been diagnosed and that struggle every day with their normal what ever it may be. If you see signs in your loved ones please have them tested for Diabetes because to not know is to lose the person you love that you dont know until they are diagnosed and managed with successful treatment.
Somehow Ive forgotten the reason for my letter which is to encourage you to donate to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). Please visit www.jdrf.org to make your donation and select Walk Central, Donate and Support Walker and select me from the walker list. I truly appreciate any donation you feel is right for you. My total goal for JDRF is $1000.00 as a walker and I would love your support, not just for Alex but for all of the other juvenile diabetics. Remember what a struggle it was just being a teenager; imagine doing it with daily testing and daily insulin injections! Hopefully with your help there can be a cure, what a great gift to any Diabetic. I cant wait for the Cure!!
Thank you, Sherri
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