The Day Diabetes Came To Visit and Stayed...

Four years ago today, and about this time, Wendy and I were racing to follow an INOVA Medi-Vac helicopter to Fairfax Children's Hospital in Virginia. It was a 60 mile trip by car and we were fighting DC rush hour traffic. I was trying to keep the helicopter in sight as it was carrying our very precious Adalyne Erin who had just celebrated her second birthday, July 2, 2005. No matter how I tried, I couldn't do it. The helicopter was just too fast.

My daughter Wendy, has written an account of this day, July 25, 2005.

Although, Wendy left out a very important part. Addy was very close to closing her eyes forever. When I ranted to the ED Doctor as to why no helicopter was on it's way to transfer Addy to a PICU, he grabbed my shoulders, looked directly into my eyes and said, "Listen to me, Addy's CO2 level is 6. You are a R.N., you do not need me to tell you what this means!"

Optimal CO2 Children's Reading: 24

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) - The CO2 level is related to the respiratory exchange of carbon dioxide in the lungs and is part of the bodies buffering system. Generally when used with the other electrolytes, it is a good indicator of acidosis and alkalinity.

I collapsed into a W/C which was close to where I was standing. "Oh My God! Don't let Addy die." I screamed. I held my head in my hands for a few minutes and then ran back to Addy's bedside. Wendy was in tears and very frustrated. She kept saying that the other hospital didn't have any PICU beds and no helicopter was coming to get Addy. I looked at her and said, "Wendy, we have to get her out of here and into a PICU now." Wendy looked at me and said, "I worked for INOVA!" I looked at her and said call them right now! She picked up the phone in Addy's cubical and called INOVA Hospital System. Within 30 minutes an INOVA Medi-Vac Helicopter landed and took off with Addy aboard. It was Wendy who saved Addy's life. The rest of the medical world decided by their actions, Addy was lost. They did not mobilize. Wendy had to take action at her most desperate moment. By acting immediately, and with God's grace, Wendy saved the life of her child. To this day, I will never forget the face of the ED Doctor who did not fight to save Addy by finding a PICU bed...somewhere! Darn it, we were in the Metropolitain D.C. area, home of Hopkins, UMD, and Washington Hospital Center. But, this Doctor had already decided, Adalyne Erin Rose was lost to diabetes and cerebral edema. I will be forever grateful to the INOVA Hospital System for treating Wendy for who she was, a dedicated former employee who was in a life and death situation. They acknowledged her, Thank God.

I have relived this day over and over in my mind. There are five things that will always stand out:

1.Addy lying motionless in the ED bed with the red crash cart by her head and so many I'V's in her little body I couldn't count then all.
2.Jason mashed so close to the wall that it seemed as though he had become part of it.
3. Wendy screaming while trying to climb into the helicopter, but being told she could not board.
4. Wendy collapsing as the helicopter took flight.
5. Driving my truck so easily and fast. My little '93 Chevy S10 flew. We made it to the hospital in a little more than 30 minutes after Addy arrived by helicopter. I call it our "angel flight."

The rest is history. Addy survived DKA and Cerebral Edema. Wendy and Jason adjusted to BG checks, insulin shots and the new T1D visitor in the house. Life did not end. Kaelyn was born. Wendy and Jason moved to AZ. Maya was born. Addy got Max. Now she has Mr. Ping. She was diagnosed with Celiac Disease last Christmas. Gma remains in MD sending GF flour. Pink Gma is still living a happy life. Life goes on. God is good all the time.

We will Magnify and Glorify the name of Christ, Jesus. We will forever Praise Him for His Awesome, and Merciful Love which poured from Heaven, July 25, 2005. Praise God, Addy is Alive! She is Alive.

Love Is Not A Fight...from Fireproof

A song that changed my life and how I look at my marriage. God did send angels to guard the door. Thank you, Precious Lord.

Perhaps Love by John Denver and If You Think My Eyes Are Beautiful by Whitney Houston and Germain Jackson were our wedding songs. Although I must say, John and Wendy did a better job than Germain and Whitney!

1 Verso: Love is not a place, to come and go as we please, is a house we enter in, and than commit to never leave, so lock the door behind you, throw away the key, we’ll work it out together, let it bring us to our knees
Coro: Love is a shelter in a raging storm; Love is a peace in a middle of a war, and if we try to leave may God send angels to guard the door.
No, love is not a fight, but is something worth fighting for.
2 Verso: To some love is a word that they can fall into, but when they’re falling out, keeping their word is hard to do
Coro: Love is a shelter in a raging storm; Love is peace in a middle of a war, but if we try to leave may God send angels to guard the door.
No, love is not a fight, but is something worth fighting for.
Puente: Love will come to save us, if we’ll only call, he will ask nothing from us, but demand we’ll give our all.
Coro: Love is a shelter in a raging storm; Love is a peace in a middle of a war, and if we try to leave may God send angels to guard the door.
No, love is not a fight, but is something worth fighting for.
I will fight for you!
Would you fight for me?
It’s worth fighting for.

By:
Warren Barfield

Pink Grandma, Celiac and Prayer Needed......

On Sunday, July 19, 2009 my parents would have celebrated their 67th Wedding Anniversary. Happy Anniversary Mama and Daddy. Miss you Daddy. My parents were married for two weeks when my Dad was shipped overseas for two years. I wonder how many marriages of today are strong enough to endure this? My parents wrote (not email) letters to each other every single day for two years. They never missed a day. And, for the privilege of seeing my Mom after two years, my Dad sacrificed his Naval Officer status and reverted back to Naval Chief. I call this real, honest to goodness love! To anyone reading this I ask, would you give up your career to be spend a month with your spouse? Well, this was required of my parents.

My Mother is an amazing person. She is a great Mother and Gma. She is a wonderful person in every way. She is very independent. She recently had her drivers licence renewed for five years by the MVA. When I tell people this, most are surprised. They ask, "how can an 88 year old woman still drive?" Well, my Mom has has never had a traffic violation.. nothing, nada, nope, never ever in her entire driving career. She has never been in, or has she been the cause of a traffic crash.

Mama keeps her own house, does her own laundry and goes shopping.....when she is well. Although, this must be qualified. When she is well. I compare Mama to a diabetic child. Although, she is not diabetic. When she is well, she is well. When she is not well, she's not. With Mama, there is absolutely no in between. The slightest viral illness, overexertion, emotional upset, or too much excitement can land my Mom flat on her back. Just like a diabetic child. Unfortunately, since yesterday this is where my Mom has been. On her back. I must admit every time she is ill, I plead with God not to take her home. In my heart I know that with her many medical problems any given day could be her last. I understand that on any morning she may not wake to Maryland's glorious sunrise. Everyday that she does awake, I give praise and give all glory to God.

I love my Mother beyond measure. The thought of not having her companionship is incomprehensible. I am grateful to God that He has blessed her with a wonderful long life. The last thing I would ever want is for my Mama to suffer. So, if tomorrow she doesn't wake, I will praise God for this great blessing also.

This past week, Wendy's blood markers for Celiac Disease tested positive. In my heart, I'm not surprised. Within the next few weeks, my Mom and I are going to have Celiac blood tests too. And, in my heart I will be very surprised if they are NEGATIVE. Stomach and gastrointestinal problems are very common in my Mom's family. Actually, many have died directly from the complications of G/I illness. My Mother has suffered the ultimate complication of Celiac. At the time, we had no idea what might have created this complication. Celiac was not on any Doctor's mind.

Every time my mother becomes ill, G/I symptoms present first. The current illness presented itself three days ago with G/I signs and symptoms. I have had G/I problems as long as I can remember, even suffering abdominal surgery at age nine. At this time, my diagnosis was inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. I'm not sure if the Doctors even knew that Celiac Disease existed 52 years ago.

So, I am going to press forward with Celiac testing. But first, I am going to care for my beloved Mother. I am sleeping at her house, fixing her meals, providing bed baths and back rubs. I will do anything to keep her comfortable. I am praising God for allowing me the privilege of caring for her.

Please pray for a full recovery for Colleen, Wendy's Gma, Addy's, Kaelyn's, and Maya's great Gma, and my dear, dear, Mother.

Pray for Kate...

Please pray for Kate and her family. Kate is currently in Phoenix Children's Hospital facing life with an aggressive, deadly, malignant brain tumor. She is five. The tumor was discovered on June 29th after her parents noticed a tremor in her hand. Perhaps many of you have already started praying for Kate. Her parents have produced a video on You Tube requesting the entire Body of Christ to lift Kate in prayer. The story is very much like Baby Cora, heartbreaking.

When I learn of stories like this, I do what is requested. Kate is just like many other children who wake up and by the end of the day their sweet life is forever changed. Just as the lives of their parents and family are forever changed. The illness may be critical or chronic, but the out come is always the same. Life is changed.

This change is not always bad. Although, this change is always accompanied by sadness. The sadness is felt for something that is forever lost, the life before.
Often people question, why do bad things happen to good people and children? Well, I can't answer that. I just know that when the Body of Christ gathers in united prayer effort, wonderful things happen. These good things happen not just for the family who is requesting prayer, but also for the people who answer the call to prayer.

When people unite in positive common effort, friendships, and compassionate support, a sense of unity is created. The final outcome is one filled with love and care. Each person who is involved in the effort is given a sense of belonging. This sense of belonging is emotionally uplifting to all. At the same time God is Glorified by the expression of united faith. It is an expression of the commandment, Love One Another.

You become a blessing to a person whom you do not know just by praying to Jesus for healing, comfort, mercy, acceptance, and understanding. Prayer is a pure expression of "paying it forward." So, take a minute, calm your hurried mind and offer up Kate and her family in prayer. Experience the wonderful peace that comes from uniting with the world wide Body of Christ in this faithful prayer effort. We believe....We believe in greater things. God is always good. Through Him, we are one.

My thanks goes to Kate's family for spreading the word and requesting prayer for their beloved daughter. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to whisper the sweet name of Kate to Jesus.

Hey, I Met Another Cozmo...

Bob and I never go out to dinner. I guess we are just too tired. When we get home from work, we just want to enjoy our home and family. But, this week we made the effort to go on a date. We dressed up and enjoyed a dinner at a quaint little restaurant that has been in business for almost 50 years. When we drove up to the entrance we were surprised to see a "For Sale" sign on the front. After talking to the owners we discovered it was just another "sign of the times."

While enjoying our dinner, I noticed a young woman test her BG. I then watched as she pulled out "Max" and pushed his magic buttons. I guess she felt my intense thoughts, as she lifted her eyes and smiled. After a while the young woman and her party readied themselves to leave the restaurant. Suddenly without thinking, I stood up and went to her. She didn't even seem surprised when I introduced myself. Then she said, "You are diabetic aren't you?" I explained briefly that I was not, but my granddaughter was. To this she replied, "The only thing worse than being a diabetic adult is being the Mother of a diabetic child."

I also explained that I had recognised her "Max." We immediately got into conversation about what her plans were to replace Max. She became teary and replied that she didn't know. She explained that she just loved Deltec and Cozmo. We talked for a while about the decision that Wendy had made for Addy with "Mr. Ping." Then, we said goodbye with a tight hug.

After our date, Bob said to me, "Diabetes is everywhere, isn't it." I somberly and sadly answered, "Yes, Bob. Diabetes is everywhere."