Emma was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in December of 2005 just after turning
four years old. At that point, I was a stay-at-home mom to Emma and our younger
daughter, Claire. Emma’s symptoms of thirst, frequent urination, and periodic bed
wetting led me to believe she might have a urinary tract infection. I am a nurse and
know the symptoms of diabetes, but that scenario didn’t register as a possibility.
To be on the safe side, I made an appointment with our pediatrician and he
confirmed it was diabetes. I was in shock and didn’t know where to turn. My good
friend, Sue, met me at the doctor’s office where I broke down and felt
overwhelmed with this news. With the wonderful support of friends, family and
church we got through the next few weeks of diabetes education.
The first several months are a blur to me. Thank God my husband Pete was able to
absorb all the information from Children’s Hospital after she was newly diagnosed. I
was struggling to figure out how to cope with this news. Through prayer and help
from Pete, I was able to care for Emma. Within time, carb counting turned into
gram counting and we started to discuss an insulin pump. Two years after Emma
was diagnosed, she started with the Omni pod insulin pump. This is a wonderful
tool and I would highly recommend this to any family. Emma started swimming on a
swim team in 1st grade and the tubeless insulin pump made it so much easier. With
each passing day, I became more knowledgeable and confident.
Today Emma is an active, beautiful, kind, and independent ten year old girl. She
has a heart of gold and is a delight in our lives. Diabetes has brought us closer
together as a family, and we believe there is a lesson learned from everything in
life. Emma might not know exactly what that lesson is, but she will with God’s
help. Through diabetes, I have had the opportunity to meet new friends I might
not have had without the disease and for that, I am thankful.
- Kristin (and Pete) Syftestad
