Back in 2020, Jenson was 19months old and we had about a week of extreme thirst, bed wetting and weight loss before we called the doctor, these are the classic symptoms so the doctor just sent us straight to hospital for a blood test. It was Covid era so I wasn't allowed in....5mins later I was allowed in to see a inconsolable wife so I knew something was serious but no one would tell me. His blood sugar was 28.1 so the nurses knew but we didn't and he was rushed to a critical care unit and it was later explained that Jenson was in a state called Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication of diabetes that can be life-threatening where is blood is basically poisonous. From there he was hooked up to all sorts until they regulated his body and we were told that he has Type 1 diabetes. An incurable autoimmune disease. We then go through a steep learning curve of counting carbs, calculating insulin doses, correction factors whilst learning to give insulin via injection. Whilst in hospital the diabetes team soon realise that Jenson is an extreme fussy eater, far beyond your average fussy toddler and we get offered an insulin pump immediately (not usually given quickly). Up until this point me and Lucinda had both pretty much took it on the chin but when they strapped the pump onto his tiny body, suddenly an invisible condition became visible and reality hit home, we was in bits that our little baby was not 'normal' he had a pump and a wire connected to him for life. It was a moment that will always be fresh in my head. After spending a week in hospital we had the pump training and learnt how to change canulas and was allowed to go home. That's our diagnosis story. Fast forward 3 years, we have overcome many struggles, illnesses and unwanted hospital admissions, type 1 is now our normal and it has made us stronger as a family.
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