Dial back a couple of weeks. Carter, aka Twin A, had not been himself. A little quieter, wanting to sleep more, an increase in his appetite, and the two signs that should have been obvious; drinking and peeing like crazy.
"Don't beat yourself up...Good thing you caught it early...Diabetes runs in your family." Doesn't change the diagnosis and wouldn't have.
Type One Juvenile Diabetes - "Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and—at present—nothing you can do to get rid of it." (http://www.jdrf.ca/news-and-media/fact-sheets/type-1-diabetes/)
So here we are and this is our journey. After five days at the Alberta Children's Hospital I know one thing for sure; we were lucky to come home with our little boy. Hearing "Code Blue, Unit 1" more than once over our stay gives you that reality check. But it doesn't take away the worries deep down inside every mama's tummy when your child is sick...nope that's been compounded...by how much, only God knows for sure.
Carter's a tough little man. He's had to be. He had to put up with his little brother (Twin B) kicking him in utero for 36 weeks. He's had to learn to share right from day one; a womb (and an awesome one at that - thanks Angie!), snuggles with mama, snacks, toys, and so on. But he doesn't have to share this...at least not yet. Although they are genetically identical, Charlie's chances of developing T1D are 40%...how does that happen? Nature versus Nurture at it's finest.
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