Parker's Diagnosis, and the Miracles that saved his life!

There is so much on my mind this morning, I could hardly sleep all night. Yesterday was a day I never saw coming in my life! But as I look back at the last week and even beyond that, I am overcome with the miracles that I have realized that help save my sons life. Last Saturday we took Grants new Land Rover for a family drive. During that drive, Parker fell asleep. When we got home, he had peed his pants. It wasn't normal for him, but he is also 4 years old, so I didn't think much of it. On Sunday,  I had a ward conference in the 4th ward. Normally if I can, I go to Sacrament with my kids and then leave after to attend the rest of the ward conference. I kept feeling like I needed to be to the 4th wards sacrament, so at the last second I changed plans and our good Bishops wife sat with my kids. At the end of an amazing sacrament meeting our Stake President, President Kevin Hathaway got up to speak. He was talking about being poisoned spiritually by degrees. Then he said one line that pierced me to the soul. He said "The food we put into our bodies are poisoning us by degrees. But if we choose to put healthy foods into our bodies, they preserve our lives" (something along that line anyway) I felt at that moment that it was for me. I had been struggling to loose a few pounds and felt discouraged. I went home that day and told Grant that we had to change our diet. Monday morning we started a low glycemic  diet. Basically cut out a lot of carbs, all sugar and processed foods. All week I felt so blessed as I really didn't struggle with the changes. As the week went on, I noticed Parker was urinating ALOT! He was also drinking like crazy. Being the daughter of my father who has had Type 1 Diabetes for over 35 years, I knew the symptoms and asked my dad to test his blood sugar when he came to town next. I wasn't worried in the least bit. I have had him do this on many of my kids in the past. Yesterday my dad came to town even though his plans for originally coming had changed. We pricked Parkers finger, which he was not to happy about :) The first time, it wouldn't even read his levels because they were to high for his one touch reader to detect. We figured it was a flook, so we tested again. This time it read, but it didn't look good! His levels were almost 600! A normal child his age should have a blood sugar or 80-180. Of course I began to cry, but quickly pulled myself together so I didn't scare my kids, and because there was a chance this wasn't correct. My dad called into his dr. office at Rocky Mountain Diabetes and they told us to come in immediately! Grant rushed home from work, I got the other kids settled, and we left. Parker was not happy and did not want to go to the dr!! I knew this was going to be a disaster! When we arrived, they took us to the lab to draw blood.... In my head I saw visions of having to physically restrain my son so they could draw his blood!! He climbed up on my lap, gave the lady his arm and patiently watched as she drew 3 vials of blood from his arm. Not a flinch, not a cry, or sign or struggle! It was a miracle and I cried a little after out of gratitude. Dr. Vance came in the room to talk to us and long story short, his blood sugar levels around 680. He was in shock that Parker looked as good as he did! I couldn't believe it myself! We had went for a long walk that morning and he rode his scooter the whole way, all day he was playing outside, and jumping on the tramp. He didn't seem tired or lethargic at all. He told us it was a miracle we knew what to watch for and had him checked. He told us most likely, Parker would have ended up in the ER by the end of the weekend. Worse case, in a coma. Turns out he was severely dehydrated also. We spent the next 2 hours learning how to test his blood sugar levels and what insulin to give him when, and they types of foods he should and shouldn't have. My dad was crying because he felt guilt over his grandson having to go thru what he has dealt with for 35 years, but in my mind I felt gratitude to have my dad by my side thru it all. He knew what to say and how to help and I am sure thru many many years, will give us advice how to help. It was a long night filled with so many worries. I feel so inadequate as his mother to take care of him properly and realize I have so much to learn. We were able to get his blood sugar levels in a safe zone before he went to sleep and he slept thru the night for the first time in as long as I can remember! I didn't sleep to well myself. I kept tossing and turning worrying if his blood sugar was now to low and debating if I should try testing him again in his sleep. 
We have a very long road ahead of us, and I can't think beyond the hour I am in at the moment or I will have a complete breakdown! As I went to bed last night though, I knelt in prayer and poured my heart out in gratitude to my Heavenly Father for all the blessing and miracles we received to be able to catch this early. I look back on the week and realize how much Heavenly Father was prepping me for this outcome. The choice to change our eating habits, my dad just happens to come to town, noticing the symptoms, and so many more miracles. I know without a doubt that I have a very Loving Heavenly Father who loves me and watches out for my son. He blessed and prompted me and my husband so we could prevent much worse outcomes! I know we have many hard days ahead, but I feel peace knowing I will have my Heavenly Father by my side to guide and direct me. I have learned once again how important it is to always live your life in a way to be able to feel those promptings when they come and to know to act. I also know that we have an amazing supportive family! Its no coincidence that I have a father who is an expert on the disease, a brother who is a P.A. and another brother who is a pharmaceutical rep and deals mainly in Diabetic supplies. We have so many people to turn to for help and advice. I pray for the strength and knowledge to handle this trial and to make the lifestyle changes needed to ensure a long healthy life my my son. Now, I will also strengthen my prayers for a cure!! I know it will happen and I can not wait for hat day. I love my son, my husband and my 4 other children. And I will hold them all a little tighter from now on. Here is to being a momma to a child with Type 1 Diabetes!!