"Reed. My strong, brave warrior. 

March 3, 2022. One year ago today, our world changed in a big way. Here is Reed’s story! 

After a bout of illness caused by COVID-19, I started to notice small changes in Reed’s behavior and physical health. I noticed Reed had lost some weight. He was getting harder to wake up from naptime, and he was soaking diapers through the night. I just assumed he still didn’t feel well from having COVID. But, I also noticed his personality changing. No more nightly dance parties like we were accustomed to with a little boy full of life. Evenings, in particular, were filled with crying and whining over even the smallest inconveniences.  Because his Daddy is a type 1 diabetic, I decided to check his sugar “just in case.” The meter read 341. Surely the meter was wrong. Right?! I checked mine. 97. Ok, well I’ll phone a friend and have her check his sugar too. Again, the meter read 391 and on another 442. Oh my gosh. My worst nightmare. Something was wrong with MY baby.  

I believe I was in a little bit of shock. I went home to pack my bags, fully expecting to spend a couple of nights in the hospital.  Halfway to Lexington, another friend called and told us to make the trip to Norton Children’s Hospital. Upon arrival Reed’s blood glucose was 795! However, he was not in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and he did not need an insulin drip. Praise Jesus! Over the next day, we learned a new way of living. I was taught how to count carbs, prick fingers, and provide insulin injections with every meal. I set my alarm to wake up at 2 am to check blood glucose through the night.  

Our life was consumed by diabetes. I cried. He cried. I feared the worst. And sometimes if I let my mind drift, I can come up with some crazy “what ifs.” However, God reminded me, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6. 

Through God’s abundant favor and with the help of wonderful friends and some great doctors, we were set up with a Dexcom and Omnipod insulin pump. March 16, 2022-Reed’s very first pump was placed on his body. I wondered what people would think about him having two devices on his body. Would they stare? Would they treat him differently? And yeah, we might have a few look a little longer at the pool or the beach, but I think people are just genuinely curious. So instead of being offended, I educate them. I explain what they do and how they work. But mostly, people show us love! So.Much.Love!  

So today, one year later. 365 days. 122 pump pod changes. 36 Dexcom changes. We have a community of people loving us. This boy is one of the toughest kids I know! He is brave, and he is strong, and I hope he knows how much I love him. I want him to be proud to show off his technology because it is AMAZING. 

And for this moment right here, I wanted to capture his small body and remember how we made it through the first year together. Through the highs. Through the lows. His fight is my fight. Forever."

~Brittani 

March 3, 2023.