Blake’s Journey with Type 1 Diabetes
In February 2024, just a few weeks before Blake’s 9th birthday, her life—and mine—changed forever.
The Calm Before the Storm
Looking back, the signs were there.
She was drinking more water. Going to the bathroom more. But I chalked it up to being a healthy, hydrated, active kid—not a warning sign. Nothing felt alarming enough to raise concern.
That weekend, she went to visit her dad in Maryland. When I picked her up on Sunday, I was told she’d been throwing up all weekend. We assumed it was just a stomach bug. Nothing serious.
When I Knew It Was More
I kept her home from school that Monday so she could rest. She lay in bed all day, not moving, not talking, not even wanting to watch TV. That’s when I knew something wasn’t right.
Around 1 PM, she told me her chest hurt. I called her pediatrician—just to be safe.
I’ll never forget what they said:
“We don’t mess around with chest pain. Take her to the ER.”
I carried her to the car, still thinking I might be overreacting.
But the moment we walked through the ER doors, everything changed.
The nurses took one look at her and rushed us straight back.
And from that moment on, our lives were never the same.
The Diagnosis We Never Saw Coming
The diagnosis came fast and hard:
Type 1 Diabetes.
I didn’t fully understand it. Blake didn’t either—she was barely alert. Nothing truly set in until they said she needed to be transferred by ambulance to the ICU.
I was running on adrenaline. She was too out of it to process what was happening.
We both entered a whole new world without even knowing it yet.
Hospital Days & Crash Courses
We spent four days in the hospital. Four days to learn how to manage a lifelong, high-stakes condition.
How to count carbs. Administer insulin. Monitor blood sugar. Spot highs. Catch lows. Keep her safe.
And then, just like that, we were sent home—expected to figure out the rest.
The Reality of Coming Home
It was a shock.
We had no CGM. No insulin pump. No working formulas. No endocrinologist on call (we couldn’t get an appointment for a month).
Every snack, every dose, every number—we were winging it.
And I was terrified.
But I refused to let her see that.
Before diabetes, Blake needed to be held down by three nurses just to get a flu shot. Now, she had to do multiple injections a day. And she did it—with quiet bravery and determination.
I stayed calm on the outside. She needed that.
I needed her to believe I had it under control—even when I didn’t.
Finding Support in Unexpected Places
There were long nights of Googling and scrolling Reddit in panic. I had so many questions and no one to call.
By complete chance, I found comfort in the last place I expected—back at work. I discovered that a woman in another department had been diagnosed with T1D as a child, and now, being around my age, she quickly became a lifeline I didn’t know I needed.
I called her crying in the middle of the night more than once. She picked up. She reminded me I wasn’t alone.
And that changed everything.
One Year Later: The Confidence I Never Thought I’d Have
Now, more than a year into this journey, I can finally say I feel semi-confident.
That might not sound like much—but it’s everything.
Getting access to the Dexcom and Omnipod changed our world.
But getting them wasn’t easy. Between insurance issues and financial stress, it felt like we had to fight just to get the tools we needed.
And still—here we are.
I won’t say it’s easy. It’s not.
But the difference between where I was a year ago and where I am now is huge.
You show up.
Even when you don’t feel ready.
Even when you’re scared.
Even when you’re not sure you’re doing it right.
And somewhere along the way—you become the kind of strong you didn’t know you had in you.
💛 If You’re in the Thick of It Right Now
To the parent sitting in the hospital, googling everything and pretending to be calm for their kid:
I promise it won’t always feel this heavy.
It won’t always feel this impossible.
One day at a time, you’ll figure it out—and one day, you’ll even look back and realize how far you’ve come.
And when you’re ready, I’m building this space just for you.
Looking for tips, tools, or just some good old-fashioned chaos and support?
➡️ [Head to the Blog page]—I’m figuring it out alongside you.
🛠 Resources That Helped Me (and Might Help You Too)
You’re not alone in this.
And you’re doing better than you think.