Two years ago today, our lives forever changed.
My feelings leading up to this day, and afterwards, are emotionally conflicting.
I feel immeasurable sadness when I think about the trauma Kinsley, and our family, experienced after learning she had type one diabetes. Those initial months were like a battlefield. I felt like we were at war, literally. It was so hard for the Kinster. And, the grief you feel when learning your child will live with a chronic and potentially life-threatening disease for the rest of their life still takes my breath away. It hurts, not gonna lie. And, please, don't tell me that I should be relieved that she doesn't have cancer!
But, on the flip side, I feel immeasurable gratitude. Kinsley's A1C was higher than the highest detectable limit at Children's Hospital (they measure up to 14) and I have since learned that Kinsley's blood sugar was higher than some who never made it out of the hospital emergency room alive. The Lord spared her life and for that, I am forever grateful. Every time I hear of another loss in our community, I give thanks to the Lord for Kinsley and her health and well-being.
Do you see why these emotions feel so conflicting?
Tonight we celebrated her second diaversary with dinner at Kinsley's favorite restaurant: Teresa's Mexican Restaurant in Lakeville. Then, we came home to what has now become our traditional diaversary cake. Kaitlin was so cute and couldn't understand why we didn't sing happy birthday afterwards! :)
We celebrate this special day because Kinsley's is a strong and courageous type one warrior. She endures more in a month than some do in an entire lifetime. She is poked, prodded, and pricked daily. And, she is six! She is a rockstar and she inspires me.
We remain hopeful for a cure, but we grow more intent for the medical community to develop advancements that minimize highs and lows and protects her from some of the long-term medical complications we hear all too much about. There is a lot of amazing things out there that just need to be approved by the FDA and/or manufactured. Just this week, the Dexcom 6 came out and rumor has it that is will work with T-Slim AND Omnipod to provide a closed-loop insulin delivery system.
We thank you for supporting our family. After all the fanfare is over and the initial shock of this diagnosis wears off, there remains a family and a child fighting for life every day. Your love, concern, and prayers mean the world to us.
Happy Diaversary, Kinsley!
Kinsley posing and Kaitlin ready to dig in (what a second, did she already dig in a bit)?
Love the Munsons!
