My Worst Nightmare

Those who know me know me well. For those who don't I will share a few key facts that are important to the story: I have a 12 year old daughter (DJ), who is pretty much MY LIFE! She has had type 1 diabetes for about 5.5 years. We sleep together every night because my fear is that something will happen to her in the middle of the night and because her bedroom is upstairs and mine is down I wouldn't know. I've gotten a few side eyes, like "this chick is paranoid", but the fear of what might happen wins over the obvious-the child (and her mother) needs to learn to sleep alone.

I finally bought DJ a bed and Saturday night as we were settling in I gave her the "this is the last night I'm sleeping with you, we're both big girls and need to act like it" speech. At about 5:00 a.m. Sunday morning DJ was moving around in her sleep. I thought she was having a nightmare so I tried to poke her awake. That didn't work so I shook her shoulder a little. I was concerned that maybe she was in a deep sleep and having an unusually bad dream, it happens sometimes, so turned on the light and went over to wake her-so she'd see me when she woke and not be too scared. With the light on and standing over DJ I realized with the quickness that something was WRONG! Not only was she not waking up but her arms were twisted behind her body in an odd way and her legs were moving continuously, seemingly on their own. Her eyes were closed and her face showed no emotion.

I shook DJ a couple more times and she wouldn't open her eyes. Holy Shit. My baby is unconscious and I can't wake her. I tested her blood sugar and she was 57. Low, but she's been much, much lower and not even known it. Normally for low blood sugar DJ would drink juice. That wasn't happening. There is a shot called Glucagon that is to be given in this situation. I had the shot out and ready to go but DJ is a big girl and quite strong. It would have taken two of me, one to hold her down and one to administer the shot, for this to happen. Especially while I'm crying and trying to answer questions.

By the time the paramedics get there DJ's eyes are open but she's unable to talk and she's looking around wild eyed and helpless. Her arms and legs are still moving but now she's on her back. There are five men in her room and her mommy in her face trying to comfort her. I'm trying to hold one of DJ's arms down while paramedic #1 tries to get an IV in her arm and paramedic #2 is taking her vitals. #2 gets it in the face a couple of times by DJ's arms that are still moving on their own. I'm straddling her body trying to comfort her and #1 is trying his darndest to hold her arm still so he can get that IV in there. I think he only poked her twice, not bad. DJ wasn't out of control, her arms and legs were moving in almost slow motion but it was constant. And bizarre.

After a very large dose of sugar being shot into her veins, DJ regained control of her body, the ability to talk and began to giggle uncontrollably. She can walk downstairs with a little help and laughing all the way climbed onto the gurney for our little trip to the hospital. On the way to the hospital DJ's number was 244-way high but easily fixed. The sugar high wore off about the time we reached the ER and about an hour later she had a migraine and did a little vomiting.. DJ's number dropped to 164 with no insulin. 164 is a good number but getting there with no insulin is not good. Eventually her number started rising again, we put on the pump, fed her some breakfast and left the hospital about 11:30.

I called the BFF when we got to the hospital (about 6 a.m.) and she met us promptly, with Starbucks in hand, and sat with us the whole morning. After the ordeal she gave us a ride home and joined us for a fabulous lunch of Little Ceasars pizza. I cannot even tell you how much I appreciate her being there and helping me trying to help DJ.

The rest of the day was spent with DJ eating, sleeping or crying because her head hurt so bad. She finally fell asleep around 8 p.m. for the night. I was scared to fall asleep but finally passed out around midnight, setting my alarm to test her blood sugar every two hours. She had some headaches going on yesterday, but so far so good today.

The point of the story. DJ may never sleep alone.