Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Perspective

Today's been one of those days where I get down about R2's T1D. I was in tears not too long ago, as happens from time to time, from trying to wade through insurance and costs and meter comparisons to try to decide if it's worth it to change meters to get our provider's "preferred" device or not, and then the inevitable rabbit hole of thinking that this is for the rest of his life. Then I stopped myself for a moment and realized that while it is stressful, he is taken care of. We don't have to worry about being able to get him insulin when he needs it. He gets to wear this device that automatically tests his glucose levels every five minutes. He has a meter he carries around with him and can test his levels whenever he wants (or needs) to. Then my dryer's alarm went off, and I have these machines in my home that wash and dry our clothes, towels, sheets, etc for me. Not to mention that I get to stay home to take care of R2 when he's not at the school the government provides him with teachers and health clerks and staff I can trust without doubt. I've been thinking it may be time to look for a job, but that's so we can buy a home in this neighborhood where we really like living, not to put food on the table or pay for his medicine. Life with T1D is hard. But we live somewhere with really good health care and have insurance to help pay for it, even if it's complicated and there's a lot of paperwork and stuff (the need for system reform is a different matter). He survived his diagnosis and now can live a normal life and do everything the other kids around him do without (much) worry. Sometimes, a little perspective is just what the doctor ordered.