November Thirteenth

 

On November thirteenth

Two thousand six

I took my child to see the doctor

I thought she was just sick.

 

Blood was taken for a test

I never asked, “why?”

Within minutes I was told,

“Your child’s glucose level is too high.”

 

“You must go to the main hospital

Quickly, for tests.

Take these referrals with you

And I wish you the best.”

 

I drove to the emergency room

With the referrals on my lap.

Smiled at my daughter through the rearview mirror

She was bobbing her head and eating a snack.

 

The radio was playing

And I had no idea what lie ahead

Endocrinologists, nutritionists

And a one-week stay in the hospital bed.

 

When handed a syringe I asked,

“How long will this last?”

The nurse replied sorrowfully,

“This isn’t something that will pass.”

 

Insulin injections and finger pricks

Would become a part of everyday life.

Hyperglycemia, Hypoglycemia

Mood swings and strife.

 

All this fell upon my little girl

Within one night.

Four years old with a “boo-boo”

That Mommy can’t make right.

 

I can’t take it away

Or even take her place,

And I can’t explain the way it felt

Seeing tears on her face

 

As she cried, “No more needles Mommy

No more after this,”

And I had to be strong and tell her,

“I know it hurts but its what’s best.”

 

On November thirteenth I was told,

“Your child has Diabetes Type One.”

But there are some great organizations out there

And a lot of research is being done.

 

We are not the only family going through this.

There are many, many more

And we’re all taking it one day at a time

All hoping for a cure.

 

A cure to take away the needles

And the tubing and finger pricks.

A cure to free us of ketones

When our children are sick.

 

In one class a parent told me,

Not to think of this as a curse.

At least its just Diabetes

It could have been much worse.

Reviews

[BEEGE]

Wow!
I dont know what to say to this one.
It was extremely well written. It allows us to have
an idea of what dealing with this issue is like though if we
dont have the first hand experience.
Nice

[SassySays]

there is hope...always.....I have type 2....but I cannot imagine being a child and having to go through such terrible things...I loved this write....so sad...and so endearing

[jmt8921]

Perfect...

[Andromeda]

wow. ok, i too have type one diabetes. i was diagnosed w/ it when i was seven and i am now 17. this sounds completely like what i went through, only from a parent's perspective. never forget to remind your daughter that she is not alone w/ this and give her a hug for me.
thanks for your amazing poem,
Kim

[T. R. Writer]

This is a very sweet poem. Very straight foward and informative. Almost too sweet to be sad. But at least it is just diabetes, and nothing worse like I was afraid of in the beginning. I'm glad you wrote this.

[Ms. Unheard Voice]

I like this poem alot and I can relate because I have type 2 which is a little different but yet similar but I'm on meds but several people in my family take the insulin shot religously everyday. Much respect to the poem and to your little girls pain. Great job and keep up the good write's!!

[d]

Straight - no chaser...i like the flow of this and how you described the details of what had to be an awful day with immense clarity...great stuff...good luck with your book:-)

[Goodbyeguilt]

This f*****g rocks, at last a sensible poem with no dink birds singing or bees buzzing.
This is a very difficult topic to tackle, you have captured the pain, significance and trauma attached to this most difficult of conditions. The flow is absolutely perfect, it was broken up nicely with both fact and feeling kept up throughout the piece.
Absolutely marvellous, I wish you and your daughter only the best.

Thanks for the read, it rocks uuber time.

GBG - Leah

[Being.john.sweet~The Ev..]

our children our pain our love, peace to you~john

[David Veele]

diabetes sucks. I've been working with a doctor and an alchemist round here and mine is reversing. No insulin injections for me. The body has amazing healing potential so don't ever let doctors tell you what is or isn't possible. You convey a parents heart break as only a mother could. I didn't even look at your profile this just has a maternal feel. My only critisims are that you listing here "Endocrinologists, classes, nutritionists" broke your rhythm. that and you typed review when i believe you wanted rearview. thank for sharing
peace