A Timeline For Kaitlyn's Journey

Kaitlyn's story began after Andrew was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on January 25, 2008.  She was the only one of the kids at that time to volunteer for Trialnet's Natural History Study.  She was so excited to be a part of real science and to have the opportunity to help doctors learn about type 1 diabetes and move us closer to a cure.  Since then, the other boys have all volunteered and are all negative for autoantibodies.  I thought a timeline might be interesting, but I've struggled with the formatting.  I hope you can read it okay!

 

• January 25, 2008 Andrew’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis

• February 18, 2008 Kaitlyn volunteers for Trialnet Natural History Study

• April, 2008 We learn that Kaitlyn is positive for 3 antibodies: GAD65, ICA512, and ICA

• June, 2008 Kaitlyn takes her first oral glucose tolerance test (ogtt) and is tested for the protective gene. She does not have the protective gene, but her ogtt is normal and A1c is 4.8.

• December, 2008 Kaitlyn has her first impaired glucose tolerance test. She finished with a two hour reading of BG 164.

• June, 2009 Normal ogtt. 120 minutes BG 131.

• December, 2009 Impaired glucose tolerance. 120 minute BG is 174.

• June, 2010 First time I asked for readings and realized she had impaired glucose tolerance. She went over 200 for the first time and ended at 194! 

• July, 2010 We add Vitamin D to her daily multivitamins.

• December, 2010 Better ogtt - Final BG 141

• June, 2011 Final BG 134. Under 140 is normal, but since her blood sugar climbed to 208 at one hour, it is classified as indeterminate rather than normal.

• November, 2011 Kaitlyn has a minor toenail surgery, which doesn’t heal well. It infects on Thanksgiving and continues to give her problems for the coming months.

• December, 2011 Final BG 257, which is definitely diabetes. Since she has no symptoms, the test has to be repeated to confirm. Her A1c is 5.0, the highest it has ever been, but still normal.

• Late December, 2011 I talk with the doctor and we decide to watch her and not return for a repeat ogtt until Andrew’s next appointment. We begin random after meal checks and occasional fasting BGs to keep her safe.

• In addition to the Vitamin D, Kaitlyn begins taking DHA and Glucocare.

• January, 2012 Final toenail surgery and confirmed bacterial infection.

• March 1, 2012 Ogtt. Final lab reading 200. A1c back down to her normal 4.8. Results didn’t come in until Monday.

• March 5, 2012 Official diagnosis day when the second lab reading 200 or over came in. So close!

 

Kaitlyn's Official Diagnosis - 3/5/2012

Kaitlyn was officially diagnosed with type 1 diabetes today.  Her ogtt came in at exactly 200.  Her A1c is back down to 4.8 though, which makes me feel better.  Maybe the supplements are helping prolong the honeymoon.  I asked to be sent the antibody numbers too when the labs come in.

She won't go on insulin yet.  We just need to take a couple fasting blood sugars and a couple after meal (high carb ones) per week.  She has taken a fasting BG every day for the last week, so in some ways we're backing off.

Kaitlyn is doing okay.  She's had a few good cries and has texted her friends.  It's good to know that she has friends at school and church supporting her too.

Andrew has had a really hard time with diabetes and sports lately.  I'm too tired to tell the stories from the weekend.  Yesterday really scared me.  I really hate the idea of Kaitlyn fighting this battle too.  Today was another step in that direction, but the reality is that she isn't fighting the same fight, at least not yet.  Please pray that this honeymoon stage lasts a really long time!  And please pray that the Lord comforts her though this stage.  She is an amazing young lady!

Maybe Not!

I expected it to be clear cut, but it is possible she passed!  Her fasting was 82.  I asked for a meter number at 90 minutes and two hours.  90 minutes BG 180.  2 hours BG 185.  Still going up - bad sign.  Under 200 - good sign.  I asked to check our meter to see if it's just reading high.  201.  Everything depends on the lab readings, so we will have to wait and see. We should hear Monday.

Thank you so much for your prayers!  We can feel them!