So there is a train of thought that is pretty common in adoption circles: Expect the unexpected. Don't be surprised when things don't work out as planned. You will face obstacles. So we can testify--all true. But sometimes even the most flexible and adaptable families can get punched in the gut.
(Please hear this: what I am about to share I am in no way attributing to our adoption process, but rather realizing it is a reality no matter where we are in life, or what we are doing. I think we are just more acutely aware of it when we are actively pursuing something.)
We are still on track to leave February 24, and all is well with our beautiful new daughter, but a week ago Thursday we received some life-changing news about our oldest, Colin.
Colin was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Talk about about the unexpected.
So if you don't know about Type 1, it is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks itself and destroys the beta cells produced by the pancreas that create insulin. So as of last Thursday, Colin is officially insulin dependent. (If you are interested in learning more Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation-jdrf.org is a great site that has more info than you will ever need).
After a night in the hospital, a day at the endocrinologist's office and a lot of self-directed research we are doing alright. Colin has taken this all in stride, amazingly so. (Much better than his blubbering mother this past week.) We are adjusting to this new life of counting carbs, measuring blood sugar, and injecting insulin.
We are so grateful that this diagnosis was made before we left for China, as crazy as this week has been, experiencing it all in a foreign country might have put this mama over the edge :).
We would appreciate your prayers for our trip, that we become really good Chinese carb guestimaters, and that everyone stays healthy while we are away.
We leave on the 24th, so our next post will be from China! Thanks for supporting us on our journey, that's all for now :).
The Lantzs
