The Beautiful Way Type 1 Diabetes Introduced Me to My Daughter

Not many people with Type 1 diabetes can say their pancreas brought them a daughter. But without my diabetes diagnosis, we would never have found each other.

My husband Justin and I decided to pursue adoption as the avenue to start our family. So, five years ago we traveled to Uganda to finish the process of adopting our son, Oliver. We assumed we’d live in Uganda for three months while Ollie’s adoption and visa was completed. But as his adoption dragged on longer than we’d anticipated, I started to feel weak and tired. I started drinking two gallons of water a day, losing weight and became too fatigued to even go to Ollie’s crib and pick him up when he cried.

I was told I had parasites, a common diagnosis in Uganda, and that I just needed to give it time — I was sure to feel better soon. But my symptoms just kept getting worse. I decided to go back home alone to San Diego, so I could see my doctor. Eventually I told my mom I needed to go to the emergency room. At that point, I could hardly see, couldn’t understand the questions the receptionist in the ER was asking me, and soon fell into a coma. Justin rushed home from Uganda to be with me.

When I woke up 24 hours later, the doctors informed me I had Type 1 diabetes. The entire time I felt sick, I was experiencing the symptoms of dangerously high blood sugar, not parasites. I was shocked. I was 26 years old and didn’t know anyone else who had diabetes or even the difference between Type 1 and Type 2. As I began learning about my new diagnosis, how to check my blood sugar levels and how to give myself insulin, Justin returned to Uganda to continue working on Ollie’s adoption. With Justin on the other side of the world, the burden of managing diabetes was greatly reduced when my doctor recommended using a Dexcom System. When I started using the Dexcom System, it was the G5 but I have since upgraded to the G6. The Dexcom G6 uses a small, wearable sensor and transmitter to continuously measure and send glucose levels wirelessly to a smart device* or receiver, giving me real-time glucose data without the need to prick my finger.† The system also offers customizable alerts and alarms to help avoid dangerous low and high blood sugar events and a function that allows me to share my glucose data in real time with up to 10 followers.‡ Even all the way from Uganda, Justin could remotely keep an eye on my glucose levels and help me as I learned to manage my diabetes.

Two months after my diagnosis, we got a call from a friend in Uganda that still gives me chills when I think about it. She said she had just come across a 6-year-old girl named Zola who was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and needed a foster family. My heart stopped. Everything that had happened over the last few months that felt so confusing suddenly came together and made sense. I knew with every fiber of my being that this girl was my daughter.

I went back to Uganda to be with Ollie, Justin and Zola, who also forever became a part of our family through adoption. While we waited for Zola’s paperwork to be completed over the next nine months, I developed a system of hand signals and Lusoga-English flashcards to teach Zola about diabetes and how to read her own Dexcom G6. Since the Dexcom CGM displays a graph that shows if your blood glucose is low or high, I drew a similar graph on a large piece of paper, and marked the “goal.” I’d show Zola where her blood glucose was at on the chart, and if she was low, we’d point down toward the ground and put our fingers to our lips and say, “switi,” the Lusoga word for candy. If she was high, we’d point to our arms to signal “poke,” indicating the need for an insulin shot. To symbolize the CGM arrows that show the direction your blood sugar is heading, we’d use our arms. One hand pointing to the ceiling meant you’re going up, two hands meant you’re going up really fast. Putting your hand close to the ground meant you’re really low.

Teaching a 6-year-old who spoke no English how to manage her diabetes was daunting, but CGM technology broke the language barrier. It helped her learn diabetes before she learned English. It allowed her to understand what diabetes is and how it relates to her body, in a way that made her feel empowered rather than fearful.

Today, Zola is a happy 11-year-old who loves to cook, garden, play soccer, and go to the beach. She is the most resilient child I’ve ever met and tells me she thinks it’s “cool” we both have diabetes. Ollie even says sometimes he wishes he could have Zola’s diabetes — so he could eat her candy! I’ve found so much strength in having to model for Zola what I wanted her to believe in herself. Knowing Zola watches my every single move, I want to be mindful of how she sees diabetes in me. I want to show her you can be brave, resilient and strong, even with this disease. Still, it often feels like she’s the one who gives me strength. I’m in awe of how she adapted not only to diabetes, but to her new life and family in San Diego, too. What started out painful and confusing has turned into a huge purpose for both of us.

I never thought I would say this when I first learned I have Type 1 diabetes, but everything I’ve been through has been worth it — because it brought Zola into my life. As difficult as diabetes can be, I think it’s beautiful that my daughter and I can walk through this journey together.

To learn more about the Dexcom G6 and how it can help you track your glucose levels, visit Dexcom.com.

*For a list of compatible devices, visit www.Dexcom.com/compatibility

†Fingersticks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.

‡Separate Follow App required