Help us bring Journey June-Bug Home!!!

 

My name is Misty, and I am Justin’s Mom. We need your help to bring Journey home. Here is our story.

August 14, 2017 started like every other morning for Justin. We woke up, made breakfast, got dressed and were heading out the door. Justin looked at me and said his stomach hurt and proceeded to throw up, multiple times.. I thought this was just the stomach flu, and felt comfortable leaving him home with his older brother while I went to work. I called to check on him every half hour and everything continued to sound like a bad stomach flu. Throughout the day he continued to get sicker. I left work, ran to the store, and bought him crackers and 7-up to calm his tummy. When I got home, Justin was breathing funny; a little heavy. I asked if he was ok, and he said he couldn’t catch his breath. So I decided it was time to take him to urgent care. In the time it took me to gather my shoes and purse, Justin began breathing a lot heavier, almost in a panic. He was also in so much pain and he couldn’t form words or complete sentences. Jon and I both tried to get him out of bed to rush him to urgent care, but we couldn’t move him so we called 911. Justin was rushed by ambulance to Memorial Hospital. His blood sugar level was 414 (normal blood sugar levels are 80-120). The emergency room doctors diagnosed him with Type 1 diabetes and informed us that Justin was in full blown diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious condition linked to diabetes. If the body doesn’t have enough insulin to help it process sugars, your body will start burning fat to fuel itself. As a result, acids called ketone bodies build up in the body. Justin was in critical condition and was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). While in the PICU, Justin’s blood sugar spiked at 505 and his pain worsened The PICU doctor explained that Justin was in so much pain because his nerve endings were literally dying and his brain was swelling. Comparing Justin’s condition to others, he described Justin’s ketones and A1C level as “record-breaking.” The doctor said he became diabetic about six to eight weeks prior to being rushed to the hospital and that it was as if his body ran a marathon every day for those six to eight weeks. His body couldn’t take it anymore and was shutting itself down. Justin slept for almost two days straight. Despite Justin’s condition, we remained calm and were a source of strength for Justin. He spent several days in the PICU. He was responding well to treatment, so he was transferred to the Pediatric Acute Care Department. Justin received diabetes and nutrition education and the support needed to prepare us to go home.

Since being diagnosed, Justin has conquered his illness mentally. He decided, while in the hospital, that the reason he became a Type 1 diabetic was so that he can help others. At first, I thought it was a little odd that he felt that way since he had just begun to learn his new lifestyle -- giving himself shots, testing his blood sugar, counting carbs, and adjusting to a whole new way of life. Yet, all Justin continued to think about was helping other people. It is inspiring. He educates people all of the time about Type 1 diabetes. Justin jumped at the opportunity when asked by the Lauren Small Children’s Center to be an ambassador to help educate the community on the great work his hospital is doing every day and why the community should support their local Children’s Miracle Network hospital. He knew this opportunity would help him help others. Justin was always shy before, but now he puts himself out there. He has goals and dreams. One of his bucket list items is to travel to Hawaii. Justin certainly has a full life ahead of him. He is also a handy man! He is always outside with his dad and brother working on different projects from planter boxes to covered patios.

We have always told Justin that we are a team in Type 1 diabetes! I handle the night shift so that he can sleep. I check his blood sugar and correct highs or lows throughout the night so he can sleep as peacefully as possible. 

Since his diagnosis, It has been really hard to give Justin space and independence. His Blood sugar fluctuates very quickly. Justin is learning to drive and is eligible to get his license next month.  He doesn't feel his lows or highs frequently, so I have there to help catch it and help him. I can't always be there though and he is transitioning from child to adult. 

We needed a solution to help Justin with his rapidly fluctuating glucose while away from his parents.  After a lot of research and advice, we decided that it was time to get Justin a service dog. She will help him in so many ways. She could help with diabetes and emotional support from the anxiety and depression that is associated with living with a chronic illness.

Journey is the opportunity for Justin to gain independence. She will wake him up when he is low at night, if she cant, she will get help. We recently had a visit with her, and she is already alerting him to glucose fluctuations. She will be able to signal highs and lows faster than current technology.  She has been in training since February and is almost done!!  Unfortunately, service dogs are not covered by insurance and cost around $18,500 to train. We have raised almost $10,000 and are almost to our goal.   Please consider making a donation so that we can bring his Journey home!

You can follow Justin’s story at https://www.facebook.com/JustinsJourneyandourbattlewithType1Diabetes