On Christmas Vacation, when families should be enjoying time together, playing games, and building snowmen, the Libby household is dealing with unavoidable separation due to significant and complicated medical situations, stress, fear, and uncertainty. The family is exhausted and focused entirely on each other and getting through this difficult time.

Sarah and Dana thought Joshua had a bad cold, the same one Nathan had had a few weeks ago, but on the 26th, it quickly became apparent it was something more. What should have been a quick trip to urgent care for a prescription became a trip to the ER in Waterivlle, when he couldn’t respond to simple questions, follow directions, or walk. He was there long enough to be diagnosed with Influenza A and “something more” before being sent by ambulance to MaineMeds PICU. At MaineMed, they found that diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition, was secondary to influenza A and that Joshua had Type 1 diabetes. For the past 3 days, Joshua has been in the PICU while the doctors and nurses try to get his blood sugars and electrolytes stabilized and get him to eat and drink. This evening, he was moved out of the ICU to a regular pediatric room due to more stable blood sugars. While this is a positive step, this is a life-changing condition that will require lifelong care, patient and family education, and medical support. For Joshua to be released he needs to have stable blood sugar levels and be able to eat, drink, and use the bathroom. He also needs two adult caregivers to receive education and be able to draw and give the correct insulin dosage.

This final part was complicated by the fact that the first night Joshua spent in the PICU, Dana was taken by a nurse to the ER in a wheelchair, because he was struggling to breathe. Dana was diagnosed with Influenza A as well, which was complicated by the fact that he had not yet healed from his recent surgery. The treatment he received in the ER helped, and he went home to get his own medical equipment, hoping to stay in Joshua’s room with him the next night. While Sarah stayed in Portland with Joshua, Dana went home to sleep, pick up his equipment, and get some things for Sarah and Joshua, since they hadn’t planned for Joshua to be admitted. Dana’s brother ended up taking Dana to the ER in Waterville due to increased difficulty breathing due to his current respiratory anatomy, state of healing from previous surgery, and Influenza A. After hours of uncertainty, Sarah felt helpless with her husband stuck in Waterville and unable to speak, and her and her son in Portland. Dana was rushed by ambulance back to MaineMed and admitted into the adult ICU - on the opposite side of the hospital from Joshua - in a medically induced coma so he can benefit from suction and ventilation. His own respiratory system doesn’t have to work; it can rest while doctors determine how to proceed.

Meg has since gone to Portland to stay with Joshua, so he is never alone, and Sarah can go between Dana and Joshua. She can also serve as the second adult for “caregiver” training so at some point Joshua can be discharged. Sarah is doing everything she can to keep her family together while not being able to have any of her boys in the same spot. With little sleep and much stress, she is learning how to care for Joshua while advocating for Dana, who can not speak for himself. Nathan, while sniffly, is healthy and hanging out at Meg’s house with family.

The family hasn’t asked for anything but prayers and continued support caring for Nathan, but the emotional, physical, and financial strain is immense.

This GoFundMe page has been created to help ease some of the burden of mounting medical bills, ICU stays, travel expenses, missed time from work, meals, and the ongoing costs that will come with Joshua’s new Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis. Any donation, prayer, or thought is appreciated. Thank you for surrounding them with love, support, and compassion at this challenging time.