Intro

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I am a new member, my name is Rev. Annie Atkinson, from SW Missouri; my 13

year old son has Juvenile Diabetes, diagnosed a year and a half ago. I

almost lost him. This group helps alot, as do the other couple I am on. I

would so much rather have it put on me than him. But, life handed to us so

we have to deal with it, day by day. I must say, even the position I am in,

it has tested my faith, greatly. But that is a whole different deal, this

is an intro... anyway, my son is blessed to have a great doctor from

Columbia U of MO, he is wonderful, and he really really cares and is really

into his patients. I've never seen a doctor like him. I wish he did

everything in the medical field because I sure would go to him!!! His name

is Dr. Goldstein, if anyone from MO has a child that goes to him, please

write me!! I sure could use someone to talk to, I don't have the support at

home, which makes it difficult. My husband has type II diabetes, and thinks

he must be the center of attention, when he is an adult, older than me, and

thinks I have to take care of him too. Well, anyway it is a very difficult

situation.

I also have a daughter who kind of gets lost in the midst of things because

of all the illness and problems. I try my best to not let that happen, but

it does. I have a good deal of guilt about that. I should mention that my

husband is their stepfather. So, that is a touchy subject to begin with.

Anyway, I work (try) very hard to allow my son to live the most normal life

possible with diabetic discipline to keep himself healthy, and he does a

very good job at it. I watch him do his testing and do his insulin (he is

on 70/30 2xperday) and I sincerely admire him as being such a brave young

man. But I would take it from him and have it put on me in an instant.

This hit me really hard as he was always a very healthy kid, and ate better

nutritionally than most kids on his own. He is very smart, thank goodness;

I homeschool him (have for years) and had him tested last year and he tested

at college levels in English, Math, and Science. Not bad for a 7th grader!

So I am blessed.

I don't want to lose him. That is my own greatest fear, and I hate for him

to have to live his life with this disease. We pray every night for God to

work through the scientists for a cure,and then some.

Our life is on a horse and cattle ranch here in Missouri, it is hot, and

yucky now. We are a Christian family. Ranch life is our life, or at least

mine and my kids; we do all the work. Hay season is over, so that is done.

One stressor out of my life!! BTW, as for me, I have epilepsy and MS. Now

we have quite the family medical list don't we. My doctor (neurologist)

preaches to me, to " keep the stress out of my life, it will kill me... " and

I say... " YEAH RIGHT " . Can't be done, or at least I haven't found a way.

Any suggestions??

Well, you got to read more than you probably ever wanted to. I look forward

to being on the list, and learning and learning and learning.

God bless you all,

Rev. Ann Atkinson

Patriot Ranch

Fair Play, MO