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November Thirteenth - written by Juanita Harris


On November thirteenth
Two thousand six
I took my child to see the doctor
I thought she was just sick.

Blood was taken for a test
I never asked, "why?"
Within in minutes I was told
"Your child's glucose level is too high."

"You must go to the main hospital
Quickly, for tests
Take these referrals with you
And I wish you the best."

I drove to the emergency room
With the referrals on my lap
Smiled at my daughter through the rear-view mirror
She was bobbing her head & eating a snack.

The radio was playing
And I had no idea what lie ahead
Endocrinologists, nutritionists
And a one-week stay in the hospital bed.

When handed a syringe I asked,
"How long will this last?"
The nurse replied sorrowfully,
"This isn't something that will pass."

Insulin injections and finger pricks
Would become a part of everyday life.
Hyperglycemia, Hypoglycemia
Mood swings and strife.

All this fell upon my little girl
Within one night
Four years old with a "boo-boo"
That Mommy can't make right.

I can't take it away
Or even take her place.
And I can't explain the way it felt
Seeing tears on her face.

As she cried, "No more needles Mommy
No more after this"
And I had to be strong & tell her,
"I know it hurts but its what's best."

On November thirteenth I was told,
"Your child has Diabetes Type One."
But there are some great organizations out there
And a lot of research is being done.

We are not the only family going through this
There are many, many more
And we're all taking it one day at a time
All hoping for a cure.

A cure to take away the needles
And the tubing and finger pricks.
A cure to free us of ketones
When our children are sick.

In one class a parent told me
Not to think of this as a curse
At least its just Diabetes
It could have been much worse.

Written by: Juanita M. Harris
Copyright 2007-All Rights Reserved
Published in RIP-Rejection, Inspiration & Peace
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Comments

  1. TammyJune 29, 2009 at 8:33 AM

    Juanita, I too have a child with Type 1 Diabetes. He was diagnosed on February 5th, 2006 at the tender age of two. As you know, it is an uphill battle, and that diagnosis not only changes their lives, but the entire family. I consider it a privilege to bear this burden with him. Your poem spoke volumes to my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Juanita HarrisJune 29, 2009 at 8:42 AM

    Thank you for your comment. It does change the entire family's way of life. My daughter was four when she was diagnosed.

    Best wishes to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete

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