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Sleepless Nights

Writer's picture: Marla FMarla F

The night began like any other, with my 12-year-old son climbing into bed after a day filled with school and activities. However, as the parent of a child with type 1 diabetes, there’s an unshakeable tension that turns an ordinary evening into a potential disaster zone. This night was no exception. Before I could settle in for some much-needed rest, I knew the gamble our family was taking with his blood sugar levels.


I hoped for a peaceful night, but by morning, I would once again transform into a sleep-deprived shell of my former self—all thanks to persistent Dexcom alarms signaling a blood sugar crisis.


The First Alarm


At 1 AM, the first alarm cut through my dreams like a knife. I stumbled into my son’s room, bleary-eyed with fatigue and worry. His continuous glucose monitor was chirping through my phone, waking me every five minutes with alarming blood sugar readings. At that hour, his levels were hovering around 275 mg/dL, well above the normal range of 70 to 140 mg/dL. My heart sank.


I checked his insulin pump settings immediately. Had there been a problem with the infusion site? I could feel anxiety creeping in as I gently woke him from a deep slumber, letting him know we needed to enter a correction dose in the pump.


The Battle Against Time


My son, barely awake, nodded as we adjusted his insulin settings. This routine had become second nature to me over the last several months. Still, the uncertainty gnawed at my gut. Would we succeed? Would his blood sugar begin to drop?


Unfortunately, instead of seeing improvement, his glucose levels stuck stubbornly at 275 mg/dL. The alarms continued their relentless clamor every five minutes, as if taunting us with our lack of control. Imagine being trapped in a time loop of urgent sounds with no resolution in sight.


A Parent's Dilemma


At around 3:30 AM, the alarms screamed relentlessly, fracturing the stillness of the house. It was clear we had exhausted the options with his pump. A manual injection of insulin would be our last resort to balance out his high levels.


Standing over him, I faced the dilemma of whether to wake him again. He’d need to get up for school in only a few hours, and I could tell he was already restless from the interruptions. Ultimately, I decided to act. I quickly administered the injection; hopeful it would reduce his blood sugar levels before dawn.


Getting him to switch his infusion site while barely conscious proved to be a real test of patience and resilience. After what felt like an eternity, we succeeded in changing the site, and I felt both relief and exhaustion wash over me.


Moments of Reflection


As I fell back into bed, I couldn't shake the knot of anxiety in my stomach. My phone continued to ping every five minutes, and with each update, my heart raced. Would this correction work? Would my son wake up with a safe blood sugar level?


During the long hours of waiting, my thoughts drifted. Being a parent to a child with type 1 diabetes feels like walking a tightrope—it’s a mix of beautiful moments and overwhelming challenges. Nights like this serve as stark reminders of our journey.


Lying there, I reflected on valuable lessons that accompany this experience: the essence of patience, a love that knows no limits, and the balancing act of hope and fear. We have learned to adapt and improvise amid the chaos of diabetes management, yet the emotional toll can be draining.


Finding Strength in Community


In our reality, the nights can feel endlessly long, and alarms may feel unending. But I find comfort in knowing I am not alone. There are countless other parents walking this same difficult path.


Connecting with other parents of children with type 1 diabetes has been invaluable. We share stories, strategies, and advice for managing blood sugar levels. For example, one parent shared a technique that reduced their child's nighttime highs by 30% by adjusting the timing of insulin doses. These exchanges remind me that we are not navigating this journey in isolation.


During those dark nights, when understanding seems scarce, reaching out to others who share similar experiences is comforting. Together, we form a community built on empathy, resource sharing, and learning from one another.


Embracing the Morning


When the sun finally broke over the horizon, I felt exhausted but relieved. Thankfully, my son's blood sugar had stabilized to a manageable level of around 125 mg/dL, and he managed to catch some sleep despite the earlier disruptions. As we readied ourselves for the day ahead, I couldn't help but appreciate our shared resilience through such an exhausting ordeal.


Indeed, parenting children with type 1 diabetes is tough, marked by sleepless nights like this one. But through the challenges, we cultivate strength and adaptability.


Close-up view of a glucose meter with blood glucose readings on the screen
Glucose meter during nighttime checks for type 1 diabetes management.

Anticipating the Future


Reflecting on the sleepless night I experienced as a parent to a child with type 1 diabetes, I remind myself to embrace both the love and the challenges of this journey. Life is about learning to manage both the literal highs and lows of blood sugar levels, as well as the broader ups and downs we all face.


Yes, it can be exhausting—marked by constant alarms, insulin adjustments, and a constant fear of the unknown. However, with community support and unwavering love, we can persevere together. This journey is expansive, but with each challenge we conquer, we grow stronger.


Tonight, I hope for another quiet night. But if the universe throws challenges my way, I'm ready, equipped with knowledge, experience, and a parent’s resolve. Together, we will tackle this journey with courage and hope.

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