Olivia's Story

Help Support a cure. Help our daughter. Support
our Team "Schemansky Family - Pumping Pistons"
with this link:

http:/walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=86448838

or look me up individually (Diana Schemansky) at www.JDRF.org under Walk to
Cure Diabetes -support a walker.

As many of you already know, our second daughter, Olivia, was diagnosed with
Type 1 (Juvenile) diabetes on June 21, 2004 at the mere age of 20 months. It was the
scariest night of our lives when we had to call 911 for our near comatose baby. She
was so sick because her blood sugar level was high and her body could not produce
insulin to pass the sugar onto her cells for energy. Because of this, her body began to
break down muscle and fat stores to use for energy. This process literally releases
toxins into the bloodstream and the body systems begin to shut down. She was barely
able to sit up alone, was extremely lethargic, and struggling to breathe - making
grunting sounds with each breath. We were taken by ambulance to the nearest
hospital to get her "stabilized" as her condition was so grim. Within hours, we were
transferred by ambulance to St. Louis Children's Hospital where Olivia spent the first
two days in intensive care with an I.V. insulin drip and fluids. During that time, she
had to have her tiny little fingers (on her left hand only as the right was wrapped up
to protect IV lines) lanced every 30 minutes - yes, I said every 30 minutes - to have
her blood sugar level checked. The doctor told us that her condition was grave when
she was admitted and had we put her to bed that night, she may not have survived
through the night and surely would have been in a coma by morning. Within 36 hours
of her hospital admission, our heads still spinning, we found ourselves sitting in a
classroom with a diabetic educator learning how to plan a meal by counting
carbohydrate grams, prick fingers to check blood sugar levels, and giving ourselves
saline injections to learn how to give Olivia her insulin, and to understand (at least a
little bit) what she will experience. Not long after, we were expected to check Olivia's
blood sugar, give her first injection of insulin, order her food tray by "counting
carbs", and keep a log of it all. The nurses were very comforting, but were only there
to supervise. After all, we would be home on our own in just a few short days. I
work in health care and see it all- blood, needles, you name it. It doesn't even phase
me, at work that is. I can't even begin to describe the fear I experienced as a mother
giving that first injection. The thought of giving my own baby shots was
overwhelming and I'll never forget what that nurse told me that night. "Just
remember, every injection you give her, saves her life." As hard as that is to process,
it drives me even more to help find a cure. Insulin is not a cure, it just allows her to
live. I don't think my hands have ever trembled so much as I pierced her skin with
that needle - but, we made it through and here we are today to share Olivia's story.....

Today, Olivia is a thriving 3 (almost 4!) year old wonder. She is the bravest person
I've EVER known. That being said does not mean life is easy for her. She will always
have diabetes and will always need insulin, until a cure is found. For the first 8
months following her diagnosis, Olivia endured 5-7 insulin injections EVERY DAY in
addition to 10-12 finger sticks to check her blood sugar levels. On February 7, 2005,
we were blessed when our insurance finally agreed to cover a $6,000.00 insulin
pump. She still has her blood sugar finger sticks 8-10 times daily and has a much
larger needle injection every 2-3 days to change her "inset site". The site is much like
an I.V. only it is injected into fatty tissue, rather than a vein. That is an injection she
will some day take on responsibility for and until then, mommy and daddy are
humbled to provide. She wears an inset 24/7 connected to tubing running to an insulin
pump. She has named her pump, "Pumpy", and wears it in a special pump pack -
much like a fanny pack. Her pump runs continuously delivering insulin in drips and
we manually give her larger doses via the pump every time she eats or has a high
blood sugar and needs "corrected." Olivia cannot do ANYTHING without first
considering her diabetes. Everything she eats must be weighed and measured to
calculate the number of grams of carbohydrates she will consume. If she doesn't eat
the entire meal, we re-weigh and measure the food and re-calculate everything to
ensure the proper insulin dose. She must have her blood sugar checked by finger
stick immediately upon waking in the morning; before every meal and snack; before,
during ,and after hard play; before naps; after naps; before she goes to bed; before
we go to bed; and anytime we even question her behavior, demeanor, or the
possibility of a low blood sugar. We do not go anywhere (not even a quick trip to the
store) without her "black bag" which carries her blood sugar meter, emergency sugar
sources (such as sugar tablets, juice boxes, etc.), and emergency pump supplies.
Needless to say, we've rarely left her side in the past 2 years and don't even want to
think about the day she begins school. The fear of not being close by to monitor her
diabetes is utterly terrifying. As she ages, she will begin to understand and recognize
when she has a low blood sugar, but right now, it's something only we can see by
her eyes, pallor, and behavior. Sometimes, with excessive activity (playing at the
park, running outside) or a poor appetite, Olivia's blood sugar can drop too low. It is
these instances that can be very serious and she must have a quick acting sugar
source, immediately. We have, at times, had to force sugar into her by rubbing icing
on her gums as low blood sugar can affect rational thinking and behavior. Most of the
time; however, she's happy to eat a couple sugar tablets or drink a juice box. We have
to watch so closely because her tiny body (under 40 pounds) can fluctuate from high
to low blood sugar so quickly.

Every now and then, when we think we've "mastered" Olivia's diabetes (although we
know that will never happen!), and her "numbers" are good, something changes and
we start all over. During these times her insulin doses usually change and it is like
learning her body's response to insulin and food all over again. This means a daily
routine as described above, plus midnight and 3 a.m. blood sugar finger pricks until
everything is stable again. Our last experience with this was just this past July and
lasted 3 weeks. The amazing thing about our daughter is that through all of this, her
spirit is not broken and she does not bat an eye. Literally, she does not even blink
when we prick her finger. She takes her inset shot like a pro and makes sure others
know she has diabetes so they don't give her food without "checking" her. It was
almost adorable that she thought her medical alert bracelet was her diabetes. It wasn't
until just this May, she realized the permanency of this disease. I had gestational
diabetes during my pregnancy with Megan and was also on insulin injections. I only
wish I had her courage. Olivia was thrilled that mommy had diabetes and took shots
like her! After I delivered Megan, my diabetes went away. I can't even say how
broken my heart was the day Olivia asked me if that meant her diabetes was going
away, too. What do you say to a 3 year old child, filled with hope, that her diabetes is
not going to go away and she still has to take her shots? She no longer calls her
bracelet her "diabetes".

Those of you who know me well, know I can be long winded. However, I wanted to
convey a clear picture of a day in Olivia's life with diabetes. We cannot begin to
imagine what she feels being poked all the time; being told, "No, you really can't eat
that right now," and not being able to go places to play with friends without mommy
and daddy close by. She doesn't experience what most of us experienced during
childhood -- eating all the Halloween candy you could stomach, scarfing down
birthday cake and ice cream at a birthday party without a second thought. She can
have those things, but it's always, "Wait, we have to check you and count that first.",
then "Wait, you can't go play quite yet, because you need your insulin first." She
never complains....ever. Olivia comes to one of us every morning bearing her "black
bag" to have her blood sugar checked because that is the normal routine - for her.
I believe she will see a cure in her lifetime, but maybe not in mine. I pray every day
that God will provide a cure for her and all the other children afflicted with this
terrible disease. They are getting closer to finding a cure every day and every
donation counts. Please consider supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation (JDRF) during the Walk To Cure Diabetes. Ironically, our St. Louis walk
is on October 1st this year. That is Olivia's 4th birthday and I cannot think of a better
way to spend our day than in honor of her. There are three ways you can help us
make a difference for Olivia:

1) Make a donation online at http:/walk.jdrf.org/walker.cfm?id=86448838 or log on to
www.JDRF.org and look up Schemansky Family- Pumping Pistons under support a
walker. Derek and I are listed individually. The Walk is in St. Louis, Missouri at
Forest Park Sunday, October 1st.

-or-

You can send a tax deductible donation and contact your friends, family, and
co-workers and ask them to donate as well. We've enclosed a pledge form you can
send back with a check payable to JDRF. We will deliver any donations in Olivia's
honor the day of the walk.

2) Join our walk team! If you want to walk with us, we'd be honored. Register
online at www.JDRF.org and register for the St. Louis walk.

3) If you are not in a position to donate, share this story with your friends and family
and ask them to consider a donation.

Lastly, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to
read "our story" and for supporting our team in our Walk to Cure Diabetes. Our letter
is about Olivia, but we believe knowledge is power and the more people educated
about diabetes and its long term effects, the better.
May God bless you all!

The Schemansky Family

Derek, Diana, Mariah (7), Olivia (3), and Megan (4 months)