One of the hardest weeks of my life...

As you could tell from my last post, this week has been a tear-filled one. Like I said, Sunday was filled with missing Grandpa, feeling bad for Grandma and wishing I could spend time with her in person because she is one of my best friends in the whole world. We have a relationship that is unexplainable, but it is a very precious one to both of us. After seeing the dead dog too, I was just wanting my animals from home.. :(. Monday was a good day at the Patronato because I was able to speak lots of spanish with the teachers and students. However, when I got back from there I talked to Neal on skype and he told me he went to an opthamologist because he had been struggling with blurry vision that showed up all of a sudden. He had 20/20 vision Friday night and when he went to the opthamologist on Monday, his left eye was 70/20 (or vice versa) and his right eye was 20/200!! The opthamologist said he had never seen anything like that before. The doctor told him it could be because of dehydration or a sugar spike. Neal knew it wasn't dehydration because he had been so thirsty and been drinking water all weekend. So, he was then sent to a doctor to get blood work done and low and behold, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. That came as a complete shock to him, his family, and me. He told me he was very scared about it and that his mom was concerned so that meant I was very scared because I knew nothing about diabetes and he and his mom had grown up around his older brother having diabetes since he was 3 years old. His mom ended up driving up that night to be with him during blood tests on Tuesday and Wednesday.

I was overwhelmed because I am thousands of miles away and the love of my life is going through a huge change and adjustment. I was afraid of being out of the loop and not knowing what his routine was, etc. But, he has been a trooper and has been answering all the questions I have for him as well as trying to do a lot of research myself since I knew nothing about Type 1 other than he now being insulin dependent. Neal and I love having skype especially now because we can see each other, talk, and cry together, which has been happening a lot this week. There are a lot of concerns about health risks in the future as well as the adjustments he will need to make for the rest of his life, but I am especially confident that he will get through this and become a natural thing sooner than later. I am so proud of him and I want nothing more than to support him through anything and everything. This is still an overwhelming time but we are relying on God's provision and strength to get through this.

So this week has been dealing with adjustments Neal is making by checking his blood sugar, eating the right amount of carbs at each meal, and taking insulin. It has been such a joy and relief to watch him check his blood sugar by pricking his finger and watching him give himself shots of insulin. I feel as if I am there with him as I watch him do it. I even asked him if I could give him a shot sometime just because I want to support him and learn how to do it (not that I will need to give it to him) but we'll see if I actually do it since I hate needles!

On top of all these changes Neal and I are going through and discussing, I found out Monday night that my bunny, Oreo, died of old age. I was very upset Monday night when I found out and haven't cried that hard since Grandpa Berg died. He was such a great bunny, I just wish I could have said goodbye to him...I am just so thankful Caryn was there to rock him and keep him warm as he was going. I have also had the most homework this week that I have had since I have been here, so I am so glad it is the weekend!

I know that Oreo is in a better place and not alone. Maybe he is up in heaven hopping around?? I don't know if its true but I'm going to believe it to give me peace of mind. I also know that Neal is adjusting well and that I am learning his routine along with him. Finally, all my homework got done on time! So, now I can just relax and move forward knowing that God truly answers prayers and is there for us when we are full of joy and when we are filled to the brim with sorrow and uncertainty. God is sooo good!

P.S. Sorry this is soooo long! I just want to keep everyone up to date! :)