Meet Zach.
He's very special to Max.
He's also good friends with Green Bear, Mr. Snake and Duckie.
At night, they keep Max safe. They scare away the monsters.
In general, they do a fine job, but there was one very big monster they couldn't scare away: the D monster.
According to Max, Zach was diagnosed with diabetes, "just like Jack."
"He now gets shots and pokes, and he goes to the diabetes doctor," Max explained to me one recent night.
"Will you poke him in the middle of the night to make sure he's not low or too high, like you do Jack?" Max asked. "I can't do it, because I'm sleeping, but I want to make sure he's okay."
"No worries, sweetie. I'll take care of Zach."
"Thanks, mom. Be sure you use his meter and his strips and his poker, not Jack's."
"Oh, I didn't know he had his own supplies."
"Of course, he has his own supplies. He has diabetes! He needs those things."
"Well then, I'll use his meter, his strips and his poker."
"Thanks. Good night, mommy."
"Good night, Max. Love you!"
"Love you, too!"
I have mixed emotions about diabetes "play." On one hand, I'm relieved to see how well my kids adjust to and accept this "monster" in our lives. But the other part of me is bitter that they even have to know what it's all about.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm glad that Zach is being well taken care of too. :)
That totally made me smile...heartwarming and so sweet! I'm so happy that Zach has you to take care of him ;)
ReplyDeleteAWWW...What is our target range for Zach...????I don't know where stuffed monkeys usually hang in the BG department...lol.
ReplyDeleteSo glad that these kids take it all in stride. Like Danielle said, it is sad that they even know about D enough to incorporate it into their play...but it is healthy that they are comfortable with it and can express themselves that way.
I hope you have a great weekend good friend. Hopefully you aren't too tired from checking Jack and Zach's blood sugars!!!
Love Ya,
R
It's both adorable and heartbreaking at the same time, isn't it? My 2-year-old has such a persistent case of hero worship for his big sister that whenever he sees her getting an insulin shot, he insists on getting one, as well. (We oblige him by putting the cap back on the needle and poking him with it.)
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet boy! What a sweet brother! I love this. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It is sad and sweet. Alexandra does things like that and like Liz's son when it comes to Jonathan. It's amazing how they pick up on it so quickly and it's integrated into their lives.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments!! :)
ReplyDeleteZach's diagnosis was indeed both adorable and heartbreaking. On the one hand, it was sweet. Max loves his brother more than anyone, and he was just emulating what he sees and what he knows.
On the other hand, it was sad. Most four-year-olds don't play diabetes. However, Max was only two when Jack was diagnosed. He doesn't remember life before D, and D is a big part of his life, too...just in a different way. Zach's diagnosis was a reminder of that.
Reyna, I'll have to ask our endo about Zach's target range!!! Max would appreciate that, I'm sure! :)
Awww! I have never seen my kids play diabetes before... I find it interesting that other kids do, and I wonder when/if my kids will.
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What a great mom you are - both Jack AND Zach are in GREAT hands!!