Emotions - thoughts, worries, care, memories of her as a little girl, everything runs into a ball when "anyone" hears of a child who has a serious problem.

At first there was overall "oh, my goodness" what can we do, can she ever stay overnight again, how did it happen, how did you find out, HOW CAN WE HELP?

Then the sadness, fright, shock - she could die - she had been our "littlest grandchild" who for the first 4 years of her life we thought would never grow-she was the size of a peanut. Being the grandma who sewed clothes for all of the girls I always had to keep this in mind. However, she had the energy of a high flying circus entertainer and the uncanny ability of an ally cat, and never stopped. She would tire one out watching her, she also had the ability to get my goat. Leading the other grandchildren on and sometimes doing things that she knew would get grandma going. One memory was a Christmas Tree Trimming party where Kari was running around in circles like the Pied Piper from the living room, through the den, kitchen; down the hall, dining room and round and round they went. She even had her Uncle Bobby playing round and round, she'd gotten all the grandchildren going - as they went faster and faster I kept saying; "Okay, that's enough now!"-- And suggested many other games-- but she was the "Pied Piper" and said to me; "ho ho ho - no no no". I finally got hold of her in the hall and said, "you must stop this and so must all the rest of you". And she said "no!" So, being a grandma that wanted to reason with her, I said - "do you want me to spank Uncle Bobby for playing this way with you, as he knows better!" - and she said, "YES YES YES!" Well - I must say, I did win this game and got it to end - but I'll never tell you how I did it - Grandma has her special ways.

But this is just a sample of the affect Kari had on all of us - and how effective she was as a "LEADER" even to her grown up Uncle Bobby.

So hearing of her diagnosis in May of 2002 was such a shock! Grandpa and I took it very hard. And knowing what we did and listening to her daddy, our son Rusty, was even harder - and scarier.

Every year grandpa and grandma Turner go away to volunteer at a Boy Scout camp about 200 miles away. Since Kari was diagnosed in May we were hearing all the "real" scary stuff about this dose and that dose and the constant blood checking etc. And then we went away for 8 weeks.

Needless to say, we made many more phone calls than usual that summer because this worried us, and we wanted to be sure we were up to date on all the other grandchildren as well. Although we tried to keep busy in the woods watching the chipmunks, listening to the birds sing, and watching the baby deer, those babies reminded us of our lovely grandchildren but especially Kari as from hour to hour she could change on the spot!

Well time goes on and parents become more comfortable, but as grandparents when we came home we really didn't know a thing! Kari's dad our son Rusty would come over and ramble on (guess that's why he calls it Rusty's Ramblings) and sometimes we'd even be more afraid and grandpa and I would talk together for hours after he left. We'd console, cry, hug and rationalize and try to understand better by reconstructing everything we'd heard. Possibly we were more worried about Rusty and what he was going through than Kari. Yet, it was really worry about all of the children and grandchildren as Kari's problems were going to affect everyone.

As the weeks progressed after our arrival home, and our school year started we went along with listening about how dosages had to be changed and how well Kari was adjusting to everything and then we'd hear the worry in our son's voice.

Sometimes the ups and downs of the adjustment period have been so hard on us, but we tried to be good listeners and be available whenever Kari's dad needed us.

I'll never forget when Rusty asked if we'd baby-sit Kari and Kristin for a weekend -- before I could blink and say "No I'm too scared" he said he'd write everything out - and always be here for her shots etc. Although, at first, we were worried sick - we did have the girls for many weekends and like daddy said - he brought them here fed and with their snack, wrote out specific instructions and said he'd be here for Kari's shots in the morning.

We had our girls night together with extra long baths and showers, smelling all my perfume and wearing the one they liked best, wet hugs and trying to stay up later - and grandpa had his lap sitting time while smelling these sweet little girls as they ate their snacks. These weekends were the delight of my life and some of my very favorite memories.

This grandma has had some real-life experiences with a sick child as my youngest son Bobby was a severe asthmatic. I also had to administer adrenaline shots. He lived in the hospital, off and on for the first 7 years of his young life and Kari's new found diabetes brought much sympathy from me to her daddy.

It also brought back memories of how I was also constantly trying to make sure my other children had as much attention as Bobby was getting. So I really did understand Rusty's dilemma.

However, due to this prior situation I did feel that if Kari had a crisis or needed a shot when she was with us I could do it as long as I had the proper instructions. (So far I'm glad I haven't had to) but I know I could handle it if need be.

Then there were the first few times we saw Kari go into low sugar - she'd lie on the couch quietly. My heart would be breaking for my Kari -- However, having her quiet and loving and letting me rub her legs and feet with lotion while her dad treated her, made me feel like the most loving grandma in the world.

We know that there are going to be ups and downs with Kari. One was just experienced this Mother's day weekend - however, thank the Lord that so much has been developed and learned about this disease and the advancements that have taken place.

These are only the "beginning" years of Kari's life with diabetes and every week we learn more about it. In the mean time we really try to give all-7 grandchildren quality time.

Another aspect of learning about Kari's diabetes was that my husband, her grandpa, had been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and we'd attended all the classes and gotten the glucose meter etc. In fact, one of Kari's favorite things was to test her blood with grandpa when she was here at our home. Both having to poke holes in their fingers (prior to her new machine) was a "loving" "togetherness thing" that they did, and she absolutely dwelled on doing together. This was "cool" and made those moments so precious to all of us.

It is so wonderful to watch one's children grow and learn and share their dreams. Many think grand parenting is wonderful, and diabetes makes one aware of that. However, I think parenting is wonderful - especially when you've been able to experience what your children have achieved and are achieving every day. As a parent - who has been so fortunate to see 4 children grow, understand, learn, share, and love us - it makes loving our seven grandchildren a very easy task. WOW WHAT A LIFE!

P.S. I didn't spank Uncle Bobby

By Lanie Turner (Kari's grandma)

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Last Modified: September 1, 2006

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