The Coury Family

We are the Coury family, just your average West Michigan family, Mom, Dad, three boys, and a dog.  We never dreamed that we would be parents of 2 diabetic children.  But now diabetes is so much a part of who we are and what we do; it is hard to remember life before diabetes, and a bit embarrassing to admit how little we knew about it. 

Everything appeared normal in our world on April 1, 1998.  Spencer was 5, finishing up Young 5's at our local preschool.  He was looking forward to kindergarten as well as being a big brother again at the end of the month.  Gabriel was 4, loving his first year at preschool with all his new friends.  He wasn't so sure about being a big brother, it meant a lot of changes for him; he rather liked his routine.  So we didn't think much about him asking for more to drink and eating less.  We thought he just wanted to have control of something in his world, but then he started not looking so good. 

On the second of April, 1998 our world changed completely, all Gabe would do was drink, and then the vomiting started.  The doctor sent us to the hospital with a diagnosis of diabetes.  We had absolutely no idea what that meant for Gabriel or our family.  He was rushed up to the ICU; we were shocked to find out that he was such a sick little boy.  His blood sugar dropped dramatically just from re-hydrating with the IV.   The next day they started insulin and we began to learn how to take care of his diabetes.  What a lot there was to keep track of, testing, shots, snacks, (and all on time), mixing insulin, counting carbs, it was overwhelming to say the least. 

We felt pressure to get used to this routine quickly, a new baby was just around the corner.  Somehow, I think Nicholas knew we needed a couple of extra weeks, and accommodated us by arriving 2 weeks late, exactly 1 month after Gabriel's diagnosis. 

It was a crazy first year, giving insulin and food on time, feeding a baby every couple of hours, and finally getting Nick on a schedule, we didn't have time for much else.  We all felt a great sense of accomplishment, and relief, when Gabe had his first anniversary of diagnosis and Nicholas turned one.  Things were just beginning to even out, when it seemed that Nick was waking up soaking wet.  It just couldn't be, there wasn't any diabetes in either of our families, we couldn't have another diabetic. 

A simple prick of a toe on August 18, 1999 proved us wrong.  Nicholas at 15 months also had diabetes.  Everyone felt completely devastated, except for Gabe.  He shouted "All Right!!!"  It took a while for us to realize that he was glad he wasn't alone anymore.  Someone else was going to be pricking their finger and taking shots right along side of him.  No long hospital visits for Nick, we knew the drill.  The day after his diagnosis, he received the best gift anyone has ever given him.  At the doctor's office they gave him Rufus the bear with diabetes.  Nick quickly shortened his name to just Bear.  Nick and Bear were inseparable.  Bear is loved more than any stuffed friend I have ever known; you can see all that love today in his thinning fur and noseless face.

We started the boys on insulin pumps in 2001.  Gabe, in first grade, wasn't so sure about making the change.  He was sold, when after his pump start, we took him to lunch and the carb restrictions were gone, he could have anything he wanted.  He was sure that "this must be what it feels like to not have diabetes".   On the way back to school he saw a rainbow in the sky and was certain that God was happy that he had a pump and could take better care of his diabetes.  Nicholas started on the pump just a few months later.  It was an enormous relief not to have to beg him to eat and to be constantly fighting lows.  Nick had gotten into a terrible habit of not eating meals, knowing that Mom and Dad would be giving him juice and gummy candies so he wouldn't go low.   It was the greatest day when we could finally say, no dinner?  No problem, we will see you at breakfast. 

We began to get involved with JDRF, first as a family walk team, the Poke-Me-Mom team.  It was, and continues to be, the boy's favorite day; the one day when having diabetes is ok.  They have always been strengthened by the support of everyone that turns out to walk for a cure for their diabetes.  Our biggest highlight was when the boys were selected to participate in Children's Congress 2003.  It was an absolutely amazing, wonderful, empowering week for the boys.  They realized that they, even as young children, don't have to sit and wait, they can be their own advocates and help find a cure.  We were shocked the first time our shy quiet Gabe said he would like to speak at an event.  Gabe and Nick have talked with groups large and small including school assemblies and Gala 2004.  They have embraced whatever comes their way and continue to find ways for our family to be involved with JDRF.

And here we are in 2006, Spencer and Gabriel are both in middle school, I can't believe we have two middle schoolers!  Spencer is always willing to do anything he can to help his brothers with their diabetes, whether it be raise money for our walk team by going door to door in our neighborhood, or simply be there to hold a hand at site change time.  He is grateful that he doesn't have diabetes, and recently participated in TrialNet to see what his risk is.  Gabe is nearing his 8^th anniversary with diabetes.  He loves playing basketball, he plays in the school band, loves watching the Pistons, he takes lessons on his electric guitar and did I mention basketball?  Nick is in second grade, it is hard to believe he's had diabetes for over 6 years.  He is a happy, busy seven year old, and can work his pump like a pro.  He likes football and anything his brothers do, and does a great job keeping up with them.  Bear is getting old.  We figured that bears age about 10 years for every human year, which makes him about 65.  He is showing his age and happy to get out less but is never far away and still glad when he can make Nick smile and feel better when he is low or just having a bad day. 

Having two of our boys diagnosed with diabetes has certainly changed all of our lives.  They have had many experiences, opportunities and lessons that they wouldn't have had without diabetes, and we are grateful for those.  Yet, we are anxious for the day when we can set pumps and meters aside and move forward in our lives with diabetes as just a memory.

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