Nathan was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and Addison’s disease in March of 2010. He was 9 years old. At the time was transported from one hospital to another in critical condition. He had water on the brain, his organs were swollen and shutting down, and the doctors didn’t know what was wrong. They went through many specialists before they discovered he has Addison’s disease. Addison’s disease is life threatening and effects your adrenal gland. He takes steroids 3 times a day and medicine to help his sodium levels. A person with Addison’s disease will never have a day where they feel good like you or I. But some days are better than others. He is often exhausted. When his body is stressed he can become very sick and spiral into critical condition quickly. It also affects his blood sugar.
While we were still in the hospital learning how to care for a son with Addison’s, the doctors realized Nathan also had Type 1 Diabetes. This is not a happy combination. Addison’s disease will drop his blood sugar levels unexpectedly and quickly. This causes Nathan to become unresponsive, have seizures, and puts his life at risk. It is also hard for Nathan to stabilize his blood levels. When Nathan’s body is stressed or sick I triple his steroid medication. This helps to stabilize his Addison’s but will cause his blood sugar to sky rocket. We are constantly trying to find a balance between Nathan’s highs and lows to keep him as healthy as possible.
Because Nathan is so at risk we have tried to build safety nets for him. His school keeps a buddy with him at all times just in case someone needs to run for help. I am often at the school going on field trips or other school activities. The school has been wonderful to him but he still had a major seizure and almost passed away there. I go with him to scouts and church activities. He is not able to go to friends’ houses or be alone at any time. His father and I wake up 2 or 3 times a night to check on him and can still find him low, unresponsive, or having a seizure in the morning. Night times are a big fear for me.
We are hoping to give Nathan a safer life. Nathan has been selected to get a Diabetic Alert Dog from the National Institute for Diabetic Alert Dogs. This dog will be trained on Nathan’s scent to alert him when his blood levels are going high or low. He will go everywhere with Nathan. He will go to school with him, sleep by his bed, and go to church and activities. He will help give Nathan some independence and stability. He will also be a loving companion for Nathan. Be a constant friend. What better way to help my son then give him someone to love. I love my son with all my heart and I know you will love him too as you get to know him.
We are in need of help to raise the money for Nathan’s Diabetic Alert Dog. His dog will cost $18,000 dollars. I know if we all work together that we can raise this money. I am also hoping to raise money to help care for his dog and help us with the mountains of doctor and hospital bill for him. I will keep you posted on how he is doing and how the fundraising is going. Soon we will have a dog assigned to Nathan and then the National Institute for Diabetic Alert Dogs will make the dog a Facebook page. We will get to watch his dog progress though training and watch Nathan and him become united. Thank you for all of your help. With love the Hatch Family
