Catching Up: Life, Floods, and Diabetes Chaos

It’s been a lot lately. Between the house flooding, homeschooling, and trying to keep up with everything that comes with type 1 diabetes, I feel like I’m barely keeping my head above water (no pun intended).

But I wanted to share a little catch-up post—some real-life moments that have been both stressful and eye-opening for us lately as we navigate this unpredictable journey with Maybel’s diabetes.

The Flood (Because of Course That Happened)

A few weeks ago, Maybel accidentally left the bathroom sink running, and by the time we caught it, the bathroom and two surrounding rooms were completely flooded. It’s been a mess—and dealing with insurance has been its own full-time job.

We’ve had to pause construction while waiting on approvals, and the house currently looks like a war zone. We’re trying to stay positive and find the humor where we can, but it’s definitely not the ideal time to be forced into new flooring and construction.

The silver lining? When the cleanup crew came, they found black mold that we had no idea was hiding under the flooring. So, we’ve officially decided that Maybel is a hero for uncovering it—unintentional or not!

When Technology Fails You at the Worst Times

As if that weren’t enough chaos, a couple of weeks ago, Maybel joined friends for a community service project at Culver Beach. She worked hard, played hard, and was just being a regular 5-year-old… until her Dexcom completely stopped reading.

We had just put a brand-new one on two days before, and even with her phone nearby, it wouldn’t connect. We tried everything—restarts, re-pairing, standing right next to each other—but nothing. I ended up having to poke her fingers over and over, trying to track her blood sugar the old-fashioned way while she tried not to cry about missing out on playtime.

We finally had to leave early to get a new Dexcom put on. Sure, technically we could have done it at the park, but that comes with people staring, the emotional toll, and a 5-year-old who’s just frustrated and done. It’s not fun for anyone.

Then came another rough day—a hike with friends that started out full of excitement. But within minutes, Maybel had back-to-back low blood sugars, and (of course) her Dexcom quit again. Everyone else hiked along carefree, chatting and enjoying the day while I juggled juice boxes, low alarms, and constant worry.

I don’t begrudge them for it, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t feel envy sometimes—for the families who get to just go on hikes or to the park without all the medical interruptions, the constant calculations, or the emotional rollercoaster that comes with managing a chronic illness. I don't wish this autoimmune disease on anyone.

The Tandem Mobi Rollercoaster

On top of all that, we’ve been in the middle of trying to upgrade Maybel’s insulin pump to the Tandem Mobi, which has been its own kind of chaos.

At first, we thought we’d just go back to her old pump, the Tandem t:slim, while we waited. We asked all the right questions (or so we thought), but unfortunately, we ended up needing to return supplies, which slowed everything down in the process of getting the Mobi.

But—we finally have it now! 🙌 THANK GOODNESS.

Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s been smooth sailing. The phone we currently have isn’t compatible with the Mobi, so now we’re in the middle of trying to get an iPhone. I totally understand that tech companies can’t make their devices compatible with every single phone on the market—but wow, does it still suck when you’re the one stuck in that gap.

We also didn’t get the correct tubing length, so that’s another piece we’re sorting out right now. Thankfully, we’re working with some incredible people who are helping us through all the little bumps.

I have to give a huge shoutout to the reps at Edwards Medical and the Tandem coordinator at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital—they really went above and beyond to speed things up for us. We are so grateful for them and their patience.

Finding Gratitude in the Chaos

Between the flood, the diabetes tech hiccups, and everyday life, it’s been a chaotic stretch. But through it all, we keep finding small moments of gratitude—like the helpers who step in, the technology that usually works, and the community that continues to support us as we keep fundraising for Maybel’s diabetic alert dog.

Life with type 1 diabetes is messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright exhausting—but it’s also filled with resilience, teamwork, and love. And right now, I’m holding on to that.