Living the Life chapter 2

“Alex was at school, just a normal day. She started feeling a little sick. She decided to go to the nurse. She walked down the hall, and then all of a sudden she collapsed. Lucky for her, her school makes them go to the nurse with another person. Her friend started calling for help. Three first grade teachers came running and picked Alex up. They called 9-1-1 and Alex was rushed to the hospital. They called me right away and I sped down the hospital. The doctor looked at her and did some tests and they found out that she had diabetes.” Uncle Tom said in a very solemn voice.
“Oh, Uncle Tom, that’s horrible! Alex I’m so sorry!” Alice stood up and ran around to her cousin. Alice gave Alex a big hug.
“It’s ok Alice. As long as I take the correct amount of insulin and don’t eat too much sugar during the day, I should be fine.”
“But what is diabetes exactly?” Alice asked very concerned about her cousin.
“Diabetes is a disease where the body doesn’t produce or properly use insulin.” Alice said.
“But what’s insulin?” Alice asked.
“Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life.” Alex said. “I have type 1 diabetes.”
“What’s the difference between all the types of diabetes?” Alice asked, quite confused at this point.
“Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed to children and young adults, another name for it is juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t produce insulin.”
“Oh, well…is there a way to cure diabetes?” Alice said almost in tears.
“The only way that I could be “cured” is if I got a transplant. But I would have to take serious risks for that. I would have to take powerful drugs for the rest of my life. The drugs would suppress the immune system so my body won’t reject the new thing in me.”
“Is there a chance that you could ever die?” Alice asked in tears.
“Yes,” Alex said tears starting to run down her face “but the chance is small.”