Feeling Thankful!! :)

I found this great quote today. I love it! I am reminded of last year's open enrollment at work. Our insurance coverage changed a lot, and not for the better sadly. I remember spending a lot of time on my knees. I knew there was no way I would be able to buy insulin and supplies with our new large deductible and coinsurance percentages. I was so stressed. My A1C jumped from 6.5 to 7.7 during those months. Stress is horrible on blood sugars. And frankly, not knowing if you will have the medication and supplies necessary for your very survival, well stress just doesn't cut it! 

I prayed so hard for Heavenly Father to help us find some way. I asked, made phone calls, looked online, and read just about anything I could get my hands on about saving money on insulin and supplies.

Then the miracles started to pour in. I talked to my doctor at my 7.7 A1C appointment, and he's been giving me insulin samples since that day. He's been so kind and generous about it. He asked me if there were any other worries that would make my numbers jump so much, and I told him it was all insurance worries. He was eager to help me figure out my options and he's helped me save substantial amounts of money.

Then later on, I had two friends who had loved ones pass away. It was extremely sad and my heart broke for them. It happened that their loved ones who had passed were both type 2 diabetics. Both of my friends thought of me and gave me the remaining supplies and insulin left behind. I spent a great deal of time on my knees thanking God for his loving hand and the miracles my family was seeing right in front of us. Though the circumstances were heartbreaking, both my friends said their loved ones would be glad to see these items go to those who needed them. With those supplies and insulin, I have also had enough to share with 5 families who were in need. 

My mom, who is a Type 2, sent me out some test strips from her storage that she wasn't going to use. She's done that twice now. It is funny when you get excited about a care package from home that contains test strips...ha!

I was recently in contact with another person who had no use for a bunch of insulin pen needles. I think they were starting on a pump and just didn't need them anymore. Today, 6 boxes of them arrived in the mail.

Lately, all my insulin has been in vials so I have been going through more syringes than I used to. I was wondering a couple of weeks ago how to be strategic about planning and making what I have stretch as long as possible. I was on Facebook the other day, and I found a woman in one of the T1D groups who posted that she was getting rid of a bunch of syringes. She's giving me several boxes of them! I almost cried! And even better, there will be enough of those for me to share too. 

And with God's goodness in all these miracles, I have been still able to afford to buy my own test strips. Not a lot of them, but just enough for my needs. 

I can relate to the above quote so well because of all those times I prayed for help to just have sufficient for my needs. Sometimes I couldn't find words. It was hard to trust and rely on my faith. It was such a hard time. But I am a firm believer that after we do all we can do, God does the rest. He did this for me all of this year and more. These experiences have taught me so much about the power of sincere prayer. 

(When I got my 10 year survivor medal, 10 years late, but better late than never!)

I have this trial called T1D. It isn't going away. But He hasn't left me alone in it! I'm not left comfortless! 

I just wanted to post this because I pray it will give someone else hope, especially as the insurance industry continues to worsen. There is hope, and there are people who will help you! And you ALWAYS have your Heavenly Father! 

Goodnight sweethearts!