Denise Membreno

Denise writes about the people and places of Smith Mountain Lake in "Shorelines," published bi-weekly.

Recent columns

• Why shopping locally makes business sense
• Moneta farmer is part of the 'clean' food revolution
• Where the cup is as enjoyable as the coffee
• Moneta Fire Department in dire need of help, funds

Melinda Vieira had a gut feeling something was not right. Her youngest son, Jayden, was not gaining weight and seemed to have a rapid heart rate. The family pediatrician told Vieira that Jayden, then 6, was just an active, growing boy.

Still that gut feeling persisted and Vieira watched as her active son became lethargic and began to experience headaches.

"It was the very first week of school and he kept going to the bathroom all the time," remembered Vieira. "Our school nurse, who is also a diabetic, recognized the signs and told us we should get him checked."

Vieira called the doctor and told him what was happening and of her suspicions.

"He told me to make an appointment Monday morning. I said, 'are you sure? I think he has diabetes. He has all the symptoms.' We didn't even make it through the weekend. We had to go to the emergency room."

That was 10 days after his annual check-up.

Melinda and husband Antonio took Jayden to the hospital when he began vomiting and complaining of a headache. The Vieiras told emergency room doctors that Jayden had all the symptoms of diabetes, but it took hours for them to test for the disease.

"They X-rayed his chest and head because they thought he had a head injury," explained Vieira. "I kept telling them I thought he had diabetes. Finally five hours later, I think to appease me, they tested him."

The finger-prick blood test revealed Jayden's blood sugar level was 568. According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International Web site, normal levels are between 70 and 100mg/dl before eating. After eating, the level can rise 30 to 60mg/dl. No matter when blood is tested, the JDRF said a level close to or above 200mg/dl should be viewed as abnormal. Jayden was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.

Juvenile diabetes, or type 1 diabetes, can occur at any age. It most often is diagnosed from infancy to the late 30s. In type 1 diabetes, a person's pancreas produces little or no insulin. The cause is not known, but researchers believe the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

People with type 1 diabetes must inject insulin several times every day or use an insulin pump, which moderates the body's insulin levels by delivering small doses of insulin throughout the day. It is a life-long illness and at this time there is no cure.

The diagnosis was devastating to the Vieiras, who own and operate Vieira's Restaurant at Indian Point Marina. Melinda and Antonio have two other sons: Madisyn, 13 and Elijah, 10. During the past year, family members and friends have had to be quick studies on how to regulate blood-sugar levels.

Vieira did a lot of research on the Internet.

"I had to learn a lot," she said. "I had a lot of friends and family to educate because [Jayden] can't just go over to a friend's house without them being educated."

All of the Vieira boys play sports. When Jayden plays, a family member has to be on hand to help him regulate his blood sugar.

"We've worked out sign language so he can tell me what is happening without the whole world knowing what is going on," said Vieira. "Last spring he was playing soccer and he signed to me his blood sugar was low. He could barely run. He came over and got some crackers and juice. He was fine and went back out there."

Vieira said prayer has helped her cope with the diagnosis. She also found participating in the Walk to Cure Diabetes in Roanoke on Sept. 26 an inspiration. She organized an eight-member team called "Jayden's Jaywalkers." The team raised nearly $700 for the JDRF.

"It was amazing to see how many people are affected by this disease. There were a couple of children in strollers that had diabetes. When your child is being diagnosed you feel they're the only one. The walk showed me how many people there are living with diabetes and the support that is out there."

Recently Jayden was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid, which Vieira said often goes hand-in-hand with juvenile diabetes. Keeping both the diabetes and thyroid regulated will help Jayden gain weight.

Vieira also is making her way through insurance red tape to get Jayden outfitted with an insulin pump.

"He is excited to get one because he's seen how it has helped other people. It will improve his quality of life, but the insurance company says we have to meet our $5,000 deductible before it will help pay."

The insulin pump costs about $6,000.

Vieira said the lessons she has learned during the last 13 months are to trust your gut and be relentless.

"Get a second opinion and persist on what your gut tells you," she added.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: www.jdrf.org

Vieira's Restaurant: www.vieiras-restaurant.com