A Thanksgiving scare turns into a Christmas gift

Away from school and friends, Jeslyn Ford, finds herself in a hospital. This 6th grader, an avid drawer and one who holds a soft spot for animals, continues to fight a battle that appeared around Thanksgiving.
This fall, Jeslyn was getting sick multiple times at school. After consulting medical care, her mother was told to watch Jeslyn closely and that the illness would more than likely pass.
Then on Thanksgiving, Jes was very sick. She did not participate in the Thanksgiving meal and laid in bed, speaking only so often.
“I found her laying on her side, her mouth was dry. And she was just moaning. She was not responding, wasn’t talking,” mom, Amy Ford said.
Amy called 9-1-1, and the paramedic asked if Jes was diabetic.
“And I was like, she’s never been tested for it. It’s never been talked about,” Amy said.
The paramedic tested Jeslyn’s blood sugar. Her levels were more than 3 times the normal levels at 530.
She was in severe Diabetic Ketoacidosis, and she was toxic. Over the next weekend, she went into renal failure and was rushed to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis.
Had Amy waited any longer, Jeslyn may not have made it.
As Jeslyn and her family learned more about DKA and how to monitor her diabetes, her school and friends showed their support.
As of December 17th, 2024, Jeslyn was released from the Children’s Hospital.
While the Fords and Jeslyn recover and adjust, they have been spreading the word about Type 1 diabetes, and how, as Amy put it, “even though somebody says that, you know, you’re fine, make sure to go and get it looked at a second time because you really may not be fine.”
The Ford family will get their Christmas wish this year as everyone, including Jeslyn, were home for the holidays.