A New Chapter of Life

Although he was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, 11-year-old Jacob Killian still enjoys his favorite activities while adjusting to his new normal

By Amber Smith Zaliski

Summer of 2022 was a life-changing season for the Killian family. When 10-year-old Jacob was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, the whole family was swept up in a whirlwind of testing and doctors, glucose counts and insulin shots, and worry and fear . . . and even still, gratitude and hope. As they have adapted to this new chapter of life, the Killians agree that through this struggle, their family has grown closer, and their faith has grown stronger.

Jeremy, Melissa, Annabeth (16), and Jacob (now 11) are an active and busy family. Annabeth plays soccer, and Jacob is in a different sport each season. They enjoy worshiping together at First Baptist Church Texarkana, and whenever they can, they love to be at the lake or the beach, camping and spending time together outdoors. 

This was an especially exciting summer for Jacob because he was going to summer camp at Brookhill for the first time, and he had been looking forward to it. “When we picked him up that Saturday, he seemed tired, a little congested – just kind of worn out,” Melissa said. “But after a week at camp, that seemed normal.” As they heard more about camp, Jacob mentioned that he had been thirsty, tired, and even though he was hungry he didn’t feel like he could eat much. One day at camp, he became overheated and threw up, but that was blamed on getting too hot. Melissa made a mental checklist of symptoms and planned to take him in for a checkup the following week. “Once we got home, I noticed that he was super thirsty, went to the bathroom several times that night, and Sunday was not better,” she said. “That night, I was googling everything, mostly trying to convince myself that it wasn’t what I had feared, signs of diabetes.”

By Monday morning, Jacob was really not well.  They got in to see Dr. Clark Green as soon as possible. He agreed that they needed to run some blood tests. “Dr. Green called me early that afternoon and explained that we needed to pack our bags for several days, and we immediately started driving to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock,” Melissa said. Jacob’s blood glucose level was reading over 800, and his A1C was 11.8 – both dangerously high. “They were waiting for us when we got to Children’s, and Jacob immediately got two IVs and spent the next 18 hours in Intensive Care.”

When Jacob was in ICU at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, he received many surprises from friends and family which really brightened his days.

Jacob remembers that day as the worst day. “So many things were going through my mind,” Jacob said. “Mostly I was sad and scared, but I knew I had to start feeling better.” For the next few days, the Killians were educated on the ins and outs of how to manage Type 1 Diabetes. Because Jacob’s pancreas was no longer producing insulin, they would have to supply it themselves. There were fingersticks before each meal and two hours after, as well as at bedtime and 2 a.m. to check Jacob’s blood glucose levels. There were insulin shots after every meal and at bedtime at a rotation of injection sites. They learned how to count carbohydrates for each meal and calculate the insulin dose. Melissa and Jeremy easily recall how overwhelming those first few days were, and wishing they could do anything more than watch. “It was difficult,” Jeremy said. “I’m not one to show a lot of emotion, but there were some rough days in the hospital. One thing that I’ve always been able to come back to, though, even when it feels hard, is that this is something that is manageable. This is something we can learn to deal with.”

This sign was in the Killians’ front yard when Jacob came home from the hospital.  Wonderful friends surprised him with the sign, and two of his other buddies, Anthony Cummings and Tobias Paez, stopped by that day to give him a gift and check on him.

By the end of the week, they were back at home where they continued the intense schedule of fingersticks and shots throughout the day. Jacob was feeling better, and soon he was learning to give himself some of the insulin shots he had to take. “In July, we received a huge blessing and we were able to get a continuous glucose monitor – (first, a Freestyle Libre, then in a few weeks, a Dexcom) – and that took a lot of the pokes away,” Melissa said. “That made it so much easier and faster to check his numbers.” In August, they were able to meet with provider Ashlea Hill at the Diabetes Care Center in Ruston, Louisiana, and another prayer was answered. “This is an amazing facility, and she was so helpful and so caring. With her help, we were able to get an Omnipod Insulin Pump which replaces all of the shots. That has made all the difference in being able to live mostly back to normal.”

Jacob started fifth grade in August with a few adjustments and the addition of Bob. “Bob is my bag that carries all of my gear that I take everywhere with me,” Jacob said. An app on a smartphone connects Jacob’s Dexcom with his Omnipod and gives him and his parents constant feedback on his levels, and there are emergency snacks for lows. “There were a couple times in the beginning when I forgot Bob, but now I remember to always have it with me.” Jacob has also learned how to adjust his diet so that he can feel his best. “I used to drink a lot more sodas, but not anymore. I also get to eat a lot more things like eggs and meat and cheese.” Jacob is back on the field as well – football is his favorite sport to play. He just has to pay more attention to staying hydrated, not overheating or letting his blood sugar get too low. He has become much more aware of how his body is feeling. “I can tell when I’m starting to feel low because it feels like I’m wearing huge, heavy work boots.”

Even though the Killians were friends with the Deals before Jacob’s diagnosis, the families have become even closer now since both Jacob and John Morris have Type 1 Diabetes.  The Deal family has been a constant source of support and encouragement for the Killians.

In the last five months the Killians have continued learning and adapting. “We haven’t been dealing with diabetes for very long,” Melissa said, “and sometimes it’s still hard to accept, but already it feels like a weight has been lifted.” With a little breathing room and time to reflect, Melissa can see signs leading up to that Monday, June 13, diagnosis that only make sense in hindsight. “I really wish I had known, or paid more attention,” she said. “Jacob just wasn’t his normal self – sort of grumpy, more tired than usual. All things we attributed to growth spurts or hormones. Now it all makes sense.”

Jacob has always enjoyed nature and hiking.  Here, he serves as the “leader of the trail” while visiting Beavers Bend in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, with his family.  His Dexcom (continuous glucose monitor) is on his left arm, and the Omnipod (insulin pump) is on his right. Both of these devices allow him to be more active and feel his best.

While Type 1 Diabetes is a physical condition, the Killians agree that it has been a mental and emotional journey, as well. “Looking back, even in our worst moments, it’s easy to see God’s hand on us through each part of this journey,” Melissa said. “We have been so blessed with caring medical staff, technology to make this easier, lifesaving medication, and we have had so many people reach out to help us. I know Jacob has felt so loved. We all have.” Jeremy agrees that there is much to be thankful for. “I really think this experience has brought us closer together, and Melissa and I have become a stronger team,” he said. “We’ve learned how we can balance each other, and help each other. I’m grateful for that.”

Throughout Jacob’s diagnosis, his big sister, Annabeth, has been a source of encouragement and likes to find ways to make him laugh.  Here, they are playing around on the beach at Navarre, Florida, this past summer.

November is National Diabetes Awareness month. “We have been so grateful to other families that have been down this road. They have been so helpful and encouraging,” Melissa said. “If our story can help others, I hope we are able to pay it forward.”

As the shock of Jacob’s Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis has faded, the Killian family is looking forward to a new season, a new year. “Jacob is a determined, compassionate and strong-willed kid,” his parents agreed. “We’ve been impressed watching him adjust and become more responsible.” Jacob still enjoys all of his favorite activities – sports, Playstation, swimming, riding bikes, being with friends. “The biggest thing I’ve learned is don’t let diabetes control you. You can control it and still do all of the things that you love,” he said. 

In times of struggle the Killians remain faithful. “I’ve always loved Proverbs 3:5-6,” Melissa said, “but I think it holds a deeper meaning for all of us now.” Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.