A Wagga boy is showing all the fighting qualities of a true warrior as he recovers from a serious health scare.
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Parents Kellie Trew and Russ Lang were shocked when their four-year-old boy, Hudson, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last month.
Ms Trew said it was a "very scary time" for the family as their "quirky, adventurous and loud" son's health suddenly declined.
"For about six weeks leading up to Hudson's diagnosis, he was extremely thirsty, visited the toilet more frequently, lost a lot of weight and his breath started smelling oddly sweet," she said.
"The day before his hospital admission Hudson had a really high heart rate, laboured breathing, dizziness, fatigue and eventually was going in and out of consciousness."
Hudson was taken to Wagga Base Hospital for treatment and immediately given a blood glucose test, which returned an extremely high reading.
"So we were whisked away to have further blood work done," Ms Trew said.
"The test showed Hudson was in severe diabetic ketoacidosis and was diagnosed at the age of four with type 1 diabetes."
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Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when a person's blood sugar is very high and acidic substances called ketones build up to dangerous levels in the body.
"All of the staff were amazing but due to how severe his condition was Hudson was helicoptered with NETS (Newborn and paediatric Emergency Transport Service) to the intensive care unit at Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick," Ms Trew said.
"They restored Hudson's levels to a safe range and educated Hudson on type 1 diabetes, which was very difficult for a rowdy four-year-old to comprehend.
"Once Hudson was stable we were transferred back to Wagga to continue his medical treatment and education.
"This is where we were informed of the life-changing devices used to mainstream diabetic patients with minimal invasion and trauma."
Initially Hudson had to endure a painful regimen of finger-prick blood tests and insulin injections each day. However, he has now been fitted with a continual glucose monitor (CGM) and will eventually utilise an insulin pump.
Russ and I are in complete disbelief of the overwhelmingly generous donations.
- Kelly Trew
The pump comes with a hefty price tag though, and Ms Trew and Mr Lang have needed to fundraise in order to afford it.
"Even though the CGM is government-funded, the insulin pump is not," Ms Trew said.
"At a price of $8500 and no private health insurance, we struggled to think how we could purchase this pump for Hudson before he starts kindergarten next year. A family friend suggested a GoFundMe page so the people who love Hudson can contribute to his future with type 1 diabetes."
Within 24 hours of the fundraising campaign's launch more than $2000 had been donated. At last count, it had raised more than $6000.
"Russ and I are in complete disbelief of the overwhelmingly generous donations and constant words of encouragement we have received since telling Hudson's story," Ms Trew said.
"We love every single person that is helping Hudson during this difficult and scary time.
"Unfortunately, this is a forever Illness and a lot of things need to change, but, with everyone's support, we will find our new 'normal' with our Type-1 warrior, Hudson."
Ms Trew said she wanted to share Hudson's story in order to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis.
"Knowing the signs could save a life and often we as parents accept these signs as normal behaviour for young children," she said.
Symptoms include extreme thirst, frequent urination, drowsiness, vision changes, increased appetite, weight loss, sweet-smelling breath and heavy and laboured breathing.
Managing Hudson's condition will require adherence to a strict low carb diet and an insulin routine.
"Once we receive the generously donated funds for his pump we can place the order and have a pump fitted to Hudson," Ms Trew said.
"This pump will sit under the skin of Hudson's tummy and we administer insulin automatically throughout the day, as well as corrective doses without constant painful injections."
Donations can be made at https://gofund.me/d3a6c0d9.
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