Victoria's Story
In March 2019, during a family trip to Disney World, Victoria’s parents noticed that she had excessive thirst, urination, fatigue, low energy, and that she had lost weight. Several days into the trip, in the middle of the night, Victoria’s parents had a gut feeling that something was seriously wrong. They woke their family and began the drive home at 4am.
They went straight to Victoria’s pediatrician, who diagnosed her with Type 1 diabetes and sent her to the hospital -- specifically to Duke, which was not the hospital with which the pediatrician was affiliated, but Victoria’s parents wanted only the best care.
Duke was expecting Victoria and so they admitted her immediately -- the family learned that had they delayed by even a day, Victoria would have entered a diabetic coma.
Victoria spent several days inpatient, being treated and learning about Type 1 diabetes and her new reality. The family is grateful for everyone who cared for Victoria during this time, in particular Lisa Rasbach, the nurse practitioner for Duke Children’s diabetes program, who remains Victoria’s primary diabetes caregiver and who has been with the family for every step of their journey. Victoria also has fond memories of a visit with a therapy dog, who helped provide warmth and normalcy during a difficult period of change.
While inpatient, the hospital noticed that Victoria's EKGs were abnormal -- though Victoria was discharged, she was given an appointment with cardiology. She met with Dr. Andrew Landstrom who diagnosed her with Wolff Parkinson White, a rare heart condition that causes an irregular or abnormally fast heartbeat. Victoria needed an ablation, and that resolved her issues. She was discharged from cardiology after two years.
There is no cure for Type 1 diabetes, and Victoria will manage this condition her entire life. She is still seen regularly at Duke Children's and is growing into a Type 1 Diabetes advocate, teaching others and speaking in support of kids like her. Thanks to her experience, Victoria wants to be a pediatric endocrinologist nurse practitioner, and follow in the steps of her friend and caregiver, Lisa Rasbach.
When Victoria was admitted for her diabetes, I remember the smile and reassuring words Lisa Rasbach gave us when she taught us how to care for Victoria’s disease. I also remember that they brought a St. Bernard named Bongo to Victoria’s room so she could love on it. Her favorite animals are dogs and this was therapeutic for her.