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Ali's mother knew there was
something not quite right with her daughter lately. She
just couldn't put her finger on it. She was trying to
explain this over the phone to the nurse at the Pediatrician's
office. Ali had been so tired since starting first grade.
She had been wetting the bed every night, something that had not
occurred since she was two. "I've been trying to cut
back her liquids at night," explained Ali's mother, "but
she seems to be so thirsty that I finally give in and give her a
drink at bedtime. She literally guzzles that down and wants
more. I'm not sure what to do." The nurse
explained that the next available exam opening was in two weeks.
"Could they come then?" Ali's mother uneasily
agreed to the date and hung up the phone.
The following day, Ali's family
was planning a trip to the local amusement park. "Ali,
are you still eating breakfast? Let's go!" "But
I'm still hungry," Ali shouted back. "Mom,
that's her third bowl of Cheerios and she's gulped about half of
that gallon of milk!" Her big brother Mike was
getting impatient as well. "It's amazing that someone
that skinny can eat that much. Talk about a hollow leg."
Ali's mother looked back at her. She really didn't have an
ounce of fat on her body. "Oh, to be young," she
mused. "I wish I could get away with eating that
much!"
At
the amusement park, Ali made a beeline for the nearest bathroom
after every ride. "She is such a pain!,"
exclaimed Mike. "I bet she's just doing this to annoy
me. We're not going to get to ride on anything."
Ali's mother didn't answer. She was genuinely worried.
She had accompanied Ali each time to the restroom and she knew
Ali was not just trying to be annoying. How could anyone
have to go that much?
The
next day was Sunday. Ali's mom had just woke up from a
well-deserved nap. She had been up three times the night
before changing Ali's sheets. She found her daughter lying
on the couch watching TV. "Why don't you go outside
and play. It's a nice day." " I can't breath very
good, and I feel sick to my stomach," replied Ali. Ali's
mother looked at her in alarm. Her breathing was very rapid
and labored. She looked pale, and so thin. She called
and talked with an emergency room nurse at the local hospital.
After asking a few questions, the nurse recommended bringing Ali
in to be examined.
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