Whispers of Childhood Diabetes: Wells' Healing Journey

Christmas is a joyful time for many families — filled with laughter around the table, favorite holiday meals, the excitement of gift exchange and the simple pleasure of time together. The break from busy schedules and the magic of the season create moments families remember for years.

For Blair and her family, the holiday began just that way. But, two days after Christmas, everything changed.

A Very Scary Start to the New Year

Her father was suddenly rushed to the hospital with life-threatening meningitis: an ear infection that ruptured, moved into his bloodstream and traveled to his brain. Without warning, the family patriarch, who had been celebrating with them just days before, was now gravely ill — fighting for his life in the neuro intensive care unit (ICU) at WakeMed Raleigh Campus.

As Blair processed the shock of her father’s condition, another reality quickly set in. She and her husband, Sam, relied on her parents for childcare, and with her mother now constantly at her father’s bedside, that support disappeared overnight. The young couple suddenly found themselves scrambling to arrange care for their three children — all while grappling with the fear and uncertainty surrounding her dad’s fight for survival.

Blair reveals, "He was in the hospital for 39 days. It was very scary. He was on a ventilator and unconscious. The doctors and nurses took excellent care of him — and all of us.” 

Gratefully, on January 3, 2026, Blair's dad opened his eyes. While he had a long road to recovery, the care team was hopeful that he would leave the hospital and find his new normal.

Another Wave of Health Scares Strike

Just two days later, on January 5, Blair and her husband implemented their plan for return to school and childcare for their young children. The first day of the new plan went well, until dinner time, when their son, Wells, began to complain that he was thirsty and needed water. 

Blair shares, "He started talking about being thirsty. We noticed the day before he was drinking a lot of water. We thought since we were carrying large bottles of water around with us, he was mimicking that behavior. That night, he shared how at school his teachers didn't give him enough water. He cried when we refused more water at bedtime. We'd decided against it because he'd gotten up a couple times the night prior to use the bathroom. He also wet the bed."

After Wells' continued requests for water, Blair gave him a little more — yet he continued to complain that his mouth was dry. The couple put their other two children, ages two and seven, to bed to focus on five-year old Wells. 

Sam pulled Blair to the side while Wells lie in bed, expressing his concern about their son's sudden, extreme thirst, so Blair asked ChatGPT about his symptoms. The reply was to take him immediately to urgent care for an evaluation. With little time to breathe a sigh of relief for her father's positive turn, a new wave of heath scares hit the couple.

Blair gathered Wells and took him to PM Pediatrics, while Sam stayed home with their two other children. Gratefully, Wells was seen right away. Dr. David Adams and the care team performed a finger prick and took a urine sample to confirm type 1 diabetes.

A Surprise Diagnosis 

His insulin readings came back extremely high, so the pediatrician who was also a community provider with privileges at WakeMed, urged Blair to drive Wells to WakeMed Children's - Emergency Department. 

Blair recalls, "I told Sam what was happening, and he broke down. Enough was enough. We both had two full-time jobs and three young children to care for, not to mention my dad was fighting for his life." 

Overwhelmed, but strong, Blair complied with the doctor's request to head straight to the WakeMed Children's - Emergency Department, and soon after arrival, Wells' received lifesaving insulin, intravenous fluids and lab work. Additional blood work, including exact blood glucose readings and a1c were done. These confirmed Wells had type 1 diabetes.

"Both the doctor at PM Pediatrics and WakeMed Children's - Emergency Department reassured me that while this condition was lifelong, Wells could be the president of the United States. He could be a professional athlete. His condition was manageable, and he could lead a normal life." 

Thanks for WakeMed in the Midst of Crisis

Blair was comforted by their words and care. She realized that despite the seriousness of both her father and son's conditions, she could still be grateful. 

"My dad was being taken care of by my mom, brother and the incredible WakeMed staff, so I could give all my attention to Wells. Plus, my dad had recently awakened, so the worst of his condition I was hopeful was behind us."

Soon, Blair met Wells' pediatric endocrinologist Melissa Carlucci, MD, FAAP. She also began receiving instructional support and a binder of information on how to care for her son with diabetes. Armed with this information, she felt confident that the situation was manageable.

A Huge Life Change for a Very Young Boy

Blair and Wells spent the next three nights at WakeMed Children's Hospital. Through those long nights, Wells slept through many of the finger pricks and insulin shots administered. These helped stabilize him and prepare Blair and Sam to provide his ongoing care at home.

Blair remembers, "He was so pitiful. I was glad he was sleeping through much of it because it was a big change, especially for a five-year-old to go from visiting his pediatrician once or twice a year to being in a hospital getting poked and prodded — all because he was thirsty."

Once discharged from the hospital, the diabetes educators helped the couple understand what symptoms to look out for with high or low blood sugar.

Blair glows, "The diabetes educators were all awesome. Leanna, especially, has been wonderful to work with. I am so thankful that she has been the one to take most of my calls. I remember once I called the diabetes educator line, and she told me she would wait on the phone while I checked Wells’ ketones. The team goes above and beyond, and we could not be more thankful as a newly diagnosed family — still very much trying to figure everything out.”

Additionally, Blair has been comforted by the compassionate WakeMed care team.

"Every single person we met at WakeMed loved their job. It was clear they had found their purpose, and they were so happy living into it. Michelle Davis is a nurse we met for the first time in the emergency department. I think Michelle was the epitome of that. During an overwhelming time, Michelle was kind and steady. She assured us that we were not alone and that WakeMed would be there every step of the way. I think she made the biggest impact on all of us — but especially Wells when she talked about how she spent a lot of time in the hospital when she was little. Before we left the hospital, she stopped by to get Wells set up with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Wells was pumped — no more pricks! Michelle helped Wells remove the intravenous needle and bandage from his arm. Wells was very nervous about it, and Michelle was so kind and patient; she assured him and let him take the lead. Several weeks after discharge Wells told me, 'If I ever get [hospitalized] again, I hope that nurse helps me get that thing off my arm with a wipe. She helped me a lot.'" 

Blair continues to be encouraged by the ongoing care available through WakeMed — via endocrinologist Dr. Carlucci, phone calls to the diabetes educators and MyChart messages.

"We experienced a second emergency visit," says Blair, "this time to WakeMed North Hospital when Wells came to our room in the middle of the night. He was having trouble breathing. It turned out that Wells was getting sick with croup. The wonderful emergency department doctor gave him an oral steroid and told them to be prepared for high sugar reads over the next couple of days — a side effect of the steroids. 

A Return to School. A Return to Life

Wells has also returned to school. Blair and Sam could not be happier with the school's approach and support in regard to Wells’s care.  

Blair shares, “His teacher assistant has learned so much about diabetes. She is his go-to for all things diabetes — insulin at lunch and snack, alarms throughout the day and messages letting us know that Wells is okay. Having a school nurse who is well versed in pediatric diabetes has made the transition so much easier — for everyone. I recognize that this is not every parent’s experience. We are so thankful it is ours.”

Joy Again

Wells, Blair, Sam and the entire family have found joy again. Blair's dad has recovered. Blair was happy to report that, 

“He could not be happier to be back home in his recliner surrounded by his grandchildren. Wells is feeling better and is back to doing activities that he loves — taekwondo and soccer. With his insulin pump — he’s back to being a kid.

Blair reflects that the past year has taught her family how quickly life can change — and how strong a family can become in the face of it. 

“Within a week, we were fighting for my dad’s life and learning how to manage Wells’s diabetes,” she says. “The incredible care we received at WakeMed made all the difference. They didn’t just treat our son — they taught us how to move forward with confidence.” 

The family is focused on what matters most: watching Wells grow, play and thrive. Their hope is that by sharing Wells’s story, other families facing a new diagnosis will know they are not alone — and that with the right support, life with type 1 diabetes can still be full of possibility.

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About Pediatric Diabetes Services

WakeMed Physician Practices – Pediatric Endocrinology provides care for children and adolescents with diabetes from birth to 18 years of age. We provide:

• ADA Standards of Care by an ADA Recognized Program
• Evidence-based diabetes management using intensive insulin therapy
• Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
• Diabetes Case Manager and Counselor
• Translation Services
• Comprehensive Insulin Pump Program
• Continuous Glucose Monitoring
• About WakeMed Pediatric Endocrinology 

WakeMed Children's — Pediatric Endocrinology provides state-of-the-art diagnoses, treatment and management of endocrine problems for children and families throughout Wake County. Visit us at one of our locations in east Raleigh, North Raleigh, Clayton and Apex, NC.

Our board-certified pediatric endocrinologists care for a diverse population of children ranging in age from birth to 18.  Our specialties include treatment of growth, puberty, pituitary, thyroid, intersex, menstrual disorders and many more.

About WakeMed Children's — Emergency Department

Specifically designed to meet the emergency care needs of children, the Children’s Emergency Department was the first freestanding facility of its kind in North Carolina and the only dedicated Children’s Emergency Department in Wake County, caring for thousands of pediatric patients every year.

A non-threatening, comfortable environment with a cheerful atmosphere, bright murals, children’s wall-art and child-sized furnishings. All this and a staff of doctors, nurses and support staff who know how to treat kids like kids, not little adults.

Children’s Emergency Department Features:

• Staffing around the clock with Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physicians
  24-hour support from Wake County's only designated Trauma Center
  Support and access to the doctors and specialists at WakeMed Children’s Hospital, Wake County’s only provider of inpatient care for children
  Child life specialists to ease fears and calm children while they are being treated
• Child-sized medical instruments and equipment
• Private treatment rooms and a child-centered approach to procedures and tests
• iPad, toys and sensory items for diversion and distraction during procedures
• DVDs and DVD players
• X-ray rooms with day-glow scenes when the lights go out