Type 1 diabetes doesn't stop Bixby senior from graduating—with a little help from her nurses

A Bixby High School senior almost missed her graduation because she ended up in the hospital two days before, but her nurses were able to pull some strings.

After the ceremony, she had to go back to the hospital and was welcomed back with a sweet surprise.

A life-changing diagnosis at the worst time

No one expects to get type 1 diabetes, especially not two days before your high school graduation, but that's exactly what happened to Addy White.

She says she lost 15 pounds in one month and was feeling tired, so she went to the emergency room on Monday.

"They were like, 'How long have you known you've had type one diabetes?' I'm like, 'I just found out. You guys just told me,'" said Addy. 

Addy was hospitalized for the next few days, and doctors told her she probably wasn't going to make graduation.

"Really, just kind of broke my heart a little bit," said Brody Allen, Addy's nurse. 

An answered prayer

Brody Allen was one of Addy's nurses, and he pushed her doctor to allow her to go to graduation.

During the ceremony, doctors monitored Addy's levels from a patch on her arm that connects to their phones.

She says getting the green light to graduate with her classmates was an answered prayer.

The extra mile

When Addy left for graduation, she was sent off with nurses in the hallway clapping for her, and returned to her hospital room decorated with gifts.

"It didn't even feel like I was sick. I just, I don't know, it was really special. And walking, I was trying not to cry, because it was so nice. It was just a special feeling. I'll definitely always remember that," said White

Time to celebrate 

Addy is soaking up all of the excitement for her celebration because she didn't think she would get to have one.

When she left for graduation, she was sent off with nurses clapping for her, and returned to her hospital room decorated with gifts.

Watching Addy accept a new diagnosis, graduate from high school, and get home to her graduation party was confirmation for Brody.

"A lot of what we see can just be upsetting and kind of get you down, but to have such a positive experience, to be able to be a part of that for someone again, is just a reminder of why we were called to do this," he said. 

What's next for Addy White?

Addy is moving on to the University of Arkansas to study business.