My Daughters T1D and Anxiety/Depression

Parents
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Hi! My name is Kim and I have decided to join typeonenation because I need to connect with parents of children with T1D. I did not feel I needed that connection until now. I, of course, was wrong. Let me start by telling you the day my daughter was diagnosed.

I remember the day like it was yesterday, perhaps because the way we found out was traumatic. My daughter was diagnosed on Friday, October 7, 2011 at the age of 10. The date is one I will never forget.

She had been sick with the “flu” the entire week, or what I thought was the flu. The only thing that was strange was that she did not present with a fever. So, all week I pumped her with fluids to flush out whatever was making her sick. I did not know at that time that, by doing that, I was raising her sugar to dangerous levels.

I was awoken in the wee hours of that Friday morning, with her slurring her speech and unable to walk. I knew immediately that it was NOT the flu. We rushed her to the ER where they tested her sugar - which wouldn’t register on their machines - and she was diagnosed as a diabetic. They had said that, had I waited any longer, she would have slipped into a diabetic coma. When they could get a number for her sugar, it showed 914.

I was horrified. Not only by the fact that she could have slipped into a coma, but by the fact I did not recognize the signs. My family has a history of T2D and I have been around it my entire life. Needless to say, I blamed myself.

I pleaded with God to not take my only girl, and did it through a poem:

I Should Have Known

She lay there sleeping
So quiet and weak
I should have known
By the speed of the beat

The signs were there
Only thoughts of the flu
The doctors reassure me
It was nothing I knew

A deal with God I have made
To bring back my baby
From where she now lays
In a state, a sort of shell
To relieve my torture, this personal hell

…will remain unfinished, my prayers were answered

I no longer blame myself, but when she is struggling with her diabetes, the pain returns. I would gladly take it on, if I could.

It has been 7 years, 3 weeks, and 4 days. Most days are good for her, but recently, it has been a struggle because her anxiety and depression take hold and her diabetic care suffers.

I feel defeated and helpless and that is why I have sought out parental support on here.

Thank you for listening,
Kim
Mom of a T1D

1 Like
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Kim, thanks for sharing. I’m not a parent of a T1D child, but figured I’d tell a bit of my family’s story anyway since it seems relevant. My younger sister was diagnosed at age 9, and I was diagnosed 3 weeks later. I know you said you don’t blame yourself anymore, and I’m relieved to hear it.

Before my sister’s diagnosis, my dad took her to our GP, who said she had the flu. He was instructed to take her home and give her Gatorade to keep her hydrated. Less than a week later, she was brought to the ER by my concerned parents- still no sign of an improving condition. Guess what? The ER doctor gave my father the same instructions. It wasn’t until her second ER visit that someone finally tested her blood sugar and took her to UC Davis via helicopter, where she was finally diagnosed.

Our family is also familiar with type 2, but none of us would have ever thought diabetes was the culprit. Even after the whirlwind of learning about her new diagnosis, we still were unsuspecting when I started showing (different) symptoms just a few weeks later. It was a rough summer.

As far as the anxiety and depression goes, I’ll just send good wishes your way. Take it day by day, I still deal with those problems myself on a regular basis. A sense of community helps me to cope during rough times. Eventually, your daughter will find what works for her. I’ve found that regular gym visits work wonders for my mental stability. Just remind her (and yourself!) Of the upside… I’ll bet you are both much more aware of nutrition than you might otherwise have been. My most positive spin is to tell people that T1D builds character. I certainly believe that! Good luck to you both.

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@bakerk2010 hi Kim! welcome to the type one nation forum.

the wisest lady I ever met replied to me when I said something along those lines… she said “never should on yourself” it’s a funny play on words but it means a lot too.

another told me that “counting” makes us long for the way it was yesterday… but since yesterday is gone, and tomorrow isn’t here yet, all we got is now… and it’s a gift, so it’s called “the present”.

I believe that life is a series of crappy days and great years. and mystical or not, that things happen for a reason even if the reason is to teach me something, or for me to be a lesson to someone else.

go easier on yourself. t1 is a malfunction of the autoimmune system it does not correlate to family, or diet, or activity levels. there isn’t anything you could have done. I’ve had to deal with this 40 years and I am not dead, so I consider what I’ve done a smashing success.

please reach out anytime you need help or need to scream we are here for you.

Joe

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Kimberly, thank you for sharing your experience. My daughter was diagnosed on October 7th as well but just two years ago. I remember every moment of that day. I took my daughter to the doctors in July because we took her to a water park and upon arrival she almost collapsed to the ground. She became pale and weak and had to be carried around. After giving her a peanut butter and fluff sandwich she was like a completely different person!! The next day when we took her to her pediatrician, she stated that she had a virus and to keep her hydrated and let them know if anything changed. Over the next couple months I started to notice her drinking much more and when she started getting up in the middle of the night several times to go to the bathroom I knew something was not right. I took her back to the pediatrician and they did a urine test and found ketones in her urine and her blood was 600. She was immediately sent to the hospital and diagnosed with T1D. Two years later she has been diagnosed with anxiety and ADHD. I wish the same as you, that I could take it away from her and hold the burden myself. Each day seems to be just as hard as the day before, but I am thankful that T1D is manageable and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. Please reach out if you need anything!
Marybeth