Hello all,
My 6 year old son was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes last week. The first few days were horrible but we're home now and trying to get back to a regular routine. I look forward to getting to know others and hope to receive lots of tips and information from those of you've been dealing with this for longer.
- Debbie
Welcome!
I'm sure you'll be able to find answers to many of your questions here - I was diagnosed almost two years ago and have found this to be very helpful. Quite a few people on here have many more years of experience than I do, and their knowledge is invaluable - and there are a number of parents of kids with T1 who I'm sure went through similar days to what you have been experiencing. This is a great place to ask questions, vent, and to know that others are going through this too. Glad you're here!
I feel for you and understand what you are going through. My 5 year old daughter was diagnosed last November. The first few months (and still occassionally now) you feel as though you are in a bad dream. It does get to be a "routine". You basically know that you have to do what you are doing. The children amaze me. They are so strong and resilient. My daughter has been MY strength at times!!!! The way she handles the finger pricks and injections....we transitioned to the insulin pump 2 mos ago and that has been WONDERFUL. You do not need to think down the road that far right now. Just know this: you will get on a routine and will accept that this is your family's life now. You will get through this tough time and you will know your SON. You will know what works best for him more so than the doctors. Each type 1 person is different and what works for one, might not work for your son. Trust your instincts and look for support anywhere you can find it. I found this slightly after my daughter was diagnosed and it has been a great tool for info with injections, sick days....alll that stuff. Please don't be afraid to message me! You and your son will get through this!
I was diagnosed when I was 4 and am 38 now. No diabetes complications and I have a healthy (non-diabetic) son of my own, great marriage, and busy job. There are lots of normal, everyday people who have diabetes. Your son will have to do some things differently, but there's no reason he can't have a long and healthy life.
Take care and let us know what questions you may have. I really recommend the Pink Panter Diabetes book published by the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Denver. Here is a link to it and you can also purchase from them or Amazon. It gives a good overview for grandparents, babysitters, etc.
www.ucdenver.edu/.../UnderstandingDiabetes.aspx
I'm also attaching a list of good diabetes books. It's lengthy, so just look it over when things calm down a bit.
www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_06_b00.htm
In another year or two your son will be old enough for diabetes summer camp too. Ask your doctor or go online to find one in your area. Great place for him to have fun and meet other diabetic kids and it will give you a break too.
Take care. -Jenna
Hi Debbie!
Just echoing everyone else’s sentiments. My daughter was 10 when she was diagnosed 16 months ago. In the beginning it was very hard, and scary, and we didn’t think we’ve ever get back to “normal”. But these days Sarah’s life is really back to normal. In fact, she tells me that diabetes has become such a normal routine, that she often goes for long periods of time without really thinking about it. Not that we don’t still have highs and lows (literally), but the rest of the time it’s just part of life and it doesn’t slow her down. And it doesn’t impact her ability to be a kid. This week she’s at art camp with a friend, and taking care of diabetes all by herself – and doing a marvelous job!
Juvenation is a wonderful place for support, and I am also involved in a facebook group just for parents of children with diabetes. Please send me a private message if you would like me to add you. It’s a great resource with parents with tremendous experience (and lots of new parents as well) in all aspects and forms of diabetes care. I know that for me, learning as much as I could about everything diabetes was a huge help in getting me past fear and back to life as usual (mostly).
Take care, it really does get easier.
Michelle
Thanks so much everyone! I appreciate your kind messages. We did get the Pink Panther book in the hospital, 2 actually and it has been helpful. We're trying to get settled in to a new routine but this week has been tricky because my son is in camp (with no nurse on staff) and I have to do his BS check every day at lunch, so I'm spending 3 hours a day in the car and trying to plan for a family vacation in a few days. Hoping to be able to catch my breath in a few weeks!