Our daughter was diagnosed with T1D on January 3, 2017. We had been to the pediatrician earlier in the day, for sore throat and vomiting, where she was diagnosed with strep throat. They sent us home with antibiotics and some anti-nausea meds. A few hours later, she was breathing heavily, so we decided to take her to the ER. We got there, and they took us back immediately. We were back there a while, and then the nurse said something just popped into her head that they needed to check her glucose level. (I fully believe that it was God or her guardian angel speaking to that nurse!) After the first reading, they determined that her glucose was over 500, tested again with another machine, and it was over 700. (Note: I just got her test results back from that visit, and her glucose level was 828.) They immediately began fluids and started a slow insulin drip. It turns out that she was in DKA. They decided that we immediately needed to go to CHOA via helicopter. We got to CHOA maybe 10 minutes later only to be placed in the ER trauma room until a bed opened up in PICU. As she slowly began to come back, she was getting more and more confused. She did not know who most of us were for quite some time until her levels started getting back to normal. She was placed in PICU until late Wednesday night, then we were moved to a room on the Endo floor. She began insulin shots Wednesday night, and her father and I began Diabetes education classes Thursday morning. We were discharged Friday around lunchtime. We have been checking her glucose level before meals, bedtime, and at 2:00am. We have to call in her numbers each night to the hospital doctors. This has been hard and overwhelming, but we have a great support system so far with our friends and family, and people reaching out from all walks of life! We just have to keep the faith, and continue with what we were told!
Hi @AnnasMom0615,
I hope Anna is beginning to feel a little bit better; it will take her a while to recover from severe DKA. Just as important, I do hope and pray that you and her father are also recovering from the extreme stress you must have suffered. Anna will need your caring, your unrestrained love for some time while she recovers her physical strength and probable emotional upset.
It is possible that you and your husband may take longer to recover and I’m urging you to be patient with her and please don’t blame her when numbers are out of range. Her BG readings are just numbers that should be used as a guide for you, and her medical team, to adjust her regimen. There is no such thing as a “BAD” BG reading - unless you believe the meter is malfunctioning.
Yes, that sounds like preaching, but I’m really suggesting that you lean more to the positive reinforcement and emphasize what she can do with her life. During my 60 years learning how to live with diabetes I’ve gone through many, many phases and probably spent too much time blaming myself, and listening to people telling me what I can not do; in reality, I’ve done everything I’ve wanted and I enjoy life.
I’ll thank her Guardian Angel with you and also pray for the alert ER nurse who was there for her and for you - our daughter works ER. Stay in touch and feel free to state your feeling and concerns here at TON, and ask any questions you have. I’m not a medical professional but I’m here to share what I’ve learned - and I’m still learning.
Dennis
Hi Annas mom,
My heart hurts for u. My son was diagnosed almost 5 years ago and I remember I cried non stop … obviously I tried not to when I was near him but I felt my life was turned upside down in which it did in a way but now we found a new normal . I hope she’s feeling better by now … and I’m sure u will do great in taking care of her and teaching her the ins and outs of Type 1…
best wishes for a happy new year!
Hello Anna’s mom,
I just want to reach out to you and give you a big hug! I know first hand the unbelievable feeling of distress you as a mom are going through. (I have two type 1 children). I also want
To ensure you that both you and your daughter will rise above the initial shock and despair and learn the ins and outs of managing her diabetes. You will hear over and over “it does get better/easier” and it does. Make no mistake it is a constant work in progress but you do find your “new normal” and it is OK. You are a member of a new club, one no one wants to be a member of but we are all available to help. Being a member you will never stop helping and fighting to help find a cure for this disease. Personally I do not believe my children are going to be burdened with this all their life but I am thankful that what they are dealing with is a disease that is manageable- don’t be hard on yourselves as you make your way…
Ps
Look into a CGM -continuous glucose monitor - I have found it THE MOST helpful devise in giving me peace of mind.
VDenerson