I need help facing reality with a new diagnosis?

Question

My brother, who just turned 9 on Saturday, was just diagnosed with Juvenille Diabetes a few days ago. He seems to be doing okay, but I am completely overwhelmed with everything. I am hoping maybe someone could justify my emotions or help me cope with this and give suggestions about how we can get through this with the least difficulty.

Answer 1

i know people who have it and it is not that bad if you do what your docter says

Answer 2

All of the answers given to you have been great advice. By taking control of his diabetes your brother can live a long happy and funfilled life. Do as much research on diabetes as you can. Talk with others who have it. Join support groups with your brother and family. But this next one will be a true god send to your brother at his age...search online for a diabetes camp in your state or surrounding states. Most states have one. This camp will give your brother a week of freedom and teach him how to take care and manage his diabetes. My son attended a diabetes camp from ages 7-15 and he is now a counselor for the same diabetes camp that he attended while he was growing up. It was one of the best experiences he had in his childhood. I suggest that your brother join one of these camps. I wish your brother and your entire family the best of luck as diabetes does affect the entire family.

Answer 3

My youngest son was diagnosed just before his 11th birthday. He's now almost 18- healthy and strong and very positive about his life. He likes to say that he has diabetes- it doesn't have him. It can be very overwhelming when first faced with the day-to-day reality of shots and figuring out carbs, but it's so much simpler now- even just a few years since his diagnosis. When he first started, we had to combine 2 kinds of insulin in the syringe for each shot and then 3 years ago he started Lantus, which hadn't been tried on children. He did really well on it, and it reduced a lot of the stress. I've had a hard time as he's gotten older, trying to let him handle it himself- being his mom- I want to make it easier on him, but what relatives have to remember is that this is their disease, not yours, and they have to learn to deal with it and live their lives as best they can. My son marched in band all through Jr. High and High School and right now he's on a cross-country trip with the Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corp. He has never let diabetes stop him from doing anything he wants to do and your brother should feel the same way. The only thing it limits him from doing is being in the service (not so bad) and driving professionally or being a pilot. The advances in diabetes treatment are some of the best results of the sudden increase in type 2 diabetes in adults. We can all hope for some kind of "cure" or permanent treatment in the future that will eliminate the need for injections. I'm hoping for an insulin patch or a pump implanted under the skin which automatically releases insulin into the system. Be brave for him, because what he needs now is for the adults and other relatives around him to be supportive and strong. The worst thing I saw when my son was in the hospital after his diagnosis was the mother of his roommate breaking down and sobbing in front of the boy. I was appalled at her selfishness and lack of self-control. That poor boy must've felt like he couldn't ever feel bad about his condition because his poor mother couldn't handle it. I know that because of my son's condition we have a much closer relationship than I had with his 3 older brothers and we communicate much better. He usually knows best when it comes to figuring out his dosage. This is where your brother will be in a few years. Here's one tip that I wish someone had told me years ago. When your brother needs to test his blood sugar try to use the term "check" not "test" and that way it feels less like something he may fail. Your concern for him is touching and reminds me of my other 3 boys when their baby brother was first home from the hospital and he sat down and they all stared at him and he said "I just have diabetes- I'll live" and that's what we all have to do. Live with it and enjoy your lives.

Answer 4

I think the fact that you are upset by this just shows what a caring sister you are.

You have been given lots of good advice so far.

I have diabetes and wear an insulin pump. My best advice to offer is to say that knowledge is power. The more you know, the better you can help him, and the better control he will have. And he will need a lot of help at first.

Sometimes testing your bs or injecting with an empty syringe just to see what he is going through and to show him what you are willing to do to support him will help.

What he is going through now is scary, but family support will make it less scary.

Childrenwithdiabetes.com is a great website.

Answer 5

I think your reaction is perfectly normal. You love your brother so any kind of serious ailment would naturally make you afraid because the first place we go to when something like this happens is wondering if that person is going to get really sick and die. That is what I had to cope with when my daughter was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. I was terrified and so were her brother and sister.

What really helped me was to talk to other people with the disease and to research and read as much as I could online about it. You should talk to someone knowledgeable about juvenile diabetes and learn all you can about it. It will help you not to be overwhelmed and scared and be able to encourage and help your brother as well. If you're scared and overwhelmed he probably is too and probably going through feelings of "why me?" He will need all the support you can give him. So my advice is to educate yourself about his condition and then be there for him.

Answer 6

My cousin has had diabetes since he was three he is now 28 and lives a normal life has a baby boy and just watches his diet and takes his insulin after his glucose monitoring.. he said if it wasn't for the good care he got from his doctor, nurses and dietician he probably would of been worried..we are praying for your brother and hope all go's well. just research mayohealth.com good luck!!! [e-mail]

Answer 7

There is great medication out there for Diabetes now, my father in law has it, he checks his blood every day. I also had a dog who died from Diabetes a few years ago.

The hardest thing for my father in law was the change fo lifestyle. He wasn't allowed to eat certain foods, and that was the hardest for him. But everyone in the house stuck by him, everyone started eating healthier, and he still felt normal and happy!

Just remember, you're family, you should stand by each other, you are there to help your brother, guide him, show him the way.

Answer 8

Your brother still has many, many, many, many, many normal years ahead of him. By that time you two will figure out how to deal with it. Don't make it a big problem to yourself, he may notice and feel worse. And within that many, many, many, many, many, many years they will probably figure out good ways to deal with or cure the disease. Set an example for him would be the best thing. Don't worry, be happy and count your blessings instead.

Answer 9

remember-your brother has to take control of his diabetes-dont let the diabetes control him-take the meds and follow drs.. orders.

Answer 10

if it's any help; diabetes can be controled, and people with diabetes can lead normal lives by proper diet, and monitoring.

Answer 11

See this site with the secret of life and you will feel much better.

http://phifoundation.org/life.html