my 3 year old has diabetes.?

Question

she has only had it for 6 days how can i cope she is type 1 and has to have insulin 3 times a day and it is christmas in 3 days.im in a mess

Answer 1

First of all, my heart goes out to you. Secondly, I know you will get through this because you must. Having a child with a chronic health condition or disability is a lifestyle that none of us would have volunteered for... but we survive it because they need for us to.

Please read this book - Cheating Destiny: Living With Diabetes, America's Biggest Epidemic by James Hirsch http://www.amazon.com/Cheating-Destiny-Diabetes-Americas-Epidemic/dp/0618514619 One chapter of this book is devoted to a friend and associate of mine, Gary Kleiman, who is at Diabetes Research Institute in Miami. While writing this book, Jim, who has diabetes himself, found himself coping with the Type 1 diagnosis of diabetes for his own three year old son. The book took on a whole new meaning for him.

There is a tremendous amount of research going on these days about diabetes... much of it being done there at DRI. I am currently involved in a research project with the cytogenetics laboratory there and I believe we are truly on the cusp of huge life-altering improvements for folks with diabetes. One of those things is the pancreatic islet cell transplantation. Gary had that done and he is insulin-free. It's not all a big bowl of cherries, mind you... but he is able to lead a far more *normal* existence on a daily basis with only occasional reminders of his diagnosis of diabetes.

Allow yourself to mourn the loss of the perfect childhood you dreamed for your child. It's okay to mourn that loss of normalcy. You will cut a new path and redefine *normal* for yourself, your family and especially for your child.

After you've mourned the loss... stand tall for your daughter and be strong like you've never been before. She will need you to be. You will need to be her caretaker, nurse, educator, counselor and advisor for many years to come and you cannot allow yourself to crumble. Keep saying to yourself "It's not cancer. It's not a death sentence. I can do this for my child."

Then stand back and look at the whole picture. Look at the lovely child you've been given... and her personality and gifts and talents and beauty and the love she has to give (and receive!) Know that you've both been handed this task for a reason. It's a learning experience... a life lesson... and it will shape and mold you both to become just who you were destined to become, as a child and as a parent.

Allow yourself to accept support from other parents and counselors, physicians and providers. Don't expect family to understand if they're not diabetic too... and forgive them for not understanding how traumatizing this is for you if they do not.

My best to you...

Kim Pillow Williams, Vice President
International WAGR Syndrome Association
http://www.wagr.org

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

First, diabetes is manageable. It is not a death sentance. You did not tell us what type she has, but I assume this is T1 diabetes. I was diagnosed with T1 at the age of 26 and the only thing that I was worried about were my offspring. When I discussed this with the doctor, they said there is only a 2% chance of passing this on to the next generation. The generation after that, the changes are a lot greater. I had 2 boys and they are now 4 and 7 (and I am 37) and they are both fine. I guess it really has to do with the gene pool, but again diabetes is not the end of anyones life. It is treatable and we will have a cure soon. ADA and the JDRF are in search every moment of the day. Good luck.

Answer 5

I am writing to tell you what an incredible impact these methods had on my life! I have had type 2 diabetes for 27 years. For me, the worst part of this horrible disease is the severe pain I constantly get in my feet. The pain is so bad that I avoid standing and walking as much as possible. I've got to tell you that within the first month, my feet stopped hurting altogether and I can now walk totally pain free.

Believe it or not, I even danced at my niece's wedding last month, something I have not done in a many years. I've been following the book for six months now and my blood sugar is well within normal range. I feel great!

I recommend you use the Type 2 Diabetes Destroyer to naturally reverse your diabetes.

Answer 6

You got some great advice, so I don't have much to add! www.childrenwithdiabetes.com is a GREAT site that you must check out. You can also go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation website, www.jdrf.org.

Remember that you are giving her injections to keep her healthy, not hurt her. That is your main goal from now on. Take it one injection, meal, and test at a time. Don't see any tests as "bad" but rather as data you need to adjust her treatment. Never expect perfection. Also, the treatment goals are a little higher in young children to protect them from brain damaging hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Make sure she is seeing a pediatric endocrinologist (diabetes specialist for children).

Call your local diabetes association and ask about support groups and contacts for other parents.

It is overwhelming, and a very hard disease, but it will get easier with time.

When you are eventually comfortable with the shots, and with her doctor's ok, she may be able to start on an insulin pump.

Best holiday wishes and you can do this! You have to be strong for her.

P.S. John Walsh is a diabetes author with 2 very good books, called "Pumping Insulin" and "Using Insulin".

Answer 7

It will get easier, I promise. My best friend (a diabetic herself) went thru this twice when both her children developed it. You are lucky in some ways as your child will grow up just accepting what is good and what is not. My friend had a big problem getting her kids to eat the right things.
This year I developed diabetes too, I thought it was the end of a normal life. It wasnt, I have changed many aspects of my life for the better and actually gained from the diagnosis;

Answer 8

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Answer 9

My daughter was dxed when she was 2.
It is a hard road but you will gradually learn more and more.
The first week is crazy . Take a breath. See if your doctor can recommend a parents group ? It always helps to talk to others.
Don't worry about getting her sugars perfect in the first week.You should keep her under 200 so she feels better .
You are going to be a wreck for a while.
My daughter is now 16, on a pump and doing well.
Best wishes.

Answer 10

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