Daughter diagnosed with type 1 diabetes

[Vipergrün]

Wow! What a week! My 9 year old daughter had been acting abnormally, and at times like a devil child. Her symptoms were magnified while at altitude in Park City. A google of the symptoms all pointed to diabetes. We cut our vacation short and got her to a doc last Friday. Her blood sugar was so high a meter would not register. Lab work revealed her sugar count was 700+. Off she went to the ICU in LA via ambulance. She was also severely dehydrated and had bad ketoacidosis. She was a sick girl.

We spent Christmas in the ICU.

I had tears behind my eyes as I gave her an insulin injection.

Then there was the realization there were kids in the ICU much worse off, some will probably die there.

We've experienced the highs and lows, and the realization this will be a life long journey.

We are home now and just had the first meal out of the hospital, hoping we remembered everything.

For those of you with kids, do not take any day for granted, make each day count.

If your child is not acting normal, please get them to the Dr. for a simple test.

Here's a link with general info on type 1 diabetes. I'd encourage all of you to know the symptoms.

Type 1 Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes)

Happy New Year!!

-Brad

[gsmith660]

My heart goes out to you man. Just a year ago I got diagnosed with type 2 and went straight to shooting insulin my A1C was 14.7 and some of my blood sugar tests were near 700. A year later and my A1C is 5.1 and my average glucose is between 90 and 110 most times. Took months to get there and now it is better. Did any of her tests reveal any damage? I had high levels for nearly 5 years from what the doc said and so far no damage to kidneys, liver, or eyes and no numbness in the extremities. You are right it is a lifelong journey and it takes a commitment to live a healthy lifestyle to get it under control I wish your daughter and you the best of luck and my prayers are with you and yours.

[pumpkinhead]

This isn't going to be an easy road, I've been type 1 for 12 years, best advise I can give is get good doctors, do lots of reading on it and pay att. to how she feels, life is far from over, just a big change, I hope everything goes well, there are lots places that can offer any help your family may need, it'll be ok.

[Joeaksa]

Sorry to hear this but at least you found it out in time.

GS, are you still on insulin or something else? How did you get your A1C down so well?

[porsche4life]

If it is an option, look into an insulin pump....

I went on a 10 day backpacking trip with an insulin dependent diabetic. With the pump he did not need to carry shots. It made it much easier for him.

[sc_rufctr]

Brad

Not the best news but your attitude is good and that'll make all the difference in the world.
Good luck to you and your family.

[pwd72s]

Brad...sorry to hear the news. But yes, this can and will be dealt with. Your strength shows...mentioning the other children in the ICU. 700 is amazingly high...you were lucky to get her to medical help in time...

[KFC911]

Good luck Brad...sorry to hear this about your daughter...be well!

[Paul_Heery]

Brad,

I feel for your family and especially your daughter. Sounds like my story, rushed to the hospital, ICU, out for days, etc. But, I was quite a few years older when diagnosed. I was 17.

Please take on her perspective when dealing with this. It is a tough situation for anyone. But, in my case, I often wished that my parents and family would be less concerned and overbearing. It became very tiring when people were constantly checking on you, asking “how are you feeling”, and the like. Diabetes is part of her life now and the best thing that can happen for all of you is for this to become routine as soon as possible.

You and your daughter should also spend the time to learn about this together. It is new for you as well as her. Make it an enjoyable experience so she does not dread it.

Also, find a good endo and CDE. Be picky. That will be worth it for all of you.

[DUK]

Two things, as said above.....

Insulin pump and good doctors. Even if you have to buy the pump, its worth 100 times what you pay.

[widgeon13]

Good luck and do what you have to do now that you have a diagnosis and can get proper medications. I'm sure it won't be easy.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Brad, as a father of three I know how painful it is to watch a child in pain, my best to you and your family. I'm glad you found it when you did, with a little work this will only be a minor speed bump in your daughter's life.

[recycled sixtie]

your daughter Brad. I remember about 30 years ago my first wife and I went on a trip with another couple and the husband was type 1 diab. We cleared security and he had to show his needles (for insulin?). He was into exercise and kept his weight down. We get an Xmas card from his family every year and that trip was 30 years ago. He is still going strong and healthy. Hope this helps.

[Rot 911]

Brad, I am sorry to hear about your daughter, but while it is hurting you on the inside, you need to put on a positive front for her. And don't EVER let her think that that having diabetes is an excuse to get out of anything! If you act like it is normal (of course following all doctor directions regarding diet) then so will she. Kids are resilient, she will bounce back quickly!

[gsmith660]

Yes I am still on insulin. It is interesting that Brad mentions the odd behavior because I now realize that when my sugar level was so high I did some really bizarre behaviors I felt so bad and didn't realize it that it affected my day to day behavior. That is a warning sign in addition to the other signs and really is more apparent than the others. I agree with Paul be watchful especially for HYPOglycemic episodes I have had a couple where I injected my long acting insulin directly into a vein and my sugar goes really low after 15-30 min like 30 mg/dl and took an hour to recover but don't be mother henish if you know what I mean. The pump is definately a good option my doc wanted to go with a pump on me and I said no due to my job it would not be good for me to have a IV in me all day long I would always be in danger of pulling it out in a place that I would not be able to deal with it.

[wdfifteen]

I'm really sorry to hear it. Prayers for you and your little girl. You sound like a good dad and I'm sure she'll be OK.

[gsmith660]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

Brad, I am sorry to hear about your daughter, but while it is hurting you on the inside, you need to put on a positive front for her. And don't EVER let her think that that having diabetes is an excuse to get out of anything! If you act like it is normal (of course following all doctor directions regarding diet) then so will she. Kids are resilient, she will bounce back quickly!

+1 I haven't changed what I do at all I just have to drag a bag along with me for my meds and adopted a healthy lifestyle that works with the meds but I still have my chocolate cake and pie ala mode every once in a while. Which brings up a point not everyone is the same on what affects their sugar levels for example I can eat grapes all day long and I am fine but one raisin would send my glucose level through the roof. In the beginning have your daughter test often to get a feel for how her body works with different foods I plotted mine on a chart for 2 weeks to see how it went and it will give some encouragement to continue when you see that graph start coming down I think I cheered for an hour the first time I got 2 levels in the normal range in a row and it took almost a week to do that because I had so much excess sugar that I needed to burn off so be patient she will start feeling better as soon as the levels start to drop. I couldn't believe all the nagging things that bothered me were because of the sugar and started to go away as it got under control.

[Instrument 41]

I'm type one for about 24 yrs. I have a 16 yr old niece that was diagnosed at 7. A few things that can help and should be pursed with her being so young.

1. Find a Pediatric Endocrinologist
2.You and your entire family now need to be educated on food. Find a good dietitian. You can't imagine how this will help. All all need to on board with this
3. If her doc prescribes it....get her on the pump. The younger she is the less hassle she will have with it. I tried it a few years ago after being on the needle for years. I didn't like it just because of the hassle, but its proven to help keep the levels down
4. Get ready for hormonal changes when she hits puberty.
5.There a re certain things that may make her glucose rise...and it won't make any sense. For me its stress and lack of sleep, even when I am behaving on my diet. You'll have to watch her and find what those might be.
6. Get her involved in her doing her own testing. Once she takes "ownership" of that responsibility things will go smoother..for mom and Dad.
7. Remember that this IS NOT deadly. It can be controlled. She will more than likely deal with a lot better than you and your wife.

[MMARSH]

Brad,

This is something I'm very familiar with. My 11 year old daughter was diagnosed when she was 8. ironically while on vacation also.

I highly recommend sending her to a diabetes camp this summer. My daughter goes every summer and it really helps her to be around other kids who have diabetes.

She switched to the pump about a year ago and its been great, giving herself 5 or 6 shots a day was really starting to get her down.

I will shoot you a PM with my number, Please don't hesitate to give me a call, believe me I know what your dealing with.

Oh btw, I'm in socal also. the camp is up at Big Bear. Heres a link http://campconradchinnock.com/

I agree with everything said above.

[Targa Me]

Brad, sorry to hear about your daughter but it sounds like she is in good hands.
My prayers go out to her.