I am frightened, do you know anything about childhood diabetes?

**IntlMom** · 03-16-2009, 02:36 PM

praying it's not anything serious......but also encouraging you that diabetes is not as scary as it seems.....

it's a bummer, yes.
but manageable!

let us know asap~!

**hollyhill** · 03-16-2009, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by grneyegrl

did they at least do a finger stick.. it will tell u if her blood sugar is high/normal or low..

No, they didn't.... sure wish they did. It is horrible sitting here waiting for news.

**hollyhill** · 03-16-2009, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by RaineyDaye

My daughter was diagonosed with Type I diabetes at age 10. She had the symptoms you mentioned, but also had a huge appetite, really abnormally huge. She had lost a lot of weight, and she also would fall asleep anywhere. So your daughter may not have diabetes if you haven't noticed all these symptoms.
I agree with previous posters, that diabetes is not a death sentence. They have much better ways to manage it now than when my daughter was a child. The insulin pump is a huge improvement over insulin injections. My daughter is now in her thirties, has been diabetic for over 25 years, and she is living a normal life.

She has been very hungry lately but she is also going through a growth spurt and she has always bin very thin.
She has been lethargic but she also has a cold and is fighting a throat infection...

You see she does have other symptoms but I can explain them away....

Can you describe an insulin pump please?

**Thevail** · 03-16-2009, 05:10 PM

I have 2 friends that have diabetes, both of the childhood onset type. And they're fine. It's less trouble to manage than a wheat allergy.

I hope that's not what it is, but if it is..remember that you'll need to be calm and positive for her..she's too young to know how to react, and she'll be following your example.

**hollyhill** · 03-17-2009, 02:44 PM

We are on our way to Children's hospital.
Please pray.

**LastDragonfly** · 03-17-2009, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by hollyhill

We are on our way to Children's hospital.
Please pray.

Holly, I'm praying. Let us know when you get back!

Hugs

**Cookiemom** · 03-17-2009, 03:17 PM

Hugs and prayers both of you.

**RaineyDaye** · 03-18-2009, 06:02 AM

Can you describe an insulin pump please?

An insulin pump is an electronic device, about the size of a deck of cards, that delivers insulin to the blood stream. (Insulin can't be taken orally since the enzymes of the stomach destroy it.) So before the insulin pump was invented, someone with Type I diabetes would have to check his or her blood and inject insulin several times a day. The pump does a much better job of keeping the glucose levels normal because it delivers insulin as needed, just as a normal pancreas would do.
Anyway, I'm hoping that your daughter doesn't have diabetes.

**frugalfoster** · 03-18-2009, 11:19 AM

Hollyhill...knowledge will be your best friend at this point. Once you know the methods of dealing with this disease it will become not as scary. Read everything you can on how to control it with diet....We are all feeling for you right now and hope that your appointment at the Children's Hospital goes well....

**momof42003** · 03-20-2009, 07:00 AM

My son was diagnosed at five and a half. There is no family history, and he had had no abdominal trauma, the doctor said it could have been a virus that attacked his pancreas.. At first all I could do is ask "Why my son.". Then I remembered something my mom would say, "God NEVER gives you more than you can handle.". It has now been almost 8 years and he still has his bad days, but slowly the good days are out numbering the bad. If there is a diabetes summer camp any where near you take your daughter there. My son learned so much from going there. He even learned to self inject himself. He goes to Gales Creek Camp here in Oregon. Their website is galescreekcamp.org , if you want some info on them. Do what you are told by the endocronologist and diabetes educators, and you will be fine. Learn to read labels, and learn the signs of high (hyper) and low (hypo) glycemia (blood sugar numbers), keep her hydrated with water, and make sure the school and any other organization she is in has STRICT protocol when it comes to her diabetes. Here in the US she would qualify for school protection under the Americans with Diabilities Act when it comes to her diabetes, such as retaking tests, and having extra time for homework if she misses school due to diabetes. There is a lot to learn, but you can do it and it almost becomes second nature. I hope you and your family can learn and understand this disease. I know you can.

**Michelle** · 03-20-2009, 07:49 AM

I'm sorry, Holly. Keeping you in my prayers.

**RaineyDaye** · 03-20-2009, 08:10 AM

Sorry, Hollyhill, I guess I missed the title where you said that your daughter has been diagnosed with Type I (juvenile) diabetes. I know this is a very difficult and overwhelming time for you and your daughter. Diabetes sucks, to be frank. I still wish I could cure my daughter, or that it was me rather than her that was diabetic, but I am grateful that science is making progress in finding a cure for insulin-dependent diabetes. I think there is real hope for your daughter to be helped by a cure in her lifetime. (I also hope that we get our health care system overhauled in this country so drug companies aren't making a huge profit on insulin, test strips and other items essential to managing diabetes. It is criminal what they cost!)

I totally agree about the benefits of diabetic camp. My daughter went for three summers in a row, then worked there as a student nurse one summer. It helps kids to be with others who have to test their blood at all hours of the day, get insulin injections, and learn about the effects of diet and exercise on glucose levels, etc. The main thing is they have fun and start feeling like kids again.

((hugs to you and your daughter.)) If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

**hollyhill** · 03-20-2009, 09:29 PM

Well we are back from Children's hospital and now trying to manage on our own... My head is exploding with carb info. and I get upset (but don't show her) whenever the injection time is drawing near (twice a day). She hates the pokes more...

WE are assured that it will all become routine with time.

There was anewly diagnosed 11 month old, 2 yr. old and 7 yr.old in the hospital with us.....

She does look MUCH better and feels MUCH better. I am trying to keep things as normal as I can...

Tomorrow we will be celebrating my birthday complete with cake. The dietician helped me to make sure treats like cake can be included, to minimize resentment...

Anyways, we will have to take it ONE day at a time...

THanks for all the support and encouragement.

She will not be using a insulin pump until she can self administer insulin. And thanks about the info about the camps... I am looking into it. There is one in Sechelt.