I understand. How could you know? And even if you did see the signs it would not have changed anything. She would still have Type 1. So don't beat yourself up over it.
We look back now and think the same thing. My daughter was small for her age. At 3yrs old she only wore a size 2t. Just before diagnosis she started to eat alot, drink alot and of course urinate alot. But it all seemed to be okay. I was very excited at the thought she was finally growing. And because my dad is Italian he always brought over salami and cheese which she loved . They are both full of salt so that explained the thirst. And naturally the urinating was becuase she was drinking so much. To think back now, I realize all the warning signs were there. But to be honest, I didn't know anything about diabetes.I didn't know that what the warning signs were. My dad was diagnosed with type 2 three months prior and jokingly commented once how maybe she had diabetes but of course I said no. That's impossible. She was perfect. To me, nothing seemed out of the ordinary until the day came and she drank 40 oz of liquid in less than 4 hrs. Even then I felt stupid calling the Dr. office asking if I should be concerned that she is drinking "too" much. Once she started insulin she grew pretty quick. She went from a 2T to 4t within a week or two and to a 4 probably within 2 months. She sprouted overnight.
She was 3 1/2 when she was diagnosed so she has always asked questions even at that age.Some of it was the usual "Why me?" Or "Why do I have to always do that?" (fingerpricks and shots) My favorite "When is it going to go away?" She doesn't ask as many any more but when she does we do talk about it. Questions now gear more towards finding a cure and the technology that is out there. And of course the questions about food. On occasion she will ask about the day she was diagnosed and why she had to get it. But she knows it's part of her life and it's not going to change.
Today is our 9 YO T1D son's 2-year "diaversary". When I stop and think, I am amazed at how far we've come in 2 short years. Last year, we celebrated by acknowledging how far we'd come in living with diabetes and how well he was doing. We talked about what good had come to his life as a result of diabetes, while also recognizing all of the "bad" things as well. We reminisced about our experience of going to the hospital, etc. For me, when I look too far into the past or too far into the future, in regards to his health and diabetes, it's really overwhelming. But we spend a little time noticing the changes and progress.
Without spending too much time on the topic, I think what's good for him is to recognize all of the accomplishments he's had - managing his diabetes on his own at play dates, at school, at birthday parties. *Almost* putting his own infusion site in by himself. Staying as active and vibrant as he always was. Being confident and sure of himself and knowing how to handle certain situations. Also, reinforcing all that he's accomplished in other ways and that he's done all of it in spite of his diabetes. Also, recognizing the accomplishments we've all had -- keeping his A1C's in check, learning how to manage his illness better, minimizing his lows, etc.
Life has all kinds of adversity, and by having to deal with this all the time, there's an opportunity for our kids to learn acceptance and how to push through adversity. I'm really impressed by how these kids do it, and I think that building on that can make them really resilient in other ways in their lives.
By the way, we are also in S. Florida. We'll be walking in the Walgreens/DRI fundraiser walk in April. You?
Wow, very well put and I totally agree with it all! Today Liz had yearly bloodwork done for her endo visit on the 12th. I had flashbacks of them putting in the IVs in the hospital and what a nightmare that was for her, so I wasn't sure how she'd handle the needle stick in the elbow pit. LIKE A CHAMP! I was amazed - she didn't flinch, grimace, whimper - nothing! Unlike me - I look away and clinch my whole body when they stick that thing in my arm!
Where do you live in S FL? We are in Palm Beach County, so we are very involved in the JDRF Walk in Boca on April 6. We're going to the Walk in West Palm tomorrow to meet some D-moms I have spoken to on the phone. I know one family who lives in Pembroke Pines who is very active in the DRI Walk - the Tachers (son Jace is T1D). I would love to go to that walk, too, but we will have friends in town that weekend.
We're in Southern PBC, too! We've done the JDRF walk too. It's great. My son and I have toured DRI, and the cure research they are doing is cutting edge and so promising and so enencumbered by the typical university research establishment. Also, the work they do with families is amazing. So this year, we're shooting for the DRI walk. Don't know the Tachers, though. Maybee we'll meet them this year.
It's interesting about the bloodwork. My son was actually very anxious in advance of his first blood draw for the same reason - he had very bad hospital experience at West Boca Medical Center with IV placement (but that's a whole other story). In fact, he still complains about IV site pain periodically to this day! Anyway, since we use Emla to numb his pump site before we place the infusion set, and we just used that on his arm of choice before the blood draw. We reinforced that after all he'd been through that first year, the blood draw would be nothing. It took him going through it to realize that it was true! I anticipate that this year's draw will go easier after that first experience went so well. Sometimes they don't realize what they are capable of until they go through it. It was a learning experience.
We let Riley pick what he wants to do: an activity and a meal at his favorite restaurant. We celebrate the fact that he is alive and healthy. Congrats on making it one year!!
For my son, we do celebrate the D-Day. He was dx at age 2 and now, he is healthy, encouraging 5 year old boy. we had to celebrate it because my son is alive. My wife and i went through a lot with the drastic change just as you did. There are still tears of joy than sorrow. We let him choose whatever he wants to do and we will try to prodive it or come close. To him, it is 2nd birthday.
My daughter Sam was diagnosed May 8, 2001, when she was 8 years old. It was life changing in so many ways, as you all know. She was given Ruby, a diabetic bear from the JDRF in the hospital. Ruby has been to diabetes camp, rock concerts, my wedding, Disney, Canada, Cancun & college. And we call Sam’s diaversary Ruby’s birthday. We do recognize it by taking the day off and spending it together. When Sam was younger, we brought Ruby to Build-a-Bear to buy her a new outfit for her birthday. Now Sam is 20. We spent the day working together in our studio. Sam created a very cool leather medical bracelet to commemorate the day. (She has started a full line of what she calls D-Cuffs!) Our mantra is “Never Surrender” and having diabetes is part of why she is such a strong, amazing woman. She survived her diagnosis and has survived every day since. So we celebrate Ruby’s birthday to celebrate life. And strength.
What a great story! Thanks for sharing and welcome to TuD. We also got JDRF's "Bag of Hope" in the hospital, only now they call the bear "Rufus." My daughter never took an interest in Rufus though.
I also love your mantra. I read an article not long ago about healthy senior citizens with T1D and what they attribute their long (and relatively complication-free) life to. Besides the obvious factors of blood sugar control, healthy diet, and exercise, my biggest takeaway was they all had a positive attitude about T1D. And that's what I want for my daughter - not only to teach her the things she needs to know to physically take good care of herself, but to also instill in her a healthy, positive mindset about it - to never feel ashamed of having T1D, to embrace it, and use it to make her a better, stronger person.
Yes, I believe we do. I am awake at night testing at 2:30am, then lay awake wondering if he is high enough to sustain him until morning, or too high, should I dose, and if I do, will he drop too fast... my husband sleeps on. I don't blame him, he goes to work and provides for our family, it is my job to be the caretaker, that's how we determined it. Diabetes and our 6 year old are always my first thought and consideration, and I am sometimes the 'downer' when we are planning things to do that we need to take extra considerations. We're moms, it's what we do :)
Hi..I just want to say that 6 months ago I too had no sleep. All I did was wonder what her blood sugar was. I checked every couple hours. Then we got a CGM. It literally changed our lives. She loves it (just takes a glance during gym or bike riding) and I love it for the nighttime. You may want to look into it.
My D-day is in between my Brother and my dads birthday, (April 10-11) somewhere in between
So I get no sympathy from them :)
My 11 year old has come up with a very unique way to 'celebrate' his one year anniversary - in fact I was blown away when he told me what he wants to do. He is planning on running 15K, yep, 15K. We have already tackled several 5Ks and a 10K race since his diagnosis but now he wants to try for 15K. He plans to ask family and friends to sponsor him and will then give any money raised to the JDRF. He has already designed the T-shirt he's going to run in too!! I am amazed at how well my son has adapted to his diagnosis and if he wants to run a 15K, I will be there every step (literally) of the way - although I did tell him that 15K is going to be my limit :-)
Wow, that's amazing!! Especially for an 11 year old - he sounds very mature. It certainly sounds like he has not only adapted to his diagnosis, but embraced it - if there is such a thing. You are one lucky parent!
My husband buys my 7 yr old daughter flowers on her diaversary and we talk about how proud we are of her for coping with it as well as she has.