The Usual Suspects
Symptoms of Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes* include:
  • Extreme thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Sudden vision changes
  • Sugar in urine
  • Fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor on breath
  • Increased appetite
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Drowsiness, lethargy
  • Heavy, labored breathing
  • Stupor, unconsciousness
                                                            *Source www.jdrf.org

Diagnosis
Education

Once your child was diagnosed, you were no doubt given a crash course on how to care for him or her. Not everything you learn will sink in right away. Read and review the essentials and then file some of your non-critical education materials away for later. Keep in mind that education will not end when you leave the hospital; it is just beginning. There is a steep learning curve with all the available on-the-job training. However, you should continue to learn all you can from books, diabetes-related organizations, other parents, and your child's diabetes team.

Science is learning more every day about this condition. Technology is advancing at an equally impressive rate. Staying on top of both can be encouraging and could make a positive difference in your child's treatment today.
Some helpful books and websites:

  • "The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Juvenile Diabetes," by Moira McCarthy
  • "Think Like a Pancreas," by Gary Scheiner
  • "The Ultimate Guide to Accurate Carb Counting" by Gary Scheiner
  • "The Calorie King Calorie, Fat, and Carbohydrate Counter", by Allan Borushek
  • "Pumping Insulin, 4th Edition," by John Walsh & Ruth Roberts
  • "The First Book for Understanding Diabetes," by H. Peter Chase


Emotions

It is understandable to feel completely overwhelmed and mourn for the loss of your and your child's previous way of life. There is nothing enviable about the task of caring for a child with diabetes. The worry, shots, endless blood checks, sleepless nights, and carb counting are enough to challenge even the strongest of parents. There is no shame in seeking help from trusted counsel. Professional counseling, whether through your house of worship or from a therapist, could ease the transition to your new routine and provide coping skills for the future. And never underestimate the relief of having a good cry once in a while. My mother always said that letting it out is better than keeping it in.


Erma

No parent should be without the perspective of Erma Bombeck. She penned the following poem for all of us. Read whenever you need.

"How God Selects The Mother of a Diabetic Child"
by Erma Bombeck


Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice,
a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.


Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with
diabetes are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting
his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation.

As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes
in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint Matthew."
"Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, Patron Saint Cecilia."

"Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint Gerard. He's
used to profanity."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and smiles,

"Give her a child with diabetes."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so
happy."

"Exactly", smiles God. "Could I give a child with
diabetes to a mother who does not know laughter?

That would be cruel."

"But has she the patience?" asks the angel.

"I will be at her side every minute of every day of
her life because she is doing my work as surely as if
she is here by my side. I don't want her to have too
much patience, or she will drown in a sea of self-pity
and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off,
she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that
feeling of self and independence that is so rare and
so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I am
going to give her has her own world. She has to make
it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is
perfect. She has just enough selfishness."

The angel gasps. "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she cannot separate herself from the
child occasionally, she will never survive.

"Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with less than
perfect. She does not realize it yet, but she is to be
envied. I will permit her to see clearly the things I
see ....

ignorance, cruelty, prejudice ... and allow her to
rise above them. She will never be alone."

"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, his
pen poised in mid air. God smiles.

"A mirror will suffice."


 


"Diagnosis can be very traumatic.  I remember every minute of that day. What I didn't know then was that my marriage, career, finances, and relationship with my other child would all be strained. And I especially grew tired of the saying, 'You just need to find your new normal.' "
                                                             -Parent of a T1D child