Diabetes anyone?

[katiesue]

So I took Madz into the Pediatrician this morning because she's been drinking water like mad. Tons of it.

So tests were positive, her blood sugar was 382 (normal is 80-120). So they sent her to the hospital for more tests and training for us. The peds appointment was at 9 - we were checked in by 12:30. Busy day.

The reason for the hospital stay is twofold. One is to get her blood sugars back under control and to do more testing. The second is to teach us all the things we need to do to keep her healty.

They won't have absolute confirmation for a week or two but they are 99% sure she has Type 1 diabetes.

So she'll have to do the pin pricks, tests and insulin shots for the rest of her life. It's totally manageable but a lot to learn at once. That's why they have you come to the hospital for a few days. So we'll be meeting with doctors, nurses, nutritionists etc.

Maddie's doing fine. She's doing her second prick test on her own right now. I"m not sure she quite realizes that this a forever kind of thing. But she's taken it all pretty well.

So I'll be camping out with her the next few days. Thank you all so much for your tweets and notes. I've read them all to her. Luckily they have free wifi.

[wendybeth]

My niece has Type I- developed it when she was only six. It hasn't been easy for her, but she went on to have a very normal childhood (she was a cheerleader through most of school, etc), and now is married with two great kids. Tricia had a hard time stabilizing her sugar levels and eventually got an insulin pump, but she took it all in stride. There is a lot of support out there for Madz- great educational camps, clubs, etc, and I know she's a very responsible, mature girl so I think she's going to be more than fine! Hugs to you both- I know this is scary stuff, but it's manageable and from what I understand the experts feel a cure is very much on the horizon.

[Prudence]

Can we start now with the Wilford Brimley impressions or should we allow time for y'all to adjust?

[lashbear]

Sorry to hear the news, but it's something that becomes routine for you (ie the shots & testing stuff) fairly quickly. Life with Diabetes is only slightly more complicated than life without.

Make sure she keeps a bag of jellybeans with her to deal with the inevitable hypos (never fun, but manageable - I get cranky/snappy and weepy when I have very low sugars - I also get the trembles.) and let her know that if there's any aspect of living with diabetes she'd like to chat about (or that you would like to know - Stoat has a lot of tales of living with a diabetic), just email me and I'd be glad to compare notes. Support is an important part of living with the disease, and helps to know you're not alone.

Mammasilva, er, ~MS~ is also a teriffic source of knowledge on this one, and has the added bonus of knowing how the medical system over there works as well. I feel that in Aus there's probably differences in counselling/diabetic education access etc.

I also have lots of recipes (good ones, not just Mock apple Pie) and would love to share.

Big LashPair Hugs to you and Madz from both of us.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Thank goodness she's ok, and that it's manageable. She's got plenty of company. Everyone knows someone (many someones, actually) who have it, and there are lots of options for you.

Give Madz a hug from the LoT.

[bewitched]

Glad to hear she's okay and that it's manageable. *hugs to you all*

[Gemini Cricket]

My best to Madz! It is a bit of an adjustment but I think she'll handle it okay.
Hang in there.
:)

[Stan4dSteph]

Glad to hear you are doing okay, and best wishes to you and Maddie.

[Strangler Lewis]

Sorry to hear about this. From what I've seen from a distance, insulin pumps and blood sugar checkers are amazingly clever things that kids can manage. I hope all goes well for you and her.

[Betty]

Sounds like you guys are doing all the right things. What a smart Mom you are for noticing all the water!

[Snowflake]

Katie and Madz, sending good vibes your way. Sounds like you are doing all the right things, and goodness knows, you've got plenty of support!

Sending hugs in any case!

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Thinking good thoughts.

[Not Afraid]

Thinking good thoughts for you and Madz as you go through the adjustment process. I hope she realizes her preferred diet is going to have to change. Knowing, Madz, I think that's going to be the hardest part for her!

[wolfy999]

If there is anything I can do just call. You know the Wolfpack is here for you.

[BarTopDancer]

I guess she really didn't want to unpack any more boxes ;)

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Poor Madz. But I'm so glad that technology has advanced so that things are more streamlined for diabetes tech and support.

Does she need visitors? Anything to distract her? How about in the long run, what can we do? For now, sending our thoughts and our love to both of you.

[Morrigoon]

I guess she really didn't want to unpack any more boxes ;)

VBTDM!

Extreme labor avoidance

[alphabassettgrrl]

**hugs** to you both. I'm glad you were able to catch it before it got too far out of control. A friend of mine was diagnosed with diabetes and his blood sugar was at least 700. Not good.

[Andrew]

Best of luck to Madz and you, Katie.

[sleepyjeff]

Hugs from the Northwest,,,,best wishes that this all turns out well. Like Lash said, life with Diabetes is only slightly more complicated than life without.

:)

[katiesue]

Thank you all. She is feeling much better today but the reality that this is going to be her everyday normal is setting in and she's not that trilled.

They've piled on the information. We've got books and pamphlets galore. At some point when we get to breathe we can actually read them.

She's had a few visitors and she's got flowers, ballons and stuffed animals.

Once we get this all down we'll be ok but it's a lot to take in at once.

Thank you all again!!!

[innerSpaceman]

daibetes, anyone?

Yes, as a matter of fact. The wonderfulness of today brought that great news as well.


Nothing near as drastic as Madz has ... but 10 to 1, I'll be more of a baby about it.

[Morrigoon]

katiesue: Just so long as she remembers that going through what she needs to go through is far preferable to the results of not doing so

[lashbear]

Thank you Morrigoon - I need to remind myself of that from time to time. I'm overdue for an appointment with the Eye Specialist and the foot doctor. :rolleyes:

[katiesue]

Yes, as a matter of fact. The wonderfulness of today brought that great news as well.


Nothing near as drastic as Madz has ... but 10 to 1, I'll be more of a baby about it.

She think's she's an expert know I'm sure she can show you the ropes.

[cirquelover]

I'm glad she's taking it well. It does seem like a lot to learn at once but I'm sure you'll both get the hang of it. It sounds like there's a few experts here to lend a hand too.

It runs in my fathers family, so it's always a concern for us too.

[mousepod]

I was in the pharmacy last night and was marveling at all of the new hi-tech testing gizmos. Some of those toys look pretty darned neat.

[katiesue]

Yes - she's gunning for a pink blood test thingie.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Hugs and well wishes for both of you. And kudos for paying enough attention to notice this and follow up quickly. She's very lucky to have a mom like you.

[Alex]

Now when she watches TV it will be like Wilford Brimley is talking directly to her! Teach her to say diabetes like he does.

[katiesue]

Now when she watches TV it will be like Wilford Brimley is talking directly to her! Teach her to say diabetes like he does.

That's something on the test you have to take before you can leave the hospital. You have to do a good Wilford Brimley impersonation.

[innerSpaceman]

OMG, I would have failed right there (though I can do a good impersonation of a line of his in John Carpenter's The Thing. Would that count?)

Krikey, I'm going to be the world's worst diabetic!


Oooooh, I'll be a great example of FAIL to Madz. She can look to me for everything NOT to do.

[Alex]

"Mommy...how come Steve has no feet?"

[Disneyphile]

KS and iSm - much healthy energy your way!

Also, if either of you ever need to talk the pharmacy side of it all - always feel free to call Ken anytime. He often knows of some cheap and great deals on testing supplies, etc.

[Gemini Cricket]

I keep reading this thread's title and saying, "No, thanks."

There is a history of diabetes on both sides of my family. My dad has it and my mom's mom had it. Kinda scary. It's controlled by diet, tho. I worry about getting it but the doctors keep telling me that keeping my weight down will help that.

It sounds like Madz is doing well. That's good to hear.

[innerSpaceman]

Thanks, DP. I'm not gonna jump onto meds quite yet. And even if i've really got Type 2, it's nothing compared to Type 1. So Madz will be an inspiration to me with anything I remotely have to do to adjust.

And I say "really" because I'm going to get a second opinion before I do anything drastic. Meanwhile, just a semi-major diet modification ... and we'll see how I test again in a few months.

But, bah, I figured if I stayed thin ... the fact that everyone I got a single gene from ended up with diabetes wouldn't matter.




Wrong.


Bloody stacked genetic dice. :p

[katiesue]

We're home. We'll see how this goes. So far so good - only because we haven't had to test or do a shot yet. She didn't want to leave the hospital but I think she's glad to be home now.

Wish us luck!

[alphabassettgrrl]

Good luck! I'm glad you're both home now. Sure, she's got to do it for herself now, but at least she's home. Home is good.

[katiesue]

Night one down. We've tested, had shots and measured out breakfast. So far so good.

[Not Afraid]

How is she adjusting to the new diet? I know about her (limited) food preferences.

I'm this morning went smoothly. Can you relax in your new bed for a bit this afternoon?

[katiesue]

Actually the diet for her isn't too bad. We only count carbs - nothing else matters for her since she's a bean pole. She normally doesn't eat that many carbs anyway. She likes hot dogs without the bun, no condiments on anything, no bread at all really, no sodas.

We met with a nutritionist and she made meal plans that work with the kinds of things she normally eats. Cottage Cheese, lots of milk etc. She has a range of carbs she needs to stay within for each meal. For lunch today we had to add a bit onto what she wanted to have to make the goal so she's getting lots to eat. Plus there are lots of "free" foods that she likes. "Free" foods are anything with no or very low carbs like cheeses, most meats, hot dogs. Those she can have any time between meals.

It's all a trade off - she can have anything at all she wants if she stays in the range. It's just proportions. Ice cream, pizza whatever as long as you count the carbs and stay in the guidelines.

Later - and the docs think with her because she doesn't eat a ton of carbs anyway it will be sooner - they'll swich her to a plan where she basically decides what she wants to eat, how many carbs it is and then takes the right amount of insulin to counteract it. You get more shots but you can pretty much have whatever you want whenever you want.

Type 2 has more dietary restrictions, I think.

[innerSpaceman]

Sigh, Hello my name is Steve and I'm a carboholic.




I'm doomed.




(Actually, I should be ok as long as I keep my protein-to-carb ratio in line ... but that's going to take some doing. Which, grrr, I will be doing.)

[lashbear]

And even if i've really got Type 2, it's nothing compared to Type 1.
Don't forget, I'm a type 2 who needs insulin shots !! Make sure you take care of yourself so you can avoid same. However.....

Sigh, Hello my name is Steve and I'm a carboholic.
As Katiesue mentioned, sliding scale insulin is your friend. :D I wouldn't have missed that Corn Dog for the world !!! (Not to mention the Monte Cristo...:eek: )

Still, I try not to do it too often, cos: a minute on the lips and a lifetime on the hips, as they say... *sigh*

[lashbear]

Oh, and this for Steve, not Maddy:

Don't forget alcohol can lower your blood sugars badly and unexpectedly if you're on meds. I'll never forget the first time I found that out.

[sleepyjeff]

Oh, and this for Steve, not Maddy:

Don't forget alcohol can lower your blood sugars badly and unexpectedly if you're on meds. I'll never forget the first time I found that out.

Yeah, my doctor wishes me to down Glipizide with dihydrogen monoxide instead of rum....what's up with that;)

[lashbear]

I find that Dihydrogen Monoxide is more palatable if you water it down.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm not on meds, and I'd like to avoid that.


Cutting down on alcohol consumption is another goal. Only vaguely successful so far. Ugh, so much sugar in EVERYTHING!

[sleepyjeff]

I find that Dihydrogen Monoxide is more palatable if you water it down.

:snap: