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!