My 12 yr old is a diabetic?

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melensdad

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My daughter went to the doctor this afternoon because we thought she had a summer cold or perhaps allergies. The doctor did a routine check up and agreed she probably had seasonal allergies. But then my wife mentioned that my daughter had been very thirsty for the past couple of weeks and the doc ran a simple urine test. High sugar in the urine. He sent them to the hospital to do some blood work. I got a call from my wife as they got to the hospital. I got there before the results came in. When we got the news it was bad.

My daughter had a blood sugar count of 800. Normal is 80 to 160, or so I now know.

The doctor got the news at the same time via FAX and he called our cell phone. Told us she needed to be admitted to the hospital and they would probably then transfer my daughter to Chicago for treatment. We opted not to delay the process. We drove up to the University of Chicago Children’s Hospital and got her in the emergency room . . . our doctor called ahead and they were waiting for us to arrive.

The preliminary diagnosis is my daughter has Type 1 Diabetes and is insulin dependent. She shows no signs or symptoms. In fact the doctors/nurses were stunned she was not in a coma or at least exhibiting other issues. They threw out a lot of big words. But it boiled down to we got very very lucky. She was diagnosed very early. She is now in the La Rabida Children’s Hospital for the next few days. My wife is with her. I came home to get clothes and other things for them and will be back up there in the morning. She will be taking insulin for the rest of her life, but I gather she will lead a normal life.

I gave my wife most of the cash in my wallet before leaving so she could get some food. I walked to the parking garage and tried to leave. The bill to park was $16. I gave the guy my debit card. The garage only took cash. I only had $14. He looked at me, pulled $2 out of his wallet and paid the remainder of the bill for me. I’m not poor, I was driving a luxury vehicle. I think he sensed I was was having a heck of a day. To him I owe a great deal of thanks. To God I also owe a huge gratitude because as bad as it is, my daughter’s illness was caught before any serious complications occurred. Its bad, but its manageable. If you can find a moment for a prayer, I think we could use some help tonight.

Bob
 
Get her off processed sugar. Naturally occuring sugar, such as that found in berries or apples, is fine and good for the body (and its consumption will aid in balancing out your daughter’s system).

If you do not know what an ingredient is, do not put it into your body.
 
OLRansom said:
Get her off processed sugar. Naturally occuring sugar, such as that found in berries or apples, is fine and good for the body (and its consumption will aid in balancing out your daughter’s system).

If you do not know what an ingredient is, do not put it into your body.
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That is the bizarre thing. She doesn’t drink soda pop. We don’t go to fast food restaurants. We don’t keep candy in the house. She is an athelete and pretty much strong and healthy as a proverbial horse.
 
Hi Melensdad: I’m insulin-resistant (what is sometimes called prediabetes) and work in the health field.

I recommend that you go to the website for diabetes: www.diabetes.org to help you find out more about your daughter’s diagnosis, treatment, etc.

Note to other poster: Contrary to earlier opinion, sugar in and of itself–whether it is glucose, fructose (the natural sugar of fruits), sucrose, lactose (milk sugar), etc. is not the culprit or the CAUSE of diabetes.

You don’t get type 1 diabetes from poor eating, too much sugar, too little exercise. Any of those things CAN have an impact (when it comes to type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes, which is a different story) but is not necessary causal.

Children develop type 1 diabetes for this reason: Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune disorder-a problem with the body’s immune system. In a healthy body, specialized cells (called beta cells) in the pancreas make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows the body to use energy from food. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakes beta cells for invaders and attacks them. When enough beta cells are destroyed, symptoms of diabetes appear.

Please feel free to pm me. Although I am not necessarily ‘on’ (I usually don’t log off day to day), I check the boards periodically; I’ll be back later tonight or tomorrow and I’d be glad to help out in any way.
 
Type I diabetes IS different than the type II diabetes you see cropping up in overweight children and teenagers now a days. Though both are caused by the body’s inability to create enough insulin, type II occurs when too much sugar is ingested and the body can’t keep up.

I’ll be praying for your daughter, melensdad.
 
melensdad said:
My daughter went to the doctor this afternoon because we thought she had a summer cold or perhaps allergies. The doctor did a routine check up and agreed she probably had seasonal allergies. But then my wife mentioned that my daughter had been very thirsty for the past couple of weeks and the doc ran a simple urine test. High sugar in the urine. He sent them to the hospital to do some blood work. I got a call from my wife as they got to the hospital. I got there before the results came in. When we got the news it was bad.

My daughter had a blood sugar count of 800. Normal is 80 to 160, or so I now know.

The doctor got the news at the same time via FAX and he called our cell phone. Told us she needed to be admitted to the hospital and they would probably then transfer my daughter to Chicago for treatment. We opted not to delay the process. We drove up to the University of Chicago Children’s Hospital and got her in the emergency room . . . our doctor called ahead and they were waiting for us to arrive.

The preliminary diagnosis is my daughter has Type 1 Diabetes and is insulin dependent. She shows no signs or symptoms. In fact the doctors/nurses were stunned she was not in a coma or at least exhibiting other issues. They threw out a lot of big words. But it boiled down to we got very very lucky. She was diagnosed very early. She is now in the La Rabida Children’s Hospital for the next few days. My wife is with her. I came home to get clothes and other things for them and will be back up there in the morning. She will be taking insulin for the rest of her life, but I gather she will lead a normal life.

I gave my wife most of the cash in my wallet before leaving so she could get some food. I walked to the parking garage and tried to leave. The bill to park was $16. I gave the guy my debit card. The garage only took cash. I only had $14. He looked at me, pulled $2 out of his wallet and paid the remainder of the bill for me. I’m not poor, I was driving a luxury vehicle. I think he sensed I was was having a heck of a day. To him I owe a great deal of thanks. To God I also owe a huge gratitude because as bad as it is, my daughter’s illness was caught before any serious complications occurred. Its bad, but its manageable. If you can find a moment for a prayer, I think we could use some help tonight.

Bob
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Praying for your daughter, Bob.
 
Hail Mary, full of Grace, The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
 
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner and on the request of my friend…

elijahson
 
Hello Bob,

I am sorry to hear about your daughter. Your daughter can still leave a normal life, just as long as she keeps a well balance diet and keep her weight within normal range. I will pray for her and your family. O and that nice parking attentant.

God Bless,

Gladys
 
Hello Bob,

My prayers for your daughter and the rest of the family as you all learn to cope with this disease.

I have been a type I for 12 years now. For the next few weeks, I will offer up all of my high blood sugars, low blood sugars and finger sticks.

:crossrc:Lord, please grant peace to this family and wisdom to the doctors.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions or need to vent.
 
Well I’m back home for more supplies to take back to the hospital tomorrow morning. My wife is spending the night at the hospital. The good news is my daughter is in good spirits at an amazing hospital. She is at a hospital called La Rabida Children’s Hospital. It is an astounding place, I’ve never been to a hospital like this. They don’t do emergency work. They treat children with LONG TERM illnesses and much of the treatment focuses on the family learning about the disease and what is required to care for the child. They focus on severe burn victims, diabetics, lupis and other conditions and diseases that children will have to live with their entire lives.

The hospital is very small, approximately 20 or 24 rooms. Each is a double. So they can handle roughly 48 patients? There are more nurses than patients. We probably spent 6+ hours in meetings today with various specialists, therapists, social workers, etc. Each session was to teach us a different aspect of life, treatment, care, etc. I’m astounded by what they do and how they do it. Parents are welcome to stay in the rooms overnight and they have pull out beds, etc. There are private showers for the parents, etc. The food is HORRIBLE, I’ve been going out to get my own!

Most of the facility is for follow up care, only a small portion is actually used for patients who are staying in the facility.

When my daughter is released (total stay will be 2 to 5 days) we will be in DAILY contact with the doctors for at least a month. We will have a follow up visit in 3 weeks. Then every 3 months. Plus 1 annual visit for a day long exam, consult. I’m glad insurance covers this!!! I can’t begin to imagine the cost. They do a large amount of low income care gratis, the hospital is located on the south end of Lake Shore Dr in Chicago with many of the roughest streets in the city not too far away. But its a beautiful little oasis where kids get some absolutely awe inspiring care and treatment.

So as bad as it all is, and as shocking as this has been for our family, we are actually pretty calm and comfortable with what lies ahead. I’m sure that panic will set in when we arrive at home and have our first hiccup.

I appreciate all the prayers, the funny thing is we are supposed to take our priest out to dinner tomorrow night and I couldn’t reach him to cancel so I had to call a mutual friend and ask her to call him to cancel for us. . . you’d think when we need prayers the most we would find time for our priest. But he’ll understand. He’s a good guy and a friend.
 
Kids with diabetes is not the fault of poor diet or lack of exercise…it is not poor parenting or anything like that, listen to the doctors and diabetes educators ( you will surely meet them)

I am sure you are all overwhelmed, it aint the end of the world…

be assure of my prayers…
 
I am glad it was caught in time, I have type 2 and had to go on insulin for my surgery. I have never been insulin dependent, and pray to God that I never will be. Bless you for thinking of others during your time of need. Praying for all
 
Hear, hear more prayers for the best.

I am sure your worried and overwhelmed; don’t forget to have a lot of laughs. A joyful mood will help you meet the challenges ahead, even if you also have a sorrowful one.
 
SHE IS HOME again and she is so well adjusted that my wife and I can’t help but be totally panicked :eek:

I’m really amazed how well she is handling all of this, it is such a drastic change. But she is doing great. We are fortunate that she is a very smart little girl because she take 2 types of insulin, and has 3 doses per day that she must calculate based on her blood sugar level and her food intake, plus 1 dose at night that is a fixed dose. Still it is a complicated process and she does great. She is giving herself her own injections, taking her own blood tests, etc.

Me, I’m a basket case and cried when I walked out to the road to get the morning newspaper but collected myself before getting back to the house so she didn’t see me cry. My wife is also a bit nuts right now about all of this. I think I was actually better when I was in shock over everything but now its all setting in and I’m trying to figure out the logistics of getting her teachers at school to understand, etc. I’m sure they’ve all dealt with this before, but I haven’t.

Anyway I just wanted to say thank you to everyone. We’re going to manage this just fine and its nice to have a big support group right here praying for her.
 
Blessings to you again. She has to be strong to do it herself. She doesn’t want her mom and dad to cry, freak, etc. , just because she doesn’t want to do it. You need to learn to do the needle in an orange, if she will let you practice…I hope you never have to go through giving her a shot, but you can’t fall to pieces in an emergency. Will pray for you
 
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