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6 yr old daughter diagnosed today (t1)
- Thread starter dan52000
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Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Dan, very sorry to hear about your daughter's diagnosis 
I would say two things: diabetes is serious, but there is no reason why it should stop your daughter from doing anything she would hope for. With the right knowledge and application, it can be controlled well - there are world-class athletes with Type 1 who compete at the highest levels against their non-diabetic counterparts. The second thing I would recommend is getting a copy of Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas. It's a terrific book, and will really help you to understand all aspects of Type 1.
Many of our members have live with diabetes for decades, and will be happy to help with any questions you may have, so please ask away 🙂
I would say two things: diabetes is serious, but there is no reason why it should stop your daughter from doing anything she would hope for. With the right knowledge and application, it can be controlled well - there are world-class athletes with Type 1 who compete at the highest levels against their non-diabetic counterparts. The second thing I would recommend is getting a copy of Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young People by Ragnar Hanas. It's a terrific book, and will really help you to understand all aspects of Type 1.Many of our members have live with diabetes for decades, and will be happy to help with any questions you may have, so please ask away 🙂
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Dan
Don't worry is about the most useless piece of advice any parent can ever be given about any of their children and right now singularly inappropriate.
But the most important thing I think I can offer is - don't either of you blame yourselves, whatever else you do or don't do. It's totally indiscriminate where it decides to land and there's diddly squat anybody in the world could have done to stop it. Neither can you take it instead of her, so don't waste time on that thought either!
Most important thing now is to APPEAR as if you are coping to your daughter even if you fall apart when she isn't around. When adults are diagnosed we all have to go through a weird period of grieving. I'd got through that and waved goodbye to it decades previously without realising that was what it was, until someone pointed me at a piece called 'The Five Stages of Grief' - you can actually chart your progress coming to terms with it, just by reading that. It's reassuring!
http://www.businessballs.com/elisabeth_kubler_ross_five_stages_of_grief.htm
But the Ragnar Hanas book is a must-have - my DSN has her own copy in her office and uses it frequently to show patients of all ages (I'm 64 !) certain things she's trying to explain - Ragnar often explains much better. Or, just a different way of saying the same thing. Anyway, just trying to demonstrate that it's a book that NHS diabetes clinics approve of.
Also Diabetes UK provide brilliant info for what to do about school - one pack for parents, one pack for school - and it should be a 3 way conversation there - yourselves, school and your little girl's DSN (Diabetes Specialist Nurse) or actually once it's sorted - a 4 way conversation cos your daughter has to be happy with whatever is arranged, doesn't she? Have a look at
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Children-and-diabetes/
Lastly for now I was dignosed at age 22 just before the 1972 Munich Olympics. and here I am, no complications. Pumper Sue on the forum was diagnosed as a child, is younger than me, but has had diabetes for a fair bit longer than I - and no complications either. So don't despair !! It ain't all doom and gloom.
Good luck, and {{{Hugs]] to all of you!
Don't worry is about the most useless piece of advice any parent can ever be given about any of their children and right now singularly inappropriate.
But the most important thing I think I can offer is - don't either of you blame yourselves, whatever else you do or don't do. It's totally indiscriminate where it decides to land and there's diddly squat anybody in the world could have done to stop it. Neither can you take it instead of her, so don't waste time on that thought either!
Most important thing now is to APPEAR as if you are coping to your daughter even if you fall apart when she isn't around. When adults are diagnosed we all have to go through a weird period of grieving. I'd got through that and waved goodbye to it decades previously without realising that was what it was, until someone pointed me at a piece called 'The Five Stages of Grief' - you can actually chart your progress coming to terms with it, just by reading that. It's reassuring!
http://www.businessballs.com/elisabeth_kubler_ross_five_stages_of_grief.htm
But the Ragnar Hanas book is a must-have - my DSN has her own copy in her office and uses it frequently to show patients of all ages (I'm 64 !) certain things she's trying to explain - Ragnar often explains much better. Or, just a different way of saying the same thing. Anyway, just trying to demonstrate that it's a book that NHS diabetes clinics approve of.
Also Diabetes UK provide brilliant info for what to do about school - one pack for parents, one pack for school - and it should be a 3 way conversation there - yourselves, school and your little girl's DSN (Diabetes Specialist Nurse) or actually once it's sorted - a 4 way conversation cos your daughter has to be happy with whatever is arranged, doesn't she? Have a look at
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Children-and-diabetes/
Lastly for now I was dignosed at age 22 just before the 1972 Munich Olympics. and here I am, no complications. Pumper Sue on the forum was diagnosed as a child, is younger than me, but has had diabetes for a fair bit longer than I - and no complications either. So don't despair !! It ain't all doom and gloom.
Good luck, and {{{Hugs]] to all of you!
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Ive not blame myself nor asked why and just trying to concentrate on what we need to do next.
At this moment im in bed with my son whilst my daughter and wife has spent the night in hospital so this is the 1st day for a different way of living for us.
im quite a positive person but worry how she will cope later on ( fed up with it, why me? Etc etc). One moment positive the next scared.
At this moment im in bed with my son whilst my daughter and wife has spent the night in hospital so this is the 1st day for a different way of living for us.
im quite a positive person but worry how she will cope later on ( fed up with it, why me? Etc etc). One moment positive the next scared.
delb t
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Hi Dan -sorry you have to be here but glad you found us so soon. There are many parents with little ones on here [ my son was 15 at dx now 18]I agree with TW about appearing to cope- I feel I sadly could have done better! I found this forum a real help.There is so much info to take on but this will get easier- honest - and someone on here will always help if your stuck- welcome again
Redkite
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Hi Dan,
Sorry to hear about your daughter's diagnosis. I know what you're going through right now, because my son was diagnosed at the age of 4, and it does completely turn your life upside down - in a way, there's a grieving process to go through, but eventually you will reach a point where diabetes management is just a tiny part of a normal happy life. Definitely buy the Ragnar Hanas book, this is brilliant for learning all you need to know about type 1. 🙂
Sorry to hear about your daughter's diagnosis. I know what you're going through right now, because my son was diagnosed at the age of 4, and it does completely turn your life upside down - in a way, there's a grieving process to go through, but eventually you will reach a point where diabetes management is just a tiny part of a normal happy life. Definitely buy the Ragnar Hanas book, this is brilliant for learning all you need to know about type 1. 🙂
Sally71
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Hi Dan
My daughter was also diagnosed at 6 so I know exactly how you're feeling right now. It's a big shock and it does change your life. But eventually it does get easier and becomes just another part of normal life.
Right now you need to listen to the medical team and learn everything you need to know to look after your daughter. Work together with your wife and try to keep a positive spin on it in front of your children. You will need to go through a grieving process; some people manage to get this out of the way quickly, others take longer. I couldn't cry at all for several months even though I wanted to; once I did let go though I felt a whole lot better and much more in control of things.
My daughter is 8 now and can do a lot more for herself than she could 2 years ago which makes things like school and invites to friends' homes a bit easier! We do have some problems with her getting upset because she doesn't want to be different, but we work together with DSN, school, grandma (also T1) to try to help her feel more positive. Not quite there yet but we haven't had any tears for a while so hopefully that's a good sign!
Also remember that diabetes can be a tricky beast, and no matter how hard you try to follow all the advice to get good control, you still get occasional days when it all goes wrong and you can't work out why! So don't beat yourself up if you're having a bad day. It is a complicated condition but it can be managed, right now it probably seems really scary but you can do it!
I don't think I can add anything else that others haven't already mentioned, but this forum is great so if you have any questions just ask away, there is always someone who can answer 🙂
My daughter was also diagnosed at 6 so I know exactly how you're feeling right now. It's a big shock and it does change your life. But eventually it does get easier and becomes just another part of normal life.
Right now you need to listen to the medical team and learn everything you need to know to look after your daughter. Work together with your wife and try to keep a positive spin on it in front of your children. You will need to go through a grieving process; some people manage to get this out of the way quickly, others take longer. I couldn't cry at all for several months even though I wanted to; once I did let go though I felt a whole lot better and much more in control of things.
My daughter is 8 now and can do a lot more for herself than she could 2 years ago which makes things like school and invites to friends' homes a bit easier! We do have some problems with her getting upset because she doesn't want to be different, but we work together with DSN, school, grandma (also T1) to try to help her feel more positive. Not quite there yet but we haven't had any tears for a while so hopefully that's a good sign!
Also remember that diabetes can be a tricky beast, and no matter how hard you try to follow all the advice to get good control, you still get occasional days when it all goes wrong and you can't work out why! So don't beat yourself up if you're having a bad day. It is a complicated condition but it can be managed, right now it probably seems really scary but you can do it!
I don't think I can add anything else that others haven't already mentioned, but this forum is great so if you have any questions just ask away, there is always someone who can answer 🙂
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
That's precisely why I directed you to the 5 stages of grief Dan.
It may be over 40 years, but I had the 'why me's' a lot to begin with, but gradually the gaps between the attacks of it do get longer, so it's been donkey's years since I've had one now.
Logic takes over when you're an adult - did with me anyway.
If I don't do these things this diabetes requires, who will suffer?
Yup ME - not diabetes.
So - do I want to suffer?
Nope.
Well - just bloody DO IT then you daft tart!
LOL
Hanmillmum
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Hi dan - welcome from me too. I'm very sorry about your daughter's diagnosis I found this forum a huge help when I eventually stumbled across it. Whether you want to actively participate or not, there is lots of information as you need it here from other people who are living with diabetes - a different angle from the doctors and nurses perspectives and invaluable.
Regarding you daughter coping along the line, my daughter likes to watch the young kids with their monitors and injections or pumps on Youtube every now and again when she's huffing and puffing and a bit fed up, and, if your team have any parent/kid events it's worthwhile making the effort so she doesn't feel too alone in her experience.
Best wishes to you all 🙂
I found this forum a huge help when I eventually stumbled across it. Whether you want to actively participate or not, there is lots of information as you need it here from other people who are living with diabetes - a different angle from the doctors and nurses perspectives and invaluable.Regarding you daughter coping along the line, my daughter likes to watch the young kids with their monitors and injections or pumps on Youtube every now and again when she's huffing and puffing and a bit fed up, and, if your team have any parent/kid events it's worthwhile making the effort so she doesn't feel too alone in her experience.
Best wishes to you all 🙂
NI-Bookworm
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Hi
My son was diagnosed 5 weeks ago. We still have some days where things can get frustrating but have focused on the positives. Son is back to all of his sports training, has started to get the hang of carb counting (keeping us right!!) and regularly testing his bloods and knowing what to do.
Keep asking all the questions from your health team, I hope they are as supportive as ours have been, and have a diabetic bag ready for heading on wee outings. There will be awful days when you and your kid will get angry at the world, but they won't be every day, and it's not fair, but it is right, you and your family can control diabetes, not the other way about.
My son was diagnosed 5 weeks ago. We still have some days where things can get frustrating but have focused on the positives. Son is back to all of his sports training, has started to get the hang of carb counting (keeping us right!!) and regularly testing his bloods and knowing what to do.
Keep asking all the questions from your health team, I hope they are as supportive as ours have been, and have a diabetic bag ready for heading on wee outings. There will be awful days when you and your kid will get angry at the world, but they won't be every day, and it's not fair, but it is right, you and your family can control diabetes, not the other way about.
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Well DUK run shedloads of kids events anyway a lot of which siblings are welcome too, plus they do weekends for the newly diagnosed kids and parents. They teach the parents and entertain the kids.
They are excellent at doing both - I went to a T1 Big Event the other year, all the kids and brothers and sisters were fully occupied elsewhere whilst we got lots of interesting info by excellent presenters.
Most of the kids appeared to want to know when can we can come again? LOL
They are excellent at doing both - I went to a T1 Big Event the other year, all the kids and brothers and sisters were fully occupied elsewhere whilst we got lots of interesting info by excellent presenters.
Most of the kids appeared to want to know when can we can come again? LOL
Thanks for all the replies. Me and my wife just sinking and swimming at the moment but swimming mostly, if that makes sense. Daughter still in hospital at the moment and shes moving forwards. She cried at dinner injections but more braver and no tears at tea time injection, shes even daring herself to do her own prick test but bottles out at the last second. Theres 2 kids next to her in hospital in exactly the same boat as her so this helps her a bit to see shes not alone with it and i think this kind of thing will be key for her to cope by seeing others with the same condition.
its 2am and im shattered but as soon as i wake im thinking. Thinking if grand parents and school going to be ok when we're not there. I said earlier today i just want it to be this time next year when we're all more settled with it. Im rambling now time to try sleeping again
its 2am and im shattered but as soon as i wake im thinking. Thinking if grand parents and school going to be ok when we're not there. I said earlier today i just want it to be this time next year when we're all more settled with it. Im rambling now time to try sleeping again
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
One day then you'll be able to think logically and realise if you just turn over onto your back, and give an occasional desultory kick with one of your feet - you'll remain afloat!
Bessiemay
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi dan. Welcome to the forum although I am sure you would rather not be in this situation. The parents on here who deal with diabetes in their children are amazing and when all has settled down and you know what you are doing no doubt you will join them. They still have their problems but always there to give help and encouragement. Ask lots of questions and best wishes to you all.
Redkite
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Dan, this is a great weekend to connect with other families and learn about type 1:
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/activities/UK2015/
Books up really fast. x
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/activities/UK2015/
Books up really fast. x
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