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New member as Parent of a 17 years old diagnosed Type 1

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
T

Traceyjane17

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Parent of person with diabetes
Hi All
I've just found this site! My son was only diagnosed on Monday and it's been a Rollercoaster of emotions since then. Not helped by fact he had just started his AS levels! I have had great support from our local A/E and Diabetes Clinic but it's only 3 days in and my head is all over the place! I am putting on a dead positive face to my son but when I'm on me own am crying intermittently and feeling a strange feeling akin to 'bereavement ' for his previous life - I know it's really silly as he is not palliative and the condition is treatable but also feel guilty for not associating his symptoms of fatigue and being thirsty all the time! Thought he was being a typical teenager who was staying up late! Only when I brought 11 empty glasses down from his room that something clicked'! Please tell me are these normal feelings and what is the best advice you can give me! Many thanks, just very shellshocked and can't think of anything else at the moment x
 
Hi Tracey and welcome to the forum. My Mum was in a similar situation to you as I was diagnosed about 3 months before taking my A levels. I too had all the classic symptoms but chose to hide/ignore them until it was nearly too late and my Mum blamed herself. However, it will definitely get easier with time both for your son and yourself. Support from the clinic and DSN's is invaluable. 6 months after diagnosis I then went on to University, then job and now have my own children - all perfectly normal things. 31 years later and my Mum still worries about me though!
 
Matt Cycle said:
Hi Tracey and welcome to the forum. My Mum was in a similar situation to you as I was diagnosed about 3 months before taking my A levels. I too had all the classic symptoms but chose to hide/ignore them until it was nearly too late and my Mum blamed herself. However, it will definitely get easier with time both for your son and yourself. Support from the clinic and DSN's is invaluable. 6 months after diagnosis I then went on to University, then job and now have my own children - all perfectly normal things. 31 years later and my Mum still worries about me though![/QUOTE
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Ah thanks Matt! That is reassuring to know! I just feel a mix of emotions at the moment but know that this is only early days! I am going to take things one day at a time and try to support him to take ownership of this as he will probably be leaving for uni next year so won't have me checking he's doing everything right! It just seems a mammoth task at the moment as he's a typical teenager who loves going out and I am just worried how he is going to cope with it all! x
 
Hi Traceyjane and welcome 🙂
I have a 17 year old son too (also taking AS exams) and I can totally imagine how you are feeling although I'm fortunate he is well. It is such a shock and will take time to accept and adjust both for you and him.
I wish you both well. There is a parents section on this forum too and you will get lots of support there. Always people happy to help on this forum.
 
Hi @Traceyjane17 - have a read of this! http://www.businessballs.com/elisabeth_kubler_ross_five_stages_of_grief.htm it applies to both yourself and your son.

And STOP feeling guilty. You couldn't prevent it happening, you didn't have the slightest idea it was going to happen - and diabetes ain't gonna kill him unless he lets it. If he treats it seriously - then - it won't.

My mother told me I had diabetes one Thursday - but naturally I told her not to be so daft, cos I was certain it wouldn't be anything serious - even though I felt c**p - I was just a bit tired and probably needed some iron tonic, or something. Until the next Tuesday evening when I got back home after the appointment I'd made at the doctors - when there I was ringing her in floods of tears cos my husband wasn't due home for another hour. Hey ho. To her great credit - she never ever said 'I told you so!' LOL (not like my mother at all)

You'll both get there - but it takes time. This is a marathon - not a sprint! Good luck with it all.
 
Hiya Traceyjane and welcome.🙂 Sorry to hear about your son's diabetes. It does take a while to absorb all the info, etc but things DO get better. And the way you feel right now is perfectly normal. Diabetes will just become another part of your son's daily routine...good luck getting to grips with it all.🙂
 
Morning Tracey and welcome to this place.

I was diagnosed last week, and it's a show stopper and half !

Your son is young and will adapt better than us old uns.

Loads of help is out there and things will advance. Won't be long until your chasing him to tidy his room etc. You will see his general health pick up, he must have been feeling rough for a while and now that will improve.

Tomorrow is another day, and the sun may shine.

Please stay in touch and good luck to you both.

Bill.
 
trophywench said:
Hi @Traceyjane17 - have a read of this! http://www.businessballs.com/elisabeth_kubler_ross_five_stages_of_grief.htm it applies to both yourself and your son.

And STOP feeling guilty. You couldn't prevent it happening, you didn't have the slightest idea it was going to happen - and diabetes ain't gonna kill him unless he lets it. If he treats it seriously - then - it won't.

My mother told me I had diabetes one Thursday - but naturally I told her not to be so daft, cos I was certain it wouldn't be anything serious - even though I felt c**p - I was just a bit tired and probably needed some iron tonic, or something. Until the next Tuesday evening when I got back home after the appointment I'd made at the doctors - when there I was ringing her in floods of tears cos my husband wasn't due home for another hour. Hey ho. To her great credit - she never ever said 'I told you so!' LOL (not like my mother at all)

You'll both get there - but it takes time. This is a marathon - not a sprint! Good luck with it all.
Click to expand...
 
Bloden said:
Hiya Traceyjane and welcome.🙂 Sorry to hear about your son's diabetes. It does take a while to absorb all the info, etc but things DO get better. And the way you feel right now is perfectly normal. Diabetes will just become another part of your son's daily routine...good luck getting to grips with it all.🙂
Click to expand...
 
Bill Stewardson said:
Morning Tracey and welcome to this place.

I was diagnosed last week, and it's a show stopper and half !

Your son is young and will adapt better than us old uns.

Loads of help is out there and things will advance. Won't be long until your chasing him to tidy his room etc. You will see his general health pick up, he must have been feeling rough for a while and now that will improve.

Tomorrow is another day, and the sun may shine.

Please stay in touch and good luck to you both.

Bill.
Click to expand...
 
@Traceyjane17 - if you want to - you could just say 'Thank you, everyone' LOL - we don't actually expect to always get individual ones, even though it's lovely of you! We aren't that formal - and nobody will sulk LOL

Importantly - do you now feel even slightly better equipped to carry on, today?
 
Hi. I was diagnosed when I had just turned 17, and taken into hospital to be stabilised and taught how to inject, test etc etc. I clearly remember my Mum being heart-broken, and blaming herself, in fact although she tried very hard to hide it, I think she found it harder than I did. 30 years later, my Mum is still of great support to me, along with my fantastic husband, she still wishes it had been her diagnosed and not me, but it has never ever stopped me doing anything I set my mind to. I left home six months after being diagnosed, but I do very clearly remember being really horrible for a few weeks after my diagnosis, I guess I couldn't help it at the time, so basically what I am trying to say is, give him time, love, support and if he is not himself for a little while, don't take it personally. You will all get through these early day, and this forum is great for support, all the best.
 
trophywench said:
@Traceyjane17 - if you want to - you could just say 'Thank you, everyone' LOL - we don't actually expect to always get individual ones, even though it's lovely of you! We aren't that formal - and nobody will sulk LOL

Importantly - do you now feel even slightly better equipped to carry on, today?
Click to expand...
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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