don't know how to cope.

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maddies _mum

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my daughter has just been diagnosed with type 1. she is 3 years old. it doesn't run in either mine or my husbands family. i feel so angry sometimes and stop feeling down. i want to protect her, but can't. i get so frustrated with my husband as he seems to have accepted it so easily and it does not affect him.

are there any support groups that can offer advice. i feel like my whole world is falling apart and i cant control it :(



heartbroken mum
novomix, novorapid
 
Welcome maddies mum to the group no one wants to join.

As well as this forum, there's "Children with Diabetes" - see http://www.childrenwithdiabetesuk.org/

Lots of parents of children with diabetes are members of this forum, plus there are many members who were diagnosed as children and have grown up to become happy and healthy adults. So, do ask with any specific issues.

Be kind to yourself, and don't expect to get everything right immediately - it takes time.
 
Hi maddies_mum

Welcome to the forum!

I've moved your first post into the 'Newbies' section so that you'll get a warm welcome. Check out the 'parents' board too where you'll find other parents to compare notes with 🙂

Diagnosis is a massive shock, and for many it comes completely out of the blue (no family history for me either - diagnosed in my early 20's).

There's a lot to learn and take in in the early days, and many parents seem to go through a process a lot like grieving for the loss of the health of their child :( This is perfectly natural and you should not be surprised by it.

The good news is that diagnosis with diabetes these days is not what it once was. We wouldn't choose it (that's for sure!) and it will feel unfair, illogical and incredibly annoying at times, but with modern treatment methods, insulins and delivery devices it is perfectly possible to live and eat quite normally alongside diabetes. It just takes a little planning and needs paying attention to, but diabetes should not stop your daughter doing anything she wants to do.

Many find Ragnar Hanas book very helpful in terms of understanding T1 diabetes whatever their age! (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...mp=2506&creative=9298&creativeASIN=185959350X)

And of course this forum is a great place to ask questions, compare notes and have a rant when things are getting you down. 🙂
 
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Hi Maddies mum... I wish I could give you a great big hug! I just want to reassure you that life will start to feel easier, & it can be a full & healthy life! 🙂 I was diagnosed at 11 months old, no family history of diabetes, & I dare say it was an awful shock to my parents. But, & this is important - I had a wonderful childhood, made great friends, we went on family hols around the world, I went through education & have a degree, I'm married & have 2 kids. Life's not always been straightforward with the D, (esp pregnancies! 🙄) but like the others have said,the kit, the knowledge & support are sooooo much better now. Take it one day at a time - you're not alone in this & there are lots of wonderful helpful people on here who will share their experiences & suggestions to help you, or just be here when you need to let off steam. It will take time before you adjust to the 'new normal', but you'll get there, & you're not alone. (((((hug!!))))) X
 
Hi Maddies_Mum,

Welcome! You've made a really positive step posting on here, I have found it a massive support. Just reading other peoples posts has given me so much hope and useful tips. I'm sure you'll feel the same.

Everything you're feeling is absolutely normal and part of the process. It is an awful time, being newly diagnosed but it does get better, I promise! And your daughter will cope too. She is so little, like my son, that they will never remember life before diabetes so it will just be normal for her.

I hope this helps, you are among friends here

x
 
Chin up

Hello, my six year old son was diagnosed last year, also completely out of the blue. At the beginning, I felt like my son had gone and 'a diabetic' had been put in his place. I remember looking at him when we first arrived home, as if he were an unexploded bomb, likely to go off at any moment. What a horrible shock it was. How I really believed that the world had come to an end.

Look, it isn't any fun having diabetes, but it is manageable. I am happy to report that he is a happy little guy, who is doing well at school and coping brilliantly with whatever his condition throws at him. You will come to see that this is not the end of the world. It is a bloody nuisance and there isn't a day when I don't wish it would go away, but you can and will manage it. You will feel sad, because you have to mourn the loss of normality, but you will find a new normal and you will be amazed by the bravery of your little child. It gives you yet another reason to be proud of them and to profoundly admire them.

Good luck.
 
Hello Maddie's mum
It really does get better 🙂
My son is much older (15 years) and was diagnosed just over a year ago. Diabetes does run in my family, but it was still a massive shock!!! I think most people would agree that kids come to terms with it quickly and are pretty resilient most of the time, I'm sure it will be the same for Maddie. We parents take a lot on our shoulders (whether or not our children are diabetics) 🙄
This board is great for support and getting answers to questions. I would second that recommendation to buy Ragnar Hanas book. It's quite long but very readable and taught us a lot.
Hope things calm down a bit soon
Catherine (William's mum)
 
Hi Maddie's mum.
I'm sorry to hear that you had to join our club, but you are very welcome.
My daughter wasn't diagnosed until she was 10, so I don't know what it's like with a 3 year old.
Carol is now 15 and a normal stroppy teen. She has a normal life that now includes diabetes. Diabetes doesn't stop her from doing the things she loves (and hates).
The Ragnar Hanas book is great. It is also the book our DSN recommended to us, when I asked her about another book about diabetes.
Please do come back and "pester" us with all the questions you have. We don't mind answering any worries you have (to the best of our knowledge)
 
Hi Maddies Mum, so sorry to hear about your daughter's diagnosis, but welcome to this forum which has been a tower of strength for me since my daughter's diagnosis 8 months ago. It is really hard in the beginning and I cried myself to sleep many times in the beginning, but it really does get easier. There are challenges ahead, but you slowly learn how to deal with them and when you are stuck or confused there is always your medical team or someone here to help. Accept that it is normal to feel the way you do at this moment, but believe us all when we say it WILL get easier. Big hugs x
 
Hi Maddies mam ! I also was diagnosed T1 when 3. I was 49 last week & still full of life ! Am off to spain on my motorbike nxt week. Have been to Asia on it before. Its not easy but its possible to get through it all. You will find it gets a bit better when you learn more. Really good luck 😉
 
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