My 4 yr old Son diagnosed Type 1 in Mar 09

[mum of greggy]

Hi,

My 4 year old son Gregor was diagnosed Type 1 back in March 09. Its been 9 months and im starting to see light at end of tunnel now. My son is very laid back about it all, no fuss with injections etc but i found it very hard to accept, was it something i did in pregnancy? Gregors dad is also Type 1 so i know theres a genetic influence there but hes so young and i feel so responsible. i also try not to think too much into the future, what happens when he leaves home! who will keep an eye on him!

I would love to hear from other parents who have young children with Type 1 and hear their thoughts. this is the first time in 9 months that the black cloud has lifted.

i look forward to hearing from you

Jen

 

[am64]

hi welcome well done for finding us ...must be hard as he is so young...but this forum has got amazing parents who will kick in with advice and support you wait...in the meantime have a good read aound and remember no question is silly on this forum, T1 T2 carers and parents all pitch in together x

 

[Einstein]

Welcome!

I think for parents it must be very difficult not knowng how your child is feeling. He's lucky and so are in an odd way in that his dad is also a type one, so when Gregor describes being unwell one or both of you can connect with him and understand.

Parents of type 1 children never fail to amaze me with their care and dedication to their child.

In the future, none of us know how the condition will be treated or managed.

All I think you can do is encourage him to take responsibility for small parts of his condition and life, gradually increase until he's taking care of himself, just using mum for a bit of backup from time to time.

However, I am sure some of the superb mothers on the forum will help you with the detail. 🙄

 

[bev]

Hi Jen,

Welcome to the forum - although i know you would rather not be here!🙂


My son is 11 and was diagnosed 1 year ago. He is now on a pump and we love it more than injections. What regimen is your little boy on? How are things going? There are a few parents on here and i am sure they will be in touch - just busy with christmas i suppose!🙂Bev

 

[PhilT]

Hi Jen and welcome to the forum.

 

[Copepod]

Hi Gregor's Mum & welcome to the forum. The causes of type 1 diabetes are not yet fully known - I don't know why I got it aged 30 years, but I don't think it would help me to know why, nor would it help to even think of blaming my Mum for bottle feeding me, getting me vaccinated or not or anything else. What does Gregor's Dad think about it? Having not had children myself, having already decided before diagnosis, I can say that I'd be reluctant to pass on my faulty genes to a child, but have huge respect for parents with diabetes. The thing that helped me more than anything when diagnosed was the memory of a 17 year old lad I had in my group on an expedition to South Greenland a few years earlier - I though that if he had managed on that exped, then I would try to manage whatever I wanted to do, and have pretty much done so. In some ways, I think that simple treatment methods a re best - while I realise that pumps do suit many children & adults, I find that a basal bolus regime and the freedom of not being connected 24 hrs a day much easier. A pencil case contains my insulin kit and meter kit and can be moved between whichever rucksack pocket / handbag / cargo trouser pocket / (life)jacket pocket I'm using. 4 years is not too young for canoeing, orienteering etc - if you let us know what things really matter to Greg, we can suggest ways of helping him participate.

"What happens when he leaves home?" - he'll have learned to look after himslef by then. He just needs to know a bit more about blood testing, injections, prescriptions, food content etc, as well as all the other things a young person needs to know about cooking, drinking, money etc. He's only 4 now, so plenty of time to work towards the day, by gradually encouraging him to take responsibility as he wants.

 

[Gemma444]

Hya Jen

My son is 8 and was diagnosed with type 1 in August this year. I felt the same way as you did but you cannot blame yourself. You know some poeple even said oh have you been feeding him on junk food, is he fat etc etc. Someone people are really rude. I ignore people like that. Don't blame yourself, I know its hard not. There are lots of great people on this site that have helped me alot the past few months. I wouldn't know what to do without them. I am still struggling now to understand things and my son is on mixes so things aren't too great.

Gem xx

 

[grahams mum]

hi my graham was diagnosed when he was 3 i know how you feel the website is great especially when you have a bad day good luck and what about his school?xxx daniela grahams mum