NannyFacetime
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi! My 2 year old grandchild has this week been diagnosed with type 1. It’s a scary uncertain time for us all.
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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
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- Thread starter NannyFacetime
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NannyFacetime
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Thank you I’ve been reading lots of posts on here and it is really helpful
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Scary times at the start and so much to learn so quickly.
Really pleased that you have joined other forum as there is plenty of help and advice available on here.
I was recommended the book Type 1 Diabetes in Children Adolescents and Young Adults by Ragnar Hanas. It is excellent. I was 53 at diagnosis and still found it very helpful. Type 1 is Type 1 whenever you get it. This is a book that is regularly updated so it worth forking out for the most recent version.
There is a specific part from agents on this forum and you may get more responses from parents through that although I know that many of them will check and look out for newbies anywhere.
If you have any questions at all just ask. No question is considered silly on here as we have been there.
Also a good place for a moan/rant/ any help you want.
NannyFacetime
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Gosh thank you so much for the recommendation!
TheClockworkDodo
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi @NannyFacetime and welcome to the forum.
I'm going to tag @Bronco Billy because he has two children with type 1 and is likely to have lots of good advice for you.
I'm going to tag @Bronco Billy because he has two children with type 1 and is likely to have lots of good advice for you.
Bronco Billy
Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Hi NannyFacetime, welcome to the club no-one wants to join
As TheClockWorkDodo said, I have two children with type 1. They were diagnosed a few months apart about nine years ago. Scary and uncertain are two excellent adjectives to use, that is exactly what the early days are like. You will notice that I said ‘early days’, it will get easier, I promise. Your grandchild’s life has changed in a big way and so have the lives of the family, including you. If you want to look for positives, if your grandchild was going to be diagnosed with type 1, you may consider it better that the diagnosis has happened early in life. It will be easier for the child to adjust to and accept.
Type 1 is something that the vast majority of people know nothing about until it suddenly rears its ugly head. You will be surprised how quickly everyone learns about it. Each day, you will all learn a bit more and will be better equipped to look after your grandchild. It is a steep learning curve, so no-one should be harsh on themselves if mistakes are made. It happens to all of us.
You have already been told about the Ragnar Hanas book, I recommend it as well. It’s regarded by parents of type 1 children as ‘the’ book to have. He is a highly respected and renowned world expert on the subject. The parents board on the forum is a good place to look for advice, not to mention the numerous Facebook groups.
If you’re worried about your grandchild’s future, you needn’t be. It will still be possible to live a normal life, it will just need more planning than the average person gives their life because you always need to check that the necessary equipment is with you, such as glucose. We have always encouraged our children to ‘get on with it’ and treat type 1 as just something that is a part of them, but doesn’t dominate them or stop them doing anything. The Six Nations rugby tournament starts next weekend. There is a player in the England squad called Henry Slade. He has type 1, but still plays international rugby.
It sounds like the parents will have support from you, and that will be really helpful. That support will need to be in the form of encouragement as much as practical.
If there is anything specific you want to know, please ask. No question is too silly.
As TheClockWorkDodo said, I have two children with type 1. They were diagnosed a few months apart about nine years ago. Scary and uncertain are two excellent adjectives to use, that is exactly what the early days are like. You will notice that I said ‘early days’, it will get easier, I promise. Your grandchild’s life has changed in a big way and so have the lives of the family, including you. If you want to look for positives, if your grandchild was going to be diagnosed with type 1, you may consider it better that the diagnosis has happened early in life. It will be easier for the child to adjust to and accept.
Type 1 is something that the vast majority of people know nothing about until it suddenly rears its ugly head. You will be surprised how quickly everyone learns about it. Each day, you will all learn a bit more and will be better equipped to look after your grandchild. It is a steep learning curve, so no-one should be harsh on themselves if mistakes are made. It happens to all of us.
You have already been told about the Ragnar Hanas book, I recommend it as well. It’s regarded by parents of type 1 children as ‘the’ book to have. He is a highly respected and renowned world expert on the subject. The parents board on the forum is a good place to look for advice, not to mention the numerous Facebook groups.
If you’re worried about your grandchild’s future, you needn’t be. It will still be possible to live a normal life, it will just need more planning than the average person gives their life because you always need to check that the necessary equipment is with you, such as glucose. We have always encouraged our children to ‘get on with it’ and treat type 1 as just something that is a part of them, but doesn’t dominate them or stop them doing anything. The Six Nations rugby tournament starts next weekend. There is a player in the England squad called Henry Slade. He has type 1, but still plays international rugby.
It sounds like the parents will have support from you, and that will be really helpful. That support will need to be in the form of encouragement as much as practical.
If there is anything specific you want to know, please ask. No question is too silly.
NannyFacetime
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Thanks so much your comments have really helped me to see this isn’t the end of the world!
Bronco Billy
Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
Think of it as a new beginning. 🙂
Hello from a T1 since a team won the world cup. I have never been unemployed in my life & have two healthy kids. be positive for her sack pls. welcome 🙂
NannyFacetime
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Quick update my little soldier has been put onto a Dexcom 6 pump which he is getting used to and seems totally unphased by it. Lots of hypos and a few hypers in the last few days but I understand that’s quite normal at this stage. Hopefully he will be going home from hospital on Friday
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
No - the Dexcom 6 is the CGM which works in partnership with a Medtronic insulin pump. Very lucky child to get both together on the NHS!
Bronco Billy
Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Parent of person with diabetes
The Dexcom G6 is indeed a CGM, but doesn’t need a pump to work. BG levels are displayed on an Apple or Android compatible device.
NannyFacetime
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Ahhh forgive my error! So many bits of equipment to get used to
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