| Type 1 Diabetes 14:46 - Jul 12 with 6045 views | FredManRave |
Yesterday, completely out of the blue, our eldest son, 12, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. He was taken to hospital and will be there until at least Monday while they run tests etc to understand the levels and reactions to this disorder so that we can all become educated and understand how and when to monitor and react accordingly to certain situations.
My reason for posting is basically to ask if any other parent on here has a young son or daughter with Type 1 diabetes and if so just how serious or otherwise, it affects their general day to day life and future plans.
As previously mentioned, it has come as a complete surprise and as I, fortunately, have no previous experience or knowledge of this disorder it's all a bit surreal at the moment and I'm genuinely not sure just how grave or life-changing this is going to be. We will obviously be getting a lot of medical advice over the coming days and weeks, however, any advice, opinions or suggestions on how to help my son and to be prepared for what lies ahead in general based on personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks. |  |
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| Type 1 Diabetes on 14:55 - Jul 12 with 4279 views | Discodroids |
I'm really sorry to hear of your sad news Graham. I know you don't want to hear it now but i can still remember the day in diamond white clarity the day my boy was diagnosed with Cystic fibrosis at 18 months old after 9 months in various hospitals.
I thought the world had stopped yet 16 years later the little fu cker is healthy and with more attitude than Cable streets jack spot lobbin' his razor blade studded king edwards at the blackshirts.
It's all raw and painful today, tomorrow , next month , next year but you cope. Believe me.
xx (pm sent) [Post edited 12 Jul 2019 16:42]
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| "...The monkey is never dead, Dealer. The monkey never dies. When you kick him off, he just hides in a corner, waiting his turn." |
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| Type 1 Diabetes on 15:07 - Jul 12 with 4224 views | PlanetHonneywood |
As my dad said to me about my disability: everything you’ll do will mean more to you. What my parents then did, was just encourage me to have a go: when my head dropped, they lifted me; when I felt sorry for myself, they gave me a kick up the backside - I guess that’s parenting.
Ultimately as I say, it’s about you taking control of the disability and not letting the disability control you. I’ve got some mates with T1 and it’s not held them back. I’m sure it won’t for your boy. |  |
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| Type 1 Diabetes on 15:31 - Jul 12 with 4146 views | w7r |
Hi FredManRave.
Sorry to read this about your lad. If it's any comfort a friend of mine was diagnosed with type 1 in his teens. He's now 36, has to administer his meds (modern kit is a big improvement over the older stuff) but other than that leads a very active, normal life, works, still plays five-a-side, likes a pint, has his own kids - you wouldn't know he had this unless he told you about it.
Like you, he was stunned and a bit depressed when diagnosed but he said it gets easier, you just need to make a few adjustments to your routine but he takes the view things could be a lot worse.
Hope the above helps a little. |  | | |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 15:58 - Jul 12 with 4078 views | dannyblue |
A close friend of mine was diagnosed with type 1 in his 30s (!), and another friend's young daughter has it too.
From my understanding of their experiences:
1. It is a pain in the arse, but you have to be flexible and you have to learn about your body: how it reacts to medication and to different types of carbs - because your reaction is not consistent, especially when you're growing or going through puberty, or changing your levels of activity. The better you can learn about the mechanisms, the better you can adapt and avoid hypos and hypers. Getting a kid to count grams of carb and plan ahead, and understand why they shouldn't have sweets etc., is hard but necessary.
2. You can still do everything you want, pretty much.
Good luck! |  | | |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 16:08 - Jul 12 with 4052 views | Phildo |
A friends daughter was diagnosed last year with type 1 aged 11. They have been told in this case it is genetically inherited as his dad had it and other family members too. it was very frightening for them at first (as I am sure it is for you) but after a couple of months it settled down. Mum gave up work at first - she was a teaching assistant in a school.
The little girl was fantastically brave and went to secondary school in the middle of it. The school were very supportive and she has absolutely thrived and now has been fitted with the automatic insulin pump thing and while it is of course a worry life is very much back to normal for them.
Best of luck with this- much love and positivity to you. |  | | |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 16:24 - Jul 12 with 4018 views | enfieldargh |
sent you a pm |  |
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| Type 1 Diabetes on 16:26 - Jul 12 with 4011 views | qpr1976 |
Just to say, there’s beautiful people on this board. Very helpful & positive. Well done all. |  | | |
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| Type 1 Diabetes on 16:40 - Jul 12 with 3982 views | timcocking |
Damn, sad to hear.
I feel your pain. When my brother was 12, he keeled over from a stroke, had loads more and was never ok again. Not sure my folks ever recovered fully. They've never even worked out what it was. Then two years ago when my daughter was 12, she keeled over and starting having epileptic fits out of the blue. Like something out of the fcuking poltergeist. The worst thing i've been through by about a million miles. I can safely say i've not come close to recovering from that and surely never will. Get used to dealing with it, but not a stress free day since. You have to remain strong though, of course, at least in front of your children, and you just have to deal with it one day at a time, do what you can do to help. I've probably drunk alcohol no more than two or three times in the two years since she became ill. It was as if i realised in one day that the world, instead of being a place which is lovely and protects me is in fact very dark and pitiless.
The double edged blessing and curse of having children i suppose. I could handle me being ill, but not her. Life can be very cruel. I suppose it's like bereavement, one day at a time as it were and the grief lessens over time, or at least becomes manageable.
Good luck with it all. |  | | |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 17:16 - Jul 12 with 3909 views | Lblock |
Cheers to Tim..... what a positive message, full of sunshine and hope.
GC.... I can say no more than my earlier WhatsApp message
Be positive
Remember how you rolled with it when you were 12? Kids are so adaptable, it’s us old un’s that worry!
Hope you get answers quick and soon find a new normal
Head up |  |
| Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal |
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| Type 1 Diabetes on 17:23 - Jul 12 with 3892 views | Discodroids |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 16:26 - Jul 12 by qpr1976 |
Just to say, there’s beautiful people on this board. Very helpful & positive. Well done all. |
I still believe there is a soul and humanity to this forum buried deep somewhere within the layers of asphalt.
This thread proves it. | |
| "...The monkey is never dead, Dealer. The monkey never dies. When you kick him off, he just hides in a corner, waiting his turn." |
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| Type 1 Diabetes on 18:11 - Jul 12 with 3828 views | blacky2013 |
My cousin was diagnosed with type one when he was around 10 years old. He's 44 now and still going strong. As everyone on here has already said it is an adjustment and can be difficult at very young ages but it seems that your son is old enough to understand what will be needed. My cousin was lucky and his diabetes is quite stable. I think with the modern equipment it has less of an effect on your day to day life. He lived with me for a number of years and we did have a few episodes of low and high blood sugar levels which can be scary at first but if you know what you are doing (the specialists will tell you all the details) it isn't too bad. There will be more visits to the hospital and GP than usual but once again it all becomes part of their life. One other thing to remember is that this does not mean the end of a 'normal' life just a few adjustments and being sensible. Hope it goes as well as can be expected and your boy does as well (or better) as my cousin. [Post edited 12 Jul 2019 18:12]
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| Type 1 Diabetes on 19:24 - Jul 12 with 3749 views | terryb |
I can't add anything to this thread but to wish yourself & your son all the best.
I'm sure you will get all the help & support that you need & that he will live his life to the full.
Good luck to you asll. | | | |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 19:32 - Jul 12 with 3739 views | dublinr |
Hi FMR, have an uncle with type 1. As people have said, living a normal life with diabetes is totally possible. When you've all adjusted to the mechanics, it'll get much, much easier. Your boy will just have to take a bit more care of himself throughout his life. I guess it must feel like the sky's fallen in right now, but remember, you've still got him, his life's not in danger now he's diagnosed and he'll probably be bloody brilliant at managing it/managing with it.
BTW. I had a look at that diabetes UK site Running man linked - its absolutely great. Reading about in that should reassure your family. I didn't bump into a section on kids, but if you put 'children and diabetes' into the search function, up comes a whole series of articles, links, and also helplines for families of the recently diagnosed. I'd give them a call.
My thoughts are with you. | |
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| Type 1 Diabetes on 21:29 - Jul 12 with 3650 views | californiahoop |
Wish him well, I am type 2, the good thing is, we are in a country that offers help and treatment, good luck!! | | | |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 21:44 - Jul 12 with 3636 views | thorpebankR |
Hi Mate I am type 1 since I was 24 now 45 my boy was diagnosed at 3. It will be a shock to you all at first . It is a different way of life but won't stop him doing whatever he wants to do. There are different ways of managing it pump, injections etc. It is quite personal just depends on what he is comfortable with. Feel free to pm me anytime.Paul |  | | |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 21:56 - Jul 12 with 3613 views | loneranger1 |
Hi there FMR,
Am 32 and have been type 1 diabetic since I was 18 months old!
It must be a shock and I might not have experience in having to change routines, but I have experience of being diabetic at school, uni, a bit of travelling, working, playing football and going to QPR games - at 12, the world is still your son's oyster, just a lot for you all to get your hear round right now. It will get easier.
The Diabetes doesn't define your son, it's just another thing he will have to get used to being part of him.
As noted above, Diabetes UK is a great charity and has a lot of useful information, for newly-diagnosed and people who have had diabetes for years...
Would be very happy to meet up with you/him and chat before or after a Rangers game, or PM me with any questions at all - will do my best to help!
All the best and COYRs! | | | |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 21:57 - Jul 12 with 3612 views | PBLOCK |
Don’t know much mate to be honest.
What I do know though is there are massively supportive people on this board. A year or so back I posted about my little girl who we are having tested for autism find out soon so may be back. The support and information was sensational.
I hope your little un is ok and i hope everything works out for you all
All the best | | | |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 22:17 - Jul 12 with 3583 views | DWQPR |
My personal trainer who is 24 has T1 diabetes and so does her partner. Today is a very special day for them as she has just given birth to her second daughter. She has been such an inspiration to me over the last couple of years turning me from a fat 51 year old and as unfit as could be to a very fit 53 year old who looks forward to an hour in the gym most mornings. She just gets on with life and manages her blood sugars without issue or complaint. Stay positive as this is the best way to manage any condition. | |
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| Type 1 Diabetes on 23:23 - Jul 12 with 3540 views | MancR |
So sorry to hear mate but the support and technology available today is light years ahead of where we were. There will be some ups and downs but as a family it will soon become the norm. We have 3 kids in our school and they're all thriving.
Once the shock has worn off a bit, hopefully things will not look so bleak. Just imagine how much the tech will have moved on in next 20-30 years.
Sending you a huge blue and white hug | | | |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 00:23 - Jul 13 with 3491 views | PunteR |
These are the hurdles we encounter as parents isn't it mate. Whether you jump over or knock them down (the hurdles not the kids!)you keep moving forward. As you know Graham my lad has had his health issues but he's still a happy , cheeky chappie. I actually think his condition has helped him develop as a person. Made him a stronger character for sure.
I don't know anything about diabetes but im sure applying the same positive attitude we've tried to have will help you and your family too mate. Hit the challenge head on mate. Talk openly about what needs to be done, don't skirt around the issues and you'll probably find soon enough your lad will be telling you what needs to be done. My 10 year old tells me how to do his meds when his mums not there. :) I do know of course but its good for him to take a bit of responsibility.
All the best with it mate [Post edited 14 Jul 2019 13:17]
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| Occasional providers of half decent House music. |
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| Type 1 Diabetes on 00:35 - Jul 13 with 3485 views | actonman |
Fred, I am sorry to hear this as I know exactly the fear and pain you will be going through. My eldest son got type1 when he was 4 , he is now 21 completely out the blue . 5 years ago my youngest got diagnosed with it also at the age of 8 and I can’t lie , it broke me and still eats me up inside that both my kids have it.
There is a lot to take in and deal with but you will get through it and carry on as normal , just a little different normal. |  | | |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 16:43 - Jul 13 with 3345 views | FredManRave |
Just a quick message to say thank you to all of you that posted in here and sent me pm's. It's very much appreciated and I will reply and give a general update over the next few days as obviously got a lot going on at the moment, especially while my boy is still in the hospital.
Thanks again though and I'll be showing all the responses to my wife so she can appreciate the general gist of the situation.
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| Type 1 Diabetes on 16:47 - Jul 13 with 3339 views | qprxtc |
I send nothing but love and hope Fred. |  | | |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 17:38 - Jul 13 with 3302 views | FredManRave |
| Type 1 Diabetes on 16:47 - Jul 13 by qprxtc |
I send nothing but love and hope Fred. |
So you're gonna keep all that alcohol to yourself then?!
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