My Daughter

LaurenKate19 · June 2013

My 4 year old daughter Jillian was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes yesterday. If you could keep us in your thoughts and prayers and pass along any blogs or emails of people you know with children who are diabetics. That would be great. Thank you.

Laurakat81 · June 2013

Oh goodness. Last May, my 4 year old niece was diagnosed. It was devastating. A year later she is doing fantastic. Shots don't bother her one bit. She pricks her own finger. She knows a LOT about what she can and cannot eat, when she needs to eat, etc. She's learning what it feels like to have low blood sugar vs. high vs. normal and can sometimes let us know. Mom was worried that she'd never be able to do normal kid stuff or eat birthday cake at parties, etc....but she can and does. It certainly takes some getting used to. My SIL has thought about starting a blog but hasn't gotten around to it. Take it one day at a time. It's a scary disease in a young child especially but often they are the most resilient. It'll be okay!

WildRumpus · June 2013

I'm sorry to hear that. If you have a children's hospital nearby, ask if they have a child life department. They will be able to explain things to her (and you!) in super kid friendly terms. Also check out Jerry the Bear-he's a stuffed bear that designed especially for kiddos w/ Type 1. He has an insulin pump and is used as a teaching tool. Pinterest is also a great place to look for info for her. Good luck Momma!

Here's the link for Jerry The Bear:

https://www.jerrythebear.com/jerrythebear.html#learn

ETA: The most important thing is being open and honest with her. Get her involved in her care; try to make some things "fun" or at least interesting for her, ie if they give her an insulin pump, allow her to decorate it w/ stickers or choose what color she would like, let her choose a medical ID bracelet (these are great) that sort of thing.

V&G101808 · June 2013

Thinking of you guys!

CaliforniaDream87 · June 2013

I'm sorry. Will definitely keep your family in my prayers!

sweetie41305 · June 2013

I'm sorry to hear this. Thoughts and prayers for you all as you adjust to the new routine!

MrsBlindLove · June 2013

Oh man I am so sorry to hear that. Definitely thinking of you guys!

MtB2013 · June 2013

I'm so sorry that your little one and the whole family is going through this.

kanned0121 · June 2013

I'm so sorry! T's P's! My friends little girl was diagnosed at 2, and it was hard, but now at 5 years old she's a total champ with it. Good luck!!

MellyLuc · June 2013

Oh no! Thinking of you guys, DH has type 1 diabetes since he was very young also. He said he went to a children's program at the hospital. The hospital had sessions with his parents so they could learn all the tools and everything they needed to know about type 1 diabetes, and he had sessions where they brought it down to his level and helped him understand all of the changes going on. They had given him a teddy bear and he would "inject" his bear. He wasn't on the pump then though. Good luck with everything!