Need your prayers for BF's 2yr old son diagnosed w/diabetes

[aguinn]

just found out tonight that my best friend's 2 yr old son has diabetes. could use your extra prayers for this cutie.

if you have dealt with/are dealing with juevenile (sp?) diabetes, please feel free to send along tips and references for me to pass on to her. she is in shock, as she only found out this afternoon and i want to make sure she's asking the right questions.

tia,
;)amy
momma to DS#1 "Big Brother" (BB) and, finally, DS#2 "Little Brother" (LB)

http://b3.lilypie.com/Eygrm4/.png[/img][/url]
http://b1.lilypie.com/ur0Am4/.png[/img][/url]

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." ~ Neil Postman

[brittone2]

Poor little guy. My thoughts are going out to them as we speak :)

[elliput]

In case you haven't looked at the JDRF site yet, here's the link. http://www.jdrf.org/

DH and I have been "doin' the walk" for several years for reasons just like this.

[wilelm]

I don't want this to sound heartless, and I know that it is a very hard thing to deal with, but as someone who was diagnosed at age 4, and who has had it for 32 years, my response to people who ask me if I'm afraid my children will get it is, it's not a death sentence. It takes a lot of work to control, but her son will live a totally normal life, as I do. And he's a lot luckier than I was--the strides they've made in treatment in my lifetime are amazing, and they'll only get better. When I was growing up, I had to do urine tests to check my blood sugars, and I took 4-8 shots a day, and wasn't allowed to eat what the other kids were eating. Now, with insulin pumps and carb counting, despite what most people think, diabetics can eat whatever they like, as long as they know how to figure out the amount of insulin they need to cover the carbs.

I am also convinced that being diagnosed at such a young age was actually a good thing, because I don't remember life before diabetes. I can't imagine how hard it would be to get it as a teenager or adult, and face the life changes at that point.

Please tell your friend that her son is going to be fine, and live a normal, long, full life. I would advise her to join a support group for families of children with diabetes, and once her son is old enough, to get him into a youth support group. I belonged to a youth group and attended diabetic summer camp growing up, and enjoyed both and got a lot of comfort from being around other kids who had diabetes as well. It's hard if you feel like you're alone.

I don't want to sound unsympathetic, but now isn't the time to feel sad for her, it's a time to help her realize she needs to be strong, for herself and her son.


Sheila

[starrynight]

Sending thoughts to his mom, anytime your child is diagnosed with anything it's rough. My dh's 2nd cousin was diagnosed at age 2, he is doing fine and is a healthy teenager now. It will be ok, it will take a bit of adjustment on mom's part, but at an age that young for the dianosis, at least her child won't remember too much of life before diabetes.

[Melissap]

My thoughts and prayers are with this little one. As the other posters stated, it will be a time of adjustment but everyone will get through it. My now 16 year old daughter was diagnosed when she was 12 and at first it was a shock, but with time she has adjusted well and leads a normal life.

A wonderful site to check out is www.childrenwithdiabetes.com. Lots of information and support. We attended one of their annual conferences.

[aguinn]

Sheila,

I appreciate your perspecitve and your suggestions. I'll definitely pass them on to my friend.

However, I wasn't asking anyone to be sad for her. News like this has it's grief period, and she and her family could use the prayers to remain strong and get the support they need.

I certainly understand that this child will most likely live a long, full and happy life. It's just that right now this is a lot for her to take on.

Thanks for understanding.

;)amy
momma to DS#1 "Big Brother" (BB) and, finally, DS#2 "Little Brother" (LB)

http://b3.lilypie.com/Eygrm4/.png[/img][/url]
http://b1.lilypie.com/ur0Am4/.png[/img][/url]

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." ~ Neil Post

[aguinn]

thanks to all who responded with thoughts and references. i'll definitely pass on the info and support the family as much as possible.

;)amy
momma to DS#1 "Big Brother" (BB) and, finally, DS#2 "Little Brother" (LB)

http://b3.lilypie.com/Eygrm4/.png[/img][/url]
http://b1.lilypie.com/ur0Am4/.png[/img][/url]

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." ~ Neil Postman

[ribbit1019]

Oh, poor little man! How scary for your BF too.
My desk neighbor here at work has a three y.o. with diabetes, but she isn't here today for me to ask. :(

Christy
Maddy born 6/09/04
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Little Man due 3/02/06
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Co-Owner Ribbit Baby

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