First encounter and first weeks living with Diabetes Type 1

It has been 19 days since we've faced Diabetes Type 1 face to face.

It was many weeks and months that I was concerned about my sons well being but I did not have a knowledge to name the cause of it.

Now, knowing the symptoms of Diabetes Type 1:

Thirst,
Toilet,
Tiredness,
Getting Thinner

I can see a trail of events that led us to diagnosis of this incurable disease.

Firstly, my main concern was wetting the bed overnight but due to the young age, I was assured that night time toileting will come with the time. I read multiple articles etc and overall conclusion was that:

1) Child's sleep is deep. That is a reason for not waking up for toileting,
2) I need to wait for some hormone to "switch on " that will notify brain of the night time toileting needs
3) Human bladder will stop or minimise production of urine over night. I need to wait for it!

Still, I had my concerns and once linked with the right type of questions "Why is my son drinking so much?" and "Why is my son constantly thirsty?", I managed to find answer on google searches.

"Constant thirst might be a symptom of Diabetes. Get your child checked out by your GP."

I managed to find this answer 2 days before my son was actually diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes.

The Unexpected struck us on Sunday morning. My son was constantly drinking and not in a very good mood. He vomited little food that he had & that made us look for a medical help.




Since we were diagnosed, my son needs 4 insulin injections a day: 3 before meals and one in the night time to last him for following 24 hours.

His mood can swing momentarily. It was especially hard on first few occasions as you are there thinking "Is it my son that does not want to do things or Is it Diabetes!?"

Our days go worrying about sugar levels, especially lows (Highs are treated with insulin and does not affect us at the moment). Lows can arrive any time without warning, especially when we are enjoying ourselves in the park or with the friends, or in the indoor play centre.

We were told that our diet is healthy so we can maintain it but we need to fill up Toby's tummy at meal times. He can have only 1 snack (only fruit) between main meals. This is an issue for us since my son is the happiest chappy and could run down his energy in a non-stop 3hrs+ run-around time.

Another issue of ours are drinks. Since diabetes is new for us, I am not sure what hot drinks is he allowed. We are on chocolate flavoured Options chocolate drink at the moment but I am not sure can he have e.g. 2 of them a day!?

Today my son fell asleep early after lots of activities. Comes 8.30pm, our night time injection,  and I check his blood sugars.  They are only 5.2 and I need to wake him up to give him his evening "before the bed snack" to make him last over night.