I thought I'd clarify what this disease is.
There is no cure, no miracle vitamin
or pill that will help us to manage it better
or cure us.
There is no "natural" way to help us.
Type 1 diabetes is forever.
Our immune system started viewing our pancreas cells as foreign
and attacked them.
Dead.
Our pancreas's will never work.
Ever.
The reason is unknown, but we do know that there is
no way to predict who will get it, or when.
There is no way to prevent it or delay it.
It just happens.
Completely different
"The pump" is only a device to help deliver insulin, it is not a cure.
It does not test our blood for us either.
We still need to count carbs
We still need to test our blood.
My 4 year old will not be on a pump til she is a teenager.
I have to laugh, because I think I've heard all these stupid comments.
I'll try to answer some of these:
10. There is no "Bad kind" of diabetes.
It's all bad (haha)
9. Candy did not cause this, or poor diet.
Our immune system attacked our pancreas cells.
8. If your grandma or aunt or anyone over 40 has diabetes,
it is most likely type 2 diabetes, totally different disease.
Totally different.
But, maybe they are like my mom, and had Type 1 Diabetes since they were 24.
But probably not.
7. We can eat sugar, we can eat anything we want.
Anything.
We just need to take insulin to match the carbs in whatever we eat.
So if I want to eat a whole chocolate cake, I can,
but I'd need like a whole bottle of insulin
to combat that! Seriously, though, if I want cake, I can eat it,
I 'd have a piece and take insulin to accommodate that.
6. Hey, you are right. I feel so much better. Are you a moron?
5. Well, then, let's pray you do not get Type 1 Diabetes, because
if you could NEVER give your needles, you'd be dead.
4. Wow. I'm so sorry.
Poor control can cause poor circulation
3. (well, I am now, but I've had 6 kiddos and am trying to lose it)
I was always thin before children.
OK, again, read the chart up top,
Type 1 Diabetes is not caused by poor diet or from being overweight, by eating
too much sugar or fat, that is Type 2.
Totally different.
2. Nothing can cure Type 1 Diabetes.
Nothing.
1. Just what does a diabetic look like?
The only thing that is harder for me is losing weight,
I hope these 2 signs help explain that one for you.
OK, I won't hit anyone, but please don't ask a diabetic that question.
They know what they can eat (anything)
Diabetes does not stop me from doing anything.
Diabetes will not stop my sweet 4 year old from doing anything either.
She can be in sports, she can do or become anything she wants.
She can get married and have babies (as many as God wants to give her)
Diabetes is not a burden.
I don't understand that one I guess.
It just is what it is.
Some things are harder.
That's life.
It's OK for some things to be harder.
I don't even look at it as a cross.
It's second nature to do the things I do.
It will be that way for her too.
As soon as she understands what "Forever" really is.
(like this morning, she asked, again, "I'm bored of taking shots, when can I be done?")
(to which I respond, "Never sweetie, you will be taking shots forever")
Diabetes does not hold me back, it does not control me.
I control it.
She will too.
Thanks, I knew there were significant differences between Type I and Type II, but I understand them a lot better now. It's got to be tough dealing with that--and especially knowing that one of your kids will have to carry that cross, too. But I love your attitude: "That's life. It's OK for some things to be harder." Your are an inspiration.
ReplyDelete*You are
DeleteOh, Laura Pearl! Thank you, you are so sweet! It's really not a cross if I accept it as "this is what we do" I want to make sure she doesn't look at it as a burden either. Although, she is not liking this "forever" stuff at all....She's doing great though.
DeleteThank you for the clarifications. The only thing I hear is that people with any form of diabetes can't eat carbs, sugar, etc., but now I know that isn't true. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear she is feeling better. Keeping you all in my prayers.
I suppose it is confusing because the more carbs we eat, the more insulin we need. It's just that it is carbs that raise blood sugars, but it is also carbs that helps us to control it. They help us to know how much insulin to take.
DeleteBridget is also a child, so I'm wanting her to eat and getting the yogurts with more carbs (we have the lite ones for snacks) For me, I'm wanting lower carb things...I am not a growing girl!! hahah! Does that make sense? SO she can eat whatever she will eat at each meal, where as I will watch that. She can eat chips with her lunch (counted of course) but I won't, because I'm wanting to lose weight..did that make sense? Oh, I'm probably confusing everyone! hahah!!
Thank you for your prayers, love you Kari!
It's been just under 6 months since my son was diagnosed and yup. I've heard ALL of these. I can't even tell you how many times people have mentioned his love of donuts and how that must have caused his Type 1 diabetes. Wishing you and your little one all the best!
ReplyDeleteOh, gosh, I bet you picture yourself punching them in the face for that!! Tell your little boy that we got donuts this morning because of him!! :) (really, we did) It's kind of funny how people, when they know nothing about something, they say really stupid things....sometimes it gets tiring "informing" people. God wants us to be patient. It's also funny because even after informing people, they still don't get it.
DeletePrayers for your sweet boy and prayers for you mama!! Keep up the good work!!
Praying, praying, praying for you and your little dear! What a blessing that you have so much personal experience and are not going into this blind. She is in excellent care - keep up the great work, mama!
ReplyDeleteThanks Happymom!! I will be praying for you in my Holy Hour tonite! Hoping this time goes fast for you! You are also doing an awesome job taking care of that sweet baby!!
Deletesorry if I am calling so much...just worried about you and sweetie-pie. Exciting weekend for your family! I am just glad you blogged about something. Just wondering how everything is going. thinking of you tons.
ReplyDeleteYou are not!! It's just that we are carrying on, doing the same things we always do, mealtimes are a little busier now though...
DeleteYou are so thoughtful! I love you Christine!!
Sarah wants to see you (my Fargo Sarah) you are welcome to come Sunday!!
Gosh! What a lot of great information! Hope you are adjusting as well as one can. Been thinking about y'all and praying, praying, praying. Sending hugs!
ReplyDeleteI love it when you say "y'all"!! After reading Sarah's post, I wish we had Skype too!! :)
DeleteThank you sweet friend, thank you so much! (((hugs))) right back.
I'm so glad you are informing people. I did know that Type 1ers could eat whatever as long as they have the right amount of insulin. I have to say I am glad Sweetie Pie is just "bored" of the shots and not angry or upset with them.
ReplyDeleteShe does get a little upset and cry sometimes, but I just keep my "matter of fact" tone and tell her she will get really sick and die if she doesn't. :)
DeleteAwesome, Jamie Jo, thanks. Just a little note... my family is kind of weird but type 2 runs on my dad's side and the men were all SKINNY when diagnosed so we're odd. I'm overweight. I'm probably screwed.
ReplyDeleteI get the "for life" thing. My heart about broke when it was about two years post-diagnosis (of celiac disease) and my youngest son said, "When I'm a daddy, I can eat gluten again." Um, nope. He started to cry. They do well with it now, though it makes my oldest a little more anxious than he might otherwise have been.
As sucky as it is, I am glad your daughter has you to help her with this. I grew up in a small town. A girl I ran with had diabetes and honestly nobody thought much of it. I didn't even realize she had it until I saw her give herself insulin one day and eat a banana before a race.
God bless!
There are always exceptions to the rule! Maybe you are not screwed, it means you will lose the baby weight and be skinny and diabetic...OK, you are screwed. (I think you are beautiful by the way and not overweight at all!)
DeleteI never got back to the comments in my original post about Bridget...to answer your question, yes, they do automatically test for Celiacs now, they tested Bridget on that first day and will again yearly I guess. I can't imagine having to push carbs and watch what those carbs are too...although, she mostly eats yogurt!
Growing up, I didn't want anyone to know I had diabetes, but like you said, you saw her once giving herself a shot, people have seen me. It's the not wanting to be different thing for teens. Every time I'd take out my testing stuff and shots, people would gather round and as a ton of (stupid) questions and I hated it. So I hid it. I even take my shot through my clothes. (Shhhh!!)
God bless you Nicole.
Thank you for posting this. Really, it was all really good info comparing the two and most I didn't know. Always keeping us all informed, that's our Jamie. :) I've been thinking of you a ton and sending lots of prayers. Sending a few extra for your First Communicant this weekend. {{hugs}}
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah, you are so sweet! I can feel the graces, really I can.
Delete(((hugs))) right back!
Hi Jamie. It's really good to see you spreading the right information about diabetes. People often confuse the two types. The post was funny as well. Good to see you are taking things in a good spirit. Lots of hugs for you dear :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you get my sense of humor...trying to be funny, yet serious at the same time.
DeleteHugs right back (((hugs))))
This really has been a great education, thanks Jamie Jo. Simon is the opposite of he can eat anything he wants, his lows are dangerous and they also happen after he works out. We are learning though.
ReplyDelete9Peas...well, that is with knowing what carbs are consumed and accommodating that with the right amount of insulin. I knew they were the opposites, but do not know the differences...so hard, huh?
DeleteThis is such a helpful post for those who know little about diabetes. Thank you for educating us! May God bless you and your darling daughter.
ReplyDeleteThank you Nancy, you are so sweet!
DeleteFirst off, I'm sorry I haven't commented more to let you know I love you and am praying for your strength. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I haven't been a better friend through all of this, but I do love you and I am praying. Second, thank you so much for posting this. I am so ignorant of all of this and though I may not have made those comments, I did need more clarification and really appreciate you taking the time to instruct us. You must get SO frustrated with the ignorant comments. More and more opportunities for patience. Sweetie Pie seemed always to have such "strength" to her personality. God must've made her strong to carry this and make it part of her life. Thank God she has a mother who truly understands and can support her and knows exactly what she's going through. I love you! xoxoxo YOU are the perfect mom for her!
ReplyDeleteIsn't blogging harder (and reading blogs) when we are Facebook friends too? I think it is. It's harder to keep up with the blog...I get it.
DeleteYou are right, Sweetie pie has a ton of spunk in her personality!! She's a spitfire!!
More patience, yes, you are right there too...I need so much of them...God knows I get frustrated with people and their comments, so HE wants me to be more patient and be a good example to my daughter...so here I am educating people...not hitting like Batman in that last joke!
You are the special mama--TWINS....only special mamas get those, very special mamas...I've been praying for those for years...my kiddos too. Instead, He gives me this...hahah!
Love you so much, you take care sweet heart!
Ugh, I just have been in such a funk. I have a 1/2 written post about Gabriel that I'm having such a hard time finishing and have been so sick and tired these past 3 months with the babies that the computer is the last thing I have energy for. I miss you though!!! I just love you and think you are SO amazing and am praying for you. xoxo
DeleteThis is so very good, Jamie. I've learned a lot from reading your posts on this, and I wish you had a much larger forum to put this information out. I love, love, love your last lines.
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope that the right people see this and if it only helps one person, then, it is worth it, right?
DeleteThank you so much Shelly!
I'm keeping you and your sweet little daughter in my prayers! Thanks for posting the good information on diabetes-there's so much confusion and so many wrong ideas out there!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jan, that is so sweet of you. It is confusing because they named them basically the same thing...
DeleteI found your blog through a comment on 9Pea's blog. My 9yo son was just diagnosed with type-1 diabetes. This is all new to us. It sounds like you are very experienced, having dealt with it yourself, but I'm sorry your precious daughter also has it. :( It has been quite the rollercoaster for us, and we are still learning. God bless you. www.expandingandersons.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI would also love to hear more of your advice on how to deal with it when your child starts feeling sorry for himself/herself as we are dealing with that a bit..of course I have the guilt and the sadness for my child and want to go easy on him, but we also need to make sure we're not giving him a big crutch that makes it harder to deal with.
DeleteI'm so sorry about your son too Kristi. I'm sure it has been a roller coaster for you, it's so hard. Especially in the beginning. I'll have to check out your blog (later, I'm "quick" checking emails before we start school!) If you'd like to talk, I can call you, email me, (jamiejo99 (at) gmail.com ) no spaces between those words and letters!
DeleteWhen my daughter says things like "I'm bored of taking shots, when can I be done?" (in her most whiny voice, and I want to say, "OK, you don't have to anymore") but instead, I just say nonchalantly, and matter of factly, "You have to, you have to forever, that's every single day" I also remind her that she will get really sick and die if she doesn't....not that she understands what "die" means but I am honest and talk like that is just the way it is.
I have to admit, it's been 2 1/2 weeks and at Confession the other day, there was a little girl there the same age as my Bridget and she had on a little dress, showing her arms and I thought of my daughters arms already having little bruise spots where she's had shots...and it made me tear up...I'm still sad about it and am choking up just typing this. So there is some mourning there. Some sadness still. Father told me that is OK. It's OK to be sad. It's OK to cry. Obviously, it can't be dwelled on forever...but it's OK to be sad. He said exactly what I've caught telling myself, that I'm trying to hurry up and be not sad again. It's our emotions..and it's OK.
We want our children to be perfect. We want them to be carefree and not have hard things in life. But they will. I keep telling myself that at least we know what her hard thing is. We know her cross at this point. And if we give them the right attitude, it won't be a cross. I don't feel my diabetes is a cross..it just is. Because I've accepted it as so.
I really feel part of my sadness is for myself. Having to take the extra time to figure out what she's eating, instead of just getting the food on the table and not really worrying what they eat...It takes a little extra time and yet adds a lot of stress at mealtime and snack time and bed time...but it will all be OK.
Email me your number if you want to talk. I'll be praying for you and your son.
I will email you, thank you.
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