Thursday 4 August 2016

Type 1 Diabetes - 5 months on








I can't believe little e has been living with this pesky condition for 5 months, how time flies when you spend you life carb counting and checking blood glucose levels!


She is continuing to take it all in her stride, 5 or 6 injections a day , no problem. Wearing a Blood Glucose sensor 24/7 , fine . Ask her to wear a dress, wear anything I make, wear anything that is scratchy - NO WAY!! It is totally amazing how adaptable children can be and I am thankful that she is old enough to understand that there is no option. This is permanent and there is nothing anyone can do about it except support her in every way we can.


During my frequent google sessions after her diagnosis I stumbled upon Beyond Type 1 , an American charity that, among lots other amazing things, has started a snail mail pen pal club for people with type 1. Little e has been paired with a little girl in the very north of Scotland. Close enough that maybe one day they will get to meet! 
https://beyondtype1.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-19-at-2.13.47-PM.png

We managed to survive our holiday to Florida. It was actually absolutely fine - I need to worry less. There was only one wee issue, we forgot to take the insulin! I thought husband took it out of the fridge, he thought I did. Luckily we noticed when we were in the check in queue at Glasgow airport so a quick round trip to the nearest pharmacy and an emergency prescription later we were sorted. I still can't believe we actually forgot the medicine keeping her alive! I will have a check list the next time :)
Image result for type 1 diabetes quotes
The only thing that really bugs me now is the total diabetes stigma in the media and how all the stats for type 1 and type 2 are lumped together. Both are serious conditions but type 1 is an autoimmune condition where as  type 2  is often (but not always) caused by lifestyle choices.

Now, if I could just get school to understand the seriousness of the whole thing life would be a lot simpler!