Did you know what the fastest growing illness among children in the world is? Diabetes. Growing up as a child with type 1 diabetes was challenging to say the least. I want to share my perspective from a child's eyes, to help parents and caretakers understand what it was like.
I remember getting really ill when I was in grade 4. I got very thirsty, had lost alot of weight suddenly, and experienced unexplainable tiredness. My mum knew something was not right but I refused to go to get medical attention.
Until one unsuspecting morning I just couldn't go on anymore and was unable to get out of bed.
This time, despite my protests, mum rushed me to the childrens hospital.
I was quickly attended to and assessed because at that stage I was slipping into unconsciousness. After doing some blood work they concluded that I had type 1 diabetes. I was quickly put on insulin and a drip to hydrate my thin body. I was told my pancreas could no longer make insulin on its own and I would have to take insulin injections for the rest of my life to stay alive.
I remember my parents being very scared and overwhelmed. Overhearing my grandma saying I would die, I now knew it must be serious.
Shortly thereafter the endless appointments began. I went to the dietician, the counselor, the endocrinologist, the eye specialist, my local GP, the diabetes educator, and had to be in touch with the pharmacist too.
From the moment I was diagnosed every bit of food and drink had to be calculated. To survive this, I had to learn the content of carbohydrate in every food. I had to write down everything I ate and when I ate it. I had to chart and graph every insulin dose and time.
Blood and kidney tests had to be done every 3 months. And every 3 hours I had to prick my fingers and see if my blood sugar level was within an acceptable range. My urine had to be tested for ketones at home too. Insulin injections were regularly in my stomach, thighs, and upper arms every few hours.
Back in the 80's the needles were very thick, seemed more like nails so I frequently had many visible bruises, which embarrassed me.
Exercise also had to be recorded and monitored strictly. I had to document when and at what intensity.
In addition to all of this, any stress such as getting the sniffles, not feeling good about myself, feeling anxious because I couldn't eat at a party, my parents having an argument, seeing my mum unwell or worried, or simply just getting sunburn, all had effect on my blood sugar levels.
The majority of the time I felt my little body was just utterly exhausted. My head hurt with confusion from all the information, the control and just not knowing what my body was doing. All I wanted to do is be like everyone else, playing, eating, swimming, having fun. All the simple things in childhood were now so much more challenging.
I knew this was very difficult on my parents. From this very young age, I felt guilt and that I was nothing but a burden.
My best friends were now my insulin bottles, my needles, glucometer and lollies which I carried everywhere. I lived in constant fear of my sugars dropping. Or going up too high. I was just 10 years old.
I had to grow up quickly, learn so much at such a young age. Iv never quite been able to rest and just not think about whats going on with my body.
Its been an exhausting journey, not just physically but mentally. Every moment of my existence must be calculated.
There are however many good things that I choose to take from this. There are also many things I wished I learnt many years earlier.
I truly believe that having the proper information is essential for easing so much unnecessary suffering.
If you are a parent to a child that is diabetic or if you are a caretaker I hope this heartfelt expression has given you some insight to what its is like for this child.
I intend to share with you some of the most significant things that eased my life, so they can ease your child's. Stay tuned, there's much more from diet, to proper supplements, to food choices I beleived were 'healthy' but weren't...
www.journeythruwellness.com
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