My name is Gillian and I am 8 years old. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in May, 2006. Before I was diagnosed, I had some bad symptoms. I was angry a lot, hungry and thirsty. At night, I would sleepwalk to the kitchen. We think it was because I was starving. My body just couldn't use the sugar from my food and I was always hungry, but I kept losing weight. I lost 7 pounds. I was put in the hospital for 2 days and I had DKA, which means that I had toxic acid in my body. I had to have an IV put into my arm. I was scared at first, but it didn't hurt. We got to practice giving shots in the hospital and later on, we attended diabetes classes. I am on NovoLog and Lantus. I take 4 shots a day and 4-5 finger pricks. I have pretty good control now.
The Family Support Network now includes over 4,330 families from 50 states and 82 countries. If you're new to diabetes, the Family Support Network will help you connect with families near you or find a babysitter. If you haven't joined, please become part of the Family Support Network.
Parents report that over 3,000 schools across the US support in-classroom blood glucose monitoring. Does your child's school? Check the Schools database and add information about your child's school. Other information about diabetes and school
Diabetes Humor
Our son, Bryce is 2 1/2 and was diagnosed at 9 months. Bryce has three friends in the neighborhood that all get together and play throughout the week. When Bryce needs a check, I go to him with the kit and he stops for a minute while we do our business. One day while waiting for the meter reading, I glanced up and his three friend were all standing their with their fingers out to be checked too! Talk about moral support!
More Humorous Tidbits
You know you're the parent of a child with diabetes when ...
... your child practices her math facts using MultiClix as counters!
More Parent Humor
For me, the most amusing part of My Life as a Pancreas was the story of Priscilla's son running around at a parent/child gathering, playing with the other kids. He stopped for some food to prevent a low but left half his cookie in her hand. She yelled out to her son, "Byron, get back here now and finish this cookie. You can't play unless you finish this cookie. You must have this sugar." As other parents sat jaws agape, a little girl came up and asked, "Would you be my mommy? My mommy won't let me have sugar."
That moment, and dozens more, are what we as parents of kids with diabetes live, everyday, as we pretend to be our children's pancreas. My Life as a Pancreas isn't a medical book, it's therapy for parents. And you'll love every page, even if some of the stories hit rather close to home. Highly Recommended.
From the Diabetes Dictionary
Unit of Insulin
The basic measure of insulin. U-100 insulin means 100 units of insulin per milliliter (mL) or cubic centimeter (cc) of solution. Most insulin made today in the United States is U-100.
More definitions
Studies and Surveys
Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet is a group of studies looking at the prevention and early treatment of type 1 diabetes.
DEFEND is a global study seeking newly diagnosed patients aged 12 to 45 to test an islet preserving medication.
The Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium is seeking families with at least 2 siblings diagnosed with type 1 diabetes prior to age 35. They are also interested in having the parents participate, as well as other siblings without diabetes. In this study, researchers will be trying to identify genes influencing an individuals risk for developing type 1 diabetes. By furthering the knowledge of these genes, the researchers hope to prevent type 1 diabetes in the future.
NFL Veteran Jay Leeuwenberg
Tackles Diabetes and Wins.
You can too! Buy From The Publisher
Always remember that kids with diabetes are still kids
Last Updated: Wed Nov 04 14:42:33 2009
This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other health care professional.
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My Life as a Pancreas: Reflections on Raising a Child with Diabetes by Priscilla Call Essert. Published by LuLu.com, 2006. ISBN 978-1-84728-156-2. US$15.00.
This site is published by Children With Diabetes, Inc, which is responsible for its contents.