Type 1 411

It’s hard to believe that my little guy is 3 1/2 years old and that he has already lived with Type 1 Diabetes for over 2 years.  We have learned a lot in the past couple years and have so much more to learn.  Every day is different, but every day is filled with love and laughter. 

I know some people get angry when people show ignorance towards what Type 1 Diabetes is, including my husband.  To me I can’t get angry at something that I was totally clueless about until my son was diagnosed.  Sure it could be easy to get angry at people that know him and have heard the story but still just don’t quite get it but why get angry when I can educate…. OK I will admit after “educating” for the 100th billion time I get angry but hey who wouldn’t?

I still can’t say I know everything there is to know about diabetes. It’s been 2 years and I still struggle trying to make the right decisions when it comes to being Cole’s pancreas.  There are some things I have learned but I am not expert.

I decided just for fun I would go over the things we hear ALL THE TIME and what my response is or what I am thinking in my head:

1.   Type 1?  So that’s different than Type 2 right? 

UM heck yeah it’s different.  My son has an autoimmune disorder that attacked the insulin producing cells in his pancreas.  His body no longer produces insulin (or produces very little) which is needed to stay alive.  Type 2 diabetics still produce insulin, their body just doesn’t know how to use it properly.

2.   So do you have his diabetes under control yet? 

You try to get diabetes under control.  I could have him do the exact thing, at the exact time, eat the exact food and give the exact same insulin and his body will react different to it on any given day.  No 2 days are the same.

3.  My grandpa has diabetes.

Thanks for sharing but more than likely you are referring to Type 2 and that really has nothing to do with Type 1.

4.  Will he ever grow out of it?

He will not grow out of it.  His body does not produce insulin that is needed to survive.  Until there is a cure this is his life.

5.  Do you have to poke his fingers?

Yes on average his little fingers get poked 6 times a day.  Sometimes more, especially when sick.

6.  My aunt has diabetes.

Thanks for sharing but more than likely you are referring to Type 2 and that really has nothing to do with Type 1.

7.  I got him some sugar free candy.  That’s what my grandma eats and she’s diabetic.

Thank you for the thought, but sugar alcohols that are in sugar free candy can have the same effect as regular sugar.  Plus sugar free can cause diarrhea.  So we will just stick with the real stuff (plus the real stuff taste better).

8.  Can he have that cake?!?

Yes he can eat cake, cookies, ice cream, candy, etc.  While it’s best advised to obviously give in moderation just like any other child.  We just have to give him insulin for the carbs consumed. 

9.  My grandma had diabetes.

Thanks for sharing but more than likely you are referring to Type 2 and that really has nothing to do with Type 1.

10.  My parent’s friend had Type 1 and they ended up amputating his leg because of it.

Holy Crap!  Why would you share that with me?  My child is 3 and has a whole lifetime of this so chances of him having complications later in life increases.  Please don’t tell me this depressing crap again!

11.  My great uncle had diabetes.

OMG enough with the relatives that had diabetes.  Thanks for sharing but more than likely you are referring to Type 2 and that really has nothing to do with Type 1. So seriously stop listing all your relatives that had/have diabetes.

12. Well he could have (insert horrible disease here).

While I am truly thankful that my child has something that can be managed it’s still a struggle.  I am in charge of keeping him alive.  If I give too much insulin and don’t catch it he could have a seizure or die.  If I don’t give enough and he goes high this is damaging to his organs and could cause complications later in life. 

13.  But he’s so young to have diabetes. 

Type 1 can happen to anyone at any age.  It can happen to babies and adults.  There is no age limit in diagnoses.

14.  So if he just exercises and eats healthy you won’t have to give him shots right?

NO he’s not Type 2.  While exercise and eating healthy helps anyone this does not make Type 1 Diabetes go away.  If he eats a carb he needs insulin for it.  No matter if it’s carbs from a bowl of fruit or carbs from a donut. 

15.  Have you tried cinnamon I hear that cures it?

                                Trust me if cinnamon were a cure the kid would be eating a spoonful every day.

16.  My grandpa’s friend had diabetes.


                                SERIOUSLY ENOUGH ALREADY!        : )


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