sorry to hear your sister and her dd are going through that. My cousin has it. and I've had alot to do with it through work. These days there are alot of support out there, and there is even a mag soully on diabetes, with new research, lifestyle tips and yummy recipies that are safe to eat. ...only thing is i dont know what it is called..
So sorry to hear they are on this path now
My DH was diagnosed Type1 Diabetic when he was 13. The JDRF have a children's and parent's magazine, i think it's called Countdown? They have loads of helpful info! My DH has an insulin pump instead of having to give himself needles or timing meals and watching sugar intake. It has made SUCH a difference to his quality of life! It's basically the size of a pager that he clips onto the waist of his pants, and after testing himself, he just adjust the amount of insulin that is pumping into him. He can eat whatever he wants, drink whatever he wants, at any time of the day so long as he keeps the on top of how much insulin is needed. If your sister's DD has the option to get a pump, go for it!
I have type 1 Diabetes..diagnosed at ten years old 31+ years ago...if you have any questions fire away. Yes it is a hard road, and both your niece and sister will need a lot of support in the years to come. My advice to you as a sister and aunty is to educate yourself...there is nothing worse as a type 1 diabetic than undereducated friends and rellies confusing us with type 2s and spouting off misinformed "advice" and "cures". There is a great Australian support forum for parents of type 1 children called "munted pancreas". If your sister is into this type of thing munted pancreas is a goldmine of support. It is run by the same people who run 'reality check' the adult group of which I am a member.
the good news is that with todays treatment options she will be able to have a fairly normal life and the risks of complications, although still there are a lot less than they were a few years ago.
Also a good source for information and great recipes for family is the bimonthly magazine Diabetic Living...the christmas one has just come up and has some great food ideas for christmas day that are D friendly if that helps.
Def get in touch with as many diabetes organisations as you can.
A friend at work has just had her son diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes as well. She has been told by the RCH in Melb that newly diagnosed diabetics can't have an insulin pump for 12 months. I understand this is to help work out their particular case, patterns etc.
to your sister and her family. It can be a difficult time, but there are some very good supports out there.
That sounds about right re the insulin pump MG......diabetes is a very complex condition to manage and you really need to have experience in all that entails and understand things like insulin:carb ratios, basal patterns, carb counting and correction factors ets before you get a pump....without that sort of knowledge it could be a very dangerous device.
Also because she is a juvenile she may be able to access govt funding for a pump...she might want to check this out in the future.
. I just wish I knew what to say to help make things better.
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Type 1 diabetes?
to your sister and her family. It can be a difficult time, but there are some very good supports out there.
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