Tuesday, January 27, 2009

TEST! PLEASE!

I get asked all the time what where my daughter's symptoms before she was diagnosed with Diabetes. When I talk about how much she was drinking, how she was wetting the bed and having accidents all the time I can usually tell those that are going to ask the next question. It is a question I dread.

About how much drinking is a lot? Or about how many times was she going potty? When did you realize that is was a problem and not just being a kid?

Usually when someone asks questions like that it seems it's because they have had a concern with someone they know. It isn't in every case, but I have always advised to have their child checked just to make sure!

In the last 2 weeks I have had 3 experiences with little kids that could possibly be diabetic. Each has been so different from the other. One the parents asked me to test the just barely 2 year old girl. She was at 263! The refuse to get her into a doctor. Somehow they refuse to believe there is a possibility. The 2nd experience brought two old friends from high school together chatting about how the possibility is real. She felt inspired to read our story here on my blog. She felt she had to get her daughter tested. The last hit home tonight. My niece has been giving her mom and dad a bit of scare lately. They found a tester and called me while they tested her. 195 after not eating ALL day. Needless to say she has a doctor's appointment tomorrow.

My heart has been aching for these 3 families . Each outcome may or may not be different but in the end it brought back all these feelings that I have been trying to suppress for 2 or so months. WOW! They are still there. They are still very real.

I am hoping that none of them have diabetes, for their sake. But please let me just say this

IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN JUST GET THEM TESTED! It is so much better to be safe than sorry!

7 comments:

The Piquant Storyteller said...

I remember the summer I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had insatiable thirst and my friends and family laughed about the fact that I was in the bathroom literally every 5 minutes. My mom said that other things she remembered from that summer was that I was a bear to live with. Calling me cranky was an understatement. She also said that my skin was itchy and I was hot all the time. I don't remember those symptoms. Just the thirst and incessant bathroom visits.

What caused me to see a doctor was after the whole summer of these symptoms I was sitting in the back of our truck holding a soda and shaking uncontrollably. I also wet my pants at least twice that day. I was 10 years old.

About 18 months ago I was concerned about my son who was turning 2. He was constantly asking me to refill his sippy cup and as a result he was filling a lot of diapers. At his 2 year check up I mentioned my concerns to the pediatrician. I didn't know if it was just a hot summer or what. She took me seriously and ordered a fasting blood test.

I held him on my lap while the lab technician drew blood from his vein. My boy is awesome because all he said was a calm "ow." I cannot describe the fear I felt thinking I would have to inject my child or poke his finger. I can do it to myself but I can't do it to my kid. His blood sugar was 80 and well within the normal range.

I count myself lucky but I know that my children have a greater risk of developing an auto-immune disorder because I have 2. I'm safe now but who knows what the future holds?

I agree with you. If there is any concern, test your child. What could it hurt? And it's better to find out sooner rather than later so you can control it.

I have been very inspired by your stories of your daughter. I've read your stories from as early as December. I sobbed through every one because it reminded me of the scary changes in my life 21 years ago.

EngineeringNerd said...

I agree. Why take the risk? It is always better to check things out.

Holly said...

It is scary and I understand not wanting to find out your child is sick. But I can't even imagine being willing to ignore it and go on being blind to it. As bad and stressful and expensive as a diagnosis will turn out to be - it's better in all ways than losing your child or causing them permanent organ damage.

Becky said...

Um, a blood sugar of 263 is NOT normal. Let me know who those parents are so I can go kick them in the booty and talk some sense into them.

Anonymous said...

What is a normal blood sugar level?

Nate and Chelsea said...

Hey Shannon! I came across your blog from Facebook, and I must say, your family is adorable! I want to give you some ~*WOO*~ (That is positive energy from the universe) You can always use some, and if you need more, there is an endless supply! :)
Diabetes sucks, but you seem to have a pretty good handle on controlling it as best as you can. More power to ya girl!

RaCeNMoMmY said...

Shannon, I wanted to let you know that Shelby's blood sugar was 95. I want to thank you for your thoughts & prayers. I feel so much better now. I can only imagine what you must be going through everyday. Just my fears were enough to make me sick to my stomach. Thanks for your sweet post, as well. It brought tears to my eyes & I'm so grateful that we were able to find each other after all these years. We may not have been real close friends in High School but I have a feeling we will be now. I can see we've both come so far since then, especially spiritually. I can feel the spirit from you in your posts. Thanks again.