An E-book and
online resource for
parents of children with
Juvenile Diabetes
My Child Has Diabetes
Live a Normal Life
So Your Child Has Diabetes:
A Step By Step Plan For You and Your Child
(by Russell Turner)
Discuss Juvenile Diabetes on our Forum
So Your Child Has Diabetes
Table of Contents
Chapters:
- The Dreaded Diagnosis
- The Day They Turn You Loose
- Regiment, We're In The Army Now!
- "Daddy, Can I Sleep Over Grandma's?"
- School
- "Daddy, I Don't Want To Take Any More Shots"
- Real Low Blood Sugar Levels
- When Do I Take My Child to the Emergency Room?
- "I Feel Different from Everyone Else"
- Be Prepared for Emotional Times
- "An Apple or a Coma Those Are Your Choices"
- Your Other Children
- And Now A Word from Kari
- Let's Take A Vacation
- The Wrap Up
We are offering this ebook in two different formats for your convenience.
You may read it online here, or download it to your computer in a PDF format.
If you find this book helpful, please consider a donation. Fifty percent (50%) of your donation will go toward Diabetes Research and finding a cure. The rest will be used to help pay the costs associated with running this site and to continue to reach out to other parents who are just starting down this difficult path.
God bless you and your families.
Sincerely,
Russell Turner
Chapter Ten: Be Prepared for Emotional Times
The last chapter was sort of the tip of the iceberg. In this chapter I am tiptoeing very close to advice you should seek from a Mental Healthcare professional. I cannot stress enough how important this is. I'm here to give you a heads up.
You and your child have gotten onto an emotional roller coaster and you may not even know it yet. We've spoken about how your child's emotions can affect their pain tolerance. It will also affect their tolerance to brothers and sisters as well as their tolerance of you. If you haven't come across this scenario yet you soon will. Your family is out somewhere and your child's blood sugar levels are dancing. You've got it pretty much under control and some well meaning friend or relative offers everybody candy or ice cream. If your child is in pretty good shape emotionally they will understand that if they have any they will feel lousy and it's not too hard to pass up. However, if things aren't so rosy emotionally they don't care how they might feel. They only care that everyone else is having ice cream and they're not. It's pitch a fit time.
You need to prepare your child ahead of time for these possibilities. This is an ongoing process. Don't wait until they're dishing out the ice cream. Your child has a much better chance of a positive reaction if you have been talking with them as part of your daily routine. Pay attention when siblings argue. Many times you will notice that your diabetic child is just being contrary because they are depressed. Depression! Keep a sharp eye out for this. Learn everything you can about it. We all experience it at some point in our lives. Your child will probably experience it a lot earlier because of having to deal with this disease. It can wreak havoc on family life. There goes normal right out the window. Start looking for ways to deal with it now. Don't wait until you're in the middle of it to react. Be prepared.
There is a lot of useful information out there on the subject. Familiarize yourself with it. Talk to a psychologist or social worker now to find out what to watch for. You should spend at least as much time learning and preparing for this as you do learning about the medical aspects of diabetes.
These are some symptoms of depression. Trouble sleeping, irritability, apathy, less interest in friends, and less interest in activities they used to enjoy are just some of the signs that our child may be depressed. They may just seem generally sad. Other symptoms to watch for may include temper tantrums, low self-esteem, or maybe they stop doing well in school. Adjusting to life with type 1 diabetes is tough. It strikes at a time in life when children really don't have any experience in dealing with these types of emotions. If any of these symptoms are present in our children we must not ignore them.
It can't be overstated; depression should be treated by a mental health professional
Next
Chapter Eleven: "An Apple or a Coma Those Are Your Choices"
Legal StatementThe Book "So Your Child Has Diabetes" A Step by Step Plan for You and Your Child , is Copyright © 2004 by Russell A. Turner. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any other means: electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright holders. This book is supplied for information purposes only and, as experienced in this subject matter as the contributors are, the material herein does not constitute professional medical advice. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher and contributors are not engaged in rendering medical, psychological, or other professional advice. If medical or other professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The reader is advised to consult with an appropriately qualified medical professional before making any medical decision. The publisher and contributors do not accept any responsibility for any liabilities resulting from decisions made by the purchasers of this book.
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