Maddie Newly diagnosed (was just newly diagnosed)
Good Morning Stephanie,
The path you are on, is one we all share… in some way or other. It is one, we would gladly relieve you of, if we were able. There is nothing more precious than the innocence and enegry of a child. The disease we share with you and her… is a horrible burden. One which YOU must remember is merely ONE SMALL PART… of who she is and what she will become. True she is a diabetic… but she is also a cutie-pie, a mathmatecian, someday a mommy person perhaps, and a thousand other things too all at the same time! Diabetes is an important part of who Maddie is, but surely it is not all.
This disease is like a sleepy dragon of fairytales read long ago. It is a dangerous beast, sleeping soundly… and when it awakens from its quiet slumber, it will seek ~flight~ from its cave and will try and destroy all that it is able like those storybook dragons… it has many methods. It must be respected at all costs. When we forget to respect it… “forget” this or that, it will “teach us” in a manner making Hiroshima look like a small flame.
Ominous isn’t it?
Remember to laugh at it as well. Forget this and diabetes can teach you dispair. There are lots of us here (Everybody wave) who have been and ARE where you are now. Take hope that, even though we are all strangers to you and in many ways to each other… as the phrase goes “… we have your back…”
We share the ~secret handshake~which makes us unique (holding up scarred fingertips from the daily tests). This makes us “blood” and closer to her in some ways than you, her mother. You will care for her, as her mother. In time, she will learn to care for herself… Between then and now, share with us your journey… and we’ll try and share our laughter and our arms.
Hold tight dear lady… and smile (Who knows it might become a habit <wg
Jeff (diagnosed pretty close to the age your daughter is now, a loooong time ago (: ?)
November 12th, 2004 at 5:35 am
I get varying degrees of lows, too. I also tend to get cold afterwards and feel very drained. Another thing I have noticed, when it is a sudden or severe low, I have a tendency to get a nasty headache afterwards. Anyone else?
Liz <njnoodie@…
“I don’t know why everyone gives “juice”. ” — That’s exactly what I
always say, I have a special stash of Snickers in case of a low.
I’ve also noticed that there are different lows. Some I feel coming
on and therefore can treat them quickly with very little. Others,
that come on rapidly but are very serve require much more and tend to
take a lot more out of me(I’ll have to lay down for a while) I also
have those that you spoke of where I feel like the low has been there
for a while but I didn’t notice it or something like that — those
seem to take more sugar to recover from but are easier on me. It’s
very strange.
I was also wondering, when I have had a bad low and am starting to
recover from it I get extremely cold(sometimes I find myself
shivering) does anyone else experience this or know the cause?
November 13th, 2004 at 11:46 am
Good Morning Stephanie,
I’m honored… thank you! As for putting it it 5yo terms, no need, I’m not much above a childs level in most respects… I can speak only for myself of course, but I’d bet we could find terms, ideas that in truth are perfect for a young lady like Maddie. Truth be told, it is often how I frame the dis-ease myself. And much to my chagrin I am far older than 5 now….
I am confidant that I can frame it exactly in five year old terms. Anyone else want a shot at this?
Jeff