Saturday, August 21, 2010
As I was reading Hallie's post today, I was reminded of a post I did a while back about a question someone posted on Facebook. The post was called A thought to ponder... It was about the possibility of having a choice and if you did, what that choice would be. What reminded me of my post were a few of the comments and the fact that Sweat pea doesn't remember life before D. So does she think anything of it?? Will it bother her later on??
Here was the question from Facebook... My son doesn't remember a life without type 1 diabetes as he was diagnosed as a baby. For those of you in the same situation, if there is ANYTHING good about having a child with diabetes, would you agree that it's easier to "grow up" with it, rather than developing it as a pre-teen/adolescent?
There were lots of comments on Facebook and even a few on my post. Every "choice" (if there were such a thing) had reasoning behind it that you could not dispute. They were honest and I could relate to each and every one of them even though some were so different.
For us, I think we were in the middle as far as age... Justin is old enough to remember life before D, but young enough to make it foggy. I hope this means we MIGHT have a chance to make it through the teen years without the anger over it.
I would like to add that having a non d child throws its own complications into the mix. YES, I DO know what it's like to have a non-d child and I want that for Justin SO BADLY. Justin knows his sister gets to go to sleepovers... they are only 14 months apart so I can only use the "shes older" excuse for so long. THAT has been the hardest part. THE SLEEPOVERS! It's not that she gets to go, it's that he doesn't. He HAS noticed and it breaks my heart. What can I do? I can't hold her back. She deals with D just as much as the rest of us(aside from Justin). I know its hard on her. I know she needs to be with friends... what pre-teen doesn't?
You should really stop by The Princess and the Pump to read Hallie's full post. It is sure to reach in an grab you as her posts always do.
Take care
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5 comments:
Awww...Glad you liked it! It's so tricky. The best time to get D? Ohhh... NEVER. But if I had to choose, I am glad it was early. Although, it bugs when people say that's lucky. What exactly is lucky about a world where finger pricks and shots and highs and lows and all of that is all you've ever known?
I hear you about the sleep overs. Shes too young anyway but she already knows the rules are different for her. I'm just waiting for the day that becomes an issue. And I'm so glad that day has yet to come!
I re-posted my previous comment to your original post below...
Onto the sibling thing - OMGoodness I GET it. Bridget and Joe are 20 months apart and the sleepover thing is starting to enter our lives a bit. Joe hasn't asked yet, but I am just waiting for it to become an issue. I am sure you will cross the "sleepover" bridge before me...I cannot wait to get your take on it. Also, the "siblings" do need a break. "D" (and any chronic condition) effects the WHOLE family. There is simply no way around it. We just have to choose how we are going to respond to it's affect.
Now onto is "growing up with D" better than being diagnosed with "D" later on in childhood?
Lora...this is an AWESOME post and something I have given quite a bit of thought to.
I think no matter at what age a child is diagnosed, we as parents are going to struggle. Each developmental stage of a child's life presents unique challenges when dealing with a diagnosis of this magnitude...and by magnitude I mean the HUGE impact this particular condition has on daily life - there truly is not a higher maintenance disease out there. Management seeps into every aspect of one's life.
Joe was diagnosed at 3 years old...and he does not remember his life without "D" and doesn't feel it gets in his way at all. I, as his parent, worry about complications due to his body being under the affects of labile BGs for the majority of his life...but am thankful that I have been the primary influence in teaching him how to manage his diabetes to date. He is extremely conscientious about his "D" routine, checking BGs, and carb counting...etc. I imagine children diagnosed in the teen years have some major issues with the "routine" changes that managing "D" requires.
I know this is a "wishy-washy" answer... but honestly I don't know that there is ANY age that would be easier.
Grace was diagnosed at 7, so she definately remembers before, but she never talks about it. I think I'll gently bring up the subject and see if it's something she doesn't dwell on, or if she holds it all in.
We might just be living parallel lives. :) Madeline and Jack are only 20 months apart, and sleep-overs (and day-long play dates) are tough for us, too.
You make a great point about D being hard on our non-D kiddos. They must deal with D, too...just in different ways.
I feel like Sugar was dx at the right time for our family. I know that sounds crazy, but I do.
Would it be the "right time" for anyone else's family?
Not sure.
But it works for us, I guess....I mean....what choice do we have, really?
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