Ok so here is some content....
Type 1 diabetes: Is the for life kind. People often think of type 2 diabetes because it is more common but type 1 is very different. My son is type 1.... That means for life. For life he must get insulin everyday. At the moment, he gets insulin (needle injected medicine) every morning before breakfast and before diner. He also get a finger prick (small needle in finger for the purpose of checking his blood sugar levels) at least 4 times a day (morning, lunch, diner and before bed).
Type 1 diabetes (in my own words) is an autoimmune deficiency, meaning the immune system attacked itself. Our pancreas has cells called beta cells that creates insulin for our bodies. Insulins purpose is to transfer sugar or glucose from our blood into our tissues and muscles in order for our body to use as energy. In a Type 1 diabetic, like my son, the bodies immune system attacked the beta cells and destroyed them, these cells do not reproduce and so the body requires insulin (by injection) in order to get the sugar into the bodies tissues to burn and use as source of energy.
I hope this makes sense.... If not here is a link to the official definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_1
In addition to the medication and monitoring glucose levels, living with type 1 diabetes is also a balance of calculating and regulating the amount of carb intake and physical activities. In order to control diabetes, we also have to monitor and measure Jackson carbs. His program to follow was designed for Jackson by the amazing dieticians at CHEO. For example at breakfast 30g., am snack 15g., lunch 30-45g and so on.... This is a challenge in itself but it's crazy how fast we were able to pick up the routine and roll with it. Thinking back now, it became our new life style so quickly and naturally. Olivier and I count carbs everyday portion his food and do our best to make sure he has variety and balance given he is a growing child... We are lucky in a sense that all this happened before we was introduced to foods that he must stay away from: desserts!!! We always avoided giving Jackson sugar. So at least that part of the battle was not an issue for us (yet). It's getting harder but that will be a post for another day. The battle with sweets! (to come)....
This seems like a lot, but as a parent, you simply do it all and flow with this change because all you want is the best for your child. I'm not saying we don't make mistakes, god knows we do.... But we do our very best.
Going back to went Jackson was first diagnosed, it was June 24 and we were moving into my parents house June 30th until our new house was ready on September 9, 2014. It was simply a crazy time for us. With Jackson being diagnosed, learning about diabetes, I was pregnant and in the middle of a move.... It was insane times for us. Overwhelming even! I remember thinking the timing was just awful. But I am a believer that everything happens for a reason and it truly does if you take the time to think about what you took from every situation.
Moving into my mom and dads after finding out about Jackson, I remember thinking this was bad timing, I was having a hard time saying Jackson's name without crying and now living with my parents... OMG right... But it truly was a blessing for us. It was so helpful to have unconditional love and support there with us everyday. Learning about everything with us, figuring out carbs together, showing my parents how to use glucose monitor, showing my mom how to mix and give insulin. It is such a gift to have that kind of support in your life. I am so blessed with so many forms of support from my loving husband, to my parents who are ALWAYS there for me and my family, relatives, friends and of course support at daycare. The love and support we have and had had is just unreal. We are truly blessed and I am thankful everyday! Thank you xoxo
In addition to the medication and monitoring glucose levels, living with type 1 diabetes is also a balance of calculating and regulating the amount of carb intake and physical activities. In order to control diabetes, we also have to monitor and measure Jackson carbs. His program to follow was designed for Jackson by the amazing dieticians at CHEO. For example at breakfast 30g., am snack 15g., lunch 30-45g and so on.... This is a challenge in itself but it's crazy how fast we were able to pick up the routine and roll with it. Thinking back now, it became our new life style so quickly and naturally. Olivier and I count carbs everyday portion his food and do our best to make sure he has variety and balance given he is a growing child... We are lucky in a sense that all this happened before we was introduced to foods that he must stay away from: desserts!!! We always avoided giving Jackson sugar. So at least that part of the battle was not an issue for us (yet). It's getting harder but that will be a post for another day. The battle with sweets! (to come)....
This seems like a lot, but as a parent, you simply do it all and flow with this change because all you want is the best for your child. I'm not saying we don't make mistakes, god knows we do.... But we do our very best.
Going back to went Jackson was first diagnosed, it was June 24 and we were moving into my parents house June 30th until our new house was ready on September 9, 2014. It was simply a crazy time for us. With Jackson being diagnosed, learning about diabetes, I was pregnant and in the middle of a move.... It was insane times for us. Overwhelming even! I remember thinking the timing was just awful. But I am a believer that everything happens for a reason and it truly does if you take the time to think about what you took from every situation.
Moving into my mom and dads after finding out about Jackson, I remember thinking this was bad timing, I was having a hard time saying Jackson's name without crying and now living with my parents... OMG right... But it truly was a blessing for us. It was so helpful to have unconditional love and support there with us everyday. Learning about everything with us, figuring out carbs together, showing my parents how to use glucose monitor, showing my mom how to mix and give insulin. It is such a gift to have that kind of support in your life. I am so blessed with so many forms of support from my loving husband, to my parents who are ALWAYS there for me and my family, relatives, friends and of course support at daycare. The love and support we have and had had is just unreal. We are truly blessed and I am thankful everyday! Thank you xoxo
Great post Mo, I'm learning alot. Thank you !
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