Type 1 Diabeties

A.,

I was diagnosed with with Type I diabetes in my early 20's, so I can relate to what she is going through.

I would not advise that you send her any kind of food (at all), especially fruit. It's sort of like rubbing salt in the wound. Learning how to eat, carb count, figure out insulin doses, etc. -- is what she's likely working on now. It's tough, more like an art form than a science.

I would send her a card with a nice note to let you know that you are thinking about her. Let her know if she needs to talk to someone or blow off some steam, she can call or e-mail you. If you want to send something in addition, maybe a CD? I recall someone sent me a relaxing CD that I could listen to with a wonderful note -- it was a perfect gift at the time. Or maybe a box with CD's, candles, some good easy books to read, etc. Anything that is relaxing.

Make sure she is aware of the JDRF, and contacts her local chapter to take advantage of their resources. Getting Type I in your 20's is kind of odd. Most people get it when they are younger, so it feels a bit awkward. The JDRF is geared more towards parents of kids with Type I, but that doesn't mean they don't have information that she will find useful.

Another thing to keep in mind, I found my most difficult time was about 6 months after I was diagnosed. At first, you have all these things to figure out, and are getting attention from everyone. It keeps you busy, and the shock of the disease has not set in yet. Once the attention from others fades, and the reality of having to do this for the rest of your life sets in - it's very depressing. You might want to give her an extra "boost" at that point. Another card, or a phone call, or some flowers. It's a tough time.

And, I realize I'm a total stranger to her, but if she wants to have an e-mail address to ask any questions, I would be more than happy to talk to her. I'm 36 now, so I have 13 years experience with this disease. Let me know, and I will send you my e-mail address.

Hope that helps!
J.

Having been diagnosed with Type I in my early 20s, I can relate to how VERY frustrating it is to have to completely change EVERYTHING you've ever done in order to survive. Its a crazy roller coaster of emotions and feelings and life altering changes. I would suggest sending her a care package filled with Diabetic Cookbooks (and Diabetic desert cookbooks too). You can also send her some of her favorite treats and sweets (sugar free of course). Thankfully, these days its easier to find sugar free foods that mirror the foods a new Diabetic USED to be able to eat. Just a thought though, sugar free foods can cause a laxative effect when large quantities are consumed. NOT a good feeling! So maybe warn her to eat in moderation in ADVANCE (I realized this THE HARD WAY). They have things like reeses cups, jelly beans, peppermint patties, life savers, etc all available in sugar free. Its amazing what you can find. You can either visit a specialty candy shop, I think Great Lakes crossing has a candy store with a WHOLE section for Diabetics(check on line) or just check the candy section of your local store. I've even found sugar free at CVS, so its not that hard to find. Most don't taste that different than the "regular" stuff, so this will help ease the transition for her.

Also, you could pre-purchase a bracelet or necklace that informs medical personnel that she's Type I diabetic. You can look this up on the internet and its generally about $50 dollars. You can have it engraved with her basic info (name and that she's diabetic) or she can engrave it with additional info (type of insulin, emergency contact, etc). This has literally SAVED MY LIFE on MORE than one occasion when I was having issues with my insulin levels and couldn't speak for myself. She should also put a sticker or label on the back of her license with the same info, for the same reason.

I also agree with the previous post. 6 months to a year after diagnosis is one of the most dangerous times for an adult onset Type I diabetic. They call this disease the silent killer, because its so easy to slip back in to old habits, and before you know it, you're waaaay sicker than you ever expected. Within a year, I'd skipped so many doses of insulin and wasn't really taking very good care of myself because I was SO overwhelmed, that I'd wound up in the hospital near death from DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis). Its a very common thing (DKA) in the "honeymoon" phase of adult onset Type I diabetes.

As with the prior poster, if she has any questions, please feel free to either email me or give her my email address. I'm in my early 30s and still working daily on my coping strategies. If she needs a shoulder to lean on and someone to vent to, I'm happy to help. There are days when I'm still absolutely PO'd that I'm dealing with this.

If you don't mind me asking, do they know WHY she became diabetic at such an age??? I know in my case, there was NO family history and even my doctor admitted that I was a little old for what is normally considered a juvenile diabetes (Type I) diagnosis. The only conclusion that he would attest to is that I'd had some sort of fever or infection that essentially killed my pancreas.

Also, please advise her to find a GREAT endocronologist whom she'll be able to build a excellant relationship with. Especially this early in the game, she needs someone who's gonna stay on her butt and make sure she's doing what she's supposed to. It all goes back to that "honeymoon" phase and that dangerous first year. Her endocronologist will be like an extended member of her family (I kid you not) and she needs to find someone NOW that she feels comfortable with and trusts. As it gets closer to the time when she's likely to start a family, her endocronologist will be the one to advise her when her body will be healthy enough to start trying (the variables for Type I diabetics is sometimes mind boggling), will work CLOSELY with her high risk OBGYN (yep, she will surely be considered high risk) in monitoring her, etc...... I can't stress finding this person NOW enough!!!!

Sorry this is so long but I've been down this road before and saw how truly damaging it can be when you think you can handle it on your own without help. Its scary how quick things can get really bad.

I'll be sure to keep good thoughts for her!

I wouldn't send food at all. It is really hard to figure out what someone can eat, everyone has different restrictions on that diet. Fruit and chocolate to me = no difference. How about something else that is personal to show you care? A mixed CD, her favorite bath stuff, etc?

Spa package somewhere in pa or gift card. ,ake something like a gift basket of some sort.

I agree - it's too much fruit. We diabetics can eat it but only in small amounts. I'd say a journal and pretty pen, a clothing gift card (like Kohl's) or a restaurant gift card to a place that has a lot of light foods if you can figure out what that would be in her area. Also, something to do with exercise if you know what she prefers, not just something you think she should be doing.