A little bit of T1D

I'm new to blogging  and thought it would be a good place for information and updates on our new  "normal".  so if you can hang in with me, you can learn about what's been going on in the Shay household.


For those of you who know - I apologize for the repeated information. Some of this may be redundant and some may be new.  


Olivia was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (referred to as T1D) on December 14, 2011.  This date will never be forgotten.  Imagine the shock when I thought I was taking her to the doctors for a bladder infection and was immediately sent to Royal Oak Beaumont for an extended stay to be treated and taught about T1D.  All I had ever heard about ANY type of Diabetes was Type 2 - which will be clarified later, and it is NOT at all the same thing.  Also my adult nephew was diagnosed some 25+ years ago and was told not to eat sugar!! REALLY? Was that what I was going to deal with.


Surprisingly after meeting with the wonderful team of doctors, we were informed that they wanted us to wrap T1D around Olivia's life - not wrap Olivia around T1D. What that meant for us was that she can enjoy her birthday cake (which was 2 1/2 weeks after diagnosis) and we "cover" (give) it with insulin.  Wow - not so bad right?  Well, not so fast........


Olivia was able to enjoy her birthday and Christmas, CAREFULLY!


Fast forward....  It has been almost 4 1/2 months since Olivia was diagnosed. We have had our highs and VERY lows.  Some extremely scary moments that seem to last a lifetime.  Ha... lifetime.... nice segway to my next tidbit of information..


We have also unfortunately added Celiac Disease to her life - she is now not able to eat or touch anything containing gluten (wheat - barley - oats) Thank goodness there are new options available.  I have also started a gluten free life with her.


T1D is not curable (yet) I feel like this needs clarification from T2D.  Type 1 is an incurable autoimmune disease that affects the pancreas.  There is no diet plan to fix it and Olivia will be taking insulin and checking her glucose for the rest of her life.  Type 2 diabetes is curable and manageable with correct food intake and exercise.  These are two different things.  


We look forward to the day we are given the "OK" to try a pump for her bolus insulin - she will still need to administer her own basil dose and poke her finger for monitoring her blood sugar levels.


We have made many new friends along this journey that have picked us up when we are "down" or frustrated - most are in the same situation and can understand the emotions and terminology. 


Thank goodness Olivia is happy child ......  and the sun is shining today!




**next up......  Carly Shay!