Diagnosis Story

Kenny was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes on April 29, 2011 when we was four years old. He had the classic symptoms, extreme thirst and frequent urination for a couple of weeks before I took him to the doctor. I have to say the the term 'extreme' concerning thirst doesn't do it justice. I had no idea people could drink that fast until I witnessed Kenny at lunch one day. He drank his entire container of chocolate milk on the walk from to cashier's counter to the table at a local fast food restaurant. He then became very distraught, scared and desperate for more to drink until I finally let him have my Diet Coke. He drank half of a large before I could stop him. By this point, the doctors appointment had already been scheduled for the next day.

He was sent for some tests and two days later we were called and told to take him directly to the emergency room where a pediatrician would be waiting for us. His first blood sugar reading at the hospital was 41.9 mmol. I realize now, from reading other diagnosis stories that we were extremely lucky. Many children are not diagnosed quick enough and develop Diabetic ketoacidosis. I know that we were very lucky that this didn't happen to Kenny. If we had waited another week, or even another day  it may have been an entirely different story. As far as it went though, Kenny didn't need an IV and required only one night in the hospital.

We went home the next day with a lot of supplies, books, information pamphlets and a kid who was scared of needles. Since that time, we have come up with a good routine to deal with the day-to-day management of Kenny's diabetes. It is something that will be with him for the rest of his life and he knows and we know that, although he seems like a normal healthy boy, diabetes can not be taken for granted. Kenny has learned what his body feels like when he has low blood sugar, he knows that he can't always eat whatever his sister or friends are eating whenever he wants, and he is learning how to take care of his diabetes too.