Comment by Elizabeth on January 23, 2010 at 12:48pm

Well, it's not true that you can't be fully there for her. She grew up around YOUR diabetes and is therefore familiar, even comfortable with how it's treated & handled. Don't you know how HUGE that is? A 13-year-old girl who has never seen diabetes day-to-day would be so much more frightened and confused and angry than your sister probably is. You aren't "there" right now but you were "there" laying the groundwork for her transition to living with diabetes when it came. And that matters. And, you can let her know that she can talk to you via email or tudiabetes or however anytime she wants. Even living in other countries is no obstacle nowadays! Even ten years ago, you had to do it all by letter or wicked expensive long distance International calls, but not anymore! Skype it!

Why don't you agree with what her doctor is doing?

Comment by Zo Zo on January 23, 2010 at 2:05pm

I'm the only one in my family with diabetes, my great aunt had it, but she died before i was born. However those thoughts that you've said, about why you are so devistated...if any of my family got it, i would be upset, i guess because i know what they will have to go through. I'm guessing that it is probably a similar thing with you, you know that it's another one of your family who has to fight this. Treatment might be different and the odds maybe more on our side in terms of long term complications, but the threat will always be there. If one of my siblings was diagnosed, i would be upset because of everything we all face.

It's only a guess, keep your chin up, keep supporting your sister! x

Comment by Keith221 on January 23, 2010 at 6:17pm

Not only am I the only one in my family with type 1. I got dx'ed at age 52, over half my, then bang, surprise!!! Hoping your sister is doing good!!

Comment by Lymari on January 25, 2010 at 7:20am

I know how it feels...
I am the only one in my family with Type 1, diagnosed at age two. This is back in the 70's. I am the oldest of four. My great grandmother on my father's side had it. I never knew her, she died before I was born. My father is one of 9 children. Then in my generation (fouth genereation) I am the only one out of 40. (yes my generation on my father's side is a large family)
I have two children, the oldest is 7 and little one is 3 (he was diagnosed at age 2). I am still grieving, feeling sorry for myself and devastaded. It feels like history is repeating. I feel it is my fault for causing this to him. Knowing how it is. I cry and grief every day.

I hoped this stupid diseased would have skipped generations as it did in the past, but it did not happen. Some days are good and some like today are not. We are both using the OmniPod and even with this great means of treatment, I cry for him every day. I am very sad, for I know what it is to be diabetic and the efforts needed to control it. Changing the pod site is still an ordeal, although it is better than taking shots.

His first endo, had him on novolog and levimir. It was a awful, his BG's were high (over 400) then very low. He was on a daily roller coaster. The doctor did not want him to go on a pump. He does not believe in it for tottlers. Being a diabetic on a pump helped us get through it and immediately looked for other options. We changed doctors and found a great endo with a supporting team of nurses and staff. We put him on a Animas Pump and his BG's improved dramatically. We recently changed to the OmniPod and it is even better without the tubing.

Sorry for such a long story...... Don't get upset ... change the doctor as soon as possible, to one that listens and provides the care she needs.

best of luck to you and your family....

Comment by Elizabeth on January 25, 2010 at 12:27pm

Aw, Lymari... You didn't "do this" to your son any more than I did it to mine. I don't have any history of diabetes in my family, yet my little boy has it - so go figure. It's just one of those things.

You might consider something... you have one thing to offer your son that I don't: a lifetime of experience in managing diabetes. I'm figuring it out as I go, and making all my mistakes on his little body. So please, remember that your life-long struggle with the disease is not without its benefits! You are so much better equipped to take care of a child with diabetes than those of us just "meeting" the disease for the first time! All things happen for a reason, you know...

Comment by Elizabeth on January 25, 2010 at 12:28pm

(Which I guess goes for Lama as well...)

Comment by Cathy Jacobson on January 25, 2010 at 5:38pm

I'm sorry that you are n't with your sister. That can be tough, but as another writer said, in this day and age, you can contact her, and help her through this, e-mail, twitter, here, or even a hand writtne letter, or phone call. You are there for her. I too wondered what you don't agree with her doc about. I have two good friends who are diabetic, and I don't agree with one of their docs....about treatment and education....it drives me nuts.

I am the oldest in my family, I have one younger brother, by three years. Neither of my parents had diabetes, but my grandmother did.....so it skipped them and came to me. I often joke that my brother got all the money and I got the diseases. But the truth is, that it's not your fault she got it, it's no one's fault. But it is a good thing that you have others to go through this with both of you.

Good luck, come here often, we're happy to listen.

Comment by Kristin on January 26, 2010 at 12:52pm

Sorry to hear about your sister's diagnosis Lama. I can imagine how difficult this will be for you as well -- it is different somehow when it is the one's that we love!

I know that you will be a great inspiration to your sister, even if you are not there. I live in a different country and I have a very little sister. We connect through Skype :) and she thinks that is completely normal and we have a very special relationship.

Encourage your sister to join our community! Hugs to the whole family!!!

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