When my child was diagnosed with T1D

Megan’s Story about the diagnosis of her daughter C

My 12-year-old daughter C was diagnosed with T1D in March of 2021. My husband and I were blindsided by the diagnosis. We went from thinking she was going through puberty, to having an eating disorder because of weight loss, to getting the diagnosis of T1D. The hours after receiving her diagnosis, and the long ambulance ride to a hospital that could help us learn our new normal, my head and heart were so overcome with emotions and questions. I asked myself why it had not occurred to me that it could be T1D? I felt incredibly guilty for waiting so long to have her looked at.

But what would this mean for C?

Then I began to worry about the BIG things. Would she be able to have children? Would she have to pay more for life insurance because she is diabetic, a condition she did not ask for and has no control over? Is being a diabetic too much baggage for her future college roommate? Her future spouse? What about trying on prom dresses someday?

Will we have to get one that hides her Dexcom? Or will she not get her first choice of a dress because it rubs against her Dexcom? There are just so many thoughts that go through your mind.

I want other T1D parents to know, especially newly diagnosed ones, that it is okay to have those fears.

We are justified in thinking about all those things. 5 years ago, a co-worker of mine went through the same thing when her 5 year old daughter was being diagnosed with T1D. I told her that her daughter can and will live a perfectly wonderful life. She will do all the things she was meant to do, and all the things she could do before the difference.

I told her that her daughter's life may not look like what she had originally thought, but that she would still be the incredible human she was made to be regardless of T1D. Today, and every day since my own child was diagnosed, I tell myself that too.

The Message

Megan’s story about the diagnosis of her daughter C highlights the emotional journey that parents go through. T1D does not affect just the patient, but all of their family too – especially when the patient is so young. As caregivers we have to be strong for our children and dependents that are adapting to their new normal, but you must remember that we are not impregnable and bulletproof. Mental health affects everyone. It is okay not to be okay, whenever we need to be. We will always be there for our children and dependents, and that’s what matters. At the end of the day, people like Megan push through the day to day process and the outcome is wonderful and loving care. No matter what you’re going through, it’s only temporary, and like Megan, you can do it.