IOH - Personal stories of children with type 1 diabetes

Alyssa's's mother found us through a referral from her local JDRF Chapter. She wrote to Islets of Hope and requested a quilt for her daughter, Alyssa, from the QD Quilts for Children with Diabetes program.

When I met Cindi, I could immediately see in her children's happy faces just what a loving and devoted mother that she is. Her children were friendly, well-mannered, and very good natured. Cindi was kind enough to tell us a little bit about Alyssa, her sweet little angel, who was diagnosed just weeks before her third birthday. Below, is here story.

I took care of my body and had a perfectly normal pregnancy with Alyssa, although she came 3 weeks early. I breastfed her for 11months. I gave her a good start in life so when she was diagnosed with diabetes, it came as a shock.

Around the beginning of September my boys brought home a cold. Alyssa only got a fever but it ran high -- 104.3. On September 11th she started acting differently and did not seem herself. My normally active girl was very lethargic, lost her appetite, and was excessively urinating. I thought this was because of her drinking an increase of fluids but this went on for the entire week.

I thought the boys had brought home a flu bug and passed it along to Alyssa so on Saturday I got her a 2:30 p.m. doctor's appointment at Kaiser Riverside. They ran blood tests and tried to get a urine sample which they were unable to get. I spent the rest of the long day waiting for the results and finally asked if I could take her home at 6:00 p.m.

The doctor then asked us to come into a room. She told me that they were re -doing Alyssa's blood test because there was SOMETHING abnormal. Then she left the room, leaving me alone to wonder what was wrong with my child and fearing the worst.

Thirty minutes later the doctor returned and told me Alyssa needed to be hospitalized. Her sugars where high (over 500 mg/dL) and that she had type 1 diabetes.

They transported us to Fontana Kaiser were we spent the next four days stabilising Alyssa and trying to learn how to care for her when she was able to go home.

We came home and now give her four shots a day; two at breakfast (Lantus and Novalog), Novalog at lunch and dinner. I check her blood sugars five or more times a day. I even sometimes test it at night when she is asleep.

As a family we are adjusting to the new diet. Stewart, my oldest son has really taken a interest in it and wants to learn as much as he can. Thomas is 6 and other than that his sister must take shots and eat sugar free stuff I don't think he really gets it. Its a daily struggle of numbers still but I have already figured out some of Alyssa's symptoms when she goes too low.

Thank you Lahle, and to your family, for the gifts and supplies to our family.

Alyssa's brothers Thomas (left) and Stewart (right) have had many adjustments to make since their younger sister's diagnosis. Here they enjoy some brother time digging out dinosaur bones.

Diabetes changes the entire dynamics of family life. While it is easy for others to say "don't forget about the siblings" they reality is that is is simply often impossible to meet everyone's needs after a child is diagnosed with diabetes. But Cindi and her husband, Shawn, have worked hard to ensure that the boys still get to feel important too and attend their baseball games and visit the park and they even try to arrange one-on-one time with their children.

If you have a child newly diagnosed, I urge you to pull your family and friend resources whenever possible. Let them pitch in and help with siblings and don't feel guilty. A child with diabetes requires special attention not just to ensure their physical health and safety, but for reassurance and help in adjusting to the rigors of life on insulin.

Hats off to Cindy and her husband for handling their family's needs with such patience and love! Lahle



		Islets of Hope real people - stories from others living with type 1 diabetes



		Interested in sharing your story? Visit our Contact page to learn how Alyssa received a quilt through QD Quilts for Children with Diabetes. If your child is newly diagnosed with diabetes, visit the Quilting-Dee today. It is rare that I get the chance to actually meet folks who visit Islets of Hope. But I was very blessed to meet Cindi and her daughter, Alyssa and her son, Thomas. Cindi is a lovely young woman, warm and kind and quick with a smile -- as are her very well-behaved children. When I met Cindi, it was only a few weeks after her daughter had been diagnosed. But already she was looking into diabetes on her own to see how she can better care for her child and had signed up for her first JDRF Walk for the Cure. Cindi and Shawn have done an amazing job rising to the hardships that were so unfairly thrust upon their family. And it was really wonderful seeing our daughters, both with diabetes, playing together. While grownups were chatting over coffee, Alyssa burst out, "I have diabetes!" She seemed genuinely pleased when Elizabeth's father said, "so does Elizabeth." Kids really benefit from meeting others who also have diabetes. Contact your local JDRF chapter to meet other families in your own area. It will really help your child and you just might get to meet someone as marvelous as Cindi! Lahle Wolfe Founder, Islets of Hope				Real people *Stories of children living with type 1 diabetes* Alyssa, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 Corona, California, USA *A brave mother of three becomes a diabetes advocate* Alyssa's's mother found us through a referral from her local JDRF Chapter. She wrote to Islets of Hope and requested a quilt for her daughter, Alyssa, from the QD Quilts for Children with Diabetes program. Cindi, still so new to being a parent of a child with diabetes is already doing her first JDRF Walk for the Cure. Please consider sponsoring Cindi and Alyssa. When I met Cindi, I could immediately see in her children's happy faces just what a loving and devoted mother that she is. Her children were friendly, well-mannered, and very good natured. Cindi was kind enough to tell us a little bit about Alyssa, her sweet little angel, who was diagnosed just weeks before her third birthday. Below, is here story. Alyssa, diagnosed at age 2 with type 1 on 9/11/06 I took care of my body and had a perfectly normal pregnancy with Alyssa, although she came 3 weeks early. I breastfed her for 11months. I gave her a good start in life so when she was diagnosed with diabetes, it came as a shock. Around the beginning of September my boys brought home a cold. Alyssa only got a fever but it ran high -- 104.3. On September 11th she started acting differently and did not seem herself. My normally active girl was very lethargic, lost her appetite, and was excessively urinating. I thought this was because of her drinking an increase of fluids but this went on for the entire week. I thought the boys had brought home a flu bug and passed it along to Alyssa so on Saturday I got her a 2:30 p.m. doctor's appointment at Kaiser Riverside. They ran blood tests and tried to get a urine sample which they were unable to get. I spent the rest of the long day waiting for the results and finally asked if I could take her home at 6:00 p.m. The doctor then asked us to come into a room. She told me that they were re -doing Alyssa's blood test because there was SOMETHING abnormal. Then she left the room, leaving me alone to wonder what was wrong with my child and fearing the worst. Thirty minutes later the doctor returned and told me Alyssa needed to be hospitalized. Her sugars where high (over 500 mg/dL) and that she had type 1 diabetes. They transported us to Fontana Kaiser were we spent the next four days stabilising Alyssa and trying to learn how to care for her when she was able to go home. We came home and now give her four shots a day; two at breakfast (Lantus and Novalog), Novalog at lunch and dinner. I check her blood sugars five or more times a day. I even sometimes test it at night when she is asleep. As a family we are adjusting to the new diet. Stewart, my oldest son has really taken a interest in it and wants to learn as much as he can. Thomas is 6 and other than that his sister must take shots and eat sugar free stuff I don't think he really gets it. Its a daily struggle of numbers still but I have already figured out some of Alyssa's symptoms when she goes too low. Thank you Lahle, and to your family, for the gifts and supplies to our family. Cindi Alyssa's brothers Thomas (left) and Stewart (right) have had many adjustments to make since their younger sister's diagnosis. Here they enjoy some brother time digging out dinosaur bones. Diabetes changes the entire dynamics of family life. While it is easy for others to say "don't forget about the siblings" they reality is that is is simply often impossible to meet everyone's needs after a child is diagnosed with diabetes. But Cindi and her husband, Shawn, have worked hard to ensure that the boys still get to feel important too and attend their baseball games and visit the park and they even try to arrange one-on-one time with their children. If you have a child newly diagnosed, I urge you to pull your family and friend resources whenever possible. Let them pitch in and help with siblings and don't feel guilty. A child with diabetes requires special attention not just to ensure their physical health and safety, but for reassurance and help in adjusting to the rigors of life on insulin. Hats off to Cindy and her husband for handling their family's needs with such patience and love! Lahle



		\| Contact Us \| About IOH \| Our Mission \| Elizabeth's Story \| About the Founder \| Join IOH \| How To Help \| Advertise \| Privacy Statement \| Site Index \| Page Updated 10/26/2006