To my brave and wonderful son Jake

Since I last wrote for the Caps paper I have had a very challenging and unsettling month.

My middle son Jake has been experiencing abdominal pains, extreme thirst, loss of weight, mood swings and erratic behaviour. Keeping in mind that I have been practising holistic health care for 14 years I decided to treat him like I would any other patient. Using my skilful hands managed to get rid of his tummy pains and I convinced myself as his mother that he was fine and just maybe playing me up. But Jake has always been the child that never gets sick not even a cold, so after visiting the Dr. and awaiting blood results the pain increased severely after food and the thirst continued.
It was time for a quick Emergency visit and actually the ER was very quiet that night and when Jake was checked in he was in so much pain and the Dr had thought it was bowel problems but when the Nurse did his blood sugar it was reading at 41! Wow that is not good! He was immediately put on saline (because his body was dehydrated) and then insulin. The ER Dr, who was fantastic, diagnosed TYPE 1 DIABETES. Can you imagine my horror? Suddenly you think back to all you have done for your child up until this point and all the foods you have given him (and believe me we eat better than most) The Dr said it is not because of his diet, it is genetic or caused by a virus that attacks his insulin producing cells. I was told that he would have to take regular insulin and test his blood sugar regularly.

Jake was admitted to hospital in Peterborough (which is like a 5 star hotel by the way) and spent 3 days trying to bring his blood sugar down. This is difficult being that he is an active prepubescent boy. But he began giving his own insulin the day after he was admitted and when I went to see him I was overwhelmed at how brave and strong he was being. It broke my heart to hear that he had asked the Nurse if Diabetes meant that he was going to die.
Jake has managed his own insulin since he has returned home and finally went back to school last week for two days and experienced the opposite to what he presented with in ER that night as he had 3 episodes of hypo reactions where the blood sugar drops too low (2.9-4.4) probably because like any other child he was running around a lot and not taking the foods that I had sent because after all, do your kids always eat their packed lunch?

It is interesting that for several months leading up to this Jake was experiencing days at school where he was almost being assessed as having "Learning Disabilities" as his teachers would pick up on days where he just could not focus and then days when he was like an A student so this was very puzzling for them to assess. Remember that anything that affects blood sugar affects the brain because your brain relies on 80% of your blood glucose to function normally which is why it is so important to address your diet and keep your blood sugar stable. Now it is difficult for Jake and he has a long road ahead of him but I am so proud of him. He has to take 5 injections every day and he is a little like a pin cushion but he is adapting wonderfully. It was such a shock to all of us and has really opened up my eyes as a Nutritionist but as a parent as well. Remember that 6% of the population has diabetes and doesn't even know it, and constant blood sugar fluctuations can lead to Alzheimer-like conditions in the elderly. Keep an eye on your children's diet and keep track of what they are eating at school because Jake would always come home with his lunch still in his bag because he "didn't have time to eat!"

Watch for the signs and if in doubt get it checked out. This completely took me by surprise because Jake has never been ill and we do not have Diabetes in our family. So keep watching out for all those hidden sugars and try and get your kids on an even keel and show them lots of love!

Jake, I am so very proud of you and I know this is a difficult time for you but keep going and we will get you through this together - I Love You!

If you would like more information on Diabetes or blood sugar issues call me at the clinic 324-7037. Take care Cheers ADY