Something nice for newly diagnosed

[rainytreeleaves]

A family member has been seriously ill in hospital and newly diagnosed type 1. Quite a shock for everyone. They are about to leave hospital and I'd love to send something nice or useful for them - usual suspects of chocolate and snacks seem a bit inappropriate (although I know not off the cards completely). What would be nice or useful in the early days?!

I usually take sugar free chocolate for my relative who has diabetes and recently gifted him a cool bag to store his insulin and kit from amazon.
You do need to be check if they allergic to the alternatives of sugar. I also have given them a selection of tea and candles both well received and nice for winter.

I was diagnosed 2 years ago as an adult

A nice 'kit bag'
Books etc if they'll be off work
A big chocolate bar with a note saying 'when you're ready'.
Personally I don't touch sugar free chocolate!

There's loads of good stuff on Etsy

My son has type 1 diabetes. He won't eat sugar free chocolate either. It's vile and gives you diarrhoea.

They will have been advised against sugar free chocolate. I would avoid chocolate completely to begin with as it is very stressful trying to get insulin ratios right at the beginning, and chocolate causes spikes and drops which could result in frightening hypos.

I recommend nice bath products, bed socks etc.

Some nice hand lotion, it can be tough on the fingers with all the pricking (assuming they might not have a CGM yet) and keeping skin soft helps.

Some nice teas and or coffee. If you are buying herbal tea check to make sure they don’t contain sugar.

Little “low” boxes - with glucose tablets, some jelly beans etc. I keep low treatments by my bed, in the car, in my handbag.

Speaking from experience - the biggest thing being diagnosed as an adult is the increased emotional load, as you have to go back to being a Mum, having a job etc and then you have this other constant thing. I’m sure even an offer to go out and do the shopping would be appreciated.