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Original poster

Diabetic daughter been invited to first party since diagnosis...

27 replies

emilytankengine · 10/03/2008 15:29

Any advice would be gratefully received as I'm feeling a bit stressed about it!

OP posts:
emandjules · 10/03/2008 16:30

are you worried about her intake and sweet things?

I think you find kids tend to want to do activities rather than eat. Last party I went to kids barely spent time eating, left loads, tending to pick at food cos they wanted to get back on dancefloor.

Will you be with her to ensure she eats something. Parents tend to be more wise to unhealthy food. Party i went to children had fruit.

Scramble · 10/03/2008 16:31

How old is she and how is she about accepting it all?

emandjules · 10/03/2008 16:32

how old is your dd? does she understand about her condition.

emandjules · 10/03/2008 16:32

sorry scramble posts crossed

Original poster
emilytankengine · 10/03/2008 21:06

She's 9 and like I say it's early days for her. It's a swimming party with food afterwards. She is on 2 injections a day so I'm worried how we're going to cope with strenuous exercise before lunch when her blood sugar will be dipping

OP posts:
Disenchanted · 10/03/2008 21:07

Could you arrange her party dinner with the mum organising?

Just give her a raing, or even take the food for her yourself?

Disenchanted · 10/03/2008 21:08

sorry i meant 'ring'...as in phone her!

canofworms · 10/03/2008 21:14

Don't know if I'll be much help but I've had diabetes (the term diabetic is know apparently politically incorrect!) for over 20 years. I'm also a nurse so know a bit from both sides!

If I were you, I'd make sure she had some extra carbohydrate before the swimming activity and then let her have the usual party food afterwards but have the sweet things in moderation. Also if you could ask for or take her own sugar-free drinks that would help.

Also don't forget to check her blood sugar before she gets into the water to make sure it's not dropping too low.

paddyclamp · 10/03/2008 21:22

Hi Emily

I always have some extra carbs before any sort of exercise, eg crumpet or piece of toast. When i was a kid i used to have a mini mars bar before PE!

Do you know the mum well? What insulin is she on?

Oblomov · 10/03/2008 21:43

How exciting,. I too am a diabetic of 34 years, since aged 1 and agree with can-of worms.
A test before swimming. If the blood sugar is a little bit high, do not worry.
And something to eat as she is getting changed - a banana, a ceral bar, something like that, just to tide her over till proper eating.
Try to talk to the mum, giving her the basics, without scaring her.

Original poster
emilytankengine · 10/03/2008 21:53

So I should definitely bite the bullet and let her go?

Paddy she's on 2 injections of mixed insulin, one in the morning and one at night.

She is a little touchy about her condition so I have to tread carefully

OP posts:
Oblomov · 10/03/2008 21:56

And how long, I mean when was she diagnosed ?
This is the perfect opportunity to confirm that she will not miss out on the important things in life.
BUT, maybe this particular party is not the time to enforce that, maybe it is a bit early.
Are you BOTH anxious about it ?
Does she REALLY want to go ?

canofworms · 10/03/2008 22:06

I think actually it's important that she goes. If you stop her from going it is only going to give her the view that diabetes stops you doing all the fun things you used to do before. That would be such a wrong message to give.

Have you contacted your diabetes nurse for advice?

Oblomov · 10/03/2008 22:09

can of worms
Diabetes never stopped me doing NUFFINK

canofworms · 10/03/2008 22:13

Me neither

Oblomov · 10/03/2008 22:15

That is so nice to hear.
My mum used to say, its only diabetes, not the end of the world.
I was told that I was no different and there was nothing that I couldn't do/ couldn't achieve.
I like that.

bramblebooks · 10/03/2008 22:27

Hi all! I have a recently diagnosed ds (just turned 8 now!). It's really important that we try to keep things normal for him. Can you talk to your daughter's diabetic nurse?

DS's class are going on an overnight trip soon - I'm trying to work out the logistics for that, during ds1's SATs week and with myself and DH both working! Arrrgh! My DS has 4 - 6 injections a day at present.

Big hug to you from me. It's not easy, but we'll all get there eventually.

paddyclamp · 11/03/2008 22:42

Let her go! I used to go mad when people used to try and put limitations on me cos i was diabetic. Not that many people did. It was just silly old aunties who wouldn't give me sweets and people who used to raise eyebrows if i went out drinking. But hey i survived!

Mixed insulin is a bit restricting isn't it? Things really improved for me when i went on to MDI

Oblomov · 11/03/2008 23:03

where is emily ? are you o.k. ?

Original poster
emilytankengine · 12/03/2008 21:09

I'm still here! I am going to let her go but having to tread carefully. I told DD I was going to mention something to her friends mum and she got really upset and begged me not to say anything!

Trouble is she's 9 so I can't exactly say I'll stay at the party can I? But I really feel swimming is a big thing for her to do before a meal and without an adult who knows what they're doing. Obviously I will talk to this girl's parents but even so what if something goes wrong???

OP posts:
smallone · 12/03/2008 21:40

Can you be there at the swimming pool before and after? Maybe meet her away from her friends if she is embarrassed? I would say that this is a great opportunity for her to learn to be responsible. She does have to think about what she does and what she eats more than her friends and it must be hard for her to feel different. If you can trust her to monitor her blood sugar I would take the plunge and let her go. There are lifeguards at the pool and her friends mum can be briefed as to what to watch out for. You will only be a phonecall away.

smallone · 12/03/2008 21:42

Has she been swimming since being diagnosed? Could you fit in a "dummy run" before the party, just to get an idea of how it affects her?

Oblomov · 12/03/2008 22:04

I can understand. I never wnated anyone told, or for it to be a big deal.
She is only 9, but tell her that if she wants to go, you expect her to.... be responsible.
And def phone mum, maybe without her knowledge. Insist of food, as soon as she gets out of the pool.

paddyclamp · 12/03/2008 22:22

As far as the food goes if she eats too much sugar you can correct that afterwards, being a bit high for a few hours isn't the end of the world for a few hours. Do you have any short acting insulin eg novorapid?

As for the swimming get her to eat a crumpet or a couple of rounds of toast before going and tell her to make sure she tests before swimming and as soon as she gets out. She can always take some snacks with her?

I was the same at 9 and into my teens - didn't want anyone to know - even now i kinda like it when people don't know i have D!

Going off the point a bit has her doctor mentioned switching her to basal bolus? She'd have so much more freedom

Spidermama · 12/03/2008 22:23

Hi there emily. Hello all. Hi Oblomov. Good advice there.

My ds is 8 now., diagnosed at five. I know I'm really lucky that he doesn't mind people knowing so that part of things runs smoothly.

emily I agree it's very important for her to go. If she really wants to keep it quiet, and I know lots of people do, then this is going to come up again and again.

I would just test her before .... make sure she has some good long lasting carbs just before going in, tell her keep a lid on the very sugary stuff, but otherwise just let her enjoy herself, then deal with any highs later when she gets home.

Does she have good hypo awareness?
Are you confident giving novorapid if she's high?

I think Oblomov is right that it's best to let the mum know. I would tell your dd you're going to have to do this so that you don#t have to go behind her back. It's good practise and leading by example. She going to need to tell people now and again if she wants to be more independent. I know that sounds tough but it's true.

Sorry for babbling on so much. Good luck at the weekend.