• Please be sure to read the rules and adhere to them. Some banned members have complained that they are not spammers. But they spammed us. Some even tried to redirect our members to other forums. Duh. Be smart. Read the rules and adhere to them and we will all get along just fine. Cheers. :beer: Link to the rules: https://www.forumsforums.com/threads/forum-rules-info.2974/

Bad night, daughter in hospital in Chicago

Melensdad

Melensdad

Jerk in a Hawaiian Shirt & SNOWCAT Moderator
Staff member
Totally out of the blue, no symptoms, no complaints no problems, my daughter was diagnosed during a routine check up with diabetes. Doctor sent her to the local hospital for test, results were amazingly bad they wanted to admit her right then. In fact they could not believe she was not in a coma!?!

Make a long story short I drove her to Comer Childrens Hospital at the University of Chicago (with the blessing of her doctor because he was going to have the local hospital transfer her up there so we just cut out that step). She was stabilized last night, then transfered to La Rabida Children's Hospital in Chicago for care. She'll be there for a couple days?

The whole time the Doctors/Nurses were amazed she could walk, talk and act normal. They said it should not be. She should be delirious, dizzy or in a coma. So she is now learning to give herself shots.

I'm on my way back up there after picking up clothes, toys, books, etc for her. Stopped in the office to wrap up some stuff. Pray if you believe, otherwise I'd just be happy if you wished her well.
 
I am soooooo sorry to hear about this.

My hopes and prayers are with you.
 
Bob all my best wishes and prayers are with your daughter right now! This hit me in the gut................ Show strength, it will give her more!
 
Big Dog said:
Bob all my best wishes and prayers are with your daughter right now! This hit me in the gut................ Show strength, it will give her more!
Click to expand...

Me to (hit in the gut). Man, I've just said a prayer and more will follow. Best wishes for you all Bob.
 
It is good that they caught it when they did, and that she didn't exhibit any of the signs that they say that she should have. Today, she will have the best care, and will be able to live an active and full life because of the advancements that they have made in the past. It will require a change of diet, but she is young enough that it shouldn't be much of a lifestyle change. You have my prayers with you, your daughter, and the rest of the family.... For those that are not familiar with the disease, please see this link for American Diabetes Association Junk....
 
As stated by others, I wish the absolute best for your daughter. Also, I'm sure you are aware, juvenile onset of diabetes today is not nearly what it was 40 years ago. Hopefully you are able to keep your daughter's spirits up at this trying time. I know it has to be terrifying for her as well as for you and your wife. Please keep us updated.
 
very sad to read such a young girl has juvenile diabetes, However, caught in time and with right diet and support, she will be fine,,, We're of the age remembering those diagnosed with JD, wasn't pretty,, Medicine has advanced a hundred fold just in the last 30 year, Our prayers with you and yours,
 
Bob,
My son was right there in her shoes when he was 10. I know what you and the Mrs and the daughter will be going through. There are plenty of changes that will need to take place, but nothing that can't be worked through. Understanding the disease is the first hurdle, so make sure the three of you get as much education as you can before she leaves the hospital. Talk to the dietitian extensively. It's not too hard to change the dietary habits. It's just accepting the changes that some people don't want to do. My son's was juvenile onset and requires shots. Mine is, so far, controlled by diet and medication. It's not a disease I would wish on anyone.

Here in our area the Juvenile Diabetes Association holds a summer camp for the teens. Look into that for your daughter. They get to spend a few weeks with people just like them, and they learn a lot as well.

Of course my thoughts and prayers are with her at this time.
 
Bob, I too wish you and your family the best through these tough times. I knew next to nothing about diabetes before becoming an EMT, and now I am surprised at how common it is. Please keep us informed and take care.
Bone
 
Well I'm back home for more supplies to take back to the hospital tomorrow morning. The lovely Mrs_B is spending the night at the hospital. The good news is my daughter is in good spirits at an amazing hospital. We took her to the University of Chicago's Comar Children's hospital last night, they treated her and then transfered her around midnight to a hospital called La Rabida Children's Hospital. It is an astounding place, I've never been to a hospital like this. They don't do emergency work. They treat children with LONG TERM illnesses and much of the treatment focuses on the family learning about the disease and what is required to care for the child. They focus on severe burn victims, diabetics, lupis and other conditions and diseases that children will have to live with their entire lives.

The hospital is very small, approximately 20 or 24 rooms. Each is a double. So they can handle roughly 48 patients. There are more nurses than patients. We probably spent 6+ hours in meetings today with various specialists, therapists, social workers, etc. Each session was to teach us a different aspect of life, treatment, care, etc. I'm astounded by what they do and how they do it. Parents are welcome to stay in the rooms overnight and they have pull out beds, etc. There are private showers for the parents, etc. Food sucks bad. Really bad. I've been going out to get my own! Most of the facility is for follow up care, only a small portion is actually used for patients who are staying in the facility.

When my daughter is released (total stay will be 2 to 5 days) we will be in DAILY contact with the doctors for at least a month. We will have a follow up visit in 3 weeks. Then every 3 months. Plus 1 annual visit for a day long exam, consult. I'm glad insurance covers this!!! I can't begin to imagine the cost. They do a HUGE amount of low income care gratis, the hospital is located on the south end of Lake Shore Dr in Chicago with many of the roughest streets in the city not too far away. But its a beautiful little oasis where kids get some absolutely awe inspiring care and treatment. So as bad as it all is, and as shocking as this has been for our family, we are actually pretty calm and comfortable with what lies ahead. I'm sure that panic will set in when we arrive at home and have our first hiccup, but . . .
 
Bob, diet is the most important aspect of this. My wife is diabetic,not insulin dependent. The best advice she ever got for diet was from a hospital dietician. Just divide yor meal plate in thirds. one third should be protein,one third carbohydrates and one third vegetables. Linda has practiced this religuously for 16 yrs and hasn't had to go to insulin yet,just prescription pills.
The biggest challenge your daughter will have is at school refraining from eating the junk food her classmates eat.Understand this is strictly advice,so take it or leave it as you please,when having meals together eat the same foods she does. It will probably be better for your's and your wife's health and your daughter won't feel like she's"different". Our thoughts and prayers are with all three of you.
Mike & Linda
 
B_Skurka said:
Totally out of the blue, no symptoms, no complaints no problems, my daughter was diagnosed during a routine check up with diabetes. Doctor sent her to the local hospital for test, results were amazingly bad they wanted to admit her right then. In fact they could not believe she was not in a coma!?!



The whole time the Doctors/Nurses were amazed she could walk, talk and act normal. They said it should not be. She should be delirious, dizzy or in a coma. So she is now learning to give herself shots.

I'm on my way back up there after picking up clothes, toys, books, etc for her. Stopped in the office to wrap up some stuff. Pray if you believe, otherwise I'd just be happy if you wished her well.
Click to expand...

Bob, first and foremost..........good luck and hope all goes as well as can be expected! Now, as for the diabetes. I also have some experience with this(not me personally) as my dad, aunt, grandmother, both grandfathers have all had or still have this condition.(both grandfathers have now passed away; one from complications of diabetes). I also worked with the mentally and physically challenged for 6 years and a quite a few of them have it. It is actually not that rare that someone can go undetected when they are either high or low.

One of the challenged people I used to work with would be very irregular with his numbers and not show any signs of irregularity. he would wake up in the morning with his blood sugar hovering around 2-3, have breakfast, then it would shoot up to around 10. By the time he would go to bed at night, he would be somewhere in the mid 20's. This person was on insulin and we monitored his blood sugar 4-5 times a day.

The biggest thing I can suggest is to keep a strictly monitored diet and keep proper track of her blood sugar levels. Every person is different when it comes to diabetes. The trick is to find out what works best for her to keep her levels as close to normal as possible.

If you have any questions or need any advice, don't hesitate to PM me. My wife still works with the handicapped and has even more experience with it than I do so if I don't have the answer/advice you're looking for, I can ask her and she'd be glad to help.
 
My best to you, Bob but especially to your daughter.

Take it slow and be sure the doctors' advise is followed.


Thought and prayers to you and yours. :thumb:
 
My thoughts and prayer for her and the family. We all can be thankful that someone seen the danger signs and got her medical attention right away.
 
Thanks all. I'm getting ready to head up to the hospital soon, but I need my morning java infusion first. There is no question that we got very lucky with this. . . if you consider having diabetes lucky? I think it is fair to say that we consider ourselves pretty blessed to have gotten an early diagnosis and excellent care and treatment.
 
Best wishes Bob, we're are here hoping and prayer for her and the rest of the family. A lot of our family is diabetic, but I don't believe anyone has been diagnosed until an adult. So while familiar with the disease, I'm not familiar with the JD side of it. Not sure if it is any different or not. I know for some that are an "uncontrolled" diabetic is a very painful and hard disease to cope with - to say the least. Lets hope her's isn't that type.
 
Bob,
I am sorry to hear this news. I will pray for your daughter. Both of my parents are Diabetics and so were my grand parents. I've delt with it all my life. May God Bless you and your child. If you need anything please call me.
 
I just found this thread. Im SOOOOO sorry. Sounds like shes in good hands though. How old is she? I'll pray for her and you too.
Please keep us up to date on how she is doing!!
 
Been there done that. Everyone has said all the right things for you to do, but the one thing everyone in the family has to do is work with your daughter on this, change diet etc. Everyone should know how to administer her shots, and about what to look for if she should go into diabetic shock, or seizures...........something we experienced alot with our daughter. Actually before she left the hospital we all had to administer a shot of her insulin, mix it, the whole bang.............. I hope and pray the best for you on this, it will effect her the rest of her life, but it does NOT have to be bad, many diabetics live normal full lives...........

God Bless you and yours.
 
Well we got Melen home last night. When we left the hospital her blood sugar was slowly dropping and got down into the mid 200's. Her Ketone levels were absent (which is why they released her). When we got home we tested her blood again and it had climbed to 358. Then at 9pm it was up to 418. Panic set in. We couldn't figure out how a 60 minute car ride and sitting on the couch reading for another couple hours could have elevated her blood sugar by 40%++

Call to the doctors. Change in course of treatment. Oh great, our first night home and things change. We gave (actually Melen gave herself) 2 shots at 9pm. One of long term insulin. One of quick acting insulin. Set the alarm clock for midnight and checked her again. Blood sugar dropped to to below 200. GREAT!!! Then set the alarm for 2am, which is a regular check time for the next few weeks, checked her blood sugar at 2am and it was holding around 200. This morning at 6am, blood sugar again was in the expected range (248), she took more insulin and now is sleeping.

Long term, we need to lower her blood sugar down to the range of 80 to 180 and keep it there. It will take days (maybe even a week or more) to get it down there and keep it there. But we made it through the first night home. I suspect that we will get into a routine and our 'worry level' will drop as we all get used to this.
 
Bob, after reading your message, it sounds like there was panic there for a while, but the fact that she gave herself the shots is very positive.:applause: Sounds like you have a real trooper there. I am sure you are very proud of your daughter- the way she is handling things through these difficult times. I hope things settle down sooner rather than later. We are all thinking of you and your family.
Bone
 
B_Skurka said:
Thanks all. I'm getting ready to head up to the hospital soon, but I need my morning java infusion first. There is no question that we got very lucky with this. . . if you consider having diabetes lucky? I think it is fair to say that we consider ourselves pretty blessed to have gotten an early diagnosis and excellent care and treatment.
Click to expand...

Bob,I'm sure this will all work out for you and your family. I checked with the source and your Karma is outstanding.

Regards,:thumb:
 
Bob, I've been out of town and just got home and found this thread. My thoughts and prayers go out to Melen and the rest of the family. Hutch
 
Bob,

I have not been around much either here but will tell you my family will be praying for your daughter including you, your wife and the rest of th family. These first few months will be tough as her life style will have to change and yours too. I wished I could do more and will continue to pray.

May God be with you.
murph
 
Good morning all. And thank you again for the prayers. We had every intention of going to 8am mass today because we figured we'd be wide awake after the scheduled 6 am blood test and insulin injection. Not true. I'm awake, but not wide awake. Melen went back to sleep and is doing very well. Her blood sugar is slowly dropping and has been approaching 200 (the goal is to get and keep it below 180).

Last night I gave her the bedtime injection, at her request. It was my second time doing that. She said it hurt, but not as bad as when mom gives them!
wink.gif
But she said that when she does it herself it hurts a lot less, she she is going to inject herself more often. Honestly I think she is better at doing it than either my wife or myself, but we all were trained on how to do it at the hospital.

We went out yesterday to buy supplies, appropriate foods, etc. Much of what we concentrated on were snacks that she could take to school in her lunches. At home we have a scale and can calculate carbohydrates, but at school we wanted to be able to let her toss some snacks in her backpack that she was allowed to eat. We also picked up a "sharps" disposal container, alcohol swabs, and all sorts of other needed supplies.

One thing we cannot find, but maybe need to go to the internet for, is a transportable "kit" bag that will allow us to carry insulin, syringes, etc when we our out. She has a carry "kit" for her blood test meter & its supplies. But we have no safe way of carrying the actual syringes. It must be "cute" so she can carry it to school and it must be small so it can fit into her (or my wife's) purse when we go out to the movies or dinner.

Does anyone know were we can get a "cute" syringe & insulin carry pack? I know some business people who carry insulin in very nice leather carry packs that are obviously designed for the task, I figure if they make carry packs that look like a compact 'executive portfolio' then they must make some that look appropriate for children with flowers or designs on them?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top