Friday, July 17, 2009

Little ones have big ears...

Never underestimate the size of those ears, or what their owners comprehend.

Sweet Hubby is diabetic (type 1 - the genetic kind). Every meal requires him to calculate the carbohydrate portions, and take insulin accordingly. Every dinner involves this conversation:

SH - "So what do you think the carbs are?".
Me - "Well, you have a cup of rice, which is 42 ... " etc.

Last night, Naomi announced to us that "The rice is the carbs, Mum".

And tonight: "How much carbs do you think, Mum?". (before anyone had mentioned it).

Sweet Hubby and I had totally different reactions. I was rather amazed at her understanding, and use of new words.

Sweet Hubby was troubled.

There is a 10% chance that either one, or both, of our children will be type 1 diabetic. He is horrified at the thought that he may have passed it on to them. It is such an all-encompassing condition that affects every single thing you do - exercise (reduce insulin), food (calculate carbs, increase insulin), travel and outings (always have juice & sugar with us), eating out (take blood test kit, select meal by what carbs are likely to be in it). etc etc. And never ever ever forget that it is life-threatening. I have had to make 2 separate emergency ambulance calls with Brad in a diabetic seizure in the bed beside me, in the 6 years that I have known him.

He is desperately hoping that neither of our children will ever have to deal with such a life.

2 comments:

  1. They do have big ears, don't they! That's why I am very careful what my children watch and listen to, and also what I say.

    I hope your children don't end up with diabetes, but if they do, at least they will already know how to manage it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. They hear EVERYTHING, except when you are asking them to clean their room:)
    Wow, I admire you all for what you have been through and how diabetes effects every aspect of your life. My mother is a nurse and diabetes was a topic dear to her and she tried to educate whoever she could about it. So many don't realize the implications of having it. I'm so glad you and your husband (and your kids) are learning to live and deal with it.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment!