He's seven years old:
Because of his mother's family history of rampant heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol he:
Cannot have added salt
Must get yearly blood profiles to track his cholesterol levels (it's high for his age)
Must exercise regularly mainly through play to keep blood sugars down and cardiovascular system as healthy as possible.
We're monitoring his life as a senior citizen would because of his diabetes.
But on the other hand, he's thriving like mad.
He wears a size 10-12 in clothes.
He likes to wrestle with his friends.
He throws and catches with the steadiness of someone years beyond him.
He smart as a whip.
He has a temper like a whip too (I could group that with the senior citizen part since diabetes exacerbates it when he's low. That would make him a crotchety old man).
I don't know where I'm going with this post except to say that diabetes is such an odd character. On one hand, it can be debilitating and causes a person to be hyper vigilant about their health no matter what the age. But then if treated properly, it allows a person to thrive.
Just dumping some thoughts. Don't mind me.
Because of his mother's family history of rampant heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol he:
Cannot have added salt
Must get yearly blood profiles to track his cholesterol levels (it's high for his age)
Must exercise regularly mainly through play to keep blood sugars down and cardiovascular system as healthy as possible.
We're monitoring his life as a senior citizen would because of his diabetes.
But on the other hand, he's thriving like mad.
He wears a size 10-12 in clothes.
He likes to wrestle with his friends.
He throws and catches with the steadiness of someone years beyond him.
He smart as a whip.
He has a temper like a whip too (I could group that with the senior citizen part since diabetes exacerbates it when he's low. That would make him a crotchety old man).
I don't know where I'm going with this post except to say that diabetes is such an odd character. On one hand, it can be debilitating and causes a person to be hyper vigilant about their health no matter what the age. But then if treated properly, it allows a person to thrive.
Just dumping some thoughts. Don't mind me.
posted by Shannon at
8:03 AM
5 Comments:
Riley's cholesterol is also high for his age (he has his mother's genes to thank for that too)
But, I get what you are saying. Our kids have to do things other kids don't and worry about things other kids don't.
But, I think our kids have more insight into what it means to really live life, to appreciate the little things.
So, to put a positive spin on it, they eat healthier and have a healthy respect for life also.
By
Penny Ratzlaff, at 10/09/2007 9:14 AM
Oh yeah, I mean Brendon appreciates getting healthy snacks and meals. He loves to take part and make choices. It's just so odd to me that he has to monitor his health like an old man, but live life as a child.
By
Shannon, at 10/09/2007 9:17 AM
Monitoring your son and him as a 7 year old crotchety old man is both very sad and kinda true to life as a type 1 diabetic kid. It makes me sad, but then you describe him with such pride, such joy, such love and he seems like a totally normal kid, too. Don't know where I'M going with this comment except to say I agree. Diabetes is an odd character.
What a blessing he has you as a mom, for your love and insight and care. Damn the genes!
By
Unknown, at 10/09/2007 9:24 AM
We all eat to much salt anyhow. I actually never add salt to food. The more you use the more you want it! Anyhow Brendon seems toi be thriving and that is so GOOD to hear!
By
Chrissie in Belgium, at 10/09/2007 11:05 AM
So good to hear the B-man is doing so well. You both are doing a great job.
By
Vivian, at 10/09/2007 11:25 AM
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