We have six type 1 diabetics in our family (on my husband’s side), my two daughters, their uncle and three of their cousins.
My daughters are identical twins. At 11 years old, one twin had lost a bit of weight, was feeling occasionally unwell, and was going to the toilet frequently. We used my niece’s meter to test her blood sugar and it was 28.5 mmol/l (513 mg/dl). My sister-in-law told us to go to hospital immediately. My daughter yelled and screamed at everyone to leave her alone, saying that there was nothing wrong with her. She slammed her bedroom door in typical teenager fashion (or was that a high blood sugar level rage that we now have come to recognise) and refused to come out. My sister-in-law was able to coax her out of her bedroom and into the car. She was admitted to hospital and our diabetic journey began.
We informed the Paediatric Endocrinologist that she was an identical twin. The other twin’s chance of getting diabetes was 50%, substantially higher than a regular sibling so it was recommended that the non-diabetic twin take part in the INIT Study where she would be under close observation.
Ten months later the Paediatric Endocrinologist called to inform us that the recent blood test undergone at the research lab indicated the second twin had type 1 diabetes. When I told the second twin she had diabetes she burst into tears. Her twin tried to console her by telling her it was really not that bad but she had seen what her sister had gone through and didn’t want injections.
That was 3 years ago now. My girls are otherwise healthy 14 years old teenagers. They are very independent with their diabetes management program and we are proud of the way that they have taken this all in their stride. They have not let diabetes control their lives. It can be an inconvenience at times but generally does not stop them doing what they want to do, living life and having fun.
(Photo: Twins 11yrs old just before diabetes diagnosis)
Melbourne, Australia
