No parent ever wants their child to have health issues. Whether they end up with a broken arm or a serious kidney infection that lands them in the hospital, it’s incredibly painful for moms and dads to see their little ones suffer. But when children are diagnosed with conditions that will last the rest of their lives, it’s crucial that their parents learn how to manage them.
One father recently shared a story on the AITAH subreddit detailing a frightening experience he had concerning his son’s health. When his ex-wife was unable to lower their son’s blood sugar, the dad started wondering if he would be safe in her home. Below, you’ll find the full story, as well as some of the replies concerned readers shared.
This father was informed that his son’s blood sugar rose to dangerous levels while at his mom’s house
Image credits: Kindel Media / pexels (not the actual photo)
But instead of figuring out how to solve the problem, his ex-wife decided to blame him and get the police involved
Image credits: Wavebreakmedia / envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: brycen64
Between 5 to 10% of people with diabetes have type 1
According to the CDC, type 1 diabetes occurs when a person’s pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. When we don’t have enough insulin, our blood sugar can’t enter the cells in our bodies, and it begins to pile up in the bloodstream. This causes high blood sugar, which can lead to a host of health issues and complications.
Unlike type 2 diabetes, which is mainly caused by diet and obesity, type 1 diabetes typically develops in children, teens and young adults. However, anyone can develop it at any age.
Only about 5-10% of people with diabetes have type 1, and thankfully, it can be managed by following instructions from doctors, keeping blood sugar in check, having regular health checkups and receiving education and support.
When it comes to managing type 1 diabetes, the Cleveland Clinic notes that people have several options. One is taking multiple daily injections of insulin, using a vial and syringe. This is typically the most affordable way to take insulin. Another option is an insulin pen, which is pre-filled and typically more convenient than using a syringe.
The next alternative is an insulin pump, like the father described in this story. This is a device that is intended to mimic a human pancreas and release insulin “on demand” when needed. These pumps typically use a thin catheter that goes into a person’s stomach or another fleshy part of their body. Finally, rapid-acting inhaled insulin is an option for those with type 1 diabetes. This works much like an inhaler for asthma, and it works much faster than other forms of insulin.
There can be a huge learning curve for parents figuring out how to manage their child’s diabetes
Aside from getting their insulin, it’s important for patients with type 1 diabetes to keep a close eye on their blood sugar. This can be done with a blood glucose meter, which requires pricking a finger and getting a small drop of blood. Or people can opt for continuous glucose monitoring, which typically requires a small sensor to be implanted under the skin.
Managing type 1 diabetes becomes second nature for adults, but when a child receives this diagnosis, it’s important for their parents to ensure that their blood sugar stays at a healthy level. HealthCentral published a piece in 2022 discussing what it’s really like to have a child with type 1 diabetes, and Crystal Hall, a mother from Atlanta, Georgia, revealed some of the challenges her family has faced.
She noted that there can be a lot of shock and confusion when the diagnosis first comes. The news can be a lot to process, and there’s certainly a learning curve in the beginning. In fact, Crystal says that it’s a “lifelong process of learning,” because it’s impossible for doctors and nurses to provide parents with everything they need to know up front.
But we are lucky to have so much advanced technology at our fingertips today. Crystal noted that she uses the Dexcom app to keep an eye on her daughter’s glucose levels from afar, which the father in this story mentioned that he uses too.
Hyperglycemia can be incredibly dangerous for those with diabetes
Parents also need to be aware of hyperglycemia, or when a person with diabetes’ blood sugar gets too high. Some of the symptoms of hyperglycemia include urinating more frequently than usual, excessive thirst, losing weight even while eating fine and feeling fatigued.
This can happen when a child misses a dose of insulin, eats too many carbs, doesn’t get enough exercise, is ill or under stress, takes medicine that raises their blood sugar or has issues with their insulin pump. As the father mentioned, this can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (or DKA) which requires immediate medical treatment. And if this happens often, it can damage a child’s blood vessels, heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves.
To fix this problem, parents should make sure that their kid takes their insulin and medicine according to their doctor’s instructions, follows their meal plan, gets enough exercise, keeps an eye on their blood sugar and ketone levels and follows any instructions their doctor has given.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this story in the comments below, pandas. Do you think this father’s concerns about his ex-wife were justified? Feel free to share, and then if you’d like to check out another Bored Panda piece discussing similar drama, look no further than right here!
Readers took the father’s side and encouraged him to get a lawyer, and he joined in on the conversation
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