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The Amatangelo Family

5 Comments on “The Amatangelo Family”

• Anne Oct 27, 2010 (2 years ago)
  WELCOME AMATANGELO FAMILY!
  For my two Diabetic children, the pump is the way to go. It really makes life a bit easier. Please don't hesitate to ask me anything...would love to help!
• Lynn Oct 27, 2010 (2 years ago)
  My daughter was diagnosed at 18 months, is now 6 years old and she has been on the pump since day 1. It is alot of sugar checking especially during the night until you get your basal rates adjusted, but it has allowed her to be a kid and she has alittle more freedom with what she eats and when she eats, so that has made life a bit easier.
• Jackie Rivera Oct 27, 2010 (2 years ago)
  Good afternoon family,
  My daughter Jessica was diagnosed at the age of 15 on April 25, 2006. She has been on an insulin pump almost 2 years now and it has been a great tool in maintaining her diabetes. We have found however, that with more freedom and being a little older at diagnosis, she hasn't followed the strict guidelines of carb intake. She is very good at counting and making sure she has accounted for her carbs on her dosages but she would have been much more regimented had she stayed on shots. Either way, living with this disease has not been easy by any means but it has not limited her either. When I say it hasn't been easy, I'm talking about the emotional side of it; the frustrations of highs & lows, "why can't I be like normal kids?", I hate this disease, etc. I wish I could just take it from her. When she was diagnosed, she was on Drill Team (dance team) in high school so she never had the opportunity to attend diabetes camp since her summers were already committed to with practice. Overall, Jessica is a very happy almost 20 year old that maintains pretty well for the most part. She is a full-time college student (living at home, thank God) with a goal of RN, CDE in her future. She would love to work with children that are going through what she has experienced first hand. I am married but have gone through this alone for the most part. Her dad has given her ONE shot throughout the years. I personally have a core group of other diabetes parents that I can call any time including Jessica's CDE. I am very fortunate to have what I have and my fears and resentments of the disease are able to be channeled through them and I don't have to share them with Jessica as she certainly has her own fears. I can be strong for her and for that I am eternally grateful. Look up support groups in your area. Get to know other parents that go through this painful disease. Since it's only been a month since diagnosis, give her some time (my opinion only) to learn how to take care of her disease thoroughly before going to the pump. What if the pump breaks down and she doesn't know how to manage without it? She should probably learn about her body and diabetes and which foods make her sugars high and which ones aren't as "insulin-necessary". The night Jessica was diagnosed, on the way to the hospital, she was eating watermelon! WOW! Not a good idea at all. Now she can eat it in moderation but I didn't realize the amount of natural sugars in fruit as I do now. Pizza (for her) is a carb that breaks down much slower than other carbs so her sugars spike 30 minutes to an hour down the line. Everyone is so different. Living with your husband being a T1 makes it that much easier but when you don't have the experience as a mother, it's very scary and I'm here to tell you, it gets better. Hang in there. Good luck! Get involved....of course after the "newness" wears off. Just take your time and live in the moment because you are going to have good and bad days. When I was told that this is Jessica's disease, I thought, "No, it's MY disease also". Well, I have learned that the older they get, it is a responsibility for her to take care of. However, I will be there for her at whatever time of the day or night and/or to order, pick up and even pay for her supplies as this is a matter of life or death. Anyways, good luck (again!). Sorry I rambled on and on. It is just such a tough place to be at when your child gets diagnosed. I wish you all the best. My email is jjjrivera@msn.com if you'd like to correspond.
• terezia norris Oct 27, 2010 (2 years ago)
  hey guys, we have done both the pump and injections here. Bri was dx at 5yrs old and did injections for two yrs then we changed to the pump. Bri also has health issues with asthma and sinus problems but she would never go back on shots. She loves the fact that when she is sick instead of extra shots she just increases the basal rate and puts through a correction in the pump.
  For me as a parent the decision of to pump or not was made because of the other health issues and it needs to be what fits for your family. The pump also made it easier for school as she could eat the same as everyone else and she didn't have to have her mum at school every day for her lunch injection.
  Not sure if this helps you but this just my experience with diabetes and we also pray everyday for a cure for this disease. Hugs for all your family xoxo
• Rhianna Oct 27, 2010 (2 years ago)
  Hi , Our duaghter is 6 and has been pumping for almost 4 yrs, we find the pump great, it gives you a lot more freedom , although its still a diabetic diet its not time controlled or carb aount controlled, you can eat when your hungry and the amount you want/ need, not what your insulin needs. we also find it a awesome for birthday parties and as our dd is a dancer for sport and performances.It does give us more control, although we still have hypos , and hypers we don't have the "hi" readings or as many dramatic ones . It is a litle bit of work, when you first start a bit hard , ketones can be a worry but I would definately say its worth it , we love our pump were using medtronic.
  Hope this helps ,
  Rhianna

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