Greetings from the fireside…
I would like to direct this chat to teens with diabetes and their parents. It seems that 2011 has been a particularly tricky year for the diabetic teens in my life, and they have been in my thoughts constantly…
When I became a pediatric endocrinologist, I had no idea how challenging my job would turn out to be. I loved the idea of looking at log books and adjusting insulin dosing to optimize glycemic control. I didn’t realize that I’d have my patients actively conspiring against me to sabotage their own diabetes care. I didn’t anticipate the tears, blank stares, and swearing. It has taken ten years or so to adjust, but I’m happy to say that I get it now, and am up for the challenge!
Here’s what I’ve learned: Adolescents with diabetes have to endure all of the challenges of their peers, but with the added stress of a chronic, potentially life threatening disease. They live their lives under a microscope and every decision that they make is scrutinized. For those that were diagnosed when they were younger, they need to make the transition from being cared for to caring for themselves. For those diagnosed as teens, they have to deal with the loss of control as their parents and caregivers watch over them in ways that they never did before. Either way, it’s not fair, and it’s not always pretty.
So here are a few pieces of advice for you teens out there:
Take it easy on your parents. The nagging isn’t personal, it’s their way of telling you that they love you. Show them your meters once in a while to brag about the good numbers, and come up with a plan to fix the bad ones.
Talk to your friends about your diabetes. If they’re the kind of friends that you want, they’ll learn about your diabetes and support you. If they don’t, then look for better friends.
Meet a few other teens with diabetes. They truly understand what you’re going through and are great people to vent with.
Always listen to your doctor (ok, at least some of the time)! Tell him or her what you’re really thinking and how you think your diabetes should be treated. Lying to make things look good or promising that things will magically get better this time really isn’t helpful. You’ll be amazed at the response that you’ll get if you take the time to come up with a plan.
And some advice for parents of teens:
Don’t stop the nagging! Teens that aren’t supervised get themselves in trouble. Make sure that you look at your child’s meter regularly to see what the real numbers are, and insist that they administer insulin where you can see them. Teens that take injections in private are not getting their insulin, trust me. Teens often promise to check or bolus with good intentions, but get distracted easily once they are out of your sight. They mean to do it, they just don’t!
Communicate with their friends and friends’ parents. Your teens won’t always be where you can see them, but it helps to have others that you trust helping to support them when you can’t.
Hang in there, adolescence doesn’t last forever. Understand that every teen with diabetes struggles, thus every parent of a teen with diabetes struggles too. Neither of you asked for this, but if you work together, you can keep it manageable until the 20′s arrive.
Now for the good news…
Most teens with diabetes make it through just fine. They develop into young adults who take very good care of themselves, and go on to lead happy, productive lives. They emerge with a maturity which is far deeper than their peers, and a sense of accomplishment that gives them the confidence to succeed in ways that they may not have had they not been diagnosed with diabetes. I am blessed to know many such adults succeeding with diabetes…doctors, nurses, teachers, pharmaceutical reps, insurance agents, artists, and camp directors, to name a few.
One of the major changes this year as Camp Surefire moves to Alton Jones is the addition of the “TORCH” program for 13 and 14 year olds and a formal LIT program for 15 and 16 year olds. I’m thrilled that our program now has the ability to serve the unique needs of teens with diabetes.
I hope that each camper leaves with a new friend, a new mentor, and a new understanding of their diabetes.
Until our next chat…
Dr. Fox
