Families in Europe???

[StillMamamia]

Hi,

Just asked Jeff if it would be possible to have a Europe (non-UK) subheading, and he's done it....thanks a gazillion Jeff!!!!:cwds:

So, anyone out there who lives in Europe??? I live in Luxembourg, so I'm at a great crossroads to meet anyone.

My son is now 4, dx at 2. He's on the pump, and doing well...

Hoping to 'meet' some of you!!!!

[Sia]

Hi!

I live in Athens, Greece....Expat from Chicago-US.

It was nice to see this thread. I don't feel all alone out here.

My daughter Katerina was diagnosed last May. She'll be six in July.

[StillMamamia]

Kalimera Sia,

Nice to 'hear' from you.

How is Katerina doing? Is she on the pump? How is the diabetes care/ped care in Greece? Has she met other kids in Greece also Type 1?

How are you doing?

Til next time and til then take care!

[Sia]

Hi Stillmamamia,

Just found time to check out the forum. Nice to see someone close. How's Ian?
Katerina is not wearing a pump. She takes very little insulin so far...still honeymooning. Hope this lasts for a while cause I don't see much interest from her kindergarten teacher.
So, was the Kalimera because you speak Greek or because you have Greek friends? Many of my friends in the States had picked up some words from me.
The care here could be better?:confused: I want to check out another Children's Diabetes Center before I am sure. We haven't met any Type I's yet. I asked about support groups and I was told by many people here that there aren't any (I'm still searching) and that it's not a good idea cause parents will go to complain instead of supporting each other.

[StillMamamia]

Hi Sia,

No, I don't speak Greek, just know a few words from 'job experience'...I've worked with people from many different nationalities, including Greeks...and been to Crete once:D

To be honest, I think it might be a 'cultural' thing...I've lived in the US years ago, and there the people are just so much more geared towards group things, whereas in Europe I find that people tend to want to stay in their little niche and not really share their problems...but that's my own opinion, and it's probably stereotyping, but I do think it's like this. Which might explain why there aren't many (if any) support groups in other countries. I know there's one here in Lux, but it's so much different from the support on this site. Not saying it's worse, just different...

I hope you can find some support though...maybe speaking with doctors and nurses, and trying to convince them to form one...maybe coming from them, the parents would feel more confortable, and take it more seriously, you know what I mean?

I'm from Portuguese descent, and let me tell you...they love to complain too...it's just like that...you have to be persistent...;)

Hoping to hearing from you soon!

[StillMamamia]

Sia,

Me again:o

Just thought of something...I believe there are other parents on here who live in Greece...maybe , if you feel like it,post something on the Parents of Children with Type 1 forum area, requesting their input on forming a group...you never know...

[meane]

hello stillmamamia,
I'm verry news on this forum....... and not so far.....
My little girl 2 years old Méane is diabetic 1 since 3 months. We are from switzerland, and she's with a pump since the beginner....
Here in Geneva we have a verry nice support for this sickness.
Je parle aussi francais....
Is your boy with a pump too??? What about when he's sick???? thas is my most black point, the sickness, it's so hard to keep a good blood sugar... What is your experience about???
Thank you for you attention, and have a nice day!

[StillMamamia]

Bonjour,

Je suis désolée que vous avez du joindre notre 'famille'...c'est toujours avec beaucoup de tristesse que je lis l'arrivée d'un nouveau membre...mais je vous souhaite quand même la bienvenue, et peut vous assurer qu'ici vous allez trouver des êtres humains merveilleux, tous prêts à vous guider, à vous informer et à vous soutenir dans tous vos moments d'inquiètude!

Est-ce que on vous a parlé du 'monogenic diabetes' ? J'ai lu à ce sujet ici dans le site. Ca concerne les enfants diagnostiqués avant l'âge d'un an, je crois...

Ouis, Ian porte aussi la pompe à insuline (Deltec Cozmo)...et il se porte très bien...bien sûr avec les hauts et les bas de cette maladie:rolleyes:

En ce moment, il est enrhumé, alors bonjour les montées et descentes de glycèmie:rolleyes: mais, bon, c'est comme ça, et il faut gérer du mieux que l'on peut...

A bientôt!

PS - Translation...just so noone thinks I'm bad-mouthing anyone:D

I'm very sorry that you had to join our family...it's always with sadness that I welcome new members...but I welcome you nonetheless. I can assure you that you will find many wonderful human beings on here, all ready to guide you, inform you, and give you support in your down moments!

Have you heard about monogenic diabetes? I believe it concerns children dx before the age of 1 year...

Yes, Ian also wears the pump, and he's doing well...of course, with the usual ups and downs of this disease...

Right now, he's got a cold...so those hypos and hypers are very frequent, but we manage the best we can.

[StillMamamia]

Meane,

Maybe I misunderstood...was your daughter dx 3 months ago, or has she been dx since she was 3 months old???

Sorry for the confusion....:cwds:

[meane]

hi stillmamamia,
Thank's to answer to my chat on this forum.....
We have found meane's diabet last January when she was 21 months!
We are facing this "family" for only 3 months now... ans since, meane has got 2 colds, with fever and so on! wawooo, it's not easy to face it, and thinking that it will be like this for all the next years makes me affraid!
How do you face with diabet everydays????? how do you immagine the futur???' ......
I realy apreciate to share your experience!
Receive all my bests wishes.....
PS, I writte in english even if i'm not good at, then everybody can share it on this forum......
byby:)

[StillMamamia]

HI 'Meane',

I'm sorry you guys are facing colds, fever, etc...I'm assuming her bgs are not so great then for now?? I hope she gets better soon. My 2 boys also have a small cold, so I can understand it's not easy.

In the beginning it is very hard to adjust to this new life, isn't it? Learning so many new things, and having no time to take a break from diabetes.

My son was DKA at 2 years old, when he was admitted to the emergency room. BG in the mid-900s, and severely dehydrated. I have a photo of him 3 days before he went into the hospital, and let me tell you...it makes me really sad to look at it, and I ask myself how did I not notice anything??? But the doctors tell me...what would that have changed? Nothing...diabetes was already there.

Ian is doing very well. He is on the pump. He goes to pre-k (précoce school??), which is optional schooling, but it has been very good for him. The teachers have been wonderful in learning about diabetes Type 1, testing him and giving him the bolus. (he is the only one there with diabetes) And for now, there is no problem with the other children. That's something I worry about, when he's older, that the other children will make fun of him, but we'll see.

I try to read as much as I can, but I still feel like I don't know much. Especially after reading in the forums...there are so many knowledgeable people here, it's amazing. I hope one day I will be like them.

How do I imagine the future?? VERY HAPPY AND BRIGHT!!! I am a very positive person, and have never let anything keep my spirit and hopes down for too long, so I hope I can teach that to both my children, especially Ian. I think, if we believe it is possible, then our children will also believe that. And I believe anything is possible...so:)

I hope you are doing well. Until next time, take care!

PS - Come to the Parents Chat if you'd like, when you can.