Has your character changed since your child's dx?

[StillMamamia]

I used to be very impatient, so, as I mentioned in another thread, dealing with d has made me more patient and more focused on what really is important. I used to worry like a madwoman...now I'm much more easy-going.

Someone once said on the chat that they are more cynical than before.

Have any of you noticed a change in your character? For better or for worse?
Any flaws which were softened? Any new flaws which came about?

[shirley83006]

i have found myself more angry, and depressed more. i was never the type to want to talk about my problems before. but now i feel the need to tell people.

[Kirsten]

I'm much less patient about listening to other people's problems and less willing to arrange my life around others. My MIL says I'm selfish, but I just can't handle anyone else's problems right now, especially when they seem so petty to me.

Call me cynical, but I see nothing good coming from D in my life.

Kirsten

[My_Dana]

I have definitely changed.
I, like most, have learned so much since our children's diagnosis.
Many things about health in general and taking care of Dana.
Sort of survival mode. A sense of needing to know more and more to give Dana the best care possible...leaving no stone unturned.

It has rolled over into my entire family and relatives, for the better I think.
Most are feeling better and getting off meds.
I suppose it can be considered the silver lining. I do believe things happen for a reason.
No telling what condition we would all be in if Dana's D never happened.

But I have learned so much that I now question and challenge every medical decision.
I used to feel the docs and hospital were really looking out for me/us.
Sadly, I no longer think this.

In some ways, I wish I hadn't found out so much..I don't like being so skeptical and un-trusting of people, specifically those in the medical profession.
I have nothing against them personally. Most are decent caring people doing the best they can; but trapped in a system not always
keeping the patient's health first and foremost.
I suppose it's more the industry, and the people encountered are merely the messengers.

Life and the world are never going to be the same after D...
Gone are the days.:(

[czardoust]

Well YEH.

Good ways:
I savor every moment with my kids
I can manage things better, organize a tiny bit--compared to none before
I think ahead
I listen more, dont talk so much
I've had to grow a thick skin because of peoples remarks
I think about what I eat and listen to my bodys needs/wants

Bad ways:
I am more calloused emotionally
I smile and laugh way less--Im aware of that! Working on changing it
I dont dare to fantasize
I dont dream at night like I used to, I think its because when I sleep, I need to sleep. (I used to enjoy dreaming)

[OSUMom]

I worry more about certain things. I never was a worry-wart, but with a kid at college with type 1...
Worry less about insignificant things.

I don't share (become transparent) so much with friends unless their close friends. It became obvious after diagnosis who really cared.

[Mama2H]

Oh wow, I am a different person for certain. I would not say it has been a change for the good. I find myself more worried. Anytime one of my other kids so much as coughs I start worrying about them getting sick from some disease or another. Heck, before Hailey was dx I took childhood illness in stride, now I find they make me freak out. I was a control freak before D and D has exacerbated that, too bad we can't control the D :( I have less sympathy for other people's problems. I try to tell myself not to but when someone complains about thier kid having XYZ I think to myself "You didn't care when Hailey was in the hospital, why should I care about your kid's cold?"

I try to keep my internal dialog positive but I have found it difficult. 3 days ago I started a weight loss program along with a weight loss med and I can say that the side effects have actually been positive :eek: I have had A LOT more energy and requiring less sleep (one side effect is insomnia) and it gives me a big burst to start the day. It has also helped me to feel better in general. I have found that I have been better able to cope with the negative influences in my life and more able to let things roll off my back.

[Caydens_Mommy]

I know that it has changed my life in many ways. Some of the more obvious ones are I am able to watch my child have blood drawn or get shots, which has made me stronger. I tend to think about things before I do them now. I spend alot more time loving my children then I do getting on to them for small things..

On the other side, I tend to worry about everything, I lay awake at night and do the what if game, I tend to not want to let go of my children for the fear of what might go wrong.

There have been a lot of positive and negative changes to this, but I do feel this is somethign every parent I'm sure faces.

[Ellen]

Thanks to diabetes, I have clarity about what's important in life.

[lil'Man'sMom]

Well YEH.

Good ways:
I savor every moment with my kids

I really try to do this, I have to remind myself that he is what is most impotant not the dishes in the sink.

Bad ways:
I am more calloused emotionally
I smile and laugh way less--
I sometimes feel guilty if I am laughing but there are other times when I just laugh because that is ALL I can do
I dont dare to fantasize
One time I caught myself fantasizing about a Cure and stopped myself real quick...I am afraid to fantasize about it like I may jink it or something...I know I am weird :)

Someday I want the ability to say thank-you to D for all it has taught me and inside not be bitter about it...maybe when we have a Cure!

[fredntan2]

Co workers have said I don't seem as go lucky/happy as before. guess this is true. I'm usually a happy person-and still am.

It made me a better nurse-I'm able to connect with my patients and there families so much better. I know personally what they are going through-though it may not be D. A lot of times its C.
Its made me realize how lucky we are. there are so many far worse off than us.
I'm so lucky to have great kids, a husband that does love me(he can drive me crazy), great insurance, wonderful pump, and a marriage that has stuck it out.
Its made me realize who my true friends are. and family that cares.

[lotsoftots]

well for me a lot has changed not all from dd's d. She was dxd last Aug at that time I was on edge and scared. Then in Oct my two oldest kids were in an awful car accident I went to moody, short temper, bossy, and feeling sorry for myself:o . In Dec I gave birth..ok you would think then I would get my hormones in check and start being myself...NO now I am more distant ( I want to do everything myself) I dont like many people ( like I dont have the time for them then when I do they talk or do the same old stuff:rolleyes:) I argue with my hubby A LOT and I snap fast...I dont like the way I am being right now and I know I am doing it but not taking the effort to change it right now either.
As far as how D has changed me I m in more control ( sometimes not a good thing...lol) I m more on time, I keep better track of things, I stop to enjoy the little things ( like more then 5 hours of sleep at a time), i enjoy every min of normal life. I have met a lot of sweet people, ..and now my ped is becoming like my best friend instead of my o.b

[Kaileen]

I worry a lot more. If she is in the other room playing, I have to make sure she's okay. I call the school to check on her. I call my husband every day to see what her lunchtime BG is. I call my husband to see what her dinnertime BG is. I wake up at night, worried that her BG will go too low. Or too high. Or something else.

I do cherish my time with both of them more now. I find myself putting my research skills to work and learning more about diabetes. I share everything with Deirdre, who has read everything I have obtained on the subject. We watch dLife every Sunday evening together as a family.

She asked a couple of days ago how my mother died. I said we would talk about it some time. I don't have the heart to tell my baby girl that my mother died from diabetes after having both legs amputated. I want her to control the disease: not to have horrible thoughts of the disease control her.

I'm hopeful for the possibilities, but I am also frightened.