#709 Not the Christmas Tree

Early Symptoms

Hannah's early symptoms of type 1 diabetes were subtle yet telling. As the youngest of six siblings, her parents initially attributed her excessive thirst and frequent urination to a growth spurt. Her father recalls how he would find her diaper soaked shortly after changing it, and her relentless thirst led her to drink from unusual sources, including bathwater and even the Christmas tree stand 1 2. This behavior was initially dismissed as a virus by doctors, but her parents soon realized something more serious was at play 3.

I am surprised at my toddler self that I was able to MacGyver this way of getting water when my parents were like, no, you've already had so much juice and water.

--- Hannah

These early signs were crucial in understanding the severity of her condition.

   

Unique Diagnosis

The unique circumstances of Hannah's diagnosis highlight the challenges of identifying type 1 diabetes in young children. Her parents' realization that something was seriously wrong came when they found her drinking water from the Christmas tree stand, a moment that pushed them to seek medical help 2. Despite initial misdiagnoses, this unusual behavior underscored the severity of her condition, leading to a hospital visit where her blood sugar was found to be alarmingly high at 700 4.

It's such a good example of the veracity of the feeling, right? Because you're just this little water-seeking missile in your house.

--- Scott Benner

This pivotal event marked the beginning of her journey with diabetes, illustrating the importance of parental intuition and persistence.