#654 Ball of Anxiety

Diagnosis Journey

Kara shares the unexpected journey of her son Levi's diagnosis with type 1 diabetes at the tender age of three. Despite a distant family history of autoimmune diseases, including her great-grandfather's diabetes, the diagnosis came as a shock to her family. Kara explains the challenges of managing Levi's condition while also navigating the early stages of her second pregnancy, which added to the complexity of their situation 1. She reflects on the lack of awareness about autoimmune conditions within her family, noting, "I would never think to ask if any of our great grandparents had diabetes. It just wasn't relevant to us" 2.

   

Hospital Trauma

Levi's hospital experience was fraught with challenges, leading to a diagnosis of anxiety and PTSD due to medical trauma. Kara recounts the distressing moments when Levi resisted medical procedures, which were dismissed by hospital staff as normal reactions for a child his age 3. The rigidity of the hospital's protocols further exacerbated the situation, as Kara was warned against taking Levi to the playground, fearing repercussions from child welfare services 4. Reflecting on the ordeal, Kara admits, "We were so exhausted and there was just no space for us to start this whole thing" 5.

   

Trauma Impact

The early hospital experiences left a lasting impact on Levi, altering his behavior and trust towards his parents. Kara describes the heartbreaking shift in their relationship, as they became both a source of comfort and trauma for Levi 6. Despite the challenges, Kara emphasizes the importance of advocating for Levi's needs, highlighting the struggle to obtain recognition and support from healthcare providers 7. She reflects on the societal expectations placed on children, questioning, "Is he brave or is he seven and there's nothing he can do about it?" 7.