My Child's Journey with Type 1 Diabetes: "How could I have missed the signs?"

Just when everything seemed right, your gentle, pretty five-year-old princess becomes lethargic and slowly loses interest in the things she usually enjoys. Dana was a bright girl in Kindergarten, loved by her teachers and classmates, who suddenly ended up in the ICU on the day we were discussing her lab results with a pediatrician. It was a shock to the doctor to see her glucose count and the rest of the results. He immediately called an endocrinologist to confirm the diagnosis and referred her, while the nurses rushed to take our daughter from the office to the ER.

How Could We Have Missed the Signs?

How could we not know that our daughter’s life was slipping away from our fingers? How could I not realize that her favorite snacks—the excesses from my pastry business—were making her condition worse?

The ICU and a Life-Threatening Diagnosis

Our spunky girl ended up in the ICU all alone, diagnosed with Diabetic Ketoacidosis, a deadly state of hyperglycemia. The doctors needed to act fast to prevent her from slipping into a coma. We almost lost her at the tender age of five to diabetes. But the Lord heard my cry, and I was literally sobbing in a corner of the hospital, blaming myself and my genes.

The doctor explained that Dana was born with Type 1 Diabetes, but her pancreas had been able to compensate for a while. Eventually, her immune system attacked the beta cells in her pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar levels.

The Diagnosis: Type 1 Diabetes

Dana was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, also known as DM Type 1. Back then, we never knew that diabetes could occur in a child, but it’s possible to diagnose it even in newborns now. Understanding her condition was the easy part. The real challenge came when we realized we needed to completely change her diet, eliminating anything that could destabilize her glucose levels.

A New Way of Life: The Daily Struggle

The hardest part was living with the constant need to check her blood sugar levels and inject insulin as though her life depended on it. But you see, the Lord worked in wondrous ways. Her condition strengthened our family bond. Her siblings became more alert to her medical needs, and we, as parents, realized we needed more resources because consistently monitoring glucose levels isn’t cheap—let alone buying insulin.

The Brave Patient: Dana’s Strength

I was just thankful that Dana became the most understanding, calm, and lovely patient in the hospital. She never complained, even when she was in pain. She grew up trying everything we recommended to help lower her glucose—from bitter herbs to sugar-free foods that many find tasteless, foods that other kids might even taunt as “yucky.”

It was through this process that I began discovering new ingredients and adapting recipes to fit our new lifestyle. This eventually helped some of our relatives who saw my posts on Facebook about my discoveries, which led me to start blogging.

A Bright Future: Dana’s Journey to College

Sixteen years later, with some scary ER visits along the way, Dana is now in college and thriving. Her condition never hindered her from achieving her goals. After surviving life-threatening episodes of both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, she remained the spunky achiever who finished high school at a science school with honors—never even telling her teachers about her condition, trying to live just like everyone else, even though it was stressful for her.

Now in college, studying Psychology, Dana’s optimistic outlook ensures that she’s bound to succeed. This is all thanks to her endocrinologist, who makes sure she follows all the necessary guidelines, her dad, who made it a priority to meet all her needs and whims, and her siblings, who have always been there to help, never considering her condition a burden.

A Growing Family and a New Perspective on Life

Aside from Dana, I have three other children to care for, and now with our youngest daughter, who is five years old, we’re a family of seven. It’s chaotic and exhausting, but there’s nothing to regret.

Being Dana’s mother has made me a tougher, more prayerful mom. Her condition has taught us to see how life can be more beautiful—not scary, but hopeful. It has opened doors for support, and those doors continue to help us on this journey.

Inspiring Stories of Filipino Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Watsons’ #Type1Story campaign highlights the journeys of three other young Filipinos living with Type 1 Diabetes: Neo Eliseo Linga, Ana Sophia Valencia, and Liam James Lebron. Each of these children, along with their families, exemplifies courage and resilience in managing T1D. Their stories underscore the importance of early detection and ongoing care.

Neo Eliseo Linga, diagnosed at two, has been managing T1D for four years. His mother, Jhen, recalls how Neo’s symptoms were initially misdiagnosed, and it wasn’t until a second ER visit that they discovered he was in a diabetic coma. “At first, I felt overwhelmed,” Jhen shares. “But we had to stay strong. I had to learn as much as I could to support him.”

Ana Sophia Valencia, diagnosed at three, is now a healthy 10-year-old. Her mother, Joanne, remembers the day Sophia was rushed to the ER and went comatose due to extremely high blood sugar. After returning home, they made significant changes to their household, replacing sugary drinks and snacks with healthier alternatives. “As a parent, we want her to have a normal childhood while managing her health,” Joanne says. “Our goal is to ensure her blood sugar is stable so that she can grow up without complications.”

Liam James Lebron, diagnosed at four, experienced frequent urination, excessive thirst, and weight loss—symptoms that led his family to seek medical help. His mother, Majeg, stresses the importance of listening to your child and staying observant. “Seek help, especially from doctors who understand the condition,” she advises.

Raising Awareness with Watsons’ #Type1Story

Watsons has become a leading advocate for Type 1 Diabetes awareness in the Philippines. Through the #Type1Story campaign, the brand is working to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and proper management of T1D. Watsons aims to empower families by providing access to essential diabetes care products, free health services, and educational resources.

Jared De Guzman, Customer Director of Watsons Philippines, shares, “Managing diabetes, especially in children, requires unwavering dedication, love, and support. At Watsons, we are committed to empowering families with the resources they need to help their children live their best lives.”

As part of the campaign, Watsons recently partnered with the Type 1 Diabetes Society PH and T1 Diabetes Parents PH for an informative T1D Care Talk, led by Dra. Cristina Alberto, a Diplomate of the Philippine Pediatrics Society. The session provided valuable information on how to manage T1D effectively.

To make diabetes management more accessible, Watsons offers a wide range of diabetes care products in stores nationwide and through the Watsons app. The company also conducts free health check-ups in select locations, helping families take proactive steps toward better health.

Moving Forward with Hope

For me, Dana’s diagnosis was a turning point. It taught me not only how fragile life can be, but also how strong we can be as a family. Type 1 Diabetes is not easy, but with the right support, it doesn’t have to define us. Dana is proof of that. She’s living a full and thriving life, despite the challenges she faces.

I share our story in the hope that it will inspire other families dealing with Type 1 Diabetes. Early detection, proper care, and emotional support can make a world of difference. And with organizations like Watsons standing by our side, we know we’re not alone in this journey.

To learn more about Type 1 Diabetes and how Watsons can support your family, visit your nearest Watsons store or explore the Watsons app for a full range of diabetes care products and health services.

Join the #Type1Story movement today—because every child deserves to live their best life.