Susan B. Sloane is a local health care professional, but she\u2019ll be the first to tell you her greatest and most important role is mother. When her sons were diagnosed with diabetes at very early ages, she \u201cwent though many changes during those days; lost my faith, got it back, anger, frustration, confusion and sadness,\u201d she shared. <\/em><\/p>\n We talked with Susan to learn more about her story, what she learned through her family\u2019s journey and how she hopes to help other parents with her new book, \u201cSweet Genes: Finding a Balance Living with Diabetes.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Susan: The first thought that went through my head when my oldest son was diagnosed with diabetes at 17 months old, while I was pregnant with my second son, was, \u201cThere has to be some mistake!\u201d<\/p>\n Frantically, I called every known expert in the field. Many wouldn\u2019t take the call of a hysterical mother, so scared and confused that her words were often garbled, incoherent and laced with tears. I finally reached a kindhearted doctor who became my son\u2019s physician and, later, our dear friend. He gently talked me off the cliff, explaining what the road ahead of us would hold.<\/p>\n Susan: As a health care professional myself, I understood diabetes from the perspective of the \u201cobserver.\u201d This perspective of a disease is a sterile outsider\u2019s way of looking at things. In truth, this is the view of many people fortunate enough not to be affected by chronic illness.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not until a disease comes home with you that you fully understand its challenges and obstacles. You\u2019re initially filled with rage and disbelief and become overwhelmed. These feelings gradually give way to acceptance, understanding and courage you never knew you had. I was lucky enough to have a fabulous medical team and a wonderful husband throughout the journey.<\/p>\n Susan: When my second son was diagnosed with diabetes through the process of autoantibody testing \u2014 in essence, a way to tell if a person is at high risk of becoming diabetic \u2014 I was initially angry and started to lose faith.\u00a0I remember crying myself to sleep many nights. Then, my mother spoke words of wisdom.<\/p>\n \u201cJason is doing so well and has accepted diabetes as a part of life. What message are you sending him if you let him see how upset you are with Marc\u2019s diagnosis?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Her words helped me stay centered.<\/p>\n Susan: Indeed there were and continue to be times I\u2019m envious of others who have seemingly healthy children who go through life without the rigors of this disease. The moments are fleeting and have certainly happened less as the years passed, but I guess we all wish our children health and happiness and get frustrated at times when we cannot fix problems.<\/p>\n Susan: My search for help came early in my son Jason\u2019s diagnosis, when a hospital chart error gave us an insulin dose much higher than he should have had. We almost lost him that night when he had a seizure in his crib. There were no specialists who would treat children at the time of Jason\u2019s diagnosis, except maybe one part-time endocrinologist who didn\u2019t want the \u201cburden\u201d of a baby with diabetes.<\/p>\n I found the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston to be the mecca of diabetes care for children. I was lucky enough to come across the doctor who essentially saved our lives, Dr. Joseph Wolfsdorf.<\/p>\n Susan: I\u2019ve been a community pharmacist in Syracuse for many years. The position has afforded me the great privilege to help so many people with different health challenges, including diabetes. Because of my own personal journey, I think I am more empathetic when teaching and treating patients, without just the sterile knowledge I used to convey. Having walked in these shoes has made me so much better as a health care professional; many patients have expressed their gratitude over the years. It\u2019s a good feeling to pay it forward.<\/p>\n Susan: Over the years, well-intentioned friends and relatives have showered me with advice. One thing people said over and over again was, \u201cWhen will you let him handle his disease on his own?\u201d The question had good intentions, but I was steadfast in my response.<\/p>\n \u201cI will be there with my sons in any way possible to make life a bit easier for them, so they can worry less,\u201d I always answered. I administered shots, calculated insulin dosing and prepared snacks (not so much meals\u2026 I\u2019m not the greatest cook). I did \u2014 and still do \u2014 all I can to help relieve the daily burden of diabetes care.<\/p>\n We live good lives, so I don\u2019t want to make my life a pity party in any way. We\u2019ve learned to weave diabetes into the fabric of our lives, so the day-to-day impact seems minimal. Support is so important; the whole family, and even friends, should play a role, in my opinion.<\/p>\n Susan: My book is really about telling a truthful account of our lives with diabetes, during the diagnosis and after. I felt I needed to tell this story because many friends and relatives didn\u2019t fully understand what diabetes is truly like when it comes home with you. I hope the book will illuminate the good, the funny, the bad and the idea that you can live a great life with diabetes in the house.<\/p>\n Susan: Reliving the memories definitely brought up old wounds. Healed scabs were broken and emotions were often raw. This happens when the brain relives scary moments. It was necessary, though, in order to get to the truth and tell it in my voice and my sons\u2019 voices. Their accounts were perhaps the most difficult for me to read.<\/p>\n Susan: The best advice I can give parents who have a child diagnosed with diabetes is to find a pediatric endocrinologist; these physicians have the most experience and often compassion in treating little humans. You also need to remember not every doctor is a fit for every patient. Find health care professionals who you feel comfortable with and have confidence in. You need to feel that you matter and your questions will be answered. SWM<\/em><\/p>\n For more information on Susan and her book, visit sloanediabetes.com. <\/em><\/p>\n Interview was edited for length and clarity<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Discussing \u201cSweet Genes\u201d Susan B. Sloane is a local health care professional, but she\u2019ll be the first to tell you her greatest and most important role is mother. When her sons were diagnosed with diabetes at very early ages, she \u201cwent though many changes during those days; lost my faith, got it back, anger, frustration,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2149,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[101],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features"],"gutentor_comment":0,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Sweet-Genes-cover-pdf.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1162,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1162","url_meta":{"origin":2134,"position":0},"title":"Tracy Foss","author":"Staff","date":"October 27, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Paying Hope Forward By Jasmine Gomez | Photography by Mary Grace Johnson On a family road trip to her in-laws\u2019 house in Boston for Thanksgiving, Tracy Foss began to wonder if something was wrong. 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SWM: Most of us are familiar with diabetes from an outsider\u2019s point of view. Tell us what it meant to you as a mother.<\/h4>\n
SWM: What was the most difficult aspect of having two sons diagnosed with diabetes?<\/h4>\n
SWM: During your journey, you felt envious of \u201ctypical\u201d children, which made you feel guilty. Many parents could likely relate on some level. Talk about how you worked through this guilt.<\/h4>\n
SWM: How did you begin searching for help and advice? What resources did you find most helpful?<\/h4>\n
SWM: Both you and your sons have dedicated your careers to helping other understand and live well with diabetes. Talk about how you help personally.<\/h4>\n
SWM: Talk about people\u2019s perceptions of diabetes. What are some of the misconceptions out there you\u2019d like to correct?<\/h4>\n
SWM: You recently published a book about your journey, \u201cSweet Genes: Finding a Balance Living with Diabetes.\u201d What inspired you to start writing?<\/h4>\n
SWM: Putting together this book must have brought up some memories that were difficult to relive. How did you deal with that?<\/h4>\n
SWM: What\u2019s an important piece of advice for parents of children recently diagnosed with diabetes?<\/h4>\n