It was during a holiday to Moama in 2022 Erin Lehmann developed a feeling something wasn’t quite right with her daughter, Sienna.
“She was feeling tired, needed to go the toilet a lot and was quite thirsty, and was starting to show signs of weight loss,” Erin said.
A registered nurse at Bendigo Health, Erin’s instincts kicked in. Following a trip to the hospital’s emergency department, and some testing conducted by Erin, her instincts were right – Sienna had type 1 diabetes.
“We don’t know anyone in our family with type 1 diabetes.
“We do have people with autoimmune conditions, but this was quite sudden and was a huge shock for us. Type 1 diabetes is just that, it’s sudden and it’s life-changing,” Erin said.
“Sienna could have deteriorated quite quickly, but thankfully we avoided an ICU admission.”
After first being diagnosed, Sienna was required to inject herself with insulin up to six times a day. Erin said diabetes is a 24/7 condition.
“It’s a constant battle and exhausting. You don’t get a rest, we’re always having to think about blood sugar levels, insulin intake, carbohydrates,” she said.
While living with diabetes has been challenging for both mother and daughter, Sienna is determined to not let the condition define her – thanks to a game-changing device.
Sienna now manages her condition with an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor, which Erin said her daughter wears with pride.
“I like to help other kids by letting them know they can do anything with diabetes and it can’t stop you in life,” Sienna said.
“She still plays netball and basketball, and has a very positive attitude towards life. She doesn’t let diabetes define her,” Erin said.
“Throughout this journey, the diabetes education team, paediatricians, dietitians and social workers at Bendigo Health provided invaluable support to us.”
Now, Erin is working towards a Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education – funded by a Bendigo Health postgraduate nursing scholarship – while receiving on the job training in the diabetes education department.
“Learning about diabetes with Sienna inspired me to pursue a change in my nursing career to become a diabetes educator,” she said.
Since last year, Sienna and Erin have raised over $6000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Type 1 Foundation, in a bid to raise more awareness of the condition.
Around 13,000 Australian children are living with type 1 diabetes. Find out more about diabetes at: https://www.ndss.com.au/