The diagnosis

It was a Saturday; of course it was- children are always ill on the weekend. We had to go to the local walk-in centre, sent by the NHS helpline. Had they realised from the list of symptoms? Possibly, but they did not worry us but just encouraged us not to ignore it and to take Jake to the local walk-in centre.

Even with an appointment we waited quite a while. It was late afternoon and very busy, lots of unwell children. Jake was not that unwell at this point and I did feel perhaps we were a bit hasty bringing him in. We saw a lady doctor; I can't even remember what she looked like. All I know is that her manner was slightly brusque and she made Jake do a urine sample and she took blood, which made him cry. Then she said something I will never forget and which makes me wish she had done some training in how to break news to parents.

"He's got diabetes. It's an emergency, go to Barnet General now. Here is a letter to give to reception."

I'm not sure how David drove to Barnet. I was sitting in the passenger seat crying and praying she was mistaken. I knew nothing about diabetes, only that I did not want my son to have it. When we got to Barnet there was nowhere to park. It was dark and cold and we drove around a few times with no luck. So I got out with Jake and went into A and E whilst David drove around again, finally finding somewhere. I have no idea if he paid for the parking; neither of us were in a state to even think about that. (We did not get a fine, so either he did pay or no-one noticed!)

It was Saturday evening and the waiting room was full of quite unwell babies. I remember looking at them and thinking how many unwell babies their seemed to be that night. We went up to the reception desk and handed the receptionist the letter from the walk-in centre. Within moments we were being ushered into the cubicles. It was at that instant that I realised how serious it all was; on a busy Saturday evening to be jumped ahead of everyone, you suddenly know this is a life changing moment.

More blood tests (more crying though they were more gentle than at the walk-in centre) Then the very young doctors, two of them, came to talk to us.

"It's good news," the young man said. For the briefest of moments I thought the doctor at the walk-in centre had got it wrong. "We've caught it really early, he shows no signs of organ damage. We will have to admit him though and monitor him."

I can't even remember going upstairs to the children's ward. All I can remember is several people holding a screaming Jake down in order to give him his first insulin injection.