Two-year-old Fletcher’s parents have a message for other parents

A sudden thirst led to Fletcher Buchanan, 2, being rushed to the WCH where his parents received life-changing news.

When two-year-old Fletcher Buchanan suddenly developed an insatiable thirst, was soaking his bed and losing weight last month, his mother Alex knew something was wrong.

She took him to their local Yorketown Hospital where a fingerprick blood test revealed the youngster had type 1 diabetes.

The family was flown by Royal Flying Doctor Service to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where Fletcher stayed the next six days.

The family’s life is now changed as they deal with handling the condition to ensure Fletcher stays in peak health.

“Fletcher initially was having five insulin injections a day plus around the same amount of fingers pricks and took it all in his stride,” Mrs Buchanan said.

“He was the most brave, resilient toddler. We couldn’t be prouder of him. It was more traumatic for us as mum and dad, you really don’t expect to be injecting your child.”

Two-year-old Fletcher Buchanan of Yorketown who has just been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and was flown by RFDS to the WCH for treatment.

Fletcher Buchanan of Yorketown.

On his third day in hospital Fletcher was given a Dexcom, a blood glucose monitor which reads his sugar levels 24/7.

“We were then very fortunate to have a pump fitted on the fifth day which allows us to enter Fletcher’s carbohydrates through a phone app, which then injects him through a pump and allows us to not have to inject him,” Mrs Buchanan said.

Now back home in Yorketown, Mrs Buchanan praised the care and support of WCH staff and said Fletcher has adapted to his new normal.

“He actually sticks his finger out to get a needle prick and lifts his top up for us to check the pump,” she said.

“As parents we have to be so much more organised with medication and food requirements and are constantly monitoring Fletcher to see if his levels are too high or too low.

“However, we are so lucky our little boy’s diagnosis was picked up when it was, and we were able to get on top of things and manage it early.

“As it’s National Diabetes Week, we want to make other parents aware that diabetes can hit children at any age.

“Parents should trust their instincts if they think something is wrong. It’s important to be aware of symptoms like wetting the bed, going to the toilet more frequently and your child being more tired and sleepy.”