I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was 17 years old.
Before that my only exposure to diabetes was three of my grandparents who all had type 2. I was scared, confused, and felt completely alone.
Being a senior in high school and involved in activities I was the kid who grabbed a can sodapop for breakfast, skipped lunch, and grabbed anything I could get at the local fast food joint for dinner. My eating habits were poor, sporadic, and the thought of having 3 meals a day, everyday, seemed overwhelming. And we are not even talking about taking insulin or checking my blood sugar.
Too many things to think about and too many possibilities for complications made me push diabetes aside for a long time. I just did not want to think about it. I decided to take that dose of insulin and keep on going like nothing had changed.
One day it did.
After years and years of checking my blood sugar monthly, at best, I got sick. Really sick. It was the stomach flu and I could not keep any food in me. Since I could not eat, I assumed that if I took my insulin I would drop down and experience a major hypoglycemic episode so I stopped taking my shot for a day and a half. At the time this made sense to me.
I remember my wife checking my blood and saying the meter just read “HIGH.” I remember trying to walk to the family room but could not walk past the living room. I remember being lifted into an ambulance and the ceiling of the emergency room. I remember IV’s, blood draws, ice chips, and bright lights. I remember hearing my wife cry next to my bed.
At the time I did not understand how insulin worked in my body or that I needed it all the time. Ignorance is not always bliss.
Soon after this episode I got in to see an endocrinologist who confirmed my a1c was 12.5%. I have learned just what the number meant before I saw him because I had been online looking for information. Searching for a much needed education.
I am happy to say that through websites and blogs I have read, I have learned so much and do not feel in the dark about my diabetes. Sure it is not predictable but I know what it is, how to treat it, and how to handle bad situations. Education is powerful and World Diabetes Day is great reason to get yourself educated and educate others!
The more we know, the better we can take care of ourselves. And the more we educate, the more we can help stop this epidemic.
Before that my only exposure to diabetes was three of my grandparents who all had type 2. I was scared, confused, and felt completely alone.
Being a senior in high school and involved in activities I was the kid who grabbed a can sodapop for breakfast, skipped lunch, and grabbed anything I could get at the local fast food joint for dinner. My eating habits were poor, sporadic, and the thought of having 3 meals a day, everyday, seemed overwhelming. And we are not even talking about taking insulin or checking my blood sugar.
Too many things to think about and too many possibilities for complications made me push diabetes aside for a long time. I just did not want to think about it. I decided to take that dose of insulin and keep on going like nothing had changed.
One day it did.
After years and years of checking my blood sugar monthly, at best, I got sick. Really sick. It was the stomach flu and I could not keep any food in me. Since I could not eat, I assumed that if I took my insulin I would drop down and experience a major hypoglycemic episode so I stopped taking my shot for a day and a half. At the time this made sense to me.
I remember my wife checking my blood and saying the meter just read “HIGH.” I remember trying to walk to the family room but could not walk past the living room. I remember being lifted into an ambulance and the ceiling of the emergency room. I remember IV’s, blood draws, ice chips, and bright lights. I remember hearing my wife cry next to my bed.
At the time I did not understand how insulin worked in my body or that I needed it all the time. Ignorance is not always bliss.
Soon after this episode I got in to see an endocrinologist who confirmed my a1c was 12.5%. I have learned just what the number meant before I saw him because I had been online looking for information. Searching for a much needed education.
I am happy to say that through websites and blogs I have read, I have learned so much and do not feel in the dark about my diabetes. Sure it is not predictable but I know what it is, how to treat it, and how to handle bad situations. Education is powerful and World Diabetes Day is great reason to get yourself educated and educate others!
The more we know, the better we can take care of ourselves. And the more we educate, the more we can help stop this epidemic.
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