I was diagnosed with Type 1 at the age of 11 in 1978. I was very sick, had lost 30 lbs in a very short period time. The doctor thought I had a bad case of the stomach flu and for 2 days had given me shots to stop me from throwing up, which didn’t work. It came to a point where I couldn’t walk anymore and I asked my mom to take me to the hospital. I don’t remember much else from that point on as I went in and out of consciousness. Everyone thought I wasn’t going to make it - so I’ve been told. It has been a long road, but all in all I survived the teen years and have no complications whatsoever.
I am amazed at how the treatment of diabetes has changed over the years! Coming from using a dipstick to test for glucose in the urine and using a test tube and tablets to check for ketones. I still remember from the numerous times of being hospitalized to make adjustments to diet and insulin - that they used to come and take blood from my arm 6X per day. I am so grateful for the glucose meters!!
I have two children - boys - who are the light of my life, along with my husband. My eldest son was diagnosed with T1 when he was 5 years old (3 and a half years ago). Even though I have had diabetes for so long, it was a big adjustment. I never counted carbs until he was diagnosed. I just knew what different foods did in terms of raising blood sugar. Now I pay more attention, but still often rely on the knowledge that I have carried in my head for so long! I also had and still have trouble leaving him in the care of someone else unless I have taught them what they need to know in order for him to survive - by my terms! As he learns I am more confident in leaving him - but we still have a long way to go.
We both do MDI (multiple daily injections) - both on Lantus, me on Humalog and him on Novorapid. We have discussed going to a pump, however, he has no desire and I believe that the only way this will happen is if I do it first. We have no coverage for a pump so the expense is great at this point in time. When the time comes, I’m sure we’ll make it work, but until then MDI works wonderfully. He also has no qualms with the number of needles he has to take (which currently is at least 6 per day).
That’s it in a nutshell for now…