A little about me...
I was 10 years old when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I'll be 25 this month. Like a lot of others it started with extreme thirst and frequent bathroom breaks. I remember asking to stop the car to pee on the side of the road because I could not hold it, which was entirely out of character.
This went on for a few days, I started getting really tired and feeling really crappy. I had Ketosis and had started burning fat and losing weight. My parents new something was wrong but I hated hospitals so much and would lie and say I was okay. My mother looked at me and she said she saw my face sunk in and something told her it was an emergency.
I remember explaining how I felt in the emergency room, they immediately checked my blood sugar and instead of being between 4.0 and 7.0, I was 49.9
I received my first insulin shot and was brought up to speed on what my new life would be like. I don't remember much of how those days went. I counted carbs, but my blood sugar numbers were higher than they should have been. I was scared of going low, so I stuck to bad habits and kept my numbers high. I went on an insulin pump for 7 years, but I abused the freedom the pump offered.
I tried to live a normal life on the outside, while my numbers swayed from 7.0 - 30.0 Having my blood sugar in the 20.0's was a normal day for me. Eating whatever I wanted, not taking proper care of myself. I didn't have an outward negative attitude about my condition, in fact people often told me it was incredible how positive I was. However there was a disconnect. Acting like it didn't bother my, because I was ignoring it, wasn't the answer. The stress I was putting on my body, and the state of constant repair caught up with me eventually.
By the time I was 18, I had become accustom to acting fine on the outside no matter how bad it was on the inside. Eventually my life involved throwing up on a daily basis, and feeling horrible.
I worked 12 hour rotating shifts for over 5 years, and during the 12 hours I would listen to audio books, and lectures on various topics. Knowledge became my escape. I think feeling like I didn't understand my diabetes lead me to learning as much about everything else as possible.
It wasn't until the beginning of 2012 when I realized I was responsible for my life and my diabetes. I remember feeling sick, and throwing up meat from a few days prior, that was a big wake up call. Rock bottom for me was after I was laid off, and ran out of benefits. There was a time where I was using expired insulin and re-using needle tips. Luckily by this point, I felt like I had become who I wanted to be, and the only thing missing was taking control of my diabetes, and thus my life. I had decided to take responsibility but didn't really know where to start.
I began making appointments with my doctors and started getting my numbers lower. My numbers still are not where I want them, I have 3 or 4 numbers between 4.0 and 7.0 and 1 in the low teens.
I think I was to young to take in the information I needed to, and understand the severity of my condition when I was 10yrs old. By the time I was old enough to understand, I was so use to doing things wrong, I had convinced myself that was how I was.
I'm very fortune to have an amazing girlfriend who has helped me learn about my condition. I check my blood 6 times a day now, sometimes more, and always count my carbs. I feel like my insulin numbers are out of wack from when I wasn't doing things properly but I am working hard at learning the healthy habits so I can work on getting them more accurate.
Now a year and a half since I changed my life. I haven't been physically sick in longer than I can remember... over a year for sure. My diet has completely changed, not just to one that is more diabetic friendly, but just healthier in general. I go for walks everyday, drink tons of water, and eat healthy. I was always fairly active so that part wasn't an issue.
I have started learning about diabetes and the effects it has on people. Understanding my illness has helped me handle the mood swings easier. Although I did have my moments of depression, I don't think it was ever excessive... at least not in relation to my situation. Although I wasn't an out right ass hole, I did give girlfriends, friends and family some undeserved behaviour. I wish I would have understood my irritability.
I am very grateful that my emotional and mental health is doing very well, and excited that my physical health is finally catching up. =)
Since my life style change in 2012, I quit my job which was affecting my physical and mental health very negatively, completed an online app design course. worked very hard to be accepted into a paid for pre-apprenticeship machining program at a local college which I am currently attending (and doing very well in)
I have also started an eBook company and have been working together with some very successful entrepreneurs from Toronto to make it as profitable as possible. My apprenticeship program ends in October with a machining job placement. Just knowing that has taken so much stress off, which has allowed me to achieve great things. It is amazing what you can achieve when you are not worrying about whether you will be alive the following week or have the insulin you require.
My goal is by the end of this year, to have an app company going as well. For the first time in a long time, I look forward to the future. My hopes are by this time next year, I will be back on the pump. My doctor wants approx 1 year worth of good numbers.
During my travels of learning more about diabetes and a healthier life, I came across "Diabetic Danica" on Youtube, which lead me here. I'm glad to be part of the community, and look forward to learning as much as I can, getting and sharing support.
Any advice, questions or comments, feel free to message me or comment below!
Thanks for reading and I look forward to getting to know you guys! =)