Hello, I am new to this website and just wanted to stop by and say hi! My name is Caren and I am 15 years old. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 7 years old! When I was first diagnosed, they told me it was all about the sugars and I couldn't eat sugary things! I was only on Lantus, and of course took my blood sugar. After a while, my blood sugar would still be high even though I simply ate a salad, this proceeded for days and days. Finally, we went to a better doctor to see what's going on. That's when I figured out I had to take another shot - Novolog. I don't know why they never gave me novolog from the start, but moving on. I was on shots for about 4 years, and then August of 2010 I went onto a pump! I am a pumper now for almost 3 years with a Medtronic pink pump! Another fun fact about me, I go to diabetes camp every summer for about 5 days! It will be my 5th year going there this summer. Next year, I will be a counselor in training for that camp, I can't wait to be a inspiration for little kids with the same disease as me and to look up to me. I have lots diabetic friends from camp, they are considered my best friends. I would love to meet new people on this website! I love meeting new people! Anyways, for new comers of diabetes.. things will get better, it will become more mundane to you as years come. Trust me! That's all I wanted to say, just introduce myself and say hi! :)
Great post about your story and nice to meet you. It seems that a lot of the people who went to camps (not me...:-()have a great attitude about diabetes and it's great to hear how much you've enjoyed your experience there.
Welcome to TuDiabetes. I'm sure you'll find new friends here and be able to both learn and teach others. This is a very welcoming community - I am certainly glad I found it as my "diabetes home" and I hope you get the same benefit from participating as many others do.
Welcome, Caren. I am inspired by how well you present yourself. I am the parent of 9yr old son with diabetes. I would love for him to attend diabetes camp but he is just not ready to leave me for a full week. I often wish there was a diabetes day camp in our area.
Thank you! Yeah, I was 10 when I first left and it was a hard 5 days for me!! I missed my parents so much, but it made me stronger to be away from home for a little bit! I'm 15 and I still get a little homesick from here to there when I'm at camp :)
Hi Caren and welcome! You have found a great place to hang out with so many others who understand what you deal with. That's exciting that you will now be a counselor in the camp you've gone to for 5 years! The campers will be lucky to have you and you will be a role model to them on how to live your life well despite diabetes being a part of it!
Hi and welcome Caren. Nice to read your introduction, to be honest have no idea about these camp things (probably not something which happens over here). But interesting to hear about though. And nice going on being an inspiration to others :)
welcome to tu! this is such a great site for info and support. it sounds like you are doing so well already. i can tell you have come a long way towards acceptance which is soooo important when you mention your D management as mundane! i think you will be a great example to others by leading by example. My son is 14 diag. at 10 but still struggles a bit with being different and to be honest i tend to worry more than i should, i am working towards having him self manage more and empowering him more. keep that good attitude darling, it is such a good quality to feel comfortable in your own skin and lead with your bright spirit, congrats on being mature beyond your years and living the life that you choose. keep shining bright and let nothing stop you! amy
Thank you for the nice comment! I struggle myself with handling of being different, a kid made fun of me once for being diabetic. Since I've gotten the pump, I've been more open about my diabetes and now I am can say it loud and proud that I am diabetic. I used to keep it a secret, and my classmates would always ask me, " why are you going to the office every day before lunch? " I never told them that I was actually taking my blood sugar, you learn a lot along the way though! If your son has those down days and needs a teen to talk to with the same issue, I am always here! :D -Caren
