On Monday I had a bunch of tests done at the lab. They were to check my thyroid, kidneys and liver functioning. They’re also doing the HbA1C - my first ever! - and checking my calcium levels and cholesterol. In addition to these, they’re testing for GAD and IA2 antibodies and c-peptide production.
It’s only Wednesday, and I’m already nervous about the results. I have an appointment with the endo to discuss them on the 18th - 8 days time. The endo said though that if the GAD and IA2 came back positive for antibodies he would probably phone me before then. So, I’m sitting and waiting for the phone call while I try to get some work done. I’m incredibly nervous. I’m not sure that I want a phone call, but I also might not want a phone call. It’s confusing. I may finally have a diagnosis - 9 months after I was initially told I was diabetic.
I’m dying to know what it is. I think this will let me start to make plans and anticipate what the rest of my life with D with look like. I will know if I will be taking insulin or pills for a while. I will know how I can expect to eat. I will know if I need to start saving for a pump or not. At this point, knowing is probably just as difficult as not knowing. Once I know I will have to deal with all the emotions, thoughts and fears that come with looking to the future. Having a final “Type 1” or “Type 2” is scary, because it’s the unknown. I’m scared to be a Type 1, because it’s a daunting job. On the other hand, I’m scared to be a Type 2, because the stigma is so great.
At the moment, all I can do is wait on tenterhooks and hope that it’s not too scary when the moment finally arrives.
Megan,
There is no stigma for any medical condition,and you are pearls& strong,so relax my dear friend.Wish for ADA to change the classification of diabetes!!
I hope all your tests come back great. But if not, it’s better to know now then not know so you can do something about it. Megan, hope you the best with the diagnosis & keep us posted.
Oh, Megan, I can completely sympathize . . . my thoughts and prayers are with you. If there’s anything you need, e-mail me or comment on my wall, and I’ll do what I can. (I know it’s a bit of a hollow offer from thousands of miles and a continent away, but . . . .)
Good luck, Megan. If you’re worried about it, you could probably call your doctor’s office and have him/her tell you the basics of the results for now and then you can talk about what they mean with your doctor during your appointment. 10 more days is a long wait. That way, you could maybe be doing research and coming up with an educated list of questions before meeting with your doctor on the 18th. In any case, good luck!
Hang in there and know you did something very positive for yourself just by going to the endo. Once you can take the first step, often the next ones come easier than you think!
Oh, and BTW… if you meet anyone who stigmatizes you, tell them to take their stigma, fold it until it is all corners and… well, you get the idea /wink
Whichever form of this you end up officially having, knowledge is power! No matter whether it’s type 1, type 2 or some weird in-between (or even combo of both), living with it is complex, so the more you know, the better. Good luck, whatever happens.
I’m so scared right now. I got too nervous to phone the doctor today, so I’m going to have to wait until Thursday. I don’t know why I’m so scared - it doesn’t really change anything.
