10 YEARS STRONGER
How do you start your morning?
Do you check your phone first thing? Turn on the kettle to make a coffee? Run to the bathroom?
Me? I check my Blood Sugar Levels (BSL).
10 years ago today, I got diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes which is an auto immune disease, that unfortunately is irreversible.
Over the last ten years, on average (minimum) I would have done 21,900 injections and roughly, 36,500 BSL checks.
To explain it to you in a day to day sense, and please keep in mind no two days are ever the same, for example I had 4 hypos over the weekend, one at the level 2.6 (below 1 I am in a coma!).
The average person’s BSL reading is between 4-8mmol, mine can range from 1.5 – 25mmol (and above) – sometimes it is purely unexplainable.
When I was diagnosed I was told of everything I cannot do now that I have Type 1 Diabetes, for me, that only made me want to defeat the odds, but it comes with it’s challenges.
Before diagnoses, I had zero clue about what it entailed and my strength surprises me at the worst of times.
It is something I live with every day, that for the majority of the time goes unnoticed and in my household is part of the routine.
Fortunately I have a pretty great support system, especially my parents who have not only built up my confidence and independence to live with Type 1 Diabetes but have always shared my frustrations and have always been there (with jellybeans in hand).
I’ve had comments that range from “you’re going to need your feet cut off, did you know that” – from a studying podiatrist to “can you eat that” (YES I CAN) and “you’ll be fine, let’s go!” whilst I am mid hypo.
It can be pretty lonely at times, as no one knows what you go through first hand, it’s easy to focus on the negatives however in the last 10 years I can say that I have defeated the odds and aim to continue to do so.
No persons’ life is easy, and I can speak on behalf of everyone I know with Type 1 Diabetes, that we don’t need sympathy, only understanding and awareness.
I know that if I never got diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (which at times I wish I didn’t) I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have had or be the strong person I am today.
As each year passes, I know I am becoming the woman I am meant to be – someone I am very proud of.
Again, thank you to everyone in my life for your patience, understanding, support and love – I am extremely grateful.
