Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2

I've gotten used to non-diabetics giving me a confused look when they find out I'm a diabetic. My brother joked with me after being diagnosed saying "When I found out from Mom & Dad I thought, 'but she's not overweight.'" My normal description goes something like this: "Well, I'm a type 1 diabetic, which is also known as Juvenile Diabetes. I have cells that are attacking my pancreas as opposed to type 2 diabetics (the majority of diabetics) whose pancreas has kind of gotten worn out." It's a ridiculous description of both diseases, but it's about all people can handle who have no real idea what diabetes is. I sometimes go into more dept about how type 1 diabetics have to take insulin all the time since their pancreas in the end will stop working all together, and type 2 diabetics can take oral meds and diet/exercise to improve their diabetes, but not get rid of it all together. Most people just don't know.

I read the article on Martha's site about the woman who is working with her kids to get them not to eat candy & junk food. Her heart is in such a good place, trying to keep her kids healthy and teach them good eating habits, but it is frustrating that she didn't do any amount of research on diabetes to determine the difference. This doesn't make me angry so much as annoy me. But then I think of the plethora of diseases that I have no idea about, that I may possibly refer to in an incorrect way sometimes without knowing. Granted, I'd hope I would double check my facts before sending a letter to the editor... but still!

I'm lucky that it is me with the disease and that I'm not a parent of a young type 1. That's what probably scares me the most, thinking of little kids who face this. I'm an adult and can figure all of this out on my own. I know the risks, I know what I have to do to keep it in control, I know how to explain this disease to those who don't understand it. I'm just so impressed with all the parents to face this everyday for their child.

It does frustrate me to see friends who have a family history of type 2 diabetes who are overweight. I want to shake them and say "I know it's hard to loose weight, but it's much more difficult to deal with diabetes and try to get healthy after the fact!" But I bit my tongue.

Today's the day

Today is exactly one year since being diagnosed. My day today amazes me compared to what I was doing one year ago. I've already been to a brunch benefit, eating fruit, muffin, eggs and sorbet without any ill effects. Today I'm helping with setting up our annual dinner and shall participate in that tonight, getting home around 10 pm. Last year I woke up around 11 am, crawled out of bed only to pee and drink. Settled on the couch with a friend to watch a movie. Fell asleep about 15 minutes in. After the movie I was just about out the door to go to Wendy's to get a frosty when I received the news that I should go to the emergency room instead.

When reading other people's blogs (http://diabetesmine.com/ & http://marthaoconnor.blogspot.com/ are two I read everyday) I realize how lucky I am for many reasons. I got this at an age that I could easily handle it on my own, as opposed to getting it as a small child. I don't have other major responsibilities (kids and a family) so can focus on keeping my diabetes in check.

I have such a busy day today but this (my one year anniversary) has been on my mind for a couple days now. That's it for now.

Just an anonymous blog

I've been reading other people's blogs about having diabetes for a little while now and thought I'd join in, albeit anonymously. I don't care to have any of my friend, family or co-workers read this, because it's really just a way for me to vent and ask questions from other diabetics.

On April 27th, 2004 I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and taken directly to the emergency room of our local hospital. My blood sugar was over 500 (which ment nothing to me at the time) and I later found out my A1c was about 13%. About a month before going to the hospital I went to a clinic and they diagnosed me with a 'stomach lining disorder'. A week later I went back and they diagnosed me with a sinus infection. Finally my boss sent me to her doctor and they immediately took a blood sample to test. I imagine the woman suspected right away that I was a diabetic since I had all the signs (so thirsty!). I had lost about 30 pounds and while in the hospital gained some back just from rehydration. At the hospital they started me on Humolog & a longer acting insulin (I have forgotten the name since I only used it for a couple days). I got out of the hospital with only a vague idea of when to take my insulin, how much to take etc. Two days later I got into a doctor who was a type 1 himself and learned much more in an hour that I had learned in the two days at the hospital. Along with putting me on Lantus, he sent me to a diabetes educator and both set me on the path to getting a pump asap. By early June of last year I was on my pump and back to normal. I was 23 at the time.

My one year healthy anniversary is tomorrow. My A1c is 5.6 as of two months ago. I'm still on my pump and have had no problems with it. My nails are back to normal and my hair is steadily getting thicker, back to normal. About three months after being diagnosed my hair started to fall out and my nails started to flake and crack. This is what happens to people with anorexia/bulimia, or apparently to people with diabetes that goes unchecked for too long.

I now live in a large city in the midwest closer to my family (I actually live with my 27 year old brother and a friend of his from college). I have a great job (with great health coverage). I don't have any body issues with my pump, but haven't dated anyone seriously since being diagnosed.

I guess I'm starting this blog so I can correspond with other diabetic blogers and tell my own story, as boring as it may be. In thinking of a name I thought of two things: my friend's mother, upon hearing I was a diabetic, exclaimed "She's got the sugar!" which I still think is kind of funny. I also have an aquantance who is a type one and always says she's got "the 'betes" with a shrug of the shoulders. I'm 24, have a great social life, great job, great family, and hey, I got the 'betes.