My biggest yes is losing a lot of weight. I always thought I'd need a magical something to do this and then after to keep the healthy lifestyle. Before I was diagnosed I lost over 20kg and now, after 8 months I still haven't gained anything.
Second yes is re-discovery of sports, especially since I lost weight and without too much concern for knees or hearth I could just start exercising. I was always an active one, but for last few years I got to do nothing but long walks. Now I'm going to the gym, run, even work out a bit at home. It is a major change also for the amount of endorphins.
When I got sick I was surrounded by my friends (my family lives far away) and I understood what "a friend in need is a friend indeed" mean.
I also learned a lot about myself, not only about me as a person with diabetes, but about how I react to stress, how I cope with it, what are the things in life I care most, what makes me happy.
And last but very much not least: Now I understand what is happening with me. I had so many symptoms and I was constantly tired and sometimes in pain and it was the all unknown and I hate being left without information. And now I know! It is a great relief.
Downsides - first loneliness and being a responsible adult in this all, in the end of the day, it's me counting, observing myself, making decisions and being self-disciplined and wise. I want to be a stupid free spirit again sometimes
and totally
@Eldorado I would do this diabetics holiday business! I think you have found an interesting niche.
Additionally to that diabetes with all this everyday decision making makes me often think why do I do that, I mean why I keep myself alive. I have tendencies to depression and mental health issues a bit and being faced with this question over and over again doesn't help.
Practical issue: pricking - I look forward to any method that allows to measure BG as often as I want/need and without giving the sacrifice of blood.
Still not knowing totally which type I am and the fact that finding a good doctor is hard, that makes it hard too. It's a fight with health care system in any country I guess.
And all the medical consequences, neuropathy the most. I'm genuinely scared of them.