GBS_82_
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone
I've now been diagnosed with type 1 for about a month (aged 33). I had all the usual signs - although perhaps quite mildly - throughout late Jan / Feb but didn't make the association. I then DKA'd in late Feb and spent a week and a half in hospital.
Anyway, over the last few days I've started to feel a bit down about it (having been very upbeat previously). So I decided to make a list of things that having actually been positive about the whole experience. Thought I'd share in case helpful for everyone else.
1. My life expectancy might actually be higher now - This might sound rather odd, as I realise T1D doesn't raise life expectancy (perhaps the opposite). However as a young-ish man who is fairly slim I haven't always taken the best care of myself. Now I am determined to be healthier to give myself the best chance of a long life. It might be, therefore, that I have a longer life than I personally might have had if this hadn't happened (have had no coca-cola for the last month and much less alcohol).
2. I realised how much I love life - I'm quite a philosophical chap and I've always been a bit 'what's the meaning of life / what's all this for' which can be a bit depressing. Having laid in a hospital bed for almost two weeks, I've realised that whether I understand the meaning of it or not, I just love life and want to be healthy and active. Strangely the fact that I now have to do something proactively to stay alive and healthy gives me a greater sense of purpose.
3. I am loved - So many people have expressed their concern, sent cards and came to visit me in hospital that I've been overwhelmed by their love. I really don't deserve it so am very lucky.
4. This is a great time to be diabetic - Don't get me wrong - if I could take a pill to regenerate the insulin producing cells in my pancreas, I'd take it. But if you have to be diabetic, this is a great time in history to be so. The insulin pens are SO easy. I am so lucky to live in a great country like the UK where there is so much support. My diabetics team is wonderful. Also, I have friends who have been very ill but the medical community don't really know what's wrong with them. If you have to be ill, I feel lucky to have something that was instantly recognised and people know how to treat. It's also great to have a wonderful online community like this so people can relate.
5. I am learning how to navigate the health system - The NHS is wonderful and I'm very grateful for it. But I am learning that you have to have confidence in navigating your way through parts of it. This is great perpetration for the rest of life, e.g. when my parents become elderly. Without this, I might have had no experience of the health service.
Anyway, I hope some of this is helpful.
Gareth x
I've now been diagnosed with type 1 for about a month (aged 33). I had all the usual signs - although perhaps quite mildly - throughout late Jan / Feb but didn't make the association. I then DKA'd in late Feb and spent a week and a half in hospital.
Anyway, over the last few days I've started to feel a bit down about it (having been very upbeat previously). So I decided to make a list of things that having actually been positive about the whole experience. Thought I'd share in case helpful for everyone else.
1. My life expectancy might actually be higher now - This might sound rather odd, as I realise T1D doesn't raise life expectancy (perhaps the opposite). However as a young-ish man who is fairly slim I haven't always taken the best care of myself. Now I am determined to be healthier to give myself the best chance of a long life. It might be, therefore, that I have a longer life than I personally might have had if this hadn't happened (have had no coca-cola for the last month and much less alcohol).
2. I realised how much I love life - I'm quite a philosophical chap and I've always been a bit 'what's the meaning of life / what's all this for' which can be a bit depressing. Having laid in a hospital bed for almost two weeks, I've realised that whether I understand the meaning of it or not, I just love life and want to be healthy and active. Strangely the fact that I now have to do something proactively to stay alive and healthy gives me a greater sense of purpose.
3. I am loved - So many people have expressed their concern, sent cards and came to visit me in hospital that I've been overwhelmed by their love. I really don't deserve it so am very lucky.
4. This is a great time to be diabetic - Don't get me wrong - if I could take a pill to regenerate the insulin producing cells in my pancreas, I'd take it. But if you have to be diabetic, this is a great time in history to be so. The insulin pens are SO easy. I am so lucky to live in a great country like the UK where there is so much support. My diabetics team is wonderful. Also, I have friends who have been very ill but the medical community don't really know what's wrong with them. If you have to be ill, I feel lucky to have something that was instantly recognised and people know how to treat. It's also great to have a wonderful online community like this so people can relate.
5. I am learning how to navigate the health system - The NHS is wonderful and I'm very grateful for it. But I am learning that you have to have confidence in navigating your way through parts of it. This is great perpetration for the rest of life, e.g. when my parents become elderly. Without this, I might have had no experience of the health service.
Anyway, I hope some of this is helpful.
Gareth x
