Hello I'd like some answers...

Hi Allycat22,

I was first diagnosed at the age of 8, the day after my Family Christmas Party. I was dragged away from my new toys to the doctors, who handed my Mum a box of tissues and told her I was T1 Diabetic. I had no idea what diabetes was, my Mum started crying, so I started crying, because I didn't understand what was making her feel so sad, when I felt fine.

I went to the hospital, again, I was confused because I felt fine, in fact I was thinking about lunch! I met my Aunt at the hospital (who was Dean of Nursing at Guys Hospital) and I asked her why I was in the hospital, because no one told me and I wanted lunch.

My Aunt was the one who explained to me about diabetes and that, whilst I didn't feel poorly, my body was very poorly and I needed to stay in the hospital and be brave so I could get better.

I really had no questions, except for why it made my Mum sad. But that was probably an age thing as opposed to anything else, I didn't understand why all of a sudden I couldn't eat certain things etc. But the questions have only just started coming for me. (And I've been diabetic for 15 years!)

The only question I have, is for when I see my consultant next month, and it's simply asking for an insulin pump. When I have the okay, I'll have more questions about that.

I have more curiousities than questions, like, I was curious as to the different foot problems diabetics can have and the impact on thyroids and heart disease. I very much take it as it comes, if I need to know something, I look it up. If I want to know something specific about my care, I ask my DSN.

When I turned 14, I stopped looking after myself and had DKA a lot, I was on a pity party for a good 5 years. I'm 24 now and I've stopped feeling sorry for myself and asking all the 'why me?'s. I can't change my diagnosis, everyone in my life knows and accepts that. I try not to dwell on the future, there are people on this forum who have been diabetic for 40+ years, and they've had kids and grandkids and careers and lived a perfectly 'normal' life, so that sort of thing doesn't bother me. If I look after myself, there's no reason I cannot have my life; I have a career, a great relationship, a mother and brothers, a home, despite diabetes, I'm pretty content.