Turned A Corner....

[weeza44]

Hello there,

This is more of a message of hope really. Having had Type 1 diabetes for about 3 and a half years and getting diagnosed at a ripe age of 25, I thought I would get things licked easily. Wrong. Maintaining a positive attitude only gets you so far.

Recently, I was really struggling and thought that I would never get the sensation of feeling normal, seeing a reading of 20.9 was a usual occurance. It even got to the point where two weeks ago I was admitted into hospital with plus 4 ketones. I have never felt so ill before in my life. With the help of a very caring and understanding hospital team (and my gorgeous other half who didn't complain once at holding my hair back as I will really ill) I was made to feel better, 7 litres of fluids later. I came out the other side, shocked and totally dedicated to never getting in that situation again. That's not saying Im ignorant enough to know that some days I will get the flu, or will get a bug that will make my numbers go a bit ooohhh errr... But I came out of hospital with a real sense of knowing how serious diabetes is and how serious I should take it. I dont want people to always ask how I am and in the same breath how is my diabetes.. So I have really worked hard to kicking it into touch so I can live as normally as Im capable of.

It is almost like a light went above my head and since then I have managed to (with help of reading through some old books I was given when I first got diagnosed) and re-evaluating my insulin units that Ive been taking. I adjusted my lantus to do one shot of a medium size once a day instead of 2 larger shots!

To say that I've cracked it, Im sure, is maybe a small overestimation but I am really getting there. Knowing what works for someone else with type 1 may not work for me but I have found a decent balance. Waking up without a dry mouth is now a thing of the 'Pre Hospital Blip' - my numbers are the kind you hope for! It has taken 3 and a half years of learning, visits the the nurses, and eventually a hospital visit. But I feel a sense of satisfaction that my body no longer hates me and wants to be my friend again..

So to all those out there who are stuck in the frustration and learning curve of type 1, don't give up hope.. Just take time to evaluate what you are doing, maybe brush up on your understanding and just know that you can find that body balance. Cliche much? But it does work!

Weeza
' Celebrating Control for 2 Weeks'

 

[noblehead]

Inspiring post Weeza!

Its never to late to 'turn a corner' in life, but the sooner you do it with diabetes the less chances there is of long-term complications. One thing you can be certain with diabetes is that you can never never beat it, therefore it is wiser to accept what we have and learn to control the condition, there's no compromise, either you control it or diabetes controls you!

Two weeks of good control is a start, keep this up and you will undoubtedly feel much better for the stable control and your good lady will no doubt see a change in you too. Should you not already have done the DAFNE course, ask your diabetes clinic to enroll on the next course, this is a course that teaches you to carb count correctly, and to help you work out your own insulin/carb ratio for each meal-time as well as other useful info for type 1 including sick day rules etc.

Best wishes

Nigel

 

[Pneu]

Weeza,

Good to hear that you have got it all under control

Sounds familiar to my story.. never really gave my type 1 diabetes a thought until I spent a week in hospital because of it and since then I have been religious in my management. I to was diagnosed as an adult (well at 17) and no one really took the time to explain the disease or importance.. I was given some needles and insulin and packed off home.. it wasn't until five years later when I ended up in hospital that the seriousness of diabetes hit home..

I am happy to say that was four years ago and although everyone has up and down days you will get the control right and you will feel better.. I have treated it as a personal challenge to get my control as close to a normal persons as I can and have been rewarded recently with an HBAC1 of 4.6% my best yet..

We all have ups and downs but keep your head up, keep trying and you will get there and be healthier for it!!

 

[Lezzles]

Hey,

Congratulations!!

I am in the same boat, I have recently decided to stop being a complete nut job and just start taking care of myself, I am on week 3, and while I hold my hands up and admit that I am nowhere near to perfect at least I am making the effort and trying whereas that was something I never did before.
I am now testing regularly and taking my insulin everytime I eat.....even when I eat the bad stuff, which is something im still working on.
imm a food-a-holic, I can't help it :lol:

Congrats again and keep up the good work

 

[weeza44]

Thanks to everyone and congrats to those who have seen the light!

It isn't the easiest thing to deal with as Im sure you know and all those in your life who support you know that its tough especially through those awesome 'give-me-food-or-I-will-eat-the-closest-thing-to-me' moments. But there has to be a point, a moment, a shock, something to make you realise that the only person you are really hurting is yourself.

Did anyone happen to see that documentary called The Hospital a week or so ago? Although they focused on kids a heck of a lot younger than me, I was shocked about how they treated their health and how the fact that when they hit 30 they may be living in a seriously debilatated body.

Anyway - good luck to those who need it, pat on the back for those who want it and and a big high five to those who have woken up to see how important their health is!

Peace
Lou 'enlightened' Simpson