Do y’all ever remember a particular event or moment so clearly, but it was also such a blur? That moment is ingrained in your mind with extreme precision, yet it also feels foreign? Maybe that’s just me, but that’s exactly how I feel when I look back on my diagnosis with Type One Diabetes.
A month or so into third grade, something felt “off”. I had no reason to worry or fear anything, as I was just a clumsy, but nonetheless healthy young girl. Despite being healthy, I vividly remember a lingering feeling that something drastic was waiting to be discovered. I know that sounds quite dramatic, but I’ve always been in tune with my body. Although I don’t remember noticing my thinning hair or crazy mood swings, I without a doubt remember many other symptoms. Drinking excessive amounts of water, always using the bathroom, losing weight, and feeling fatigued.
Fast forward to December of the same year, I had a doctors appointment to see what was going on. Little did I know, my mom had been researching my symptoms and was pretty certain that I had Type One Diabetes. The whole appointment was a blur, but I remember exactly what my blood sugar was when they tested it, 544 mg/dL. For reference, your blood sugar levels should be around 70-180 mg/dL . After that, I was told I had Type One Diabetes and was immediately checked into the hospital, where I stayed for 3 days.
Once I got settled into the hospital, I was hooked up to IV fluids because I was extremely dehydrated from my prolonged high blood sugar levels. Throughout my stay at the hospital, my parents learned how to manage my diabetes and I got adjusted to testing my blood sugar and taking shots. It was life-changing and scary, but the support of my friends and family made it easier.
I’m so thankful that my diagnosis was pretty straightforward and had no major complications, as I know now that it could have been much worse.
Anyways, thank you for taking the time to read this post, especially cause this one was much more personal. If you are interested in learning more about Type One Diabetes, here are a couple of resources that outline what it is!
Lots of love,
Jocelyn
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