Sweet and Sour- The Type 1 Diabetes Rollercoaster

It dawned on me that sometimes I glaze over aspects of diabetes,  making it seem like no big deal. Probably because pity irritates me. So here's the honest answers to some common questions Does it hurt when you prick your finger? Yes. Usually barely and only for a second, but yes it does. Sometimes it hurts for a while. Sometimes it doesn't stop bleeding and you leave a blood trail on the keys during your piano lesson. Does it hurt when you change your pump set/ inject it into your stomach? 9 times out of 10 yes. Again, it's only for a short while but when it hits a muscle you know it! Like the fingerpricks, it can vary. Sometimes you can't even feel it, other times you're left crying because it hurts so terribly. Worst case scenario you have to take it out and inject another one.... fun You're luck you're used to needles- you must find vaccinations easy! I was needle phobic when I was a kid, and I can't say I find vaccinations much fun. But ...

Making new friends means new perspectives on my diabetes and its supplies. Heres a few good ones I've heard lately: In response to the sound of my fingerpricker "Woah, man I thought that was a really angry bug!" After watching me check my level "So, where does all the blood go?" "Thought that was a remote.... THEY SHOULD MAKE IT A REMOTE TOO!" (Which nerd Bec somehow made into a harry potter reference) After asking about my diabetes necklace " Ohhh, I thought it was a fashion statement" Bonus about going to a uni full of health science nerds? They're all very curious, ask decent questions and don't make stupid assumptions (they're also Potterheads)

They're up, they're down, they're round and round. Just when you think you're stable- diabetes chucks a temper tantrum, just to remind you it's there. And thanks to this I'm slowly becoming "the weird train lady" also known as the "not at all presentable juicebox carrying uni student" Unfortunately for me I regularly catch the train in peak hours- not a pleasant experience. There's never any seats and trains that turn up at my station tend to be of the old, rattling, air-conditioning that never works variety. Team that with diabetes and you'll see where the reputation is coming from. It's just past 5.30pm and a frizzy haired, barely functioning and bag laden like a pack mule, uni student crams herself into a train. There's nothing to hold on to and the train is completely packed, no one is able to get in this carriage. You get the picture- I'm a mess and I'm being trodden on by people bigger than me. But what hap...