Sweet and Sour- The Type 1 Diabetes Rollercoaster

Everyone deals with things in different ways, because they’re completely different people. Like other people, diabetics are the same. From what I’ve seen there are four broad categories that people drift in and out of when faced with a diagnosis of chronic illness (this is not definitive, it is simply my musings). They apply not only to diabetes, but any event and it's difficult to fit into one entirely because our responses change daily. - Over-analysers * These diabetics seem to be rare, but I was absolutely one of them when I was diagnosed! They are so consumed by monitoring their diabetes that they take way too many tests a day. They check their level, analyse it, worry about what it will be in two hours and spend that two hours thinking about it. The over-analysers may have brilliant control over their condition, but they’re missing the point of managing it well: TO LIVE. It’s important that these individuals socialise and don’t refuse to do things because it may br...

Recently, I took part in a diabetes trial where new technology is being developed. Here's a run down of the current technology I use. This study is aiming to develop a system that can stop insulin delivery at a particular point to avoid hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). This makes use of sensor technology that can measure your interstitial blood sugar (that's the level of sugar in the fluid in your tissues) and this connects with the pump to tell it what your level is. The technology also predicts what your level may reach, looking at the gradient of your rise or fall. Simply, the pump stops you from having a hypo and alarms when you do. The trial was meant to be carried out in two stages, however as I couldn't meet the criteria for stage 1 I don't get to try out this new technology without doing stage 1 all over again. I was fasting from 11pm the night prior and arrived at the hospital at 7am. I'd been wearing a sensor (who I fondly named glitch). Let me tel...

My first blog request from my favourite Type 5 asking for diabetes puns, jokes and pickup lines. These are terrible and have been found from stalking the internet, only two are my own because I'm not clever enough to think them up... or perhaps my sense of humour is a little more sane 1) The diabetics got on very well, you could say they glucose 2) Can you check your blood sugar? Because I would love to know your number 3) You're just my type 4) You're like my needles, ultra-fine 5) A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down..... unless you're diabetic 6) You're so sweet I need a dose of insulin 7) Did it hurt your pump... you know, when you fell from heaven? my own creation and the title of my major work 8) Sweet sensationalism 9) What does one meter say to another? HI-LO One I frequently say 10) Dude, I'm so high right now

A lot of people take things way too seriously, and I'm pretty guilty of that myself at times! Diabetes is something that's serious, and whilst it's important to stress it's life threatening nature, it's also essential to step back and laugh at everything surrounding it. So carrying with the theme of looking on the bright side of diabetes, here's a list of 'diabetes perks' - Mandatory lunch breaks - People hold your stuff - Putting wagers on what my blood sugar will be - People's faces when they offer you food and it dawns on them you're diabetic (note I refuse the food not because I'm diabetic but because I'm gluten and lactose intolerant... yay me :) ) - Insulin junkie jokes - Freaking out members of the general public by saying loudly 'I'm high' - Getting out of sport... you know, just in case you drop low (I swear I only did that once, I promise it was legitimate) - Scaring your friends with dark humour i...

' We don’t always realize it, but each one of us had come a long way since diabetes first came into our life. It doesn’t matter if it’s been 5 weeks, 5 years or 50 years, you’ve done something outstanding diabetes-wise. So today let’s share the greatest accomplishment you've made in terms of dealing with your (or your loved one’s) diabetes. No accomplishment is too big or too small - think about self-acceptance, something you’ve mastered (pump / exercise / diet / etc.), making a tough care decision (finding a new endo or support group / choosing to use or not use a technology / etc.).' My accomplishment would have to be going on my very first diabetes camp.  It was a frosty morning in Newcastle as we waited for the bus to take us up to Queensland (I'd never been before!). I looked around and didn't know a single person, but we all shared something in common, our type 1 diabetes. I soon made a friend, happens pretty quickly when you're stuck on a bus for ho...

So I just found out about D Blog Week and signed up, though I will be running a little late (just a day :) ) Day 1:  Often our health care team only sees us for about 15 minutes several times a year, and they might not have a sense of what our lives are really like. Today, let’s pretend our medical team is reading our blogs. What do you wish they could see about your and/or your loved one's daily life with diabetes? On the other hand, what do you hope they don't see My health care team? It's pretty amazing. I'm lucky enough to be constantly supported by diabetic educators, dietitians, counsellors and of course my endocrinologist who really is one of the best in his field. They know so much about my diabetes, but sometimes you have to wonder, what do they actually know about me, the person? I wish they could see the support I constantly have around me, and how much their guidance has influenced me. I wish they could see how their lessons have helped me manage day t...

Dear Mum, If you’re reading this, welcome to my blog! :) I don’t really say it often enough, you are the most fantastic mother imaginable. You couldn’t find a more caring, kind-hearted, intelligent, hilarious person. Your strength is something I’ve always looked up to, and I hope that one day I’ll be able to be as strong as you. You can be tough as nails, but only with good cause. I look up to you immensely for your ability to stand up for yourself and your intelligence. You take such good care of everyone around you with your sweet and caring nature. My diabetes was something you found difficult to come to terms with, but you managed it.  Sometimes I wonder whether I’m the lucky one, being the mother of a diabetic is a difficult title to have but you manage it so well. You got past your anger, sadness, confusion, self-blame and needle phobia (good thing I didn’t inherit that one!!) to help me as much as possible with my diabetes. From yelling out the carbohydrat...

I am a type 1 diabetic. And this? Well, this is my attempt at making people understand what type 1 is, and what it’s like. This isn’t a tragic story, this isn’t a plot to gain sympathy, and this isn’t about the plight of a teenager trying to find their place in a world of melodrama. Basically- I’m not aiming for Days of Our Lives here. This is just my life, and I’m hoping that by telling my story, maybe it’ll dispel the myths about what diabetes is, maybe it’ll help a diabetic see they’re not alone. Heck, maybe it’ll improve my writing skills and pass English :) I’m pretty average, I go to school, I play piano, hang out with friends, and I happen to have type 1 diabetes. I guess I should make it clear, I may have type 1, but that doesn’t mean that that’s all I am. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Pretty much, scientists don’t know what causes it exactly. In a non-diabetic, you have a fully func...