Hey, Im hilary I am 18 and a senior in high school.
I have been a type 1 diabetic for a month, I was diagnosed January 22 2009.
And I am full of emotions.
I guess i just need to know that things will eventually get easier,
right now i stuggle to calulate certain food, watch my carbs ans stabilze my blood sugar which right now is regulary in the 200s. Sometimes i find myself having little pitty parties because I cant really relate to anyone anymore. I have one diabetic friend who lives 2 hours away. And somtimes I feel like an outcast in my family,
all i want to know is that its gonna get better and Ill learn to live with it and it will almost be like not even a big deal.
Thanks a bunch
Hilary 
Hey Hilary,
I've gotta say first, I admire your intiative to get on here after only a month of living with diabetes in search of support and information. That is really hard for some people! Being willing to ask questions and ask for help when you need it is going to make life with diabetes that much easier.
That being said, yes, this disease is a lot of work, and there's a lot to know. We all struggle with trying to have perfect blood sugars but that is part of the disease, and that shouldn't and won't keep you from enjoying life.
In terms of understanding your disease to make it easier, you will learn it all gradually. Even ten years from now you will be learning new things about your diabetes. You'll continually learn more about: NUTRITION...EXERCISE...INSULIN PUMPS...STRESS...ALCOHOL...AND HOW TO ADJUST YOUR LIFE AND DIABETES FOR BETTER BALANCE.
I know it sounds cliche, but when it comes to diabetes, knowledge = power! The more you know, the more you understand what's happening in your body and how you can control it. I like to consider myself my own life-long science experiment. :)
There is another side to living well with diabetes though, and that is the part you have TOTAL control over! YOUR ATTITUDE. Diabetes is exhausting, overwhelming, sometimes scary and there will be times when you feel like no matter what you do you just can't get it all right.
And that's okay.
The crucial thing to remember is that if you look at your disease as a horrible, unfair burden, you're going to miss out on a lot of great things in life. EVERYONE in life struggles with something, whether it's diabetes or cancer or the death of a parent of a learning disability...etc...we all have struggles in life. If we start to think our life is harder because of diabetes, we're forgetting that life is hard for everyone.
So what's the other option? Do the best you can. Diabetes has not kept me from happiness, from health, from strength or from pursuing goals in my life. Sometimes, yeah, it makes things more challenging, but it doesn't stop me. I'm a yoga instructor, personal training and I'm going to competing in Powerlifting in May --and diabetes can't keep me from succeeding in any of that!
And there are so many of us around here! You are not alone! Some of us struggle for long periods of time in our life and some have figured out how to understand their diabetes and enjoy life. It's up to you.
Ginger
Thank you both, very much.
Today I had an appointment with my doctor to dissus pumps, she says once I am on a pump, My life will be so much easier, I really appreciate the great advice and I will for sure look into getting that book. I know I will learn to live with diabetes, but for now I know I still have a ton to learn.
I found this website when I was researching support groups, My friend recommened I find one to help me coupe. Being diagnosed was a huge lifestyle change for me. I know that in a few months and maybe even years all this diabetes stuff will be like second nature to me, but for now its a struggle. Sometimes figuring out how much insulin to take is frustrating and now when I think back to 6th grade when my friend heather was diagnosed I know what she was going threw, and I only wished I paid more attention to what she was doing. But she is my role model because know she has a handle on it, shes been on a pump for 5 years and acts like diabetes isnt even a big deal. and I am so excited to know that one day Ill be like her. I am really glad I found this website, I am thankfull there are people who are out there willing to help and share the knowledge with people like me, Thanks again to you both.
Hilary
Hilary,
I was just diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes this year, and a week before Easter (talk about impeccable timing) and I, too, am only 18. My dietitian suggested to try a pump once I make another appt. with her (she says it will make my life easier, as well).
I was wondering if you tried it yet. I'm a little skeptical about it because I would have a needle just lodged in my gut pretty much all day (gross and quite disturbing!) Hopefully, the pump is better than it looks!
Thanks!
Hey Bobbi!
For starters I would totally recomend getting a pump! Its not at all what it seems, at least the one I have! You do not have a needle inside your gut all day, you have a tiny little tube in your gut, The needle is used to push the tube into your gut, its actually less painful then doing daily shots.
I have the omni pod which is a tubless pump that is wireless and uses radio signals to cummicate with your pod, the pod is placed wherever you want and you change it every 3 days! I love it! No more daily shots no more lantus at night! It makes living with diabetes much easier!
I know how you feel I was diagnosed this year not to far from Valenitines day! bummer I know. But you learn to get used to sugar free candy or finding alternitives!
I would totally get a pump.
the process takes a while, it spans over several appointments log keeping and labs!
But in the end its totally worth it!
I hope I was able to help you (:
Peace Out
feel free to reply
Hilary (:
Hey again,
So, next question...do you take the short-acting insulin with/when you wear a dress? I love wearing dresses, but it would be very difficult to wear a pump with a dress on!
Next thing, I (I hope this doesn't sound stalkerish since I read your profile) too enjoy art and photography!! In fact, I want to become an art teacher! I am currently in 2 art classes this semester in college, and will have a b/w photography course next semester. Do you plan on majoring in any art classes as well?
Lastly, I lost a lot of weight before I was diagnosed with diabetes (I went from a size 6 to almost a 2!) in less than a year. Shortly after being treated, I started gaining weight. I am now almost a 10!! My doctor said it is because my body is still messed up from all the weight loss, so to speak, and that it's trying to get back on track. Did the weight regain also happen to you? I feel helpless, because I can't seem to lose any of it...though my doctor has told me not to worry.
Bobbie
Hiya Bobbie!
Well I don’t think I can really answer your first question because the pump I have (Omni Pod) is a small little pod that you stick anywhere on your body && its tubeless so you can literally put it anywhere, So when I wear dresses it’s no problem for me, if you had a tube pump I think it would be difficult but I don’t, so I can’t really help you there sorry L
To your second thing, no it’s not stalkerish Its nice to know I’m not just writing all that stuff about me for my health lol && that someone actually reads it! To answer your question yes I am planning on majoring in art! I have not started classes yet I will later this month and I will take a few art classes, I’m not sure what exactly my career goal is at the moment, I know it will be in art, or possibly photojournalism, not sure I think classes will help me realize my art strengths and what I would be best at and enjoy the most! Nice to meet someone else who enjoys art & photography! I used to think I wanted to be an art teacher, my high school art teacher always told me I should, but I’m not sure that’s for me but you never know (:
To your last question, Yes I lost a ton of weight too before I was diagnosed I was really surprised because I usually maintain the same weight. Then after I started insulin and controlling my carbs the weight came back and then some , I figured it was because now my body was burning energy properly and was becoming healthy again, then after 2 months I was still gaining, I talked to my doctor because I was in the mind set like “I’m not eating sugar, I’m drinking diet drinks, I’m watching my carbs, I’m eating better than I did before diabetes so how can I be gaining weight??”, My doctor told me that it was normal and would get better she made me get labs done to check my thyroids because she said sometimes people with diabetes have thyroid problems that make them gain weight, but my labs said my thyroid levels were elevated but not abnormal, then about 3 months ago I started to shed pounds like melting butter, I went for a checkup with my normal doctor they did my weight and said I had lost 9 pounds in a matter of a few weeks, slowly but surely I did lose the weight, I am not 100% back to my normal weight but I have begun to lose the extra pounds. Don’t feel helpless it will be okay! The only thing my dietician told me to be careful of is that because I can’t eat sugar I may tend to eat foods with higher carbs which will make me gain weight. Other than that I am pretty sure your weight gain will subside!
I hope I was able to help you (:
Feel free to message me anytime!!
Hilary