"It takes more courage and strength to ask for help then it does to do it alone."

" It takes more courage and strength to ask for help then it does to do it alone." I had to find out the consequences of this the hard way. About two years ago I was so independent with my diabetes that my family hardly helped me with any of it. It seemed like I was doing fine to all of them, but the truth was, I wasn't fine. I was skipping checks and injections on a daily basis and my blood sugars were off the charts high. I would make up a number to tell my mom so she wouldn't suspect anything was wrong. I thought that I could handle it and these blood sugars would eventually come down with no harm done. How wrong was I... At the end of July 2007 I went DKA for the first time since I was diagnosed in 1999. It was the worst night of my life. All I remember is being in the hospital bed writhing in pain and my mom telling me that I had to scream if I wanted them to give me pain medication. (She works in the medical field, so she knows how it all works) I also remember begging for water because I was so thirsty and they would only give me ice chips. I have never seen my sister cry like that before, and hope I never have to see it again. When I woke up in my hospital room the next day I was informed how I almost didn't make it through the night and how lucky I actually was. When the doctor came in to tell me the seriousness of what I let happen to me I just started crying and I told her that I wanted and needed help. From then on it has been easier to take control of my diabetes because I have the constant "nagging" (in a good way!) from all my friends and family. I slip up every now and then, but who doesn't?! The year after my hospitalization for DKA was one of my worst with diabetes, because it caused so many complications within my body, but slowly I have become my old self! :) I am now absolutely obsessed with finding a cure and helping spread diabetes awareness any way I can. Two days after I was released from the hospital, me and my mom were scheduled to go on a trip to Florida for the National Youth Gathering for teenage Lutherans. I was givin the all clear to go because my mom would be there. One of the most touching moments I had on this trip was when I was sitting in one of the mass events with the 25,000 Lutheran Youth of America and they started showing pictures and names of teens that were supposed to attend the event, but couldn't because they had passed away. I just looked at the screen and started crying, because that could have been me. But I was given another chance, and I plan on taking advantage of that in every way possible. So if you have a similar problem like I had, don't be afraid to say something just because you might get in trouble for messing up. It might save you...