Type One Brock

This is the story about my journey having type one diabetes. On April 18, 2019, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is an auto-immune disorder. The reason I said that is because people think diabetes is this thing, caused by eating too much sugar, or that you can’t eat any sugar. But it’s much more than people believe. Managing my diabetes is hard and very overwhelming at times. I often feel like I fail at it. I think that all diabetics eventually go through this stage, and they just don’t take care of themselves like they should. I have learned in the last two-plus years of my diagnosis, that you have to take care of yourself. Don’t let this stop you or frustrate you. Just because we live with this disease does not mean we can’t do anything that everyone else can do. We have to live life to the fullest because life is too short. Yes, this disease is hard. And it is ok to have bad days, we all have them. The other day I just did not want to get out the bed, but we have to fight it and take one day at a time. “I may have diabetes, but diabetes does not have me”. It is easy for people to think that this disease is a simple health issue. But those of you who have it, know the struggle of never-ending highs and lows that we go through. There are so many people who just don’t get it. It is so hard to get a perfect blood sugar.  

Oftentimes, people with diabetes don’t get the love and the support that they need, or even understand how irregular readings can affect their emotions, or even their ability to function properly at all times. We go through so much and those without understanding may not be aware of what may be happening or what is needed to help you if necessary. But I am lucky because my family helps me and supports me, and my parents are always worrying about me.  I get mad at them sometimes because I feel like they don’t trust me. But I realized that it is because they love me and want me to be safe. As I stated before, living with diabetes can truly be hard because of the drastic changes in the lows and highs and the different things it can cause.  I don’t like to have to correct for a high before going to bed because I am aware that my blood sugar could drop while I am asleep. I do fear sometimes that I may not hear an alarm that will let me know if my sugar has gone too low or too high while I am sleeping. Sometimes I do get really scared and tend to live my life in fear because I worry. What if my blood sugar goes too low and I pass out and no one is around?  What if I get too high and forget what I’m doing, and I eat, then forget to bolus?  

I truly hate to admit this, but the brain fog is real. I literally forgot I was cooking in October, of 2020, and went to do something else. My sugar was super high, and I could not think rationally or even focus on what I was doing. In my mind I was working it out, but I had not verbalized to anyone what I was feeling. About 10 minutes or so went by, I really can’t say for sure, but as I headed back to the kitchen, I realized there was a fire. I couldn’t even react properly. I just calmly told my grandmother that the kitchen was on fire. Long story short, it could have turned out worse than it did. I have since learned that I need to let someone know if I begin to feel things aren’t ok, which in reality isn’t always possible.   But we can’t let fear stop us.  

Since I was only diagnosed with T1d two plus years ago, it’s sad because I do remember life without all the restrictions. And now I have to watch what I eat and what I do; and be conscience of medication that is necessary throughout the day.  Sadly, without having a cure, we have to live this new way of life. I have a lot of people who support me. And now I am trying harder and harder to maintain my blood sugar. I hope and pray for a cure. We have to stay strong and remember, we are not fighting alone.  

What I am trying to say is, even though diabetes isn’t fair, it is a horrible disease that can take total control over a person’s way of life if we let it; together we can eventually conquer.  We just have to keep calm and take one day at a time. We all go through bad things in life. It just so happens that thing in my life is diabetes. I have come to terms with this and have even found ways I can make some things related to it be fun and another learning experience. I have met many wonderful people in this short time. I have been made aware of the blessings I do have and how willing people in our community are to come together in the fight for a cure.