Welcome
Welcome to the Life on Insulin Blog. The first question that immediately comes to mind is, “Why start a blog now?” I have been a type one diabetic for over nineteen years. Most of my life has been lived as a diabetic through the use of insulin management. Diagnosed at age twelve, and now being at the young age of thirty-one, I have spent the majority of existence living with this disease. It has been quite a journey thus far with plenty of highs and lows (blood glucose levels as well as experiences). While most of the discussion around type one diabetes focuses on the daily struggle, the truth of the matter is the idea behind starting this blog began with the opposite… the success.
To be honest, I don’t know if any type one diabetic feels any type of success upon initial diagnosis. Doctors and nurses tell us to look at simply being alive as a source of happiness or relief about living with a chronic, medical condition. But, when you hear the first words about insulin, daily injections, finger pokes, sugar, counting carbohydrates, and so and so forth… well, a life on insulin can appear to be the polar opposite of finding happiness or relief. Most of us experience feelings of fear, sadness, shame, disbelief, confusion, and pain on emotional and physical levels.
Success with diabetes starts out small. A good glucose level here. An effective insertion site change there. Counting the carbohydrates right. These are daily battles we face as type one diabetes requires this kind of management every single day. And not just one time … but multiple times throughout the day. From there, success can continue to build with a string of healthy glucose levels or a few back to back healthy A1C results.
So, how can success be risky? It is easy to see how the struggle can lead to wanting to throw in the towel or simply give up. But wouldn’t all success be good considering it keeps us healthy? For me, living with type one diabetes for almost two decades has shown me that some of my accomplishments have pushed me to a different meaning of risk. That is thinking “I’ve got this” and stop doing the things that led me to the success of being happy and healthy.
Over the years I have reached significant milestones, beginning with bringing down my A1C from a 14.1 in my early years of living with the disease to have three straight years of A1C levels under a 7.7. There was success when I needed to consistently prove my capabilities of managing diabetes in order to be eligible for the insulin pump. I reached personal goals of completing a half-marathon (and multiple ones after), crossing the line of a full marathon, and most recently signing up for my first ultra 50k trail marathon. The most recent success was publishing a book called Life on Insulin: A Memoir, which chronicles my life journey living with type one diabetes.
After each success a part of me starts to think I have learned it all. I have gone through all the experiences related to diabetes. I know how to take care of myself. What else do I need to do? The truth reminds me that as long as there is no cure and the need to practice diabetes management there will never be a time for me to say “I’ve got this.” Confidence is one thing, but falling into the trap of complacency is quite different. That is what leads to procrastinating, lack of motivation, failing to utilize support networks, and thinking I don’t need any more help. Success can be celebrated and even rewarded… but slipping back into old ways that were destructive to our well-being and health of our diabetes is not acceptable.
Looking back over the past accomplishments now it is vital to continue on that same track of being accountable to my health. Part of that necessity is the reason for starting this blog. Keeping me doing the same things over and over again in pursuit of a happy and healthy life with type one diabetes. And along that pursuit share the journey with others for the greater cause for the rest of the people who live with this disease.
This blog will share experiences and stories about living a life on insulin. Whether you are a type one diabetic yourself, a family member or loved one, or someone who is going through their own journey… I welcome you to a way of connecting to others in support of one another. Please join in the conversation that is shared here. Remember: for ourselves, but not by ourselves. Keep testing your blood levels. Keep administering your insulin. Always keep in pursuit of a life filled with happiness and health. Welcome to a life on insulin.