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September 2022
No Two Days are the Same
I know I feel like an utter failure on the days I can't explain the rollercoaster but I also know I try my best. The concept of forever can be overwhelming on the days you feel like you are not in control of a chronic, incurable condition.
There are around 42 different factors that can affect an individual's blood sugar - lack of sleep, illness, stress, hunger, routine, exercise, carbohydrates, protein, alcohol, injection site, dehydration, the list goes on!
I have put myself out there and shared two days readings (which makes me a little uncomfortable!) and I can't pinpoint exactly what caused my ups and downs on the 27th but thankfully the 28th was a lot smoother in the green target range. One thing I have come to realise and accept over the past 20 years of living with diabetes is, sometimes we will just not get it right, no matter how hard we try - I mean, after all we are trying to be a pancreas?!
Some days the readings make sense, some days they make no sense at all, the important thing to remember is you have to keep going! All you can do is try your best!
An ordinary girl trying to keep type one diabetes in control whilst living her best life.
August 2022
Choice
Scientists believe that the average adult makes 35,000 choices every single day.
I don't have enough fingers and toes to record how many times someone has said to me over the past twenty years: 'rather you than me, I could never inject myself everyday!'
The fact is, diabetics do not have a choice. Those injections save our life, every single day and the awkward reality is, every single one of those people that tell me 'they could never' most certainly would if they were in the same boat.
We might have been dealt a different hand, but ultimately, we do have a choice as to:
1. how we react to our condition
2. how we manage our diabetes day-to-day
3. how we respond to those who don't have diabetes who want to know more
4. how we treat ourselves
5. how we can live our best life with diabetes!
I am yet to come across a diabetic unwilling to answer questions about the condition or their experiences so before jumping in and saying how freaked out you are by the injections, ask some questions and learn exactly why we do what we do, because if we had the choice, we would rather not do it either!!
July 2022
Not so Perfect Pump
A memory popped up on my timeline today of me proudly showing off my insulin pump whilst 12 weeks away from running the London Marathon.
Needless to say I didn't run the marathon wearing my pump.
The technology becoming available for diabetics is literally saving lifes and making management so much easier. I love my continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and cannot imagine going back to only finger prick testing.
Throughout my teenage years I had discussions around the pump and how it would look, wondering where I would put it when I had a bikini on, what would happen if I got tangled in the tubes.
As I got older, I became more open to the idea, especially when I was offered the tubeless insulin pump to try.
But the technology is not for everyone.
One morning in August I woke up feeling really 'off', sick, dizzy, lethargic. I tested my levels to find they were 27mmol (5 times above what they should be) and issued a correction dose with my pump. I felt the insulin dribble down my side and realised that there was something wrong. I had never felt so ill since my diagnosis.
The cannula to the pump was completely bent and I had not had any insulin all night.
It terrified me.
These things happen, I know that, but when it literally comes to life or death and its your own potential death, it hits differently.
I decided the pump was not for me and immediately switched back to injections.
This is not intended to terrify anyone looking to try the pump, for many it works a dream and their blood sugar control is so much better. I would wholeheartedly encourage people to TRY it, if you don't like it, you can always switch back.
Perhaps it wasn't the right time for me. Perhaps running the marathon was enough strain on my body without trying to change my insulin routine of 18 years. I don't know. What I do know, is everyone's diabetes management is different and you have to do what is right for YOU!
Diabetes is a lifelong lesson and you need to be comfortable whilst you're on the ride!
June 2022
Sensor Summer
Over the past month I have been lucky enough to catch up with my covid cancelled holidays. I could not wait to get back to the heat and to take some time out after two crazy years, to simply relax.
We had a great holiday but one thing was different this time - I had my Freestyle Libre sensor. Not only that but my diabetes was visible for the first time ever whilst I was on holiday?! I have had diabetes for over half my life so whilst I remember life before the condition, it is very much something that is just a part of me. It is also something I forget is completely alien to other people.
Whilst soaking up the sun in the pool, I had two different people approach me about my sensor on my arm. Both were kind, curious and had lots of questions and it was not until I reflected afterwards that I realised that this was the first ever time my diabetes could be seen by others.
Diabetes is nothing to be ashamed of and it is so refreshing to have a conversation starter beyond the 'can you eat that if you're diabetic?'. This technology ultimately helps me lead an easier life with a very complex incurable condition and for that I am grateful.
It turns out it is quite empowering to #showoffyoursensor!!
May 2022
Hello - My First Post!
My first blog post... hello! I am Sam, a very ordinary woman with a full-time job, loving husband and the cutest little rescue dog.
For the past twenty years I have been living with Type One diabetes. It has not been an easy ride and at times I have certainly felt like I was losing the battle, but I am here, healthy and not letting diabetes stop me.
Being diagnosed at the age of 12, I remember life 'before' diabetes and come my teenage years, I tested my luck with food (and booze!) as most of us did. But when I hit my early 20s, I realised that health really is wealth. What's the point in having a good job, a nice house, a decent car if you can't enjoy any of it because you didn't look after yourself?
So I took it upon myself to make a change. I haven't looked back. Small changes to lifestyle make for a much happier, healthier existence. I hope sharing my experiences will help someone else too :)